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KPFA staff stalls fall fundraiser decision

By Jeffrey Obser Daily Planet Staff
Thursday October 25, 2001

The standoff between KPFA Radio and its parent Pacifica network tensed up a notch on Tuesday when staff and volunteers decided at a staff meeting to delay a decision on whether and how to hold an autumn on-air fundraiser. 

“Everybody decided just to hang on and to wait and stall,” said Barbara Lubin, a programming volunteer on “Flashpoints” and leader of alternative fundraising efforts since the network shut down the station for several weeks in 1999. 

Pacifica, which holds the license to KPFA and four other stations, and holds its purse strings, last week sent word that it faced financial difficulties if it failed to raise money.  

“We have been told that we need to do a fundraiser and we need to commence our fund drive soon, that we need basically the cash flow in order to meet expenses,” said assistant station manager Phil Osegueda. 

KPFA normally holds four on-air fundraisers every year, and Lubin said the station should be $300,000 in the black right now. Instead, she said, the station is about $100,000 behind in paying its bills.  

Heading to trial with four listener and staff lawsuits to fight the network’s almost three-year campaign to control and radically change KPFA and the network’s four other stations, KPFA staff is inclined to resist sending listeners’ money to help Pacifica pay for “high-priced spin doctors and lawyers,” said Local Advisory Board Chair Sherry Gendelman.The network has spent $2 million from its member stations’ listener fundraising drives on lawyers, public relations firms, and armed guards, since it launched a battle for centralized control of its affiliate stations when it refused to renew the contract of KPFA manager Nicole Sawaya in March of 1999, according to Lubin. 

“I think they’ve used our money to pay for lawyers, to kill us actually,” Lubin said. “To try and bring us down.” 

Nerves were on edge at KPFA late last week when Pacific Gas & Electric sent notice that unpaid electric bills of over $9,500 would result in a shutdown of the station’s electricity on Monday. 

Pacifica has apparently paid those bills, said Osegueda. But the pressure is on to approach the listeners for money – and with KPFA the last remaining holdout against the national board’s designs, the stakes are high. 

Last fall, with the apparent acquiescence of slim 6-5 majority on the  

Pacifica National Board, executive director Bessie Wash fired management and asserted control at WBAI, the last station beside KPFA to hang onto its programming independence. In August, Pacifica severed its relationship with the staff of the nationally-syndicated Democracy Now! news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and still aired by KPFA and other community stations around the country. 

And in September, the board expanded its majority by five new members in a telephone meeting, during which each new majority-selected member was instantly seated and given the right to vote on all the following nominations.  

“They’re willing to lower their standards to increase the probability of getting what they want through procedural trickery,” said Tomas Moran, one of the five “dissident” pro-KPFA board members. 

Those who attended Tuesday’s meeting kept uniformly silent on Wednesday about the content of the discussion, but all those interviewed confirmed the meeting was a difficult one, centered on the question of whether any fundraising decision could provoke Pacifica or, conversely, appease it. 

A letter handed out beforehand by Robbie Osman, a KPFA programmer who was briefly taken off the air by Pacifica in 1999, quoted Ken Ford, one of the majority board members, in the San Francisco Examiner this week as he speculated on how many lower-power alternative stations the network could purchase by selling KPFA and sister station WBAI in New York. 

“We have to face an admittedly frightening situation,” the letter read. “The present board leadership will not be prevented by our agreeing to be ‘good.’ When there are no longer any obstacles to a sale, our being nice will not keep them from cashing in on what they see as a $150 million asset.”  

Three options were on the table in addition to a normal fundraiser (none was chosen): Raise money on the air for an alternate fund not connected to Pacifica; raise funds on the air while telling listeners that their money might help Pacifica’s efforts, or continue to raise money off the air only. 

Six different funds are already taking donations to help KPFA staff and listener lawsuits against the network, which will require lawyers to fly around the country taking some 20 to 30 depositions. 

The legal showdown is due to begin in Alameda County Superior Court on Jan. 7. In four lawsuits against the national network, dissident national board members and KPFA local advisory board members allege that the practices of Pacifica’s national executive committee and board have violated both state law and the non-profit foundation’s bylaws on several counts. They demand that all board members seated since those alleged violations be removed. 

Calls for comment from Pacifica’s public relations firm were not returned on Tuesday or Wednesday. 

Amidst maneuvering to keep Pacifica at bay and tension over being a lonely anti-war voice at a fiercely patriotic national moment, KPFA community members are holding their cards close to their vests, keeping a close eye on the door, and dreading the telephone, Osegueda said. 

“My phone rang (when a reporter called) and I’m like, ‘Is it going to be them?’” he said, referring to Pacifica. 

Moran said he feared that with programmer Amy Goodman out of the way, the board may be ready to make another move.  

“I think they could potentially be ready to take on KPFA,” Moran said, “because they need to put this phase of whatever they’re trying to do behind them so they can start fundraising money with whatever their new constituency is going to be.” 

 

*** 

In other news at KPFA, the station was briefly evacuated and programming ceased Wednesday, when a bomb scare was called into the station at about 5:30 p.m. Police cordoned off the area, searched the building and reopened the station at about 6:30 p.m. Tensions have run high lately at the station, which is broadcasting anti-war programs in a sometimes hostile climate.


Freshman QB Robertson impresses in garbage time

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Thursday October 25, 2001

With Cal quarterback Kyle Boller ruled out of this Saturday’s game against Oregon State with a back injury, backup Eric Holtfreter will once again get the starting nod. But he might have some competition. 

Redshirt freshman Reggie Robertson got his first college action late in the loss to UCLA last weekend and looked impressive, albeit against UCLA’s benchwarmers. Robertson completed 8 of 16 passes for 99 yards, leading the Bears to a final touchdown in the last minute of the game. Robertson also ran the ball six times for 21 yards. 

“Reggie came in in the fourth quarter and did a very good job,” Cal head coach Tom Holmoe said on Tuesday. “He surprised us in the fact that he had never had a snap in a game and very few reps as far as practice is concerned, yet he showed an unusual amount of poise.” 

Holtfreter led the Bears to a quick 3-0 lead and threw an early touchdown pass to Charon Arnold, but looked overmatched at times against the fierce UCLA defense. The senior finished the day 11-for-29 for 102 yards. 

“As the game progressed there was a little bit of duress, a couple of breakdowns,” Holmoe said. “(Holtfreter) missed a couple of ball, but overall I’d say he played okay.” 

Holmoe made it clear that Holtfreter is his starter with Boller on the shelf, but Robertson could see more playing time against the Beavers. 

“(Robertson’s) strength right now is that he is extremely smart,” he said. “He ran the ball well, made the right reads, threw the ball well and overall just made a very fine impression.” 

Holmoe said he has been happy with the progress shown by both Robertson and true freshman Richard Schwartz, but stopped short of saying either could compete for playing time with Boller next season.


Guy Poole
Thursday October 25, 2001


Thursday, Oct. 25

 

 

Free Quit Smoking Class  

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

2344 6th St. 

With the option of acupuncture. Six Thursday evenings through Dec. 6. 

Contact the Berkeley Tobacco Prevention Program to register and for more information, 644-6422 or e-mail QuitNow@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

“Town Hall” Community  

Meeting 

7 p.m. 

San Pablo Park 

2700 Park St. 

San Pablo Park Neighborhood Council with support from the City, will be hosting this community meeting. Scheduled to attend: Mayor Shirley Dean, Council Member Margaret Breland, Michael Caplan from the City Manager’s Office, Recreation Director Madeline Law, and Berkeley Police Personnel. 

 

Latin Dance Class 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley/Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Salsa, Cha-cha, Merengue... $10, No partner necessary. All ages and levels welcome. 508-4616 

 

Berkeley Community Fund 

Eighth Annual Awards Dinner 

6 p.m. 

Radisson Hotel 

Berkeley Marina 

Bestowing the Benjamin Ide Wheller Medal and Berkeley Community Awards. 843-5202 www.berkfund.org  

 

Harris/UK Seminar 

noon 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley 

201 Moses Hall 

642-4608 

David Edgar, a British playwright working on a two-part cycle of plays for the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one play focused primarily on the Democratic and the other on the Republican side of the campaign, "The Drama of Politics and the Politics of Drama." 642-4608 

 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

12:30 p.m. 

UC Berkeley 

119 Moses Hall 

Berkeley Center for Globalization and Information Technology - Warren Sack, UCB, "Information Architecture and the Geometry of Social Relations." 

642-4608 

 

Peace Satsang with Swami Sitaramananda 

7 p.m. 

First Congregational Church of Berkeley 

2345 Channing Way 

Open gathering for prayer, chanting, meditation, healing and peace talks honoring the victims of the Sept. 11. 273-2447 

 


Friday, Oct. 26

 

 

Listen to James Joyce’s Ulysses 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave.  

Hulse Rauh leads a group listening. All are welcome.  

 

American Political History Seminar 

noon 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley 

119 Moses Hall 

Jean Edward Smith, Marshall University, will talk about his book, "Grant." 642-4608 

 

Raising the Bar: Latino and Latina Presence in the Judiciary and the Struggle for Representation 

5 - 7:30 p.m. 

UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall 

Steinhart Courtyard 

Reception honoring Latino Pioneers. 643-8010 

 

U.S. Relations in the Middle East 

12:30 p.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave. 

Hatem Bazian, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies at UC Berkeley, will give a lecture. $1 

 

Environmental Ethics 

12:30 - 1:30 p.m. 

Graduate Theological Union 

2400 Ridge Rd. 

A forum led by James Donahue. trees@gtu.edu 

 


Saturday, Oct. 27

 

 

Bay Area Coalition to End the Sanctions on Iraq 

5 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program 

Berkeley Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento  

Speakers Hans Von Sponeck, former United Nations Assistant Secretary General, who resigned his position as humanitarian coordinator for Iraq to protest U.N. policies, and Kathy Kelly, founder of Voices in the Wilderness, who has taken 39 humanitarian aid trips to Iraq, call for an end to the U.S. led bombing and sanctions on Iraq. 538-0209 www.endthesanctions. org 

 

Greening Our City Centers 

9 a.m. - 10 p.m. 

The Gaia Building 

2116 Allston Way 

The Second Heart of the City Seminar celebrating the opening of Berkeley’s new showcase ecological building and the Gaia Cultural Center. Discussions will focus on strategies and tactics for generating awareness and implementing greener city centers. 649-1817 www.ecocitybuilders.org 

 

Saturday Morning Children’s Program 

10:30 a.m. 

La Pena Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Charlie Chin presents traditional Chinese folk tales told in the “tea house” style. $4 adult, $3 children 

 

Berkeley Child Safety Seat Check-Up 

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (drop-in)  

Kittredge Street Parking Facility  

2020 Kittredge Street (the old Hinks Parking lot), 2nd Floor 

Trained child passenger safety technicians will inspect your safety seatinstallation, inform you of any recalls, and assist you in using your child safety seat properly. Free, sponsored by the Berkeley Public Health and Police Departments, 665-6839, dquan@ci.berkeley.ca. us. 

 

Targeting Civilians 

7 p.m. 

Berkeley Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St. 

Former UN official Hans von Sponeck and Voices in the Wilderness’ Kathy Kelly will discuss the war on Iraq and the current bombing of Afghanistan. $10 Benefits Voices in the Wilderness.  

 

Raising the Bar: Latino and Latina Presence in the Judiciary and the Struggle for Representation 

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall 

Booth Auditorium 

An unprecedented gathering of Latino judges from across the country to celebrate and critically examine the contributions of Latinos on the bench. 643-8010 

 

Low-cost Hatha Yoga Classes 

9:30 - 11 a.m. 

James Kenney Rec. Center 

1720 Eighth St.  

The City is offering low- cost Hatha Yoga classes for adults. Taught by certified instructor. Drop-ins are welcome. Bring a mat or towel. $6. 981-6650 

 

Medical Mystery Festival 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

A Halloween celebration that introduces children to the field of medical science and health-related issues. 549-1564 

 

Disaster First Aid 

9 a.m. - noon 

Office of Emergency Services 

997 Cedar St. 

Free classes in Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). 981-5605 www.ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

Help Cerrito Creek 

10 a.m. 

Meet at El Cerrito's Creekside Park (south end of Belmont Street). 

Join Friends of Five Creeks in removing invasive non-natives to improve  

habitat on lower Cerrito Creek. Bring shovels and work gloves if you have them. 848 9358, www.fivecreeks.org 

 


Sunday, Oct. 28

 

 

Archaeological Institute of  

America 

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 

Shorb House 

2547 Channing Way 

AIA Sunday Symposium: Reports from the Field — Dr. Ian Morris on the 6th century BCE site of Monte Polizzo in Sicily; Dr. Marian Feldman on prestige goods of the Late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean; Dr. Christine Hastorf on early architecture at Chiripa in the Titicaca Basin of the Bolivian Andes. 415-338-1537 barbaram@sfsu.edu 

 

Our Visual Heritage 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Ashkenaz 

1613 San Pablo 

Deaf and Hearing Project of Berkeley presents an ASL (American Sign Language) accessible event, in recognition of World and Domestic Violence Prevention Disability Awareness Month featuring, music, dance, information and more. $10, Children under 12 free. 644-2003, 644-2000 (TTY) 

 

Berkeley, Where Is It Going 

8 p.m. 

BTVU ch. 25  

Notable Berkeley neighborhood supporters give important information about the General Plan that will be before the Council in Public Hearings on Oct. 30 and Nov. 6. 

 

Spirit Day at the West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between 3rd and 4th Streets  

Spirit Day will host an outdoor community alter to honor our elders and the people who have lost their lives since Sept. 11. Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 654-6346 

 

Vespers of St. Demetrios 

4 p.m. 

PAOI 

2311 Hearst Ave. 

A prayer service celebrating St. Demetrios, patron saint of the chapel of Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute. 649-2450 

 


Monday, Oct. 29

 

 

Franciscanism, Understanding the Vision 

1 - 2 p.m. 

Franciscan School of Theology 

1712 Euclid Ave. 

Graduate Theological Union presents seminar exploring the lives, times and writings of and about Francis and Clare of Assisi. 848-5232 

 

Lecture - Discovery of Quilting 

7:30 p.m. 

First Unitarian Church 

1 Lawson Road, Kensington 

This is Dianne Hire’s own story, her personal expression of the intimate desires to create, to imagine and to express through the medium of quilting. $3 834-3706 www.hirealternatives.com 

 

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

3 - 5 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis St. 

Learn about the latest changes in affordable housing at the state and federal level. 800-773-2110 

 

Race, Immigration and American Politics Speaker Series 

noon 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley, 119 Moses Hall 

David Sears, UCLA, “Race, Religion, and Sectional Conflict in Contemporary Partisanship.” 642-4608 

 


Anthrax and Iraq – will the U.S. expand the war? war?

By Peter Dale Scott Pacific News Service
Thursday October 25, 2001

Under the mountains of newsprint emerging globally every day about events and issues tied to Sept. 11, one story has been almost buried. News reports from both inside and outside the United States suggest America may be on the brink of an invasion into Iraq – and anthrax may provide the pretext. 

For about a month after the Sept. 11 attacks, the press reported tension in Washington between two increasingly intransigent camps. One camp follows the multilateral approach of Secretary of State Colin Powell, and would limit U.S. military response in order to hold together an anti-terrorist coalition that includes Muslim countries. 

The other is centered in the Defense Policy Advisory Board, which is composed of hawk-minded unilateralists such as Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz. The immediate objective of the so-called “Wolfowitz cabal” is reportedly to expand the U.S. war by invading and occupying oil fields around Basra, in southeastern Iraq. Doing this, the group knows, would wholly undermine the consensus of the anti-terrorist coalition. It is a price they are willing – perhaps even eager – to accept. 

The conflict between the two camps was first outlined clearly on Oct. 12 by The New York Times. The Times reported that “A tight-knit group of Pentagon officials and defense experts outside government is working to mobilize support for a military operation to oust President Saddam Hussein.” It added, “The group has largely excluded the State Department, where Secretary of State Colin L. Powell has adamantly argued that such an attack would destroy the international coalition.” A two-day meeting of the Wolfowitz group was allegedly not even reported to the State Department. 

Two days later the London Observer reported that CIA and defense officials think Iraq was behind the anthrax attacks in the United States, and that Pentagon hard-liners (including Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, and the “Wolfowitz cabal”) were using the anthrax menace “to press for strikes on Saddam.” 

The Iraq-anthrax question has been handled more discreetly by U.S. media. As if to illustrate the truth of the Observer story, CNN featured former CIA Director James Woolsey, a close Wolfowitz ally, on the question of who was behind the anthrax menace. When asked who masterminded the bio-terror attacks, Woolsey replied, “My first nominee would be the government of Iraq, but I think Iran is not impossible either.” 

In several aggressive stories linking Saddam Hussein to bin Laden's al Qaeda network, there was little or no mention of Hussein and anthrax. Instead there was a press debate as to the grade of the powdered anthrax that hit New York and Washington. Was it so finely milled that only a state (such as Iraq) could have supplied it? No clear consensus emerged on this important question. 

In the last week columnists have also woven elaborate stories linking Saddam Hussein to bin Laden through the contacts of intermediaries. For example William Safire wrote in The New York Times of Oct. 11 that Saddam's secret service director, Faruq Hijazi, had visited bin Laden in 1994. Safire did not mention the source of this allegation, which has been attributed elsewhere to the obviously partisan Iraqi Liberation movement. 

Now the Iraq-anthrax story (along with that of the Faruq Hijazi visit) has at last been given prominence in the Oct. 29 issue of US News and World Report. In an article entitled “The Second Front,” Michael Barone writes that the purity of the anthrax spores suggests an Iraq link, since, according to Fort Detrick specialists in biological warfare, this “wasn't a kitchen or garage operation.” 

There are obviously many in the United States, most prominently the pro-Israel lobby, who have wanted to oust Saddam Hussein for years, long before the Sept. 11 attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. 

Wolfowitz in particular assured Turkey in the first half of this year that whatever America did in the Middle East, the “territorial integrity” of Iraq would be assured. Translation: Turkey need not fear that the Kurds of northern Iraq would be liberated in any post-Hussein era. (This has not deterred Safire, Wolfowitz's ally, from calling on Washington to “unleash the Kurds.”) 

But for an outsider without access to secret intelligence, it is hard to imagine why Iraq would risk U.S. retaliation, and possible obliteration, by launching an amateurish anthrax attack in which, so far, only a handful of people have died. 

In general, the U.S. media appear to understand the need to be discreet in reporting the alleged Iraq-anthrax connection. A U.S. attack on Iraq could well destroy the global anti-terrorist coalition so patiently assembled by Powell. 

The alternatives were spelled out clearly by the Sydney Morning Herald of Oct. 19: “Britain, Russia, China, Europe and, importantly, the Arab states that have given their backing to the war against Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden have publicly stated their total opposition to any raids on Baghdad, but the cabal, which is named after the Deputy Secretary of Defence, Paul Wolfowitz, is pressing on.” 

 

PNS commentator Peter Dale Scott (pdscott@socrates.Berkeley.EDU) is a former Canadian diplomat and professor emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley, and has authored numerous books on U.S. foreign policy. 

 


“Donnie Darko” gives Halloween a hare scare

By Billy Lux Special to the Daily Planet
Thursday October 25, 2001

The shifting moods of terror and grief in today’s headlines have a lot of people wondering how Halloween 2001 will unfold. In an attempt to be sensitive to current events (or perhaps just to salvage the box office), Hollywood has delayed the release of some of its more violent fare. Flying in the face of that sensitivity comes “Donnie Darko,” an independent film that is not only a chilling movie in a scary time, but one which involves the crashing of a jet engine into a suburban home.  

“Donnie Darko” is not about terrorists, however, and it is by no means sensationalistic. This debut film from 26-year-old writer-director Richard Kelly mostly flies in the face of genre constraints: It is simultaneously a complex teen flick, a wistful horror movie, a dark comedy, and a romantic sci-fi tale involving time travel. The novice director perhaps bites off a bit more than he can chew, but he, in turn, refuses to offer his audience regurgitated baby food and on the whole succeeds in creating a rewarding brain-bender of a movie. 

In the middle of an October night in 1988, Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), an unhappy adolescent in a psychotropic stupor, escapes death when a giant, talking rabbit named Frank beckons him from his bedroom just before it is decimated by a falling turbine. In the wake of this event, the constantly slumped-over Donnie makes a halfhearted attempt to return to his quotidian existence, perking up only when he meets Gretchen (Jena Malone), the new girl in his English class who has a troubled past of her own.  

Adults struggle to understand the troubled Donnie, but he doesn’t much care for their approval, preferring rather to point out their hypocrisies. His therapist (Katharine Ross) drugs and hypnotizes him. His science teacher (Noah Wyle) refuses to discuss God for fear of losing his job, and his gym teacher forces him to listen to the blather of a self-help guru (Patrick Swayze). The most sympathetic of Donnie’s elders is his sexy English teacher (Drew Barrymore, who also executive-produced). She tries to assuage the pain of puberty by having her students read Graham Greene’s “The Destructors.”  

Apropos of destruction, Frank the spooky rabbit continues to reappear, giving Donnie instructions to create chaos around town. Donnie is beholden to the creature for saving his life and so he commits the brazen acts. In time, he learns that the madness has method, and after a sweet moment of lovemaking at a Halloween party, Donnie embarks on a cosmic journey to alter time and fate, a journey from which he won’t return. 

Other movies echo loudly in “Donnie Darko:” The giant rabbit that only Donnie sees and hears invokes “Harvey;” the self-help charlatan appropriates the Tom Cruise character in “Magnolia;” and the suburban-underbelly exposure points back to “American Beauty,” “Blue Velvet,” and “Nightmare on Elm Street,” among others. But director Kelly doesn’t resort to these references out of laziness. He’s inspired by them and wants to build on them. His voice manages to emerge original and his movie unique. In fact, the director’s will is so strong, he doesn’t leave much maneuvering room for his large cast. They all turn in fine performances, especially Gyllenhaal whose subtle display of teen angst is all muted fury, but they don’t get to sprawl out and make the kind of organic choices you might see in a Robert Altman film. It’s really a director’s picture. 

Fans of 1980s music will be happy to hear INXS, Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, and Echo & the Bunnymen on the soundtrack. Just don’t get the idea that “Donnie Darko” is a nostalgia trip to the greed decade. It is about time travel, but it’s also timeless. 

 


Staff
Thursday October 25, 2001

 

924 Gilman St. Oct. 26: Influents, Plus Ones, Divit, Summerjack, Robot Adrenaline, Claredon Hills; Oct. 27: (Halloween show, $1 off if you’re in a (non-punk) costume!) Babyland, Tsunami Bomb, Scissor Hands, Dexter Danger; Nov. 2: Mood Frye, Manic Notion, Cremasters of Disaster, Bottles and Skulls, Lorax, Sociopath; Nov. 3: Cruevo, Nigel Peppercock, Impaled, Systematic Infection, Depressor; Nov. 9: Hoods, Punishment, Lords of Light Speed, Necktie Party; Nov. 10: Sunday’s Best, Mock Orange, Elizabeth Elmore, Fighting Jacks, Benton Falls; Nov. 16: Pitch Black, The Blottos, Miracle Chosuke, 240; Nov. 17: Carry On, All Bets Off, Limp Wrist, Labrats, Thought Riot; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926 

 

The Albatross Pub Oct. 25: Keni “El Lebrijano”; Nov. 3: Dave Creamer Jazz Quartet; Both shows 9 p.m. 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473 albatrosspub@mindspring.com  

 

Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Oct. 25: 9 p.m., Tea Leaf Green and Chad, $8; Oct. 26: 9:30 p.m., Kasumai Bare, $10; Oct. 27: 9:30 p.m., Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, $11; Oct. 28: 1:30 p.m., Derique McGee and Jazz Design, $ sliding scale; 9 p.m. Itals, Ras Jacob, Kanawah, DJ Ras D, $12; Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m., Bluegrass Benefit Concert for the NY Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund. Peter Rowan, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, Mike Marshall, Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin, Bluegrass Intentions, Kathy Kallick Band, Detour; $20. 1317 San Pablo Ave., 525-5099 www.ashkenaz.com 

 

Blake’s Oct. 25: Psychotica, $5; Oct. 26: Planting Seeds, $6; Oct. 27: Felonious, $6; Oct. 29: The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Oct. 31: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; All shows 9:30 p.m. 2367 Telegraph Ave. 848-0886 

 

Cal Performances Nov 8: 8 p.m. Gypsy Caravan 2: A Celebration of Roma Music and Dance, $18 - $30. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley Campus, Bancroft Way at Telegraph, 642-0212, tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu 

 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; Oct. 19: Little Jonny and the Giants; Doors open at 8 p.m. unless noted. 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

 

Freight & Salvage Oct. 25: Peter Mulvey, Erin Mckeown $15.50 - 16.50; Oct. 26: Cats & Jammers, $16.50 -$17.50; Oct. 27: Ginny Reilly & David Maloney $18.50 - $19.50; Oct. 28: True Blue with Del Williams $15.50 - $16.50; Nov. 1: Si Kahn $17.50 - $18.50; Nov. 2: Don Edwards $16.50 - $17.50; Nov. 3: Barbara Higbie $17.50 - $18.50; All Shows 8 p.m. 1111 Addison St. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

 

Jazzschool/La Note Nov. 4: 4:30 p.m. SoVoSo, $15; Nov. 11: 4:30 p.m. Dave Le Febvre Quintet, $12. 2377 Shattuck Ave. 845-5373 

 

Julia Morgan Center for the Arts Oct. 27: 8 p.m., Empyrean Ensemble, $18, $14 children. 2640 College Ave. 845-8542/ www.juliamorgan.org 

 

Jupiter Nov. 1: Joshi Marshal Project; Nov. 2: Lithium House; Nov. 3: Solomon Grundy; Nov. 7: Go Van Gogh; Nov. 8: Joshi Marshal Project; Nov. 9: Xroads; Nov. 10: Post Junk Trio; Nov. 14: Wayside; Nov. 15: Joshi Marshal Project; Nov. 16: 5 Point Plan; Nov. 17: Corner Pocket; Nov. 21: Starchild; All shows 8 p.m. and free. 2821 Shattuck Ave. 843-7625/ www.jupiter.com 

 

La Peña Oct. 28: 7:30 p.m., Mezcla from Cuba, $15dr. 320 45th St., Oakland 849-2568 www.lapena.org 

 

La Lesbian @ La Peña: A Lesbian Performance and Film Series Oct. 25: 8 p.m., comedian Elvira Kurt, $16; Nov. 1: 8 p.m., Singer/songwriters Faith Nolan and Megan McElroy, $14; Nov. 4: 5 - 9 p.m., Salsa, merengue, cumbia from DJs Rosa Oviedo and Chata Gutierrez, $7; Nov. 7: 8 p.m., I Love Lezzie, 20 member comedy troupe, $14; 320 45th St., Oakland 654-6346 www.lapena.org 

 

MusicSources Oct. 28: Keyboardist David Buice; Nov. 18 Harpsichordist Gilbert Martinez. Both shows 5 p.m. $15-18. 1000 The Alameda 528-1685 

 

The Stork Club Oct. 23: 9 p.m., Earwig, Butch Berry, $5; Oct. 24: 9 p.m., Cruevo, Jumbo’s Killcrane, Brainoil, Life in a Burn Clinic, $5; Oct. 25: 10 p.m., Painted Bird, Tinman, Fenway Park, $6; Oct. 26: 10 p.m., Birdsaw, Wire Grafitti, Breast, $5; Oct. 27: 10 p.m., Oxbow, Replicator, 60 Foot Time, $6; Oct. 30: 9 p.m., Simple Things, Tombshakers, Ultrafiend, $5; Oct. 31: Oppressed Logic, Eddie Haskells, TBA, $5; 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. 444-6174  

 

Yoshi’s Restaurant and Jazz Spot Oct. 29: 8 & 10 p.m., The Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra, $10. 238-9200 www.yoshis.com 

 

Cal Performances Nov. 2: 7 p.m., Sightlines, Pre-performance discussion with guest artists. 8 p.m., “Music Before 1850,” with Andrew Manze and Richard Egarr. $32. First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. 642-9988/ www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

 

 

Theater 

 

“The Odd Couple” Oct. 25 through Oct. 27: 7:30 p.m. The female adaptation of Neil Simon’s classic play. Directed by Antoine Olivier. $5 students, $7 adults. Bobby Barrett Theater, St. Mary’s campus, 1294 Albina. 981-1167 ruthcrossman@yahoo.com 

 

Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” Oct. 26: 8 p.m., Oct. 28: 3 p.m. Presented by the Oakland Lyric Opera, continuing the company’s opera showcase series of short, one-act operas and opera scenes, semi-staged concert performances. First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. $25, $18 students and seniors, $15 children. 836-6772 

 

“Prometeh in Evin” Oct. 28: 8 p.m., A drama about political prisoners in Iran, performed by the brave and innovative Parsian Group. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. $25, Children, $15 2640 College Ave 845.8542 www.juliamorgan.org. 

 

“Approach” Through Oct. 27: Thur. - Sat., 8 p.m. An examination of the search for intimacy as our most precious form of survival. Written by Susan Wiegand, Directed by Katie Bales Frassinelli. $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors. Eighth Street Studio Theatre, 2525 8th St. 655-0813 www.shotgunplayers.org 

 

“36 Views” Through Oct. 28: Tues. 8 p.m., Wed. 7 p.m., Thu. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Thu., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Sat., Sun. 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Written by Naomi Lizuka, Directed by Mark Wing-Davey. $10 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“me/you...us/them”Nov. 8 though Nov. 10: Thur - Sat 8 p.m., matinee on Sat. 2:30 p.m. Three one-acts that look at interpersonal, as well as societal relationships from the perspective of the disabled. $10 - $25. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. 925-798-1300 

 

“Nocturne” Through Nov. 11: Tues./Thurs./Sat. 8 p.m., Weds. & Sun. 7 p.m., matinee on Thurs./Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. Mark Brokaw directs Anthony Rapp in One-Man Show. Written by Adam Rapp. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“Tomas Carrasco of Chicano Secret Service” Nov. 15: 4 p.m. Performance by member of L.A.-based sketch comedy troupe that uses humor to tackle hot-button racial and political issues. Free. Durham Studio Theater, UC Berkeley 

 

“Lost Cause” Through Nov. 17: Fri. - Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Three space travelers stranded on a forgotten colony, find themselves in the middle of a bloody civil war, and have to decide between what’s right, what’s possible, and what will save their lives. Written by Jefferson Area, directed by Sarah O’Connell. $7-12. La Val’s Subterranean Theatre, 1834 Euclid Ave. 464-4468 www.impacttheatre.com 

 

“Travesties” Through Nov. 17: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., and Thurs., Nov. 15, 8 p.m. A witty fantasy about James Joyce meeting Lenin in Zurich during World War I. Written by Tom Stoppard, Directed by Mikel Clifford. $10. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck. 528-5620 

 

Cal Performances “The Car Man” Oct. 30, 31: 8 p.m.; Nov. 1: 2 p.m., 8 p.m.; Nov. 2: 8 p.m.; Nov. 3: 2 p.m., 8 p.m.; Choreographer and director Matthew Bourne and his company re-invent Bizet’s “Carmen,” spinning the tale of a mysterious drifter in a small mid-western town, who changes the lives of its inhabitants forever. $32 - $64; Nov. 7: 8 p.m., “Gypsy Caravan 2: A Celebration of Roma Music and Dance,” more than 30 singers, dancers, and musicians present a musical synthesis of the authentic Roma styles. $18 - $30; Nov. 8: 11 a.m., SchoolTime Performance, “Gypsy Caravan 2: A Celebration of Roma Music and Dance,” $3 per student or chaperone, in advance only; Nov. 8: 8 p.m., “Orquesta Aragón,” $18 - $30. Nov. 11: 3 p.m., Recital - Angelika Kirschschlager, Bo Skovhus, and Donald Runnicles. “Wolf/ Die Italienisches Liederbuch,” $45; Nov. 16 - 17: 8 p.m., “La Guerra d’Amore,” director and choreographer, René Jacobs, conductor, Ensemble Concerto Vocale. Modern dance and early music from German choreographer Joachim Schlömer, $34 - $52; 

UC Berkeley, Zellerbach Hall. 642-9988/ www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

 

“Macbeth” Nov. 9 through Nov. 18: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m. Presented by the Albany High School Theater Ensemble. $7 adults, $5 students and seniors. Albany High School Little Theater, 603 Key Route Blvd. 559-6550 x4125 theaterensemble@hotmail.com 

 

“Saint Joan” Oct. 26 through Dec. 2: Wed. - Sat. 8 p.m., Sun 2 p.m., 7 p.m. George Bernard Shaw’s epic of a young girl determined to drive the English out of France with only her faith to support her. Directed by Barbara Oliver. $26-35. Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison St. 843-4822 www.auroratheatre.org 

 

“Murder Dressed in Satin” by Victor Lawhorn, ongoing. A mystery-comedy dinner show at The Madison about a murder at the home of Satin Moray, a club owner and self-proclaimed socialite with a scarlet past. Dinner is included in the price of the theater ticket. $47.50 Lake Merritt Hotel, 1800 Madison St., Oakland. 239-2252 www.acteva.com/go/havefun 

 

Films 

 

Pacific Film Archive Theater Oct. 22: 7 p.m., The Closed Doors; Oct. 23: 7:30 p.m., Super-8mm Films by Theresa Cha; Oct. 24: 7:30 p.m., The Rainy Season and Wai’a Rini; Oct. 26: 7:30 p.m., The Passion of Joan of Arc, 9:15 p.m., Vivre sa Vie; Oct 27: 7 p.m., New Music for Silent Films by UCB Composers; Oct. 28: 5:30 p.m., Vampyr; Oct. 29: 7 p.m., A Time for Drunken Horses; Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m., An Evening with Leslie Thornton; Oct. 31: 7:30 p.m., 9:20 p.m., Saudade do Futuro. 

2575 Bancroft Way, 642-1124 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

“The Search” Nov. 4:30 p.m. 1948 drama of American soldier caring for a young concentration camp survivor in post-war Berlin, while the boy’s mother is desperately searching all Displaced Persons camps for him. $2 suggested donation. Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237 

 

Exhibits 

 

“Photographs of Yosemite” by Richard Blair, Oct. 25: 5 - 8 p.m. Mr. Blair served as Park Photographer for Yosemite National Park in the early 1970’s and continues to photograph there often. Holton Studio, 5515 Doyle St., No. 2, Emeryville. 450-0350 www.holtonframes.com 

 

Panel Discussion on Documentary Photography Oct. 25: 7:30 p.m. Panelists include photographers Nacio Jan Brown, Jeffrey Blankfort, Cathy  

Cade, Ken Light and Michelle Vignes in discussion with moderator Scott Nichols. Free. UC Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism, 120 North Gate Hall 644-6893/ www.berkeleyartcenter.org  

 

“First Annual Art Show” UC Berkeley Life Drawing Group Reception, Through Oct. 26: 7 - 10 p.m. Figure studies from the workshops at UC Berkeley. 1014 60th St., Emeryville. 923-0689 

 

“MWP Perspectives” Jon Orvik: One artist’s journey. Through Oct. 27 Tues. - Fri. 12 - 5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 12 - 4 p.m. Solo artist exhibiting his journey through metal, wood and paint. Adapt Gallery and Design, 2834 College Ave. 649-8501 www.adaptgallery.com  

 

“African Harmonies,” the artwork of Rae Louise Hayward. Through Oct. 31: Hayward’s art celebrates the beauty of African culture: its people, sculpture, textiles, jewelry and music. Tues. - Thurs. 1 - 7 p.m., Sat. noon- 4 p.m. Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 3023 Shattuck Ave., 548-9286/ www.wcrc.org 

 

“Cut Plates and Bowls” Annabeth Rosen, “Just Jars” Sandy Simon Through Nov. 3; Saturdays 10 - 5 or by appointment. Trax Ceramic Gallery, 1306 3rd St. 526-0279. cone5@aol.com 

 

“50 Years of Photography in Japan 1951 - 2001” Through Nov. 5: An exhibition from The Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s largest daily newspaper with a national morning circulation of 10,300,000. Photographs of work, love, community, culture and disasters of Japan as seen by Japanese news photographers. Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. U.C. Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism, North Gate Hall, Hearst and Euclid. Free. 642-3383 

 

“Architects of the Information Age” Through Nov. 10: A solo exhibit showcasing the works of Ezra Li Eismont. Works included in the exhibition are mixed media paintings on panel and assemblage works on paper and canvas. Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland 836-0831 

 

“Jesus, This is Your Life - Stories and Pictures by Kids” Through Nov. 16: California children, ages four through twelve, from diverse backgrounds present original artwork, accompanied by a story written by the artist. “Cleve Gray, Holocaust Drawings” Oct. 15 through Jan. 25: 21 works on paper inviting the viewer to consider the atrocity of the Holocaust in ways unattainable through words or text. Mon. - Thur. 8:30 a.m. -10 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2541. 

 

“Changing the World, Building New Lives: 1970s photographs of Lesbians, Feminists, Union Women, Disability Activists and their Supporters” Through Nov. 17: An exhibit of black and white photographs by Oakland photographer Cathy Cade, who captured the interrelationships of the different struggles for justice and social change. Gallery Hours, Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St. Free. 644-1400 cathycade@mindspring.com 

 

“In Through the Outdoors” Through Nov. 24: Featuring seven artists who work in photography and related media including sculpture and video, this exhibit addresses the shift in values and contemporary concerns about the natural world that surrounds us. Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Traywick Gallery, 1316 Tenth St. www.traywick.com 

 

“2001 James D. Phelan Art Awards in Printmaking” Honorees: Bridget Henry, David Kelso, and Margaret Van Patten. Oct. 19 - Nov. 30 Tues. - Fri. noon - 5 p.m., other times by appointment. Kala Art Institue, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977 www.kala.org 

 

“Furniture Art” Through Dec. 7: An exhibit of metal and wood furniture that revisits furniture not only as art but as craft. 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. The Current Gallery at the Crucible, 1036 Ashby Ave. 843-5511 www.thecrucible.org 

 

“The Whole World’s Watching: Peace and Social Justice Movements of the 1960s and 1970s” Through Dec. 16: A documentary photo exhibition which examines the rich history of the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Wed. - Sun., noon - 5 p.m. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., Live Oak Park. Free. 644-6893 

 

“The Art History Museum of Berkeley” Masterworks by Guy Colwell Faithful copies of several artists from the pasts, including Titian’s “The Venus of Urbino,” Cezanne’s “Still Life,” Picasso’s “Woman at a Mirror,” and Botticelli’s “Primavera” Ongoing. Call ahead for hours. Atelier 9 2028 Ninth St. 841-4210 or visit www.atelier9.com 

 

Readings 

 

Boadecia’s Books Oct. 22: J.M. Redmann reads from “Death By the Riverside”; Oct. Janell Moon will read from her new book, “Stirring the Waters: Writing to Find Your Spirit.”; Oct. 27: Pat Schmatz reads from “Mrs. Estronsky and the U.F.O.”; Oct. 28: 7 p.m., Poet Janet Mason will read from “When I Was Straight” and present her “Boobs Away.”; Nov. 3: Editor Danya Ruttenberg and contributors Loolwa Khazzoom, Emily Wages, Billie Mandel will read their selections in the new anthology, “Yentl’s Revenge: The Next Wave of Jewish Feminism.”; Nov. 9: Lauren Dockett will read from her latest book, “The Deepest Blue: How Women Face and Overcome Depression.”; All events start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise. All events are free. 398 Colusa Ave. 559-9184 www.bookpride.com 

 

Cody’s on Telegraph Ave. Oct. 23: Michael Downing will talk about “Shoes Outside the Door: Scandals of Desire, Devotion, and Excess at San Francisco Zen Center; Oct. 24: Anita Roddick returns with “Take It Personally”; Oct. 25: Eric Muller discusses “Free To Die For Their Country: The Story of the Japanese American Draft Resisters in World War II”; Oct. 26 Sage Cohen & Mari L’esperance read their poetry; Oct. 27: Gregory Maguire reads “Lost”; Oct. 28: Christopher Hitchens with “Letters To A Young Contrarian”; Oct. 29: Arturo Pérez-Reverte reads from “The Nautical Chart”; Oct. 30: Ruben Martinez recounts “Crossing Over: A Mexican Family on the Migrant Trail”; Oct. 31: Barry Lopez reads from “Light Action In The Caribbean”; All shows at 7:30 p.m.; 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-7852 

 

Cody’s on Fourth St. Oct. 25: Simon Winchester discusses “The Map That Changed The World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology”; Oct. 26: Alice Medrich delivers “A Year In Chocolate: Four Seasons of Unforgettable Desserts”; Oct. 27: 11 a.m., Addi Someckh and Charlie Eckert - The Balloon Guys, play with “The Inflatable Crown Balloon Hat Kit,” for young readers; Oct. 28: 4 p.m., Darren Shan with “Cirque Du Freak,” and “The Vampire’s Assistant,” for young readers; All shows 7 p.m. unless noted, 1730 Fourth St. 559-9500 

 

Eastwind Books of Berkeley Nov. 10: 4 p.m. Ruthanne Lum McCunn reads from her novel “Moon Pearl”; Nov. 18: 4 p.m. Noel Alumit, M.G. Sorongon, and Marianne Villanueva read from their contributions to the anthology “Tilting the Continent: Southeast Asian American Literature”; 2066 University Ave. 548-2350 

 

Ecology Center Oct. 22: 7 - 9 p.m. Toby Hemenway presents a slideshow and reads from “Gaia’s Garden: A guide to Home Scale Permaculture”; 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-220 x233 

 

“Michael Moore” Oct. 29: 7:30 p.m. Author and film maker reads from his new book “Stupid White Men and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation”. $12-15. Sponsored by Cody’s. First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way 

 

Tours 

 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sun., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sun., noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623  

 

 

Museums 

 

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins; Oct. 25: A Storytelling Pajama Party, 6 - 7 p.m.; Oct. 27: 4th Annual Habitot Halloween; Oct. 28: Family Arts Day; Oct. 31: Sugar-Art Halloween Frosting; Nov. 3: Tales from the Enchanted Forest, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.; Nov. 9: Living with the Earth; Nov. 17: Recycle that Stuff; $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. Mon. and Wed., 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tues. and Fri., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thur., 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111 or www.habitot.org  

 

Oakland Museum of California through Nov. 25: Pasajes y Encuentros: Ofrendas for the Days of the Dead, highlights three thematic “passageways” that connect the dead with the living: tradition, humor and spirit. $6 adults, $4 seniors and students, free for children under 5. Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 5 p.m., 10th St., Oakland, 888-625-6873/ www.museumca.org 

 

UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20 foot by 40 foot replica of the fearsome dinosaur made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing. “Pteranodon” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22-23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Free. Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 642-1821 

 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology will close its exhibition galleries for renovation. It will reopen in early 2002.  

 

University of California Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive has reopened after its summerlong seismic retrofit. “Martin Puryear: Sculpture of the 1990s” through Jan. 13; “The Dream of the Audience: Theresa Hak Kyung Cha (1951 - 1982)” through Dec. 16; “Face of Buddha: Sculpture from India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia” ongoing rotation through 2003; “Matrix 194: Jessica Bronson, Heaps, layers, and curls” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; “Matrix 192: Ceal Floyer 37’4”” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thur. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., PFA Theater, 2575 Bancroft Way; Museum Galleries 2626 Bancroft Way; 642-0808 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

Lawrence Hall of Science “Within the Human Brain,” ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. “Saturday Night Stargazing,” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza. Saturdays 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. 642-5132 

 

Holt Planetarium Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. “Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu  

 

Send arts events two weeks in advance to Calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.net, 2076 University, Berkeley 94704 or fax to 841-5694.


Locals worry Orinda development could affect Tilden’s fragile wildlife

By Hank Sims Daily Planet staff
Thursday October 25, 2001

Several Berkeley residents who attended a public meeting called by the Army Corps of Engineers Monday are sounding the alarm about a proposed development in the East Bay hills. 

The “Montanera” project is the latest incarnation of a 15-year old plan to build upscale housing in the Gateway Valley area in Orinda.  

Developers are proposing 225 houses, each of which is expected to sell for over $1 million, and an 18-hole golf course. 

Critics of the project say that it would damage critical wetlands and streams, and would interfere with the wildlife migration patterns of the region. 

“This project would devastate the (East Bay’s) wildlife migration corridor,” said Juliet Lamont. “Wildlife uses that corridor to move along the ridges between the regional parks. 

“This project would just shave off yet another corner of that, which should be unacceptable in this day and age.” 

Lamont said that the development could directly affect Berkeley citizens in several ways.  

She said that the effect would be felt most keenly in Tilden Park. 

“I think that if this project goes through, you’d see the impact on wildlife in Tilden,” she said. “It would cut off another corridor into and out of the park, which means less habitat for wildlife to use. You’d see a loss in the number of species and biodiversity in the park.” 

Gateway Valley is located at the east end of the Caldecott Tunnel.  

Its mouth, from which it extends south, is at Highway 24’s Gateway Valley overpass, which was built is the 1970’s in anticipation of a highway spur that would run through the valley and to San Ramon.  

The highway was never developed, but the overpass, which currently leads nowhere, was built. 

The Gateway Valley is home to a number of rare and threatened species, including the red-legged frog and the foothill yellow-legged frog. It’s also a designated habitat for the Alameda whipsnake, a federally listed threatened species, although there is some doubt about whether there any of the snakes currently live on the site. 

Michael Olson, project manager for Montanera LLC, said Wednesday that concerns about the detrimental environmental impact of the project are overblown. He noted that only 300 acres of the nearly 1,000 acre site will be built upon, and that the rest of the property, which lies mostly in the hills, will remain as open space in perpetuity. 

“The wildlife corridor that they’re talking about extends from Tilden Park to Sibley Park over the Caldecott Tunnel,” he said. “It will also continue on the ridges of our property, which will remain undeveloped.” 

Still, according to some activists, the development will affect those areas of the property – the creeks, wetlands and riparian zones – that are most crucial for threatened species. According to the Army Corps of Engineers, the developers are applying to fill nearly five acres of wetlands and 20,000 feet of creeks. 

“They’re proposing to create ‘new creeks,’ but there’s no proof that this will work for the wildlife that’s there,” said Lisa Viana, conservation outreach coordinator for the Urban Creeks Council. “They’re destroying wildlife habitat to make these cute little Disneyland creeks.” 

Olson said the developers had taken pains to insure that the project would be acceptable to the entire community, including Orinda, which he said was “environmentally sensitive as anyone else.” 

“I have been working with the city of Orinda for four years,” he said. “At each of the meetings – which probably number in the hundreds – public comment was encouraged, and public comment was used in fine-tuning the project. And we were approved unanimously at every stage. 

“We consider ourselves environmentally sensitive. We have listened to people’s concerns, and we have acted on them.”  

Though the area slated for development is largely rural, it lies within the Orinda city limits, and has already won the approval of the Orinda City Council. But because it calls for alterations to two year-round streams, the Army Corps of Engineers, which is charged with regulating public waterways, must give its assent. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board must give its approval. 

The Corps of Engineers is accepting public comment on the Montaneras project until Nov. 5. Those interested should contact the Army Corps of Engineers’ Regulatory Branch at (415) 977-8448. 


Alameda dominates meet

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Thursday October 25, 2001

The Berkeley High cross-country team has been chasing league leader Alameda for the last several years, and Wednesday’s ACCAL meet at Tilden Park was no exception, as the ’Jackets finished second to a huge crowd of Alameda runners. 

In the boys’ race, Alameda took the top two spots and five of the top seven in a convincing victory. Nick Ball won the 2.8 mile race in 17:38, with teammate Marty Skeels just holding off Berkeley’s Alex Enscoe for second place, with his time of 17:43 just one second faster than Enscoe’s. After the top three there was a big gap, with Berkeley’s Nic Riley the next best at 18:51. Yellowjackets David Petty and Jonathon Finney also cracked the top 10. 

The result was even more lopsided on the girls’ side, as Berkeley’s Elizabeth Mendelson was the only non-Hornet runner in the race. She finished a respectable third in 23:45, but was beaten soundly by Sarah Orzell and Corinee Roberts, with Orzell finishing in 21:12 and Roberts in 21:39. 

Berkeley’s best female runner, sophomore Grace Nielsen, was held out of the race with an Achilles’ tendon injury, but should be available for the league championship meet next Wednesday. She was just one of several Berkeley runners who didn’t run in the final meet before the league championship. 

“We’ve got some people with nagging injuries, and it just wasn’t worth it to push them to run with the league championship coming up,” Berkeley coach Dave Goodrich said. 

The Berkeley boys’ junior varsity won their second ACCAL meet this season before the varsity races on Wednesday.


Resolution was embarrassing

Joe Willingham Berkeley
Thursday October 25, 2001

The Daily Planet received this letter addressed to the City Council: 

Your performance in passing the resolution against the U.S. exercise of its moral and legal right to self defense was truly an embarrassment to those of us in Berkeley who are not members of your cult. You cite the attitudes of many in the Islamic world as proof that the USA is so guilty that it has brought the attacks on itself (”root causes” is the buzzword). What you fail to mention is that the attitudes of many of these same critics on the Jewish question and on the woman question are straight out of Hitler’s playbook. In your eyes, it is OK to be a fascist so long as you are from the “third world” and so long as you hate the United States? 

I have no problem with criticizing the Unitee States and its foreign policy. I spent the 60s doing that, and do it today when criticism is appropriate. But simple hatred and contempt for the United States, its people, and its ideals is not an adequate basis for a rational political philosophy, and certainly not a progressive political philosophy. You will deny that you have these attitudes, but the pattern of your statements and behavior is evidence to the contrary. 

Has it ever occurred to you that some problems in some countries may have to do with something other than the U.S. government? Your belief that everything bad that happens is the doing of America is a perverted form of national chauvinism. It has little connection to reality. 

The problem with Berkeley style “progressivism” is that it is not oriented towards practical improvements in the real world. Freed of any responsibility for results, it is free to wallow in a solipsistic self righteousness, a sort of moral narcissism. A deadly miasma of New Age emotionalism and infantile leftist attitudinizing clouds your minds. Hence the sad results of your governance of the city: crime, lack of rental housing, failing schools, and decaying public services. And hence the spectacle to which you treated the world with your resolution. 

 

Joe Willingham 

Berkeley 


Liberal cities will not follow Berkeley’s lead

John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Thursday October 25, 2001

 

Other California cities with liberal traditions have so far shied away from joining Berkeley in taking an official stance on the U.S. Bombing of Afghanistan.  

If cities have soul mates, Berkeley might be spiritually joined with Santa Cruz and Arcata. All three are home to universities and long traditions of political, environmental and human rights activism. Each City Council is known for approving resolutions on global issues. 

While both Berkeley’s civic sisters have considered taking official action calling for a speedy end to U.S. bombing of Afghanistan, both have so far been reluctant to put such a resolution on their agendas.  

Berkeley narrowly approved a resolution calling for a quick end to U.S. bombing in Afghanistan on Oct. 16 by a 5-4 vote. The action thrust Berkeley into the national spotlight, and city officials have received thousands of phone calls and e-mail condemning the city’s action.  

In addition, there have been widespread threats of an economic boycott of Berkeley businesses, although it has been difficult to ascertain if local merchants have experienced a significant loss of revenue. 

The councilmembers who voted for the resolution have said the hostile response can be attributed to local and national media, which has distorted the meaning of the resolution into a condemnation of the U.S. bombing, though the resolution only called for an end to the military actions “as soon as possible.” 

Santa Cruz Mayor Tim Fitzmaurice said he is not concerned with hostile responses and boycott threats from around the country. Rather, he is worried about properly reflecting the community’s sentiment. 

“I am not worried about being out of step with the rest of the county,” Fitzmaurice said . “But I am concerned about accurately representing the sentiments of the community.” 

Santa Cruz’ seven-member City Council held a Town Meeting on Oct. 17 at which city residents were invited to express their views on the bombing of Afghanistan. According to Fitzmaurice, about 200 people attended and about 60 addressed the council.  

“Nearly all who spoke were against the bombing and about 12 people called for some kind of council action against it,” he said.  

According to the minutes of the meeting at least two people asked the Council to take an action similar to Berkeley’s. 

But instead of writing a resolution, the Santa Cruz City Council, at its regular meeting Tuesday night, chose to send a video tape of the Oct. 17 meeting and all related correspondence received by the city to U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Carmel. The council took no vote on the issue. 

Further north, Arcata’s five-member City Council heard from representatives of the Redwood Peace Coalition last week which requested a council resolution calling for the end to the bombing of Afghanistan.  

But councilmembers there still remember too clearly what happened 10 years ago when the council approved a resolution making Arcata a sanctuary for draft evaders during the Gulf War. The council unanimously rescinded the resolution one week later because local businesses, spurred by boycott threats, protested vociferously and all the councilmembers received multiple death threats. 

Arcata Councilmember Bob Ornelas, who was the first Green Party member elected in California, sat on the council in 1991. 

“I have a lasting memory of several death threats and I’m not anxious to relive them,” Ornelas said. “You couldn’t go for a bike ride in the farm lands without the fear of being run over by some war-crazed redneck.” 

During the meeting, Ornelas offered a challenge to RPC member Dave Meservice.  

“I told him that if he can bring 300 supporters for a anti-bombing resolution to the next council meeting something might happen.” Ornelas said.  

Meservice said he is not planning to organize the 300 people for the council’s next meeting on Nov. 7. 

“We don’t know if it’s worth it to play into the hands of the conservative minority,” he said. “We don’t want to give them the opportunity to do all those nasty things.” 

Locally, Councilmember Dona Spring, who initially wrote Berkeley’s controversial resolution, said she would like to see other cities follow Berkeley’s lead.  

“The more organizations, groups and cities that embrace the path of nonviolence in resolving this conflict, the easier it will be for more people to speak out and momentum to build,” she said. “But, given the harsh reaction Berkeley has received from the rest of the country, I would understand if they didn’t.”


Bears upset No. 19 Santa Clara

Daily Planet Wire Services
Thursday October 25, 2001

The Cal women’s volleyball team upset No. 19 Santa Clara, 3-2 (30-21, 30-26, 24-30, 25-30, 18-16) Tuesday night at Haas Pavilion. The Bears were led by junior outside hitter Leah Young, who had a career-high 19 kills, 12 digs and a .319 hitting percentage (19 kills, four errors, 47 attempts). Young also served well and had several key plays during the five-game match.  

Cal (7-11) was also paced by sophomore Gabrielle Abernathy’s 17 kills and junior Reena Pardiwala had a solid night, finishing with 10 kills, a .360 hitting percentage (10 kills, one error, 25 attempts) and had a team-high 15 digs. As a team, Cal had its best blocking night of the year, tallying four solo blocks, 26 block assists and a season-high 17 team blocks. The Bears were also playing without freshman Mia Jerkov, who sat out the match with a strained tendon in her left foot. Santa Clara (13-7) was led by a career-high 21 kills from freshman Toni Muratore and 21 kills from Becky Potter.  

The Bears played well in game one, with Young collecting six kills, including the game-winning kill to lead Cal to a 30-21 victory. The Bears also played well in game two, winning 30-26. Game three was a struggle as Cal played poorly, falling behind 9-1 and eventually losing, 30-24. Game four was not much better for the Bears as a bad pass by Abernathy was the final point in 30-25 loss, leading to the fifth and deciding game.  

In game five, a Young kill tied the contest at 15-15. A Cal block went out of bounds to give the Broncos a 16-15 lead, but a Santa Clara service error and a hit by Muratore that went long gave the Bears back the lead, 17-16. Finally, Cal put the match away, 18-16, on block assists by sophomores Jessica Zatica and Heather Diers.  

Cal will next travel to No. 4 ranked Stanford on Friday at 7 p.m. at Maples Pavilion.


Dudgeon means resentment

James K. Sayre Oakland
Thursday October 25, 2001

Editor: 

I read with interest Mr. James Day’s recent letter about the recent poses and machinations of the Berkeley City Council (10/20) regarding terrorism. However, I was surprised by your following editorial comment which took his use of “High Dudgeon” to task, implying that he had misused the phrase. You stated that “Webster says “dudgeon” is a wood used especially for dagger hilts.” Actually, that use is the second definition and is considered by some dictionaries to be obsolete. The first and primary definition is variously, “a feeling of offense, resentment” (Concise Oxford Dictionary, 1995), “anger or resentment, now chiefly in the phrase, in high dudgeon” (Webster’s New World Dictionary of the American Language, 1974) or “sullen displeasure; resentment” [probably from the Welsh dugen, “malice” (Funk & Wagnalls College Standard Dictionary, 1931). So I would suggest that letter writer Mr. Day used the term properly.  

 

James K. Sayre 

Oakland 


South Asian culture exposed this week

By Nilanga S. Jayasinghe Special to the Daily Planet
Thursday October 25, 2001

To increase awareness of South Asian culture, student groups at UC Berkeley will hold their annual South Asian Awareness Week beginning Saturday. 

The events are not all serious, says one organizer, Rina Shah. The goal includes showing people “the fun aspects of South Asian culture,” she said. 

Every fall for the past 10 years, Shah’s INDUS group has organized South Asian Awareness week with the participation of other South Asian groups at UC Berkeley.  

The organizers believe this year’s awareness week has more relevance in light of the events on and following Sept. 11. Recent hate crimes against South Asian Americans have propelled the different participating groups to deal with the issue while promoting awareness of their own group goals, said Shah, president of INDUS. 

The Sikh Students Association will hold a Sikh Awareness Night to educate the public about their religion and culture. They will focus on recent hate crimes and the Sept. 11 tragedy. 

The Center for South Asian Studies, an organizational research unit part of the university-wide international and area studies program, will screen a documentary film by Indian filmmaker Anand Patwardhan. The film titled “Jang Aur Aman,” deals with the aftermath of the 1998 nuclear tests carried out in India and Pakistan.  

“I think this is most timely,” said Christopher Plummer, the Program Representative for CSAS. CSAS also supports the various student groups in their activities. 

“There’s more relevance in this year’s week because the military actions going on could affect all South Asian countries and communities directly,” he said. 

The new South Asian women’s group, Saheli, will be screening the Hindi movie “Lajja.” The group will facilitate a discussion on South Asian women’s issues immediately after the film.  

“The movie deals with women’s issues and brings out some of the cultural aspects related to South Asian American women that we want to address in our group,” said Simran Tagore, co-founder of Saheli.  

According to Shah, the portrayal of culture is also significant to the week.  

“Although focusing on current events is important, it is also important to keep the nature of the week more upbeat and less political,” Shah said. 

INDUS is organizing a dance called the Raas Garba, which will be the week’s kickoff event. To be held during the evening of Oct. 27, it is a dance originating from the state of Gujarat, India, and will be held in celebration of the festival of Navratri.  

The dancers will also teach the audience the dance’s movements in an effort to involve more participation.  

In addition, the Hindu Students Council will be having an audience interactive Raas demonstration during lunchtime on Oct. 31. Riddhi Mehta, coordinator of HSC, explained that their dance will differ from that of INDUS’ because it incorporates the use of sticks.  

There will also be a Rajasthani dance, a Kannada dance, a Bhangra performance and dances from Hindi films performed during the daytime on Upper Sproul Plaza. A fashion show depicting the regional attire of South Asia will also take place.  

Overall, about 100 performers are expected to take part in the events.  

According to Shah, many students join INDUS just to be able to participate in the dances.  

Its membership is now at 350, but more people are expected to join the club after the awareness week.  

“This is also a good opportunity for freshmen to become involved and to meet other people in the groups,” she added. 

Besides the cultural items, the groups will also have tables and booths in Upper Sproul Plaza. The booths, popular during previous years, will include information on South Asia, Bollywood, hate crime awareness, mehndi, fashion, domestic violence and food.  

“The biggest attraction for many is the Indian food,” Shah said.  

The events generally draw many spectators from both on-campus and off-campus communities, Shah said.  

 

 

 

 

SIDEBAR 

 

• Saturday, Oct. 27:  

Dance, Pauley Ballroom, 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Tickets are priced at $6 for INDUS members and $8 for non-INDUS members. 

• Monday, Oct. 29:  

Bhangra dance performance and Hindi Film Dance - Upper Sproul Plaza. Noon -1 p.m.  

Anand Patwardhan documentary screening – 2040, Valley Life Sciences Building 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Free. 

Screening of Hindi film Lajja, Location and time to be announced. Free. 

• Tuesday, Oct. 30:  

Kannada Folk Dance and Rajasthani Dance – Upper Sproul Plaza. Noon - 1 p.m. Free. 

Sikh Awareness night - 2060, Valley Life Sciences Building at 6.30 p.m. Free. 

• Wednesday, Oct. 31: 

Raas Garba and Raas Demonstration – Upper Sproul Plaza. Noon - 1 p.m.  

• Thursday, Nov. 1: 

Hindi Film Dance and Fashion Show – Upper Sproul Plaza from 12 noon - 1 p.m. Free. 

Documentary screening on the fascination with South Asian cultural items in the media and in present day society. Location and time to be announced. Free. 

• Friday, Nov. 2: 

Mini culture show, showcasing of all the performances held on Upper Sproul Plaza during the week – Lower Sproul Plaza 5 - 7 p.m. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Dudgeon means ill-humor

Robert R. Piper Berkeley
Thursday October 25, 2001

Editor: 

In MY old Webster’s, dudgeon is listed twice. First come three variations involving boxwood dagger handles. The second reads as follows: aggrieved or angered feeling; ill humor; resentment. 

High dudgeon, one has to assume, is associated with the second meaning. 

 

Robert R. Piper 

Berkeley 


September 11 Response Calendar

Staff
Thursday October 25, 2001

Today 

 

• 7 p.m. 

Peace Satsang with Swami Sitaramananda – Open Gathering for Prayer, Chanting, Meditation, Healing and Peace Talks 

Honoring the Victims of the Sept. 11th Events. All Welcome. 

First Congregational Church of Berkeley 

2345 Channing Way 273-2447 

 

• 7 - 9 p.m. 

Rebuilding lower Manhattan 

Morrison Room, Main Library,  

UC-Berkeley Campus 

A discussion sponsored by the School of Journalism, the Program on Housing and Urban Policy and BRIDGE Housing Corporation in collaboration with the architecture firm of Kaplan, McLaughlin, Diaz. 

 

• 7 - 9 p.m. 

Freedom in Jeopardy: Threats to Civil Liberties in the Wake of Sept. 11 

2050 Valley Life Sciences Building 

UC Berkeley campus 

Speakers from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, the Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights for the Bay Area, Electronic Frontier Foundation, UC Berkeley administration and hosted by the Berkeley ACLU. 

Speakers will address legislation that organizers say “will drastically threaten the civil liberties of everyone in this country.” 

 

Thursday, Nov. 1 

 

• 7 p.m. 

The first Bay Area Appearance of members of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan 

Mills College 

Campus Chapel 

5000 Mac Arthur Blvd. 

 

 

Tuesday, Nov. 6 

 

• 7 p.m. 

Dr. Hamid Mavani speaks on “Islam and Its Background” at a free lecture and discussion presented by the Berkeley Public Library. Dr. Mavani is the religious director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California, based in Oakland.  

South Branch of the Berkeley Public Library 

1901 Russell St. 644-6860. 


Stand up, speak out

J. B. Neilands Berkeley
Thursday October 25, 2001

Editor: 

Please continue to stand up and speak out on local matters as well as on those broader issues affecting all of us, such as energy, the environment and national policy. (This is just to show support for your fine publication from a Berkeley resident who remembers the Daily Gazette!) 

 

J. B. Neilands 

Berkeley 


Oakland airport’s access badges missing

The Associated Press
Thursday October 25, 2001

OAKLAND — More than 1,000 badges that grant access to secure areas at Oakland International Airport appear to be missing. 

Port of Oakland commissioners, who oversee the airport, called for an accounting of where the security badges might be following reports that 10 percent of 10,000 total badges are gone. 

“It bothers me deeply,” said port commission President Phil Tagami.  

He confirmed that the Federal Aviation Administration has criticized the airport for not following rules that require no more than 5 percent of the badges be missing. 

Commissioners ordered an audit Tuesday as part of a 30-day review of the airport’s long-term security needs. 

Airport managers have proposed assigning security duties to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department as part of a plan to phase out a private company that has done security work for eight years.  

The port commission has balked at that proposal.


Pacifica Foundation’s exec. director fired by new chair

Daily Planet staff
Thursday October 25, 2001

Pacifica Foundation Executive Director Bessie Wash has been fired by the new board chair Robert Farrell, according to a press statement from KPFA advocates and verified by programmer Larry Bensky. 

Farrell has also agreed to court-supervised mediation of the pending law suits. 

Wash, formerly station manager of Pacifica station WPFW in Washington, was named executive director by a board then controlled by former chair Mary Frances Berry.  

She has presided over “the banning of Pacifica's only remaining nationwide program, ‘Democracy Now,’ (and) the ‘mainstreaming’ of the once alternative daily Pacifica Network News,” the press statement says. 

Farrell was not available for comment.


Northrop Grumman earnings rise as it eyes acquisition

The Associated Press
Thursday October 25, 2001

LOS ANGELES — Northrop Grumman Corp., fresh off a government decision that aids its acquisition bid for Newport News Shipbuilding Inc., reported strong third quarter earnings Wednesday, although net income dropped because of investment losses in its pension fund. 

The Los Angeles-based defense contractor reported net income of $117 million, or $1.28 per share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to $150 million, or $2.11 per share, in the same period last year. 

Analysts surveyed by Thomson/First Call had expected earnings of $1.47 per share. 

Excluding the pension fund losses, Grumman reported a 58 percent increase in earnings to $161 million, or $1.79 per share, due mainly to its acquisition of Litton Industries and continuing strong demand for the radar, guided missiles and other high-tech systems produced by its Electronic Systems and Information Technology division. 

Grumman said it is on track to report earnings per share of between $6.25 and $6.40 for the year and double-digit earnings growth in 2002. 

Revenue for the third quarter more than doubled to $3.6 billion, compared to $1.7 billion in the same quarter last year. 

The company said its Information Technology Division generated $1 billion in sales during the most recent quarter and won $1 billion worth of new contracts, including a system to provide advanced warning of Internet-based attacks on Department of Defense computers. 

On Tuesday, the Department of Defense said it favors Northrop Grumman’s bid for Newport News over a rival offer from General Dynamics. The Justice Department went to court to block the General Dynamics bid. 

Government lawyers said a merger between the Newport News, Va.-based shipbuilder and General Dynamics would result in a monopoly for building nuclear submarines, a weapon vital to national security. 

Northrop Grumman has offered to buy Newport News for a combination of cash and stock originally worth $2.1 billion. 

Grumman chief executive officer Kent Kresa said his company is almost finished with its due diligence examination of Newport News and hopes to close the deal sometime in November or shortly thereafter if it receives final federal approval. 

Grumman entered the shipbuilding industry earlier this year when it acquired Litton, making it the largest producer of non-nuclear ships in the country. 

Shares of Northrop Grumman were up $3.74 to $103.74 at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange.


Hershey closing plants, one in Calif. plans to cut more than 1,100 jobs

The Associated Press
Thursday October 25, 2001

HERSHEY, Pa. — Hershey Foods Corp. plans to close three plants and a distribution facility, eliminate more than 1,100 jobs and turn over production of cocoa powder to outside contractors in a realignment designed to generate at least $60 million a year in savings. 

The company said Wednesday it intends to reinvest the savings to enhance its marketing and selling capabilities. 

“Hershey is a great company with immense strength and an enviable track record. Our strategy both builds on these strengths and capitalizes on significant growth opportunities across Hershey’s business system,” said Richard H. Lenny, president and chief executive. 

About 760 salaried and hourly jobs will be eliminated through the closing of four facilities. 

A manufacturing plant in Palmyra, Pa., that employs 230 people near the corporate headquarters in Hershey, is slated to close during the first half of next year. 

Two others — a Denver, Colo., plant that employs 240 people and a Pennsburg, Pa., plant with 250 employees — are to shut down during the fourth quarter of 2002. 

The company’s western distribution center in Oakdale, Calif., which employs 40 people, is to close in January, officials said. 

Hershey also plans to eliminate 8 percent of its salaried positions, or about 400 people. Lenny said he hopes most of that reduction can be achieved through a voluntary program. 

Hershey employs 14,000 people overall and has 20 manufacturing and distribution plants. 

Company spokeswoman Christine M. Dugan said some employees may find other jobs within the corporation. Severance packages will be available for all displaced workers, she said. 

The realignment is expected to result in charges of $275 million against earnings in the fourth quarter of this year and in 2002. 


Disney buys Fox Family

The Associated Press
Thursday October 25, 2001

BURBANK — The Walt Disney Co. Wednesday competed its purchase of Fox Family Worldwide Inc. for $5.2 billion — about $100 million less than the original purchase price announced in July. 

Disney bought the company from News Corp. and Saban Entertainment, which each owned 49.5 percent. Investment banker Allen & Co owned 1 percent of the company. 

Disney confirmed that the final purchase price included $2.9 billion in cash and the assumption of $2.3 billion in debt. The original deal called for a payment of $3 billion in cash. 

News Corp. was not immediately available for comment. 

Fox Family, which Disney plans to rename ABC Family, reaches about 81 million cable subscribers in the United States. 

The deal expands Disney’s programming reach worldwide with a 76 percent ownership in Fox Kids Europe, a children’s programming channel that reaches 24 million homes, and a 10 million-subscriber channel in Latin America called Fox Kids. 

“We are pleased to have completed this strategic acquisition, and are now turning with excitement to the launch of our new ABC Family service in the United States and the continued expansion of the Fox Kids services, which will ultimately be re-branded, in Europe, Latin America and elsewhere,” Disney chairman and chief executive officer Michael Eisner said in a statement. 


Berkeley boycott hard to measure

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

Despite thousands of boycott threats resulting from a City Council resolution calling for a quick end to the bombing in Afghanistan, it has so far been difficult to estimate the actual impact on Berkeley’s businesses and economy. 

“A lot of the calls and e-mail are part of a process of venting,” said Rachel Rupert, chief executive officer of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce. “Berkeley has become a national vehicle for expression.” 

City officials, the Chamber of Commerce and the Berkeley Convention & Visitors Bureau have been receiving telephone calls, letters and e-mail from around the country calling for a boycott of Berkeley businesses. But the actual cost to local business has been hard to assess largely because business owners and managers are reluctant to give specific information about revenue losses. 

“It’s a problem because local businesses are playing this very close to the vest,” Rupert said. “They don’t want to give out information that might hurt them.” 

Threats of a boycott began to come in shortly after the City Council approved a resolution related to the U.S. bombing in Afghanistan. The resolution called for a letter to be sent to U.S. representatives asking them to “help break the cycle of violence” by “ bringing the bombing to a conclusion as soon as possible.”  

The resolution also condemned the terrorist acts and expressed grief for the thousands of innocent people who died in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. on Sept. 11.  

According to Rupert, it might be months until the real impact of a possible boycott is known. She said businesses will begin to report their earnings from the busy holiday season next March. Those numbers will have to be compared to other business areas similar to Berkeley, such as San Leandro, Alameda and certain sections of Oakland. 

While local business operators are clearly worried about a boycott (some have reported losses to the Mayor’s office and the Chamber of Commerce) the Daily Planet was unable to contact any outside businesses, organizations or individuals who would admit they have canceled contracts, reservations or ended a long-time patronage with a Berkeley business because of the council’s resolution. 

The Daily Planet did verify a cancellation of a 230-person banquet at the Berkeley Marina Radisson for the Reserve Officer Training Corps. But the person who took the reservation would not say why the ROTC canceled, only that he was ordered to do so “by a real army captain.” 

The owner of Ashby Lumber, Jeff Hogan, said he recently lost a $60,000 deal to sell building supplies to a long-time customer because of the council’s decision. But Hogan refused to divulge the name of that customer.  

“Our customer was very adamant that he was trying to make his opinion known to the City Council and he did not want his name given out,” Hogan said. 

An e-mail to the mayor’s office from Tsunami Visual Technologies in Fremont claiming to have canceled a $12,000 deal with a Berkeley media company turned out be a “misunderstanding,” according to Tsunami spokesperson Aaron Davies. 

City officials are not talking about this phenomenon either. 

Bill Lambert, the manager of the Department of Economic Development, met with Rupert and Barbara Hillman, president of the Berkeley Convention & Visitors Bureau, on Tuesday. He was unwilling to make any verification of economic impacts from a possible boycott.  

Councilmember Linda Maio said the national media bears some responsibility for the anger many Americans are expressing toward Berkeley. She said the resolution was mischaracterized by CNN and other news sources as a condemnation of the U.S. bombing. 

Maio said she has spent the last three days personally answering e-mail sent to her office and that many of those people misunderstood the council’s action. 

“Many are writing-in because they believe the City Council condemned the U.S. bombing in Afghanistan,” Maio said. “We never, ever did that, nor did we even come close to doing that.” 

Maio said the resolution simply asked for a quick end to the bombing.  

“Who doesn’t want that?” she said. 

City officials have no way of knowing if the threats of a boycott are serious, but one thing is for sure: The e-mail and phone calls are coming from angry people who appear to need some place to express frustration and rage over the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. 

“They don’t know where to put this frustration and Berkeley has given them a place,” Maio said.


Out & About

Staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

Wednesday, Oct. 24 

Free Legal Workshop 

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 

Women’s Cancer Resource Center 

3023 Shattuck Ave. 

This workshop will provide information about State and Federal disability programs that provide cash benefits and health insurance for people unable to work due to a serious health condition. 

 

Berkeley Planning Commission 

7 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Zoning Ordinance Amendments Re: Wireless Telecommunications. The new regulations shall apply to wireless telecommunications facilities on property other than the public right of way. 

 

Toddler Storytime 

7 p.m. 

West Berkeley Library 

1125 University Ave. 

For families with children three years or younger, a program to expose the youngest readers to multicultural stories, songs and finger plays. 

Every Wednesday through Nov. 28. 

 

Prose Writers’ Workshop 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley/Richmond Jewish Community Center Library 

1414 Walnut St.  

From Op-ed to fiction, memoir to the feature article - a community 

writers' group to support and encourage a community of interests. Workshop format. Free. 524-3034 

 

Yoga for People with HIV/AIDS 

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. 

Center for AIDS Services 

5720 Shattuck Ave.  

Free Kundalini Yoga class for people with HIV/AIDS. Mats provided, you may bring a towel. Eating within an hour of class is not advised. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Beginners and drop-ins welcome. 841-4339 

 

Socratic Circle 

6 - 7 p.m. 

Cafe Eclectica 

1309 Solano Ave., Albany 

Does your brain need a work out? Free and open to all. 527-2344. 

 

California Politics Seminar  

3 p.m. 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley 

119 Moses Hall 

Informal Converation with Alicia Mundy, Washington Bureau Chief of Media Week and author of Dispensing with the Truth: The Victims, the Drug Companies, and the Dramatic Story Behind the Battle over Fen-Phen. 642-4608 

 

Thursday, Oct. 25 

Free Quit Smoking Class  

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

2344 6th St. 

With the option of acupuncture. Six Thursday evenings through Dec. 6. 

Contact the Berkeley Tobacco Prevention Program to register and for more information, 644-6422 or e-mail QuitNow@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

“Town Hall” Community  

Meeting 

7 p.m. 

San Pablo Park 

2700 Park St. 

San Pablo Park Neighborhood Council with support from the City, will be hosting this community meeting. Scheduled to attend: Mayor Shirley Dean, Council Member Margaret Breland, Michael Caplan from the City Manager’s Office, Recreation Director Madeline Law, and Berkeley Police Personnel. 848-2427 

 

Latin Dance Class 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley/Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Salsa, Cha-cha, Merengue... $10, No partner necessary. All ages and levels welcome. 508-4616 

 

Berkeley Community Fund 

Eighth Annual Awards Dinner 

6 p.m. 

Radisson Hotel 

Berkeley Marina 

Bestowing the Benjamin Ide Wheller Medal and Berkeley Community Awards. 843-5202 www.berkfund.org  

 

Harris/UK Seminar 

noon 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley 

201 Moses Hall 

642-4608 

David Edgar, a British playwright working on a two-part cycle of plays for the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one play focused primarily on the Democratic and the other on the Republican side of the campaign, "The Drama of Politics and the Politics of Drama." 642-4608 

 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

12:30 p.m. 

UC Berkeley 

119 Moses Hall 

Berkeley Center for Globalization and Information Technology - Warren Sack, UCB, "Information Architecture and the Geometry of Social Relations." 

642-4608 

 

Peace Satsang with Swami Sitaramananda 

7 p.m. 

First Congregational Church of Berkeley 

2345 Channing Way 

Open gathering for prayer, chanting, meditation, healing and peace talkshonoring the victims of Sept. 11. 273-2447 

Friday, Oct. 26 

Listen to James Joyce’s Ulysses 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave.  

Hulse Rauh leads a group listening. All are welcome.  

 

American Political History Seminar 

noon 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley 

119 Moses Hall 

Jean Edward Smith, Marshall University, will talk about his book, "Grant." 642-4608 

 

Raising the Bar: Latino and Latina Presence in the Judiciary and the Struggle for Representation 

5 - 7:30 p.m. 

UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall 

Steinhart Courtyard 

Reception honoring Latino Pioneers. 643-8010 

 

Saturday, Oct. 27 

Bay Area Coalition to End the Sanctions on Iraq 

5 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program 

Berkeley Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St. 

Speakers Hans Von Sponeck, former United Nations Assistant Secretary General, who resigned his position as humanitarian coordinator for Iraq to protest U.N. policies, and Kathy Kelly, founder of Voices in the Wilderness, who has taken 39 humanitarian aid trips to Iraq, call for an end to the U.S. led bombing and sanctions on Iraq. 538-0209 www.endthesanctions. org 

 

Greening Our City Centers 

9 a.m. - 10 p.m. 

The Gaia Building 

2116 Allston Way 

The Second Heart of the City Seminar celebrating the opening of Berkeley’s new showcase ecological building and the Gaia Cultural Center. Discussions will focus on strategies and tactics for generating awareness and implementing greener city centers. 649-1817 www.ecocitybuilders.org 

 

Berkeley Child Safety Seat Check-Up 

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. (drop-in)  

Kittredge Street Parking Facility 2020 Kittredge St. (the old Hinks Parking lot), 2nd Floor 

Trained child passenger safety technicians will inspect your safety seat installation, inform you of any recalls, and assist you in using your child safety seat properly. Free, sponsored by the Berkeley Public Health and Police Departments, 665-6839, dquan@ci.berkeley.ca. us. 

 

Targeting Civilians 

7 p.m. 

Berkeley Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St. 

Former UN official Hans von Sponeck and Voices in the Wilderness’ Kathy Kelly will discuss the war on Iraq and the current bombing of Afghanistan. $10 Benefits Voices in the Wilderness.  

 

Raising the Bar: Latino and Latina Presence  

in the Judiciary and the Struggle for Representation 

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

UC Berkeley, Boalt Hall 

Booth Auditorium 

An unprecedented gathering of Latino judges from across the country to celebrate and critically examine the contributions of Latinos on the bench. 643-8010 

 

Low-cost Hatha Yoga Classes 

9:30 - 11 a.m. 

James Kenney Rec. Center 

1720 Eighth St.  

The City is offering low- cost Hatha Yoga classes for adults. Taught by certified instructor. Drop-ins are welcome. Bring a mat or towel. $6. 981-6650 

 

Medical Mystery Festival 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

A Halloween celebration that introduces children to the field of medical science and health-related issues. 549-1564 

 

Disaster First Aid 

9 a.m. - noon 

Office of Emergency Services 

997 Cedar St. 

Free classes in Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). 981-5605 www.ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

Help Cerrito Creek 

10 a.m. 

Meet at El Cerrito's Creekside Park (south end of Belmont Street). 

Join Friends of Five Creeks in removing invasive non-natives to improve  

habitat on lower Cerrito Creek. Bring shovels and work gloves if you have them. 848 9358, www.fivecreeks.org 

 


Neighbors support new hills fire station

Staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

By Neighbors for Fire Safety:  

Barbara and Bob Allen, Juliann Beckendorf, Barbara & Bob Allen, Juliann Beckendorf (Citizen Fire Commissioner), and twenty others 

 

Articles in the Oct. 10 Daily Planet imply there significant opposition to the New Hills Fire Station. It must be made clear that this opposition is mainly limited to a few whose homes are in the immediate vicinity of the planned Fire Station 7 to be built at Park Gate and Shasta Roads. In fact, in the Berkeley Hills there is overwhelming support.  

Our group, Neighbors for Fire Safety, went door-to-door to collect 1,000 signatures in favor of the new fire station, including more than 100 from residents of the Park Hills neighborhood near the station, the remainder being from the area served by Station 7 and residents from other parts of Berkeley.  

The latest claim by the opposition, that they are concerned only with the legality of Measure G financing for the station, is false: in meeting after meeting over the past year, their questions have focused on how much disruption it would be to their neighborhood, including size, noise, traffic and light. These concerns were addressed in the project’s Environmental Impact Report. 

These specific concerns have been shown to be minimal – the fire station has an average of only 1.4 calls per day, mostly medical calls. Opponents also were dissatisfied with the original design of the station, produced in response to their request that the impact to the neighborhood be limited. The city had the architect respond by designing a station that would match the neighborhood.  

Now that these concerns were addressed, opponents have switched to questioning the legality of use of funds provided through Measure G, approved in 1992 to build a new fire station to replace Station 7.  

The original proposal was intended to develop a jointly funded and manned station with Oakland: “acquiring, constructing and equipping a new fire station, provided however that the council entered into agreements with other jurisdictions” which would contribute proportionately to the cost of construction, equipment or staffing of the new station. This specific intent cannot now be carried out since Oakland has built a new fire station and will not be joining Berkeley. However, Berkeley has succeeded in developing a joint agreement supported by a resolution passed unanimously by the East Bay Regional Parks District Board, so that the new Hills Station would be jointly staffed by firefighters from EBRPD on high fire danger days. The new station will meet accepted standards for fire stations designed to serve urban/wildland interface areas, including four emergency apparatus bays, accommodations for a three or four-person crew and a reserve crew of three EBRPD firefighters.  

Measure G also called for “the repairing and seismic retrofitting of existing fire stations….” But the existing 62-year-old Station 7 cannot protect the hill area adequately, due to slow response time, the need for a larger site to house male and female personnel and equipment required for a modern fire station. It will be retrofitted to house additional wildfire equipment. Both intents of Measure G will be carried out, albeit in modified form. 

Upon approval of the plan by the Zoning Adjustments Board and City Council, the city will file a validation suit to have the courts determine whether the use of the Measure G funds for the new station is appropriate.  

The neighbors’ objection that the new station would not be sufficient to fight a wildfire by itself is rendered moot by the Mutual Response Areas developed by all the fire departments in the region since the 1991 fire.  

Members of Neighbors for Fire Safety who are Berkeley Fire/Safety Commissioners witnessed the rapid response during drills held in Tilden Park this spring.  

At present, we need to face the serious life-safety issue affecting us all. Further delays would leave us exposed to a disaster, not only for the hills, but the entire city, should an uncontrolled wildfire originate in Tilden Park. The new Hills Fire Station 7 is the best location of eight sites within Fire District 7 studied by the Fire Department, providing the best response time for structure fires and medical emergencies.  

Unfortunately, the opposition is still trying to delay the process. Now is the time for all citizens in the hills to pull together for the common good of the city and for our firefighters.  

 

 


Arts

Staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

924 Gilman St. Oct. 26: Influents, Plus Ones, Divit, Summerjack, Robot Adrenaline, Claredon Hills; Oct. 27: (Halloween show, $1 off if you’re in a (non-punk) costume!) Babyland, Tsunami Bomb, Scissor Hands, Dexter Danger; Nov. 2: Mood Frye, Manic Notion, Cremasters of Disaster, Bottles and Skulls, Lorax, Sociopath; Nov. 3: Cruevo, Nigel Peppercock, Impaled, Systematic Infection, Depressor; Nov. 9: Hoods, Punishment, Lords of Light Speed, Necktie Party; Nov. 10: Sunday’s Best, Mock Orange, Elizabeth Elmore, Fighting Jacks, Benton Falls; Nov. 16: Pitch Black, The Blottos, Miracle Chosuke, 240; Nov. 17: Carry On, All Bets Off, Limp Wrist, Labrats, Thought Riot; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926 

 

Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Oct. 24: 9 p.m., Sister Carol and Junior Jazz, $12; Oct. 25: 9 p.m., Tea Leaf Green and Chad, $8; Oct. 26: 9:30 p.m., Kasumai Bare, $10; Oct. 27: 9:30 p.m., Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, $11; Oct. 28: 1:30 p.m., Derique McGee and Jazz Design, $ sliding scale; 9 p.m. Itals, Ras Jacob, Kanawah, DJ Ras D, $12; Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m., Bluegrass Benefit Concert for the NY Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund. Peter Rowan, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, Mike Marshall, Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin, Bluegrass Intentions, Kathy Kallick Band, Detour; $20. 1317 San Pablo Ave., 525-5099 www.ashkenaz.com 

 

Blake’s Oct. 24: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; Oct. 25: Psychotica, $5; Oct. 26: Planting Seeds, $6; Oct. 27: Felonious, $6; Oct. 29: The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Oct. 31: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; All shows 9:30 p.m. 2367 Telegraph Ave. 848-0886 

 

Cal Performances Nov 8: 8 p.m. Gypsy Caravan 2: A Celebration of Roma Music and Dance, $18 - $30. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley Campus, Bancroft Way at Telegraph, 642-0212, tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu 

 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; Oct. 19: Little Jonny and the Giants; Doors open at 8 p.m. unless noted. 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

 

La Peña Oct. 28: 7:30 p.m., Mezcla from Cuba, $15dr. 320 45th St., Oakland 849-2568 www.lapena.org 

 

La Lesbian @ La Peña: A Lesbian Performance and Film Series Oct. 25: 8 p.m., comedian Elvira Kurt, $16; Nov. 1: 8 p.m., Singer/songwriters Faith Nolan and Megan McElroy, $14; Nov. 4: 5 - 9 p.m., Salsa, merengue, cumbia from DJs Rosa Oviedo and Chata Gutierrez, $7; Nov. 7: 8 p.m., I Love Lezzie, 20 member comedy troupe, $14; 320 45th St., Oakland 654-6346 www.lapena.org 

 

The Stork Club Oct. 24: 9 p.m., Cruevo, Jumbo’s Killcrane, Brainoil, Life in a Burn Clinic, $5; Oct. 25: 10 p.m., Painted Bird, Tinman, Fenway Park, $6; Oct. 26: 10 p.m., Birdsaw, Wire Grafitti, Breast, $5; Oct. 27: 10 p.m., Oxbow, Replicator, 60 Foot Time, $6; Oct. 30: 9 p.m., Simple Things, Tombshakers, Ultrafiend, $5; Oct. 31: Oppressed Logic, Eddie Haskells, TBA, $5; 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland. 444-6174  

 

Yoshi’s Restaurant and Jazz Spot Oct. 29: 8 & 10 p.m., The Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra, $10. 238-9200 www.yoshis.com 

 

“The Odd Couple” Oct. 25 through Oct. 27: 7:30 p.m. The female adaptation of Neil Simon’s classic play. Directed by Antoine Olivier. $5 students, $7 adults. Bobby Barrett Theater, St. Mary’s campus, 1294 Albina. 981-1167 ruthcrossman@yahoo.com 

 

Henry Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” Oct. 26: 8 p.m., Oct. 28: 3 p.m. Presented by the Oakland Lyric Opera, continuing the company’s opera showcase series of short, one-act operas and opera scenes, semi-staged concert performances. First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. $25, $18 students and seniors, $15 children. 836-6772 

“Prometeh in Evin” Oct. 28: 8 p.m., A drama about political prisoners in Iran, performed by the brave and innovative Parsian Group. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. $25, Children, $15 2640 College Ave 845.8542 www.juliamorgan.org. 

 

“Approach” Through Oct. 27: Thur. - Sat., 8 p.m. An examination of the search for intimacy as our most precious form of survival. Written by Susan Wiegand, Directed by Katie Bales Frassinelli. $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors. Eighth Street Studio Theatre, 2525 8th St. 655-0813 www.shotgunplayers.org 

 

“36 Views” Through Oct. 28: Tues. 8 p.m., Wed. 7 p.m., Thu. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Thu., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Sat., Sun. 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Written by Naomi Lizuka, Directed by Mark Wing-Davey. $10 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“me/you...us/them” Nov. 8 though Nov. 10: Thur - Sat 8 p.m., matinee on Sat. 2:30 p.m. Three one-acts that look at interpersonal, as well as societal relationships from the perspective of the disabled. $10 - $25. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. 925-798-1300 

 

“Nocturne” Through Nov. 11: Tues./Thurs./Sat. 8 p.m., Weds. & Sun. 7 p.m, matinee on Thurs./Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. Mark Brokaw directs Anthony Rapp in One-Man Show. Written by Adam Rapp. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“Travesties” Through Nov. 17: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., and Thurs., Nov. 15, 8 p.m. A witty fantasy about James Joyce meeting Lenin in Zurich during World War I. Written by Tom Stoppard, Directed by Mikel Clifford. $10. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck. 528-5620 

 

“Macbeth” Nov. 9 though Nov. 18: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m. Presented by the Albany High School Theater Ensemble. $7 adults, $5 students and seniors. Albany High School Little Theater, 603 Key Route Blvd. 559-6550 x4125 theaterensemble@hotmail.com 

 

“Murder Dressed in Satin” by Victor Lawhorn, ongoing. A mystery-comedy dinner show at The Madison about a murder at the home of Satin Moray, a club owner and self-proclaimed socialite with a scarlet past. Dinner is included in the price of the theater ticket. $47.50 Lake Merritt Hotel, 1800 Madison St., Oakland. 239-2252 www.acteva.com/go/havefun 

Pacific Film Archive Theater Oct. 22: 7 p.m., The Closed Doors; Oct. 23: 7:30 p.m., Super-8mm Films by Theresa Cha; Oct. 24: 7:30 p.m., The Rainy Season and Wai’a Rini; Oct. 26: 7:30 p.m., The Passion of Joan of Arc, 9:15 p.m., Vivre sa Vie; Oct 27: 7 p.m., New Music for Silent Films by UCB Composers; Oct. 28: 5:30 p.m., Vampyr; Oct. 29: 7 p.m., A Time for Drunken Horses; Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m., An Evening with Leslie Thornton; Oct. 31: 7:30 p.m., 9:20 p.m., Saudade do Futuro. 

2575 Bancroft Way, 642-1124 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

Exhibits 

“Photographs of Yosemite” by Richard Blair, Oct. 25: 5 - 8 p.m. Mr. Blair served as Park Photographer for Yosemite National Park in the early 1970’s and continues to photograph there often. Holton Studio, 5515 Doyle St., No. 2, Emeryville. 450-0350 www.holtonframes.com 

 

“First Annual Art Show” UC Berkeley Life Drawing Group Reception, Through Oct. 26: 7 - 10 p.m. Figure studies from the workshops at UC Berkeley. 1014 60th St., Emeryville. 923-0689 

 

“MWP Perspectives” Jon Orvik: One artist’s journey. Through Oct. 27 Tues. - Fri. 12 - 5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 12 - 4 p.m. Solo artist exhibiting his journey through metal, wood and paint. Adapt Gallery and Design, 2834 College Ave. 649-8501 www.adaptgallery.com  

 

“Cut Plates and Bowls” Annabeth Rosen, “Just Jars” Sandy Simon Through Nov. 3; Saturdays 10 - 5 or by appointment. Trax Ceramic Gallery, 1306 3rd St. 526-0279. cone5@aol.com 

 

“50 Years of Photography in Japan 1951 - 2001” Through Nov. 5: An exhibition from The Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s largest daily newspaper with a national morning circulation of 10,300,000. Photographs of work, love, community, culture and disasters of Japan as seen by Japanese news photographers. Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. U.C. Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism, North Gate Hall, Hearst and Euclid. Free. 642-3383 

 

“Jesus, This is Your Life - Stories and Pictures by Kids” Through Nov. 16: California children, ages four through twelve, from diverse backgrounds present original artwork, accompanied by a story written by the artist. “Cleve Gray, Holocaust Drawings” Oct. 15 through Jan. 25: 21 works on paper inviting the viewer to consider the atrocity of the Holocaust in ways unattainable through words or text. Mon. - Thur. 8:30 a.m. -10 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2541. 

 

“Changing the World, Building New Lives: 1970s photographs of Lesbians, Feminists, Union Women, Disability Activists and their Supporters” Through Nov. 17: An exhibit of black and white photographs by Oakland photographer Cathy Cade, who captured the interrelationships of the different struggles for justice and social change. Gallery Hours, Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St. Free. 644-1400 cathycade@mindspring.com 

 

“2001 James D. Phelan Art Awards in Printmaking” Honorees: Bridget Henry, David Kelso, and Margaret Van Patten. Oct. 19 - Nov. 30 Tues. - Fri. noon - 5 p.m., other times by appointment. Kala Art Institue, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977 www.kala.org 

 

“The Whole World’s Watching: Peace and Social Justice Movements of the 1960s and 1970s” Through Dec. 16: A documentary photo exhibition which examines the rich history of the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Wed. - Sun., noon - 5 p.m. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., Live Oak Park. Free. 644-6893 

 

“The Art History Museum of Berkeley” Masterworks by Guy Colwell Faithful copies of several artists from the pasts, including Titian’s “The Venus of Urbino,” Cezanne’s “Still Life,” Picasso’s “Woman at a Mirror,” and Botticelli’s “Primavera” Ongoing. Call ahead for hours. Atelier 9 2028 Ninth St. 841-4210 or visit www.atelier9.com 

 

Readings 

 

Boadecia’s Books Oct. 22: J.M. Redmann reads from “Death By the Riverside”; All events start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise. All events are free. 398 Colusa Ave. 559-9184 www.bookpride.com 

 

Cody’s on Telegraph Ave. Oct. 23: Michael Downing will talk about “Shoes Outside the Door: Scandals of Desire, Devotion, and Excess at San Francisco Zen Center; Oct. 24: Anita Roddick returns with “Take It Personally”; Oct. 25: Eric Muller discusses “Free To Die For Their Country: The Story of the Japanese American Draft Resisters in World War II”; Oct. 26 Sage Cohen & Mari L’esperance read their poetry; Oct. 27: Gregory Maguire reads “Lost”; Oct. 28: Christopher Hitchens with “Letters To A Young Contrarian”; Oct. 29: Arturo Pérez-Reverte reads from “The Nautical Chart”; Oct. 30: Ruben Martinez recounts “Crossing Over: A Mexican Family on the Migrant Trail”; Oct. 31: Barry Lopez reads from “Light Action In The Caribbean”; All shows at 7:30 p.m.; 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-7852 

 

Cody’s on Fourth St. Oct. 25: Simon Winchester discusses “The Map That Changed The World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology”; Oct. 26: Alice Medrich delivers “A Year In Chocolate: Four Seasons of Unforgettable Desserts”; Oct. 27: 11 a.m., Addi Someckh and Charlie Eckert - The Balloon Guys, play with “The Inflatable Crown Balloon Hat Kit,” for young readers; Oct. 28: 4 p.m., Darren Shan with “Cirque Du Freak,” and “The Vampire’s Assistant,” for young readers; All shows 7 p.m. unless noted, 1730 Fourth St. 559-9500 

 

Eastwind Books of Berkeley Nov. 10: 4 p.m. Ruthanne Lum McCunn reads from her novel “Moon Pearl”; Nov. 18: 4 p.m. Noel Alumit, M.G. Sorongon, and Marianne Villanueva read from their contributions to the anthology “Tilting the Continent: Southeast Asian American Literature”; 2066 University Ave. 548-2350 

 

Ecology Center Oct. 22: 7 - 9 p.m. Toby Hemenway presents a slideshow and reads from “Gaia’s Garden: A guide to Home Scale Permaculture”; 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-220 x233 

 

Tours 

 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sun., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sun., noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623  

 

 

Museums 

 

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins; Oct. 25: A Storytelling Pajama Party, 6 - 7 p.m.; Oct. 27: 4th Annual Habitot Halloween; Oct. 28: Family Arts Day; Oct. 31: Sugar-Art Halloween Frosting; Nov. 3: Tales from the Enchanted Forest, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.; Nov. 9: Living with the Earth; Nov. 17: Recycle that Stuff; $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. Mon. and Wed., 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tues. and Fri., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thur., 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111 or www.habitot.org  

 

UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20 foot by 40 foot replica of the fearsome dinosaur made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing. “Pteranodon” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22-23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Free. Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 642-1821 

 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology will close its exhibition galleries for renovation. It will reopen in early 2002.  

 

University of California Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive has reopened after its summerlong seismic retrofit. “Martin Puryear: Sculpture of the 1990s” through Jan. 13; “The Dream of the Audience: Theresa Hak Kyung Cha (1951 - 1982)” through Dec. 16; “Face of Buddha: Sculpture from India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia” ongoing rotation through 2003; “Matrix 194: Jessica Bronson, Heaps, layers, and curls” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; “Matrix 192: Ceal Floyer 37’4”” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thur. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., PFA Theater, 2575 Bancroft Way; Museum Galleries 2626 Bancroft Way; 642-0808 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

Lawrence Hall of Science “Within the Human Brain,” ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. “Saturday Night Stargazing,” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza. Saturdays 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. 642-5132 

 

Holt Planetarium Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. “Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu  

 

Send arts events two weeks in advance to Calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.net, 2076 University, Berkeley 94704 or fax to 841-5694.


BHS’s star middle blocker sets her sights high

By Tim Haran Daily Planet Correspondent
Wednesday October 24, 2001

Volleyball coaches can teach their players all the fundamentals, including how to pass, block, dig or kill. They can explain the game’s subtle nuances and they can even develop intricate strategies for various opponents. 

But no matter how hard they try, they can’t coach height. And with height comes another volleyball intangible – intimidation. 

At an imposing 6-foot-5, Desiree Guilliard-Young’s sheer presence as Berkeley High’s star middle blocker sends shivers through the opposing team’s front row. Having already pounded more than 150 kills this year, Guilliard-Young recently helped Berkeley remain undefeated in league play by registering one of her best matches of the season. 

“Desiree had an outstanding performance today,” said Justin Caraway, Berkeley’s head coach, referring to Guilliard-Young’s outing against De Anza last week, in which she recorded 11 kills, four blocks and two aces while committing just one error. “It was probably one of her better all-around matches.” 

Judging by her performances throughout the last two seasons, during which Berkeley hasn’t lost a single Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League match, it’s tough to believe that Guilliard-Young, 17, first touched a volleyball just four years ago. 

Before that, basketball was Guilliard-Young’s game. Considering her stature, the senior frequently gets asked why she doesn’t play for the basketball team, a sport that rewards height as much as it does athletic ability. 

“I was playing basketball for other people,” Guilliard-Young said. “My heart wasn’t in it so I decided to end it before I hurt my team.” 

That was in the eighth grade. The following summer, an acquaintance that Guilliard-Young ran into while shopping told her that a Bay Area volleyball club, the Starlings, was looking for players. 

“I hadn’t even heard of volleyball, really,” said the then-6-foot-3 would-be freshman. 

She made the team that summer prior to her first year at Berkeley High. Guilliard-Young then tried out for the Yellowjackets’ squad under Caraway and despite her lack of coordination made the varsity team. From there her volleyball playing ballooned into a time-intensive commitment. 

In the months following her freshman year, Guilliard-Young, began playing for the Oakland-based Golden Bear Volleyball Club and traveled throughout the United States several times during the summer.  

Last year she competed on the youth national team in the 18-year-old division. 

Although she’s comfortable with her height and said she “wouldn’t have it any other way,” Guilliard-Young doesn’t rely solely on her tallness to carry her on the volleyball court. The desire to improve explains her dedication to the sport in the off-season.  

“I wanted to be good, I just didn’t want to be average,” she said. “I wanted to be an athlete, I just didn’t want to be a tall girl playing volleyball.” 

In her four years in a ’Jackets’ uniform, Guilliard-Young has devoted numerous hours to improving her skills on the court. According to her coach at Berkeley, she’s come a long way. 

“She’s improved her coordination and now understands how to move her body,” Caraway said. “She knows how to work her arms and to do the things that good, tall middles need to do.” 

In addition, Caraway said Guilliard-Young has improved her mental focus, ball control skills, defense and overall understanding of the game. 

As she continues to improve individually, it’s teamwork, which drew Guilliard-Young to volleyball initially, which motivates her today.  

“It’s not about how many kills she gets, how many blocks she gets, it’s about did we win the match,” Caraway said. “And if we won, and she only gets three kills, that doesn’t bother her. But if she gets three kills and we lose, she’s a little bit upset.” 

Earlier this season Baylor University in Texas, which made its first volleyball NCAA tournament appearance in 1999, offered Guilliard-Young a scholarship. She’s made a verbal commitment and said she chose the school for its top-notch academic reputation as much as for its volleyball program, as she plans to pursue a degree in advertising and marketing.  

“I wanted to figure out how to channel my creativity and desire to draw,” Guilliard-Young said.  

“I’ve been drawing since junior high and have come up with models and magazine spreads.” 

Caraway, who graduated from Baylor, said he didn’t have a hand in Guilliard-Young’s desire to attend the Waco, Texas, school but he did keep the school on her short list of collegiate choices and said she should be able to adapt to the fast pace of college volleyball. 

“I think she’ll fit in well with the kids they have returning,” he said. “They have the Big 12 freshman of the year (Stevie Nicholas) as well as some great middles.” 

Receiving a scholarship, Guilliard-Young said, has been her greatest volleyball accomplishment.  

Personal achievements aside, Berkeley’s loss last year to Bishop O’Dowd in the opening round of the playoffs and its fifth straight regular season loss to the Dragons earlier this season are fresh in the memory of Guilliard-Young. 

“We’re getting them this year,” she said. “I refuse to lose. I know we can beat them.” 

The unwavering confidence complements the advice Guilliard-Young received from U.S. National Team member, Logan Tom, last year. 

“Be goal-oriented and work hard,” Tom told her. “Never stop giving it your all and never think you know enough about the game because you probably don’t.”


Hancock formally enters race

Staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

By Judith Scherr 

Daily Planet staff 

 

When former Mayor Loni Hancock announced Tuesday that she’s running for the 14th District Assembly seat, most everybody already knew she was going after the post held by her husband, Tom Bates, for 18 years. 

Opponent Charles Ramsey, a Richmond resident and Oakland attorney, who says he has both a bigger campaign war chest and more endorsements, said he’d seen Hancock – also a former councilmember – on the campaign trail for weeks. 

Meanwhile, opponent Oakland City Council Vice Mayor Jane Brunner – who did not return phone calls – has said in the past that she can beat Hancock. But from early appearances, Brunner’s strategy is to run against the Berkeley City Council, having sent out a missive asking the public how it feels about three “issues of concern” she ascribes to Berkeley officials. The campaign piece, faxed to the Daily Planet, was probably prepared by Brunner’s campaign manager Larry Tramutola, who did not return calls to his office.  

The concerns Brunner’s flier expressed were that a Berkeley councilmember called the U.S. bombings a “terrorist act,” that the American flags had been taken from the fire trucks and returned only after a public outcry and that the council had condemned the United States for the bombing in Afghanistan. 

Hancock declined comment on the Brunner missive, saying she’s more interested in campaigning on education, the environment, the economy and her experience.  

But Councilmember Kriss Worthington, who’s stepped out of the Assembly race in favor of Hancock, did not hesitate to express himself on the flier. 

“It’s amazing that she has three major distortions and doesn’t say what her position is,” Worthington said, correcting the three “distortions:” While a UC Berkeley student-run newspaper quoted Councilmember Dona Spring saying the bombings were “terrorist,” Spring has said a number of times that she was misquoted. The flags were taken from the trucks for a few hours so that they wouldn’t become targets for UC Berkeley students demonstrating and the council did not “condemn” the bombings, but called for their halt as soon as possible. 

“This gives a very distorted and inaccurate picture,” Worthington said. 

Education in No. 1 

Time will only tell if it takes flashy campaign literature to distinguish the three candidates. When it comes to issues, all three place education at the top of their lists.  

Ramsey, Brunner and Hancock all have expertise in this arena.  

Now an attorney, Brunner was a teacher in Berkeley for a number of years; Ramsey sits on the West Contra Costa school board, and Hancock worked for the Clinton administration in the Regional Office of the Department of Education for seven years. 

“I know what is needed,” Hancock said, pointing to a need for preschool and early childhood education, as well as an increase in teacher and childcare worker salaries and enhanced teacher training. 

Hancock conceded that this is a difficult period to expect funding for schools to increase. “One of the major jobs (for the assemblymember is) to protect funding for schools,” she said, noting that the state expects a $10 billion deficit next year.  

The answer? “Spend the money smarter. Close tax loopholes.” 

Charles Ramsey said his experience on the school board has shown him the detailed workings of the school district, from child nutrition needs, to curriculum. “We put a dentist’s office” in one school Ramsey said. 

Who’s endorsing whom 

Hancock and Ramsey share the dual endorsement of Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, and Rep. George Miller, D-Richmond endorses Hancock. While Ramsey has captured the recommendation of the Service Employees International locals 530 and 790 and a number of other labor unions, Hancock has the endorsement of SEIU local 535.  

Hancock has the endorsement of incumbent Assemblymember Dion Aroner. While she has the endorsement of Richmond Mayor Rosemary Corbin, Ramsey has Richmond councilmembers Tom Butt, Richard Griffin, Gary Bell, Rev. Charles Belcher and Gina Brusatori. 

A spokesperson for Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean, who was in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, said the mayor was probably waiting for the Berkeley Democratic Club to make its endorsement, before she made hers. 

Among Ramsey’s long list of endorsers are former Berkeley Mayor/former Alameda County Supervisor Warren Widener and former councilmember Mary Wainwright. 

Former Berkeley councilmember Nancy Skinner, who had considered running for the seat, and Molly O’Shaugnessy are running Hancock’s day-to-day campaign, with San Francisco consultants Staton & Hughes overseeing the effort.  

While Hancock says she’s raising $400,000 and already has $100,000 in the bank, Ramsey says people have donated all the $150,000 he has raised and chides Hancock, saying her war chest has been filled, in part, by personal loans. 

And if Hancock should come out ahead, don’t expect Tom Bates to be her chief of staff. 

“He’ll have no formal role,” Hancock said, noting however, the couple “always shared ideas when I was mayor and he was in the Assembly.” 

 


Forum

Staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

Don’t speak for me 

The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter addressed to Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek: 

I am a Berkeley resident residing in the district you were elected to represent. I am also your neighbor. 

I am outraged that you have taken it upon yourself to speak for all the residents of your district on matters of foreign policy. 

You were elected to represent our district (sad as it my be) in issues that pertain to running the city of Berkeley, not the country.  

As a private citizen you are free to express whatever opinion you may have on foreign policy. However, I was not asked, nor did I give you permission to represent my beliefs in matters of foreign policy. You have no right to speak for me on matters of foreign policy. 

Ms. Shirek, as someone who claims to have spent her life as an activist, fighting for civil rights I am outraged how quick you are to violate my rights. I can only hope that this term in office is your last. 

Jim Hultman 

Berkeley 

 

World court - no solution 

The following is a copy of an e-mail sent to the City Council prior to it vote on the anti-war measure: 

I have lived in Berkeley for nearly 30 years. I am amazed, amused, saddened, but not deeply surprised, by the pending anti-war vote before the City Council. I am completely opposed to this measure. Certainly we all have, as individuals, the right to our own opinions, but for the City Council of Berkeley, to pretend that it speaks for the citizens of this city, in regards to such a controversial area of public policy, is absurd. As is the suggestion that we “sue Afghanistan in the World Court.” Yes, as someone once said, the “Devil is in the details.” How nice to sue a nation in some world court. How nice, if only it were practical and possible and worth the effort.  

Is it even remotely possible that the perpetrators of the atrocities in New York and Washington may oh just may ignore a summons before some toothless world court? This measure is wrong-headed, bad policy, mistaken, and nearly megalomaniacal. It is not the business of our city to take a position on this issue. And, for the record, the position discussed in the measure is dead certain wrong. God knows I have no idea if the policy we are pursuing will in the end be either moral or effective, I do know however, that the absence of policy as expressed in some mythical lawsuit before some third party court is ridiculous and an insult to the nearly 14,000 dead and injured in New York and Washington. I strongly urge you to not support this measure. Yes voice your opinion on the policy, I strongly support your right to do that. But please don’t pretend that even in Berkeley, you or those who support this measure are speaking for the great mass of citizens of the city. 

Thank you for your time and consideration. You know, sometimes what seems like an act of courage, may be only an idiosyncratic egocentric expression. 

Michael Steinberg 

Berkeley 

Shop Berkeley 

The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter written to the City Council: 

Thank you for your extremely reasonable (and restrained) resolution re Afghanistan. It is disgusting that people such as Rush Limbaugh and his devotees are boycotting Berkeley. I do not live in Berkeley, but I will be sure to shop there at every opportunity from now on. 

Soula Culver 

Richmond 

Thanks to Planet 

Editor: 

Kudos to you and the Planet for upholding the ideals of press freedom in a time of fearfulness. On issues local to international - from the truth about Berkeley High School students’ behavior in Yosemite to the anti-bombing resolution of the City Council - the paper’s policy of reporting is refreshing and increasingly rare. Please continue to uphold the most cherished freedoms of America which differentiate us from those who would erase them. 

Joan Levinson 

Berkeley 

Reconsider boycott 

Editor: 

I am writing to urge the businesses who are threatening boycott to reconsider. Boycott is economic intimidation. It is using force to frighten people not to express differences. 

I am 84 years old. I have lived through many changes in our government. Not so long ago our government sent hundreds of thousands of young men and women (all American) to bomb and kill in Vietnam. Many were killed. Many came back sick or wounded beyond repair. We killed millions of innocent Vietnamese. Now many of us are wondering: what was that all about?  

Vietnam is now our friend. We are spending more taxpayers’ money to rebuild what we destroyed. An expensive “mistake”? Governments are people, hopefully, elected by us. We must keep the right to get information and use it even if that information is unpopular at the time. 

By frightening people into silence we lose our ability to reconsider a possible “mistake”. We have just learned that three million innocent Afghani people will starve to death if the American forces do not pause in their bombing to allow food to be sent in. So far, our government has refused to do so. Is that a “mistake”? Is the person who gives us this information un-American? I don’t think so. 

When a group of terrorists in Oklahoma bombed and killed innocent Americans, did we bomb Oklahoma? No, we utilized the courts to punish them. There are international courts available to us for international crime. We must use them. Every time we use a million dollar missile to kill innocent people in another country, our own government has to cut take money for health care, for schools, for housing. Is this an expensive mistake? I wonder. 

Enforcing silence, closing off information is the way to end our own democracy. Let us preserve that right. It is what makes our country great. 

Frances Rachel, Berkeley  

Berkeley


Disabled residents protest Free Folk Festival

By Hank Sims Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

Members of the Commission on Disability and community activists are asking the City Council to take action against the upcoming Berkeley Free Folk Festival because they allege that Ashkenaz, one of the festival venues, in not fully accessible for people in wheelchairs. 

On Oct.15, disability commissioner, Marissa Shaw, and former commissioner, Karen Craig, sent city councilmembers a letter describing conditions at Ashkenaz. They also described the meetings among the commission, disability activists, city employees, Ashkenaz management and Suzy Thompson, organizer of the Berkeley Free Folk Festival.  

In the letter, Shaw and Craig said Ashkenaz’ entrance ramp for disabled people is inadequate. They also noted that halls leading to the bathroom are too narrow and cramped and that there is no rear fire exit.  

The City Council will discuss the issue at its regular meeting on Tuesday, but according to Councilmember Kriss Worthington, the council can take no action apart from offering the organizers of the festival money to postpone the event to look for alternate locations.  

Earlier in the year, the city gave the festival a grant of $3,000. 

Thompson insisted Tuesday that the festival, scheduled for Nov. 17 and 18, will go on as planned. In addition, she said the process of trying to meet the demands of some members of the disabled community has been so exhausting that this will be her last year as festival director. 

“I’m doing the best possible job I can, and that has to be good enough,” she said. “The festival is not going to be moved this year. 

“I won’t be doing this again,” she added. “I’ve tried to put out nice things for the community, and I’ve been kicked in the teeth for it.” 

Thompson and Allan Katz, the managing director of Ashkenaz, met on Oct. 4, Thompson said, to talk about accessibility issues at the club and try to address the commission’s concerns.  

There, Shaw said, the shortcomings of Ashkenaz as a venue became clear to her.  

“It only takes about four people in wheelchairs to fill up the hallways,” she said. “If you get four people in there trying to go to the bathroom at the same time, that’s it. It’s over. 

“People in wheelchairs may be able to get in the door at Ashkenaz, but four of us shut the whole place down.” 

Thompson said such problems can be addressed by having people directing traffic in the hall. 

“The fact is that neither place (Ashkenaz nor the Freight & Salvage, the other festival location) is ideal, but it’s a lie to say that the festival is being held in completely inaccessible locations,” said Thompson. “What I’d like to do this year is spend my time setting up the two venues as best I can to make them accessible.” 

Thompson said she contacted Shaw several weeks ago to ask her if she would like to volunteer to coordinate access issues at Ashkenaz, or if she could provide information about people who could provide such a service. Thompson said Shaw refused to help her.  

Shaw said she declined to help after some consideration. She said she eventually decided she couldn’t help in good conscience when she didn’t support the choice of the venue. 

Thompson said the entire process has left her bitter. 

“In retrospect, I wish I had given the money back to the city and called this thing off,” she said. “But on the other hand, we’ve got some great music booked this year.” 

 


Hills fire breeds unity and capital

By Mielikki Org Special to the Daily Planet
Wednesday October 24, 2001

One autumn day in October of 1991, Michael Kovac, 44, and his wife Karen returned to their Berkeley home from a weekend trip only to find their home had burned down in the catastrophic Oakland -Berkeley Hills fire. 

Despite the devastation, the Kovacs’ first and foremost worry – after accounting for friends and neighbors – was about their cat, who hadn’t turned up at any of the animal shelters. A few days later, PG&E workers came across her near a house that had just missed the fire. 

“We had accounted for everybody, had accounted for all of the animals, and all the other things suddenly didn’t matter so much any more,” Kovac said. 

Ten years after the wildfire that consumed 3,200 homes and left 25 dead, surviving residents have shifted their concerns from personal security to real estate. 

Houses that used to sell for half a million dollars now attract offers of twice that much.  

“Houses up there are very expensive,” says Nacio Brown, a real estate broker since 1984 at Coldwell Banker in Berkeley. “The minimum price is $700,000, up to and over $1 million.” 

Referring to the owner of a $1.5 million home, Brown said: “Some dot-com guy has got the whole hill.” 

The rebuilding has attracted mixed reviews. Some say the Mediterranean-style villas, which sometimes sprawl across 6,000 feet are gorgeous; others say they are monstrous or ostentatious. 

The critical attention may be a result of new ordinances, which require residents and fire departments to control vegetation. Because of this, houses once completely hidden from Highway 13 by trees are now in plain view.  

“The hardest part of moving in here, at first, was how barren it was,” said Lisa Moscaret-Burr, 45, a Berkeley hills resident. “You’d look out the windows and all you could see were other houses. Until some of these trees grew in, it felt like we were living on the moon.” 

Most people decided to rebuild their homes not out of nostalgia, but because they could make money. 

Kevin Brown, a broker at Berkeley Hills Realty for the past 20 years, said there has been a tremendous appreciation in the homes on the hill during the past few years. People who rebuilt huge houses from their insurance settlements, he said, were just trying “to get the most out of the lot.”  

“The owners made out like bandits,” Nacio Brown said.  

Owners of smaller houses before, he added, were “not using the asset to its max.”  

Brown also said he believes the smaller, surviving houses are more at risk of future fires. 

“(The new houses) have better energy conservation and much better construction,” Brown says.  

The new construction, does not appear to have divided owners of expensive homes from residents who chose not to rebuild. Instead, those interviewed said they found increased cooperation among residents. 

“After the fire, the neighborhood came together like in times of disaster,” Kovac said. “We didn’t know anybody and then we ended up knowing everybody on the block.” 

Residents now take individual and communal measures to protect the area against fire.  

“Everybody has a role,” said Kovac, who has since rebuilt his home. “If something happens, depending on what you need, there’s someone to call.” 

Beyond the money to be made, Moscaret-Burr said a stronger neighborhood association has arisen than what previously existed. 

“There is a command center at a neighbor’s pool house,” she said. “It’s stocked with food. And we’ve been trained on fire hoses. The neighborhood is much more cohesive now. That’s a nice outgrowth. 

“It would have been nice if we could have just gotten to know each other without the fire,” she added. 

According to both real estate brokers, homeowners showed no reluctance to return to their homes after the fire. 

Kevin Brown, citing the San Francisco fire and earthquake of 1906, said this is a normal reaction. 

“People rebuilt their homes after the San Francisco fire, almost a hundred years ago,” he said. “Natural disasters here are very few and far between. Because of the infrequency of those events, people don’t dwell on them.”


Bay Area Briefs

Staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — A new survey of single room occupancy hotels in San Francisco found that over 40 percent of these cramped but cheap accommodations house at least one child. 

The census, released Tuesday, found that the average SRO is a 10-by-10 room without a kitchen or bathroom but occupied by more than three people. About 85 percent of occupants are immigrants whose first language is not English, the study found. 

It was funded by the city and conducted by several community groups. The 450 families interviewed had 760 children, 80 percent under age 12. 

 

 

SAN JOSE — EBay co-founder Jeff Skoll said Tuesday he will make a multimillion-dollar donation to help nonprofits suffering a drop in donations. 

Skoll, 36, announced that he is giving $2.5 million worth of eBay stock to Community Foundation Silicon Valley. He wants to raise $25 million — his estimate of what area nonprofits expect to lose with philanthropists focusing on those affected by last month’s terrorist attacks. 

Skoll’s projections are based on a 1999 survey of 151 Silicon Valley non-profits, which reported getting an average of 23 percent of their income from foundations, corporations and other donors. 

Community Foundation Silicon Valley promotes philanthropy, provides charitable giving expertise to individuals and corporations, and makes grants to local nonprofit organizations and schools. It is one of the fastest growing foundations in the nation, with assets exceeding $585 million and awarding grants of $52 million annually. 

 

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO — Bay Area home sales fell in September at the steepest rate since the economic downturn began, according to the real estate information service DataQuick. 

A total of 7,201 houses and condominiums changed hands in the region, down 25.6 percent from September 2000. During the first nine months of 2001, 69,404 new and resale homes were sold in the region, down 17 percent from the comparable period last year. 

The median price was $373,000, up 5.4 percent from a year ago, DataQuick said. 

Between March and September, median home prices fell sharply in Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties, where the slumping technology sector has a heavy presence. But prices rose in areas with less dependence on dotcoms, such as Contra Costa County. 

 


BART negotiations continue; ‘pay parity’ one issue

By Colleen Valles The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

OAKLAND — Bay Area Rapid Transit management and the transit system’s smallest union spent Tuesday negotiating ahead of a midnight strike deadline. 

The union wants all employees who do the same job to be paid the same wage, regardless of experience or tenure. BART officials said that would bump salaries up to unmanageable levels. 

Bay Area commuters were guaranteed a ride to work Tuesday after the union extended its strike deadline from midnight Monday. 

Local elected officials have gotten involved in the dispute between BART and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3993, which represents which represents 238 train controllers and supervisors. A strike could strand 300,000 commuters and further clog the Bay Area’s already congested roads. 

“The union graciously granted the 24-hour extension to allow everyone to be able to count on the trains running (Tuesday) without any disruption,” Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, said Monday night. “I think the parties are getting close, and we’re grateful not to have a strike at this time.” 

BART officials were upset the two sides did not settle Monday and that the union waited until late at night to extend the strike deadline. Union representatives did not return calls Tuesday. 

Management at the commuter train network says its offer of a 22 percent pay raise and benefits package is the best it can do. The union says it’s satisfied with the compensation but worries jobs will be outsourced to nonunion contractors and consultants. 

The offer is reportedly similar to the contract that BART unions representing maintenance and train operators accepted September 4.  

Those contracts called for a 22 percent wage increase over the next four years, increased pension plan contributions and continued health care coverage at no added cost to employees. 

A Local 3993 supervisor earns an about $77,500 a year, according to BART officials. A 22 percent raise would increase that salary to $94,550. 

Leaders of the largest two unions have said they will honor AFSCME’s picket line, but BART officials insist they will find a way to keep trains running. 

The supervisors’ union rejected BART’s “best and final” offer Oct. 15. BART officials asked the union to return to the bargaining table and local elected leaders have been trying to get both sides to settle.


Police Briefs

Staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

The Berkeley Police Department believes that a series of recent robberies, all of which involved hold-ups of individuals at gunpoint, may be related. 

Lt. Cynthia Harris, the department’s chief of detectives, says that in five such robberies, which occurred between Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, the victims’ description of their assailants’ physical characteristics, dress and method of operation were similar enough for the police to conclude that the same individuals were responsible for the crimes. 

The first two cases, which occurred on Sept. 26 and 27, took place near the UC Berkeley campus. In each case, the victims were stopped by a black male wearing a black ski mask, shown a gun and were told to hand over their money. 

The three other cases took place on Sept. 28, Oct. 1 and Oct. 3, on or near the 3000 block of College Avenue. All these cases involved two black males, one of whom wore a black ski mask or scarf. 

 

 

 

Two vehicles – one motorcycle and one unidentified vehicle – were burned in an arson attack Friday night, according to Harris. 

Police were called to the corner of Allston Way and McKinley Avenue, two blocks from Berkeley’s police station, at around 11:30 p.m. They found the two vehicles aflame and called the Fire Department. BFD investigators determined that someone had intentionally set the vehicles on fire. 

Police interviewed several neighbors in the vicinity, but none were able to provide information. A suspect has not been identified. 

 

 

 

A man called the BPD early Friday morning to say that he had been attacked with a knife the night before, according to Harris. 

Police arrived at the victim’s West Berkeley home around 6:30 a.m., and were told that he had been attacked by an unknown assailant Thursday night. He said that the suspect had slashed through his T-shirt and wounded him in the chest. He showed the wound to the responding officers. 

The man was transported to a medical facility and given treatment for the wound. Police have opened an investigation. 

 

 

 

 

An employee of the Walgreens drug store at the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Gilman Street arrived at work early Thursday morning to discover that the front door had been pried open, according to Harris. 

When police arrived, they discovered that cigarettes had been stolen from the store.  

According to Harris, there is some question about whether the store’s alarm went off. 

 

 

 

 

The owner of a south Berkeley convenience store was the victim of a hate crime Sept. 16, according to Harris. 

At around 5:50 p.m., a man entered the market and began to shout at the owner of the store. The suspect described the victim as an “Afghan terrorist,” threw food picked off the shelves at the victim and fled in a brown Toyota Corolla. 

The suspect is an African American male, 39 or 40 years old, around six feet tall and weighing around 180 pounds. 

 

– Hank Sims 


Report cites obstacles to hiring more teachers

By Grace Lee Associated Press Writer
Wednesday October 24, 2001

SACRAMENTO — Calling California’s shortage of trained teachers “nothing less than a crisis,” state Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin Tuesday urged the state to increase teacher salaries and phase out the hiring of uncredentialed teachers. 

Eastin presented a task force report she commissioned to teachers, administrators and an eighth-grade video class taping the event at Natomas Middle School. 

“I believe in accountability for students,” Eastin said, “but it isn’t fair for students in schools with 80 percent uncredentialed teachers” to face the new standards without help. 

The state’s school districts have hired tens of thousands of untrained teachers although more than four credentialed teachers exist for every opening, the report shows. 

A 40-member task force of teachers and education administrators said increasing pay and phasing out the hiring of uncredentialed teachers would help increase the state’s pool of qualified teachers. 

“If we are really going to have general reform, we need put a laser-like focus on the educators who will lead our schools,” Eastin said. “We want recruitment and retention, not just of warm bodies but of educators.” 

California has 1.3 million trained teachers and 290,000 teaching jobs, but many openings go unfilled because teachers gravitate toward higher-paying districts, said the report. 

The report criticized the state for paying teachers too little and raising extra barriers for those with out-of-state credentials and teachers returning to the classroom. 

State incentives also encourage people to enter teaching without a credential, making it more likely they will eventually quit teaching, the report said. 

“The problem with emergency credentialed folks is they have no prior training and most are gone within a short time. Forty percent are gone within a year,” said Skip Meno, who co-chaired the task force. “What we’re doing is pouring water into a bathtub with a big hole at the bottom.” 

Last year, California had more than 42,000 uncredentialed teachers, more than any other state. 

Schools in poor communities and those with larger proportions of English learners have higher numbers of uncredentialed teachers. Students in schools with large minority populations are seven times more likely to have untrained teachers. 

Low-performing schools should not be allowed to hire uncredentialed teachers in proportions higher than the state average, the report said. 

Emergency credentials, the task force recommended, should be phased out within five years, which would force district to hire only those with credentials. 

More undergraduate university programs should include teacher training as part of the degree and give students opportunities to teach, the report urged. 


Court sets aside decision on asylum-seeking abused women

The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court said Tuesday it would revisit a decision allowing battered women and abused children to be granted asylum in the United States. 

Without comment, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it would rehear a case of a Mexican illegal immigrant who fled her country to Los Angeles because her father repeatedly beat her. In March, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit said the 19-year-old girl could stay in the United States. 

It was the first ruling of its kind allowing a refugee to be eligible for asylum by showing severe abuse by a relative, coupled with an inability to find safety in their homeland. 

Normally, asylum is granted to those for religious or political reasons. The court did not indicate when it would rehear the case of Rosalba Aguirre-Cervantes, this time with 11 judges. 

The case is Aguirre-Cervantes v. INS, 99-70861. 


New Chinese language television channel covers issues missed in mainstream media

By Michelle R. Smith The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

BRISBANE — Many Americans heard about terrorism, security, and a few words about human rights in the few minutes ABC, NBC and CBS spent covering President Bush’s first trip to China. 

But NBC’s Tom Brokaw never mentioned Taiwan pulling out of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shanghai, the latest incident in a decades-long power struggle with China. 

CBS’s Dan Rather didn’t mention the anti-American protests in Indonesia and Malaysia. And ABC’s World News Tonight didn’t report that every resident of Shanghai was given five days vacation during the conference. 

Viewers in the San Francisco Bay area saw these stories and much more Friday on KTSF, the only station in the United States to produce its own nightly Chinese language newscasts. 

U.S. census data shows Asians grew faster than any other group in the United States during the 1990s. Those people, many of them Chinese-Americans, represent a “subterranean market” with a hunger for news about China, says Orville Schell, Dean of the University of California, Berkeley’s School of Journalism. 

“For Chinese in America, China’s always a huge story,” Schell said. Chinese-language media “is very effective, and does reach an enormous number of people.” 

KTSF, an independent station based in suburban Brisbane, has been producing news since 1989, when Mei Ling Sze, a television journalist from Hong Kong, helped launch “Cantonese News.” 

“The Chinese community saw there was a big vacuum,” said Sze, who is anchor and Managing Editor of the nightly, hour-long program. “The community wanted quality newscasts.” 

Sze later helped launch “Mandarin News,” which now airs for a half-hour nightly. 

With an editorial staff of just 14, KTSF takes video from CNN, Hong Kong’s ATV News, Taiwan’s Power TV, and Beijing-based CCTV, and writes its own stories for its Chinese-speaking audience.  

Also, five reporters cover local stories. 

Of the 2,433,000 Chinese in the United States, 980,642 live in California, most concentrated in the San Francisco Bay area, according to the latest census. 

The station’s audience isn’t measured by Nielsen Media Research, but a study commissioned by KTSF found 86 percent of Cantonese-speaking households in the Bay Area were tuning in on any given night, according to Michael Sherman, KTSF’s General Manager. 

“Most of these households are monolingual,” Sherman said. “We almost have a captive audience.” 

Those numbers are borne out in the popularity of Chinese-language newspapers. The Mandarin-language World Journal, owned by a Taiwanese company, claims to be the biggest Chinese-language paper in the United States, with a North American circulation of approximately 350,000. Hong Kong-based Cantonese newspaper Sing Tao Daily disputes this, and claims it is the biggest. 

For many Chinese in America, these are the only sources of news they can access. 

“The Chinese-language news is very much a news ghetto. Relatively few people who watch it are getting any other news,” says Schell. “It’s the linguistic barrier.” 

Though bound together by language, the ethnic Chinese population in the United States includes widely diverging viewpoints, and Sze tries to reflect the different perspectives of mainland China, Taiwan and the United States in her news judgments. 

She keeps a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights close at hand to use as her guiding principle, she says. 

KTSF’s nightly Mandarin-language call-in show “China Crosstalk,” hosted by Jay Stone Shih, must also find that balance. 

“We talk about facts. We try to stay away from rhetoric,” he said. 

Schell says Shih’s program is succeeding. “It’s as balanced as it gets,” Schell says. “The Chinese language media was once very anti-communist. Now it tends to tread very gingerly on those issues.” 

Mainstream American media is not spared the critical eye Chinese have used to view Chinese government-sponsored news for years. 

Shih, Sze and Sherman all point to Chinese-Americans’ reaction to the conflict last spring over the U.S. spy plane that went down on Hainan Island. 

“Their first instinct was not to trust American media,” Sherman said. “They wanted to hear Chinese sources on the same thing.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.ktsf.com 


State permits Headwaters Hole area for logging

By Don Thompson The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

SACRAMENTO — Pacific Lumber Company began logging in the Hole in the Headwaters area of Northern California Tuesday, days after state regulators gave it final permission. 

The company on Tuesday rejected proposals that it sell the land to the state or federal governments so it could be permanently preserved. 

Pacific Lumber began cutting what it said would be primarily second-growth, roughly 80-year-old redwood and Douglas fir on 595 acres within the Headwaters Forest area. 

The state purchased the Headwaters area of Humboldt County with its old-growth redwoods for $480 million nearly three years ago, but Pacific Lumber retained a 705-acre site in the middle dubbed the Hole in the Headwaters as part of the agreement. The company will not log 110 acres of the site under its state permit. 

The company received final permission to begin cutting Thursday from the State Water Resources Control Board. That ended a 2 1/2-year legal and regulatory battle, but the company said it expects environmental activists to attempt to block timber cutting. 

“It’s a damn shame. It’s an area that clearly should have been part of the original (Headwaters) acquisition,” said Paul Mason, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center. 

The company, in a statement, said it is not interested in selling land it was allowed to log as partial compensation for selling other holdings under the Headwaters agreement. It said it already has invested tens of thousands of dollars in preparing to log the site but had been blocked from cutting a single tree until Tuesday. 

While Mason said the logging disrupts the Headwaters watershed, the company said a ridge separates the area from the most of the Headwaters Reserve. 

Mason also said objected that state regulators should have required the company to install water quality monitoring equipment before beginning logging.  

Water quality readings that will be required starting Dec. 1 could be tainted by erosion from logging operations until then, he said. 

The state water board rejected that option Thursday when it set the December deadline for Pacific Lumber and its affiliated Scotia Pacific Lumber Co. to begin monitoring the south fork of the Elk River. 

Company officials said they amended their plans over the last 2 1/2 years to add environmental protections beyond those required by state law. 

Cut trees will be airlifted by helicopter to an existing loading area, and the company’s permit bars new road construction until spring, when water quality monitoring equipment will be in place. The company also will repair more than 60 erosion problem spots along existing logging roads. 


Pesticide use reaches lowest level since 1992

By Colleen Valles The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Pesticide use for agriculture, pest control and landscape maintenance declined in California in 2000 for the second straight year, dipping to the lowest level since 1992, a state report says. 

That decrease is largely due to increased use of reduced-risk chemicals and practices. That includes scouting the fields to see what pesticides may be present, rather than simply spraying because it’s a certain time of year, said Glenn Brank, spokesman for the state Department of Pesticide Regulation, which released the report Tuesday. 

“We’re certainly encouraged by the reports from the last two years,” he said. “A change in weather and other factors may change those numbers for 2001, but I think there very clearly is an indication that we are going in the right direction.” 

Good weather in 2000 led to a lower number of pests to infect crops, which helped bring down pesticide numbers, Brank said. 

About 188 million pounds of pesticides were used throughout the state in 2000, down from 202 million pounds in 1999. There’s been a drop of almost 27 million pounds since 1998. 

“What it shows is that when people really work on this they can make a huge difference in reducing pesticide use,” said Susan Kegley, staff scientist for San Francisco-based Pesticide Action Network. 

Kegley attributed much of the decline to regulatory and public pressure. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is reviewing all pesticides in use and has further restricted many of them. Growers know that others may go the same way, so they’re looking for alternatives, Kegley said. 

The use of soil fumigants, such as methyl bromide and metam-sodium, which are used in higher application rates than many other pesticides, has also been reduced. Methyl bromide use decreased by more than 4.3 million pounds and the use of metam-sodium decreased by 3.9 million pounds statewide. The two chemicals were also used on fewer acres. 

California has the toughest restrictions on methyl bromide in the country, and it’s working on other soil fumigants, Brank said. 

“We’ve launched a statewide initiative to control the use of fumigants in general because we don’t want people to shift from methyl bromide to some other fumigant,” he said. “That just shifts the problem.” 

Kegley said that’s already happening to some degree, with the use of the soil fumigant telone on the rise. 

Pesticide use was down 3 million pounds in wine grape crops, down 2.7 million pounds in raisin and table grape crops and down 2 million pounds in processing tomatoes. 

California’s 6,000 almond growers, who supply 75 percent of the world’s almonds, also decreased pesticide use by 3 million pounds statewide. 

“I think our growers are getting better at looking at their orchards in more of a scientific way, and looking at targeting pests and timing the spraying so that it’s most effective,” said Chris Heintz, director of product research and environment for the state Almond Board. 

In addition to using fewer chemicals, the almond industry is also using less-toxic pesticides, she said. 

“These are hard economic times for growers, and I think some of the decrease in use is from growers trying to save money,” Heintz said. 


Apple unveils music player that holds up to 1,000 songs

By May Wong The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

CUPERTINO — Apple Computer Inc. unveiled a portable digital music device Tuesday that is the size of a deck of cards but holds 1,000 digitally recorded songs. 

The MP3 player, called iPod, works only on Macintoshes running Apple’s proprietary operating systems and iTunes 2, the company’s latest music software. The device will cost $399 and be available Nov. 10. 

Despite the slumping economy, analysts expect the iPod to sell well among the 7 million users already equipped with Macintoshes compatible with the device. 

“People aren’t willing to buy a new personal computer but they are willing to buy things to accessorize it,” said Rob Enderle, an analyst with the Giga Information Group. 

The sleek, 6.5-ounce gadget is the first portable music player that transfers files via FireWire — a faster cable than the Universal Serial Bus cables commonly used for many digital devices. A CD worth of music would take 5 to 10 seconds to download to the player, versus 5 hours needed via USB, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said. 

Jobs introduced the product to 300 reporters and analysts at an event complete with a video promotion featuring endorsements from recording artists such as Moby and SmashMouth. 

The device, which runs on Mac OS 9.2.1 and Mac OS X Version 10.1, boasts a battery life of 10 hours and has a 5 gigabyte hard drive. 

“We think this is a major, major breakthrough,” Jobs said. 

Analysts agreed. 

“This definitely raises the bar in portable music devices in terms of industrial design and capacity,” said Susan Kevorkian, an analyst with International Data Corp. 

The iPod is part of the “digital lifestyle” that Jobs promoted since January. 

Until Tuesday, Apple had introduced only software products to make its Macs the hub for digital music, video and pictures. IPod is Apple’s first consumer electronics gadget. More devices will follow, Jobs said. 

Apple, which has five percent of the worldwide PC market, also hopes to gain new customers with the device. 

“We’re starting to add more and more reasons for people to come back to Mac or to choose a Mac,” said Phil Schiller, vice president of worldwide product marketing.


Jury told to resume deliberating City of Hope-Genentech suit

The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

LOS ANGELES — A judge Tuesday ordered a divided jury to resume deliberations on whether City of Hope hospital is owed hundreds of millions of dollars in drug royalties from the biotechnology firm Genentech Inc. 

Superior Court Judge Edward Y. Kakita issued the instruction, which is common in such situations in California courts, the morning after the jury reported it was evenly split on the first question before them, a breach-of-contract claim. 

“Do your best to reach a verdict,” Kakita told the 12 jurors. 

At issue is a 1976 contract between South San Francisco-based Genentech and City of Hope in Duarte which provided that Genentech would fund research at the City of Hope’s Beckman Research Institute. In return, Genentech would own whatever patents would be issued and would pay the hospital a 2 percent royalty on the sales of certain drugs resulting from the research. 

The hospital sued Genentech, alleging it concealed licenses with drug companies over the 25 years of the deal to avoid paying about $340 million in royalties. Genentech owes the hospital more than $400 million, including interest, the hospital argued. 

Genentech argued it only owed royalties for drugs made using synthetic DNA manufactured by City of Hope. 

The jury heard 16 days of testimony in the trial, which began Sept. 4.


Mineral workers boost roadside fast food business

By Dustin Bleizeffer Casper Star-Tribune
Wednesday October 24, 2001

GILLETTE, Wyo. — One of the first guys was from UPS. He told someone at Pennaco Energy, and from there word got around in the natural gas fields about Becky DeVeny’s breakfast burritos. 

Best breakfast burritos on Gillette’s north side, and the cheeseburgers are good, too, Redstone Resources pumper Sal Martinez said as he squirted a pile of ketchup into his fries. 

“I don’t pack a lunch anymore. I heard about the breakfast burritos in the field and I heard she had good green chili. That’s what made me check it out.” 

A handful of fast-food entrepreneurs have figured out that you don’t have to be in town to capitalize on the energy boom. Every day, thousands of workers stream out of Wyoming towns to go to work in oil and gas fields and coal mines, taking their hunger with them. 

DeVeny knew that some of the busiest natural gas fields are north of Gillette, so she opened a roadside hot food franchise in June, just a slight swerve off of U.S. 14-16 north of Gillette. 

“Mornings are the busiest,” DeVeny said. “I give out my phone number so they can order their cheeseburger in advance.” 

DeVeny has $200 and $300 days. The customers are loyal, she said, and the only advertising is word-of-mouth. 

The roadside eatery opportunities that cater to industry workers can be found all over the state. A passer-by wouldn’t expect to see much activity in Lysite, a town of 27 with a dog named Pepper who acts as mayor, according to two locals. 

But the remote railroad town about 70 miles northwest of Casper happens to be on the way to Burlington Resources’ Lost Cabin gas plant construction site and two of the largest drilling rigs operating in North America. 

More than 700 people go to work in the area every day, and most of them pass through Lysite, where Eat and Run emits tantalizing smells from a small white trailer. 

“It’s the hot food. At first they didn’t care if it was cold. But they like hot food because they were tired of loading up cardboard boxed food from (convenience stores),” said Mary Schrock, who opened Eat and Run in 1997. 

She sold the business to her friend Vonda Jarman. Jarman makes French dips, chili dogs, breakfast burritos and a dozen other dishes for dozens of customers every day. 

“You’ve got to get used to their shifts,” Jarman said. 

On Wednesday, Jarman prepared a cheeseburger for one worker who always stops in before 7 p.m. 

“We don’t treat anybody special, we just treat them like family,” Jarman said. 

With the shift work, there’s usually a morning and evening rush. But a few tourists usually stop in just to say they’ve had lunch in Lysite. 

Jarman has one part-time helper during the week and the store is closed on the weekends — except during hunting season, of course. Like other worker-targeted eateries, Jarman’s Eat and Run gets a boost from catering company events. 

Grey Wolf and TIC often ask Jarman to cater safety classes, barbecues and other get-togethers. 

In Midwest, a remnant of an oil boom town, Barbara Burgess is at Whiners Restaurant at 4 a.m. every Friday to begin making between 75 and 100 breakfast burritos. 

Midwest-based Howell Corp. has a safety meeting for its employees every Friday, and the breakfast burritos helps lure them in quickly. 

“Word-of-mouth, that’s how I’m making it. It’s getting better every year,” said Burgess, owner of Whiners. 


IOC member raises doubts over Winter Games

By Stephen Wilson The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

LONDON — For the first time, a senior Olympic official questioned Tuesday whether the Winter Games should go ahead in Salt Lake City while the United States is at war in Afghanistan. 

But the International Olympic Committee reiterated that the games would go on as planned in February, saying that only “World War III” could lead to a possible change. 

Gerhard Heiberg, a respected IOC member from Norway, became the first IOC official to suggest publicly that the games might not take place in the crisis stemming from the Sept. 11 terror attacks in the United States. 

“A country at war can’t organize the Olympic Games,” Heiberg was quoted as saying in the Norwegian evening paper Aftenposten. 

Heiberg’s words carry significant weight.  

He was the organizer of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, considered the best Winter Games in history, and serves on the IOC oversight commission for the Salt Lake Games. 

Aftenposten quoted Heiberg as saying that the commission, which meets next week in Salt Lake, is expected to discuss if U.S. military action in Afghanistan is “an armed conflict, a military operation, a strike against terrorism or a war.” 

“It’s clear that we have to discuss what would happen,” Heiberg was reported as saying. “I must add that it’s an important issue. ... 

“It’s a hypothetical question now if the Olympics could be staged or not. It’s too early to say what’s going to happen in three months.” 

Attempts to reach Heiberg were unsuccessful. Calls to his home, office and mobile phone went unanswered. 

IOC President Jacques Rogge and Salt Lake organizing chief Mitt Romney have repeatedly insisted the games will go ahead, saying beefed-up security measures would ensure the safety of athletes and spectators. 

“President Rogge has made it abundantly clear the games will go on. To do otherwise would be giving into terrorism,” a statement from Romney said Tuesday. 

“The games are needed now more than ever. The IOC executive board has voted unanimously on this decision. We have our marching orders from the IOC and are moving forward to stage great games in February,” Romney said. 

Salt Lake Organizing Committee Chairman Robert Garff said the games “could be one of the safest places on earth” with protection by 7,000 federal, state and military personnel. 

“The games have only been canceled during world wars and this is a long way from a world war,” Garff said. “This is about terrorists who are isolated and scattered.” 

IOC Director General Francois Carrard said Tuesday he had seen reports of Heiberg’s remarks and tried unsuccessfully to reach him by phone for a clarification. 

But Carrard stressed there is no provision in the Olympic Charter, the IOC’s official rule book, that says the games cannot be held in a country which is at war. 

Carrard said he believed Heiberg may have been referring to terms of the host city contract, a document signed by the IOC with every Olympic host city. 

“In the host city contract, we always have a clause that provides if there is a war in the country, we have the right to terminate (the games) if we feel it appropriate,” he said. “It would be our call. This is not at all the situation that presently exists.” 

Carrard said there were no contingency plans for canceling the Feb. 8-24 games. The only time the modern Olympics have been called off has been during the world wars. 

“There is no plan at all to cancel, postpone, or move the games, or take other steps,” Carrard told The Associated Press. “Everybody is working very hard toward the holding of the games. Nobody is contemplating for any reasons to cancel the games.” 

Rogge, accompanied by Carrard, toured the United States this month and came away further convinced that the games would and should take place. 

“What we heard and were told from all sources, was that people, now more than ever, see the holding of the games in Salt Lake City as a positive answer because of the message they carry of peace,” Carrard said. “Not holding the games would be giving in to terrorism and going backward.” 

But, for the first time, the IOC identified a scenario which could cause the games to be called off. 

“The only situation would be outside circumstances such as World War III, preventing traveling throughout the world, making it impossible for the delegations to come,” Carrard said. “In that case, we would see what could or could not be done. We are not stupid, of course. But we cannot speculate or make assumptions.” 


Public opposes plan to stall grizzly reintroduction

The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

MISSOULA, Mont. — Public comments overwhelming opposed a Bush administration plan to scrap grizzly bear reintroductions along the Montana-Idaho border, but most were form letters drafted by environmental groups, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report shows. 

A spokesman for Interior Secretary Gale Norton, who put the reintroduction plan on hold, said public opinion will not be the determining factor in the plan’s future. 

“Public opinion will be a portion of the decision-making process,” Mark Pfeifle said Tuesday. “But it won’t be the only thing.” 

The federal wildlife agency received more than 28,000 written comments during a 60-day public comment period on Norton’s plan to halt grizzly reintroductions in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness of Montana and Idaho. 

An analysis provided by the wildlife agency showed 98 percent said they oppose Norton’s plan. However, the analysis also showed that about 88 percent of all the comments came in form letters, most from environmental groups opposed to Norton’s plan. 

Mark Pfeifle, a spokesman for Norton, said the department will review the comments, but noted that the reintroduction plan was “never a public opinion contest.” 

The department’s final decision will be based on “the policy, the science, and the needs and desires of local elected officials and citizens who would be most affected,” he said. 

In June, Norton proposed setting aside a Clinton-era plan to reintroduce grizzlies into the remote mountains of western Montana and central Idaho. 

The plan had drawn complaints from local officials and ranchers concerned about the bears’ reputation for killing and eating livestock and their infrequent but occasionally violent encounters with people. Environmentalists have seen the relocation issue as a test of Norton’s commitment to protecting rare or endangered species. 

It was seen by others as a sign of her determination to cooperate with governors such as Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho, a Republican who sued to stop the plan two days before President Bush took office, and who has portrayed the bears as “massive, flesh-eating carnivores.” 

Kempthorne was among those who commented on the plan, criticizing federal officials for not adequately evaluating the potential for human conflicts with the bears. 

In both states, opposition to Norton’s plan among those who submitted comments was strong.  

In Idaho, 98 percent opposed halting the reintroduction. In Montana, 93 percent of those who responded said they opposed Norton’s move. 

“I certainly think the public has spoken,” said Tom France, a Missoula-based attorney for the National Wildlife Federation and one of the authors of the original reintroduction plan. “It is clear that Secretary Norton is running hard against what most people think is the right thing to do.” 

Pfeifle said administration officials are “still looking through the comments for new scientific or biological information.” 

“The analysis has not been entirely finished,” he said. “We are looking at both the quantity and the quality of public input.” 


Flamingo Reno hotel-casino closes amid worker and union protests

By Tom Gardner The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

RENO, Nev. — Another downtown hotel-casino went dark on Tuesday when the Flamingo Reno closed, leaving some 1,000 employees looking for work. 

Promptly at noon, security guards locked chains through gates leading to a rear entrance, while about 100 people carrying American flags and signs protested a few yards away. 

“The Flamingo has a logo. The logo is be a team player. We became a team player,” said Dan Colvin, a bartender for 12 years. 

“They said ‘Support our cause,’ We supported the cause. Where are they as far as being a team player? Where are they as far as supporting the cause?” 

The protest was organized by Culinary Workers union Local 86, which is urging seller Park Place Entertainment Corp. to extend workers’ pay beyond Dec. 4 and to provide benefits past the end of the year. 

The union, which represents about half of the employees, is asking for severance pay based on seniority and for health insurance through March or April, when it says jobs are typically more available. 

“What’s Park Place’s message to us? They’re just going to cut and run,” said Kevin Kline, the union’s director of organizing. “We’re just asking for something to get us through the winter.” 

Park Place spokeswoman Debbie Munch said the company felt it had gone beyond what it was required to do. 

When the property was sold to Las Vegas-based Capital One LLC, “the buyer made it clear he planned to close and seek permitting to go forward with extensive renovations.” 

“When we learned that the buyer would close the resort we took the initiative to close it ourselves. ... to cushion the transition.” 

Along with the pay and benefits required by law, Munch said Park Place was using a more generous formula than required to calculate tip income and was giving the workers preferences in hiring at its other northern properties, the Reno Hilton and Caesars Tahoe. 

In recent months as business faltered, she said Park Place had continued medical coverage for workers who fell below the required 30-hour weekly minimum needed to receive the benefit. 

“We’re sorry to lose our Flamingo Reno people but we’ve done everything we can to help them through this transition,” she said. 

Some 30 businesses are participating in a job fair the Reno Hilton is hosting Wednesday for the employees. 

Hurt by a sluggish northern Nevada tourism economy, the Flamingo is the fourth downtown Reno casino to close over the past three years, along with the Comstock, the Pioneer and the Riverboat. The previously closed Virginian reopened as part of the new Cal-Neva and the Holiday closed but reopened as part of the new Siena. 

The sale of the 604-room hotel was prompted by “economic and competitive conditions” in Reno that are forcing Park Place to concentrate on a single property there, the Reno Hilton, said Scott LaPorta, executive vice president and chief financial officer. 

“We regret the necessity of this decision, but the continued challenges in Reno, particularly the significant reduction in air service over the last 18 months, have caused our Flamingo Reno to operate at a loss,” he said. 

Capital One intends to reopen the hotel in the spring, according to Ken Merkey, chief executive officer of the real estate development company. Along with the renovations, he expects it will take that long to receive a Nevada gambling license. 

He told the Reno Gazette-Journal that Reno LLC, the Capital One subsidiary that is buying the property, might seek a licensed operator to run the casino and has talked to Bob Cashell, whose gaming experience includes running Boomtown Hotel-Casino. 

Flamingo Hilton originally opened on July 1, 1978, as the Sahara Reno, part of the Del Webb Corp. Del Webb sold it to Hilton Hotels Corp. in 1981. 

Park Place is the world’s largest gambling company and owns, manages or has an interest in 28 gambling properties operating under the Caesars, Bally’s, Paris, Flamingo, Grand Casinos and Hilton brand names. 

Terms of the sale to Capital One were not disclosed. 

 

——— 

On the Net: 

Park Place Entertainment Corp.: http://www.parkplace.com 

Culinary Workers union: http://culinaryunion.org 


Calif. term limit extension qualifies for March ballot

By Steve Lawrence The Associated Press
Wednesday October 24, 2001

SACRAMENTO — California voters will be asked next March if they want to extent the term limits they imposed on their state legislators 11 years ago. 

An initiative allowing lawmakers to serve up to four more years if enough voters sign petitions backing the move received enough signatures to qualify for the March 5 ballot, elections officials said Tuesday. 

The measure, a constitutional amendment backed by key lawmakers and a wide range of interest groups, got signatures from more than 738,000 voters. It needed at least 670,816 to qualify. 

Currently, lawmakers can serve up to three two-year terms in the state Assembly and two four-year terms in the state Senate, although those limits can be stretched if someone is elected initially to fill a midterm vacancy. 

The initiative would allow a senator to seek one more term and an Assembly member to run for two more if enough voters in their districts sign petitions backing the extension. 

The number of signatures would have to equal at least 20 percent of the votes cast for that office in the previous general election. 

The measure’s supporters say it would allow a few popular lawmakers to stay in office and provide the Legislature with the experience it often lacks now. 

“What we have in California now is a Legislature of rookies, and rookies don’t do as good a job and experience does matter,” said Karen Caves, a spokeswoman for the initiative’s supporters. 

But term-limit supporters say that virtually every lawmaker will be able to gather the required signatures because of their ability to raise money to pay for signature collectors. 

A Field Institute poll released earlier this month found that half of the voters surveyed said they were inclined to support the initiative and 44 percent said they were opposed. 

A vote for the measure could trigger similar efforts in other states, observers say. 

The campaign fight over the proposal could be an expensive one. Supporters have already raised more than $1 million. 

Much of the money has come in five-figure donations from some of the Capitol’s biggest campaign donors, including the cable television industry, liquor interests, card parlors, insurers and groups representing teachers, carpenters, prison guards and attorneys. 

“We have a broad base of support, from firefighters to teachers to the business community to senior and consumer groups,” said Caves. 

Representatives of U.S. Term Limits, a national group opposing the measure, did not immediately return telephone calls from The Associated Press seeking comment. 


Volunteers provide legal help for city’s homeless

By Malcolm Gay Special to the Daily Planet
Tuesday October 23, 2001

When Kalief LaHutt saw his tattered green and white RV released in front of the impound lot, he was overwhelmed.  

“It’s like getting a whole new lease on life,” said LaHutt, who has lived in the camper for more than two years. “I feel like I can get on with my life.”  

LaHutt, 44, is unemployed. Since the city impounded his camper on Aug. 24 for lack of registration and five outstanding parking tickets, he has been sleeping on roofs and under bushes. The release of his RV was the first success of the student-run Suitcase Clinic, a pilot program, which uses attorneys from the East Bay Community Law Center and law students from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Law School to offer legal advice to the city’s homeless. With the clinic’s assistance, LaHutt got the City Council to pay the $1,600 to get his camper back last month. 

Working out of Berkeley churches and shelters, the Suitcase Clinic has offered a number of services to the area’s homeless during the last 13 years. Staffed by undergraduate volunteers, the clinic offers on-site services ranging from medical exams and social worker services, to foot washing and haircuts.  

“Suitcase Clinic is run by undergraduates,” said Tirien Steinbach, a lawyer with the EBCLC and the driving force behind the project, in a six-month testing period. “It just seemed like a natural expansion of services would be to have law students involved.”  

While the clinic has long provided biweekly legal advice through lawyers of the Homeless Action Center, Steinbach said, homeless discussion groups expressed a need for expanded legal counseling. After a six-month assessment, Steinbach, local lawyers and legal interns from Cal’s law school began offering legal advice last month at all three of the Suitcase Clinic’s weekly clinics. And while the EBCLC is not officially involved in the project, its lawyers and interns are working overtime to make it a success. 

At the clinic’s service sites eight or so undergraduate volunteers are there just to talk with the scores of homeless milling about. Lawyers and interns now set up tables to provide legal counseling. The interns are accompanied and advised by local attorneys who have volunteered their services – “keeping in mind that we’re law students,” said second-year student Margaret Richardson. “We don’t necessarily have the answers, but we can search for them with people.”  

Program administrators say if a legal question cannot be resolved in one session, students research the case further. 

Steinbach said the new services are tailored to the needs expressed by homeless people. Some clients need help filing for divorce, while others have questions involving copyright protection for their writings.  

“The issues that come up every week run the gamut,” she said. 

“I always now ask: ‘Well, what do you want to happen?’” she said. “And it might be the sun, and the moon, and something that I cannot do, but at least I’ll have some sense of what they think is what needs to happen. Sometimes I’m there to say: ‘Well, this is the parameters of what is a legal solution,’ and unfortunately there’s not a lot. A lot of what I have to say is that there are not a lot of options.”  

Still, she said, there are many things they can help with, including police citations, civil rights, and bench warrants.  

Citation defense is particularly important for the homeless, Steinback said. 

“Once you’ve become involved in this swinging, revolving door of arrest and citations, and warrants and jail, and arrest and citations, and warrants and jail, it’s very hard to get out of it,” she said.  

Few homeless people can afford to pay fines for citations, Steinbach said, and one of the project’s main objectives is to help people navigate and defend themselves within the legal system.  

“The bottom line for me is empowering people to advocate for themselves, and, when we need to, advocating on their behalf,” she said.  

But Steinbach stressed that the clinic’s legal services cannot provide formal legal representation. Its primary focus, she said, is to give legal advice and refer clients to groups such as the EBCLC or individual attorneys to represent them.  

With that in mind, the Suitcase Clinic attempts to address the interplay of homeless clients’ legal, health, mental and housing problems. “Maybe you have to talk not just about getting a warrant cleared up,” said Mark Davey, an intern with the EBCLC, “but also about getting drug and alcohol treatment.”  

Steinbach said without formal consent of the client, they do not discuss cases.  

Project coordinators say they do not pressure clients to do anything they’re not ready to do. 

“Some people are working very hard not to be homeless,” Steinbach said. “Others simply want their rights enforced.”  

No two cases are alike, she said. And with each case, the program will not push clients into anything – it just provides services. 

In the case of LaHutt, he didn’t want to get off the streets. He just wanted his camper back. For years, he said, he had parked it in five or six spots throughout the area, but when he lost his job as a sales associate for the San Francisco Weekly a year ago, he said he thought he’d lost his ability to get it out of impound.  

“I had an idea of what I wanted to do,” said LaHutt, whose legal name is Gregory Hayes. “What I needed was advice. I needed to know legally what kind of action I could take.” 

Steinbach assisted LaHutt in putting the issue before the City Council. On Sept. 13, the council voted to pay for his camper’s release. Since the vehicle had not been registered, LaHutt said, the tickets could not be attributed to him.  

“It just seemed like it was such an absurdity that we were having a person that was using their vehicle as their residence and that the vehicle was taken from them.” said Councilmember Kriss Worthington, who voted to pay for the camper’s release. 

It was a great moment for LaHutt, the EBCLC and the Suitcase Clinic. Still, it was a small victory in what Steinbach says is the much larger battle of creating a community more sensitive to the needs of the homeless.  

Worthington said working on an individual’s case is not enough. “I don’t think we’ve really addressed the issue of people in their vehicles. It’s a tiny positive step for a small number of people who appear to be homeless.”  

“The city plays the important buffer role between community service providers, local businesses, the homeless population, and homeowners,” said Jane Micallef, a community services specialist for the city. “From the city’s standpoint, we have to take into account both where people without homes sleep, and how that impacts the rest of the community.”  

While LaHutt may have his camper back, nothing ensures it will not be impounded another time, or if it is impounded, that the city will bail him out again. And LaHutt continues his battle with the system. A few hours after he received his camper, police arrested him for not paying a ticket he recieved for “disturbing the peace” while he was playing music outside the Ashby BART station flea market. 

“(Berkeley is) a city, and it’s got a lot of big city issues,” Steinbach said. “You only have to walk down Telegraph Avenue a few times to see that.”  


Guy Poole
Tuesday October 23, 2001


Monday, Oct 22

 

 

Franciscanism, Understanding  

the Vision 

1 - 2 p.m. 

Franciscan School of Theology 

1712 Euclid Ave. 

Graduate Theological Union presents seminar exploring the lives, times and writings of and about Francis and Clare of Assisi. 848-5232 

 

Interfaith Couples Look at  

Love and Choices 

7:30 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St.  

Two films to stimulate discussion about interfaith families, love and identity. $25 per couple. 548-0237 

 


Tuesday, Oct. 23

 

 

UNtraining White Liberal  

Racism 

2 - 5 p.m. 

The UNtraining offers personal work in a supportive setting for white people to address our unconscious racial conditioning. $10. Private residence, call 235-6134 for address.  

 

Low-cost Hatha Yoga Classes 

6:30 -8 p.m. 

James Kenney Rec. Center 

1720 Eighth St.  

The City is offering low- cost Hatha Yoga classes for adults. Taught by certified instructor. Drop-ins are welcome. Bring a mat or towel. $6. 981-6650 

 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333 

 

Berkeley Camera Club 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda 

Share your slides and prints with other photographers. Critiques by qualified judges. Monthly field trips. 

531-8664 

 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday.  

655-8863 

 

Similarities between Jewish  

and Deadhead Spirituality 

7:30 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St.  

It’s been observed that a disproportionate number of deadheads are Jews. Dr. Leora Lawton, researcher of deadhead culture, explores the fascinating parallels between Jewish and deadhead rituals. $25 public, $15 members. 548-0237 

 

Unitarian Universalists at UC 

12:30 p.m. 

UC Berkeley Faculty Club 

Professor Michael Nagler, Chair of the Peace and Conflict Studies program, speaks on non violent solutions to current events and his new book, "Is There No Better Way?" Open to the public. (925)376-9000  

 


Wednesday, Oct. 24

 

 

Free Legal Workshop 

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 

Women’s Cancer Resource Center 

3023 Shattuck Ave. 

This workshop will provide information about State and Federal disability programs that provide cash benefits and health insurance for people unable to work due to a serious health condition. 

 

Toddler Storytime 

7 p.m. 

West Berkeley Library 

1125 University Ave. 

For families with children three years or younger, a program to expose the youngest readers to multicultural stories, songs and finger plays. 

Every Wednesday through Nov. 28 

 

Prose Writers’ Workshop 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley/Richmond Jewish Community Center Library 

1414 Walnut St.  

From Op-ed to fiction, memoir to the feature article - a community 

writers' group to support and encourage a community of interests. Workshop format. Free. 524-3034 

 

Yoga for People with HIV/AIDS 

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. 

Center for AIDS Services 

5720 Shattuck Ave.  

Free Kundalini Yoga class for people with HIV/AIDS. Mats provided, you may bring a towel. Eating within an hour of class is not advised. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Beginners and drop-ins welcome. 841-4339 

 

Socratic Circle 

6 - 7 p.m. 

Cafe Eclectica 

1309 Solano Ave., Albany 

Does your brain need a work out? Free and open to all. 527-2344. 

 


Thursday, Oct. 25

 

 

Free Quit Smoking Class  

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

2344 6th St. 

With the option of acupuncture. Six Thursday evenings through Dec. 6. 

Contact the Berkeley Tobacco Prevention Program to register and for more information, 644-6422 or e-mail QuitNow@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

“Town Hall” Community  

Meeting 

7 p.m. 

San Pablo Park 

2700 Park St. 

San Pablo Park Neighborhood Council with support from the City, will be hosting this community meeting. Scheduled to attend: Mayor Shirley Dean, Council Member Margaret Breland, Michael Caplan from the City Manager’s Office, Recreation Director Madeline Law, and Berkeley Police Personnel. 848-2427 

 

Latin Dance Class 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley/Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Salsa, Cha-cha, Merengue... $10, No partner necessary. All ages and levels welcome. 508-4616 

 

Berkeley Community Fund 

Eighth Annual Awards Dinner 

6 p.m. 

Radisson Hotel 

Berkeley Marina 

Bestowing the Benjamin Ide Wheller Medal and Berkeley Community Awards. 843-5202 www.berkfund.org  

 

 

Peace Satsang with Swami Sitaramananda 

7 p.m. 

First Congregational Church of Berkeley 

2345 Channing Way 

Open gathering for prayer, chanting, meditation, healing and peace talks 

honoring the victims of the Sept. 11. 273-2447 

 


Friday, Oct. 26

 

 

Listen to James Joyce’s Ulysses 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave.  

Hulse Rauh leads a group listening. All are welcome.  

 


Saturday, Oct. 27

 

 

Bay Area Coalition to End the Sanctions on Iraq 

5 p.m. dinner, 7 p.m. program 

Berkeley Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento  

Speakers Hans Von Sponeck, former United Nations Assistant Secretary General, who resigned his position as humanitarian coordinator for Iraq to protest U.N. policies, and Kathy Kelly, founder of Voices in the Wilderness, who has taken 39 humanitarian aid trips to Iraq, Call for an end to the U.S. led bombing and sanctions on Iraq. 538-0209 www.endthesanctions. org 

 

 

Greening Our City Centers 

9 a.m. - 10 p.m. 

The Gaia Building 

2116 Allston Way 

The Second Heart of the City Seminar celebrating the opening of Berkeley’s new showcase ecological building and the Gaia Cultural Center. Discussions will focus on strategies and tactics for generating awareness and implementing greener city centers. 649-1817 www.ecocitybuilders.org 

 

 

Targeting Civilians 

7 p.m. 

Berkeley Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St. 

Former UN official Hans von Sponeck and Voices in the Wilderness’ Kathy Kelly will discuss the war on Iraq and the current bombing of Afghanistan. $10 Benefits Voices in the Wilderness.  

 

 

Low-cost Hatha Yoga Classes 

9:30 - 11 a.m. 

James Kenney Rec. Center 

1720 Eighth St.  

The City is offering low- cost Hatha Yoga classes for adults. Taught by certified instructor. Drop-ins are welcome. Bring a mat or towel. $6. 981-6650 

 

 

Medical Mystery Festival 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

A Halloween celebration that introduces children to the field of medical science and health-related issues. 549-1564 

 

Disaster First Aid 

9 a.m. - noon 

Office of Emergency Services 

997 Cedar St. 

Free classes in Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). 981-5605 www.ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

Help Cerrito Creek 

10 a.m. 

Meet at El Cerrito's Creekside Park (south end of Belmont Street). 

Join Friends of Five Creeks in removing invasive non-natives to improve  

habitat on lower Cerrito Creek. Bring shovels and work gloves if you have them. 848 9358, www.fivecreeks.org 

 


Sunday, Oct. 28

 

 

Archaeological Institute of  

America 

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 

Shorb House 

2547 Channing Way 

AIA Sunday Symposium: Reports from the Field — Dr. Ian Morris on the 6th century BCE site of Monte Polizzo in Sicily; Dr. Marian Feldman on prestige goods of the Late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean; Dr. Christine Hastorf on early architecture at Chiripa in the Titicaca Basin of the Bolivian Andes. 415-338-1537 barbaram@sfsu.edu 

 

Our Visual Heritage 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Ashkenaz 

1613 San Pablo Ave. 

Deaf and Hearing Project of Berkeley presents an ASL (American Sign Language) accessible event, in recognition of World and Domestic Violence Prevention Disability Awareness Month featuring, music, dance, information and more. $10, Children under 12 free. 644-2003, 644-2000 (TTY) 

 

 


More to Common Ground than in the paper

Tessa StraussBerkeley High Junior
Tuesday October 23, 2001

Editor: 

I am a junior in Common Ground, and also an editor on the Berkeley High School paper, The Jacket. I have been reading your reports on our small school, and I am outraged. I understand that you must back up your staff, and that you have certain views on certain subjects. As news reporters, your job is not to state your opinion, but, more importantly, to inform your readers about what is going on in the community. I know that to publish an article or editorial, there are often intense discussions that precede publication. When we printed the story about the Common Ground Yosemite trip, we had talk after talk about what kind of publicity we wanted to focus around. As it was a news story, we definitely did not want to sensationalize it. What we opted for was just the facts, negative and positive. Besides just printing the Yosemite story, and then forgetting about Common Ground altogether, in our next issue we are printing a story on the field studies that many students are involved in and enjoying immensely.  

No one ever told you to “sit down and shut up.” The parents who wrote to you only hoped that you would include positive slants when you write about Common Ground. So many newspapers print negative views on life; it would be more original to print the good things as well. To report on the wilderness and communications committees that the Common Ground students have formed, along with the problems that occurred in Yosemite, would be honorable.  

As for the trip itself, for me, the point of going was to bond with fellow students and teachers in a beautiful environment. I did just that. I made new friends, took a wonderful scenic walk, and just had fun. Only a small percentage of our group took advantage of the low supervision ratio, and the rest of us had an amazing time. All this despite the obvious lows of having to leave early and having to have to see our teachers, whom we all love dearly, standing before us telling us that we all messed up, that we are leaving, and seeing the tears in their eyes. As for that, yes, we messed up, but it was on everyone, the students and the teachers.  

Our teachers gave us the two things young people have been wanting forever from adults – respect and trust. Because of these teachers, I love going to school. Last year I was just enrolled in BHS, not in a small school. I had many teachers who were not inspired, who didn’t enjoy teaching. I hated school, and was overjoyed when my English teacher told me about Common Ground. My friends and I immediately signed up. All the teachers in Common Ground want to be there, they want to help the school, they want to inspire us students. I can’t wait to get to school each day, and I can’t wait to join the projects that my amazingly creative group of peers come up with. While Common Ground is just shakily getting on its feet, it has amazing and dedicated students and teachers backing it up, trying, and succeeding greatly, to make it the perfect environment. 

 

Tessa Strauss 

Berkeley High Junior 

 


Staff
Tuesday October 23, 2001

MUSIC 

924 Gilman St. Oct. 26: Influents, Plus Ones, Divit, Summerjack, Robot Adrenaline, Claredon Hills; Oct. 27: (Halloween show, $1 off if you’re in a (non-punk) costume!) Babyland, Tsunami Bomb, Scissor Hands, Dexter Danger; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926 

 

Blake’s Oct. 22: The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Oct. 23: Felice, $3; Oct. 24: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; Oct. 25: Psychotica, $5; Oct. 26: Planting Seeds, $6; Oct. 27: Felonious, $6; Oct. 29: The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Oct. 31: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; All shows 9:30 p.m. 2367 Telegraph Ave. 848-0886 

 

Cal Performances Nov 8: 8 p.m. Gypsy Caravan 2: A Celebration of Roma Music and Dance, $18 - $30. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley Campus, Bancroft Way at Telegraph, 642-0212, tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu 

 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; Oct. 19: Little Jonny and the Giants; Doors open at 8 p.m. unless noted. 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

 

 

THEATER 

“Prometeh in Evin” Oct. 28: 8 p.m., A drama about political prisoners in Iran, performed by the brave and innovative Parsian Group. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. $25, Children, $15 2640 College Ave 845.8542 www.juliamorgan.org. 

 

“Approach” Through Oct. 27: Thur. - Sat., 8 p.m. An examination of the search for intimacy as our most precious form of survival. Written by Susan Wiegand, Directed by Katie Bales Frassinelli. $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors. Eighth Street Studio Theatre, 2525 8th St. 655-0813 www.shotgunplayers.org 

 

“36 Views” Through Oct. 28: Tues. 8 p.m., Wed. 7 p.m., Thu. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Thu., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Sat., Sun. 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Written by Naomi Lizuka, Directed by Mark Wing-Davey. $10 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“me/you...us/them” Nov. 8 though Nov. 10: Thur - Sat 8 p.m., matinee on Sat. 2:30 p.m. Three one-acts that look at interpersonal, as well as societal relationships from the perspective of the disabled. $10 - $25. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. 925-798-1300 

 

“Nocturne” Through Nov. 11: Tues./Thurs./Sat. 8 p.m., Weds. & Sun. 7 p.m, matinee on Thurs./Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. Mark Brokaw directs Anthony Rapp in One-Man Show. Written by Adam Rapp. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“Travesties” Through Nov. 17: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., and Thurs., Nov. 15, 8 p.m. A witty fantasy about James Joyce meeting Lenin in Zurich during World War I. Written by Tom Stoppard, Directed by Mikel Clifford. $10. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck. 528-5620 

 

“Macbeth” Nov. 9 though Nov. 18: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m. Presented by the Albany High School Theater Ensemble. $7 adults, $5 students and seniors. Albany High School Little Theater, 603 Key Route Blvd. 559-6550 x4125 theaterensemble@hotmail. com 

 

“Murder Dressed in Satin” by Victor Lawhorn, ongoing. A mystery-comedy dinner show at The Madison about a murder at the home of Satin Moray, a club owner and self-proclaimed socialite with a scarlet past. Dinner is included in the price of the theater ticket. $47.50 Lake Merritt Hotel, 1800 Madison St., Oakland. 239-2252 www.acteva.com/go/havefun 

 

FILM 

Pacific Film Archive Theater Oct. 22: 7 p.m., The Closed Doors; Oct. 23: 7:30 p.m., Super-8mm Films by Theresa Cha; Oct. 24: 7:30 p.m., The Rainy Season and Wai’a Rini; Oct. 26: 7:30 p.m., The Passion of Joan of Arc, 9:15 p.m., Vivre sa Vie; Oct 27: 7 p.m., New Music for Silent Films by UCB Composers; Oct. 28: 5:30 p.m., Vampyr; Oct. 29: 7 p.m., A Time for Drunken Horses; Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m., An Evening with Leslie Thornton; Oct. 31: 7:30 p.m., 9:20 p.m., Saudade do Futuro. 

2575 Bancroft Way, 642-1124 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

EXHIBITS 

“First Annual Art Show” UC Berkeley Life Drawing Group Reception, Through Oct. 26: 7 - 10 p.m. Figure studies from the workshops at UC Berkeley. 1014 60th St., Emeryville. 923-0689 

 

“MWP Perspectives” Jon Orvik: One artist’s journey. Through Oct. 27 Tues. - Fri. 12 - 5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 12 - 4 p.m. Solo artist exhibiting his journey through metal, wood and paint. Adapt Gallery and Design, 2834 College Ave. 649-8501 www.adaptgallery.com  

 

“Cut Plates and Bowls” Annabeth Rosen, “Just Jars” Sandy Simon Through Nov. 3; Saturdays 10 - 5 or by appointment. Trax Ceramic Gallery, 1306 3rd St. 526-0279. cone5@aol.com 

 

“50 Years of Photography in Japan 1951 - 2001” Through Nov. 5: An exhibition from The Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s largest daily newspaper with a national morning circulation of 10,300,000. Photographs of work, love, community, culture and disasters of Japan as seen by Japanese news photographers. Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. U.C. Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism, North Gate Hall, Hearst and Euclid. Free. 642-3383 

 

“Jesus, This is Your Life - Stories and Pictures by Kids” Through Nov. 16: California children, ages four through twelve, from diverse backgrounds present original artwork, accompanied by a story written by the artist. “Cleve Gray, Holocaust Drawings” Oct. 15 through Jan. 25: 21 works on paper inviting the viewer to consider the atrocity of the Holocaust in ways unattainable through words or text. Mon. - Thur. 8:30 a.m. -10 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2541. 

 

“Changing the World, Building New Lives: 1970s photographs of Lesbians, Feminists, Union Women, Disability Activists and their Supporters” Through Nov. 17: An exhibit of black and white photographs by Oakland photographer Cathy Cade, who captured the interrelationships of the different struggles for justice and social change. Gallery Hours, Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St. Free. 644-1400 cathycade@mindspring.com 

 

“2001 James D. Phelan Art Awards in Printmaking” Honorees: Bridget Henry, David Kelso, and Margaret Van Patten. Oct. 19 - Nov. 30 Tues. - Fri. noon - 5 p.m., other times by appointment. Kala Art Institue, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977 www.kala.org 

 

“The Whole World’s Watching: Peace and Social Justice Movements of the 1960s and 1970s” Through Dec. 16: A documentary photo exhibition which examines the rich history of the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Wed. - Sun., noon - 5 p.m. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., Live Oak Park. Free. 644-6893 

 

“Musee des Hommages” Masterworks by Guy Colwell Faithful copies of several artists from the pasts, including Titian’s “The Venus of Urbino,” Cezanne’s “Still Life,” Picasso’s “Woman at a Mirror,” and Botticelli’s “Primavera” Ongoing. Call ahead for hours. Atelier 9 2028 Ninth St. (at Addison) 841-4210 or visit www.atelier9.com 

 

READINGS 

Boadecia’s Books Oct. 22: J.M. Redmann reads from “Death By the Riverside”; All events start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise. All events are free. 398 Colusa Ave. 559-9184 www.bookpride.com 

 

Cody’s on Telegraph Ave. Oct. 26 Sage Cohen & Mari L’esperance read their poetry; All shows at 7:30 p.m.; 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-7852 

 

Eastwind Books of Berkeley Nov. 10: 4 p.m. Ruthanne Lum McCunn reads from her novel “Moon Pearl”; Nov. 18: 4 p.m. Noel Alumit, M.G. Sorongon, and Marianne Villanueva read from their contributions to the anthology “Tilting the Continent: Southeast Asian American Literature”; 2066 University Ave. 548-2350 

Ecology Center Oct. 22: 7 - 9 p.m. Toby Hemenway presents a slideshow and reads from “Gaia’s Garden: A guide to Home Scale Permaculture”; 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-220 x233 

 

TOURS 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sun., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sun., noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623  

 

 

MUSEUMS 

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins; Oct. 25: A Storytelling Pajama Party, 6 - 7 p.m.; Oct. 27: 4th Annual Habitot Halloween; Oct. 28: Family Arts Day; Oct. 31: Sugar-Art Halloween Frosting; Nov. 3: Tales from the Enchanted Forest, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.; Nov. 9: Living with the Earth; Nov. 17: Recycle that Stuff; $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. Mon. and Wed., 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tues. and Fri., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thur., 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111 or www.habitot.org  

 

UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20 foot by 40 foot replica of the fearsome dinosaur made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing. “Pteranodon” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22-23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Free. Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 642-1821 

 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology will close its exhibition galleries for renovation. It will reopen in early 2002.  

 

University of California Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive has reopened after its summerlong seismic retrofit. “Martin Puryear: Sculpture of the 1990s” through Jan. 13; “The Dream of the Audience: Theresa Hak Kyung Cha (1951 - 1982)” through Dec. 16; “Face of Buddha: Sculpture from India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia” ongoing rotation through 2003; “Matrix 194: Jessica Bronson, Heaps, layers, and curls” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; “Matrix 192: Ceal Floyer 37’4”” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thur. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., PFA Theater, 2575 Bancroft Way; Museum Galleries 2626 Bancroft Way; 642-0808 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

Lawrence Hall of Science “Within the Human Brain,” ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. “Saturday Night Stargazing,” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza. Saturdays 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. 642-5132 

 

Holt Planetarium Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. “Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu  

 

Send arts events two weeks in advance to Calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.net, 2076 University, Berkeley 94704 or fax to 841-5694.


City Council splits in redistricting struggle

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Tuesday October 23, 2001

The result of the recent redistricting brawl is a bitterly divided City Council, with one faction charging the other with gerrymandering and a group of citizens vowing to put a referendum on the March ballot to challenge the newly-approved districts. 

The dust hasn’t begun to settle and some residents are suddenly weighing the value of having council districts at all.  

“Council districts have been a mixed bag,” said Councilmember Betty Olds. “In San Francisco they got rid of district elections and now they have them back again, which tells you there’s no Utopia either way.” 

Utopia is the last thing anyone would call the atmosphere on the City Council when “redistricting” is mentioned. The recent redistricting process, required by the City Charter every 10 years after the release of the census data, has council moderates stepping up the usual bitter council debate by charging the progressives, who hold a one-person majority on the council, with taking advantage of a census undercount to gerrymander districts that favor progressives and weaken moderates. 

Progressives have fought back equally as hard saying moderates know the approved district plan best fits the City Charter requirements and that moderate charges are sour grapes and little more than negative campaign sound bites meant for next year’s mayoral election. 

Furthermore, a newly formed political action group, Citizens for Fair Representation, announced the launch of a petition drive last week to put a referendum on the March ballot to reverse the districts approved by 5-4 City Council vote on Oct. 2. 

There was a time 15 years ago when there were no districts in Berkeley and the council had to find other things to fight over. 

According to former Councilmember Nancy Skinner, who opposed district elections when they were on the ballot in 1986, residents had become disenchanted with citywide council elections in 1982 when city election day was switched from April to November. 

She said November elections resulted in 20,000 more register voters participating in city elections than in the April elections. 

The higher turnout resulted in a more left-leaning council. In fact, according to Olds, there were eight Berkeley Citizens Action (progressive) councilmembers to just one Berkeley Democratic Club (moderate) Councilmember. 

“Barbara Lashley was the only moderate on the council then,” Olds said. “Despite being outnumbered she still went to all the meetings. I don’t know why.”  

There was a strong feeling that the two political factions were too powerful and that only those who were connected with the political machine could run for the City Council, according to former Councilmember Carla Woodworth, who was then chair of the Progressive Coalition for District Elections. 

“We had an at-large system and there was a hue and cry from some neighborhoods that they weren’t being represented,” Woodworth said. “The idea was that districts would make it less expensive to run for the council and that would result in more people running, which would be more democratic.” 

The arguments supporting council districts on the June 1986 ballot included an end to party politics, council representatives more responsive to neighborhood issues and greater participation by grassroots activists who might want to run for office. 

Opponents argued that district elections would be more expensive because of a provision that when there was no clear winner in a particular district, there would be a run off. They further argued that the measure was a thinly-veiled attempt to thwart the voters’ will by unseating progressives and that minorities would lose representation on the council. 

“It turned out to be true that the number of African-Americans on the council dropped after the districts were approved,” said former Councilmember Skinner, “Before there were always three or four (African-Americans) and since there has not been more than two.” 

Skinner added that despite a the surface arguments that appeared in the 1986 sample ballot, there was another factor driving proponents of council districts.  

She said there was great deal of worry in some neighborhoods about a popular low-income housing program known as “scattered sites.” The program would choose various locations around the city to build a series of small developments, six to 10 units, instead of concentrating low-income housing in a larger development of 30 or more units. 

“Some neighborhood groups were worried about these projects cropping up in their particular communities and thought council districts would give them a better chance of fighting them.” she said. 

Councilmember Polly Armstrong said she was a big supporter of districts in the beginning but now has mixed feelings.  

“It was great that neighbors had someone to make sure the potholes were fixed, the trees were trimmed and the streets were safer,” She said. “But I’m afraid that little groups within certain districts have aggregated too much power and councilmembers are sort of required to dance on the head of a pin for a vocal minority.” 

Councilmember Miriam Hawley said she thought the council districts could use some tweaking. She said some councilmembers get so involved with the issues in their districts that they lose sight of what’s good for city at large.  

“Residents have more clout with a single council person and I don’t think anyone really wants to get rid of the districts,” she said, “but voters might be willing to make some changes.” 

Hawley suggested that reducing the number of districts to five and having three councilmembers elected at large would assure a broader perspective on city issues.  

Former Councilmember Woodworth agreed. She said one of the larger citywide issues that residents lost interest in after the districts went into effect was the Telegraph Avenue and Downtown districts. 

“These are areas that generate millions in city revenue every year and there had always been a citywide concern about the health of those areas,” she said. “But after the city was divided into districts people who didn’t live in those areas were no longer interested.” 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington who represents the Telegraph Avenue area and beat Woodworth in a run-off election in December 1996, said he is more effective as a district councilmember because he can focus on his district’s needs while still paying attention to larger citywide issues.  

“Segmenting the city into eight council districts makes the load for each councilmember more manageable,” he said. “I spend most of my time on issues in my district, but I’m also very involved in citywide issues such as transportation and pedestrian safety.” 

While there is disagreement about the value of council districts as they currently exist and the brouhaha over the recently-approved district boundaries is ongoing, no one has heard of a serious movement to go back to citywide elections. 

“You hear people questioning the districts once in a while but I haven’t heard anyone who is motivated enough to go out and start collecting signatures,” Olds said. “It would take an extreme situation for the city to go back to citywide elections.” 


Time to unite

Gamaliel “Gamie” Gamboa San Diego
Tuesday October 23, 2001

Editor: 

Thank you for the detailed article “Local firefighter recalls personal NYC effort.” That article reinforced my confidence that I spent four great years living in Berkeley to attend the finest university in the world, and your article gave me hope for Berkeley during these times of uncertainty.  

Still, I have disagreements with the city manager’s decision to ban large American flags on Berkeley fire trucks, and I also disagree with the City Council’s 5-4 vote calling for an end to bombings of Afghanistan. Yes, I do know that smaller American Flags are allowed on Berkeley Fire Trucks (I spoke to someone at the city manager’s office via telephone and I did read the media’s over-blown story with skepticism). In addition, I know that flag waving war supporters were in equal number to the anti-war protesters in the city hall meetings. In addition, I know that the mayor said that the phone calls of war proponents out number the phone calls of war opponents 2-1.  

Finally, I deplore the death threats to the anti-war Berkeley politicians (i.e. Rep. Barbara Lee), and I also deplore the flag vandalism which has occurred. In my views, the perpetrators of the death threats and instigators of the flag vandalism are under the same category as each other.  

Nevertheless, we must be united during these times of crises. We must take note to the words of President Abraham Lincoln and the bible, “A House Divided Cannot Stand.”  

My years of living in Berkeley from 1989-1993 has shaped my intellect and life in positive ways. Things are different living in this Conservative Navy Town in which I grew up, San Diego. Nevertheless, despite our differences (I am a proud Republican), I believe we can find common ground and unity amidst the diversity of thoughts and opinions in the greatest country of the world, the United States. The Daily Planets’s article on the local firefighter really moved me, and the article/the firefighter’s recollection has given me hope for Berkeley, hope for the United States, and hope for these times of chaos and uncertainty.  

I know that our diverse views and opinions will continue to find common ground and unity(despite how difficult of a struggle that would be). Our ability to find common ground and unity will “allow our house to remain undivided and allow our house to stand.”  

Therefore, “our house will not be divided and our house will not fail to stand.”  

 

Gamaliel “Gamie” Gamboa 

San Diego 


Some will boycott others will come because of stand

Lloyd AndresBerkeley
Tuesday October 23, 2001

The Daily Planet received this letter addressed to Mayor Shirley Dean: 

 

I read that you are receiving considerable correspondence condemning the City of Berkeley’s stand to end the bombing of Afganistan as soon as possible. But what else could Berkeley do? Certainly we don’t support the killing of innocents in this country or abroad.  

When leaders take us down the path of action that leads to more innocent deaths and destruction, what do we do? Is it unpatriotic to ask that justice be done without causing hardship to those who were not involved in the crime?  

Its alright to carry the flag for truth and for “liberty and justice for all”.  

( I wouldn’t want to carry it for any other reason.)  

Its alright to differ from what the majority believe.  

This is why I like living in the United States and especially Berkeley. 

There will be some who will boycott Berkeley business because of the city’s call to end the bombing as soon as possible. Then again there will be others attracted to Berkeley business because of our stand against the killing of innocents.  

I like to think that Berkeley is not one to isolate itself from the hardships faced by others, either here at home or around the world.  

Lloyd Andres 

Berkeley 

 


Some will boycott others will come because of stand

Lloyd Andres Berkeley
Tuesday October 23, 2001

 

The Daily Planet received this letter addressed to Mayor Shirley Dean: 

 

I read that you are receiving considerable correspondence condemning the City of Berkeley’s stand to end the bombing of Afganistan as soon as possible. But what else could Berkeley do? Certainly we don’t support the killing of innocents in this country or abroad.  

When leaders take us down the path of action that leads to more innocent deaths and destruction, what do we do? Is it unpatriotic to ask that justice be done without causing hardship to those who were not involved in the crime?  

Its alright to carry the flag for truth and for “liberty and justice for all”.  

( I wouldn’t want to carry it for any other reason.)  

Its alright to differ from what the majority believe.  

This is why I like living in the United States and especially Berkeley. 

There will be some who will boycott Berkeley business because of the city’s call to end the bombing as soon as possible. Then again there will be others attracted to Berkeley business because of our stand against the killing of innocents.  

I like to think that Berkeley is not one to isolate itself from the hardships faced by others, either here at home or around the world.  

 

Lloyd Andres 

Berkeley 

 


E = H2O: Water is energy

Alice La Pierre
Tuesday October 23, 2001

One wouldn’t think that watering a lawn and garden or washing a car would have any effect on California’s tense energy situation, especially since these activities don’t use hot water. 

But according to East Bay Municipal Utility District data, the winter runoff into the Pardee Reservoir in the Sierra foothills (our main water source) was only 56 percent of normal this year.  

While this is enough to meet current customer demand, it means we are heading into the fall with a shortage. So how does this affect our energy supply? 

California is currently the largest producer of renewable energy in the United States – approximately 15 percent of our energy comes from hydroelectric power, according to the California Energy Commission. 

There are 386 hydro-electric plants producing 41,617 gigawatt-hours of electricity, creating a dependable capacity of 14,116 megawatts of electricity. Some of that electricity is generated through pumping stations, where water is pumped uphill during off-peak times, and let flow back through the turbines to generate electricity during peak-use times. As the demand for water increases, more water must be let through to meet consumer needs, making less water available for pumping stations. 

Hydroelectric is non-polluting, unlike coal- and gas-generated electricity, which not only generate pollution, but heat water to make steam which turns the generators – wasting more fresh water. 

Data from the World Resources Institute’s 2001 Report shows that we have only half the amount of fresh water available per person worldwide than was available in 1960. By the year 2020, it is calculated we will have only half as much per person as we have now. The lack of fresh, clean water is likely to be one of the key factors limiting economic growth in the 21st century.  

Heating water is about half of the average family’s natural gas bill. The less hot water used, the more money a family saves. 

Reducing water usage can be achieved through a variety of ways. Immediate methods include: 

• Take shorter showers – a five-minute shower can save eleven gallons of water over a 10-minute one, as well as the energy costs to heat that extra water.  

• Wash clothes in cold water, and make sure you wait and only run the washer when you have a full load. 

• Scrape plates and bowls thoroughly before putting them in your dishwasher, and run the shorter wash cycle. There is a water heater inside your dishwasher, and roughly 80 percent of the energy used by dishwashers goes toward heating the water; the rest is used to run the motor that sprays the water, operates the heater unit, and the fan that dries the dishes. Air-dry dishes by turning off the machine and opening the door just as the drying cycle kicks in. 

Long-term water reduction steps include: 

• Reducing lawn size and planting native plants and drought-tolerant varieties of flowers and fruiting vines and shrubs. Good plants for Berkeley’s climate include pineapple guava, kiwi, citrus, poppies, sticky monkey flower, mugworts, plums, figs and almonds. Check with your local nursery for drought-resistant varieties. Trench soaker hoses underground permanently to reduce evaporation (and cut down on weeds!) 

• Replace old clothes washers with new, energy-efficient and water-conserving front-loading machines. You can get a double rebate on this appliance – one from PG&E, and the other from EBMUD, for a total of about $150 cash back until the end of December 2001. And don’t forget to use a solar dryer (clothesline). 

• Replace older dishwashers with a new EnergyStar model, and use the energy-saver features it has. PG&E has a rebate of $50 available for residential dishwashers purchased before December 2001, or until funds are depleted.  

For a complete list of rebate programs on all appliances, visit the website of the California Energy Commission at: www.consumerenergycenter.org/rebate/index.php 

EBMUD has a variety of water conservation programs, including irrigation rebates, free residential showerheads and aerators, plus a low-flow toilet rebate program for both residential and business consumers. For complete program details, visit their website at: www.ebmud.com/services/conservation/residential.html  

If energy conservation isn’t enough to convince you to conserve water, remember that water prices are going up. Water bills are divided into four parts: the service charge, the Seismic Improvement Program surcharge (started in 1995 and payable over 30 years), the actual usage charge, and an elevation surcharge for locations over 200 feet. While water is still reasonably inexpensive at first look, remember that the total costs of water and energy are greater than what appears on your bill. 

For more information on saving water and energy, visit the Energy Office website at: www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ENERGY 

 

 

Alice Pierre is the city’s energy officer. The Daily Planet runs “power play” the first and third Tuesday’s of the month as a public service. 

 

 

 

 

 


Act to stop the war, but not as councilmember

Tom McHenry Berkeley
Tuesday October 23, 2001

Editor: 

I’m saddened to see that members of our City Council are again trying to use their elected positions to promote their personal political views on national issues, by expressing them as letters from the “City of Berkeley”. 

While I applaud the courage and conviction of Ms. Spring and others’ personal beliefs in the uselessness of the war in Afghanistan, and encourage her and others to work tirelessly as individuals to promote those views, it is a deep misunderstanding of our representative democracy, and of the rule of law, to think that election to a position of responsibility for the civic affairs of our town is a lucence to advocate a personal political position in the name of us all. Its a divisive, indeed, corrosive view that is widespread in our community; many board and commission members similarly seem to think that appointment to a position of responsibility somehow validates their personal views and opinions, regardless of the actual legal scope of their mandate – witness the recent ZAB meeting where a member rejected the findings of the Design Review Board, the legal entity entrusted with aesthetic decisions, because he personally thought a design was “ugly.” 

The legal charter, and social contract, we have with our City Council is that they run the city. Its an honest and important job, and done with intelligence and dedication may give its members greater credibility in their individual endorsement of larger political views, or their search for a larger constituency. They are welcome to it. But please, do not presume to make those endorsements, or seek that constituency, in the name of us all...Whether or not we agree with those views, it is abuse of our trust to attempt to do so. 

 

Tom McHenry 

Berkeley 

 


Bay Briefs

Staff
Tuesday October 23, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — As the impact of last month’s terrorist attacks ripples through the Bay Area’s economy, communities from San Francisco to Monterey are mulling cuts to public programs and the possibility of furloughing some workers. 

San Francisco, which like Santa Cruz and Monterey depends heavily on hotel taxes and tourist spending, could eliminate new programs such as hepatitis health education and tree planting. In San Jose, spending on parks, recreation programs, sewer maintenance and stop lights are under scrutiny. 

Officials across the region are bracing for even worse times next fiscal year, which begins in July. 

“The real question is how much money we’ll get for next year and how much we’ll be able to continue offering services,” said Matthew Hymel, San Francisco’s chief assistant controller. 

Santa Cruz Mayor Tim Fitzmaurice sees trouble sooner than that. 

“We might not have the money to do basic city business,” he said. “We see real trouble ahead if we’re not careful.” 

 

 

SAN JOSE — A San Jose engineer seeking to hike America’s three premier trails in one year may accomplish his goal by week’s end. 

On January 1, 2001, Brian Robinson embarked on his attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. 

To finish the Appalachian Trail — the last of the trio he has to walk — Robinson must still hike Maine’s Mt. Katahdin. Barring bad weather, he hopes to trek the 118 miles left of the trail in six days, according to his Web site. 

Robinson, 40, has already completed the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.  

 

OAKLAND — A 14-month-old Pinole boy bitten by a rattlesnake in the backyard of his home was in stable condition Monday at Children’s Hospital. 

The boy was moved from the intensive care unit to a regular room Monday morning, said hospital spokeswoman Carol Hyman. 

The snake bit him Sunday on his right thumb, according to the Pinole Fire Department. Firefighters found the snake behind some garden pots and killed it. 

Young, immature snakes, like the one that bit the boy, are particularly dangerous because they do not regulate how much venom they release in a single bite, said fire Capt. Brian Larry. 


Dissent – defense against tyranny

Carmel Hara Berkeley
Tuesday October 23, 2001

Editor: 

Kudos to Judith Scherr on her column of October 19. I couldn’t agree with her dissent more.  

As Thomas Jefferson said “Our liberty depends on freedom of the press and that cannot be limited without being lost.”  

This should be our motto, and must never be forgotten. It is our strongest defense against corruption or tyranny. 

 

Carmel Hara 

Berkeley  


Protege seeking Condit’s seat in Congress

By Brian Melley The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza said Monday he is running for Rep. Gary Condit’s seat in a move that marks a public split between the longtime friends and political allies. 

As Condit’s protege, Cardoza had long said he would not run unless his former boss retired. 

But with Condit on the ropes from the Chandra Levy scandal and little word on his future plans, Cardoza decided to enter the ring. 

“I don’t think he can win,” Cardoza said. “I also don’t believe he can be as effective as he was in the past.” 

While Condit hasn’t formally announced his plans, he has begun collecting signatures to run for re-election, indicating the two could face each other in the Democratic primary for the 18th Congressional District. 

Condit’s chief of staff, Mike Lynch, said Cardoza’s move was not a sign of bad blood between the two men. 

“This is America, anybody can run for anything,” Lynch said. 

The connections between Condit and Cardoza run deeper than a common interest in farming, the future University of California campus in Merced and water. 

Condit hired Cardoza as an aide years ago and when Cardoza rose through the ranks to lawmaker, he repaid the favor. He hired Condit’s son, Chad, at one point and still employs Condit’s sister, Dovie Wilson, as an office manager. 

Chad Condit’s wife, Helen, was paid as a fund-raiser last year and another in-law, Jamie L. Filice, was hired as a senior field representative. 

In recent weeks, the relationship between Condit and Cardoza has become strained, Cardoza said. 

“Oh, I think it’s splitsville,” said Sandra Lucas, chairwoman of the Stanislaus County Democratic Central Committee in Modesto, the heart of the district. “Right now I assume the friendship is not that strong.” 

Cardoza, of Atwater, said he decided to run after Condit canceled his annual “Condit Country” fund-raiser because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The fund-raiser had been scheduled for last Saturday. 

Cardoza would not elaborate but said he didn’t believe that was why Condit canceled the barbecue. 

The attacks on New York and Washington gave Condit a reprieve from headlines after months of bad publicity. 

Polls show that Condit’s support has tanked since his relationship with Levy, a federal intern who vanished in May, became the top news story of the summer. 

Although police say he is not a suspect in the disappearance of the 24-year-old Modesto woman, he admitted he had an extramarital relationship with her, according to police sources. 

Sources said Condit had encouraged Cardoza, who cannot run for re-election because of term limits, to run for the state Senate. 

Cardoza, 42, said he never planned to enter national politics at this point in his career, but the opportunity was too great to pass. 

“It might have been a gift if it had been someone else in his situation. It was very painful to watch a close friend go through the trauma that he’s gone through,” Cardoza said. “I take no joy in Congressman Condit’s troubles whatsoever.” 

Cardoza planned to formally launch his campaign Tuesday in Modesto and later in Merced, the county where his grandparents immigrated from Portugal to start a dairy and crop farm. 

He said he was “healthy as a horse” after losing 80 pounds since May when he underwent intestinal bypass surgery. He said the procedure cured his cravings and relieved nerve problems in his feet. 

Cardoza will face Tom Ciccarelli, executive director of Inter-Faith Ministries in Modesto, who announced plans last week to run for the Democratic nomination. 

Two Modesto Republicans, Sen. Dick Monteith and City Councilman Bill Conrad, have announced they are running. 

Cardoza, who once ran a bowling alley that hosted mud wrestling matches, vowed not to run a dirty campaign. But it’s likely that some mud will fly in the fight for the congressional seat. 

“Probably, there will be some blood,” Lucas said. “But the good thing is there will be blood on the other side as well.”


NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey spacecraft nears Red Planet

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

LOS ANGELES — The 2001 Mars Odyssey was nearing the Red Planet on Monday, poised to fire its main engine for the first and only time to slow the robotic spacecraft and allow it to settle into orbit after a six-month trip from Earth. 

If the satellite is captured into orbit Tuesday night, it will mark NASA’s first successful mission to Mars since the loss of two spacecraft, Climate Orbiter and Polar Lander, in 1999. 

During the maneuver, scheduled to begin at 7:26 p.m., Odyssey’s engine will burn through 579 pounds of propellant in just under 20 minutes. The burn should leave the satellite orbiting Mars every 20 hours or so on an elliptical path. 

Entering orbit could be the riskiest move the unmanned probe will make during a $297 million mission to map the makeup of the Martian surface: two of the last three orbiters the National Aeronautics and Space Administration sent to Mars failed, both just before or upon arrival. 

Controllers plan to direct Odyssey to dip into the fringes of Mars’ atmosphere in a technique called aerobraking to gradually lower and circularize the orbit. NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor, already at work over the Red Planet, used the same process to reach the altitude from which it has made highly detailed images of the surface since arriving in 1997. 

One of the Odyssey probe’s three instruments was designed to image Mars in the infrared to probe the distribution of minerals on the planet’s surface. Another is intended to measure gamma rays coming from the surface to pinpoint specific elements, including hydrogen, most likely in the form of buried deposits of water ice. 

Wielding those tools as would a prospector, Odyssey will assay Mars, eventually building up what will be the first inventory of the planet’s global makeup. 

A third instrument — which suffered glitches after launch — was designed to assess the radiation risks that future human missions to Mars may encounter.


Flying ban eased on private planes, but some businesses still remain grounded

By Tom Harrigan The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

LOS ANGELES — Before Sept. 11, Jerry Hider’s one-man, one-plane business was towing banners promoting products and entertainment over Los Angeles area beaches, stadiums and residential areas. 

Six weeks after the terrorist attacks, the federal government has begun lifting many restrictions on some private commercial aircraft, but not all.  

Hider believes it’s time the authorities let him get back into business. 

“Pulling banners along the beach from Malibu to Orange County used to be our main gig,” he said, estimating he has lost more than $5,000 in income since Sept. 11. 

On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration lifted many restrictions on private planes equipped with transponders for five cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas. 

San Diego airspace will be added on Tuesday for private planes observing visual flight rules, which are used by about 90 percent of the nation’s 500,000 private pilots. 

Some types of aircraft still face tight restrictions, however, including planes towing banners, which are not allowed within three miles of large gatherings. Sightseeing, TV news and traffic-reporting aircraft also are banned within 25 miles of major airports, as are airship blimps. 

Hider said the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Southern California Aerial Advertising Association are asking the FAA to loosen those restrictions. 

“I don’t see how having a Cessna 172 modified to tow banners and fly at only 50 miles an hour constitutes a terrorist threat,” he said. 

Threatening or not, one person who doesn’t miss the advertising aircraft is Charles Thompson, a spokesman for the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. 

“Neighbors hate the planes,” he said. “They’re dangerous. They’ve almost flown into each other. They’re noisy, and no one pays attention to them.” 

The return of other general aviation aircraft to the nation’s skies was welcomed by Lt. Col. Bill Cowman of the California Civil Air Patrol Wing, with 6,000 members 

“It’s about time,” he said. “The flight restrictions have been a detriment to a lot of people in private aviation.” 

The loosening of post-Sept. 11 restrictions have allowed operations at Van Nuys Airport to return almost to normal.  

The San Fernando Valley facility, with its 1,200 to 1,500 arrivals and departures a day, is the nation’s busiest general aviation airport. 

Things are also getting back to normal at Santa Monica Airport, just eight miles north of Los Angeles International Airport. Eighty percent of the airport’s 500 planes were grounded until Monday. 

Not that the general aviation pilots allowed back into the air have the freedom they once had. 

“General aviation has been cautioned not to be doing loops or any other abnormal flying that would attract the attention of air controllers,” said FAA spokesman Mike Fergus. “The last thing they want to do is call for a DOD (Department of Defense) escort.” 


Report: UC must spend millions to attract grad students

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

LOS ANGELES — The University of California system needs to spend $215 million annually to expand programs and financial support to attract graduate students, according to a commission’s report. 

The Commission on the Growth and Support of Graduate Education in a report to UC regents next month will warn that the system needs to add 11,000 graduate students to remain competitive and maintain UC’s research mission. 

The UC Board of Regents, deans, professors and outside academics agree that steps must be taken soon or the UC system’s goal of attracting top-notch researchers will be threatened. 

“UCLA, as well as the other UC campuses, are losing some of the most talented and potentially creative and productive graduate students to other institutions,” said Jim Turner, assistant vice chancellor of graduate studies at UCLA. 

The shortage of graduate students threatens all eight of UC’s general campuses, including longtime academic powerhouse UC Berkeley and younger institutions such as UC Irvine. 

California in the last decade was one of only five state where graduate enrollments declined. The other four were Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Connecticut. 

Undergraduate enrollment at UC campuses has doubled over the last three decades, but the number of graduate students has increased just 7 percent. The figures do not include students in professional programs, such as law, business and medicine. 

Unlike undergraduates, nearly all graduate students receive financial aid consisting of tuition reimbursement, fellowships, teaching assistant positions and health insurance. 

UC officials said they are trying to compete with private schools that have billion-dollar endowments. Some schools offer better financial packages and waive out-of-state fees. 

The high cost of housing near most UC campuses also is making the financial squeeze on students even tighter. 

Most UC schools have made limited efforts to raise money for graduate fellowships. UCLA has raised millions of dollars in the last seven to eight years, but less than 1 percent has gone to help graduate students, Turner said. 

UC Berkeley, like other UC campuses, is starting to address the problem individually. The school has launched a campaign to raise $200 million for graduate fellowships, said Mary Ann Mason, dean of the graduate division. 

UC Berkeley also is looking to partner with private developers to provide more affordable graduate student housing and UC Irvine is going to ask the regents to approve two major housing projects to serve graduate students.


Pediatricians’ conference in San Francisco addresses bioterrorism

By Ritu Bhatnagar The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Pediatricians are urging officials to take steps to protect children against bioterrorism, saying they are especially vulnerable to its effects. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ annual conference this weekend offered panels addressing how to treat infants and children if they become infected with a bioterrorist agent. 

“They live closer to the ground, so aerosol agents with heavy particles will affect them more,” said Dr. Frederick Henretig, one of the speakers at a panel Sunday. “Their skin is thinner and they can be affected developmentally.” 

The doctors noted the recent anthrax infection of a 7-month-old baby in New York. The infant is the child of an ABC employee and had been in the network’s offices, where authorities believe the baby may have contracted the disease. 

“We know that children are much more vulnerable to a chemical exposure,” said Dr. Steve Berman, president of the academy. “There’s been talk about decontamination or special uniforms or equipment, but what if those don’t fit children or don’t allow children to be cared for? 

“If we embark on smallpox vaccine or anthrax vaccine, what happens if there are complication rates for children or aren’t as effective for them? It is absolutely critical that people with pediatric specialties are involved in disaster planning,” he said. 

Berman quickly pointed out that there is no need for parents or pediatricians to become overly alarmed, creating panic. 

Other sessions, part of a disaster-related series, focused on psychological concerns, such as how to talk to children about crisis and loss. 

Doctors from around the world attended the conference, fearing that anthrax and other types of bioterrorism could affect their countries. 

“I attended a similar conference in Chicago last week and am understanding how important it is to create a network of colleagues around the world to get better prepared,” said Dr. Sally McCarthy, an emergency physician from Australia. 

Some doctors noted that bioterrorism agents are typically easy and cheap for terrorists to obtain, even though it’s often difficult to weaponize such materials. 

“Any of you with two semesters of microbiology can go out and grow this stuff yourself,” said Dr. Theodore Cieslack. 

Cieslack said another problem that could arise in a crisis situation is a lack of facilities or equipment to treat many people. 

“Botulism, as of 2000, is survivable. But you have to put the patient on a ventilator for seven months after infection,” he said. “Imagine what would happen if 10,000 people are infected at the same time and there aren’t enough ventilators?” 

Cieslack said he considered the most harmful agents to be anthrax, smallpox and the plague, because very few samples are needed to produce illness or death on a large scale. 

Doctors said diagnosing smallpox in children can be particularly difficult since the early stages of the rash can easily be confused with chicken pox. 

“It’s tough to suspect that you’re dealing with something sinister,” Cieslack said. “One saving grace that smallpox has is that it has a long incubation period — 12 days — so you can immunize within a couple of days of infection.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.aap.org 


BART insists last offer is best; union still threatens strike

By Colleen Valles The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

OAKLAND — With a strike deadline looming Monday at midnight, Bay Area Rapid Transit officials and members of the transit system’s smallest union remained at odds over job security. 

Management at the commuter train network says its offer of a 22 percent pay raise and benefits package is the best it can do. The union, which represents 238 train controllers and supervisors, says it’s satisfied with the compensation but worries jobs will be outsourced. 

The offer is reportedly similar to the contract that BART unions representing maintenance and train operators accepted September 4.  

Those contracts called for a 22 percent wage increase over the next four years, increased pension plan contributions and continued health care coverage at no added cost to employees. 

If the two sides don’t agree by midnight Monday, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3993 could strike. Leaders of the largest two unions have said they will honor AFSCME’s picket line, but BART officials insist they will find a way to keep trains running for 300,000 commuters. 

The supervisors’ union rejected BART’s “best and final” offer Oct. 15. BART officials asked the union to return to the bargaining table and local elected leaders have been trying to get both sides to settle. 

In a written statement, Willie Kennedy, president of BART’s board of directors, said local elected leaders would do best to encourage both sides to stay at the table and finish negotiations, rather than rush a settlement. AFSCME representatives could not be immediately reached Monday.


Celebrity fan mail scrutinized in wake of anthrax attacks

By Chelsea J. Carter The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

LOS ANGELES — Fan mail — that old barometer of an entertainer’s popularity — has become off-limits for many in Hollywood since the anthrax mail attacks in New York City, Washington and Florida. 

Studios, networks and publicists say thousands of letters have been returned to sender or just set aside. Some celebrities have signed up with services that open fan-mail for them; others have simply stopped opening mail. 

“For the time being, we are just not opening fan mail. Just to be careful, we are putting it off for now,” said publicist Pat Kingsley, who represents actor Tom Cruise, among others. 

Thousands of unsolicited letters pour in to celebrities every week. Although most are simple declarations of admiration, precautions have long been taken to check for suspicious letters and packages. 

“There is always a concern with celebrity fan mail because it comes from unknown people. But anthrax has added a new element,” said PMK publicist Tracy Shaffer, who represents such acts as singers Evan and Jaron. 

The FBI has not received a specific threat related to celebrity mail, said Cheryl Mimura, an FBI spokeswoman in Los Angeles. 

“We haven’t sent out any sort of advisory in Hollywood,” she said. 

Shaffer said some of her clients contacted her after a letter containing anthrax was received in the New York office of NBC anchor Tom Brokaw. 

“We are directing our clients to use fan-mail services,” she said. Such services open mail for celebrities, and return photographs and autographs to fans. 

Studio Fan Mail Services, one of the oldest and largest fan-mail services in the country, has begun advising fans to send postcards rather than letters. 

“Most of the mail our clients get is from children. We’re telling them to write a postcard. That way they can still send their message,” said owner Jack Tamkin. 

Others suggest e-mail. 

“We are returning fan letters and sending a note along asking them to correspond by e-mail,” said Scott Rowe, Warner Bros. vice president of communications.  

Movie studios and TV networks receive the bulk of fan mail, and some have stopped delivering it. 

Rocker Pat Benatar said she always was careful with fan mail and “I’m trying really hard not to wig out on this. I’m trying to keep a perspective on it. But when we get the mail I’m careful about it. I tell my children not to touch it.” 

Fan mail is important to many actors and celebrities. 

“It’s somebody that takes time to buy a card or get a piece of paper and pencil, collect some thoughts and put them on a piece of paper. That means something,” said David Brokaw, who along with his brother Sanford make up the Brokaw Co., which represents Bill Cosby among others. 

Brokaw would not comment on mailroom procedures implemented because of the anthrax scare. 

“We are being vigilant. But I also say we are by no means hysterical about it,” he said. 

Soap-opera actor Steve Blackwood is no stranger to threatening letters. Playing bad-boy Bart on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives,” he said fans sometimes confuse him with his character. Typically, he has ignored such letters. But recently he received one that left him feeling uneasy. 

“In two previous story lines, we blew up a restaurant and we blew up a part of fictional Salem. I get this letter that says, ’How do you feel about giving terrorists ideas,”’ he said. “I got kind of spooked.” 

Blackwood said he has stopped opening fan mail at home. 

“For now, we just have to take precautions and ride it out,” he said. 


UC Berkeley gay rugby player seen as hero for all

By Margie Mason Associated Press Writer
Tuesday October 23, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Mark Bingham was a strapping 220-pound, 6-foot-5 rugby player who had fought off muggers on the street and run with the bulls in Spain before taking on the terrorists on United Flight 93. 

One of the heroes to emerge from America’s biggest tragedy, Bingham has also become a symbol of hope to the nation’s gays — a man whose sexual orientation made no difference when lives were at stake. 

“I think Mark was always my personal hero,” said Paul Holm, Bingham’s former partner of six years. “We didn’t run around waving gay flags, but we were very proud to be gay and if people asked, he told them.” 

Flight 93 was en route from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco on Sept. 11 when Bingham, 31, called his mother saying they had been hijacked by three men who said they had a bomb. Bingham, sitting within reach of the cockpit, is believed to be one of those who fought the terrorists and caused the plane to crash into a Pennsylvania field instead of its apparent target in Washington. 

Now, liberals and conservatives alike invoke Bingham’s name as an example of America’s strength and spirit. 

California’s top politicians presented Holm with an American flag, and San Francisco Supervisor Mark Leno wants to build a Bingham memorial in the city’s predominantly gay Castro District. 

“If he knew that lives were at stake, I’m convinced with every bone in my body that he would have jumped into action,” Holm said. “He was physically fit and strong and guns and weapons didn’t bother him.” 

He fought off muggers in New York and San Francisco, wrestling a gun away despite being hit on the head. Over the summer, he was gored while running with the bulls in Spain. 

Bingham, who lived most of his life in Northern California but moved to New York not long before the terrorist attacks, also was a proven leader. He had coached his gay rugby team, the San Francisco Fog, was president of his fraternity at the University of California at Berkeley and started his own public relations firm, the Bingham Group, in San Francisco and New York. 

“He was a true competitor, and it went from everything from Scrabble to card games,” Holm said. 

Recently, after his rugby team was accepted into the straight California Rugby League, he e-mailed a pep talk to his teammates. 

“We have the chance to be role models for other gay folks who wanted to play sports, but never felt good enough or strong enough. More importantly, we have the chance to show the other teams in the league that we are as good as they are,” Bingham wrote. 

“Gay men weren’t always wallflowers waiting on the sideline. We have the opportunity to let these other athletes know that gay men were around all along — on their little league teams, in their classes, being their friends. This is a great opportunity to change a lot of people’s minds.” 

Among gays, reactions to Bingham’s death are a mix of pride and sadness, frustration and hope. 

“I wish people could just understand that wherever they go, they will meet us. It’s just very sad to me that it takes a brave young man like Mark Bingham to lose his life so horribly for people to begin to understand that,” said Cleve Jones, a gay activist who created the AIDS quilt in San Francisco. 

Jones choked back tears as he talked about a soldier boyfriend being shipped out to the Middle East. He said Bingham’s heroism should serve as the catalyst that ends the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays. 

“I think this would be a very good time for the president to put his name on a piece of paper and end this stupid policy,” Jones said. “We are all needed.” 

The attacks have helped lead to some political change: Republican New York Gov. George Pataki decided that partners of gays killed in violent crimes can get benefits from the New York Crime Victims Board. 

“Do you think for a minute that one of those men or women fleeing the towers trying to save themselves ... do you think one of them thought for a minute, ‘I wonder what the sexual orientation of that fireman is?”’ Pataki said. “This is still the greatest country in the world, but we can make it a little better. We can learn a little bit from Sept. 11.” 

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., a supporter of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” wants Bingham and other Flight 93 passengers to get a Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest civilian honor. Bingham, a Republican, had met McCain briefly and wanted to see him elected president. 

“I may very well owe my life to Mark and the others,” McCain said in a tearful eulogy. 

Bingham is not the only gay hero to emerge from the attacks. Nine others killed on Sept. 11 were remembered at a memorial attended by nearly 1,000 people at New York’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. 

For many, the testimonials were a profound counterpoint to suggestions by televangelists that God let the attacks happen because of the influence of gays, feminists, abortionists and others. 

“One of the things I found most painful of this whole experience is that the trade center is still smoldering and they’re still dragging bodies out and Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson can’t do anything but go on TV and blame this on the ACLU and gays and lesbians,” Jones said. 

Falwell later retracted his remarks. 

Bingham’s mother, Alice Hogland, said she hopes her son educated others by destroying preconceptions. 

“He was a very masculine, crazy kid who left his dirty dishes under the bed and dirty clothes behind the door in the bathroom,” she said, laughing. “There was nothing about him that fit into any stereotype of what we perceive of as a gay person, which goes to show you we cannot rely on our stereotypes.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.markbingham.org 

http://www.gaycenter.org/press/clinton-remarks.htm 


Can you cut corporate subsidies in war time?

By John Cunniff The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

NEW YORK — If corporate welfare were to be eliminated, a paper published by the Cato Institute contends, the federal government could give taxpayers tax cuts that would make earlier rebates seem small. 

Picking its way through federal budget numbers, it finds at least $87 billion in federal subsidies — also called handouts — to private-sector companies, including General Motors Corp., Dow Chemical Co. and General Electric Inc. 

Keeping a wary eye on government spending is fundamental to Cato, a Libertarian think tank that tends to equate government growth with restraints on individual liberty and free, competitive markets. 

Government has its proper role and the private sector it’s, and Cato says the joining of the two produces problems. Well, for one, for taxpayers, to cite and example. 

“How much did some federal departments give away?” it asks. It answers: Agriculture, $35.8 billion; Transportation, $10.3 billion; Housing and Urban Development, $7.5 billion; Energy, $5 billion. 

Alas, at least from Cato’s viewpoint, it is destined to get worse. There are important roles for government, such as the security of the nation. And in that role, recent events have compelled government to grow. 

The nation’s airlines are getting a $15 billion bailout, the rationale in part being that they are essential to the public welfare. And warding off recession involves $40 billion of emergency spending. 

It could be just the beginning.  

Other industries, important to local and regional interests or to national security, may seek assistance, and in doing so further blur the separation of public and private sectors. 

Bioterrorism dictates changes, and a federally appointed advisory commission is already believed ready to advise the creation of a government-owned facility to assure a stockpile of vaccines. 

A weak economy also demands or, it is argued, justifies government spending to stimulate activity, such as measures to improve the nation’s transportation system. Or to extend welfare benefits for laid-off workers. 

In such ways, Cato suggests, government spreads its power. But you can’t blame government entirely. Private sector businesses cooperate in government spending, their lobbyists even initiating the process. 

President Bush’s first proposed budget sought to cut about $12 billion in corporate welfare, but it also included increases for other programs, including aid to oil and aerospace companies. 

And, you might argue, isn’t such assistance eventually in the interest of national security? Ah, that’s the problem. Of course a strong private sector is in the nation’s interest, but how do you draw the line? 

Because of current events, the arguments pro and con have now been made even less distinct. Cutting has become more difficult, spending more easily justified. And longer-run consequences have been put on hold. 

Nevertheless, the Cato paper, written by Stephen Slivinski, a fiscal policy analyst, offers a possible solution: the convening of a corporate welfare reform commission. 

That commission, says Slivinski, could function like the successful military base closure commission, proposing to Congress a list of cuts on which members of Congress would have to declare themselves. 

End Adv PMs Tuesday, Oct. 23. 


MusicNet names new CEO, moves headquarters to NY pending launch

By Ron Harris The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — MusicNet, the joint venture between three major record labels, named MTV veteran Alan McGlade as new chief executive Monday and announced it would move headquarters from Seattle to New York. 

MusicNet promises to launch this fall and provide subscribers with a way to download music from the Internet through various online retailers. Software maker RealNetworks formed the service with record labels Warner, BMG and EMI. 

A competing service from Universal and Sony, called pressplay, is also set to launch this fall. No firm launch date has been set for either service. 

The MusicNet board of directors confirmed McGlade as CEO Friday. He replaces RealNetworks’ CEO Rob Glaser at the top MusicNet post. 

McGlade previously headed The Box Music Network, an MTV Networks company that provided 24-hour, interactive music television. 

“I want to create a huge community of users,” McGlade said Monday. He acknowledged that MusicNet’s early days would be a process of “trial and error,” but promised to seek more content from labels not yet licensed with MusicNet. 

MusicNet’s long-term goal is too amass partnerships and provide a platform to deliver as much music online as possible, McGlade said. He did not rule out working with Sony and Universal. 

“We need to acquire all the music that is out there,” said McGlade, who also will serve on the MusicNet board of directors. 

Much of the demand for online music grew from the popularity of Napster, which the recording industry sued in an attempt to stop the unauthorized trade of music files over the Internet. 

Napster has been offline since July, but says it will relaunch in the near future. It is now primarily financed by Bertelsmann AG, the German media giant that owns the BMG record label. Napster also struck a deal to license music from MusicNet earlier this year, marking a turnaround from days past when everything on the service could be had for free. 

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is investigating MusicNet and pressplay for allegedly anticompetitive practices. Both companies were recently subpoenaed to produce documents related to their formation and planned operations. 

Glaser, who remains chairman of MusicNet, said the company is cooperating fully with the investigation. MusicNet will try to win over users by convincing them the network is easy to use, he said. 

“We have to remind people of the incredible value you get when you get access to a catalog with tens of thousands of selections,” Glaser said.


Yahoo bids for more users, ad revenue

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

SUNNYVALE — Yahoo! Inc. is enhancing its instant-messaging service with a variety of new virtual “environments” for online chats, in a bid for more users and advertising revenue. 

Beginning Monday, Yahoo is adding themed backgrounds to its messenger service. The real-time chats will appear in new forms such as in frames or thought bubbles in a comic strip, for example. 

The backgrounds are meant to make the service more fun to use and more attractive to advertisers because they can include links to pages with products for sale.  

Yahoo has signed on the Peanuts, Dilbert and Hello Kitty cartoon franchises, plus Nintendo and the rock band Garbage. 

The new service satisfies two of Yahoo’s aims: to make online advertising more appealing and to move up from its third-place position in number of instant messaging users, behind America Online and Microsoft’s MSN. 

“It’s a new way for users to express emotions and their thoughts,” said Lisa Pollock, Yahoo’s director of messaging products. “We think this is going to catapult us in usage.”


7.6 million jobs funded by venture capitalists

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Venture capitalists have helped launch U.S. companies that created 7.6 million jobs while generating $1.3 trillion in total revenue during past three decades, according to a report released Monday by the industry’s biggest trade group. 

The report, compiled by economic researchers DRI-WEFA for the National Venture Capital Association, estimated that employers created one job from every $36,000 of venture capital invested between 1970 and 2000.  

The study looked at independent companies that received early financing from venture capitalists, as well as venture-backed start-ups now owned by other firms. 

California, long considered fertile ground for venture capital, benefited most from the industry’s rise, the report said. Venture capitalists invested $108.8 billion in California start-ups. 

years covered by the study, creating 1.4 million jobs and spawning $270.6 billion in total revenue. 

Massachusetts start-ups received the second biggest sum of money — $26 billion — and parlayed the investments into 318,433 jobs and total revenue of $48.4 billion. Texas companies did more with less venture capital, turning investments of $17.2 billion into 676,158 jobs and total revenue of $158.2 billion, the study reported. 

The report, which expanded on preliminary figures released in May, highlighted an industry that is wrapping up the worst year in its history


Infrastructure pact signed for Hong Kong Disneyland

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

HONG KONG — The government signed the first infrastructure contract for Hong Kong’s planned Disney theme park Monday with a mainland Chinese construction company. 

Lau Ching-kwong, the territory’s civil engineering director, signed a $267 million contract with China State Construction Engineering Corporation to build facilities at Penny’s Bay, off the outlying Lantau Island, a government statement said. 

The contract was the first of five for Disneyland infrastructure and will include work on roads, a sewer system, a drainage system, water supply systems, landscaping, dredging and land reclamation. 

The project will begin on Wednesday and is scheduled to be completed in April 2005, the statement said. 

Plants and trees supplied locally as well as imported from China, Southeast Asia and Australia will be planted “to create instant lush greenery effect,” said the statement. 

So far, a project to reclaim about 190.27 acres of land has been completed, as has most of the dredging work, said Lau. 

The government is collaborating with Burbank-based Walt Disney Co. to build the $3.55 billion theme park in Hong Kong, which is due to open in 2005.  

The government has been criticized for supplying the land and footing most of the bill for the park, but said it hoped the project will create jobs and attract tourists. 


AOL Time Warner signs first-time deal to broadcast in China

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

BEIJING — AOL Time Warner Inc. announced a landmark deal on Oct. 22 that will make it the first foreign TV broadcaster in China. In exchange, it will carry Chinese state television’s English-language channel on U.S. cable systems. 

Financial terms were not disclosed. 

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. is trying to negotiate a similar arrangement with China and its rapidly developing television audience. 

Chinese officials regard television as a key propaganda tool and strictly control it, though millions of Chinese already watch foreign broadcasts on illegal satellite dishes. Beijing appeared to be willing to relax those controls slightly in exchange for getting access to American audiences. 

Under the terms of the deal, AOL’s Chinese-language channel CETV would be carried on cable systems in the southeastern province of Guangdong beginning next year. It will be the first time that a foreign broadcaster reaches Chinese audiences with government approval. CETV, based in Hong Kong, already is seen in Taiwan, Singapore and elsewhere in Asia. 

CETV’s programming is a mix of Chinese entertainment shows, cartoons, game shows, movies and sports. It also carries versions of some U.S. shows like “Miami Vice” and the cartoon “Johnny Bravo” dubbed into Chinese. 

Tricia Primrose, an AOL Time Warner spokeswoman, said the channel carries no news programs. She had no details on whether the agreement includes provisions for Chinese censorship of CETV programming. 

In exchange, the Chinese government’s English-language CCTV-9 will be available to American audiences in New York City, Los Angeles and Houston. 

Viewers in Guangdong can already see television broadcasts from neighboring Hong Kong. The former British colony is not covered by central government censorship, and its stations are livelier — and their news reporting more aggressive — than state-run mainland media. 

The English language channel put out by China’s state broadcaster resembles a less adventuresome version of U.S. public broadcasting channels, with an emphasis on educational and cultural programs. 

It carries a mix of news, music and cooking shows, documentaries on nature and travel, Chinese lessons and sports. However, production quality is uneven and shows are staid and slow-paced compared to U.S. television. 

A Hong Kong-based Chinese network in which News Corp. subsidiary STAR is a stockholder, Phoenix, has been granted permission to broadcast to the economically booming Pearl River Delta in the southern province of Guangdong near Hong Kong, the state-run Yangcheng Evening News reported on Oct. 20. 

 

BROADCASTING: 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Scripps Networks has signed several long-term agreements with Time Warner Cable to boost distribution of its lifestyle channels by nearly 12 million viewers within the next two years. 

The agreement allows Time Warner Cable to carry HGTV (Home & Garden Television), the Food Network and the DIY Network (Do It Yourself), all of which Scripps owns. 

Time Warner also will carry Scripps’ newest network, Fine Living, which is set to launch in early 2002. 

Financial terms were not disclosed. 

“Time Warner Cable has given a tremendous vote of confidence to our established networks,” said Susan Packard, president of new ventures for Scripps Networks. “In addition, by committing to Fine Living months before its launch and by greatly increasing DIY’s distribution, those convergent networks are similarly poised to become mainstays in American homes.” 

The Food Network will be added to Time Warner Cable systems in markets including Houston; Tampa, Fla.; Minneapolis; Milwaukee; and Charlotte, N.C. 

Time Warner also will add HGTV to some of its systems that aren’t now carrying it. 

Food Network is now distributed to 67 million homes; HGTV, 74 million homes. DIY Network, primarily available through satellite systems, is expected to reach 20 million subscribers by 2003, with Fine Living reaching 5 million in its first year. 

Scripps Networks, based in Knoxville, is an operating unit of The E.W. Scripps Co., a media corporation based in Cincinnati. Time Warner Cable owns and manages cable operations serving 12.7 million customers. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.scrippsnetworks.com/ 

http://www.aoltimewarner.com/ 

+++++ Minnesota Public Radio to expand in St. Paul 

ST. PAUL. Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Public Radio, which produces 14 national programs, said Oct. 18 it plans to stay in St. Paul and expand its downtown headquarters. 

Network officials said the plan to purchase two properties near its headquarters is the first phase in a five-year effort to expand programming, content and distribution. 

MPR will receive a forgivable three-year, $3.3 million city loan, and grants from four foundations to help fund the expansion. MPR is working on plans for a capital fund drive to cover other development and construction costs. 

Minnesota Public Radio employs more than 260 people and has been complaining since 1999 that it had outgrown its 45,000-square-foot headquarters. It expects to add at least 100 jobs over 10 to 15 years. 

Its shows, which include Garrison Keillor’s popular “A Prairie Home Companion,” are heard by 7.6 million listeners each week. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Minnesota Public Radio: http://www.mpr.org 

+++++ 

 

INTERNET: 

 

AOL unveils radio service as part of revamp 

NEW YORK (AP) — America Online introduced a new radio feature as part of an upgraded version of its service, AOL 7.0. The Oct. 16 announcement came a day after rival Microsoft Corp. announced an upgrade of its online service, MSN. 

AOL, which is part of the media and entertainment conglomerate AOL Time Warner Inc., said the new service would carry 75 different channels of music as well as news, sports and talk programming. 

Kevin Conroy, head of AOL’s music division, called the radio service the cornerstone of AOL’s music offerings to its 31 million subscribers. AOL’s music offerings include Spinner, an early entrant to Internet music broadcasting. 

AOL said it would offer the 7.0 upgrade to existing customers for no extra charge. 

Microsoft said the new version of its MSN service and Web portal would more heavily promote the company’s paid Internet services and be closely tied to its new operating system, Windows XP. 

 


Washington Post in slump, earnings low

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

WASHINGTON — The Washington Post Co. reported a 95 percent decline in third quarter net earnings due to an advertising slump and charges to write down investments. 

The company, whose properties include The Washington Post and Newsweek, reported net income of $1.6 million, or 14 cents per share, compared with $33.5 million, or $3.51 per share, in the period a year ago. 

Excluding the effect of about $26 million in investment write-downs, earnings for the most recent quarter were $15.1 million, or $1.56 a share, above the $1.39 per share analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial/First Call were expecting. 

The company attributed the decline to a 19 percent drop in advertising revenue at its advertising-based businesses. That includes its flagship newspaper, where ad revenue fell 20 percent in the quarter, as well as at its television stations, which saw a 23 percent decline. 

However, Newsweek magazine had what the company described as a “significant spike” in newsstand sales following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Revenues were also higher at its Kaplan test preparation and educational services division. 

Total revenues fell 1 percent to $595.5 million from $602.4 million in the period a year ago. 

 

 

 

ORK (AP) — The New York Times Co. reported a sharp drop in earnings for its third fiscal quarter as declining advertising revenues fell further in the wake of Sept. 11. 

The Times posted net earnings of $43.8 million in the three months ended Sept. 30, down 42 percent from $75 million in the period a year ago. Taking out one-time gains and charges, which included expenses related to staff reductions, profits fell 27 percent to $46.3 million versus $63 million. 

Total revenues fell 9 percent to $696.9 million, versus $767.7 million in the period a year ago, and were led by a decline of 16 percent in advertising revenues to $452.7 million. Excluding revenues from properties that were sold, overall revenues declined 8 percent and advertising revenues fell 15 percent. 

Earnings per share fell to 30 cents, compared with 37 cents in the year-ago period. The results were in line with analyst estimates reported by Thomson Financial/First Call. Like other newspaper publishers and media companies, the Times warned investors last month that its third-quarter earnings would be affected by the terrorist attacks. 

The company said it lost $1.8 million in advertising revenues from its eight television stations as regular programming was interrupted for full-time news coverage following the attacks. 

The company also reported that advertising revenues in its newspaper group fell 15 percent in September compared to September 2000. 

Chief executive Russell T. Lewis told investors that despite the increase in news-related costs, the company still managed to record a 4.8 percent decline in overall expenses for the quarter. The Times has scaled back its work force this year and made other cost cuts due to the downturn in advertising. 

Lewis said the company received huge demand for its papers in the days following the attacks, and for several days printed three times the usual number of newsstand copies. 

For all of September, average daily circulation of the paper increased by about 130,000 copies, and Lewis said he is hopeful a good portion of the new readers will stay with the Times. 

Lewis added, however, that because the outlook for the fourth quarter remains unclear, the company could not offer investors guidance on how the next several months would play out. 

In addition to The New York Times, the company publishes The Boston Globe and 16 other newspapers. Newspaper publishing makes up 94 percent of the company’s revenues. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.nytco.com 

+++++ Knight Ridder earnings fall 27 percent 

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Knight Ridder’s net income plunged 27 percent in the third quarter as the Sept. 11 attacks led to a steep drop in newspaper advertising and higher costs associated with increasing news coverage. 

The nation’s second-largest newspaper publisher reported net income of $55.7 million for the three months ending Sept. 30, compared with $76.1 million in the period a year ago. 

Revenues slumped 10 percent to $693.1 million from $769.2 million. 

Per-share profits were 65 cents, in line with guidance the company issued a month ago and 2 cents above the estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial/First Call. Year-ago earnings were 87 cents. 

Chairman and chief executive Tony Ridder said the terrorist attacks cost the company $10 million, including $9 million in lost advertising revenue, after accounting for temporary increases from condolence ads, and additional costs of $2 million for extra editions and creating more space for news. Offsetting those costs were added circulation revenues of $1 million. 

Ridder said the attacks reversed a slight comeback in retail advertising. That combined with an already soft market for general advertising and help wanted ads turned September into a “memorably bad month,” he said. 

In a separate report, Knight Ridder said total advertising revenues at its newspapers fell 16 percent in September compared to September 2000. Year-to-date advertising revenues were off 7 percent. 

Ridder said that while the company’s prospects had started to look up in the weeks after the attacks, they fell back once the U.S. bombing campaign began in Afghanistan. But he noted that cost savings from a downsizing effort announced in April were paying off, and he added that newsprint costs were heading lower. 

He did not specifically lower the outlook for the company’s full-year earnings, which stand at $2.91 per share, as measured by Thomson Financial/First Call, but he noted that there still exists a “harsh revenue environment” and that achieving full-year earnings goals would be contingent upon “resumption of more normal business patterns.” 

Knight Ridder, based in San Jose, publishes 28 newspapers in major markets across the country, including the San Jose Mercury News, The Miami Herald and The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

——— 

On the Net 

http://www.kri.com. 

 


News reporter fired after jokingly sprinkling powder

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

DES MOINES, Iowa — A television news reporter was fired after he jokingly sprinkled face powder around the newsroom in front of co-workers, his lawyer said. 

Steve Oswalt, 48, who worked at KCCI-TV for 15 years, sprinkled the powder Oct. 15, attorney George LaMarca said. 

The prank was clearly done in a joking manner in front of managers who knew there was no threat, LaMarca said. 

“I don’t know how any reasonable person could believe that Steve had anthrax,” LaMarca said. 

News director Dave Busiek said Oswalt was no longer an employee as of Oct. 19. He declined to comment further. 

LaMarca declined to comment about possible legal action. 

“I won’t get caught up in hysteria,” he said. “We’re assessing the matter in a calm and reasonable fashion.” 

 

 

 

 

 


More Californians are driving to Las Vegas

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

LAS VEGAS — Traffic on Interstate 15 at the California-Nevada border in September spiked nearly 16 percent over September 2000, according to Nevada Department of Transportation data. 

By Sept. 13, traffic was up more than 19 percent, with 31,500 cars passing through Primm that day on I-15, the data showed. 

Kirk Anderson, vice president of radio broadcaster the Highway Stations, which compiled the NDOT numbers, told the Las Vegas Sun he’s never seen anything like it. 

“Over the last 20 years we’ve done research on the highway, it’s been evergreen ... up steadily 4 to 6 percent a year,” Anderson said. “Never have we seen the kind of instantaneous change that’s taking place.” 

Overall, I-15 traffic in September was up 3.9 percent to 1.08 million, but that number is misleading. 

From Sept. 1 to Sept. 10, the growth rate averaged 0.6 percent per day. Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to Sept. 30, it averaged just under 7 percent. 

“It’s a silver lining in what otherwise looks like a pretty dark cloud,” said William Eadington, director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming at the University of Nevada, Reno. 

The cause, most observers agree, is fairly obvious. 

“It means people don’t want to fly,” said Alan Feldman, spokesman for MGM Mirage, the largest hotel-casino operator on the Las Vegas Strip. “It’s the reason our occupancy is anywhere close to normal. Otherwise we’d probably all be down close to 60 percent (occupancy).” 

Numbers provided by McCarran International Airport Friday reinforce that theory. In September, McCarran reported 2.12 million passengers went through the airport for the month — down a whopping 28.3 percent from the year-ago period. 

To compensate for the decline, Las Vegas hotel-casino operators have cut room rates heavily since Sept. 11.  

And the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has launched a targeted marketing campaign on certain key markets — particularly the major drive-in markets of Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix. 

The result has been weekend occupancy of close to 100 percent, but at far lower rates than normal. 

That continued to be the case over the weekend, Feldman said. 

“Occupancy was closer to normal, but rates were still substantially down,” Feldman said. “Revenues across the board remain down.” 

But Anderson doesn’t believe all the new drivers are necessarily bargain-hunters. Instead, Anderson said many are people who normally fly, who are turned off by long lines at the airports and concerned about safety. 

“These are not people that have historically driven, but have flown,” he said. 


Willie Brown gives State of the City address in SF

The Associated Press
Tuesday October 23, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Willie Brown’s State of the City address Monday wasn’t as optimistic as it’s been in past years, but he said he’s confident San Francisco will rebound from the dot-com crash and current economic slump. 

Brown called the dot-com collapse an “absolute disaster,” and said the city much switch its attention from dot-coms and tourism to biotechnology. 

“The one segment of the U.S. economy that has not been touched ... and that’s the world of biotechnology,” Brown said. 

He said a new biotechnology firm just signed a 10-year lease in the city, and he’s welcoming others. 

Brown asked for a moment of silence to remember those who died in the terrorist attacks Sept. 11 and assured citizens that everything is being done to boost city security measures and come up with a positive economic strategy to help relieve the $60 million to $100 million deficit. 

“That means without touching the surplus we’re in a position to manage our city,” Brown said. 

The mayor also discussed how hard the tourism industry has been hit as a result of the attacks and slowing economy. In response, he said the city has created a tourism outreach plan that is urging people to come to San Francisco, including calling potential visitors on the phone and personally inviting them. 


Thousands show support for Lee’s vote

By Yunji de Nies, Special to the Daily Planet
Monday October 22, 2001

Congresswoman opposed U.S. military action 

 

More than 2,000 people gathered at Frank Ogawa Plaza yesterday afternoon to rally in support of U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, who cast the lone vote Sept. 14 opposing the open-ended use of military force in the United States’ war against terrorism. 

The People’s Non-Violent Response Coalition of the East Bay, an ad-hoc group of East Bay elected officials, community leaders, artists and residents, organized the event, calling it, “A Community Gathering to Express Appreciation for Barbara Lee and her Courageous Vote.”  

Event organizer and Oakland City Councilmember Nancy Nadel said the gathering was, “to thank Barbara Lee for her courageous vote.” The event sought to support all families and innocent victims affected by the Sept. 11 attacks, including those in Afghanistan who are now under a military campaign that the United States began Oct. 7, Nadel said. 

Nadel said that the gathering was also intended to present alternatives to war, to end racial profiling of Arab-Americans and to honor the right to dissent. 

At the gathering, people held signs that read, “Barbara Lee for President,” as the American and world flag flew side by side. A variety of community leaders, including the Rev. Eloise Oliver of the East Bay Church of Religious Science, the Rev. Alfred Smith of Allen Temple Baptist Church, as well as Barbara Lee herself, spoke about the need for a mindful, rather than what Oliver termed, “impulsive” response. 

“God Bless you Barbara Lee for your courage to speak the truth, and your willingness to be all that God has designed you to be,” Oliver said. 

Celebrities, including Pulitzer-prize winning author Alice Walker and actor Danny Glover, also praised Lee’s vote. Glover read a Langston Hughes poem and ended by saying, “Thank you Barbara Lee for voting your conscience, for standing up for justice.”  


Out & About Calendar

Compiled by Guy Poole
Monday October 22, 2001


Monday, Oct 22

 

Franciscanism, Understanding  

the Vision 

1 - 2 p.m. 

Franciscan School of Theology 

1712 Euclid Ave. 

Graduate Theological Union presents seminar exploring the lives, times and writings of and about Francis and Clare of Assisi. 848-5232 

 

Interfaith Couples Look at  

Love and Choices 

7:30 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St.  

Two films to stimulate discussion about interfaith families, love and identity. $25 per couple. 548-0237 

 


Tuesday, Oct. 23

 

UNtraining White Liberal  

Racism 

2 - 5 p.m. 

The UNtraining offers personal work in a supportive setting for white people to address our unconscious racial conditioning. $10. Private residence, call 235-6134 for address.  

 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333 

 

Berkeley Camera Club 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda 

Share your slides and prints with other photographers. Critiques by qualified judges. Monthly field trips. 

531-8664 

 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday.  

655-8863 

 

Similarities between Jewish  

and Deadhead Spirituality 

7:30 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St.  

It’s been observed that a disproportionate number of deadheads are Jews. Dr. Leora Lawton, researcher of deadhead culture, explores the fascinating parallels between Jewish and deadhead rituals. $25 public, $15 members. 548-0237 

 


Wednesday, Oct. 24

 

Free Legal Workshop 

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 

Women’s Cancer Resource Center 

3023 Shattuck Ave 

This workshop will provide information about State and Federal disability programs that provide cash benefits and health insurance for people unable to work due to a serious health condition. 

 

Toddler Storytime 

7 p.m. 

West Berkeley Library 

1125 University Ave 

For families with children three years or younger, a program to expose the youngest readers to multicultural stories, songs and finger plays. 

Every Wednesday through Nov 28 

 

Prose Writers’ Workshop 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley/Richmond Jewish Community Center Library 

1414 Walnut St.  

From Op-ed to fiction, memoir to the feature article - a community 

writers' group to support and encourage a community of interests. Free. 524-3034 

 


Thursday, Oct. 25

 

Free Quit Smoking Class  

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

2344 6th St. 

With the option of acupuncture. Six Thursday evenings through Dec. 6. 

Contact the Berkeley Tobacco Prevention Program to register and for more information, 644-6422 or e-mail QuitNow@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

“Town Hall” Community  

Meeting 

7 p.m. 

San Pablo Park 

2700 Park St. 

San Pablo Park Neighborhood Council with support from the City, will be hosting this community meeting. Scheduled to attend: Mayor Shirley Dean, Council Member Margaret Breland, Michael Caplan from the City Manager’s Office, Recreation Director Madeline Law, and Berkeley Police Personnel. 848-2427 

 

Berkeley Community Fund 

Eighth Annual Awards Dinner 

6 p.m. 

Radisson Hotel 

Berkeley Marina 

Bestowing the Benjamin Ide Wheller Medal and Berkeley Community Awards. 843-5202 www.berkfund.org  

Peace Satsang with Swami Sitaramananda 

7 p.m. 

First Congregational Church of Berkeley 

2345 Channing Way 

Open gathering for prayer, chanting, meditation, healing and peace talks 

honoring the victims of the Sept. 11th. 273-2447 

 


Saturday, Oct. 27

 

Disaster First Aid 

9 a.m. - noon 

Office of Emergency Services 

997 Cedar St. 

Free classes in Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). 981-5605 www.ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

Greening Our City Centers 

9 a.m. - 10 p.m. 

The Gaia Building 

2116 Allston Way 

The Second Heart of the City Seminar celebrating the opening of Berkeley’s new showcase ecological building and the Gaia Cultural Center. Discussions will focus on strategies and tactics for generating awareness and implementing greener city centers. 649-1817 www.ecocitybuilders.org 

 

Targeting Civilians 

7 p.m. 

Berkeley Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St. 

Former UN official Hans von Sponeck and Voices in the Wilderness’ Kathy Kelly will discuss the war on Iraq and the current bombing of Afghanistan. $10 Benefits Voices in the Wilderness.  

 

Medical Mystery Festival 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

A Halloween celebration that introduces children to the field of medical science and health-related issues. 549-1564 

 


Sunday, Oct. 28

 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between 3rd and 4th Streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 

654-6346 

 

Archaeological Institute of  

America 

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. 

Shorb House 

2547 Channing Way 

AIA Sunday Symposium: Reports from the Field — Dr. Ian Morris on the 6th century BCE site of Monte Polizzo in Sicily; Dr. Marian Feldman on prestige goods of the Late Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean; Dr. Christine Hastorf on early architecture at Chiripa in the Titicaca Basin of the Bolivian Andes. 415-338-1537 barbaram@sfsu.edu 

 


Monday, Oct. 29

 

Franciscanism, Understanding the Vision 

1 - 2 p.m. 

Franciscan School of Theology 

1712 Euclid Ave. 

Graduate Theological Union presents seminar exploring the lives, times and writings of and about Francis and Clare of Assisi. 848-5232 

 


Tuesday, Oct. 30

 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333 

 

Berkeley Camera Club 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda 

Share your slides and prints with other photographers. Critiques by qualified judges. Monthly field trips. 

531-8664 

 

Compiled by Guy Poole


What is the true meaning of Council action?

Jim Mellander
Monday October 22, 2001

Editor: 

I am writing to express my disagreements with all of the published letters in the Friday, October 19, 2001 issue of the Berkeley Daily Planet. 

I recognize that Ms. Maio, being a politician, may wish to hide behind the literal wording of the resolution, as passed, but as many who condemn the current U.S. Government action state, perhaps we should look deeper for root causes. So lets examine the meaning of the resolution:  

Although not explicitly stated, there is a clear implication that the City Council believes (Part five) that America's usage of Middle Eastern oil is a contributing factor to the attack, and that our failure to eradicate the miseries of the Third World (Part 4) are also part of the root causes for this attack. There is no other rational explanation for the inclusion of these sections in the resolution, although the root causes argument is bogus (see below). The mildness of the wording of these sections tends to hide the clear implication that the council believes that the United States is partially responsible for the attack of Sept. 11. 

Once having established the backdrop against which the resolution is written, the meaning of Part two (ask our representatives to help break the cycle of violence, bringing the bombing to a conclusion as soon as possible, avoiding actions that can endanger of the lives of innocent people in Afghanistan, and minimizing the risk to American military personnel), comes into a different light than its carefully selected, non-confrontational wording. This is in fact, a clear condemnation of our bombing campaign, under which, unfortunately, innocent civilians are killed. 

Ms. Maio, maybe the media see the true meaning of the resolution, rather than the Clintonesque spin put on by Berkeley politicians. Berkeley would probably not receive any more national scorn than it already has by explicitly stating what is obfuscated in the resolution, that you do, indeed, condemn the bombing campaign. Have the courage of your convictions, and be honest about it. 

Although generally, I agree with Ms. Carroll’s sentiments in her letter, I disagree that all government officials should necessarily rally around the president in this time of national crisis. Fortunately, the vast majority have, but even Berkeley public officials enjoy the protection of the First Amendment. American blood has been spilt to purchase these freedoms, and likely will be spilt in the future defending our freedom.  

Of course, politicians (in Berkeley especially) must make sure that their public statements are politically correct, hence the watering down of the true sentiments of the City Council. 

I certainly applaud Mr. Azevedo’s efforts to learn to be peaceful within himself. Unfortunately, the hope that this will eventually lead to a peaceful world is naive. Each generation has had to learn the same lessons as past generations in the spiritual and emotional realms, as each person grows on the path of wisdom individually, initially from a childish perspective. Perhaps if the human life span was extended, the wisdom accumulated painfully through time might be better conserved. In the meantime, there are numerous examples of children with every advantage of parenting and education who have turned into monsters, thus turning back the cause of creating a peaceful world. 

Finally, the shrill, hysterical tone of Mr. Hartenstein’s letter impressed me as much as, I imagine, Sen. Feinstein. Although Mr. Hartenstein hasn’t seen evidence that bin Laden is responsible for the 9/11 attacks, that certainly doesn’t mean that such evidence doesn’t exist. It would be foolish for our leadership to unnecessarily tip our hand as to the evidence available, especially while our criminal investigation and military activities are in progress. Furthermore, bin Laden’s previous crimes are well-documented and, of themselves, deserve harsh punishment. 

Our government’s stated policy is a generalized war on terrorism, which eventually should, and hopefully will, cast a wider net than on just those specifically involved with the 9/11 attacks. The war will also target those states which foster terrorism. 

Mr. Hartenstein would have us believe that the U.S. is one such state. This seems eerily like an aspect of ‘Battered Wives Syndrome,’ in which the victim of domestic violence blames herself for the attack, rather than directing the justified anger outwards. This sort of introspective, self-defeating behavior is also evident in the search for root causes of the attacks, which always seems to come down to such fatuous phrases as “U.S. Imperialism” and “Give Peace a Chance.” 

Berkeley has an incredible number of therapists (I’ll not speculate why), whose profession includes the searching out the ‘root causes’ of their patient’s neuroses. It is interesting to note that while the individual search for root causes often takes years or decades, media pundits on Sept. 12 already were solemnly describing the root causes of the terrorist attacks. This suggests that the therapists may be ripping off their patients, or that the search for root causes is much more difficult than anyone admits, or (my guess) both. In any event, conflicts between the Arab world and the Western world predate U.S. intervention (check out these years: 1453, 1683, 1912). Any assignment of a root cause that doesn’t include the events of those, and many other years, will require ignoring significant facts that bear on this centuries-long conflict. 

The search for root causes will certainly take place, as historians piece together the history of these days, but it shouldn’t be used as as an excuse for inaction in the face of clear and present danger. I believe we must use our greatest gift, the rational facility which distinguishes us from all other creatures, and lies dormant in all too many people, to make judgments of right and wrong to chart our course towards a more just future. The Sept. 11 attacks cannot be judged as anything other than pure evil, despite any appeals to cultural relativism. This evil must and will be eradicated from the globe. 

 

Jim Mellander 

El Sobrante


Arts & Entertainment Calendar

Compiled by Guy Poole
Monday October 22, 2001

 

924 Gilman St. Oct. 26: Influents, Plus Ones, Divit, Summerjack, Robot Adrenaline, Claredon Hills; Oct. 27: (Halloween show, $1 off if you’re in a (non-punk) costume!) Babyland, Tsunami Bomb, Scissor Hands, Dexter Danger; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926 

 

Blake’s Oct. 22: The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Oct. 23: Felice, $3; Oct. 24: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; Oct. 25: Psychotica, $5; Oct. 26: Planting Seeds, $6; Oct. 27: Felonious, $6; Oct. 29: The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Oct. 31: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; All shows 9:30 p.m. 2367 Telegraph Ave. 848-0886 

 

Cal Performances Nov 8: 8 p.m. Gypsy Caravan 2: A Celebration of Roma Music and Dance, $18 - $30. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley Campus, Bancroft Way at Telegraph, 642-0212, tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu 

 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; Oct. 19: Little Jonny and the Giants; Doors open at 8 p.m. unless noted. 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

 

 

“Prometeh in Evin” Oct. 28: 8 p.m., A drama about political prisoners in Iran, performed by the brave and innovative Parsian Group. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. $25, Children, $15 2640 College Ave 845.8542 www.juliamorgan.org. 

 

“Approach” Through Oct. 27: Thur. - Sat., 8 p.m. An examination of the search for intimacy as our most precious form of survival. Written by Susan Wiegand, Directed by Katie Bales Frassinelli. $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors. Eighth Street Studio Theatre, 2525 8th St. 655-0813 www.shotgunplayers.org 

 

“36 Views” Through Oct. 28: Tues. 8 p.m., Wed. 7 p.m., Thu. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Thu., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Sat., Sun. 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Written by Naomi Lizuka, Directed by Mark Wing-Davey. $10 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“me/you...us/them”Nov. 8 though Nov. 10: Thur - Sat 8 p.m., matinee on Sat. 2:30 p.m. Three one-acts that look at interpersonal, as well as societal relationships from the perspective of the disabled. $10 - $25. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. 925-798-1300 

 

“Nocturne” Through Nov. 11: Tues./Thurs./Sat. 8 p.m., Weds. & Sun. 7 p.m, matinee on Thurs./Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. Mark Brokaw directs Anthony Rapp in One-Man Show. Written by Adam Rapp. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“Travesties” Through Nov. 17: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., and Thurs., Nov. 15, 8 p.m. A witty fantasy about James Joyce meeting Lenin in Zurich during World War I. Written by Tom Stoppard, Directed by Mikel Clifford. $10. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck. 528-5620 

 

“Macbeth” Nov. 9 though Nov. 18: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m. Presented by the Albany High School Theater Ensemble. $7 adults, $5 students and seniors. Albany High School Little Theater, 603 Key Route Blvd. 559-6550 x4125 theaterensemble@hotmail.com 

 

“Murder Dressed in Satin” by Victor Lawhorn, ongoing. A mystery-comedy dinner show at The Madison about a murder at the home of Satin Moray, a club owner and self-proclaimed socialite with a scarlet past. Dinner is included in the price of the theater ticket. $47.50 Lake Merritt Hotel, 1800 Madison St., Oakland. 239-2252 www.acteva.com/go/havefun 

 

 

Pacific Film Archive Theater Oct. 22: 7 p.m., The Closed Doors; Oct. 23: 7:30 p.m., Super-8mm Films by Theresa Cha; Oct. 24: 7:30 p.m., The Rainy Season and Wai’a Rini; Oct. 26: 7:30 p.m., The Passion of Joan of Arc, 9:15 p.m., Vivre sa Vie; Oct 27: 7 p.m., New Music for Silent Films by UCB Composers; Oct. 28: 5:30 p.m., Vampyr; Oct. 29: 7 p.m., A Time for Drunken Horses; Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m., An Evening with Leslie Thornton; Oct. 31: 7:30 p.m., 9:20 p.m., Saudade do Futuro. 

2575 Bancroft Way, 642-1124 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

 

 

 

“First Annual Art Show” UC Berkeley Life Drawing Group Reception, Through Oct. 26: 7 - 10 p.m. Figure studies from the workshops at UC Berkeley. 1014 60th St., Emeryville. 923-0689 

 

“MWP Perspectives” Jon Orvik: One artist’s journey. Through Oct. 27 Tues. - Fri. 12 - 5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 12 - 4 p.m. Solo artist exhibiting his journey through metal, wood and paint. Adapt Gallery and Design, 2834 College Ave. 649-8501 www.adaptgallery.com  

 

“Cut Plates and Bowls” Annabeth Rosen, “Just Jars” Sandy Simon Through Nov. 3; Saturdays 10 - 5 or by appointment. Trax Ceramic Gallery, 1306 3rd St. 526-0279. cone5@aol.com 

 

“50 Years of Photography in Japan 1951 - 2001” Through Nov. 5: An exhibition from The Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s largest daily newspaper with a national morning circulation of 10,300,000. Photographs of work, love, community, culture and disasters of Japan as seen by Japanese news photographers. Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. U.C. Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism, North Gate Hall, Hearst and Euclid. Free. 642-3383 

 

“Jesus, This is Your Life - Stories and Pictures by Kids” Through Nov. 16: California children, ages four through twelve, from diverse backgrounds present original artwork, accompanied by a story written by the artist. “Cleve Gray, Holocaust Drawings” Oct. 15 through Jan. 25: 21 works on paper inviting the viewer to consider the atrocity of the Holocaust in ways unattainable through words or text. Mon. - Thur. 8:30 a.m. -10 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2541. 

 

 

 

 

 

“Changing the World, Building New Lives: 1970s photographs of Lesbians, Feminists, Union Women, Disability Activists and their Supporters” Through Nov. 17: An exhibit of black and white photographs by Oakland photographer Cathy Cade, who captured the interrelationships of the different struggles for justice and social change. Gallery Hours, Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St. Free. 644-1400 cathycade@mindspring.com 

 

“2001 James D. Phelan Art Awards in Printmaking” Honorees: Bridget Henry, David Kelso, and Margaret Van Patten. Oct. 19 - Nov. 30 Tues. - Fri. noon - 5 p.m., other times by appointment. Kala Art Institue, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977 www.kala.org 

 

“The Whole World’s Watching: Peace and Social Justice Movements of the 1960s and 1970s” Through Dec. 16: A documentary photo exhibition which examines the rich history of the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Wed. - Sun., noon - 5 p.m. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., Live Oak Park. Free. 644-6893 

 

“Musee des Hommages” Masterworks by Guy Colwell Faithful copies of several artists from the pasts, including Titian’s “The Venus of Urbino,” Cezanne’s “Still Life,” Picasso’s “Woman at a Mirror,” and Botticelli’s “Primavera” Ongoing. Call ahead for hours. Atelier 9 2028 Ninth St. (at Addison) 841-4210 or visit www.atelier9.com 

 

 

Boadecia’s Books Oct. 22: J.M. Redmann reads from “Death By the Riverside”; All events start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise. All events are free. 398 Colusa Ave. 559-9184 www.bookpride.com 

 

Cody’s on Telegraph Ave. Oct. 26 Sage Cohen & Mari L’esperance read their poetry; All shows at 7:30 p.m.; 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-7852 

 

Eastwind Books of Berkeley Nov. 10: 4 p.m. Ruthanne Lum McCunn reads from her novel “Moon Pearl”; Nov. 18: 4 p.m. Noel Alumit, M.G. Sorongon, and Marianne Villanueva read from their contributions to the anthology “Tilting the Continent: Southeast Asian American Literature”; 2066 University Ave. 548-2350 

 

Ecology Center Oct. 22: 7 - 9 p.m. Toby Hemenway presents a slideshow and reads from “Gaia’s Garden: A guide to Home Scale Permaculture”; 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-220 x233 

 

 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sun., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sun., noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623


Miserable season continues for winless Bears

Staff By John Nadel, AP Sports Writer
Monday October 22, 2001

UCLA runs over Cal as Paus passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns  

 

PASADENA – California wasn’t about to let DeShaun Foster run wild, as Washington did a week earlier. 

Instead, it was Cory Paus who did the Golden Bears in. 

Paus passed for a season-high 273 yards and three touchdowns in less than three quarters Saturday night as No. 4 UCLA overcame a sluggish start to beat winless California 56-17. 

Foster, who entered the game as the leading rusher in the country with a 162.6-yard average, gained 117 yards on 24 carries and caught two passes for 61 yards. 

Held to 38 yards on 12 carries in the first half, the 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior scored on runs of 1 and 6 yards and a 34-yard pass from Paus. 

Foster ran for a school-record 301 yards on 31 carries and scored four touchdowns in UCLA’s 35-13 victory over Washington. 

“You saw the way they were playing defense – nine guys in the box,” Paus said. “We’re still going to run the ball. I’m just glad we were able to do some things we wanted to do.” 

Paus, who opened the game with an incompletion before connecting on his next 11 passes, finished 13-of-16 without being intercepted. He has attempted 189 straight passes, including 122 this season, without an interception. 

“Close to being perfect,” Paus said. “I would have liked being perfect. I’ll take it, for sure.” 

Paus also threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Smith and a 4-yarder to Ed Ieremia-Stansbury – both in the third period. The Bruins have outscored their six opponents 72-0 in the third quarter. 

“I think he performed real well,” UCLA coach Bob Toledo said of Paus, a fourth-year junior. “They were packing the paint. For the most part, he made them pay for what they were trying to do. And they paid, dearly.” 

The defeat was the ninth straight for Cal – a school record. The Bears (0-6, 0-4) are off to the worst start in the program’s 119-year history. 

Cal has faced one of the country’s most difficult schedules; its opponents have a cumulative 33-2 record. 

The Bears played without quarterback Kyle Boller, sidelined with a back injury. Boller, a junior who has made 24 career starts, led his team to wins over UCLA in each of the last two seasons. 

Eric Holtfreter, making his first career start as Boller’s replacement, completed 11 of 29 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown before being relieved early in the fourth quarter. 

The Bruins put the game away by scoring three touchdowns in the third quarter and another on the first play of the final period – on Foster’s last carry of the game. 

One of the third-quarter touchdowns was a 16-yard blocked punt return by Devon Reese. Marcus Reese, no relation, got the block – the second straight game he has blocked a punt that resulted in a touchdown. 

Akil Harris’ 48-yard touchdown run with 4:22 left put UCLA ahead 56-10. Cal’s Terrell Williams scored on a 4-yard run with one second remaining. 

Joe Igber, who rushed for 91 yards on 17 carries, gained 39 yards on the game’s second play, helping the Bears get into position for Mark Jensen’s 39-yard field goal. 

The Bruins moved 55 yards on four plays the third time they had the ball, scoring when Craig Bragg ran 42 yards on a double reverse. 

The Bears responded by driving 80 yards on 15 plays, with Holtfreter throwing a 14-yard touchdown pass to Charon Arnold. 

The drive was aided by two offside penalties against UCLA, the first while Cal was punting. 

The Bruins moved 76 and 80 yards on their next two possessions to take a 21-10 halftime lead, with Foster scoring both touchdowns. 

The Bruins got a break on the Paus-to-Foster TD pass; Paus was hit by John Klotsche as he threw, and the ball fluttered to Foster, who was alone about 10 yards downfield and nowhere near the intended receiver. 

The game was played before a homecoming crowd of 65,366 at the Rose Bowl. 


Fire memories still burn

By Lena Warmack Daily Planet Correspondent
Monday October 22, 2001

It was a solemn Sunday morning at the Rockridge BART Station where community members and elected city officials came together to honor the lives lost in the 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm and the firefighters who fought bravely. 

“You will always remember what you were doing,” said Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean, remembering the day of the fire. “We’ve come a long way.” 

At the “Phoenix: Looking Back, Moving Forward” 10th Anniversary Oakland/Berkeley Firestorm event, Dean reflected on the tragedy, marked as one of the worst urban-wildland fires in U.S. history. The fire, Dean said, claimed the lives of 25 people, injured 150 residents and fire fighters, and left more than 5,000 homeless. Dean spoke in front of the Fire Storm Community Mural Project made out of decorated tiles dedicated to the fire’s survivors. The mural lines the station’s walls on College Avenue. 

“Many people still have vivid memories and impressions of the fire,” said Berkeley Fire Chief Reginald Garcia. “As a community we have come together. We have survived.” 

Jan Marsh rebuilt her Oakland home after the fire but moved to a Berkeley apartment four years ago because she said the memories were too painful.  

“I lost everything,” Marsh said. 

Marsh recalls being surrounded by flames while she and husband and cat escaped but said an elderly woman who lived across the street did not make it. She holds the city of Oakland partly responsible. 

“I think the city of Oakland was totally unprepared and I feel that they let us down and totally got away with it,” Marsh said. 


Nothing comes of Nothing

Jahlee Arakaki
Monday October 22, 2001

Editor: 

I believe the City Council’s action on Tuesday, while a sincere desire to be a “beacon of light,” does nothing but illuminate the grandiose opinion five Berkeley City Council members have of themselves. It’s not about you, stupid. It’s about over 4,000 lives lost due to suicidal terrorists, and Berkeley is just background noise to a national tragedy. Perhaps the five council members should visit Afghanistan and observe women getting whipped to death for showing their faces and Afghani men plying their hashish trade, with the Taliban ruling over all. 

Yes, people suffer all over the world from corrupt governments and U.S. foreign policy, but Berkeley is an American city protected by a Bill of Rights that you will not find in Afghanistan and Berkeley deservedly uses its rights to the fullest. 

I would have more pride in Berkeley if it was accountable for the taxes it levies. If sewer taxes the city holds actually fixed sewers, mosquito abatement taxes actually abated mosquitoes, and decisions were made in the light of day, rather than “after midnight” deals that pander to special interests while honest citizens sleep. Therein lies the problem — the City Council would rather get attention than pay attention to the pragmatic business of running a city. 

Nothing comes of nothing, and that will be the result of the City Council’s resolution on Afghanistan. 

 

Jahlee Arakaki 

Berkeley


Cal women fall 2-0 to Cougars

By Jared Green, Daily Planet Staff
Monday October 22, 2001

The Cal women’s soccer team continued its October slump on Sunday, losing 2-0 to the visiting Washington State Cougars. 

The Bears were held scoreless for the second game in a row, the first time since 1996 they have gone two games without scoring. 

The Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the 61st minute when Katrina Stroh headed in a corner kick by Beth Childs. The Bears then scored an own goal when midfielder Ashley Valenzuela headed a Washington State cross into her own net eight minutes later. 

“It was the second half that we went flat,” Cal head coach Kevin Boyd said. “I don’t know what's going on. Two games in a row with no goals? They’re certainly not acting like a team in the Pac-10 part of their season that needs wins.”  

The Bears played the second half of Sunday’s game without the services of leading scorer Laura Schott, who sustained a concussion on Friday against Washington when she collided with Husky goalkeeper Hope Solo. Schott was questionable going into Sunday’s game, but Boyd decided to hold her out after the junior forward was hit in the head with a ball during warmups. 

“She tried to go for the first half,” said Cal coach Kevin Boyd. “She came out at halftime and said she didn’t feel completely there. In talking to her during the halftime, we thought it was unsafe for her to play.”  

After bolting out to an 8-1 record to start the season, the 15th-ranked Golden Bears have gone 2-3-1 since to fall to 10-4-1 overall (2-2 Pac-10). The Cougars’ first Pac-10 victory of the season improved their record to 6-5 (1-2).  

Cal has a shot to wrap up the month on a positive note when it travels to No. 8 Stanford this Sunday. The Bears have won the last three meetings with the Cardinal.


School finances get help from crisis team

By Jeffrey Obser Daily Planet Staff
Monday October 22, 2001

State financial fix-it experts officially came to the Berkeley Unified School District’s rescue this week. 

The school board heard Wednesday night from Joel Montero, a consultant with the Financial Crisis and Management Team, a non-profit financial consultancy set up under state legislation, and Alameda County schools superintendent Sheila Jordan, who helped the team come to Berkeley. 

“It’s going to take a little bit of time, but we’re going to get there,” Montero said. 

FCMAT — known as “fick mat” among board members and district administrators who have eagerly awaited its arrival — is based at the Kern County Office of Education and is currently involved in 16 school districts statewide. 

Montero said 30 percent of its activity here will be to resolve the fiscal muddle that led the county to “disapprove” the district budget, Montero said. The rest of its time, he said, will go toward changing management structures. 

“We have to fix those so that when we go away, the work we do can remain,” he said. 

The very first task would be to fix, he said, “the functions of the business office, the day-to-day operations,” including its creaking data-processing system. A full-time FCMAT consultant with a strong technology and business background will play the role of the district “CEO” or associate superintendent for business services until a replacement is found. 

Jordan declined Thursday to estimate how long the consultants would have to be engaged. 

“We’re not making those predictions right now,” she said. “We know it’s a big job because it’s systems job, and there’s a


Berkeley students express themselves through film

By Hank Sims, Daily Planet Staff
Monday October 22, 2001

UC freshmen corrupted by drugged-out Berkeleyans? Suburban youth, high on BART, attempting to sneak into a San Francisco peep show? Too-enthusiastic volleyball players spiking people on the street?  

All this and more was on display at the Third Berkeley High/Bay Area Film Festival, a student-organized exhibition of the works of young Bay Area filmmakers, which aired at the Pacific Film Archive Saturday afternoon. 

Students from Berkeley, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and San Leandro were on hand to show their films — which ranged from commercials and public service announcements to documentaries, from thrillers to comedies to art films — and to discuss how and why they were made. 

Two of the films, both by BHS students, offered different takes on the subject of teen violence. 

“Hot Boxing: Berkeley High Fight Clubs,” by Nick Smith, Kamal Young and Gavin Wagner, told of a phenomenon few in the audience knew existed — “fight clubs,” inspired partly by the movie of the same name, that meet after school hours for informal boxing matches. 

Small parts of several battles, in various and indiscernible locations, are shown; the combatants wear gloves and flail at each other — mostly ineptly, though the occasional shot to the chin does land.  

Interspersed with the fight scenes are interviews with combatants and spectators, and one unnamed BHS official who explains that because it was considered too dangerous, it was removed from the physical education curriculum some time ago. 

Most of the students interviewed in the film agree that some young men are drawn toward physical violence, and that the “fight club” is a relatively safe way to practice it. 

In “Clairvoyance,” by Zack Sultan and Daniel Sanders, a teenager walks down Shattuck Avenue, occasionally bumping against other young men. When they make contact, the frame freezes and the teenager, a clairvoyant, sees an episode of violence in his counterpart’s recent past. One of the young men was held up by two men carrying baseball bats, another was punched by his friend after a game of one-on-one got out of hand. 

The story is told almost completely through music and pictures. Flashback episodes are done partly in live action and partly with still photographs, which catch the emotional pain of the victims, and sometimes the perpetrators, of violence. 

Other films were somewhat more lighthearted. 

“Orange Shoes,” a short film by BHS student Calvin Gaskin — one of the curators of the festival — is an exploration of the roots and meanings of his fellow students’ choices of clothing.  

The subjects in the stylized documentary range from a full-on fashion diva, whose elaborate costumes draw positive and negative attention from her peers in equal measure, to a young man who buys all his clothes from Costco, because it’s the only place you can get “10 white T-shirts for six bucks.” 

One clothes horse says that he refuses to wear Armani — “not because it’s too expensive, but because it’s too bourgie (short for bourgeoisie).” 

“I wanted to express all the different styles and stuff you see at Berkeley High,” said Gaskin. 

Two other films by Berkeley High students were shown — “Gay Youth,” a documentary by Vanessa Duran, and “Beat It,” an anti-smoking public service announcement by Viki Rasmussen. 

After the films, the filmmakers took questions from the audience. One man said that when Berkeley High first started giving classes in video production, many teachers feared that the option to study video would take away from reading and writing programs. He asked the students whether they thought that was true. 

Imperial DeCastro, a Pittsburgh High School student whose public service announcement about teen suicide was a crowd favorite, said that pictures and sound, used in addition to good writing, enabled filmmakers to create moods that connect more deeply with an audience.  

“My film wouldn’t have been as powerful if it was just a written warning,” she said. “Video gives you the ability to get the message across much better.” 

Many of the students expressed an interest in pursuing a career in film or video. Stephen Reedy of California High, whose film, “Midnight in a Perfect World,” was one of the more visually interesting of the festival, said he was grateful for the chance to develop his skills at school. 

“It’s good, as young filmmakers, to develop your style before messing it up with substance,” he said. 


Pac-10 Football Roundup

Staff
Monday October 22, 2001

Stanford 49, No. 5 Oregon 42 

EUGENE, Ore. – Kerry Carter bulled in for a 3-yard touchdown run with 1:10 remaining for Stanford. 

Stanford (4-1, 3-1 Pac-10) rallied from a 42-28 fourth-quarter deficit by blocking a punt and intercepting Oregon’s Joey Harrington pass, turning both turnovers into touchdowns. But the Ducks’ Seth McEwen deflected Mike Biselli’s extra point with 5:32 left, leaving Oregon with a 42-41 lead. 

All Oregon (6-1, 3-1) had to do was salt away the clock, but on third-and-1 from his own 30, Harrington was hit by safety Tank Williams and the ball floated into the hands of diving defensive end Marcus Hoover at the 33. 

On third-and-goal from the 3, Carter was stopped at the line of scrimmage, but got a push from his line to get into the end zone for his fourth touchdown. 

Not only did Stanford stop Oregon’s nation-best 23-game home winning streak, it ruined an undefeated record by the Ducks for the eighth time since 1964. 

 

No. 15 Washington 31,  

Arizona 28 

SEATTLE – Two weeks after separating his throwing shoulder, Cody Pickett ran 3 yards for the winning touchdown with 13 seconds left in Washington’s latest fourth-quarter comeback. 

Pickett threw touchdown passes of 78 and 75 yards in the first quarter and finished 29-of-49 for a career-high 455 yards, with three touchdowns and four interceptions. 

The Huskies (5-1, 3-1 Pac-10) overcame five turnovers to bounce back from their first loss in 13 games. They haven’t lost two straight since coach Rick Neuheisel’s first two games in 1999. 

Arizona is winless in four Pac-10 games and has lost nine straight conference games. 

 

Arizona St. 41, Oregon St. 24 

TEMPE, Ariz. – The big things predicted for Delvon Flowers came true against Oregon State. 

Flowers, who missed last season because of a knee injury, ran for 226 yards and two touchdowns as Arizona State beat the Beavers 41-24 Saturday night. 

He scored on runs of 74 and 28 yards in the biggest game by an Arizona State running back in the last 28 years, and the sixth-best ever. His yardage on 23 carries was the most since Ben Malone set the record of 250 against Oregon State in 1973. 

“I don’t know what to say,” Flowers said. “I owe it to my line and (fullback) Mike Karney. They did a great job getting up there, laying their pads down and pushing the defense back.” 

Jeff Krohn threw a 63-yard pass that the receiver, Shaun McDonald, turned in another score when he recovered his own fumble in the end zone, Justin Taplin threw a 23-yard TD pass on a trick play and Tom Pace scored on an 11-yard run. 

 

Notre Dame 27, USC 16 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Carlyle Holiday has the Notre Dame offense running again and the Irish winning again. 

Holiday fell 2 yards shy of his third straight 100-yard rushing game Saturday as Notre Dame (3-3) overcame an 11-point deficit to beat Southern Cal 27-16 Saturday for its third straight victory after its first ever 0-3 start. 

Holiday, making his fourth start, had a 43-yard run to set up a field goal, a 35-yard TD run, and a 42-yard pass -- Notre Dame’s longest of the season. 

“He’s a weapon every time he touches the ball,” Irish coach Bob Davie said. 

The Irish lost 24-3 to Texas A&M in Holiday’s first start, but he only played the first half because of a neck injury. He’s led the Irish in rushing in each of their victories.


Company scouts new locations for A’s

Bay City News Service
Monday October 22, 2001

The Kansas City, Mo., company that designed Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco has been hired to scout locations for a new stadium for the Oakland Athletics. 

Oakland and Alameda County officials say building a baseball-only park is central to keeping the A’s in town. 

The team’s current ownership has never made a secret of its dislike of the Network Associates Coliseum, which was extensively remodeled for football when the Raiders returned to Oakland in 1995. 

HOK Sports Inc. is expected to complete its study by the end of November, and its findings will be presented to A’s officials by the end of the year, said Rosie Rios, director of economic development for Oakland. 


Cal volleyball pulls out win over UW

Daily Planet Wire Services
Monday October 22, 2001

The Cal women’s volleyball team broke a six match losing streak with a 3-0 victory (30-16, 33-31, 30-20) over Washington, Saturday night at Haas Pavilion. The Bears were again led by freshman Mia Jerkov, who tallied 19 kills and had 11 digs. On Friday, Jerkov had led Cal with 20 kills and 14 digs against Washington State.  

The Bears (6-11 overall, 2-8 Pac-10) also received strong play from sophomore Gabrielle Abernathy, who finished with seven kills and had a team-high 14 digs, while junior Reena Pardiwala had a .400 hitting percentage (eight kills, two errors, 15 attempts) and nine digs. Washington (10-10, 3-8) was led by Kara Bjorklund’s 11 kills. Cal outhit Washington, .254 to .154.  

The Bears set the tone of the match by jumping out to a 5-0 lead in game one and went on to win handily, 30-16. Game two was the most exciting of the match. Cal was down, 29-28 when the Bears were called for a net violation. Fortunately, freshman Camille Leffall responded with a kill to keep Cal alive. UW again took the lead, 30-29, but back-to-back kills by Jerkov gave the Bears a 31-30 advantage. The Huskies tied the contest again, 31-31, but Cal responded with block assists by Pardiwala and senior Candace McNamee and a kill by Leah Young to win 33-31.  

Game three was another strong performance by the Bears as they broke away from a 5-5 tie to win handily, 30-19. The three-game victory over Washington avenged an earlier loss to the Huskies, as Cal fell to UW, 3-0 Sept. 20 in Seattle.  

Cal will next host Santa Clara, Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at Haas Pavilion.


S.F. spending $650K a year on shopping carts

Staff
Monday October 22, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco is spending $650,000 a year to deal with shopping carts left in public places, mostly by the homeless. 

The city collects, cleans and stores the carts. And it also keeps most of the confiscated possessions for months to protect itself from lawsuits, as many homeless people have challenged the city in recent years about missing belongings. 

Belongings are kept for at least 90 days, but only one percent of them are ever claimed. The carts are taken to a city yard off Cesar Chavez Street near Interstate 280. 

There, city workers typically pick through hazardous materials such as syringes, crack pipes, bottles of urine and clothing covered with bodily secretions.


Negotiators meet to discuss BART strike

Staff
Monday October 22, 2001

OAKLAND – For the first time in two weeks, BART officials and union negotiators met to try to keep workers from going on strike Tuesday. 

On Saturday, BART officials reviewed the latest offer from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3993, representing 238 workers. It drops a proposal for pay parity among employees doing the same jobs. 

BART officials asked the union to return to the bargaining table. 

Union officials say they are satisfied with the 22 percent raises over four years, but the sticking point is that they do not want union jobs going to consultants, contractors and other unions. 

If a compromise isn’t reached by Tuesday, leaders of the largest two unions have said they will honor AFSCME’s picket line. BART officials have said they will keep the trains running.


Pebble Beach visits slow

Staff
Monday October 22, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – Golfers used to have to call about a year in advance to secure a place on the green and a room at the resort at Pebble Beach during the peak fall months. 

But nowadays, tourists are getting away with a far shorter lead time. 

Renata Anderson and Stephen Rue of Walnut Creek decided to get in a round of golf and were able to get reservations on two days notice. 

The ordinarily healthy Pebble Beach is being hit hard by the recent downturn. Pebble Beach Co. laid off 170 workers this month — 10 percent of its work force. The cuts follow a drastic drop-off in tourist numbers after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 

Even a month after the attacks, business is down 20 to 30 percent compared with the same period last year. Pebble Beach Co. is even running ads in San Francisco Bay area papers to remind people they have spaces open. 

Officials say this slump has so far been worse than the downturns following the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the 1991 Persian Gulf War.


Many enroll in Arabic classes in attempt to understand region

The Associated Press
Monday October 22, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – Schools offering classes in Arabic and other Middle Eastern languages are being inundated with students who believe that education is the key to understanding the state of today’s world. 

Schools nationwide have reported waiting lists for classes that once had lackluster enrollment from Los Angeles to Stanford to Washington, D.C. 

“The telephone is ringing off the hook every day,” said Shukri Abed, chairman of the languages department at the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. “It is unbelievable. Scores of students are coming. I’ve never seen anything like this.” 

Abed said he’s taking 40 to 50 calls a day from interested students. He typically has 90 students a quarter in his beginning Arabic class, but this year he has 130. 

There is a waiting list for Arabic at the University of California, Los Angeles Extension, where many adults take classes. Administrators there have decided to add another class for winter quarter. At the University of California, Berkeley Extension, an Arabic class was unexpectedly full starting Sept. 12. 

Many Americans say they feel helpless, and the only real difference they can make is by gaining knowledge. And some say they’re willing to dedicate years to learn a language that’s very difficult for native English speakers. 

“It looks as if there will be a lot of U.S. involvement, and people who can speak and read Arabic will be needed,” said Cari Sietstra, 26, a third-year law student at Stanford University. “Our policies in that region certainly will have to be reformulated.” 

Sietstra signed up for a class in Arabic after the Sept. 11 attacks and wants to work in the Middle East after graduation. 

“I knew I would feel better if I was doing something,” Sietstra said. “I can’t donate hundreds of thousands of dollars, and I can’t help fix what happened in New York and Washington, but I can do one small thing that may be useful.” 

The interest was partly spurred by a plea after the attacks from FBI Director Robert Mueller. He called for help from Americans who speak Arabic, Farsi or Pashto. More than 15,000 applications have since flooded the bureau to fill its 200 linguist positions. 

Stockbrokers, lawyers and Vietnam War veterans have signed up for language classes at the Monterey Institute of International Studies to try to help. 

But language experts warn students to not expect to start translating anytime soon. It takes an average of about 63 weeks to get a basic understanding of Arabic, compared to about 25 weeks for Spanish, French, Italian or Portuguese. 

“I thought they were speaking some other language,” said Rick Francona, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who served as Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf’s translator during the Persian Gulf War. “So you have to become conversant in the dialect.” 

And while teachers admire the flurry of interest, they say it’s sad it took a tragedy for people to become interested in the world. 

“It is insane for people like me who have been yelling at empty halls for 25 years,” said Khalil Barhoum, coordinator of Stanford’s program for African and Middle Eastern languages and literature. “Once you know people’s culture, they are not scary. And once you know their language, it is the key to the heart.”


Pediatrician conference addresses bioterrorism and children issues

By Ritu Bhatnagar, Associated Press Writer
Monday October 22, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – Pediatricians and other child-health specialists are urging officials to take steps to protect children against bioterrorism, saying they are especially vulnerable. But the biggest challenge is to prepare for a biological attack without spreading panic. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ annual conference this weekend offered panels addressing how to treat infants and children if they become infected with a bioterrorist agent. 

“They live closer to the ground, so aerosol agents with heavy particles will affect them more,” said Dr. Frederick Henretig, one of the speakers at a panel Sunday. “Their skin is thinner and they can be affected developmentally.” 

The speakers illustrated their concerns by referring to the recent anthrax infection of a 7-month-old baby in New York. The infant is the child of an NBC employee and had been in the studios’ offices, where the baby was likely exposed. 

“We know that children are much more vulnerable to a chemical exposure,” said Steve Berman, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “There’s been talk about decontamination or special uniforms or equipment, but what if those don’t fit children or don’t allow children to be cared for? 

“If we embark on smallpox vaccine or anthrax vaccine, what happens if there are complication rates for children or aren’t as effective for them? It is absolutely critical that people with pediatric specialties are involved in disaster planning,” he said. 

Berman also was quick to point out that while there are many questions that need to be addressed regarding preparedness for bioterrorism and children, there is no need for parents or pediatricians to become overly alarmed creating panic. 

Doctors from around the world attended the conference, fearing that anthrax and other types of bioterrorism may soon spread to their countries. Other sessions, part of a disaster-related series, included psychological concerns as well, such as how to talk to children about crisis and loss. 

“It’s as much in the news (in Australia) as it is here. We’re upping preparation and facilities there,” said Sally McCarthy, an emergency physician from Sydney, Australia, attending the bioterrorism panel to learn more about the affects on children. “I attended a similar conference in Chicago last week and am understanding how important it is to create a network of colleagues around the world to get better prepared.” 

Some doctors said one problem with bioterrorism is that agents are typically easy and cheap for terrorists to obtain, even though it’s often difficult to weaponize materials. 

“Any of you with two semesters of microbiology can go out and grow this stuff yourself,” said Dr. Theodore Cieslack, who also spoke at the bioterrorism panel.


California’s northernmost counties adopt new ‘upstate’ designation

The Associated Press
Monday October 22, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO – An area of California that’s almost the same size as New York state has something else in common with New York: its “upstate” moniker. 

Tired of being unknown or confused with the San Francisco Bay Area when people refer to “Northern California,” the 20 northernmost counties of the Golden State have changed their collective name. 

Economic development officials are referring to the 46,900-square-mile area as “Upstate California,” in an attempt to lure tourists and businesses to the rural north. They’ve even given it a slogan; “Above it all.” 

Although other names, such as California North Country and California’s True North fared better in a survey of business people and public relations professionals, those who organized the campaign opted for “upstate” in order to make a clean break from names that included “north.” 

The new name is part of a $100,000 marketing campaign to give the region — which has about 30 percent of the state’s land and about 4.5 percent of its population — its own identity. The biggest city is Redding, with a population of 80,000. 

The northernmost part of the state has usually lagged behind the rest of California’s economy, with high unemployment that has grown with the closing of lumber mills and consolidation of the timber industry. 

It’s an affordable region, compared to the rest of California’s sky-high rents and land prices, and some high-tech companies, such as Hewlett-Packard Co. and Oracle, are already present there. And it’s still largely agricultural, with prunes and rice two of the major crops.


Analysis: Oracle deal could cost taxpayers 924 Gilman St. Oct. 26: Influents, Plus Ones, Divit, Summerjack, Robot Adrenaline, Claredon Hills; Oct. 27: (Halloween show, $1 off if you’re in a (non-punk) costume!) Babyland, Tsunami Bomb, Scissor Hands, Dex

The Associated Press
Monday October 22, 2001

SACRAMENTO – A $126 million contract with software giant Oracle Corp. has been lauded by state officials as a money-saving success, but a closer review has found that lawmakers may have been too hasty in their effort to approve the first statewide software deal, a newspaper reported Sunday. 

The contract gives all state employees access to Oracle databases for the next 10 years and is expected to save more than $100 million. But based on public documents and interviews, a San Jose Mercury News analysis has found that the deal may end up leaving taxpayers with unnecessary expensive technology. 

State officials relied on a consulting company, Virginia-based Logicon, that was pitching the Oracle deal to outline the savings and benefits of signing the contract, instead of an independent firm. State conflict of interest laws prohibit consultants from pitching technology they would benefit from if the deal was completed, the newspaper reported. 

Officials from the Department of General Services said they were unaware of Logicon’s connection to Oracle. 

“I just recently learned about it,” said Janice King, a procurement manager who helped negotiate the deal. 

King said Legicon “helped with the legwork” but she added that “they weren’t making the decisions. We were.” 

But outside consultants said those negotiating the deal should have been more thorough. 

“This contract goes against every piece of advice we would give our clients,” said Betsy Burton, analyst for Gartner, an independent technology consulting firm. “It makes some big, big assumptions that are very hard to back up.” 

Technology and procurement officials did not properly notify legislators about their bidding, the Mercury News reported. Those officials now admit they made some mistakes but are sticking by the deal they say will be a long-term winner, allowing the state to break even if the price was off by 50 percent. 

“There is a big fudge factor,” King said. “We felt we could be substantially off and still make a safe investment.” 

The oracle deal was calculated by looking at how much the state had spent on Oracle software over the past three years. From that, negotiators assumed that the state would continue buying the same amount of software at the same price it paid in 2000 over the next decade. 

Two weeks after the deal was sealed to meet the company’s May 31 deadline, Oracle cut the cost of some of its software by up to 50 percent. 

“Markets and pricing change so rapidly in information technology,” said Mark Shainman, senior research analyst with the high-tech industry tracing company META Group. “We never advise our clients to lock themselves into one product for 10 years.” 

Oracle insists the deal was fair. 

“We gave the state a fabulous price,” said Ken Glueck, Oracle’s vice president of corporate affairs. 

The state’s technology department also has been criticized for not seeking other bids. But the department has said no other company makes the database software it needed from Oracle. Analysts said that while the state got a steep discount on the software, other companies, such as IBM Corp., could have provided a competitive offer.


Energy secretary announces partnership to build power line

By Steve Lawrence Associated Press Writer
Monday October 22, 2001

SACRAMENTO – U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham announced a public-private partnership Thursday to ease a transmission line bottleneck that contributed to the blackouts that hit California earlier this year. 

The $300 million project will add a third line and make other improvements to Path 15, an 84-mile stretch in the Central Valley where high-voltage north-south transmission lines narrow from three to two. 

That narrowing caused problems in January when Northern California was hit by a power shortage and rolling blackouts and the overloaded Path 15 lines couldn’t bring more electricity from the southern part of the state. 

Abraham said a consortium that includes the federal Western Area Power Administration and the Transmission Agency of Northern California, a group of publicly owned power districts, will make the improvements and share ownership of the new line. 

Other participants are: 

• Pacific Gas & Electric Co., California’s largest privately owned utility and the owner of the two existing Path 15 lines, and one of its sister companies, PG&E National Energy Group. 

• Kinder Morgan Power Co., a Houston-based electricity generator. 

• Williams Energy Marketing and Trading Co., a power wholesaler. 

• Trans-Elect Inc., which offered in February to buy most of California’s power grid for $5.25 billion. Trans-Elect is partly owned by General Electric Co.’s investing arm. 

The Western Area Power Administration will oversee the work, prepare environmental studies and retain part ownership of the new line. But it won’t help pay to build the line and will only get enough revenue from transmission fees to cover its costs, officials said. 

“This proposal will benefit California ratepayers without burdening taxpayers,” Abraham said at a news conference in Palo Alto. 

Under a proposed ownership split, WAPA would own 10 percent of the new line, the Transmission Agency of Northern California would get 45 percent and the private companies would split the rest. 

Abraham said the improvements will allow for transmission of another 1,500 megawatts, approximately enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes. 

Bob Mitchell, vice president of Trans-Elect, said revenues from the new line will be regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and will provide investors with a “modest return.” 

Transmission lines are “not a big profit maker but if you can get a fairly reliable rate of return of 11 to 11.5 percent you can do OK,” he said. 

Development of more power plants in Northern California would make Path 15 expansion less critical, but making the improvements would still be “the prudent thing to do,” Mitchell said. 

Consumer advocate Harvey Rosenfield criticized the deal, saying California would have been better off if the state had bought the transmission lines. 

“I don’t think it’s in California’s interest to have the federal government and a bunch of out-of-state energy companies on the spigot that controls the flow of electricity in California,” he said. 

But Mitchell said private ownership of transmission lines is a better idea. 

“There are other more pertinent tasks that government ought to undertake than getting into the energy business any further than they are,” he said. 

Steve Maviglio, a spokesman for Gov. Gray Davis, said the governor wouldn’t comment until he had seen details of the plan. 

Davis had proposed buying most of the state’s transmission lines as a way to ease the financial problems of California’s three major investor-owned utilities, but that plan was rebuffed by lawmakers and PG&E. 

Associated Press Writer May Wong contributed to this report.


Black firefighters want commitment to racial diversity

By Hank Sims, Daily Planet Staff
Saturday October 20, 2001

A group of Berkeley firefighters are charging the fire department’s chief, Reginald Garcia, has not done enough to promote racial diversity within the department. 

In a letter sent to elected officials and the press Tuesday, Capt. Wayne Dismuke, the president of the Berkeley Black Firefighters Association, claimed that a climate of racial discrimination exists in the Berkeley Fire Department. 

“There is an attitude and a policy being expressed by the current Berkeley Fire Department administration of ‘white only’ employment,” wrote Dismuke. “We have tried on several occasions to express our concerns to the current Fire Department administration, only to find that (they) have not received a positive response.” 

In an interview Friday, Dismuke, who joined the department in 1967, said the Association decided to make their complaint public after Garcia allegedly misled him about new hires during a telephone call. 

Dismuke said Garcia called him about six weeks ago to say the department planned to hire six new firefighters in the beginning of October. He said he was surprised when the department actually hired 10 new firefighters – none of them African-Americans.  

“What he told me he was going to do, he didn’t do,” Dismuke said.  

Dismuke said there were African-American candidates on the hiring list when the 10 new firefighters were selected. 

Dismuke said Garcia’s predecessor, Gary Cates, “understood our concerns” and addressed them.  

He said Garcia’s legacy could be discerned by his hiring record. Since he took over the department in 1997, Dismuke said Garcia has hired 41 new employees, three of whom were African-American. 

“He’s the kind of guy we feel we can’t really work with,” Dismuke said. “He been here four years and he hasn’t helped the problem – he’s just exacerbated it.” 

Garcia could not be reached for comment Friday. 

Part of the problem, Dismuke said, is Garcia has not given the Association details about what the department looks for when recruiting new hires. If the Association had guidelines for new hires, Dismuke said, they could actively recruit African-American candidates for new positions.  

“African-American candidates are a commodity,” Dismuke said. “There’s not very many of them out there, and we should be actively recruiting them. 

“This is the kind of thing they advocate in Berkeley, but they’re not practicing what they preach here.” 

Dismuke, now the longest-serving firefighter in the department, was himself, the product of an affirmative action campaign. He was one of six firefighters recruited by the BFD in 1967, at a time, according to a document on the department’s Web site, when “efforts to increase the diversity of the department became a priority.” 

Dismuke said he has taken his concerns to City Manager Weldon Rucker, but was not satisfied by his response so far. 

“The city manager said he was ‘sympathetic’ to our concerns,” Dismuke said. “Unfortunately, sympathy has not translated into action.” 

Rucker and BFD spokesman Dave Orth could not be reached for comment.


Out & About Calendar

– Compiled by Guy Poole
Saturday October 20, 2001


Saturday, Oct. 20

 

Private Elementary School  

Panel Discussion and Fair 

10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

College Avenue Presbyterian Church 

5951 College Ave. 

Parents representing 12 selected schools will discuss issues parents encounter when searching for private elementary schools, including the admissions process. Sponsored by Neighborhood Parents Network. Open to the public. $5 - $10. 527-6667 www.parentsnet.org 

 

UC Berkeley Community  

Action Day 

9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

People’s Park 

Haste and Hillegass avenues 

More than 300 students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and student groups will participate in an all day event, carrying out service projects throughout the city. 643-0306 kinyon@uclink4.berkeley.edu 

 

Earthquake Retrofitting 

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Office of Emergency Services 

812 Page St.  

Free classes in Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). 981-5605 www.ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

BART Job Fair 

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave 

BART will be recruiting to fill approximately 160 jobs that will be opening up next year. The jobs to be filled are in accounting, planing, engineering, insurance, purchasing, police, maintenance and electronics. 

 

Symposium on New Science  

of Aging 

10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Valley Life Sciences Building 

Room 2040 

UC Berkeley 

Lectures by prominent gerontologists and industry scientists will featured, plus leading biotechnology companies and research institutions will provide information about their research programs in aging and will discuss opportunities for collaboration and employment. 486-6096 http://crea.berkeley.edu/ 

 

Historical Society Walking  

Tour 

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Berkeley Historical Society 

1931 Center St. 

Patrick Keilch will lead tour of the Berkeley Hills and relate his hands-on experiences and observations from the wildfire of 1991. 848-0181 www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ histsoc/ 

 

Berkeley High School  

Workshop 

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Berkeley Alternative High School 

1950 Derby St. 

Academic Workshop for parents on the graduation requirements for Berkeley High School. 644-8524 

 

Oakland Hills Fire  

Commemorative Walk and  

Pot Luck Dinner 

5 -9 p.m. 

5999 Grizzly Peak 

Walk led by Oakland Fire Department and CORE graduates. Participants should bring pot luck dishes to feed eight guests. 273-9111 www.nhphoenix.org 

 

Puppet Shows 

1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

The Kids on the Block perform two shows to promote acceptance and understanding of cultural and medical differences. 549-1564 

 

Discussion of Current Legal  

Issues 

9 a.m. - 11 p.m. 

Boalt Hall 

UC Berkeley 

Top litigators, legal scholars and media experts participate in several panels discussions concerning some of the nation’s most closely watched legal issues. 643-6673 

 


Sunday, Oct. 21

 

UNtraining White Liberal  

Racism 

2 - 5 p.m. 

The UNtraining offers personal work in a supportive setting for white people to address our unconscious racial conditioning. $10. Private residence, call 235-6134 for address.  

 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between 3rd and 4th Streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 

654-6346 

 

Israeli peace speakers 

7 p.m. 

Israeli peace activists speak 

La Pena Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 

 

Halloween Magic 

1 - 2 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond JCC Auditorium 

1414 Walnut St.  

Los Angeles Magician and Comedian “Hotei the Magic Guy.” For kids 2 through 12 and their parents. $7. 236-7469 www.thebuddyclub.com 

 

Berkeley Architectural  

Heritage Fall House Tour 

1 - 5 p.m. 

St. Clement’s Episcopal Church 

Claremont Blvd. & Russell St.  

This year’s tour “Around the Claremont Hotel” features ten houses in the historic neighborhood of residences and gardens that surround the landscaped park of the hotel. There will be a reception at one of the houses. $30. 841-2242 

 

Third Annual Sisters of Fire  

Awards 

3 - 6 p.m. 

First Unitarian Church of Oakland 

14th and Castro streets 

The Women of Color Resource Center will honor Congresswoman Barbara Lee with an award for Courage and Conscience. This year’s program, “Forward from Durban: Raising Women’s Voices Against War and Racism,” will also feature reports from women who traveled to the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa. $15 - $50 sliding scale. 848-9272 www.coloredgirls.org 

 

Run for Peace 

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Berkeley Marina 

Participants can choose 10 K run, 5 K run or 5K walk. $18 per participant. For registration form call 849-1742 or e-mail unarunforpeace@yahoo.com 

 


Monday, Oct 22

 

Franciscanism, Understanding  

the Vision 

1 - 2 p.m. 

Franciscan School of Theology 

1712 Euclid Ave. 

Graduate Theological Union presents seminar exploring the lives, times and writings of and about Francis and Clare of Assisi. 848-5232 

 

Interfaith Couples Look at  

Love and Choices 

7:30 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St.  

Two films to stimulate discussion about interfaith families, love and identity. $25 per couple. 548-0237 

 


Tuesday, Oct. 23

 

UNtraining White Liberal  

Racism 

2 - 5 p.m. 

The UNtraining offers personal work in a supportive setting for white people to address our unconscious racial conditioning. $10. Private residence, call 235-6134 for address.  

 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

548-3333


The Berkeley Tennis Club is really in Oakland

Susan Cerny
Saturday October 20, 2001

The Berkeley Tennis Club, located at 1 The Tunnel Rd., is tucked rather inconspicuously beneath the Claremont Hotel. Although both are officially in Oakland, the club was founded in Berkeley in 1906.  

The original Berkeley Tennis Club was located at 2624 Hillegass Ave. and consisted of two simple rolled earth tennis courts.  

Two years later, a woodsy shingled clubhouse was erected next to the courts. The club was so popular that by 1909 there were five tennis courts and a membership of more than 150.  

Although the original clubhouse was converted to a home after the club moved to its present location in 1917, the building retains most of its original charm.  

The main social room is paneled with unpainted redwood and has a high-pitched ceiling. The large fireplace is constructed of clinker brick. This clubhouse was designed by Walter Ratcliff, Jr. and Alfred Henry Jacobs and is a city of Berkeley Landmark.  

In 1917 the Berkeley Tennis Club moved to its present location on property leased from the Claremont Hotel, which opened in 1915. The architect of this sprawling building was Roland I. Stringham. Like the original clubhouse, the club’s “new” building also contains a large social room with wood paneling, maple flooring and exposed truss work. A small stage at one end of the room was included for theatrical productions.  

Historically, the Berkeley Tennis Club is associated with William C. (”Pop”) Fuller who served as an unofficial coach for the junior members for 26 years. Among his protégés were Helen Wills Moody and Helen Jacobs, who both played at Wimbledon. 

Jacobs was also selected twelve times to the Wightman Cup team. Hazel Hotchkiss (Wightman), who joined the Club in 1906, won 43 national championships and was elected to the National Lawn Tennis Hall of Fame. Maurice McLoughlin won the National Men’s Singles in 1912. Thomas Bundy was a Wimbledon finalist in 1913 and captain of the Davis Cup team in 1914. William M. Johnson won the National in 1915 and was also member of the Davis Cup team. The William M. Johnson award is given each year by the United States Lawn Tennis Association Hall of Fame. 

After the 1991 Firestorm, the Club provided shelter for 26 families. 

 

 

– Susan Cerny is the author of “Berkeley Landmarks.” She writes Berkeley Observed in conjunction with the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.


Redistricting lines explained

Mike O’Malley,Dave Blake
Saturday October 20, 2001

Editor: 

We’ll start responding to the empty exaggerations and invective in David Tabb’s “art of gerrymandering” letter to the Planet (10/16) by clearing up one easy point: The “O’Malley” in the “O’Malley/Blake” redistricting proposal is Mike, not his wife Becky. He’s the tall one, with the beard. He spoke for our plan at Council, so that’s one fact it shouldn’t have been hard for Tabb to get straight. 

Gerrymandering: Tabb tries to damn us with this accusation while evading any discussion of the odd line-drawing that actually constitutes gerrymandering. That may be because the most gerrymandered proposal submitted was the one he co-authored with District 8 Councilmember Polly Armstrong’s Planning Commissioner, MaryAnn McCamant. (For all Tabb’s complaints about dishonesty, he might have mentioned his role in this process.) Tabb is District 5 Councilmember Miriam Hawley’s Planning Commissioner. 

Tabb’s plan was to take the Bateman neighborhood around Alta Bates Hospital (south of Russell from College to Telegraph) out of District 7 (which needed more population, not less), annexing the entire neighborhood to District 8. We argued successfully to the Council that this plan was a gerrymander, drastically distorting for political advantage the district lines defined in the 1986 District Elections Initiative. Bateman neighbors agreed with us, and came to Council to speak for our plan and against Tabb’s. 

Our plan, in contrast, was designed “to preserve the Districts to the extent possible,” as the Charter states. We tried to make every change just one block off the lines; we moved eight scattered blocks (out of 1,100 in the entire city) to districts two blocks away. Tabb’s plan moved 23 blocks of Bateman as much as six blocks away into District 8. 

Defending student interests that Tabb claims we betrayed: perhaps we should have tried harder. The students called for creating a student super-majority district, one that would be heavily favored to unseat the incumbent and elect a student. Tabb proposed moving the single-family-home South end of District 7 into District 8, making District 7 (currently represented by a progressive) into a 65 percent student district; the progressive councilmembers could have moved the student-dense North end of 7 into District 8, making District 8 (currently represented by a conservative) a 65 percent student district. Instead, they chose to make both districts 50 percent student. It’s a telling sign of how conservatives feel about the student vote that it is this act of fairness that makes them howl. 

Procedural issues: Tabb’s accusations of secrecy, conspiracy, and last-minute underhandedness are red herrings. Our plan was delivered to Council on Aug. 15, and was available on the Internet soon after. Councilmembers requested a few changes. So what? Councilmembers change proposals all the time – it’s their job. The amendment Vice Mayor Shirek proposed at the second public hearing on Oct. 2 made minor refinements to our plan, moving one block back into District 1 and five border Bateman blocks back into District 7. Eight other blocks shifted minimally to balance the population differences caused by those changes. The measure was not voted on at the public hearing, but was continued so that the proposed changes could be documented by staff before the actual vote a week later.  

Sour Grapes: This term is outside the normal scope of political science, so it’s not surprising that Tabb misuses it to describe how he felt the progressives tried to characterize him. It means belittling a prize you failed to win. The correct phrase is Sore Loser. 

Mike O’Malley 

Dave Blake 

Berkeley 

The authors submitted the O’Malley/Blake redistricting plan, which formed the basis for the plan adopted by the Council on Oct. 9


One-man show “Nocturne” opens at the Rep

By John Angell Grant, Special to the Planet
Saturday October 20, 2001

The two Rapp brothers were not joined at birth, but they are joined in“Nocturne,” a play which opened Wednesday on Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s thrust stage as the first show in that company’s Parallel Season of less-traditional stage works. 

Thirty-three-year-old playwright Adam Rapp is the author of this award-winning one-man play. His younger brother, 29-year-old Anthony Rapp, is the performer. 

“Nocturne” premiered last fall at Cambridge's American Repertory Theater. It won Boston's Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding New Script, and Best New Play by the Independent Reviewers of New England. It was later selected as one of the Burns Mantle 10 Best Plays of the 2000-2001 season. 

Playwright Adam Rapp has a substantial literary resume, including more than a half-dozen stage works. In addition, his published novels include: “Missing the Piano” (Viking/HarperCollins), “The Buffalo Tree” (Front Street/HarperCollins), and “The Copper Elephant” (Front Street/HarperCollins). 

Anthony has an equally-impressive performance resume, with many New York stage credits. Most notably, he originated the role of Mark Cohen in the Pulitzer Prize-winning “Rent.” 

Anthony’s film performances include “Adventures in Babysitting,” “Road Trip,” and Ron Howard's upcoming “A Beautiful Mind,” starring Russell Crowe. He recently released a solo rock CD “Look Around.” 

“Nocturne” is a 90-minute show with no intermission. It tells the disturbing story of a 32-year-old writer sitting up all night in a spartan, book-strewn, New York East Village apartment, narrating to the audience how his unhappy life has played out since he decapitated his 9-year-old sister in an automobile accident 15 years earlier. That accident destroyed all family relationships.  

The telling of “Nocturne” becomes the narrator’s struggle to navigate back through this tragedy and see if there’s any way that he, or his remaining family members can recover their lives. 

An insomniac up all night in the darkest hours of isolation, this nameless narrator, known as The Son, meditates on the worst nightmare of his life. 

“Nocturne” divides into three story segments. In the first, the narrator tells of circumstances leading up to and immediately following the death. The second segment describes his ensuing flight to New York and isolation from the world. The third is his attempt to reconnect 15 years later. 

Despite its shocking story and gory details, the first segment is the Achilles heel in this play. Here we understand that the narrator has played the tragic death episode over and over in his mind for 15 years, hoping to see it some different way. 

As a writer, he analyzes the language of his accounts of the tragedy, looking for more meaning. 

Though it's a powerful segment initially, it goes on and on and eventually loses some of that power. You can squeeze only so much drama out of a traumatized man who has disconnected from the world, remaining obsessively isolated. 

Further, a couple of early story elements (the sister’s death, the father’s gun) threaten to play like potboiler fiction. 

Performance-wise, it also seems in this segment, the story underneath the text asks to be played against the grain of the text on the surface. But with Rapp's earnest and obsessive performance, he and director Mark Brokaw have chosen not to do that. 

In the second story segment, the family implodes after the death. The narrator flees his hometown in Illinois for New York's East Village, a minimalist job in a used book store and a literary career in isolation. 

Finally, 15 years later, he revisits a dying father to find some connection and peace after years of estrangement. 

This last segment is the most satisfying, since we finally experience a connected human relationship, as actor Rapp plays dialogue scenes between himself and his father. 

Set designer Neil Patel’s unusual, long, narrow, back-lit, horizontal panel extends the width of a dark, book-littered bare stage. Initially, the panel’s imposing light communicates late night insomnia. Later it reveals strings of words from the life of the emerging writer. Finally, it relaxes into a snowfall. 

“Nocturne” is a play about finding a way to grow beyond development-stopping traumas, and out of the pain and fear of isolation. It’s about working through deep grief and coming back to emotional life and sensibility, even if it’s years later. 

And perhaps because the audience spends a long time in the emotional desert of the show’s lengthy opening segment, when the reconnection and recovery payoff finally come in “Nocturne,” it is a moving experience. 

 

 

 

Daily Planet theater reviewer John Angell Grant has written for American Theatre, Back Stage West, Callboard and many other publications. E-mail him at jagplays@yahoo.com. 

 


Arts & Entertainment Calendar

Compiled by Guy Poole
Saturday October 20, 2001

Campus, Bancroft Way at Telegraph, 642-0212, tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu 

 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; Oct. 19: Little Jonny and the Giants; Doors open at 8 p.m. unless noted. 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

 

Shafqat Ali Khan Oct. 20: 8 p.m. Concert of classical Ragaa, Sufi, Urdu, Persian Ghazel, and other popular musical styles from India. $20 general admission, $15 students. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. 845-8542 www.juliamorgan.org 

 

 

“Prometeh in Evin” Oct. 28: 8 p.m., A drama about political prisoners in Iran, performed by the brave and innovative Parsian Group. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. $25, Children, $15 2640 College Ave 845.8542 www.juliamorgan.org. 

 

“Swanwhite” Through Oct. 21: Thur. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. A new translation of the Swedish Play that asks the question what good is romantic love, directed by Tom Clyde. $20, Sundays are “Pay What You Can”. Transparent Theater, 1901 Ashby Ave. 883-0305, www.virtuous.com 

 

“Orestes” Through Oct. 21: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. An adaptation of the classical play by Euripides that incorporates passages inspired or taken from various 20th century texts. Written by Charles Mee, Directed by Christopher Herold. $6-12. Zellerbach Playhouse on the UC Berkeley campus 642-8268 

 

“Approach” Through Oct. 27: Thur. - Sat., 8 p.m. An examination of the search for intimacy as our most precious form of survival. Written by Susan Wiegand, Directed by Katie Bales Frassinelli. $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors. Eighth Street Studio Theatre, 2525 8th St. 655-0813 www.shotgunplayers.org 

 

“36 Views” Through Oct. 28: Tues. 8 p.m., Wed. 7 p.m., Thu. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Thu., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Sat., Sun. 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Written by Naomi Lizuka, Directed by Mark Wing-Davey. $10 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“me/you...us/them” Nov. 8 though Nov. 10: Thur - Sat 8 p.m., matinee on Sat. 2:30 p.m. Three one-acts that look at interpersonal, as well as societal relationships from the perspective of the disabled. $10 - $25. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. 925-798-1300 

 

“Nocturne” Through Nov. 11: Tues./Thurs./Sat. 8 p.m., Weds. & Sun. 7 p.m, matinee on Thurs./Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. Mark Brokaw directs Anthony Rapp in One-Man Show. Written by Adam Rapp. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“Travesties” Through Nov. 17: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., and Thurs., Nov. 15, 8 p.m. A witty fantasy about James Joyce meeting Lenin in Zurich during World War I. Written by Tom Stoppard, Directed by Mikel Clifford. $10. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck. 528-5620 

 

“Macbeth” Nov. 9 though Nov. 18: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m. Presented by the Albany High School Theater Ensemble. $7 adults, $5 students and seniors. Albany High School Little Theater, 603 Key Route Blvd. 559-6550 x4125 theaterensemble@hotmail. com 

“Murder Dressed in Satin” by Victor Lawhorn, ongoing. A mystery-comedy dinner show at The Madison about a murder at the home of Satin Moray, a club owner and self-proclaimed socialite with a scarlet past. Dinner is included in the price of the theater ticket. $47.50 Lake Merritt Hotel, 1800 Madison St., Oakland. 239-2252 www.acteva.com/go/havefun 

 

 

Pacific Film Archive Theater : 7:30 p.m., Jungle Secrets, Yãkwa; Oct. 20: 3:30 p.m., Berkeley High/Bay Area Film Festival; 7 p.m., The Testament of Dr. Mabuse; 9:20 p.m., The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse; Oct. 21: 3:30 p.m., Kiss and Film, 5:30 p.m., Harakiri; Oct. 22: 7 p.m., The Closed Doors; Oct. 23: 7:30 p.m., Super-8mm Films by Theresa Cha; Oct. 24: 7:30 p.m., The Rainy Season and Wai’a Rini; Oct. 26: 7:30 p.m., The Passion of Joan of Arc, 9:15 p.m., Vivre sa Vie; Oct 27: 7 p.m., New Music for Silent Films by UCB Composers; Oct. 28: 5:30 p.m., Vampyr; Oct. 29: 7 p.m., A Time for Drunken Horses; Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m., An Evening with Leslie Thornton; Oct. 31: 7:30 p.m., 9:20 p.m., Saudade do Futuro. 

2575 Bancroft Way, 642-1124 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

“Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey” Oct. 20: 1 p.m. The documentary chronicles Bunche, who rose to become Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, where he helped to bring about the Armistice in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War for which he was later awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. $8. Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak Street Oakland, 652-3192 

 

 

“First Annual Art Show” UC Berkeley Life Drawing Group Reception, Oct. 20: 3 p.m.; Oct. 21- 26: 7 - 10 p.m. Figure studies from the workshops at UC Berkeley. 1014 60th St., Emeryville. 923-0689 

 

“MWP Perspectives” Jon Orvik: One artist’s journey. Through Oct. 27 Tues. - Fri. 12 - 5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 12 - 4 p.m. Solo artist exhibiting his journey through metal, wood and paint. Adapt Gallery and Design, 2834 College Ave. 649-8501 www.adaptgallery.com  

 

“Cut Plates and Bowls” Annabeth Rosen, “Just Jars” Sandy Simon Through Nov. 3; Saturdays 10 - 5 or by appointment. Trax Ceramic Gallery, 1306 3rd St. 526-0279. cone5@aol.com 

 

“50 Years of Photography in Japan 1951 - 2001” Through Nov. 5: An exhibition from The Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s largest daily newspaper with a national morning circulation of 10,300,000. Photographs of work, love, community, culture and disasters of Japan as seen by Japanese news photographers. Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. U.C. Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism, North Gate Hall, Hearst and Euclid. Free. 642-3383 

 

“Jesus, This is Your Life - Stories and Pictures by Kids” Through Nov. 16: California children, ages four through twelve, from diverse backgrounds present original artwork, accompanied by a story written by the artist. “Cleve Gray, Holocaust Drawings” Oct. 15 through Jan. 25: 21 works on paper inviting the viewer to consider the atrocity of the Holocaust in ways unattainable through words or text. Mon. - Thur. 8:30 a.m. -10 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2541. 

 

“Changing the World, Building New Lives: 1970s photographs of Lesbians, Feminists, Union Women, Disability Activists and their Supporters” Through Nov. 17: An exhibit of black and white photographs by Oakland photographer Cathy Cade, who captured the interrelationships of the different struggles for justice and social change. Gallery Hours, Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St. Free. 644-1400 cathycade@mindspring.com 

 

“2001 James D. Phelan Art Awards in Printmaking” Honorees: Bridget Henry, David Kelso, and Margaret Van Patten. Oct. 19 - Nov. 30 Tues. - Fri. noon - 5 p.m., other times by appointment. Kala Art Institue, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977 www.kala.org 

 

“The Whole World’s Watching: Peace and Social Justice Movements of the 1960s and 1970s” Through Dec. 16: A documentary photo exhibition which examines the rich history of the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Wed. - Sun., noon - 5 p.m. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., Live Oak Park. Free. 644-6893 

 

“Musee des Hommages” Masterworks by Guy Colwell Faithful copies of several artists from the pasts, including Titian’s “The Venus of Urbino,” Cezanne’s “Still Life,” Picasso’s “Woman at a Mirror,” and Botticelli’s “Primavera” Ongoing. Call ahead for hours. Atelier 9 2028 Ninth St. (at Addison) 841-4210 or visit www.atelier9.com 

 

Readings 

 

Boadecia’s Books Oct. 18: Patricia Nell Warren reads from her novel “The Wild Man”, Oct. 22: J.M. Redmann reads from “Death By the Riverside”; All events start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise. All events are free. 398 Colusa Ave. 559-9184 www.bookpride.com 

 

Cody’s on 4th Street Oct 18: Tamora Pierce talks about “Protector of the Small”; 1730 Fourth St. 559-9500 

 

Cody’s on Telegraph Ave. Oct. 10: Timothy Liu & Sam Will read their poetry; Oct. 14: Laurie Duesing & Mary Julia Klimenko read their poetry; Oct. 15: Amir Aczel poses The Riddle of the Compass: The Invention That Changed the World; Oct. 16: Kip Fulbeck talks about “Paper Bullets”; Oct. 17: Valerie Berry, Terry Ehret & Grace Grafton read their poetry; Oct. 18: Suzanne Antoneta & Micah Perks talk about “Body Toxic: An Environmental Memoir” and “Pagan Time: An American Childhood; Oct. 26 Sage Cohen & Mari L’esperance read their poetry; All shows at 7:30 p.m.; 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-7852 

 

Coffee Mill Poetry Series Oct. 16: 7 - 9 p.m. Steve Arntsen and Kathleen Dunbar followed by open mike reading. 3363 Grand Ave., Oakland 465-3935 ksdgk@earthlink.net 

 

Eastwind Books of Berkeley Oct. 20: Miriam Ching Louie reads from “Sweatshop Warriors: Immigrant Women Workers Take on the Global Factory”; Nov. 10: 4 p.m. Ruthanne Lum McCunn reads from her novel “Moon Pearl”; Nov. 18: 4 p.m. Noel Alumit, M.G. Sorongon, and Marianne Villanueva read from their contributions to the anthology “Tilting the Continent: Southeast Asian American Literature”; 2066 University Ave. 548-2350 

 

Ecology Center Oct. 22: 7 - 9 p.m. Toby Hemenway presents a slideshow and reads from “Gaia’s Garden: A guide to Home Scale Permaculture”; 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-220 x233 

 

Tours 

 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sun., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sun., noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623  

 

 

Museums 

 

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins; Oct. 21: United Nations Day; Oct. 25: A Storytelling Pajama Party, 6 - 7 p.m.; Oct. 27: 4th Annual Habitot Halloween; Oct. 28: Family Arts Day; Oct. 31: Sugar-Art Halloween Frosting; Nov. 3: Tales from the Enchanted Forest, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.; Nov. 9: Living with the Earth; Nov. 17: Recycle that Stuff; $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. Mon. and Wed., 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tues. and Fri., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thur., 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111 or www.habitot.org  

 

UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20 foot by 40 foot replica of the fearsome dinosaur made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing. “Pteranodon” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22-23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Free. Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 642-1821 

 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology will close its exhibition galleries for renovation. It will reopen in early 2002.  

 

University of California Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive has reopened after its summerlong seismic retrofit. “Martin Puryear: Sculpture of the 1990s” through Jan. 13; “The Dream of the Audience: Theresa Hak Kyung Cha (1951 - 1982)” through Dec. 16; “Face of Buddha: Sculpture from India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia” ongoing rotation through 2003; “Matrix 194: Jessica Bronson, Heaps, layers, and curls” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; “Matrix 192: Ceal Floyer 37’4”” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thur. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., PFA Theater, 2575 Bancroft Way; Museum Galleries 2626 Bancroft Way; 642-0808 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

Lawrence Hall of Science “Within the Human Brain,” ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. “Saturday Night Stargazing,” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza. Saturdays 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. 642-5132 

 

Holt Planetarium Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. “Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu  

 

Send arts events two weeks in advance to Calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.net, 2076 University, Berkeley 94704 or fax to 841-5694.


Eagles, referees too much for St. Mary’s to handle

By Jared Green,Daily Planet Staff
Saturday October 20, 2001

Harsh calls and clutch drive give Kennedy 35-30 win 

 

For quite a while on Friday afternoon, it looked as if the St. Mary’s football team had two opponents on the field at Kennedy High: the Eagles and the officials. 

The game was a good one, with the lead changing hands four times in the second half and spectacular plays on both sides of the ball. But what could have been a rousing win for the Panthers turned into a questionable 35-30 win for Kennedy when some terrible calls turned the game in the Eagles’ favor. 

With the Panthers up 30-29 in the fourth quarter, Kennedy’s Jamyah Fisher caught a short pass over the middle and fumbled the ball, with St. Mary’s recovering. But after some discussion among themselves, the officials ruled that Fisher’s forward progress had been stopped prior to the fumble and gave the ball back to the Eagles, saying that although a whistle had not blown before the ball came out, the play was dead at that point. 

Later in the quarter, St. Mary’s safety Trestin George appeared to break up a fourth-down pass that would have sealed the game for the Panthers. But once again, an officials’ conference resulted in a break for the Eagles, as George was called for pass interference. The resulting first down extended the drive that became the winning score for Kennedy. 

The Eagles, it must be said, took advantage of the breaks, as good teams do. On a 4th-and-1 on the St. Mary’s 39, Kennedy quarterback Ricky Duffy broke a sneak for 31 yards, putting the ball inside the 10. One play later, Joe Washington ran a reverse in for the winning touchdown. 

“I just took off and kept going,” Duffy said of his game-breaking run. “I just didn’t want to be tackled.” 

The Eagles won the game despite being being outgained on offense, 419-202. Penalties and special teams play, however, negated the St. Mary’s advantage, as several promising drives into Kennedy territory were rebuffed by flags on the Panthers. Throw in an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Fisher that tied the score at 22-22 late in the third quarter, and the picture gets a little clearer. 

“The first half we had a lot of penalties and missed opportunities,” St. Mary’s head coach Jay Lawson said. “Then the game turned into a track meet for a while.” 

Lawson restrained himself when commenting on the officials, although he and his fellow coaches made their thoughts clear during the game. 

“You never want to blame officials for a loss, but they killed three of our drives,” Lawson said. “But that’s what happens on the road. You’re just not going to get the calls.” 

The Panthers took their last lead at the end of the third quarter, as quarterback Steve Murphyspun out of a potential sack and found wide receiver Ryan Coogler open behind the defense. Coogler gained 64 yards on the play, and Murphy scored on a 3-yard keeper on the following play. George pounded a two-point conversion in to put the Panthers up 30-29. 

George had his usual stellar day on offense, picking up 178 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Coogler had 137 receiving yards, including a 67-yard touchdown catch-and-run to put his team up 15-0 in the second quarter.  

The Panthers had a lead at 22-15 after George’s 20-yard touchdown run, keyed by a nice downfield block by wideout Courtney Brown. But after Fisher’s big touchdown return, Murphy threw an interception when his arm was hit as he threw, and Duffy found Alan Drummond on a play-action pass on the next play for an 18-yard score and a 29-22 lead. 

Murphy threw for two scores in the first half and had 198 yards on the day, a number which could have been bigger. But a 31-yard pass to Chase Moore on the opening drive was called back for offensive pass interference, with the Eagles somehow getting both the yards for the penalty and the turnover on downs, the first of many calls that brought a furor on the officials’ heads from the St. Mary’s sideline.


Local schools incorporate nutritional awareness

By Jeffrey Obser, Daily Planet Staff
Saturday October 20, 2001

John Muir Elementary School held a Squash-o-Rama Friday, part of an ongoing effort in the district and around the state to promote nutritional awareness among young students. 

At lunchtime, students lined up to sample dozens of delectable frittatas, sautés, pasta-like casseroles, and even desserts, all prepared and served by parent volunteers. 

Nabil Abdelfattah, father of a third-grader, said the children had learned this: “There’s life beyond hot dogs.” 

Squash-o-Rama, and a mini student walk-a-thon afterwards, both stemmed from federal and nonprofit grants aimed at helping young kids appreciate healthy foods and exercise.  

“The main thrust of this is the rising trend of obesity, childhood diabetes, and poor nutrition that’s leading to chronic disease and cancer,” said Erica Peng, who supervises the school district’s Nutrition Network Program. 

In 1996, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began targeting a portion of its food-stamp funds toward education, encouraging healthier eating habits among kids from low-income households. 

This year, 10 Berkeley schools have divided up $1 million from those funds, distributed throughout the state health services department’s Nutrition Network program. Local governments, churches and colleges have also received money from the state to seed farmers’ markets and conduct health education. 

The school district pays stipends to about 30 teachers to teach gardening and cooking classes and find ways to incorporate nutrition into the broader instructional program. It also holds one-time trainings for afterschool coordinators and extended day care teachers, Peng said. 

The most visible result of the nutrition push has been salad bars offering Berkeley Farmers’ Market fare in school cafeterias – a popular addition, according to Peng. 

“The test will be that enough participation happens that a profit can be generated” to help sustain nutritional services beyond the grant money,” she said. 

In Berkeley, the program is supplemented by nonprofit aid, most significantly from the Center for Eco-Literacy. Four elementary schools (John Muir, Rosa Parks, Washington, and Oxford) and the Common Ground small school at Berkeley High have received $10,000 each from the Berkeley nonprofit. 

Nutrition Network funds are also at work elsewhere in the city. Berkeley’s public health department sponsors a part-time education instructor at the Berkeley High student health center, and the Berkeley Food Policy Council runs a Tuesday afternoon mini-farmer’s market at the Bay Area Hispano Institute for Advancement day care center at 1000 Camelia Street.  

California is one of 20 states participating in the federal grant, said David Ginsburg, a cancer prevention and nutrition expert at the state health services department. The state received about $48 million this fiscal year. 

“It’s a significant amount of money,” Ginsburg said. “We’re really excited about that because it has now allowed nutritional education to begin having a presence in local communities where it has had very little before.” 

The federal government’s generosity looks like it is set to shrink, though. When the grant first came into effect, California schools received funds if 40 percent of their students were eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches. (All students in participating schools then have access to the funded programs.) Other states all needed that ratio to be 50 percent, but California had a waiver. 

Last year, that waiver was not available. And the state recently notified the district that next year, only schools where 50 percent of the students receive free lunches, not reduced-cost lunches, will be eligible. 

“I would say the change in the administration” led to the added restriction, Peng said, adding that it could reduce the number of eligible schools from 10 to “four or five.” 

However, she and others plan to sign up more kids for the lunch program. 

“We’re partnering with afterschool programs, and they’re working with Lifelong Medical, a local nonprofit health provider, in trying to get sign-ups for free and reduced (meals),” Peng said. Due to stigma and language barriers, she said, the lunch program rosters “don’t reflect the actual numbers at the school site; they reflect who got the forms back.” 

Waters, the John Muir principal, said she was careful not to have nutritional education ruffle parents’ feathers back in the kitchen at home. 

“Kids are pretty open to the training or information they receive at school,” Waters said, “and then I think it’s an opportunity for them to have discussions with their families.” 

One John Muir teacher plans to fend off the Halloween sugar tsunami by challenging kids to bring in anything nutritious that is colored orange, black, or yellow. 

“So you might get the pumpkin muffin, but you wouldn’t get the white flour cupcake with the pile of icing on top,” Waters said.


Wake-up call

Ben Kroeger
Saturday October 20, 2001

The Daily Planet received this letter addressed to “All residents of Berkeley”: 

You people should wake up to reality. You all live in a dream world. Holding hands and singing peace songs with terrorists is not the way to handle this situation. The sad part about you people is that you fail to realize that the action that we as a nation are now taking in Afghanistan is to defend your right to protest and defend our way of life. The actions that your city council has taken in the month since the attacks are treasonous. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE COUNTRY THEN GET THE HELL OUT. You people are insulting to even say that you are from AMERICA. 

Ben Kroeger 

Pinckney, MI


A circus with SOUL

Yunji de Nies, Special to the Planet
Saturday October 20, 2001

 

 

OAKLAND — A new circus is in town, bringing a twist under the big top by giving entertainment soul. 

The UniverSoul Circus, the only African-American owned and operated circus in the world, is in its second week of the “UnExpected Soul 2001” tour at Oakport St. in Oakland. From the outside, the circus looks like any other: A large blue- and white-striped tent, concession stands, and performers’ trailers littered across the parking lot. Inside, the show is anything but ordinary. 

It begins with lights, brightly-colored costumed figures dancing, flipping and twirling, to music. It is the music that carries the show, kicking off with a colorful African dance to fast-paced drum beats, then switching to the music of the Jazz Age in Harlem, with swing and tap, then moving to hip-hop, gospel and R&B. Much of the music is contemporary, and all of it is African-American. 

But the show is not geared simply toward an African-American audience, rather Ringmaster “Casual Cal,” Calvin Dupree, says it is for all families, to bring out soul.  

“Soul is not a color, it’s an experience,” he says. “Soul is in all of us, and once you feel it, get it, see it you become a better person behind it." 

It is this notion of soul that motivates much of the performance.  

Dupree introduces the acts by integrating comedy and positive messages to the audience.  

For the group high wire act, he stresses teamwork. When talking about the female performers, he emphasizes respect.  

And when Lunga, an 11-year-old contortionist from South Africa twists her body into extraordinary positions in one of the most astounding parts of the show, Dupree reminds the audience of the importance of encouraging and praising children. 

The performance never feels canned. The audience is constantly participating — there is even a throw back to SoulTrain, where people get into the ring and strut. Adults seem to be having as much fun as kids, and the show is flat out funny.  

Dupree, who co-founded the Atlanta-based group eight years ago, says he loves his job, partly because of the positive influence his work can have on the African-American community.  

“Most of all,” he says what makes him happy is, “seeing kids and families’ eyes, full of pride and ownership, and doing something different.”


’Jackets win a snoozer over helpless Emery

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Saturday October 20, 2001

Emery High took on a giant on Friday night, and got stepped on. 

The Berkeley Yellowjackets ran up 330 yards on the ground against the overmatched Spartans, winning 35-0 despite failing to complete a pass in the game. The ’Jackets held Emery to negative-eight yards in the game, allowing just two first downs, one via a Berkeley penalty. 

“This is a big victory for us. We got out alive and healthy,” Emery head coach Bernie O’Hara said. “This was David versus Goliath, and we just got beat.” 

The score could have been even uglier if Berkeley had been able to get their usual deep passing game going. But starting quarterback Raymond Pinkston injured his ankle on the second play of the game and left the game for good, leaving the ball in backup Lee Franklin’s hands. The Berkeley coaches decided to button up the offense, calling for 23 running plays on offense before allowing Franklin to throw a pass late in the second quarter. That pass should have gone for a touchdown, but wide receiver Jason Goodwin dropped Franklin’s bomb despite being wide open well behind the defense. It was the only pass Franklin would throw in the first half. 

The ’Jackets really didn’t need to air the ball out against the Spartans, as their offensive line opened up huge holes for the running backs. The opening drive consisted of 10 runs for 82 yards, with tailback Germaine Baird accounting for 65 of them on six carries, and fullback Aaron Boatwright pounded the ball into the end zone from five yards out for a 7-0 lead. 

Emery gained their lone offensive first down on the ensuing drive, and it was all downhill from there. They netted just eight yards in the first half, but avoided turning over the ball and managed to keep the ’Jackets off the scoreboard through halftime. 

Berkeley’s defense keyed the high-scoring second half for the ’Jackets, giving the offense four short fields to work with. First defensive lineman Justin Thepsoukmalay forced a fumble from Emery quarterback Keith Reynolds, with Greg Mitchell recovering on the Emery 15. Backup fullback Roger Mason did the rest, bulling his way up the middle for a score on the next play.  

Another Reynolds fumble gave Berkeley the ball at the Emery 35 on the next drive, and Boatwright punched the ball into the end zone from a yard out for his second score of the day. 

Emery’s next drive lost nine yards, and the ensuing punt died at their 33. Three plays later, Baird had his lone touchdown of the day to make the score 28-0 with nine minutes left in the game. O’Hara requested that the clock run for the rest of the game, in the interest of keeping the score decent and keeping injuries to a minimum.  

The ’Jackets could tack on just one more touchdown, a Craig Hollis nine-yard run.


Security personnel may be replaced at airport

By Carole-Anne Elliott, Special to the Daily Planet
Saturday October 20, 2001

As the Port of Oakland wrangles over whether to replace a private security firm at Oakland International Airport with law enforcement personnel, flight attendants and pilots arriving at the airport Thursday said they would be happy to see the government step in. 

“Anybody but regular people,” said Continental Airlines flight attendant Amanda Connelly. “I don’t think that they’re qualified and they pay some of them only minimum wage.” 

The Board of Port Commissioners on Tuesday postponed a decision on whether Oakland Police or Alameda County Sheriff’s Department personnel should take over functions now performed by ABC Security Service, Inc., of Oakland. ABC staff control traffic outside the airport’s two terminals and oversee security at vehicle entry gates. 

Recent news reports have highlighted security lapses at the airport. After the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, the Federal Aviation Administration put all airports on heightened alert and warned it would close airports if security breaches were found. 

“Because Sept. 11 happened, we have to look for ways to bring in a more professional level of security to the airport,” said airport spokesperson Cyndy Johnson. 

According to Port of Oakland aviation director Steve Grossman, non-sworn officers or para-professional employees of either the Oakland Police Department or the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department – or both – would take on the role now occupied by ABC staff. They would not be full-fledged police officers or sheriff’s deputies, Grossman said. They would be better trained, supervised by police or sheriff’s deputies, and paid more, “so the turnover would be less.” 

Most flight attendants and pilots interviewed asked not to be named, but said they thought upgrading private security staff was a good idea.  

“The background checks are much more thorough to be a police officer,” said one female attendant for Alaska Airlines. 

“Just look at how it is in foreign countries,” said Continental flight attendant Tiffany Allan, just off her second trip after the attacks.  

“Every single thing that goes into that airport and out is checked,” she said of the Tel Aviv Airport. Security is “very much on my mind. I’m about to quit, actually.” 

A one-year ABC employee hailing shuttles outside Terminal 1 volunteered information on his firm.  

“It’s just very unprofessional, the stuff that goes on here,” he said. “Just watch them,” he added, nodding to other security officers across the driveway. “They don’t really do a lot of things. They’re just talking.”  

He said he makes $10 per hour, not the $14 per hour he was promised when he was hired, and the company does not pay on time. 

Not everyone flying that morning thought replacing private security with law enforcement would do any good. An Alaska Airlines pilot awaiting his hotel shuttle said a police or sheriff employee controlling traffic would not do anything different from that which a private company employee does. 

While outside security personnel are being eyed, port officials are ignoring the security screening staff at passenger gates, the people who X-ray carry-on bags. They are hired and supervised by airlines, a practice that may soon be changed by legislation moving through Congress. 

But Jeff Zack, spokesman for the Association of Flight Attendants in Washington, D.C., said changing security screening staff is his organization’s biggest priority.  

“The current system, which is private firms, has been failing,” Zack said. “Anybody can take advantage of the system that’s in place. Terrorists have already shown that.” 

Zack said his association wants security screeners to be trained and employed by the federal Department of Justice, but improving just one aspect of airport security is unacceptable.  

“What the flight attendants are saying is, you can’t just plug one hole or two holes,” he said. “You need to plug them all.” 


No more denial

Thomas de Lackne
Saturday October 20, 2001

Editor: 

Two countries that have lived with terrorism for a long time, Spain and Ireland, come to mind, as examples that history does not give the United States of America much hope of winning the war against terrorism either in a few years or a few decades. In the meantime, we have seemingly forgotten that our scientists have been telling us that terrible things are in store for us as a consequence of our misuse of world resources and pollution of the environment, especially the effect on planetary weather patterns from global warming, and that a likely outcome is the end of civilization as we know it. Our scientists have even given us a prescription to remedy the situation, and I recommend the site www.naturalstep.org for anyone interested in looking further into the remedies. 

Simply put, we need to shift from the mentality which has created the insane advice of our leaders to buy, buy, buy if you are a good American, to a mentality which understands and accepts the concept of sustainable growth and sustainable industry, that is, creating a way of living that our children and their children can follow without destroying the means for subsistence on our planet. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our City Council members in Berkeley could address these life-threatening issues, by creating an environment in Berkeley for attracting sustainable and non-polluting industry? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we established a time-table for non-sustainable industries to make the transition to non-polluting sustainability? Wouldn't it be wonderful if our City Council offered special incentives for sustainable and non-polluting industry to move to this area and serve as a model for the rest of the country? 

The true madness in our country these days is the degree of denial that exists around the issues of pollution, degradation of the environment, global warming, in short, those things which are slowly but surely undermining the very basis for human life on the planet. While we find new ways to track down a few thousand terrorists, mother nature is not holding her breath to see if we can wake up. 

Thomas de Lackne Editor: 

Two countries that have lived with terrorism for a long time, Spain and Ireland, come to mind, as examples that history does not give the United States of America much hope of winning the war against terrorism either in a few years or a few decades. In the meantime, we have seemingly forgotten that our scientists have been telling us that terrible things are in store for us as a consequence of our misuse of world resources and pollution of the environment, especially the effect on planetary weather patterns from global warming, and that a likely outcome is the end of civilization as we know it. Our scientists have even given us a prescription to remedy the situation, and I recommend the site www.naturalstep.org for anyone interested in looking further into the remedies. 

Simply put, we need to shift from the mentality which has created the insane advice of our leaders to buy, buy, buy if you are a good American, to a mentality which understands and accepts the concept of sustainable growth and sustainable industry, that is, creating a way of living that our children and their children can follow without destroying the means for subsistence on our planet. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our City Council members in Berkeley could address these life-threatening issues, by creating an environment in Berkeley for attracting sustainable and non-polluting industry? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we established a time-table for non-sustainable industries to make the transition to non-polluting sustainability? Wouldn't it be wonderful if our City Council offered special incentives for sustainable and non-polluting industry to move to this area and serve as a model for the rest of the country? 

The true madness in our country these days is the degree of denial that exists around the issues of pollution, degradation of the environment, global warming, in short, those things which are slowly but surely undermining the very basis for human life on the planet. While we find new ways to track down a few thousand terrorists, mother nature is not holding her breath to see if we can wake up. 

Thomas de Lackne 

Berkeley


Slumping Bears fall to No. 20 Washington

By Dean Caparaz Daily Planet Correspondent
Saturday October 20, 2001

Sixteenth-ranked Cal continued its inconsistent play in women’s soccer, losing to No. 20 Washington, 1-0, at Edwards Stadium on Friday afternoon.  

After bolting out to an 8-1-0 record to start the season, Cal has gone 2-2-1 over the last five games.  

The Bears record now stands at 10-3-1 (2-1 in the Pac-10). Washington improves to 8-2-1 (2-0).  

In the loss to the Huskies, second-half substitute Erin Otagaki took advantage of a Cal defensive miscue to score the lone goal. In the 60th minute, Washington’s Caroline Putz crossed the ball from the left flank into the Cal penalty area. Cal defender Lucy Brining tried to clear it, but her clearance trickled to Otagaki, who slotted it past Cal goalkeeper Mallory Moser.  

Cal outshot the Huskies, 13-5, but not even star striker Laura Schott could save the Bears against fellow Hermann Trophy candidate Hope Solo, who played a strong match. The Huskies goalkeeper made nine saves, none bigger than the one in the 86th minute. Cal defender Kim Stocklmeir played a through ball into the Washington penalty area, and both Schott and Solo converged on it. Schott managed a quick shot before she collided with Solo, who corralled the ball.  

Schott, who entered the match as the Pac-10’s scoring leader with 27 points from 12 goals and three assists, had to leave the field and the stadium with what appeared to be an injured jaw. After the game, Schott’s status for Sunday’s home game against Washington State was unknown. Solo couldn’t remember which part of her body collided with Schott.  

“I know my leg is dead, my pelvic bone felt like it got crushed, my ribs are all crushed,” Solo said.  

The performance of Solo, a junior All-American keeper with U.S. national team experience, contrasted sharply with that of Moser, a freshman. Moser often came off her goal line late for loose balls and did not communicate well with her defense.  

The score was 0-0 at halftime despite some good scoring chances for both teams in the first half. Six of Cal’s seven first-half shots were on goal, with Schott accounting for three shots on goal. But a combination of Washington’s stingy defense and Cal’s inability to get behind the Husky defenders meant many of Cal’s shots came from long range and were not dangerous.  

“I did not feel we were aggressive going to goal today,” Cal coach Kevin Boyd said. “It was like we were satisfied just possessing the ball.”  

Boyd added, “Without the whole group committing to where they’re going and what they want to do, we’re going to keep outshooting teams and losing close games. We’ll win more than we lose just on the mere fact that we’re more talented. But when it really comes down to a tight game, I don’t think we’re going to come out on the positive side all the time.”


Need more info

Richard Graham
Saturday October 20, 2001

Editor 

In you article reporting the armed robbery at the medical marijuana club on University Avenue (Oct. 18) Jeff Jones of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers’ Co-op is quoted as saying “medical marijuana clubs generally run the same risks that other businesses do, and that some vigilance is called for.” How much is some vigilance? Your article quotes another operator in San Francisco as having increased security by firming up entrance facilities, having a staff training session, and learning how to do perimeter checks before opening doors and to exercise “preventative scrutiny.” Will the “The Old Brick House” adopt these measures before they re open next week? 

Frankly that is not the real issue for me because when I walk my 5-year daughter past their business, we will be OUTSIDE of their perimeter. The cannabis clubs will do what they have to do to protect their drugs and their money. What is the city of Berkeley going to do to protect the rest of us? They can start be allowing the Berkeley Police to tell the truth about what is happening at the five buyers’ clubs in Berkeley. Your reporter quotes The Berkeley Police as “unable to say whether other marijuana clubs in the city have been robbed.” Of course they know if others have been robbed. What I would like to know is why they are unable to tell the community.  

 

Richard Graham 

Berkeley


Governor may be ready to renegotiate power contracts

By Alisa Weinstein and Gina Comparini Special to the Planet
Saturday October 20, 2001

Under mounting public pressure, the Davis administration moved Friday toward renegotiating California’s costly, long-term power contracts, but refused to say what negotiations would mean to ratepayers. 

“We are analyzing the contracts we believe are ripe for renegotiation,” said Davis spokesman Steve Maviglio. “We are developing a strategy to renegotiate them.” 

Davis entered into the contracts at the height of the power crisis last spring and paid top dollar to secure long-term power supplies for the state. But with power prices considerably lower now, the Public Utilities Commission and the Legislature say Davis is locked into costs that are too high.  

The Davis administration’s acknowledgment of renegotiation possibilities is the first sign in months of a compromise that could end the feud over how to repay the state budget for the cost of keeping the lights on in California. 

The tension between state officials and the Public Utilities Commission spilled over in Oakland on Thursday at an Association of Bay Area Governments’ conference on energy and public policy.  

Speaking to local officials, business representatives and utility managers, State Treasurer Phil Angelides implored the PUC to approve a $12.5 billion bond sale that would help repay the state’s general fund. 

“Every day they don’t (approve the bond measure) they are sending this state into… fiscal crisis,” Angelides said, predicting more than a $10 billion deficit for California if the PUC hesitates.  

A defensive PUC President Loretta Lynch characterized the bond offering as “clunky” and said it would face litigation over the long-term power contracts the state signed with energy companies during the power crunch. She also bridled at the prospect of approving a bond sale that would force the commission to cede much of it’s authority to set utility rates. 

Citing the PUC’s historic role of protecting ratepayers, Lynch argued that consumers would be forced to pay a higher price than necessary for energy, which is why the long-term contracts must be renegotiated. 

The Angelides-Lynch exchange came as regional government associations warned the state that indecision over the role of market forces and regulation could lead to higher power costs, tax spikes and a less attractive business climate. 

“A clearer and more consistent set of rules is necessary to achieve regulatory stability and to send consistent signals to the market,” a report by ABAG, the Bay Area Council and the Bay Area Economic Forum stated. 

The report cited other industries’ successes with deregulation and urged policy makers not to abandon the idea for the power industry. Transition to deregulation can be challenging, the report said, but benefits of competition are “lower and more efficient prices, more efficient operating and investment decisions and improved product choice and service quality.” 

Thursday’s conference also covered the prospects for municipal power. 

Managers from municipal utilities in Alameda and Palo Alto, and representatives from the California Municipal Utilities Association told attendees that historically, the success rate of municipal power is varied.  

They urged city officials not to rush into municipalization, saying they should carefully weigh start-up costs against the long-term benefits of independent power sources. 

Neal DeSnoo from the Berkeley Energy Office said the City Council is waiting for a feasibility report from East Bay Municipal Utilities District before making any decisions about bringing municipally owned power to Berkeley.  

The council has been looking at EBMUD as a possible electricity provider, because the public utility’s structure is already in place and because it is an experienced provider of electrical power. 

“I think the overwhelming sentiment is people don’t want to be subject to the whims and the powers of these larger power generators,” DeSnoo said. “They want to take control over their own destiny.” 

 


Shame on Berkeley

Frank J. De Smidt
Saturday October 20, 2001

 

The Daily Planet received this letter written to the mayor and council: 

As a former Berkeley resident I am appalled at the action this council took in passing a despicable anti-American resolution. I am deeply offended by some of the comments contained therein. 

If I still lived at my former Berkeley address on Bonar Street near Bancroft Way I might even have the disdainful distinction of being represented by the misguided author of this abomination! 

How can Berkeley be in favor of stopping the bombing of evil terrorist thugs, who had no other goal in mind other than killing innocent Americans and citizens of 80 other nations? 

How can Berkeley call for us to “lessen our dependence on foreign oil from the Middle East” and not support offshore drilling and exploration in Alaska to reduce such dependence. Solar cells offer too little. Fuel cells will likely require oil based products. 

I will not visit your city or spend any my money there until such time as those, who support and voted for this hideous statement, are removed from office. 

 

Frank J. De Smidt 

Milpitas


Berkeley prof analyzes structural damage of the WTC

Pamitha Reynolds, Special to the Planet
Saturday October 20, 2001

Engineering expertise spies similarly-built local structures  

 

Concrete cracked, buckled and popped like a crumbling sugar cookie under more than 600,000 pounds of pressure at UC Berkeley today, but the steel frame it supported held firm.  

Dr. Abolhassan Astaneh-Asl, UC Berkeley professor of civil and environmental engineering, performed the experiment to demonstrate what he said could be a major breakthrough in disaster-safe building design. 

Many modern buildings are reinforced with steel plate shear walls – steel sheets bolted to columns and beams to increase stiffness and limit lateral motion.  

Steel, however, buckles when compressed, and concrete cracks under tension. 

Astaneh’s new shear wall is a marriage of the best of both materials – a six-inch slab of reinforced concrete bolted to the 3/8-inch steel plate. The concrete supports the steel wall and keeps it from buckling under stress. 

A 20-foot high section of steel and concrete, the half-scale prototype wall lay on its side in the hangar-like test lab.  

The concrete flaked and broke as a huge hydraulic pressed on its upper left corner, displacing it nine inches back and forth, but the steel never cracked. 

The wall prototype performed even better than expected, surviving an earthquake of more than magnitude nine without catastrophic failure.  

“We are very happy,” Astaneh said. “Without the concrete, a steel wall would be buckled by now.” 

Astaneh originally set out to design buildings that would survive severe earthquakes. Later, he realized the same designs would resist damage from car bombs and rocket attacks. 

Astaneh said the wall prototype is made out of ordinary materials, and would probably increase the cost of new buildings by no more than 2 percent.  

Older buildings could be retrofitted with the concrete slabs, which could be replaced after an earthquake. 

Astaneh recently returned from New York City, where he spent weeks sifting through the rubble of the World Trade Center, looking for answers.  

He stood before a table displaying pieces of the WTC and held up small pieces of twisted steel, lumps of concrete, and plastic baggies of powdered drywall and fireproofing. He also held up bits of aluminum, one printed with a serial number, which had been found stuck to steel columns from the twin towers. They were pieces of the airplanes. 

“I haven’t seen anything like this,” he said, holding up a foot-long twisted shard of steel. “It’s like a piece of bread, but it was high-strength steel.” 

From his research, Astaneh showed that the towers’ supporting columns withstood the original impact of the planes.  

They remained structurally sound until the heat of flaming jet fuel reached 1,000 degrees Celsius and began to melt the steel. The softened columns could no longer support the floors above, and the entire structure began to collapse. 

One of Astaneh’s main concerns was the collapse of Building Seven of the WTC, because there are several hundred similar buildings throughout the United States, including a few in San Francisco.  

“Why did Building Seven collapse?” he asked. “What made it burn for eight hours?” 

There have been some reports that there was fuel stored in the upper floors of the building, possibly for a small electrical power plant, which intensified the heat and duration of the fire. Astaneh refused to speculate on how well the building would have fared if the fuel had not been present. 

Astaneh spent some of his time in New York training iron and steel workers at the recycling yards to scan the 300,000 tons of steel wreckage for pieces of metal that may contain valuable clues to the structural collapse. 

Designed to withstand the impact of a Boeing 707, Astaneh wanted to assure people that the towers were well built. The buildings admirably withstood being hit by 767s.  

“That building in my opinion was really the best-designed building I’ve seen,” he said. “Our tall buildings are some of the best-designed structures in the world.” 

Astaneh also spoke about his experience sorting through the rubble in New York City.  

“You’re standing there and looking at something like this, and under it are 5,000 people like ourselves. It was terrible. It was part of us, it was like family,” he said. “Suddenly 5,000 of your people are no longer here.”  

He never went inside the ruins themselves.  

“I couldn’t go inside,” he said, “I wouldn’t walk on that.” 


Hard to boycott local businesses

Ted Vincent
Saturday October 20, 2001

Editor: 

It is a shame to hear of the boycott of that solid old Berkeley business, Ashby Lumber.  

On the other hand, most of Berkeley business is insulated from an economic boycott. Berkeley is not Emeryville with its neon generica chain stores, Berkeley is independent book stores with that volume to be found nowhere else. Berkeley is special video shops with that hard to find old movie. Berkeley is the ecology center store, the farmer’s market, great produce markets, a selection of stores for sick people needing medical marijuana, and Berkeley also has Good Vibrations, which most cities don’t have.  

From all over the Bay Area people come to Berkeley for things they can’t get in their town. Our clothing stores offer variety from saris to alpaca sweaters. Our cheese stores are unique. Our rock climbing establishment is considered one of the best in the west. We’ve got movie house row, the gormet ghetto, and the West Berkeley international smorgasborg of Thai, Ethiopian, Mexican, Japanese, Pakistani, Indian, and Chinese restaurants.  

Even our junk stores are distinctive. Where else do you find Urban Ore and our used backpack establishment? Clearly, many people are going to continue to support Berkeley business, some because of need, and some will probably come because they want to show their support for the City Council peace vote.  

 

Ted Vincent  

Berkeley


Air freshener won’t fix this stinky problem

by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman
Saturday October 20, 2001

Dear Tom and Ray: 

 

We have a '97 Ford Escort with 19,000 miles. Recently, we've noticed the strong smell of exhaust coming in through the air conditioner or heater almost every time we come to a complete stop. This only happens when we have the fan on with the vent intake open. I have to switch the air off every time I come to a stop in order to avoid this. We also notice the smell from the front seat when we have the windows rolled down. My wife confessed that she ran over a concrete parking barrier recently, and she feared there was some damage underneath. I took the car to our local Ford dealership and then to a national muffler chain. Neither of them found anything wrong. They both suggested I spray air freshener in the air vents. The smell is definitely exhaust, and we're concerned it might be dangerous. – Greg 

 

TOM: We're concerned, too, Greg. As you might know, one of the early symptoms of carbon-monoxide poisoning is confusion and poor judgment. And look -- you've already written to us for advice! 

RAY: You clearly have an exhaust leak, Greg. And it probably IS the result of your wife hitting the parking barrier. The front pipe of this car's exhaust system runs down from the engine under the front of the car, and it probably got jolted, creating a small leak somewhere. And the leaking exhaust is wafting up through the engine compartment and entering the ventilation system through the cowl in front of the windshield. 

TOM: And last time we checked, Lysol does not neutralize carbon monoxide (shame on those bozos for suggesting that). You need a mechanic who is willing to take a little time to find the leak. 

RAY: If it's a very small leak, the best way to pinpoint it is with an emissions wand -- the kind that's used in state emissions tests. The mechanic passes the wand around inside the engine compartment, and when the needle goes bonkers, he's found the site of the leak. 

RAY: Find someone who's willing to find this leak for you and who'll fix it, Greg. And in the meantime, if you catch yourself calling our radio show, seek medical attention immediately.  

 

 

If it ain't broke, you won't have to fix it! Order Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" Send $3 (check or money order) and a stamped (57 cents), self-addressed, No. 10 envelope to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. 

 

Used car strategies 

 

 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

 

My beautiful, normally intelligent wife of 24 years and I disagree mightily about the best timing to buy and sell a vehicle. We're absolutely positive we're each right, and we're absolutely positive the other is wrong. The argument involves economics -- how to spend the least amount of money. I say you should buy a car with about 60,000-80,000 miles on it and drive it into the ground. She thinks it's better to buy a 1- or 2-year-old car and keep it only for two or three years. It's time to replace my "driven into the ground" '87 Nissan pickup, and we need your advice. – Kurt 

 

TOM: It's great to get letters from lovebirds like you two, Kurt. If this is all you've got to argue about, things must be pretty good. 

RAY: Here's the story. Speaking from a purely economic point of view -- how you spend the least amount of money on cars -- you're more correct than she is. If you buy an old car, which has already taken the bulk of its depreciation hit, and then drive it into the ground, you will spend the least. 

TOM: We actually wrote a pamphlet about this very subject, called "How to Buy a Great Used Car: What Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know." In it, we lay out several money-saving used-car strategies, and we prove mathematically that the "heap strategy"is the cheapest.  

RAY: Of course, there ARE downsides to the "heap" approach, Kurt. The biggest one is reliability. While the repair costs on a jalopy will never add up to the costs of new-car payments, breakdowns can be inconvenient and, in some cases, unsafe.  

So this strategy isn't for everybody -- your wife, for one, apparently. 

TOM: So another strategy we lay out in our pamphlet is to buy a car that's 2 or 3 years old. The ownership costs still come in way below those of a new car, but you get an almost-new car that's very reliable. Other advantages include getting most of the newest safety features, having a car that doesn't smell like someone else's b.o. yet and possibly getting some time left on a factory warranty. That's the strategy for your wife. 

RAY: And you guys just happen to be perfectly compatible. Let your wife buy a 2- or 3-year-old car and drive it for two or three years, and then she can sell it to you! 

TOM: Then you can drive it into the ground, and everybody's happy. You guys were made for each other, Kurt!  

*** 

Auto repairs can be costly! Save money by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" Send $3 (check or money order) and a stamped (57 cents), self-addressed, No. 10 envelope to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. 

*** 

Got a question about cars? Write to Click and Clack in care of this newspaper, or e-mail them by visiting the Car Talk section of cars.com on the World Wide Web. 

(c) 2001 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman 

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc. 

 

CLICK AND CLACK TALK CARS 

THE CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING CLICKS  

BY TOM AND RAY MAGLIOZZI 

 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

I have a 1993 Mitsubishi Eclipse, and about two months ago I noticed a ticking noise coming from underneath the hood. I took it in to a mechanic, and he said my valve lifters were going out and I needed to replace them. I didn't have the $500, so I haven't done it yet. However, two weeks ago I noticed that the noise has disappeared. Does that mean my lifters have gone out completely? Is my car going to die on me? How much longer do I have? -- Rossanna 

TOM: Only your doctor can tell you how much longer you have, Rossanna. But your car is just fine. 

RAY: My guess is that one of two things was causing the ticking noise. It could have been a valve lifter. The valve lifters are responsible for keeping the valves properly adjusted by taking up the slack in the valve train. And they work by getting filled up with oil, which is under pressure from the oil pump. 

TOM: So it's possible that one or more of your lifters was not getting filled with enough oil. And when they're not working, what you hear is the clicking and clacking of the valves. Why they eventually got filled up with oil again, I don't know. Maybe there was a piece of debris in the way that finally got dislodged. But in any case, they're now working again, and all's right with the world. 

RAY: The more likely possibility, in my opinion, is that one of your valves got stuck. That would also cause a tapping noise that would be indistinguishable from the noise of a faulty valve lifter. And a stuck valve can get "unstuck" by itself, too. 

TOM: And in either case, your car is fine and there's nothing you need to do. As long as it's not making any noise now, I would forget about it entirely. Just change your oil and filter every 5,000 miles or so, and forget you ever wrote to us, Rossanna. 

*** 

Don't get stuck with a lemon. Read Tom and Ray's guide "How to Buy a Great Used Car: Things That Detroit and Tokyo Don't Want You to Know." Send $3 (check or money order) and a stamped (57 cents), self-addressed, No. 10 envelope to Used Car, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. 

*** 

Got a question about cars? Write to Click and Clack in care of this newspaper, or e-mail them by visiting the Car Talk section of cars.com on the World Wide Web. 

(c) 2001 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman 

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc. 


High drama rings hallow

James Day
Saturday October 20, 2001

 

Editor: 

The City Council’s spats are usually just tiresome. This latest bordered on the obscene. 

Faced with the current horror and suffering, the council could do no better than to perform one of its self-important little dramas. 

The roles were certainly played to perfection. A progressive gets giddy with the sweep of events and the sound of bullhorns and dashes off an unnecessarily divisive resolution, followed by the usual backtracking, implausible denials and media-bashing. 

Not to be outdone, the mayor, know as the Queen of High Dudgeon to all those reporters in whose ears she has whispered of dark secrets and doom, performs her hand-wringing act, the one where she poses as the only person who really cares. A few days later, she latches (a little disloyally) onto the comments of some thick-brained patriots to prove that her opponents have once again harmed the city. 

The rest of the council hops up on stage (or is dragged on, in the case of Mim Hawley) to do their speaking parts, which consist largely of questioning the motives of the others, even though what’s going on outside is so awful that it demands we all try, more than we ever have, to be a little better than we usually are. 

It’s too bad. The truth is, all these people care about the city and want to do good, even if they don’t always act like it. And there was a time when such dramatics had some import, when there was real money to be spent (from block grants and other sources) and when the debates over land use and rent control were fresh and at a critical stage. 

Now it’s too often just cheap theater. They must know that even their hardcore district constituencies may grow weary and boot them off the stage. 

 

James Day 

Berkeley 

 

 

Webster says ‘dudgeon’ is a wood used especially for dagger hilts. -ed


Black officers work to end racial profiling

By Deborah Kong, The Associated Press
Saturday October 20, 2001

OAKLAND — As a black man, Ronald Davis believes he was once stopped by police simply because he was a minority driving a Mercedes-Benz. But as an undercover police officer, he has stopped young men on suspicion of drug dealing because they wore baggy jeans, carried pagers — and were black. 

Now Davis, the sole black captain in the Oakland police force, is leading an effort by the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives to end racial profiling — even in a changing political climate. 

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have added a new wrinkle to the racial profiling debate, with Middle Easterners raising concerns they have become targets. There are also indications that frightened Americans might be more willing to accept profiling in the name of national security. 

A nationwide CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll conducted the weekend after the attacks found 58 percent of Americans would support requiring Arabs, including those who are U.S. citizens, to undergo more intensive security checks before boarding airplanes. 

But the black law enforcement group, 9,000 members strong, isn’t changing its stance. It still believes no matter which race is targeted, racial profiling is wrong, Davis said. 

“We have a personal stake in it,” Davis said. “I wear the badge. I’ve done car stops.” 

At the same time, when black officers take off their uniforms and are pulled over because of their race, “it’s a dose of reality,” he said. “When we get off duty, we are still African-Americans.” 

The cornerstone of the police group’s efforts are training sessions, which began in January. 

So far, the Alexandria, Va.-based group has conducted 15 sessions for officers of all races, including one meeting this week in Cincinnati, a city where three nights of rioting ensued after a white police officer fatally shot an unarmed black man this spring. A judge acquitted the officer of misdemeanor charges last month. 

Racial profiling happens when officers allow biases to seep into policing, Davis said. 

The black officers’ group believes the problem should be attacked by emphasizing community service and supervisor accountability. It also wants more training for officers on when it’s appropriate to use force. 

Members of the group say they know what it’s like to be profiled. 

Davis remembers driving his fiancee’s Mercedes in downtown Long Beach, Calif., a few years ago, looking for a restaurant. He passed a white policeman, who cut short a conversation and pulled Davis over, probably because “we didn’t fit the Mercedes-Benz,” Davis said. 

“You feel very violated, very offended,” Davis said. The indignity was worse because “these are my colleagues” who were doing the profiling, he said. 

Jerry Oliver, police chief in Richmond, Va., recalls being stopped by his own officers when he was new to the city. They asked for his driver’s license, but were reluctant to say why they stopped him. 

“The only reason why I was stopped is because I live in an area that’s predominantly white,” Oliver said. 

Occasionally, racial profiling is also used on white people in minority neighborhoods, police say. 

When he was a police officer in Arizona, Oliver said he stopped a white person in a black and Korean neighborhood late at night. Oliver said he didn’t know whether the person was lost, or perhaps seeking a prostitute. 

“I didn’t have any other information,” he said. “But I did approach them purely because of their race, because they were white and they looked out of place.” 

In Oakland, Davis admits he’s made similar stops. 

“I’m not a racist,” Davis said. But “I still applied my own stereotypes. At the time you’re engaged in this activity you’re really thinking you’re doing the right thing.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives: http://www.noblenatl.org/ 


Bravo boycott?

Greg Freedman
Saturday October 20, 2001

Editor: 

Bravo to all those righteous companies and individuals that are choosing to boycott Berkeley-based businesses in light of our city’s resolution in favor of peace. There is no nobler way to force your views onto others than by driving good people out of business and ruining their lives. Even if it was 25 years ago, they should have known better than to open their business in Berkeley! 

I originally had no idea that the prospect of lumberyard managers and restaurateurs (and waiters and waitresses and busboys) being able to pay their rents was such a threat to our national security and unity. Thank you for enlightening me. 

It’s a good thing that when you have God and the president on your side, you don’t have to think about things like whom you are hurting. 

 

Greg Freedman 

Berkeley


God bless

Ed Dramer
Saturday October 20, 2001

Editor: 

Why? After the tragic events of September 11, I watched as members of the U.S. Congress stood on the steps of the Capitol Rotunda and sang one of their most patriotic songs, “God bless America!” Why should God do that? I challenge anyone to show me one, relevant action that the United States has taken, since before the Viet Nam War, that would beget God’s grace. The USA was once called ‘One Nation under God.’ Now however, you may quote their serving politicians who say, they are a nation who, “accepts the rule of law.” That is just another way of saying; they are a country ruled by lawyers. Several days later I watched again, as a U.S. Marine officer sang the same song on the balcony above the New York Stock Exchange. That symbol was far more distressing. Since the early days of the last century, the United States has used ‘gunboat diplomacy’ to enforce its economic will and push its life style and values on every far-flung corner of the world. 

I watched as President Bush, the counties ‘Chief-of-State /Lawyers’ lead the country in prayer. What? He is a corrupt, career politician. Virtually no eligible voter voted for him. Most people would not buy a used car from the individual. Is he now the Chief Priest of their culture? Muslim fundamentalists have every right to hate the ‘Great Satan’ which the USA has surly become. They are morally bankrupt, corrupt, and licentious. They are a nation driven by a need to fill-up every orifice with the latest consumer gimmick. Religion is practically nonexistent. They only have the most superficial form of Christianity left to assuage the conscience of the guilty and bury their dead. Let it be known, the next ‘500 Years War’ has begun. It is the war between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have not’s.’ It is the war between the ‘religious’ and the ‘profane.’ Let it be known that the United States cannot win such a war, because evil never wins in the end. They are about to go the way of Rome. They will get what they so richly deserve-- the next new war of the ‘Iconoclast.’ and may God have mercy on your souls.  

 

Ed Dramer 

Norfolk, VA


Bay Briefs

Staff
Saturday October 20, 2001

SAN JOSE — During the prime of the old New Economy last year, Silicon Valley paychecks were fatter than those of Manhattanites — historically the nation’s best-paid workers. 

That fact, reported Thursday by the Labor Department, could have fleeting significance given this year’s dot-com crash. 

Still, during 2000, Santa Clara County rode a 24 percent rise in average wages to overtake New York County as the county with the highest average yearly pay. Santa Clara residents made an average of $76,076, while those living in New York County — that is, the island of Manhattan — earned $71,115. 

San Mateo County residents jumped to third-best compensated, on the strength of a 30 percent growth in average pay over 1999. They earned $66,943 in 2000. San Francisco County registered sixth at $57,626. 

The national average was $35,296. 

The data were based on an analysis of employment and pay trends in the nation’s 315 largest counties. Labor economists warned that the pay raises in 2000 will not likely stick. 

 

 

MARTINEZ — Neighbors of an oil refinery that has leaked noxious clouds twice this week are pressing for tighter regulation of the plant. 

Accidents at the Equilon Martinez Refining Co. forced area residents to shelter in their homes Sunday and Wednesday, as plumes of yellowish, sooty smoke billowed from the plant. While no one reported serious injuries, the incidents are prompting Contra Costa County supervisors and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to consider new controls over the plant. 

chemical releases. The county has issued two public nuisance citations against the company. 

The Martinez City Council will hold a town meeting Wednesday about the plant. Councilman Mark Ross said he has received several calls from people wanting to close the refinery, though that is unlikely. 

——— 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco International Airport will use a fingerprint scanner to conduct employee background checks. 

The Federal Aviation Administration is requiring major airports to recheck the backgrounds of employees who have access to tarmacs or planes. 

Airport officials said the $40,000 scanning system should be installed within weeks, making it the ninth major airport in the nation to install the Identix TouchPrint 2000 technology. 

The fingerprint reader, which is tied to a computerized database, means employee background checks will take hours instead of weeks, said SFO spokesman Ron Wilson. He said the airport has about 35,000 employees, most requiring new checks. 


Ten years later, some in the hills worry about the next fire

By Michelle Locke, The Associated Press
Saturday October 20, 2001

OAKLAND — Ten years after the fire that ravaged the Oakland-Berkeley hills, once-charred slopes have blossomed anew with handsome houses looking over the San Francisco Bay. But some of the underbrush that fueled the furious blaze has come creeping back, too. 

“Here we are 10 years down the road and we’re sort of halfway to the next big fire,” said Sue Piper, whose home was one of 3,000 destroyed by the fire that killed 25 people. “You can’t do much about the geography or the geology or the weather. The one thing people can do is prevention. If we don’t reduce the vegetation on a regular basis, we’re sitting ducks.” 

On Oct. 20, 1991, Piper had just driven home after dropping off her 4-year-old twins at a birthday party when she noticed smoke curling in the sky. It got darker and darker and she began calling neighbors, trying to gauge the danger. One of them called her back: “The fire’s crested the hill. Get out now.” 

Hustling her 9-year-old into her car, Piper backed out of her driveway and drove into a nightmare. Cars were jammed bumper-to-bumper on the one road out as flames raced behind and beside them. 

Piper had the air conditioning on high, but the heat outside was so intense she had to lean into the middle of the car. Dutifully waiting at a red light, she saw a grove of eucalyptus trees explode — “BOOM, right in front of us.” 

No time to obey traffic rules. She drove the wrong way down the street, looking for the first turn that would take her downhill — “I was just praying to God that we don’t run into the fire.” 

Hours after the Pipers made it to safety, the hills glowed orange, doomed houses silhouetted black against the flames. 

When the fire finally was out, stunned survivors returned to a world burned bare. Cars had melted; foundations had crumbled. 

“It was like a nuclear holocaust,” recalled photographer Len Blau. Watching the World Trade Center towers buckle and fall under the Sept. 11 attacks reminded him of walking through those destroyed neighborhoods in Oakland. 

“It’s different, but just seeing those images in New York, I really flashed back,” he said. “Just the personal feeling of seeing it and seeing the tragedy of other people’s lives.” 

After the fire came the recriminations. 

Officials were sharply criticized for their handling of the fire, which was a rekindling of a brushfire thought to have been extinguished the day before. Meanwhile, it was discovered that the fire department’s communication system had been overwhelmed and fire trucks from neighboring cities had been thwarted by Oakland’s nonstandard hydrant openings. 

That has all changed, said Henry Renteria, director of the fire department’s emergency services department. 

Firefighters now get forest fire training and have new equipment, including thermal imaging devices that can detect heat underground and portable hydrant systems. The city’s hydrants now have universal fittings. And new weather stations in the hills give the department early warning of “red flag” fire days. 

But in keeping hillsides stripped of underbrush, “we’ve had a roller coaster affair,” admitted Renteria. 

In 1993, the city established an assessment district, charging hills property owners a yearly tax for fire suppression programs. Four years later, that was voted down. 

This year, the city put the fire department in charge of keeping city-owned lands in shape with a $1.7 million budget. 

Residents say local officials aren’t doing enough to clear public lands. Renteria said the problem is that individuals aren’t clearing brush around their homes. 

Still, Renteria doesn’t share the view that another disaster is inevitable. 

“Since 1991, we’ve had several fires that have erupted within that same area. All of them have been contained and controlled. Ten years from today we should be even better prepared,” he said. “We’ve learned a lot from 1991.” 

Fires have always been a fixture in the hills. In 1923, 584 homes burned and there have been smaller fires every decade since. 

Architect Peter Scott stood on the roof of his Oakland hills home and saw 37 houses burn in the fire of 1970. 

When the fire of 1991 hit, he and his wife were out of town. His 85-year-old mother, Frances, was at home. 

Disabled by arthritis, she had around-the-clock help, but the day person had left to attend church. When she tried to return, she was stopped by police She and family members begged for help, but officials wrongly believed Scott’s mother already had been evacuated, Scott said. 

Ten years later, his voice still trembles with frustration and rage as he talks about his mother’s death. 

The fire turned Scott into an activist. He designed a new fire station for free and got involved with emergency-response training. He is vigilant about neighborhood disaster planning. 

“The reason my mother died is our neighbors didn’t know each other,” he said bleakly. 

Scott and his wife considered moving away from the hills “for about five minutes.” Instead, they rebuilt, moving back nine months to the day after the fire. 

They were pulled by their love of the area, pushed by their desire to restore equilibrium for their children, driven by the need to “shake our fists at the city and say you can’t destroy us.” 

They buried the Scott’s mother’s ashes beneath a magnolia tree in the backyard. 

——— 

On the Net: 

City of Oakland: http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/government39j.html 


Electronic tracking devices helping to find patients suffering from Alzheimer’s, Down’s syndrome

By Gretchen Ehlke, The Associated Press
Saturday October 20, 2001

MILWAUKEE — Tharan Elkins grew more concerned about her husband as the hours passed. Billy Elkins had never been gone quite so long during his daily walk around the neighborhood in search of aluminum cans. 

Elkins, 67, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, was gone more than six hours when his wife started phoning family members. 

Relatives searched unsuccessfully in the Suffolk, Va., area, then contacted Project Lifesaver, a program operated by the 43rd Virginia Volunteer Search and Rescue Company in nearby Chesapeake. 

Searchers used an electronic receiver and antenna to find Elkins, who was wearing a transmitting device about the size of a wristwatch. 

“He was 20 miles away from his home lying in a soybean field a mile off the road,” said Gene Saunders of Project Lifesaver. Had Elkins not been found when he was, doctors said he would have died from dehydration. 

Tharan Elkins had enrolled her husband in the program because of his disease. 

“The device on his arm is what saved him,” Mrs. Elkins said. “They tracked it right to him.” 

Saunders said electronic tracking of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, Down’s syndrome and even children with autism has helped law enforcement agencies drastically cut manpower and time in their search for a missing person. 

“We’re doing it with two or three people as opposed to 100 people involved in a search for a day,” he said. 

Besides Virginia, Project Lifesaver was established in Georgia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont and the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, South Carolina and Wisconsin are in various stages of setting up the program, Saunders said. 

The 43rd Virginia team developed the search strategy for the project, started two years ago, and has trained at least 17 other agencies to use the tracking device, which has helped locate at least 158 people, Saunders said. 

For about $25 a month, the local agency operating Project Lifesaver rents a transmitter, the size of a man’s watch, to the caregiver. The waterproof bracelet can be attached to a wrist or ankle, and in some cases a belt, and can be removed only if it is cut off. The receiver and antenna are monitored by an agency, typically law enforcement, which tracks an inaudible chirping noise emitted by the transmitter. 

The Alzheimer’s Association Riverland chapter in La Crosse, Wis., bought a $2,150 receiver and four transmitters at $230 each. A representative of the organization and personnel from the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department trained with the Virginia search-and-rescue team on how to use the equipment by land and air. 

“We’ve got some awful extreme temperatures and when you’re talking frail older adults, I think it’s important that we have this going,” said Laura Moriarty of the Riverland Alzheimer’s chapter. 

The agency was raising money to purchase another receiver and four more transmitters before launching the project, dubbed Rapid Recovery. 

The La Crosse County Sheriff’s Department has discouraged caregivers from buying a transmitter and receiver on their own because the signals can interfere with law enforcement’s tracking efforts. 

The device used by Project Lifesaver is manufactured by Care Trak, Inc., of Carbondale, Ill., which makes a similar product to track elk, wolves and other wild animals, said Richard Blanchard, chief operating officer. 

“The technology has been around awhile, but the application is new,” Blanchard said, adding that the transmitter is also used to find people with traumatic brain injuries. 

Michael and Karen Chesanek, who live in a remote area of Acworth, N.H., attached a monitoring bracelet to their 9-year-old son, Joey, who has severe autism. 

“It’s woods, dirt roads, the middle of nowhere and Joey wanders,” Mrs. Chesanek said. “Trying to keep these kids at home with the family is a challenge, especially kids like my Joey who has no fear and just takes off.” 

Sixty percent of Alzheimer’s patients will wander at some point, according to the national Alzheimer’s Association, which estimated the survival rate for wandering patients at 47 percent if they are not found within 24 hours. 

The organization operates a program called Safe Return, which registers Alzheimer’s patients and provides them with a locking identification bracelet, which has a toll-free number engraved on the band. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Project Lifesaver, 43rd Virginia Search and Rescue: http://www.projectlifesaver.net 

Alzheimer’s Association: http://www.alz.org 

Care Trak, Inc.-Resource Center: http://www.caretrak.com/resource.htm 

End advance for Thursday, Aug. 23, and thereafter 


Tribune Co. records $139 million third quarter loss

By Dave Carpenter, The Associated Press
Saturday October 20, 2001

CHICAGO — Tribune Co. reported a net loss Thursday of $139 million for the third quarter, citing an advertising falloff, an expensive restructuring and costs of news coverage in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. 

The publisher of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times also warned that fourth-quarter earnings will fall short of current estimates as the result of ad cancellations and higher costs for newsgathering, production and distribution. Other media companies also have taken big financial hits in the wake of the terrorist attacks and continuing ad slump. 

The net loss amounted to 49 cents a share. 

A year earlier, Tribune had net profits of $79.2 million or 22 cents a share. 

Excluding a $131 million charge covering staff reductions, a $144 million write-down on investments and other non-operating items, earnings from operations were $148.7 million, down 37 percent from $236.7 million a year earlier. 

Per-share earnings without the special items were 10 cents a share, down from 22 cents in the third quarter of 2000 but a penny better than Wall Street expected. Tribune shares rose 23 cents to $31.59 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange. 

Revenues fell 7 percent to $1.28 billion from $1.37 billion. 

The Chicago-based company, which owns 11 newspapers, 22 television stations and more than 50 Web sites, already this year has cut about 1,700 jobs, or 6 percent to 7 percent of its work force, because of the advertising slump, executives said on a conference call.  

About 600 to 700 of those came through voluntary retirement, spokesman Gary Weitman said. 

The attacks increased spending in the form of extra newspaper editions, extended coverage by its TV and radio stations, and increased capacity by its Web sites. 

John Madigan, Tribune’s chairman and chief executive officer, said the first priority has been to readers, viewers and listeners with comprehensive news coverage of the war on terrorism. 

“The financial impact of this commitment to serving the public is significant,” he said. “And at the same time, advertisers began rethinking their buying strategies.” 

The staff reductions, he said, will save the company $58 million annually. 

Tribune television stations lost about $12 million from the events of Sept. 11, the company said. 

TV revenues fell 6 percent to $274 million for the quarter, revenue from publishing — largely newspapers — declined 8 percent to $907 million, and retail advertising was off 7 percent. 

For the first nine months, the company had a net loss of $15.7 million, or 5 cents a share, compared with year-earlier earnings of $168 million, or 65 cents a share. Revenues rose 14 percent to $3.93 billion from $3.43 billion. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.tribune.com 


By Paul Queary The Associated Press

Staff
Saturday October 20, 2001

They claim it burdens, not benefits, employees 

 

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A coalition of business groups and other employers sued the state over sweeping new ergonomic rules designed to protect workers from injury. 

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Thurston County Superior Court by Washington Employers Concerned about Regulating Ergonomics, claims the rules written by the Department of Labor and Industries place a staggering burden on employers for dubious benefits to workers. 

“This is clearly a case of a state agency abusing its power and pushing through a rule based on political agendas,” said Tom McCabe, president of the Building Industry Association of Washington. 

State officials contend the regulations — enthusiastically backed by labor unions — are long overdue and could prevent thousands of injuries a year. The labor and industries department has no plans to rescind or revise the regulations, director Gary Moore said. 

“We’re very confident that the ergonomics rules will reduce workplace injuries and reduce employer costs,” Moore said. 

The department receives 50,000 claims a year from injured workers, costing employers more than $400 million. “That’s a huge toll of pain and suffering and lost productivity,” Moore said. 

The rules, to be phased in over six years beginning next July, require employers to identify tasks that are likely to cause back strain, repetitive stress and other injuries to muscles and joints. 

Businesses — starting with sawmills, construction and other industries that report the highest number of injuries — must take steps to lower the risks by buying new equipment, repositioning existing equipment or providing training on how to avoid injury. 

Major employer groups say the rules will cost them $725 million a year. The lawsuit also challenges the effectiveness of the ergonomic techniques spelled out in the rules. 

Proposals to delay implementation of the rules died in the closely divided Legislature this year. 

Nationally, ergonomic regulations were formulated during the Clinton administration. But Congress repealed them this spring, and Eugene Scalia, nominated by the Bush administration as the Labor Department’s top lawyer, has called them “quackery” and “junk science.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

Department of Labor and Industries: http://www.lni.wa.gov/ 


Providian stock loses half its value amid investor worries

By Michael Liedtke The Associated Press
Saturday October 20, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Providian Financial Corp.’s stock lost more than half its value Friday amid worries that the once thriving credit card company has fallen into an insurmountable hole. 

The selloff followed a shakeup Providian outlined after the market closed Thursday. Longtime Providian CEO Shailesh Mehta announced his resignation and the company disclosed plans to curtail its business of giving credit cards to high-risk, or “subprime,” consumers. 

The company also slashed its earnings estimates for the fourth quarter and warned that the worsening losses in its $32.2 billion credit card loan portfolio made it too difficult to predict its results in 2002. 

The news left Wall Street wondering how far the company might fall from just last year, when Providian earned $651.8 million on nearly $6 billion in revenue, and its stock peaked at $66.72. 

In a move that will make it more expensive for Providian to raise money, Fitch Inc. on Friday downgraded Providian’s credit rating to junk status, citing “the rapid deterioration in the company’s franchise.” 

Shares of the San Francisco-based company plummeted $7.25, or 58 percent, to close at $5.15 Friday on the New York Stock Exchange. 

“This seems like total capitulation on the part of investors,” said industry analyst Michael Vinciquerra of Raymond James & Associates. “Every time we think things can’t get any worse, they do.” 

Some analysts predict Providian will be sold to a healthier rival interested in picking up the company’s 18.5 million accountholders at a discount.  

The question is how much the battered company is worth, given that not even its own management seems certain about how badly its loan portfolio might deteriorate. 

“People with sharp pencils are trying to figure out the breakup value of the company,” said industry analyst Charlotte Chamberlain of Jefferies & Co. 

After factoring in loan losses likely to surface in upcoming quarters, Vinciquerra estimated Providian’s book value at about $7.50 per share. He said industry giants Citigroup, Chase Manhattan and FleetBoston Financial are Providian’s most likely suitors. 

Providian’s management believes it can salvage its business by shifting its focus to the more stable mass market of consumers with solid credit ratings. In doing so, Providian will run into plenty of entrenched, healthier credit card companies, including Capital One Financial Corp., MBNA Corp. and Household International Inc. 

Analysts aren’t convinced Providian is savvy enough to compete in the mass market, particularly since a recent expansion into the premium, or “platinum,” credit card market didn’t generate the returns it expected. 

“It’s sort of like me thinking I could sing like Madonna just because I go out and buy a pointy bra and some fishnet stockings,” Chamberlain said. 

Providian also told analysts Thursday that it is prepared to slash expenses, raising the possibility of layoffs among the roughly 13,000 workers that the company employed as of Sept. 30. 

Providian emerged as the nation’s fifth-largest issuer of bank credit cards by developing a computer model that zeroed in on subprime consumers who were willing to pay higher rates and more fees for additional services.  

The formula turned Providian — once part of a Kentucky life insurer — into an investor favorite and won Mehta, the company’s CEO since 1988, industry acclaim. 

The company’s aggressive marketing tactics landed Providian in trouble with government regulators last year. Facing accusations it had gouged customers with unnecessary fees, Providian agreed to pay more than $400 million to settle with government agencies and consumers represented in class-action suits. 

At its peak, Providian had a market value of $19 billion. After Friday’s selloff, the company’s market value stood at $1.5 billion. 

——— 

On The Net: 

http://www.providian.com 


Group challenges district boundaries

By John Geluardi, Daily Planet staff
Friday October 19, 2001

 

 

A newly-formed political action group held a press conference on the steps of Old City Hall Thursday to announce a petition drive to overturn the recently-approved council district lines, which they said were gerrymandered. 

Citizens for Fair Representation, accompanied by moderates Mayor Shirley Dean and Councilmember Miriam Hawley, charged council progressives with fashioning the new boundary lines in a back room with the intention of weakening the political power of moderate Councilmember Polly Armstrong in District 8 and strengthening that of progressive Councilmember Kriss Worthington in District 7. 

“We’re a grassroots organization that has formed to put a referendum on the March 3 ballot that will overturn the approved district plan, which is little more than a power grab by the far left,” said David Tabb, chairman of the newly-formed CFR.  

Tabb is also Hawley’s appointee to the Planning Commission.  

Progressive Councilmember Dona Spring, who attended the press conference, said there is “absolutely no truth” to moderate charges. She said it appeared the press conference was just another opportunity for the same kind of moderate grandstanding that has attended recent council debates. 

“We had two public hearings on the new districts and they were debated again and again,” she said. “There was no ‘back room deal’ and the mayor knows it.” 

According to the city clerk, the CFR will have to collect 4,000 authentic signatures by Nov. 15 in order to have the referendum put on the March ballot. 

The controversial redistricting plan was drafted by Berkeley residents Michael O’Malley and David Blake, a former aide to progressive Councilmember Linda Maio. Progressives said they approved the plan, from a field of six others, because it best fit City Charter requirements. 

The charter requires district boundary lines to be redrawn every 10 years, according to population data in the decennial census. The charter also states that redrawn districts must deviate as little as possible from the original districts, which were approved in 1986. 

Making matters worse, the Federal Census Bureau blundered by not counting approximately 4,500 Berkeley residents, mostly students in districts 6, 7 and 8. 

Because the charter requires the district lines be drawn according to the census – whether it has a colossal error or not – the approved district lines resulted in a population imbalance in District 8.  

So, according to the census, each new district has close to 12,800 people. But according to the 1990 Census, there are 17,000 people in District 8 and close to 12,800 in each of the other eight districts. 

Moderates contend the estimated 4,500 uncounted students that are now in District 8 are more inclined to vote for progressive candidates, which they say would lessen the moderate Armstrong’s chances of re-election in that district next year. 

Census officials have so far refused to correct their error in the census count. 

Tabb said progressives violated the law by taking advantage of the census mistake to consolidate their power in the new districts.  

“This redistricting plan is illegal and unconstitutional,” he said.  

Worthington said the answer to the problem is getting the Census Bureau to correct the population count as soon as possible and put an adjusted district plan on the ballot.  

“We don’t want the (extra people) in District 8,” Worthington said. “But nobody could come up with a legally permissible way to shift the undercounted residents.” 

Blake defended the plan he co-drafted.  

“The plan speaks for itself,” he said. “It’s interesting that if the opponents of the new districts chose to hold a press conference instead of filing a law suit.” 

In addition, Dean said a progressive meeting that took place a day prior to the plan’s approval on Oct. 2 was a violation of the Brown Act – a state law that restricts attendance of non-public meetings by elected officials. 

“We are going to ask the Grand Jury to take a look at it,” she said. 

Dean added that a Berkeley resident was preparing a letter, which would be sent to the Alameda County Grand Jury early next week. 

Progressives argued they closely followed legal procedures during the meeting and that the moderates are simply getting an early start on what apparently will be a negative campaign for the mayor’s office next year. 

Dean has said the meeting in question was attended by Spring, Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek, Councilmember Margaret Breland and Blake. She added that it constituted a Brown Act violation when Councilmember Kriss Worthington showed up after the meeting was underway. 

The Brown Act makes it illegal for more than four councilmembers to meet without noticing the public. But Worthington’s presence would have been a violation of the Brown Act, only if the redistricting plan were discussed. But those who attended the meeting insist they had finished discussing the issue when Worthington arrived, and if Blake was at the meeting representing Maio, which both Blake and Maio say is ridiculous. 

Worthington dismissed the mayor’s charges as politically motivated. 

“This is just another example of the extreme statements that the mayor has been making on recent controversial issues,” he said. “I’m sure these comments don’t benefit Berkeley, whether or not they benefit the mayor’s campaign remains to be seen.”


Out & About Calendar

– Compiled by Guy Poole
Friday October 19, 2001


Friday, Oct. 19

 

Cooperative Center Federal  

Credit Union 

Grand Opening Celebration 

4 - 7 p.m. 

2001 Ashby Ave. 

A family affair with food, entertainment and a special treat for the kids. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, honorary chairperson, is scheduled to attend. Faith Fancher is the Mistress of Ceremonies. 415-346-0199 

 

YAP’s FNL Teen Club: “Pop  

Ya Colla! Dance” 

7 -11 p.m. 

1730 Oregon St. 

Young Adult Project presents dance for 13 to 18 year olds only. Must have B.U.S.D. I.D. “No haters, no problems.” 644-6226 

 

Hills Emergency Forum 

10 - 11 a.m . 

Joaquin Miller Community Center 

3946 Sanbord Dr., Oakland 

Annual meeting to discuss progress made in reducing and managing risks associated with wildland fires in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. 893-9888 

 


Saturday, Oct. 20

 

Private Elementary School  

Panel Discussion and Fair 

10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

College Avenue Presbyterian Church 

5951 College Ave. 

Parents representing 12 selected schools will discuss issues parents encounter when searching for private elementary schools, including the admissions process. Sponsored by Neighborhood Parents Network. Open to the public. $5 - $10. 527-6667 www.parentsnet.org 

 

UC Berkeley Community  

Action Day 

9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

People’s Park 

Haste and Hillegass avenues 

More than 300 students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members and student groups will participate in an all-day event, carrying out service projects throughout the city. 643-0306 kinyon@uclink4.berkeley.edu 

 

 

Earthquake Retrofitting 

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Office of Emergency Services 

812 Page St.  

Free classes in Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). 981-5605 www.ci.berkeley.ca.us 

 

 

BART Job Fair 

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

BART will be recruiting to fill approximately 160 jobs that will be opening up next year. The jobs to be filled are in accounting, planing, engineering, insurance, purchasing, police, maintenance and electronics. 

 

Symposium on New Science  

of Aging 

10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

Valley Life Sciences Building 

Room 2040 

UC Berkeley 

Lectures by prominent gerontologists and industry scientists will featured, plus leading biotechnology companies and research institutions will provide information about their research programs in aging and will discuss opportunities for collaboration and employment. 486-6096 http://crea.berkeley.edu/ 

 

Historical Society Walking  

Tour 

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Berkeley Historical Society 

1931 Center St. 

Patrick Keilch will lead tour of the Berkeley Hills and relate his hands-on experiences and observations from the wildfire of 1991. 848-0181  

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc/ 

 

 

Berkeley High School  

Workshop 

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Berkeley Alternative High School 

1950 Derby St. 

Academic Workshop for parents on the graduation requirements for Berkeley High School. 644-8524 

 

 

Oakland Hills Fire  

Commemorative Walk and  

Pot Luck Dinner 

5 -9 p.m. 

5999 Grizzly Peak 

Walk led by Oakland Fire Department and CORE graduates. Participants should bring pot luck dishes to feed eight guests. 273-9111 www.nhphoenix.org 

 

Puppet Shows 

1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

The Kids on the Block perform two shows to promote acceptance and understanding of cultural and medical differences. 549-1564 

 

Discussion of Current Legal  

Issues 

9 a.m. - 11 p.m. 

Boalt Hall 

UC Berkeley 

Top litigators, legal scholars and media experts participate in several panels discussions concerning some of the nation’s most closely watched legal issues. 643-6673 

 

Sunday, Oct. 21 

UNtraining White Liberal  

Racism 

2 - 5 p.m. 

The UNtraining offers personal work in a supportive setting for white people to address our unconscious racial conditioning. $10. Private residence, call 235-6134 for address.  

 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between 3rd and 4th streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 

654-6346 

Halloween Magic 

1 - 2 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond JCC Auditorium 

1414 Walnut St.  

Los Angeles Magician and Comedian “Hotei the Magic Guy.” For kids 2 through 12 and their parents. $7. 236-7469 www.thebuddyclub.com 

 


Correcting the record

Linda Maio
Friday October 19, 2001

Editor, 

Both the Associated Press and United Press International wire services issued wrong information about what the Berkeley City Council did regarding the bombing of Afghanistan. We did not condemn the bombing in Afghanistan, as both AP and UPI published. Here is the essence of the action five councilmembers took:  

We deplored the September 11th attack, honored the victims whose lives were lost so tragically, honored our firefighters and police and the many volunteers. We asked our representatives to “help break the cycle of violence, bringing the bombing to a conclusion as soon as possible, avoiding actions that would endanger the lives of innocent people in Afghanistan, and minimizing the risk to American military personnel.”  

Because the media needs juice every day, we became that juice. AP issued a corrected wire, but bad news had already been spread, and used, across the nation. Ours is a city with a deep history of speaking out on matters of importance. 

Our democracy is what makes it possible for all voices to be heard. It is part of our strength.  

And because we rely on the news media for our information, they need to get it right, especially at a time like this.  

 

Linda Maio 

Berkeley City Council, District 1


New anthology peeks into city’s non-traditional art

Sari Friedman, Special to the Daily Planet
Friday October 19, 2001

Experimental, street, and non-academic poetry for Berkeley’s New Millennium 

 

 

What is a poem?  

Must its words rhyme?  

What if you don’t have an expert to pontificate upon the subtle poetic flavors?  

Do they still exist?  

Does a poem have to be taught to students who scored high on the GREs in order to raise a pulse? Does art have to make sense?  

And what if nothing in your life makes sense, nothing whatsoever?  

Say you’ve spent a little too much time on the rough side of the street and it’s amazing you’re even alive.  

What, then, if you want to write, or your hand itches to draw, and the desire to manifest your artistic vision is so strong in you, so compelling, that, at times, you can hardly breathe. You can hardly think. The obsession fills your horizon and every inside space. 

What, then, do you do about that? 

The New Now Now New Millennium Turn On Anthology (no, that wasn’t a typo) might be your port in the storm. This provocative, edgy, sometimes gentle, sometimes bitter, kooky, luminous, and occasionally lightning-strike brilliant collection of mostly Berkeley artists and writers is one big ‘ol mother lode of non-academic, street and experimental artistic expression. 

Dedicated to the spirits of Gregory Corso, Alan Ginsberg and other local artists who died within the last few years (some of whom did make it well into “the academy”), the anthology’s editor, H. D. Moe, has gathered the work of about 250 contemporary poets, illustrators, reviewers, and short story writers.  

Many extraordinary poets and artists are represented in this anthology. I don’t have the space, in this review, to name all the names, and can’t do justice to many remarkable works….  

Please understand you might want to buy the anthology and see this work for yourself.  

It’s impossible to even find a representative voice or image in this plethora of sensibilities, some searching for esoteric wisdom, others expressing rage, a few just shifting burdens from arm to arm –  

But here are the first few lines from one voice: 

Heavy Drinking 

By Robert Lavett Smith 

 

In my teens, prevented by cerebral palsy 

From driving—the usual rite of passage— 

And unacquainted still with the mysteries of sex, 

I viewed those first clandestine beers on sticky 

Summer nights as an invitation to adulthood: 

Proof I was part of a world I had barely begun to understand 

 

And here are the closing few lines from a poem by another voice: 

 

From Me To She 

By Leonard Irving 

 

But she lies beneath 

The yum-yum tree 

Of memory 

And there will stay 

As I lie here 

In Peoples Park 

Bereft and sad 

In Berkeley. 

 

Or you might want to consider these words if you’ve, perhaps, given up on defining what poetry is, and instead want to wonder what it does…. 

 

From Whole Poetry 

By Kelly Arbor 

 

Sing, daughter, sing. 

Your wideness is wonder. 

Your whole is not half. 

Find your voice inside 

the hole of poetry. 


Arts & Entertainment Calendar

Staff
Friday October 19, 2001

 

924 Gilman St. Oct. 19: W.H.N.?, Jellyroll Rockheads, Ex-Claim, Crucial Attack, Sharp Knife; Oct. 21: 5 p.m. Throwdown, Martyr A.D., Bleeding Through, Everytime I Die, Fate 13; Oct. 26: Influents, Plus Ones, Divit, Summerjack, Robot Adrenaline, Claredon Hills; Oct. 27: (Halloween show, $1 off if you’re in a (non-punk) costume!) Babyland, Tsunami Bomb, Scissor Hands, Dexter Danger; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926 

Ashkenaz Oct 19: Swing Session 1317 San Pablo Ave. 525-5054 www.ashkenaz.com 

 

Blake’s Oct. 19: King Harvest, Sfunk, $5; Oct. 20: Psychokinetics, $5; Oct. 22: The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Oct. 23: Felice, $3; Oct. 24: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; Oct. 25: Psychotica, $5; Oct. 26: Planting Seeds, $6; Oct. 27: Felonious, $6; Oct. 29: The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Oct. 31: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; All shows 9:30 p.m. 2367 Telegraph Ave. 848-0886 

 

Cal Performances Oct. 19: 8 p.m. Karnak, $18 - $30; Nov 8: 8 p.m. Gypsy Caravan 2: A Celebration of Roma Music and Dance, $18 - $30. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley Campus, Bancroft Way at Telegraph, 642-0212, tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu 

 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; Oct. 19: Little Jonny and the Giants; Doors open at 8 p.m. unless noted. 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

 

Shafqat Ali Khan Oct. 20: 8 p.m. Concert of classical Ragaa, Sufi, Urdu, Persian Ghazel, and other popular musical styles from India. $20 general admission, $15 students. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. 845-8542 www.juliamorgan.org 

 

“Prometeh in Evin” Oct. 28: 8 p.m., A drama about political prisoners in Iran, performed by the brave and innovative Parsian Group. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. $25, Children, $15 2640 College Ave 845.8542 www.juliamorgan.org. 

 

“Swanwhite” Through Oct. 21: Thur. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. A new translation of the Swedish Play that asks the question what good is romantic love, directed by Tom Clyde. $20, Sundays are “Pay What You Can”. Transparent Theater, 1901 Ashby Ave. 883-0305, www.virtuous.com 

 

“Orestes” Through Oct. 21: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. An adaptation of the classical play by Euripides that incorporates passages inspired or taken from various 20th century texts. Written by Charles Mee, Directed by Christopher Herold. $6-12. Zellerbach Playhouse on the UC Berkeley campus 642-8268 

 

“Approach” Through Oct. 27: Thur. - Sat., 8 p.m. An examination of the search for intimacy as our most precious form of survival. Written by Susan Wiegand, Directed by Katie Bales Frassinelli. $15 general admission, $10 students and seniors. Eighth Street Studio Theatre, 2525 8th St. 655-0813 www.shotgunplayers.org 

 

“36 Views” Through Oct. 28: Tues. 8 p.m., Wed. 7 p.m., Thu. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Thu., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m. w/ 2 p.m. matinee every other Sat., Sun. 2 p.m., 8 p.m. Written by Naomi Lizuka, Directed by Mark Wing-Davey. $10 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“me/you...us/them” Nov. 8 though Nov. 10: Thur - Sat 8 p.m., matinee on Sat. 2:30 p.m. Three one-acts that look at interpersonal, as well as societal relationships from the perspective of the disabled. $10 - $25. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. 925-798-1300 

 

“Nocturne” Through Nov. 11: Tues./Thurs./Sat. 8 p.m., Weds. & Sun. 7 p.m, matinee on Thurs./Sat./Sun. 2 p.m. Mark Brokaw directs Anthony Rapp in One-Man Show. Written by Adam Rapp. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. 647-2949 www.berkeleyrep.org 

 

“Travesties” Through Nov. 17: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., and Thurs., Nov. 15, 8 p.m. A witty fantasy about James Joyce meeting Lenin in Zurich during World War I. Written by Tom Stoppard, Directed by Mikel Clifford. $10. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck. 528-5620 

 

“Macbeth” Nov. 9 though Nov. 18: Fri. - Sat., 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m. Presented by the Albany High School Theater Ensemble. $7 adults, $5 students and seniors. Albany High School Little Theater, 603 Key Route Blvd. 559-6550 x4125 theaterensemble@hotmail.com 

 

“Murder Dressed in Satin” by Victor Lawhorn, ongoing. A mystery-comedy dinner show at The Madison about a murder at the home of Satin Moray, a club owner and self-proclaimed socialite with a scarlet past. Dinner is included in the price of the theater ticket. $47.50 Lake Merritt Hotel, 1800 Madison St., Oakland. 239-2252 www.acteva.com/go/havefun 

 

 

Films 

 

“Lisa Picard is Famous” Through Oct. 19: Mocumentary chronicles New York actress who hopes to get more than a fleeting taste of fame when a racy cereal commercial brings her unexpected national notoriety. Shattuck Cinemas, 2230 Shattuck Ave. 843-3456 

 

“Loaded Visions” Oct. 17: 8 p.m. Experimental short films by Antero Alli (Eight Videopoems and “Lilly in Limbo,” plus live music from Sylvi Alli). $5 - $10 sliding scale. La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 464-4640 www.verticalpool.com 

 

Pacific Film Archive Theater Oct. 15: 7 p.m., Genesis; Oct. 16: 7:30 p.m., La Région centrale; Oct. 17: 7:30 p.m., Video in the Villages and Amazonian Trilogy; Oct. 19: 7:30 p.m., Jungle Secrets, Yãkwa; Oct. 20: 3:30 p.m., Berkeley High/Bay Area Film Festival; 7 p.m., The Testament of Dr. Mabuse; 9:20 p.m., The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse; Oct. 21: 3:30 p.m., Kiss and Film, 5:30 p.m., Harakiri; Oct. 22: 7 p.m., The Closed Doors; Oct. 23: 7:30 p.m., Super-8mm Films by Theresa Cha; Oct. 24: 7:30 p.m., The Rainy Season and Wai’a Rini; Oct. 26: 7:30 p.m., The Passion of Joan of Arc, 9:15 p.m., Vivre sa Vie; Oct 27: 7 p.m., New Music for Silent Films by UCB Composers; Oct. 28: 5:30 p.m., Vampyr; Oct. 29: 7 p.m., A Time for Drunken Horses; Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m., An Evening with Leslie Thornton; Oct. 31: 7:30 p.m., 9:20 p.m., Saudade do Futuro. 

2575 Bancroft Way, 642-1124 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

“Ralph Bunche: An American Odyssey” Oct. 20: 1 p.m. The documentary chronicles Bunche, who rose to become Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, where he helped to bring about the Armistice in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War for which he was later awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. $8. Oakland Museum, 1000 Oak Street Oakland, 652-3192 

 

Exhibits 

 

 

“First Annual Art Show” UC Berkeley Life Drawing Group Reception, Oct. 20: 3 p.m.; Oct. 21- 26: 7 - 10 p.m. Figure studies from the workshops at UC Berkeley. 1014 60th St., Emeryville. 923-0689 

 

“MWP Perspectives” Jon Orvik: One artist’s journey. Through Oct. 27 Tues. - Fri. 12 - 5 p.m., Sat. & Sun. 12 - 4 p.m. Solo artist exhibiting his journey through metal, wood and paint. Adapt Gallery and Design, 2834 College Ave. 649-8501 www.adaptgallery.com  

 

“Cut Plates and Bowls” Annabeth Rosen, “Just Jars” Sandy Simon Through Nov. 3; Saturdays 10 - 5 or by appointment. Trax Ceramic Gallery, 1306 3rd St. 526-0279. cone5@aol.com 

 

“50 Years of Photography in Japan 1951 - 2001” Through Nov. 5: An exhibition from The Yomiuri Shimbun, the world’s largest daily newspaper with a national morning circulation of 10,300,000. Photographs of work, love, community, culture and disasters of Japan as seen by Japanese news photographers. Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. U.C. Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism, North Gate Hall, Hearst and Euclid. Free. 642-3383 

 

“Jesus, This is Your Life - Stories and Pictures by Kids” Through Nov. 16: California children, ages four through twelve, from diverse backgrounds present original artwork, accompanied by a story written by the artist. “Cleve Gray, Holocaust Drawings” Oct. 15 through Jan. 25: 21 works on paper inviting the viewer to consider the atrocity of the Holocaust in ways unattainable through words or text. Mon. - Thur. 8:30 a.m. -10 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m. - 7 p.m. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2541. 

 

“Changing the World, Building New Lives: 1970s photographs of Lesbians, Feminists, Union Women, Disability Activists and their Supporters” Through Nov. 17: An exhibit of black and white photographs by Oakland photographer Cathy Cade, who captured the interrelationships of the different struggles for justice and social change. Gallery Hours, Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St. Free. 644-1400 cathycade@mindspring.com 

 

“2001 James D. Phelan Art Awards in Printmaking” Honorees: Bridget Henry, David Kelso, and Margaret Van Patten. Oct. 19 - Nov. 30 Tues. - Fri. noon - 5 p.m., other times by appointment. Kala Art Institue, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977 www.kala.org 

 

“The Whole World’s Watching: Peace and Social Justice Movements of the 1960s and 1970s” Through Dec. 16: A documentary photo exhibition which examines the rich history of the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Wed. - Sun., noon - 5 p.m. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., Live Oak Park. Free. 644-6893 

 

“Musee des Hommages” Masterworks by Guy Colwell Faithful copies of several artists from the pasts, including Titian’s “The Venus of Urbino,” Cezanne’s “Still Life,” Picasso’s “Woman at a Mirror,” and Botticelli’s “Primavera” Ongoing. Call ahead for hours. Atelier 9 2028 Ninth St. (at Addison) 841-4210 or visit www.atelier9.com 

 

Readings 

 

Boadecia’s Books Oct. 18: Patricia Nell Warren reads from her novel “The Wild Man”, Oct. 22: J.M. Redmann reads from “Death By the Riverside”; All events start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise. All events are free. 398 Colusa Ave. 559-9184 www.bookpride.com 

 

Cody’s on 4th Street Oct 18: Tamora Pierce talks about “Protector of the Small”; 1730 Fourth St. 559-9500 

 

Cody’s on Telegraph Ave. Oct. 10: Timothy Liu & Sam Will read their poetry; Oct. 14: Laurie Duesing & Mary Julia Klimenko read their poetry; Oct. 15: Amir Aczel poses The Riddle of the Compass: The Invention That Changed the World; Oct. 16: Kip Fulbeck talks about “Paper Bullets”; Oct. 17: Valerie Berry, Terry Ehret & Grace Grafton read their poetry; Oct. 18: Suzanne Antoneta & Micah Perks talk about “Body Toxic: An Environmental Memoir” and “Pagan Time: An American Childhood; Oct. 26 Sage Cohen & Mari L’esperance read their poetry; All shows at 7:30 p.m.; 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-7852 

 

Coffee Mill Poetry Series Oct. 16: 7 - 9 p.m. Steve Arntsen and Kathleen Dunbar followed by open mike reading. 3363 Grand Ave., Oakland 465-3935 ksdgk@earthlink.net 

 

Eastwind Books of Berkeley Oct. 20: Miriam Ching Louie reads from “Sweatshop Warriors: Immigrant Women Workers Take on the Global Factory”; Nov. 10: 4 p.m. Ruthanne Lum McCunn reads from her novel “Moon Pearl”; Nov. 18: 4 p.m. Noel Alumit, M.G. Sorongon, and Marianne Villanueva read from their contributions to the anthology “Tilting the Continent: Southeast Asian American Literature”; 2066 University Ave. 548-2350 

 

Ecology Center Oct. 22: 7 - 9 p.m. Toby Hemenway presents a slideshow and reads from “Gaia’s Garden: A guide to Home Scale Permaculture”; 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-220 x233 

 

Tours 

 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sun., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sun., noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623  

 

 

Museums 

 

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins; Oct. 21: United Nations Day; Oct. 25: A Storytelling Pajama Party, 6 - 7 p.m.; Oct. 27: 4th Annual Habitot Halloween; Oct. 28: Family Arts Day; Oct. 31: Sugar-Art Halloween Frosting; Nov. 3: Tales from the Enchanted Forest, 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.; Nov. 9: Living with the Earth; Nov. 17: Recycle that Stuff; $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. Mon. and Wed., 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tues. and Fri., 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thur., 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111 or www.habitot.org  

 

UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20 foot by 40 foot replica of the fearsome dinosaur made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing. “Pteranodon” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22-23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Free. Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 642-1821 

 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology will close its exhibition galleries for renovation. It will reopen in early 2002.  

 

University of California Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive has reopened after its summerlong seismic retrofit. “Martin Puryear: Sculpture of the 1990s” through Jan. 13; “The Dream of the Audience: Theresa Hak Kyung Cha (1951 - 1982)” through Dec. 16; “Face of Buddha: Sculpture from India, China, Japan, and Southeast Asia” ongoing rotation through 2003; “Matrix 194: Jessica Bronson, Heaps, layers, and curls” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; “Matrix 192: Ceal Floyer 37’4”” Sept. 16 through Nov. 11; Wed., Fri., Sat., Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thur. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., PFA Theater, 2575 Bancroft Way; Museum Galleries 2626 Bancroft Way; 642-0808 www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

 

Lawrence Hall of Science “Within the Human Brain,” ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. “Saturday Night Stargazing,” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza. Saturdays 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. 642-5132 

 

Holt Planetarium Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. “Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu  

 

Send arts events two weeks in advance to Calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.net, 2076 University, Berkeley 94704 or fax to 841-5694.


’Jackets lose focus but still dominate Richmond

By Jared Green, Daily Planet Staff
Friday October 19, 2001

Facing an opponent with no real chance to beat his team, Berkeley girls’ volleyball coach Justin Caraway had two goals for Thursday’s match against Richmond: stay focused and try some new lineups. He went one-for-two. 

Caraway got to use just about everyone on his bench in different positions against the overmatched Oilers, but his team clearly didn’t have the fire he wanted to see. Although the ’Jackets (17-4 overall, 8-0 ACCAL) dominated the first and third games, giving up just three points combined, they let down big-time in the second game, allowing the Oilers to hang around and tie the game at 7-7 before pulling away to win 15-7. 

“It’s tough to keep your mental focus when you’re playing a team like (Richmond), especially when our team has bad focus in the first place,” Caraway said after putting his team through some windsprints after the match. “Games like this that provide no real competition actually hurt us more than they help.” 

The ’Jackets simply overpowered the visiting Oilers with their hard-hitting front row. Vanessa Williams, who Caraway recently moved from the middle to the outside, responded with seven kills and four digs, while star middle blocker Desiree Guilliard-Young had four kills and two blocks. Outside hitter Amalia Jarvis dominated the final game of the match, making four kills to lead the ’Jackets to a 15-0 win. Setter Danielle Larue had 21 assists and two aces, and served for the first eight points of the final game. 

Jarvis is one of three candidates for the outside hitter spot in Caraway’s new lineup, with Guilliard-Young and Williams the mainstays up front. By using three players as defensive specialists, Caraway has opened up a spot for Emily Friedman, his backup setter and one of the best passers on the team. 

“Being able to use Emily in that role will be key,” he said. “We can use more ball control with her on the court. We need that for our rematch with Encinal, and it will be very important in the playoffs.”


Businesses within city boycotted

By Hank Sims, Daily Planet staff
Friday October 19, 2001

Outsiders react to council’s anti- war resolution 

 

Berkeley business owners are condemning a council resolution, which, they say, has caused outside businesses to refuse to purchase goods and services from them. The resolution, passed Tuesday by a divided City Council, calls on elected officials to end the bombing of Afghanistan. 

Mayor Shirley Dean said Thursday that she and other members of the City Council have received a flood of e-mail opposing the resolution and stating that they will refuse to work with companies located within the city. 

Berkeley firms have already reported a loss in business, leaving the members of the council’s progressive faction, who supported the resolution, and the moderates, who opposed it, blaming each other for potentially huge economic losses. 

Many city officials fear a more organized national boycott of city businesses is imminent. 

Tsunami Visual Technologies, a Fremont-based video game component manufacturer, said it had canceled a $12,000 contract with Berkeley’s ID8 Media, a vendor of 3-D computer technology. Tsunami said because of the council’s action, it would award the contract to a San Francisco company. 

In addition, the Tsunami employee who wrote the letter said he would no longer patronize Berkeley restaurants. 

Fireside Thrift Co., a Pleasanton-based savings-and-loan company with over 40 offices, wrote to the mayor’s office asking for a clarification of certain aspects of the resolution. The company had been planning to hold its annual convention in Berkeley, but was reconsidering in light of the resolution. 

Ashby Lumber reported that one of its biggest customers canceled a contract for $60,000-worth of goods, and would not do business with the company again.  

Mike Fuller, Ashby Lumber’s operations manager, said the contractor who canceled the contract asked that his name not be released to the press. Fuller did say, though, that it was one of the larger and better-known Bay Area construction companies, and that it is currently contacting other contractors in order to organize a boycott. 

“When someone who’s been working with us for 10 or 15 years says that he’s not coming in anymore, that hurts,” said Fuller. 

“This guy loves our service. He told us, ‘It’s not a reflection on you, it’s about the city.’” 

Fuller said management at Ashby Lumber asked if the contractor would consider switching to working with their branch in Pleasant Hill. 

“He told us ‘no,’ because the business was still based in Berkeley,” said Fuller. 

According to Dean, these are just a few examples from the hundreds of e-mail messages her office has received. A man left a voice mail on her office telephone saying he canceled escrow on a home he was buying in town. A Midwestern CEO wrote he would be convening a meeting with other business leaders to discuss a city boycott. Individuals from around the Bay Area and the country said they would not buy anything in Berkeley.  

On Thursday, Councilmember Dona Spring, the author of the resolution, came out swinging against Dean and Rachel Rupert, CEO of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, who she said should “bear the responsibility for the negative spin on this story.” 

Spring said in a television interview, Rupert said she was certain a boycott would follow passage of the resolution, and listed the forms such a boycott might take. 

“The president of the Chamber is the one publicizing the idea of boycotting Berkeley,” she said. “Rachel Rupert is trying to use the resolution to help Mayor Dean politically and hurt her rivals on the council.” 

“The important question businesses in the Chamber need to ask themselves is whether their president, Rachel Rupert, is working for them, or for the mayor.” 

A person answering the phones at the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce said Rupert was in meetings all day and could not be reached for comment. 

Spring accused Dean of repeating in a press release, a statement Spring gave to a reporter that Spring said was a misquotation. Spring also stated that the mayor had characterized the resolution as a “condemnation” of the bombing, which Spring said was a mischaracterization. 

“The mayor knows better than that,” said Spring. “In her using this issue, and publicizing it, she hurt Berkeley in order to advance her own political career.”  

“This is an organized campaign to help the mayor’s re-election campaign, and unfortunately it’s coming at the expense of Berkeley businesses.” 

Mayor Dean said the charges were “absolutely the silliest statements I have ever heard.” 

“(Spring) should quit blaming people for her own blunders,” she said. “She needs to go into her office and read her e-mails. She needs to recognize the seriousness of her actions.” 

“I’m getting death threats for what (the progressives) do. She has put me, my family, my office staff and their families at risk, and she has the effrontery to say that it’s my fault. I reject that.” 

“I have never described this resolution as a condemnation,” Dean added. “I have never used those words. Ms. Spring knows that, and I don’t know what she’s talking about.”  

Dean bristled at charges that she maliciously repeated the quotation from the “Daily Californian,” which Spring said was incorrect. 

“My press release, in which I did repeat her statement in the Daily Cal, was days ago,” she said. “The Daily Cal stood by their story, but I took that press release off my web site, and it hasn’t been on there for days.” 

Dean also strongly denied that she was using the fallout from the resolution for political gain. 

“I went on the national news and tried to smooth this thing over,” she said. “I went onto the Fox News Channel and called the people behind this (resolution) ‘patriots.’ I tried to defend them.” 

Councilmember Spring said she had not yet heard from any local companies that report business losses because of the resolution, but regretted any that did occur. 

“It was never our intent to harm Berkeley businesses,” she said. “We are sorry about the inflammatory way that this was spun by the media, but the mayor and Rachel Rupert should bear the responsibility for that.” 

Spring said she also received many e-mails from people thanking her and promising to shop in Berkeley. 


Support Bush or quit

Joyce Marlene Carroll
Friday October 19, 2001

Editor: 

Shock vibrated through my heart while reading the Berkeley Planet article: “Council Condemns terrorists, mourns loss in resolution.” Added to this shock wave was the news report on the same issue. 

How dangerous six government representatives can be. The Berkeley City Council members are elected government officials. I see it as their duty to support the decision of President Bush.  

If you cannot support your president while serving as a government official, no matter what level you serve, whether in a local, state or federal capacity it is your duty to relinquish your position. Have the professionalism to step down. 

I request that councilmembers Linda Maio, Maudelle Shirek, Dona Spring, and Kriss Worthington give up their seats on the Berkeley City Council.  

Have the courage of your convictions and step down as government representatives of the people and speak your peace as a citizen. 

What you have done is self-serving. I cannot believe the majority of Berkeley’s citizens would vote in favor of such a resolution.  

I will encourage a boycott of Berkeley until this resolution is overturned. May the Berkeley City Council become a true governing body for the people.  

Please support our President and those who serve ready to die for your safety. 

God Bless America. 

Your decision has brought me great sorrow. I will never look upon local government again as truly for the people. It is time to reconsider the amount power we allow our city councilmembers to wield. 

 

Joyce Marlene Carroll 

Rio Vista


PFA readies for finale of Land retrospective

By Peter Crimmins, Special to the Daily Planet
Friday October 19, 2001

For the past four months the Pacific Film Archive has been showcasing the work of film director Fritz Lang, a giant of cinema whose career spans from silent films in 1920s Germany to Hollywood studio product of the ‘40s, and even an homage in Jean-Luc Godard’s Nouvelle Vague classic, “Contempt.” 

This massive retrospective of Lang’s oeuvre is soon coming to a close – just two more weekends remaining – and the enthusiastic filmgoers who have been flocking to the PFA will be given a chance to reflect on the man and his work.  

On Saturday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. in the PFA theater, there will be a free open discussion about Lang with guest speaker, UC Berkeley professor Anton Kaes, fielding audience questions about the man. 

Following the discussion will be a screening of “Die Nibelungen,” Lang’s 1924 film based on the medieval legend of Seigfried – a hero who learns to make himself invulnerable to harm by bathing in the blood of a dragon. The Teutonic myth is a mainstay of German culture (Richard Wagner wrote an opera about it) and appealed to the Vienna-born Lang as a means to assimilate himself in his adopted country. 

“Die Nibelungen” can be seen as part of a triad of film projects, which became the cornerstones of German film culture. Completing the package are “Metropolis” – a science fiction spectacle of a technological future society tainted with black magic – and his “Dr. Mabuse” – a genius super-criminal masterminding a complex contemporary underworld. 

Fritz Lang is among the rare luminaries whose name has become a description. His name can easily be transformed into an adjective. (You’ll never hear anyone speak the word “Murnau-ian,” as in the director of “Nosferatu” and one of Lang’s professional rivals in Germany, F.W. Murnau.)  

“Langian,” a slippery term, can refer to the enormous scale of his modernist productions – both epic and architectural – or the maniacal tyranny he exercised while making his films. His behavior and his signature eyepiece earned him the tagline: “The monster with a monocle.” 

In Saturday’s discussion with Kaes, filmgoers who have been watching Lang’s wide spectrum of work will have a chance to clarify his contribution to world cinema and coax out the man behind the films. But professor Tom Gunning, who gave a lecture on Lang at the PFA on Sept. 21, said looking for an artist in the art is a tricky business, particularly with Lang. 

“Although there are many reasons to question the link between a person and a work, I think pure self-expression is an impoverished idea,” said Gunning the day after his lecture.  

He added that the tendency to search the films for the psychological underpinnings of the artist is perhaps not the most rewarding mode of analysis. 

Lang made films under a variety of conditions. In the early German film industry he enjoyed nearly unbounded creative freedom until Nazism drove him to Hollywood. There, the powerful studio system forced him to button-up his omnipotent tendencies. (Much of his professional maneuverings were means to exploit the industry.) 

“One thing about Lang is that he’s not just some Romantic artist who has this terrible time adjusting to this industrial, commercial process,” said Gunning, “rather his artistry consists of the way he interacts with it. He usually interacts with it as conflict.” 

Because cinema is such a collaborative art form, searching for the delicate signal of an artist’s own personality might be futile. 

“I think that’s a prejudice we have toward the novel and psychology and interiority,” said Gunning. “I think there’s a good argument that cinema is better dealing with things like exteriority, action, space. And in all those areas Lang is a master.… I think this exteriority is a profound modern vision.” 

Lang often lied about his own life. His carefully-wrought biography neatly wrapped up such shady periods as the death of his first wife and his “escape” from Nazi Germany. Some truths we may never know for certain, but his claim of being trained as an architect is at least partially true. Much of the energy in his films comes from characters’ reactions to their environments. This weekend’s screening of “Die Nibelungen,” the glaring artificiality in its fantasy sets, will showcase Lang’s artistry of space and design. 

“In Lang’s forest for “Die Nibelungen” there are these concrete trees, they are monumental and you never get a sense there is a leaf stirring,” said Gunning. “Lang is diagrammatic, an architectural quality. The environment is something he controls, and that’s what you see on the screen.”


Cal’s Medina becomes player-coach despite obstacles

By Dean Caparaz Daily Planet Correspondent
Friday October 19, 2001

Jennifer Medina starts her day with a cup of coffee. Sitting in a local Starbuck’s, the diminutive 23-year-old appears to be just another Cal student trying to stay awake as another semester rolls by.  

Medina, “Pooh” to her friends, is much more than that. Every day around 6 a.m., she wakes up, walks to the nearby coffeehouse and plans her hectic schedule. As a member of the Golden Bears women’s soccer team, Medina is part of a nationally-ranked squad that’s aiming for postseason success. When the American studies major is not going to class, doing homework or playing, she coaches. Medina assists the Cal coaching staff, runs her own soccer camps and coaches the under-13 Berkeley Mavericks girls team.  

“I love coaching,” she said. “It’s fun to hear when the kids are having fun playing. It means more to me than anything, than any A on a paper or anything to me.”  

Medina, who had been coaching the U-12 Mavericks, began coaching the U-13 team last August. The club’s preseason was held during Cal’s preseason, but Cal coach Kevin Boyd was OK with her job, as long as there were no conflicts. 

Boyd has seen her coaching first-hand. Medina, an intelligent player who is now in her fifth year at Cal, works with Golden Bear teammates as a player-coach.  

“We’ve used her in ways such as working technically with players on an individual basis or working tactically with a player on a part of their game, whether in 1-v-1 defending or playing cover defense,” Boyd said. “She does a great job of that. She’s worked with Cami [Boswell] with her defense and Kassie [Doubrava] with her defense. Other than that, we’ve just used her as a sounding board, heard her thoughts and ideas. She has a great understanding of the game.”  

Medina had a promising playing career as a youth, but injuries and illness has limited her playing time in college. In 1994, her Sunnyvale Roadrunners team won the under-17 national club championship. Her club featured some future stars – U.S. World Cup and Olympic veteran Lorrie Fair, WUSA defender Ronnie Fair and former Cal teammate Regina Holan. All went on to greater playing fame than Medina, but it was Medina who earned MVP honors at the national championship.  

Two years later, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Doctors don’t know why she developed MS. It could have been due to a spinal cord injury she suffered while playing in high school, the stress surrounding her mother’s death in 1995, the stress of her senior year of high school or other reasons.  

Medina takes a weekly intramuscular injection of Avonex to help control the symptoms, which include muscular weakness, visual difficulties and numbness in various parts of her body, but she says that injuries are harder to deal with than MS. During her freshman season, she suffered two concussions, one during a game and one when she was hit by a car. At the end of her freshman season, the Cal senior suffered a hip flexor/quad muscle injury that caused her to redshirt her sophomore season. During spring training of her junior year, Medina tore the MCL of one knee and played sparingly – just three games – in the fall of 2000. She has played just once in 13 games this season.  

“The thing with all these injuries, the MS makes it harder to heal,” she said. “It’s more about the injuries and waiting for them to heal. Random things would happen to me in my four years. It’s just ridiculous.”  

Medina created First Touch Soccer Camps and Clinics when she was 17 in 1996. She comes from coaching stock – her father, Frank, coached her Roadrunners to their national title.  

In 1997, she asked Holan and the Fairs to join her venture.  

“I told them, ‘I’ll run it and you guys will just act like you’re coaching,’” said Medina, who splits her proceeds evenly with her fellow coaches.  

What started out as a one-week training camp for one club team has grown to a camp for several teams ranging in ages from 9-18. It’s big enough that First Touch sessions are held in three places in the Bay Area: San Carlos, the Mountain View/Sunnyvale area, and Berkeley. First Touch even has a Web site – www.firsttouchsoccer.com. 

Medina has a more difficult time planning her First Touch schedule with her friends and colleagues living outside the Bay Area. Both Fairs play in the WUSA, with Lorrie in Philadelphia and Ronnie in New York. Holan lives in Prague in the Czech Republic.  

Coaching could take a back seat after Medina graduates in May; she wants to play professional soccer in England. The United States is the only country with a true professional women’s soccer league, but the English soccer federation says it will start its own women’s pro league by 2003, and Medina has already played in the semi-pro league there.  

Ultimately, both Medina and Boyd see her joining the coaching profession full time.  

“Coaching is going to be her career, and should be,” Boyd said. “She’s patient and explains things very well. She has an ability to explain things in multiple ways. She can demonstrate things, too. She will be an outstanding coach, and is already an outstanding coach.”


Early literacy program issued glowing report

By Jeffrey Obser, Daily Planet staff
Friday October 19, 2001

The Board of Education heard a glowing third-anniversary report on the district’s home-grown Early Literacy Plan at its regular meeting Wednesday. 

“We have made significant progress,” said Donna Van Noord, who coordinates the program district-wide. 

Chris Lim, the associate superintendent for instruction, created the elementary school reading remediation program three years ago partly to tackle the “achievement gap” before it happens.  

Regular diagnostic testing, intensive tutoring, and innovative teaching by literacy specialists have been put in place to help shrink the number of students who normally underperform in later years – 20 to 30 percent, mostly from economically disadvantaged or minority backgrounds. 

With teachers and administrators from four elementary schools at her side, Van Noord reported that 11 of 12 eligible schools had implemented the core kindergarten-to-third grade reading remediation curriculum last year. The lowest-scoring 20 percent of students, as identified by diagnostic testing, are given intensive tutoring from Reading Recovery teachers. 

All the schools, she added, were now tracking students’ progress up to fifth grade through diagnostic testing and record-keeping. 

Van Noord said 69 percent of the students helped by ELP were reading by grade level at the end of last year – compared to 71 percent of the students districtwide, in all grade levels. Overall, 377 students had been served, she said. 

School board director Joaquin Rivera made one of the few criticisms of the evening when he pointed out that the percentage of third graders reading below grade level on the diagnostic tests, and thus eligible for ELP, had remained consistent in the last three years at about 26 percent. 

Van Noord said those numbers were partly the result of the greatly expanded number of schools and students participating since the first year. “We in no way think we’ve arrived,” she said. “We look at this as a great start.” 

School Board Director Ted Schulz said after seven years on the school board: “Of all the things I’ve seen, this plan or program is one of the best, if not the best, I’ve seen put into place.” 

The other educators took turns explaining the reasons for the program’s effectiveness. Lorna Skantzen-Niel, principal of Berkeley Arts Magnet School, said the individual student binders given to all K-5 teachers last year were helping them keep track of students’ progress in writing accuracy, reading fluency, text comprehension, and other literacy skills. 

“Every teacher has a complete binder of assessments with timeline and benchmarks,” she said. “Where do my students need to be at the end of fourth, fifth grade? All can see.” 

Amy Norris, a second-grade teacher at Malcolm X Elementary, said the diagnostic testing had enabled her to give individualized instruction to all 27 of her students and “start teaching on day one.” 

“What this has done for me as a classroom teacher is almost indescribable,” she said. 

Tom Prince, coordinator of the ELP and Reading Recovery at Emerson Elementary, said the “safety net” for under-achieving kids was being widened with a “booster group” for brief immersion of second- and third- graders and special attention to the bottom five performers at the end of each kindergarten class. 

Because of the program, Prince said, the Emerson students in the lowest-achieving 20 percent at the beginning of the year are now attaining grade-level literacy by the end of the year at the same rate as the rest of the students. 

One big change in the program last year was moving from fictional narratives to nonfiction material, which Skantzen-Niel said represented an early start on SAT-9 preparedness and gave teachers a “better idea” of student skills. 

“This is not easy stuff, but it’s now the expectation in the BUSD,” she said.  

Even kindergartners are now learning to read a simple text of a few lines before moving up, Prince said. 

In addition to helping students, the presenters said, ELP is helping teachers develop their skills in dealing with literacy by having them meet regularly to compare notes and critique one another. 

Board Vice President Shirley Issel praised the “atmosphere of professionalism at each school” and suggested the assessment binders follow students all the way through high school. But she expressed concern of the estimated cost of $4,000 per student to pay for the literacy tutors’ services.  

“That’s a lot of money,” she said. 

However, one of the presenters also pointed out that the program could spare remedial costs in the long run. Superintendent Michele Lawrence added that the benefits of staff and teacher development will be felt for years to come. 

“It’s really quite an effective model,” she said. 

Lawrence said she welcomed the group’s report after a long week of budget and personnel drama.  

“It made my day because I really wanted to look at something that was working,” she said to appreciative laughter from the board. 

Van Noord thanked the board for its support, and Chris Lim for her guidance. She also took care to single out an audience member for thanks. Susan Lewis, who compiles most of the program’s data as a volunteer, also works full-time for PG&E. 

“I could not do my job without her,” Van Noord said.


Become peace

Americ Azevedo
Friday October 19, 2001

 

Editor:  

Spiritual consciousness looks inward to the “self” for the causes of problems. It offers no solutions to social problems, but the radical root of a sound foundation for good religious and political action. 

Religious consciousness works with inter-personal relationships as the causes and resolutions of problems. Religious consciousness without a strong link to the spirit easily takes over behaviors of groups – so that we have the “letter but not the spirit of the law.” 

Political consciousness is “world” centered. Politics is just a step beyond religious consciousness. The same feelings that are religious interchange with religious patterns of behavior and thinking. Religious groups often try to take control of politics; or, politics tries to control religion. The founders of the American Constitution insisted on the separation of church and state for these reasons. 

Some years ago, a friend of mine took me to task on my political activism, pointing out that “first we must change ourselves, before we can change the world.” Eventually, I understood his wisdom. 

I admit it – I want a peaceful world, where people live in harmony. Not a very exciting vision. Peace is a precondition for happiness. To get there, I need to stay with the first step – which is to learn to be peaceful myself. Than learn to share that state with others around me.  

In other words: be the peace that I want to see in the world. 

Americ Azevedo 

Berkeley


Schott added to list of Hermann candidates

Staff
Friday October 19, 2001

 

California All-American Laura Schott was added to the Hermann Trophy ballot for the 2001 season. The Hermann Trophy is one of two national player of the year awards in college soccer.  

“I didn’t expect to be nominated, but I thought it would be cool if I did,” said Schott. “It’s unbelievable. It’s one of the best if not the best honor I’ve received.” 

“The addition of Laura to the Hermann Trophy candidates is well deserved,” said Cal coach Kevin Boyd. “Laura has 12 goals in 13 games, and she draws the attention of every team we play. She has made great contributions to our program and has helped elevate Cal to national prominence.”  

A panel of Division I college coaches added two men and two women to the lists of 13 men’s and women’s candidates that were announced prior to the 2001 season. Virginia’s Lori Lindsey was the other female athlete added. At the beginning of the season, two places were left open for players who might otherwise have been left off the original ballot. This was done to ensure that any deserving player was eligible to win the award.  

Schott, a junior forward from Wilsonville, Ore., leads the Pac-10 Conference with 27 points and 12 goals. She ranks 10th nationally with 0.92 goals/game.  

The winners of the 2001 Hermann Trophy will be announced at the College Cups, the women on Dec. 8 in Dallas, Texas, and the men on Dec. 15 in Columbus, Ohio.


Sit down and shut up

By Judith Scherr, Daily Planet editor
Friday October 19, 2001

If the debut of the 21st century doesn’t become known as WWIII – and I pray that it doesn’t – I fear pundits will call it the age of “sit down and shut up.”  

Here at the Planet we’ve been hearing an awful lot of that lately. 

Take the case of the ill-fated Common Ground field trip. In case you missed it, Common Ground’s a small school inside Berkeley High that teaches about the environment. 

In its wisdom, the mini-school took some 330 kids to Yosemite with about 25 chaperones. According to the folks in charge of the concession at Yosemite and teachers and parents, the teens disrupted the campground, smoked marijuana, threw rocks and, the concession folk say, got kicked out. (Others contend they left early voluntarily.) 

Worse yet, according to a number of angry letters we got here at the Planet, was that we reported it. We were ruining Common Ground’s reputation and the future of small schools at BHS, we were told. 

Don’t write, don’t tell.  

Sit down. Shut up.  

Write about the flowers that push up through the cracks in the sidewalk and forget about the cracks that trip people up. 

But, I’ll credit the Daily Planet and reporter Jeffrey Obser with a role in spurring the adults to hold a meeting to discuss what happened on the Yosemite trip and how to avoid the pitfalls the future. Kudos to us all. And the First Amendment. 

*** 

Another thing about school’s is scaring me – that the art of critical thinking’s getting lost in a nationwide stress on testing. Shouldn’t our kids think? Shouldn’t they question? 

Even the school board seems to think asking hard question’s not a very good thing to do. 

Board members and a few of their apologists were very unhappy when we wrote about the board’s executive session meeting at the new superintendent’s house, where the public could not comment and which was inaccessible to those who use wheelchairs. 

No one said our accusation of violation of open meeting laws was inaccurate. No one asked for a correction. They just say we shouldn’t have talked about it; we need to support the new superintendent, they said. 

SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP. Fill in circles. Mark the Xs. And don’t think. And don’t question. 

*** 

Talk about secrets. It seems the school board’s known since August that ex-Principal Frank Lynch was job hunting. Well they all knew it, so you’d imagine they talked about it among themselves. If they did, they violated open meeting laws. It was never on any agenda I’ve seen. 

Because it was never discussed in public, the high school community is in shock at Lynch’s abrupt departure.  

Kids are already reeling from the instability that’s entered all our lives in the era of post Sept. 11. They’re in a high school with accreditation problems, a high school that has never been able to figure out how to meet the needs of its most needy students – and now they’ve got no one at the helm. 

You’d think that when the newspaper – not the Planet, by the way, but the award-winning student newspaper the Jacket - broke the story of Lynch’s plans to get out, the school board would have met in emergency session and quickly reassured parents and kids that the post would be filled. 

If the gang of five are talking about how to replace Lynch, none of us know. And we’re going to keep asking the question until we get some answers. 

*** 

Then there’s the progressive majority City Council that got a really bad case of “sit down and shut up” when it passed a redistricting plan without a document explaining exactly what the new boundaries would be. 

I don’t know if there was a formal Brown Act violation – some say three “progressive” councilmembers had discussed the plan; some believe the plan was also communicated to a fourth (four councilmembers knowing the plan would not constitute a formal Brown Act violation) and some say a fifth councilmember knew the specifics of it as well, which would constitute a violation. 

But the biggest violation is the spirit of a truly open meeting, where the council votes only on things it thoroughly understands and where the public has a chance to look at what the council is considering. 

Should we all just sit down and shut up? 

*** 

And what about these difficult times of war? 

Much of the mail I’ve got (most from out-of-towers with no phone number for verification), say that the councilmembers who call for a stop to the bombing are traitors. Some of the mail councilmembers have got is very hostile, even threatening.  

(I should underscore that at the Planet we have also received thoughtful letters on both sides of the war debate as well.) 

Sit down and shut up, the e-mails say – less politely. Love it or leave it. The war is not debatable.  

But they’re wrong.  

The rule must be: speak out, even if you are as alone as Barbara Lee was when she voted against giving the president the power of war. Speak out, even if you are a Republican in Democratic Berkeley. Councilmembers must continue to speak their minds – on all sides – even in the face of angry e-mail campaigns. 

Stand your ground. The right to dissent is among the most prized rights we have in our country.  

We at the Planet will continue to report the facts as we see them. We won’t sit down. 

Or shut up. 

 

 


Killing’s no answer

John M. Hartenstein
Friday October 19, 2001

 

The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter to Sen. Dianne Feinstein 

Thank you for your letter responding to my concerns. I agree the United States should “respond appropriately”. However, as a nation of laws, seeking to represent freedom and justice in the world, we must approach this problem in a way that upholds those values not only to the world, but also for our own citizens and residents within the U.S. borders. 

We must stop the bombing and killing of innocents RIGHT NOW. We have yet to hear any credible evidence that Osama bin Laden, the Taliban, or the Afghani people had anything to do with the tragedies of September 11. 

Indeed, it is reported in Time magazine that on Sept. 11 before any information was known or evidence had been gathered, President Bush had already telephoned Pakistan’s presiding general to demand assistance in capturing or killing bin Laden. The administration shows no signs of interest in truth or justice, and has shown an incredible refusal to consider any course other than war. “Wanted: dead or alive” is vigilantism; it is not lawful justice. 

You express outrage over loss of innocent American lives; nevertheless, we are taking actions certain to (and which already have) resulted in loss of innocent lives of those in Afghanistan, and which have caused riots around the world which are resulting in more innocent lives being lost. How can these deaths be excused? If the loss of innocent American lives (5,000 claimed; so far only about 500 deaths have been verified) is so great a crime as to demand a response in kind, then certainly the deaths of innocent civilians outside our borders is also not to be tolerated, by Afghans or by Americans. The people of Afghanistan have not declared war on the United States, nor has any government that we deem to be the legitimate government of Afghanistan. Under all rules of our own nation, as well as international law, our war actions in Asia are reprehensible, illegal, and can be seen by ordinary muslims and others around the world only as terrorist actions. You say you are acting to ensure that “the response is deliberate, and carefully targeted so that innocent civilians are protected to the greatest extent possible.” Is it more responsible or compassionate to deliberately push millions to die of starvation, cold, and disease than it is to bomb their homes directly?  

To consider the acts in New York and Washington to be “an act of war against the United States,” you seem to disregard that the United States has been at war with Muslims for decades, particularly in Palestine, but also in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, etc. The U.S. outrage that the war we have been waging for decades has finally come home is misplaced, ignorant, and arrogant. Yes, the United States and its government and people should be outraged; but our outrage must be humane enough to extend to the outrages against innocent people all over the world, whom our directly and indirectly funded terrorism has been killing. While ordinary citizens may be expected to cry out for blood to avenge American deaths wiser heads must call for peaceful means, for upholding laws. This is your duty. 

John M. Hartenstein 

San Francisco


Kirk named to Soccer America Team of the Week

Staff
Friday October 19, 2001

California junior midfielder Brittany Kirk was named to the Soccer America Team of the Week for her play during the week of Oct. 8-14.  

Kirk helped lead No. 15 Cal (10-2-1, 2-0 Pac-10) to two road shutouts over Oregon and Oregon State to kick off Pac-10 play. The Claremont native tallied her first two goals of the season, both game-winners.  

Kirk also added an assist on Cal’s final goal against Oregon. She has 10 points on the year and is tied for the team lead with six assists.  

The Golden Bears host No. 18 Washington Friday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m., in their Pac-10 home opener.


Peace activists learn their rights

By Kimberlee Bortfeld, Special to the Daily Planet
Friday October 19, 2001

FBI agents beware. Leeza Vinogradov knows she doesn’t have to talk to you, and she plans to inform others. Mum is the word.  

Vinogradov, a self-described peace activist, was one of nearly 200 people who gathered at St. Joseph the Worker Church on Wednesday night to learn about what to do if the FBI or Immigration and Naturalization Service comes knocking at the door.  

Vinogradov said her ex-husband, who is Muslim and originally from India, feels vulnerable.  

“He keeps saying to me: ‘My name is Ali. My name is Ali. It’s a common Islamic name,’” Vinogradov said. “Actually, it’s ironic. When he first came to the U.S., it was during the Iran hostage crisis, and he wasn’t frightened at all. Back then, he was young and looked a lot like the people on the front pages of the newspapers. But nowadays, he’s beside himself with worry and concern.”  

He has good reason.  

Nancy Hormachea, one of the speakers at the event and an immigration attorney who represents Iranian, Afghan and South Asian clients, said since Sept. 11, many of her clients have been accosted by government agencies.  

“The FBI is calling people at home or just showing up at their doors,” Hormachea said. “They say: ‘I just have a few questions to ask you.’ And people are really intimidated by them and let them in.”  

But Hormachea said people can and should refuse to let them into their homes.  

“They need an arrest warrant to detain you,” she said. “And they need a search warrant to enter your home or office. If they have the warrant, ask for it, read it, then follow them and monitor the search. The search must be specific and limited only to the items listed in the warrant.”  

Hormachea also urged citizens and non-citizens to stay quiet until lawyers arrive.  

“Start exercising the right to remain silent,” she said. “Any information you give them can be used against you. And if you lie to an agent, the penalties are severe. So don’t talk. Just say: ‘I don’t have anything to say. What is your name? I’ll have my attorney call you.’”  

Elizabeth Fink, a New York criminal lawyer, agreed.  

“Never talk to government without a lawyer,” said Fink. “It is always a mistake. It’s more dangerous to talk to the FBI than it is to give testimony in a courtroom. In a courtroom, a court reporter takes down what is said. But with the FBI, it’s your word against his. You don’t want to be in the steelyard with this enormous bully.”  

While most in the diverse audience could only picture such confrontations with law enforcement, many speakers had wells of personal experience to draw from. Sponsors of the event included the American Arab Anti Discrimination Committee, Middle East Children's Alliance, National Lawyers Guild, San Francisco Women in Black and the School of Unity and Liberation. 

Yuri Kochiyama, a spirited octogenarian, was 20 years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and she was one of 120,000 Japanese Americans taken from their homes and interned during World War II. 

“Within three months of the bombing, the headlines of the papers were ‘Japs get out,’” she said. “Even Chinese and Koreans, because they couldn’t tell us Asians apart, were being attacked. They started wearing buttons that read: ‘We’re not Japs.’”  

“The wartime years were rough because racism, hysteria and mistrust,” said Kochiyama. “These same things are happening today when we look at Muslim and Arab-Americans. I hope social awareness today is higher than in yesteryears. The world cannot be controlled by one country. It belongs to the people.”  

Nancy Delaney, who was introduced to Arab culture about 20 years through a UC Berkeley class on Palestine, said she is also worried about the possible backlash on Arab-Americans.  

“The American public, like me 20 years ago, have no idea or understanding of Arab people,” she said. “They have targeted a whole race of people and demonized them. We need to learn how to treat each other as equals. If you don’t know how to relate to others as individuals, peace isn’t going to happen.”  

But for Michel Shehadeh and other Arab-American activists, the level of social awareness and understanding of Arab culture is not high enough.  

Shehadeh, the western regional director of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and a member of the LA8 – a group of seven Palestinian-Americans and one Kenyan American who were detained in 1987 and threatened with deportation by the Immigration and Naturalization Services for their political activism – said he struggles to get his message heard.  

“After Sept. 11, people were searching for reasons why they hate us,” Shehadeh said. “But they don’t hate us. They hate our foreign policy. We need to start to discuss deeply the reasons why our foreign policy perpetuates pain in the Middle East. But every time Arab-Americans try to advocate a debate about foreign policy, we are either ignored, accused of justifying or condoning terrorism or silenced. The U.S. does not exist in a vacuum. We live in an environment, and if that environment is diseased or sick we have to deal with it.”  

Shehadeh and others believe part of the problem lies in the absolutism of the Bush administration.  

“Nothing justifies polarizing the world into two camps: One that is absolute good and one that is absolute evil,” he said. “There’s no difference between Bush saying: ‘You’re either with us or you’re against us,’ and Bin Laden saying: ‘You’re either a believer or an infidel.’” 

Osama Qasem, president of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter, said the only way to uproot terrorism is to have a fair and equitable foreign policy.  

“The Bush administration has been claiming that this is not a war against Islam, but at the same time it is creating a dichotomy and making Muslims and Arab feel like the ‘others,’” he said. “The government is exploiting fear and uncertainty to infringe on civil liberties and to embroil us in a military action campaign that does not have defined goals and will inevitably cause civilians casualties in Afghanistan and elsewhere.”  

During the two-and-a-half-hour event, anti-war sentiment ran high. Many speakers expressed, criticism and frustration with the government. All warned audience members to be outright mistrustful.  

Kate Raphael of the San Francisco Women of Black, a co-sponsor of the event, said she was called by the FBI last month and asked who she might know in the Middle East.  

“Since I know no one who would fly planes into buildings, I know no one whose name I’ll turn over,” she said, explaining her decision to keep quiet. “Now is the time to guard freedom and democracy. We cannot be silent, except to the FBI”.  

Donations collected at the event will go to the National Lawyers Guild, a conglomeration of law students, lawyers and legal workers committed to promoting civil rights.  

For more information or to report government harassment or seek legal advice, call the guild’s 24-hour legal hotline at 415-285-1055.


State: Disturbed youth not getting needed psychiatric counseling

The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

SACRAMENTO — California’s disturbed youth are not receiving necessary and available psychiatric services, causing overcrowding in juvenile jails and mental hospitals, a state watchdog reported. 

More than one million children statewide will experience an emotional or behavioral disorder this year, but more than 600,000 will not receive adequate treatment, concluded the Little Hoover Commission, a bipartisan agency that issues studies to the governor and Legislature. 

Children “endure a system that turns them away until their needs are severe,” Little Hoover Chairman Michael E. Alpert said Wednesday. 

“Because there are no standards, children often do not receive the right care at the right time in the right way. Because we do not measure outcomes, there is no pressure on the system to improve,” he said. 

A California Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman declined to discuss the report specifically, saying officials were still reviewing it. But she defended the department’s efforts to treat all of the state’s mentally ill. 

“There is a commitment to provide the best care possible to mentally ill children and adults,” said Bertha Gorman. 

According to the commission, more than 50,000 children in foster care who may need mental health services do not get them, and many children in the juvenile justice system statewide, including victims of abuse and neglect, do not receive treatment. 

The report suggested that lack of funding is not the problem, noting that more than $56 billion will be spent next year for child and family services. The problem, the report indicated, is that no coherent, coordinated approach is taken in addressing mental health needs. 

No single state agency is accountable for coordinating care, the panel said. Various eligibility requirements often mean parents, children and even siblings receive different services from different providers. 

“For some of these children their symptoms will go unnoticed; their needs will not be understood,” the Little Hoover report said. “For others, the symptoms will be obvious to parents, teachers and doctors, but they will not receive attention because of how California organizes, funds and delivers mental health and other services.” 

Among other things, the panel recommends ensuring that all families are covered by public or private mental health insurance, addressing the problems of duplications and gaps in services, creating a cabinet-level secretary for children services, and addressing the shortage of qualified mental health specialists. 

According to the report, nearly a third of Los Angeles County’s public psychiatrist jobs are unfilled. Nearly a quarter of the county’s mental health directors have retired in the last five years and another quarter are expected to retire in the next five years. 


UC students demonstrate religious tolerance with sit-in on campus

By Hadas Ragolsky, Special to the Daily Planet
Friday October 19, 2001

More than 250 students, Jews and non-Jews, gathered Thursday at Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus for a sit-in to stand up against hate and anti-Semitism.  

Wearing blue shirts, yarmulkes and prayer shawls, the students sat down, holding signs, saying: “Sit down to stand up for tolerance,” and “Stop the hate.” 

The rally was called in response to last week’s physical assault against Aaron J. Schwartz, a 23-year-old Jewish student from San Francisco. The incident occurred after a religious celebration at the Hillel Student Jewish Center on Bancroft Way. 

As they do every year, Jewish students finished their service celebrating the day that the Torah was said to be given to the Jewish people, by marching out of the center dancing and singing in the streets. 

On the corner of Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue, Schwartz said he saw a man giving a Nazi “Sieg Heil” salute as he goose-stepped in place.  

“I left the group to speak with him,” Schwartz said at Tuesday’s sit-in. “He immediately (narrowed) the distance between us. I didn’t move. I was then grabbed from behind by one of his friends. They punched me in my face, I fell down and they left.” 

At the sit-in, students took turns repeating Schwartz’s story and encouraged the audience to join the demonstrators.  

“An attack on anyone is an attack on all of us,” they chanted in unison. “Please join us in saying ‘no’ to hatred against all persons based on religion, nationality, or ethnic origin,” they said. 

“This isn’t the first time it happened,” said Adam Weisberg, executive director of Berkeley Hillel, who called for the sit-in. “It is the first time that there was a physical attack but there were multiple incidents over the last three months in which students have been verbally attacked and intimidated by anti-Semitic statements.” 

“Over the past year we had a few complaints of harassment or heckling of Jewish students,” said Capt. Bill Cooper from the UC Berkeley police department. “In terms of frequency, it seems rare but they don’t always report to us on those incidents. (The) Berkeley campus and, specifically, the police department are concerned about those kinds of incidents.” 

On Saturday night, more than 30 students met at Hillel and discussed how to respond to the assault. Some wanted to have a large rally with speakers. Others thought it was not the right time and preferred to write letters to the campus newspaper.  

In the end, they came up with the quiet sit-in idea “to educate people about the specific incident and make them aware of the racial crimes against racial minorities, religious minorities and ethnic minorities,” said Jackie Bliss, a second-year student who participated in the meeting.  

Bliss, a pro-Israeli activist, said several times in the last year, callers have left threatening messages on her answering machine. 

Weinberger said that he feels strongly that the hate messages come from the association with Israel.  

“People on this campus who are identified as Jews are hated because people associate them with Israel,” he said. “Jewish students on the campus hesitate to exhibit their Judaism because of that.” 

Other students from different organizations on campus, such as Stop the war coalition, Students for Justice in Palestine and the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action and Integration and Fight For Equality By Any Means Necessary joined the Jewish students. 

“We are here in solidarity speaking out against all form of racism,” said Mary Boktor, a member of SJP who is originally from Egypt. “I think what happened (last week) is horrible.” 

City Councilmember Kriss Worthington joined the crowd wearing a star of David pin, which read: “Stand against hate” pin.  

“When we say we want Berkeley to be hate free zone, we means stopping all hate, against all groups,” he said.


Audie Bock to try again

By Ofelia Madrid, Special to the Daily Planet
Friday October 19, 2001

Audie Bock is running again. Her target this time is Oakland Congresswoman Barbara Lee. 

Bock, a political chameleon who upset former Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris in a state Assembly race (only to lose the seat in a landslide less than two years later), announced Thursday her bid for Lee’s Democratic seat.  

She said her sole reason for candidacy was Lee’s vote against a bill granting President Bush war powers.  

“There’s an oath of office that a congressperson takes to protect and defend the U.S. Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. She did not do this,” Bock told reporters as she filed preliminary papers to be placed on the ballot for the March 5 Democratic primary election. 

Bock said Lee’s vote represented a personal agenda, which does not serve the interest of the district adequately. She characterized the vote as a personal statement about Bush.  

“That is inappropriate at this time,” Bock said. 

She told reporters she initially supported Lee’s vote because the congresswoman had described it as opposing Bush’s grant of a blank check for military action. Bock said she changed her mind after reading the resolution. 

“This was totally different because it was an attack on U.S. soil,” the Piedmont resident said. “There is a pattern of ignoring feelings of the people of this country.” 

Lee was not available for comment. 

Bock originally ran as a Green Party candidate for state assembly in 1999 and defeated Harris. Ten weeks later, she switched her affiliation to independent. After running for re-election as an independent in 2000, Bock received only 22 percent of the vote against Wilma Chan.  

Bock said her current campaign is being run by a Republican political consultant, Sal Russo, who also handled her unsuccessful re-election campaign last year. 

“The problem that Audie Bock has is that she got herself elected as a candidate with a great deal of courage and conviction and then proceeded to jettison that strength by switching political parties to save her own skin. Now she’s just a typical politician,” said Darry Sragow, chief campaign strategist for the assembly Democratic Caucus. “In this race, Barbara Lee is the person of conviction.”  

Gale Kaufman, Lee’s re-election campaign manager said: “The Sept. 11 tragedy is really not an issue that should be politicized in this fashion.” 

Kaufman added she was confused about Bock’s campaign because Bock was one of the first people to congratulate the congresswoman on her strength of character. 

“She has changed her political party several times,” Kaufman said. “For all I know she might be a Republican.” 

Although the state Democratic Party traditionally does not get involved in primary races, spokesman Bob Mulholland left little doubt about how party regulars might view Bock’s candidacy. 

“Who are we kidding? Don’t take the Bock campaign too seriously,” he said. 

Bock’s campaign launched a web site on Wednesday, which initially featured a picture of a smiling Lee in the middle of the burning Twin Towers.  

The picture has since been removed.  

Bock said the picture of the congresswoman was not meant to demonize her, but to make the public aware of that “she turned her back on that suffering.”  

Bock’s Web site also has a link to DumpBarbaraLee.com, which is paid for by Audie Bock for Congress.  

Since the launching of the site, Bock said a lot of the responses are coming from people in New York who are offering their help. 

“I do think there will be support from all over the nation because this is a national cause,” she said. 

Harris said Bock’s campaign is very unfortunate, and called her Web site “despicable.” 

“The link to hateful information is a sad reflection on Audie,” he said. 

Bock criticized Lee for neglecting her district and spending too much time on foreign affairs. 

“She has focused on a program on getting money for AIDS treatment in South Africa. This is not a bad thing to do,” Bock said. “The epidemic is severe, but in Alameda County we have the highest incidents of AIDS in African-American men. I would like to see that addressed before we take on problems of people outside the United States.” 

Bock insisted her campaign was not negative but one of unity. 

“This is a campaign that is for unity with the rest of the nation, that’s for supporting and mourning with the people who have suffered,” she said.


Agents raid alleged Ecstasy drug lab hidden in office

By Ben Fox, The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

SAN DIEGO — A large and sophisticated laboratory for the club-drug Ecstasy was shuttered after a raid Thursday, authorities said. 

The lab was hidden behind a bookcase in an office in an industrial park in Escondido, 30 miles north of San Diego, authorities said. 

Five people were arrested at the lab late Wednesday, and 21 others were picked up in related sweeps in and around San Diego and Los Angeles. More arrests were expected. 

Arraignments for the suspects were scheduled for Friday. 

The raid capped a yearlong investigation into an organization capable of making between 1 million and 1.5 million tabs of Ecstasy a month, said Errol Chavez, Drug Enforcement Administration special agent in charge. 

Investigators found plastic bags filled with several thousand Ecstasy pills and enough chemicals to make a million more, said Todd Robinson, assistant U.S. attorney. 

Among those arrested was Dennis L. Alba, 52, whom authorities identified as the ringleader. A phone number for his Oceanside address was unlisted, and he could not be reached. 

The DEA had custody of Alba late Thursday, and whether he had an attorney could not be determined. The U.S. Marshals Service said it would have more information when he was turned over to the Bureau of Prisons. 

Typically, Ecstasy is made overseas, primarily in Europe. More than 80 percent of the pills distributed in the United States are believed imported, Chavez said. 

“This case represents a major attempt to establish a foothold in the United States,” he said. 


N.J. postal worker contracts anthrax; authorities fear co-worker may also be infected

By John P. McAlpin The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

TRENTON, N.J. — A postal worker who may have handled anthrax-contaminated letters sent to NBC and the Senate majority leader has the skin form of the disease, authorities said Thursday. 

The infected worker is a female letter carrier. Two other Trenton postal workers are being tested, including a maintenance worker Postal Inspector Tony Esposito said officials are “almost certain” has anthrax. Test results were pending. 

The employees were being treated and taking antibiotics, Acting Gov. Donald DiFrancesco said. The letter carrier has been released from an undisclosed hospital. 

The letter carrier works at a local post office that sends mail to the regional facility outside Trenton where the contaminated letters were postmarked. The maintenance employee works at the regional facility. 

At the local post office in West Trenton, Postmaster Joseph Sautello said there are no immediate plans to shut down the facility. 

The state’s chief medical officer, George DiFerdinando Jr., said customers who visited the regional post office in the past three weeks should see a doctor if they have any symptoms of illness or a rash. 

The third employee is a a Levittown, Pa., man who works at an undisclosed post office serving Trenton. He has developed a rash and was being tested to see if he had been exposed to anthrax, Bucks County, Pa., health officials said. County Health Commissioner Dr. Louis Polk said test results on the 35-year-old man were expected Friday. 

Officials with the federal Centers for Disease Control were en route to New Jersey to decide if additional tests were warranted for other postal employees. 

The female postal employee is one of six people infected with anthrax. One, a 63-year-old Florida man, died Oct. 5. The others are recovering. 

New Jersey authorities wouldn’t disclose personal details about the mail carrier and maintenance worker. They have said both were working on days when the tainted mail would have been processed. 

The postal facility collects mail from 46 postal offices throughout central New Jersey. 

A letter contaminated with anthrax that was postmarked in Trenton last month was mailed to NBC anchor Tom Brokaw at NBC headquarters in New York. The other letter, postmarked from Trenton earlier this month, was mailed to Sen. Tom Daschle’s office in Washington. 

An aide to Brokaw has the skin form of anthrax. More than 30 workers in Daschle’s Senate office were exposed to the bacterium and are being treated with antibiotics. 

Meanwhile, federal officials have questioned at least two New Jersey pharmacists about anyone buying large amounts of the antibiotic Cipro prior to Sept. 18, when the Brokaw letter was mailed. 

Pharmacist John Berkenkopf, who owns Episcopo’s Pharmacy in Trenton, said two officials with the Food and Drug Administration questioned him Wednesday about anyone who bought between 60 and 120 tablets of the antibiotic. 

Cipro is usually prescribed for a week to 14 days, which is about 10 or 20 pills, Berkenkopf said. 

“Any more than that would ring all kinds of bells,” he said. He said he had not gotten any requests for large amounts of Cipro. 

FBI spokeswoman Sandra Carroll declined to comment on the investigation but said it “would stand to reason” that authorities would be suspicious of anyone seeking large amounts of Cipro. 

The state is also receiving attention from federal investigators looking into the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. At least six of the jetliner hijackers are believed to have lived in Paterson.


Two kidney patients dead after using dialysis machines with Baxter filter

By Herbert G. McCann The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

CHICAGO — Baxter International Inc. says two kidney patients in Texas who underwent treatment on dialysis machines using Baxter filters have died and two others were hospitalized with complications. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which oversees the manufacture and distribution of medical products, is investigating the cause of the deaths. 

“We are in the process of looking into it,” spokeswoman Sharon Snider said Thursday. 

Baxter on Wednesday announced a worldwide recall of its Series A and Series AF dialyzers which are manufactured in Sweden by Althin Medical AB, acquired by Baxter last year. The devices filter waste substances from the blood before it is returned to patients with kidney failure. 

The A series of dialyzers were used in Croatia, where authorities blame the dialyzers for the deaths of 23 kidney patients earlier this month, and in Spain, where 15 patients reportedly died in August at health centers while undergoing kidney dialysis. 

The filters used in connection with the Texas deaths were of the AF series. Both series use a similar fiber. 

Baxter said it is not clear what role the filters played in any of the deaths. 

“There is no information linking these deaths to the dialyzer made by Baxter,” spokeswoman Tanya Tyska said. “We’ve instituted the recall as a precaution until an investigation into all aspects of their treatment is completed.” 

“It’s unusual. We haven’t seen this with dialysis membranes before causing widespread death like this,” said Dr. Paul Scheel, dialysis director at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. “The dialyzers are a relatively new brand for Baxter and that certainly raises some uncertainty about what the potential interaction between the blood” and the dialyzers could be. 

Baxter has sent investigators to Texas, Spain and Croatia. The company has not released the names of the Texas patients, nor the hospital in which they were treated. 

Tyska said one of the two hospitalized kidney patients has been treated and released. 

Dialyzers are hollow filtering tubes that are attached to dialysis machines, which clean impurities from blood of patients with kidney failure.  

Blood is drawn from the patient’s vein and pumped through the dialyzer, where impurities are filtered into a special fluid called dialysate, which mixes with water to flush the impurities away. The patient’s blood is then pumped back into the body. 

Tyska said potential causes of adverse reactions could occur at any point in the process because of inadequate water treatment and quality, contaminated dialysate concentrate, machine malfunction, clogged blood lines and needles, and the medication administered before and during the process. 

“The investigators might look at all these possible causes of adverse events,” Tyska said. 

In Zabreb, Croatian Health Minister Ana Stavljenic-Rukavina said the filters are suspected in the deaths because all the victims were treated using them and deaths dropped to normal levels when hospitals replaced the filters with other brands. A panel of experts is investigating. 

In Spain, an investigation by a European quality standards firm found no link between the deaths and filters, although the Spanish government is still running tests. 

The Texas Department of Health hasn’t received any complaint that would prompt an investigation. 

“We haven’t received any complaint or any question from any hospital or facility,” said department spokeswoman Emily Palmer. 

Baxter is a global medical products and services company that provides therapies for people with life-threatening conditions. 


McVeigh’s last day: friendly, no remorse

The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

LOS ANGELES — To his dying day, Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh impressed his jailers as well behaved, funny, pleasant to be around — and completely without remorse — according to documents reviewed by the Los Angeles Times. 

“Mr. McVeigh remains stable emotionally. He does not suffer from a major mental health disorder or defect,” according to a May 18 psychiatric evaluation of McVeigh, who would be executed in less than a month, on June 11. 

“He spends his time watching TV, reading his correspondence and writing letters,” the evaluation said of McVeigh, who was put to death for the April 19, 1995, bombing that killed 168 people at the Oklahoma City Federal Building. 

The 33-year-old Gulf War Army veteran spent more than six years in maximum security prisons. Throughout that time, according to 2,000 pages of documents obtained by the Times, he was almost always good-natured and rarely caused trouble, the newspaper reported on its Web site Wednesday. 

“He has just returned after hearing the verdict of a death sentence yesterday,” the records noted at one point. “He is taking the verdict and sentence remarkably well and is not depressed.” 

After his sentencing, he was sent to “Supermax” in Florence, Colo., the nation’s most secure prison. 

During his two years there he committed only one infraction, refusing to stand up during a head count. 

“He just looked at us and laughed,” a prison official wrote. 

Run-ins he had with prison officials elsewhere also were minor. He was written up for trying to mail various harmless items to friends, including a “Star Wars” action figure. He once griped about not getting immediate care for a chipped tooth and another time for not getting enough sunlight. And he made it clear he didn’t like being disturbed when he was watching a war movie on television. 

He always kept his cell tidy and his bed well made, authorities said, and earned a certificate for completing a video study course called “Earth Revealed.” 

He never apologized. 

“The inmate still displays no remorse for his actions, nor does he spontaneously discuss the matter,” it was reported in February 1998. 

“He remains in good spirits with a keen sense of humor,” according to a report filed in April, just weeks before his execution in the Terre Haute, Ind., death house. 

Upon learning that schools in Terre Haute would be closed on the day of his execution, he said he expected to hear from schoolchildren thanking him. 

When execution day finally arrived, he “cooperated entirely,” according to Warden Harley G. Lappin. 


Davis indicates willingness to renegotiate power

The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

LOS ANGELES — Despite concerns from one administration official that the state has secured enough resources to deal with the energy crisis, Gov. Gray Davis is considering renegotiating dozens of long-term power contracts, it was reported Thursday. 

The governor’s energy advisors announced they would hold a press conference Friday about the administration’s strategy for reworking the agreements, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

The Davis camp has defended the 53 long-term power contracts signed earlier this year that allow the state to buy electricity at set prices.  

Energy wholesalers have previously said they are willing to consider renegotiating the pacts but want the state to take the lead. 

Critics believe the prices agreed upon are too high and the contracts will provide more power than needed. 

In an internal memo, state Department of Water Resources Director Thomas Hannigan echoed those concerns and criticized S. David Freeman, chairman of California’s new power authority, for continuing to seek additional energy contracts. 

“The state already has excess power resources,” particularly in Southern California, Hannigan wrote in the Oct. 4 memo. Additional contracts would “exceed the state’s ability to absorb that power.” 

Freeman defends his actions, noting the state needs more power to ensure future shortages don’t occur. His agency has been talking with solar and wind energy companies as well as examining the purchase of additional electricity from peaker plants, which are used only during times of great need. 

The power authority needs the Department of Water Resources’ endorsement before it enters into contracts because the agency supplies the money to purchase energy. 

The state is currently purchasing power to meet some of the needs of 24 million people served by two of the state’s troubled utilities, Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison. While the contracts have stabilized energy prices, the state has been forced to buy electricity in recent months and then sell some of it at a loss because there was not enough demand. 


Four bin Laden followers receive life terms without parole for 1998 embassy bombings

By Tom Hays, The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

NEW YORK — In a courthouse ringed by shotgun-toting marshals a few blocks from the smoking ruins of the World Trade Center, four disciples of Osama bin Laden were sentenced to life without parole Thursday for the deadly 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa. 

The men were the first to be convicted by a U.S. jury of carrying out bin Laden’s 1998 religious edict to kill Americans wherever they are found. 

They got the maximum sentence as expected after U.S. District Judge Leonard B. Sand called terrorism “one of the most serious threats to our society ... to the society of any civilized nation.” 

He also ordered each of the defendants to pay $33 million in restitution, perhaps out of terrorist assets frozen by the U.S. government in recent weeks. 

The near-simultaneous Aug 7, 1998, bombings in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, killed 231 people, including 12 Americans. Nearly two dozen people have been indicted in the case, including bin Laden, who is believed to be hiding out in Afghanistan and is also wanted for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 

Prosecutors during the six-month trial accused bin Laden and his organization of directing the bombings, using a satellite telephone from Afghanistan and messengers to communicate the orders. 

“Al-Qaida stands charged, tried, convicted and sentenced for terrorism,” Attorney General John Ashcroft said in Washington. “Today’s sentence sends a message: The United States will hunt terrorists down and make them pay a price for their evil acts of terrorism.” 

Sand handed down identical sentences for Wadih El-Hage, 41, Khalfan Khamis Mohamed, 28, Mohamed Al-’Owhali, 24, and Mohamed Sadeek Odeh, 36. 

The jury had considered and rejected the death penalty for Mohamed and Al-’Owhali, in part to keep them from being viewed as martyrs. 

During the sentencing, El-Hage, rose to condemn last month’s attacks in New York and Washington that left thousands dead. 

“The killing of innocent people is radical, extreme and cannot be tolerated by any religion, principles or values,” said El-Hage, a Lebanese-born naturalized American. He maintained his innocence during the 30-minute speech in federal court. 

The government branded him a traitor and a liar, saying he raised money for bin Laden’s al-Qaida organization as he led the life of a family man in Arlington, Texas. 

El-Hage “claims to be a citizen, but he’s not an American,” prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said. “He betrayed his country, he betrayed his religion, he betrayed humanity.” 

Odeh, whose lawyer acknowledged that he “was a soldier in the military wing of al-Qaida,” showed no remorse at sentencing, and asserted that terrorism was the result of U.S. policies in the Middle East. 

“I can only say to Allah we belong, and to him we’ll return,” he said. “God help me in my calamity, and replace it with goodness.” 

Mohamed, convicted of helping to grind TNT and load the bomb that struck the Tanzanian embassy, declined to address the court. He said through his attorney that he “wishes to express gratitude to a jury that spared his life.” 

Al-’Owhali, who rode the bomb vehicle up to the Nairobi embassy and tossed stun grenades at guards before fleeing, also said nothing. 

Each was ordered to pay $7 million to victims’ families and $26 million to the U.S. government. Sand has said the defendants are indigent, but suggested that assets might be acquired from Bush administration attempts to freeze the funding of al-Qaida and other terror groups. 

The courthouse, the scene of five major terrorism trials in the past nine years, is surrounded by steel barricades to stop speeding bomb-laden trucks like those that exploded at the embassies. Its halls occasionally fill with the acrid smell of the smoldering rubble at the Trade Center. 

Relative of the bombing victims said the defendants deserved no mercy. 

“Let them die conscious of the fact that their souls will be condemned forever,” said Howard Kavaler, whose wife died in the Kenya attack. 

Two of the anonymous jurors attended the sentencing and spoke afterward with reporters. One said she was determined to show up after the Trade Center disaster “to be a presence in the courtroom and let them know we weren’t afraid of them.” 


Two arrested, accused of trying to hijack Greyhound bus in Utah

By Catherine S. Blake, Associated Press Writer
Friday October 19, 2001

SALT LAKE CITY — Passengers aboard a Greyhound bus left their seats and overpowered a man who allegedly tried to take control and flip the vehicle after ranting about hijackings, authorities said Thursday. 

No one was injured in Wednesday night’s incident and the driver was able to pull safely to the side of Interstate 80. There were 44 passengers aboard the bus bound from Portland, Ore., to Nashville, Tenn. 

The man and a female accomplice ran off the bus, flagged down a car and later fled to the truck stop where they were arrested several hours later, Highway Patrol spokesman Doug McCleve said. 

Troy Matzek, 34, and Becky Hyde, 25, of Wichita, Kan., were charged Thursday in federal court with carjacking and aiding and abetting. They face a possible maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. They were scheduled to appear Friday before U.S. Magistrate Samuel Alba. 

Authorities said they believed the couple was not acting as part of a terrorist plot. 

“This is probably a person who is mentally unstable,” McCleve said. 

Rose Matzek said her son thought someone was after him. After talking to him by phone after his arrest, she said he had been affected by the terrorist attacks and might have had an emotional breakdown on the bus. 

“He called a couple of days ago. He wanted to come home,” she said. “He was very fearful. He was a little paranoid about what has happened.” 

Bus driver Gene Savage told KUTV television that Matzek grabbed the steering wheel and said he was going to flip the bus. He had been ranting about hijackings. 

The driver kicked Matzek away and several passengers wrestled with the man as Savage stopped the bus about 15 miles east of Salt Lake City, McCleve said. 

“People aren’t as tolerant about this kind of thing anymore,” said Paul Warner, the U.S. Attorney for Utah. 

After flagging down the passing car, the couple told the car’s driver that people on the bus were trying to kill them, McCleve said. 

The driver took the couple to a gas station and gave them money. The couple then jumped into a tractor-trailer which drove them to Salt Lake City. The driver called 911 while the couple were outside the cab. 

It was not clear if Matzek had a weapon, though some of the passengers said he had threatened them with a bomb, McCleve said. A check of the bus turned up no explosives. 

Earlier this month, a Croatian man slashed the neck of a Greyhound bus driver in Tennessee, causing a crash that killed seven passengers. 


The latest on storage

By James and Morris Carey The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

Shelving storage is the one thing in most American homes that — as the song says — “there’s just too little of.” Not enough closet space, not enough shelf space. Simply nowhere to put anything. 

There are companies that are making millions selling storage systems in every size, shape and form that can help you make the most out of every inch of available space. We often have mentioned closet systems in our articles and how they can substantially increase the amount of “usable” storage space at your place. But we haven’t spent enough time in the garage or garden. These locations also are very important. 

Every time we’ve moved into a new home, we’ve followed the same setup routine. The first order of business always has been to organize the garage for maximum storage — installing shelving and a workbench. Once the garage has been organized, moving into the rest of the house is a breeze. 

In the past we built our shelves and workbench ourselves. We fired up the pickup and made a trip to the local lumberyard where we got the needed plywood, 2x4’s, brackets, braces and screws. At this point we were able to begin personalizing every available inch of our new garage. Unfortunately, we have recently discovered that built-in plywood shelving isn’t always the most practical alternative. Yes, it is inexpensive and sturdy and it can be fabricated to exactly fit our personal needs, but once it’s in, it’s kind of permanent, and changing the configuration can get complicated. 

Metal shelving always has been available, but was expensive and required hours of assembly. Times have changed. We’ve discovered that you can now buy prefabricated steel shelving that’s improved over what it used to be. It is lightweight, easy to assemble, strong and, best of all, you don’t need a truck to get it home. Even with all the advancements, we still want to offer an idea or two and a few precautions about installing prefab shelving of any kind. 

First, we want to tell you about the shelving itself, and why it interests us. By volume, steel is heavier than wood. But when it comes to sheer strength a tiny piece of steel will hold more than a gigantic piece of wood. Therefore, a lightweight steel frame can hold as much as — or more than — a heavy set of wood shelves. So, with steel, “lightweight” doesn’t mean weak. 

Older-style metal shelf systems were heavy and the ends of the assembly parts were sharp. One could easily be cut. This is no longer a problem. We have found the components to be smooth. And, best of all, at least for the systems we looked at, you won’t need nuts, bolts or washers to connect everything. Just stand four uprights on end and intersect them with interlocking shelves. You might need a rubber mallet, or a hammer and a block of wood, to firmly seat the shelves into the uprights. Even better, shelves can be added, removed or adjusted to satisfy changing storage needs. 

Take certain precautions regardless of what your shelving is made of — wood, steel or plastic. If it’s freestanding it can get top-heavy and topple over. And top-heavy or not, your shelving should be anchored to the wall for safety’s sake, especially if you live in earthquake country.  

Using approved connectors and heavy screws will hold everything safely against the wall no matter what the condition. Later, if you want to relocate a shelf all you’ll have to do is loosen a couple of screws. 

This type of shelving is usually about a foot deep and 6-feet to 7-feet tall. In the past we have connected two sets of shallow shelving to create one set of 2-foot-deep shelves.  

Just place one set of shelves immediately in front of the other, and clamp the two together with two or three self-taping sheet-metal screws. Takes about 10 seconds and holds like a welded joint. And disassembly is even quicker. 

Back to workbenches. Today’s workbenches range from a piece of plywood and a pair of sawhorses to fancy cabinetry topped with countertops made of everything from particleboard to steel. You also can purchase kits that allow you to assemble a modest-sized bench that contains locking cabinets, a small storage closet with a pegboard backing and shelving above. For more tips and information, check our Web site at www.onthehouse.com. 

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Readers can mail questions to: On the House, APNewsFeatures, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020, or e-mail Careybro(at)onthehouse.com. To receive a copy of On the House booklets on plumbing, painting, heating/cooling or decks/patios, send a check or money order payable to The Associated Press for $6.95 per booklet and mail to: On the House, PO Box 1562, New York, NY 10016-1562, or through these online sites: www.onthehouse.com or apbookstore.com. 


The Gardener’s Guide: Spitz is an apple with history and flavor

By Lee Rich The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

Esopus Spitzenberg — what a name for an apple! Nonetheless, this is a variety of apple you might just want to plant. 

This apple originated in Esopus, N.Y., and was grown in New York and surrounding states even before 1800. Spitz is little known today, so you have to grow it to eat it. It has left its legacy in some offspring: the Jonathan apple, and Jonathan’s increasingly popular offspring, Jonagold. 

More than 100 years ago, Spitz was an apple held in high esteem. One of the first things Thomas Jefferson did after returning from France was to order a dozen trees of Spitz, his favorite apple, for Monticello. Andrew Jackson Downing (in “The Fruit and Fruit Trees of North America,” 1845) considered Spitz to be “unsurpassed as a dessert fruit.” Besides its excellent flavor, this variety shipped and stored well. 

But Spitz does have its shortcomings. This variety is very susceptible to apple scab disease, which defaces the fruit and makes it inedible. The tree also does not bear particularly heavy crops, and requires a moderately moist, moderately fertile soil. 

The tree fell out of favor as a commercial variety not only for the above reasons, but also because of its appearance. Through the 20th century, the trend was to market apples that were pure red (and more recently, pure green or pure yellow). Spitz’s skin is yellow, splashed liberally with bright red and occasional streaks of dark red. Ironically, 19th-century writers considered this apple to be particularly beautiful. 

Backyard fruits that get less pest control sprays than commercial fruits are apt to be less handsome than they could be. A backyard Spitz might have a few dark splotches of sooty mold, clusters of small black dots from fly speck disease, and occasional lesions of apple scab.  

This cosmetic damage seems acceptable when you realize that less than a half-dozen sprays are needed to produce perfectly edible apples in the backyard.  

Commercial apple growers, in contrast, must spray their apples every two weeks throughout the growing season, beginning before the apples come into blossom. 

You can scrub off sooty mold and fly speck, both of which are only superficial blemishes, to let the beautiful skin of Spitz come into full view. Beneath the skin is the exquisite flesh, which is yellowish, firm, and just a little juicy. The flavor is rich and brisk — delicious, with a bit of history in each bite. 


Home: Flea Market Savings

The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

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): 

- The 7- by 9-foot needlepoint rug would cost $50 at the sale; on the market, expect to spend $300 or more. 

- Slant-top desk would be a bargain at $75; a new one would probably cost about $600. 

- Yellow cabinet with glass doors would cost the decorators $125; market price for a similar item would be about $700. 

- A small lamp would go for $15 at the sale; new, it would run about $100. 

- Three pictures at the sale have an estimated cost of $20; if new, $100. 

- Two window treatments could be conjured up by the decorators from a $10 price for drapery remnants; similar new ones would be about $550. 

- The rush-seat stool would go for $7; new, it would be $45. 

- A $1 basket at the sale would cost about $10 in a store. 

- The child’s rocker picked up for $25 would cost $125 retail. 

- Bed linens, which the women say they could get for $20, would run around $200 new. 

- And the bird cage, priced at $30 for the sale, would cost around $90. 

Estimated flea market costs: $378 

Estimated retail costs: $2,820 

Estimated savings: $2,442 


With evidence of dreaded aquatic herb in lakes, Maine seeks to avoid misfortune of other states

By Ann S. Kim The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

CASCO, Maine — Sebago Lake, which provides drinking water to Maine’s largest city as well as recreation to boaters and swimmers, is on the front lines of the state’s war against an aquatic invader. 

One type of milfoil already has a foothold and it’s feared a more aggressive variety, Eurasian milfoil, could take root. 

Environmental officials have plenty of cause for worry because fast-growing milfoil can easily overwhelm lakes and ponds. Some fear the unsightly plants can reduce shorefront property values and hurt Maine’s $8 billion tourism industry. 

Maine, Wyoming and Montana are the only places in the continental United States that have avoided infestation of the dreaded Eurasian milfoil so far. 

But with credible evidence of variable milfoil in 10 bodies of water in central and southern Maine and a boat on Crystal Lake found with Eurasian milfoil fragments hanging from its exhaust cover, the threat of infestation is all too real. 

“We have every reason to expect it is coming,” said Martha Kirkpatrick, commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. 

Variable milfoil and Eurasian milfoil take root on the lake’s floor and grow upward, forming mats on the surface that can be dense enough for birds to walk on water. 

Prevention appears to be the best defense since both varieties can be resistant to efforts to control them. 

Toward that end, the state has launched a public information campaign: Toll collectors warn motorists entering the state with boats. Warning signs are posted at border crossings. TV ads remind boaters to be vigilant. 

Gov. Angus King signed a law requiring stickers on all motor boats using inland waters. The fees — $10 for Maine boats and $20 for out-of-state registrations — will help pay for the fight against invasive plants. The sticker program begins Jan. 1. 

This summer, the Portland Water District, several state agencies and the Volunteer Lakes Monitoring Program tackled variable milfoil with PVC-coated screens. 

The so-called benthic barriers, which block sunlight to variable milfoil, were to be installed around the state park boat launch to create a 100-foot milfoil-free passageway to the main channel. But a diver discovered that the infestation was more extensive that first thought, and now other options are being considered, said Roberta Hill, education coordinator for the water district. 

Some options include creating a longer weed-free channel with benthic barriers, employing an inspector to check for plant fragments left on boats and equipment, and moving the boat launch if the area is too infested to manage. 

The worst-case scenario Hill hopes to avoid is mechanical harvesting, a labor intensive and costly solution used in some states with the worst infestations. Barges outfitted with a cutter similar to those used to harvest hay may clear areas for boating and swimming, but ultimately can make the infestation worse by spreading plant fragments, Hill said. 

New Hampshire abandoned mechanical harvesting in the 1970s. 

“During the ’60s we used harvesting but found it was like getting a haircut: it would come back up again,” said Jody Connor, a biologist with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. 

Much of New Hampshire’s funds now goes to chemical herbicides, a method shunned on Sebago because it is the source of drinking water for 170,000 people, or about 15 percent of the Vermont population. 

In Wisconsin, the Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District, west of Milwaukee, gave up on chemical treatments because they killed native species along with milfoil. Instead, the district regularly harvests milfoil on about 300 of the lake’s nearly 2,500 acres during the summer months. 

“We’re harvesting every day, 40 hours a week at a minimum,” said Charlie Shong, the district’s superintendent. Last year, the district harvested about 102 dump truck loads of milfoil, Shong said. 

Other techniques used to manage milfoil include introducing fish or aquatic insects that can curb the plant’s growth. 

Weevils, aquatic insects whose larvae eat the leaf tissue and burrow into stems, are used in Michigan, Vermont, Wisconsin, Illinois and New York. Minnesota has had some success but the insects are sometimes devoured by fish before they can do their job, state biologist Wendy Crowell said. 

The prospect of such serious infestations in Maine feeds the fear in officials and sports fishermen alike. 

David Garcia, owner of Naples Bait and Tackle, has fished through thick milfoil in New York’s Catskills. He had to create openings in the milfoil with a long-handled rake to get his line into the water. 

“It would be like trying to get a comb through your hair if you had bubble gum in it,” he said. 

The Eurasian milfoil was found in July when a boat with plant fragments was launched into Crystal Lake in Gray. It will be a year or two before biologists can determine whether the plant has established itself. 

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On the Net: 

Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program: http://www.mainevolunteerlakemonitors.org 

Maine Department Environmental Protection’s invasive plants: http://www.state.me.us/dep/blwq/topic/invasive.htm 

End Adv for Sunday, Oct. 14, and thereafter 


Which individual hues speak to you?

By Carol McGarvey The Associated Press
Friday October 19, 2001

What colors make you happy? Which ones help you relax after a busy day? The colors you choose to decorate with really do influence your emotions. 

To stimulate conversation when guests visit, for example, choose active colors such as red, yellow and orange, which inspire camaraderie and an upbeat attitude. 

Colors play off your mood in three basic ways — active, passive and neutral. These are important factors when choosing colors for various rooms and how you plan to use those rooms in your home. 

Accents of red can greet guests in an entry or add a cozy touch to a den. Yellows, good for home offices and kitchens, can inspire creativity. 

Need a room to rejuvenate your soul? Passive colors, such as blue, green and purple, help pacify and restore. They work well in bedrooms or restful sitting rooms. If, however, your home is in a cold climate, the cool colors might be too “chilly,” so you might want to add some visual warmth with sunny accents to spark your spirit. 

Neutral colors, such as beige, gray, white and taupe, help bridge other colors and rooms. Dark neutrals tone down other colors, while crisp white intensifies them. 

What power do various colors have in home decorating? Their strength might surprise you. Some clues: 

 

—Pink: soothes; promotes affability and affection. 

—Yellow: expands the space, cheers your spirit; increases energy. 

—Black: disciplines, authorizes, strengthens what’s around it; encourages independence. 

—White: purifies, energizes, unifies; in combination, makes all other colors stronger. 

—Orange: cheers, commands; stimulates appetites and conversation. 

—Red: empowers, stimulates, dramatizes; symbolizes passion. 

—Green: balances, normalizes, refreshes; encourages emotional growth. 

—Purple: comforts, spiritualizes; creates mystery and draws out intuition. 

—Blue: relaxes, refreshes, cools; produces tranquil feelings and peaceful moods. 

Don’t be shy about playing with color. Choosing compatible colors is as easy as taking a look at the color wheel. It’s a cinch when you choose similar or analogous colors, those located side-by-side on the color wheel. Simply choose a favorite color as your main one, then look on either side of it for accent colors. 

For choosing high-energy schemes, consider complementary colors, hues opposite each other on the color wheel. Red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and purple are examples. In these schemes, warm and cool hues play off each other for interesting results. 

 

——— 

 

“Better Homes and Gardens New Decorating Book” (Meredith Books, $34.95).


State officials to start renegotiating long-term power deals

By Jennifer Coleman Associated Press Writer
Friday October 19, 2001

SACRAMENTO – State power officials plan to begin renegotiating billions of dollars worth of long-term energy contracts, which an administration official says commit the state to buying more power than it needs. 

Critics say the contracts, arranged during the height of the energy crisis, are overpriced and contain questionable clauses, including one that prevents the state from seeking federal price reviews. 

The 53 contracts, worth at least $43 billion, vary in length from a few months to 10 years and in one case, for 20 years. Gov. Gray Davis pursued the contracts to secure the state’s energy supplies and avoid more blackouts like those that plagued California six days this year. 

Davis says the contracts drove down the wholesale cost of power and saved the state money, since it didn’t have to buy expensive energy on the spot market. 

But the contracts, signed at the peak of the power crisis, locked California into overly high prices, critics say. Those prices will then be passed to customers of San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. 

The state has bought power for the three utilities since January, when they were unable to buy power on their own after months of record-high wholesale electricity prices wrecked their credit ratings. 

Administration officials said Thursday they would discuss their renegotiating strategy Friday. 

The move to renegotiating comes after the Department of Water Resources chief warned the state’s new power authority not to seek any more long-term deals. 

DWR Director Thomas Hannigan told Power Authority chairman S. David Freeman in an Oct. 4 memo that “contracting for substantial additional supplies may lead to unnecessary costs for Californians.” 

The state has excess power lined up, especially in Southern California, Hannigan said. The authority should line up any new supplies for Northern California and closely coordinate that with DWR. 

So far, the authority has signed letters of intent to buy electricity from a dozen wind generators, but Hannigan said those arrangements could exceed the state’s ability to absorb the power and be incompatible with other resources. 

Power Authority spokeswoman Amber Pasricha said the two agencies are working together and that a DWR representative highlighted the memo’s points during the Oct. 5 Power Authority board meeting. 

A recent private study found that at least eight of the contracts cost too much and should be immediately renegotiated, because they will saddle customers with 10 years of high prices and require buying too much energy for too much money. The study was sponsored by the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies. 

Because out-of-state power wholesalers “are desperate to cut deal,” said consumer advocate Harvey Rosenfield, the state has an “excellent” chance to renegotiate. 

Wholesalers, Rosenfield said, “could renegotiate these contracts and still walk out with billions in profits.” 

Rosenfield’s group, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, has long criticized the contracts and the secrecy surrounding them. The contracts’ details were released only after lawsuits by Republican lawmakers and several news organizations, including the Associated Press. 

Rosenfield criticized a clause in some contracts that bars the state from seeking price reviews by federal regulators who are charged with overseeing wholesale energy costs. 

One wholesaler, Houston-based Dynegy Inc., hasn’t been asked to renegotiate the contracts with the state but is willing to talk about it, spokesman Steve Stengel said. 

“We would be willing to discuss renegotiating the contracts, if it was mutually beneficial to each party,” he said.


Sagging California economy not expected to shake rest of nation

By Gary Gentile, AP Business Writer
Friday October 19, 2001

LOS ANGELES – For much of the 1990s, California’s economy was the envy of the nation. High-tech gold was being mined in the north while tourists flocked to the beaches and resorts in the south. 

California provided the nation with a bounty of agricultural products and fed the culture with movies and television shows. 

Now the state is reeling from major blows to its tech, power and tourism sectors – any one of which might have been enough to send most states and even many countries into a recessionary tailspin. 

But unlike past downturns, California’s problems are not expected to shake the rest of the nation. Instead, economists say its troubles are mostly reflections of existing national trends. 

“Historically, what happened to California would happen to the rest of the country in three, six or nine months,” said Fariborz Ghadar, director of the Center for Global Business Studies at Smeal College of Business at Penn State University. 

That’s not the case this time, he said. 

California’s power woes are fairly unique, the result of failed deregulation. The tech downturn hit many other parts of the country at the same time as California, and the slump in tourism has also been felt strongly in Florida, Washington and New York. 

“At this point, we’re in the same national boat,” said Steven Sheffrin of the University of California Davis Center for State and Local Taxation. “I don’t see (the rest of the country) looking at California and worrying about what is going on.” 

The state’s problems have been brewing for several years. 

The technology meltdown that started in 1999 devastated northern California, home to Silicon Valley. Earlier this year, a power crisis gripped the state, plunging historic San Francisco and posh Beverly Hills into darkness for hours at a time and sending one of the nation’s oldest public utilities into bankruptcy. 

And on Sept. 11, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington sent a ripple across the country that overnight pulled the rug from under California’s tourism industry and threatens to saddle the state with billions of dollars in unanticipated security and other costs. 

“California has been hit disproportionally hard with a one-two-three punch,” said Tappan Monroe, senior vice president and chief economist at Applied Development Economics, a consulting firm in Berkeley. 

Most economists agree the state, like the rest of the country, is in a mild recession that could last well into next year. 

But despite continuing national uncertainty, California could recover relatively quickly if consumers regain confidence and start spending. Lower interest rates and the economic stimulus package being debated in Congress could also aid the recovery. 

Meanwhile, demand for housing remains strong while supply is tight, leading state real estate agents to predict record home prices next year. 

Another factor aiding California is its diversified economy – the fifth largest in the world if measured alone – which essentially is split between the northern and southern halves of the state. 

A decade ago, high-tech companies dominated the San Francisco Bay Area, while defense and aerospace companies fueled the powerful economic engine in Southern California, especially in the Los Angeles area. California-based industry provided jobs and exercised influence across the nation. 

The end of the Cold War and the 1991 economic recession devastated Southern California, which lost more than 400,000 defense-related jobs. And while the rest of the country began its recovery after about a year, Southern California struggled along for more than three years. 

“Northern California got the brunt of the tech upturn in the late 1990s and bore the brunt of the tech downturn,” said Michael Bazdarich, director of the Forecasting Center at the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California Riverside. 

Signs of strength are emerging in other parts of the state. 

Tulare County, nestled in the center of the state, is home to some of the richest farmland in the nation, producing more milk than any other area in the country. 

It also produces jobs at a rate good enough to make it No. 1 in job growth in the country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Tulare County still has an unemployment rate of 12 percent compared to the state’s 5.4 percent. But officials there are hopeful. 

“There seems to be a sense of optimism,” said Paul Saldana, president of the Tulare County Economic Development Corp.


Opinion

Editorials

BART union, leaders make a deal; trains running on time

By Margie Mason The Associated Press
Thursday October 25, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Hundreds of thousands of commuters awoke Wednesday to news that Bay Area Rapid Transit trains would be running after an overnight deal between management and a union averted a strike. 

BART’s smallest union, representing 238 train controllers and supervisors, announced it accepted a wage and benefits package that had been on the table for days. 

“We have reached basically a win-win for both sides,” said Norma del Mercado, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3993. She said the union won better terms on job protection and a grievance procedure. 

BART officials said the four-year contract was essentially unchanged from a proposal the union had earlier rejected. 

“We never felt they were strike issues, but the union did,” BART spokesman Mike Healy said Wednesday. “We’re all relieved that we were able to pull it together.” 

Healy said the agreement reached is similar to the contract BART unions representing maintenance and train operators accepted September 4. Those contracts called for a 22 percent wage increase over the next four years, increased pension plan contributions and continued health care coverage at no added cost to employees. 

He said the union would likely vote on the contract next week, and if it was accepted the BART board would vote to ratify it. 

The agreement was reached about an hour after the union’s midnight deadline expired Tuesday. The union accepted a tentative contract similar to one signed earlier by two other unions. 

AFSCME wanted all employees who do the same job to be paid the same wage, regardless of experience or tenure. BART officials had said that would bump salaries up to unmanageable levels. The union also worried jobs would be outsourced to nonunion contractors and consultants. 

It was not immediately clear how those issues were resolved because neither side would discuss specifics of modifications to the contract. 

Still, union and BART officials were pleased with the outcome. 

“Sometimes there’s just some little creative thing that’s put in place, and that’s what happened,” said Healy. “We thought it was going to go down the tubes a little earlier and, at last minute, we were able to avoid it.” 

Talks broke down Tuesday evening after the union rejected a deal BART offered with an 8 p.m. deadline. Talks later resumed, and an agreement was announced after some picketers had already began reporting to their posts. The union had set an initial strike deadline of midnight Monday, but agreed to a 24-hour extension after negotiations looked promising. 

BART’s two larger unions had agreed to honor a strike, which could have left more than 300,000 Bay Area commuters stranded. 

“The strike was averted because we continued to persevere in the discussions,” del Mercado said. “That’s how it was averted — by both sides sitting at the table and trying to hammer this situation out.” 

A supervisor earns an about $77,500 a year, according to BART officials. A 22 percent raise would increase that salary to $94,550. 

When BART was struck four years ago, the walkout produced six days of nightmarish freeway gridlock as thousands of commuters with no other way to get to work climbed into cars and jammed the Bay Area’s already congested highways. 

“I’m hoping that people will wake up and hear the news that BART is running just fine,” Healy said. “I think it’s going to be a big relief for everyone.” 


Proud to live in Berkeley

Michael Bauce Berkeley
Thursday October 25, 2001

Editor:  

Many thanks and praise to the progressive city-council members who supported Dona Spring’s anti-war resolution. Thet have understood that this is not an us vs. them scenario; that we are all brothers and sisters. They have, once again, made me proud to live in Berkeley.  

 

Michael Bauce 

Berkeley


September 11 Response Calendar

Staff
Wednesday October 24, 2001

 

 

Thursday, Oct. 25 

 

 

• 7 p.m. 

Peace Satsang with Swami Sitaramananda - Open Gathering for Prayer, Chanting, Meditation, Healing and Peace Talks 

Honoring the Victims of the Sept. 11th Events. All Welcome. 

First Congregational Church of Berkeley 

2345 Channing Way 273-2447 

 

 

• 7 - 9 p.m. 

Rebuilding lower Manhattan 

Morrison Room, Main Library,  

UC-Berkeley Campus 

A discussion sponsored by the School of Journalism, the Program on Housing and Urban Policy and BRIDGE Housing Corporation in collaboration with the architecture firm of Kaplan, McLaughlin, Diaz. 

 

 

• 7 - 9 p.m. 

Freedom in Jeopardy: Threats to Civil Liberties in the Wake of Sept. 11 

2050 Valley Life Sciences Building 

UC Berkeley campus 

Speakers from the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, the Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights for the Bay Area, Electronic Frontier Foundation, UC Berkeley administration and hosted by the Berkeley ACLU. 

Speakers will address legislation that organizers say “will drastically threaten the civil liberties of everyone in this country.” 

 

 

 

Thursday, Nov. 1 

 

 

7 p.m. 

The first Bay Area Appearance of members of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan 

Mills College 

Campus Chapel 

5000 Mac Arthur Blvd.


February dedication plans for Rosa Parks hit drawing board board

By Jeffrey Obser Daily Planet staff
Tuesday October 23, 2001

Rosa Parks Elementary School won’t have the official dedication ceremony for its new name until February, but students, parents, and teachers are gearing up now to get as much educational mileage as possible out of the highly symbolic designation. 

In partnership with the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA), students are beginning to choose civil-rights-related symbols and images for tiles which they plan to paint, bake, and see installed on two concrete half-moon benches out front. 

In the meantime, staff are putting together a “resource box” with photos and kid-friendly materials on Parks, who touched off the modern civil-rights movement when she refused to give her bus seat to a white man in Birmingham, Ala. on Dec. 1, 1955. 

“The kids really are studying it now because we’re talking about it in class time with MOCHA,” said Kathy Freeburg, the dedication’s program coordinator. 

Rosa Parks herself, 88 years old and living in Detroit, was invited to attend the Feb. 23, 2002 dedication. However, said Freeburg, Parks doesn’t travel much any more and would have needed a specially chartered plane. 

The choice of a keynote speaker for the event remains a closely held secret, judging by the reluctance of planning committee members to share their delib erations with the press at a meeting Monday. Plans are also afoot to enlist parents and community members to donate money, flowers and food for the event. 

Kindergarten teacher Tontra Love and reading teacher Mary Burmester are also coordinating a fund-raising and awareness-building “brick campaign.” Community members purchase bricks, which are engraved and installed in front of the school, in the circle of soil between the rounded benches, which will soon be covered with children’s tiles. 

Alison Kelly, the principal, said the tiles would be laid sometime before February, and the school district’s official sign was on its way as well. 

“The idea is to celebrate the new building,” said Rebecca Herman, a parent on the coordinating committee. “We have a beautiful new building.” 

The former Columbus Elementary was rebuilt from scratch in 1997, one of the most significant and welcomed outcomes of a mid-1990s push to upgrade the Berkeley Unified School District’s aging building stock with special bond issues. Once the paint was dry on the state-of-the-art, angular orange and deep blue structure, a movement arose in the school community to reconsider the school’s name. 

Berkeley had already renamed Columbus Day as “Indigenous People’s Day” in honor of the West Indies residents who had little cause to celebrate in the tragic period of disease, death, and exploitation that followed Columbus’ 1492 arrival. 

In March, Rosa Parks won out over labor leader Cesar Chavez in a mini-referendum for the school’s name. 

“Now we have a name that was chosen by the community,” said Herman.


Disadvantaged students struggling to pay for bus fares to campuses

The Associated Press
Monday October 22, 2001

Some skip school because they can’t afford to get there; schools say they’re losing attendance revenue 

 

OAKLAND – High school students are having to pinch pennies to afford bus fares since a couple of cash-strapped school districts have cut back on free transportation services. 

School district officials at Contra Costa and Alameda counties estimate they’re losing millions in attendance revenues since some families can’t always afford the daily transportation costs. 

Alisa Gilmore, 17, said sometimes skips lunch to ensure that she has enough bus money to get home from school. There are days when she skips school altogether because she doesn’t have enough for the $4 daily bus fare to and from campus. 

“I call my friends and get my homework assignment if I didn’t have a test or anything that day,” said Gilmore, a senior at Oakland Technical High School. 

The West Contra Costa Unified School District hasn’t had the money to provide its 35,000 students with free bus service since it declared bankruptcy in the early 1990s. Only federally funded bus travel for special-education students is provided by the district. 

Students in Richmond, the district’s largest city, must go to schools in unincorporated parts of the county or surrounding cities since their is no middle school. 

A few local politicians are pushing for a pilot program to address the lack of bus service for area students. Assemblywoman Dion Aroner, D-Berkeley, is trying to get free bus passes for disadvantaged students. 

“Most districts don’t have little yellow school buses anymore. It is such an expensive service,” Aroner said. 

Her proposal, dubbed the “Lifeline Transit Network,” calls for up to $12 million to fund a three-year program to provide children with a free one-year AC Transit bus pass, and discounted $95 yearly passes for other students. 

Under the proposal, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission would pay AC Transit for the student passes. The commission coordinates Bay Area transit planning and spending. 

MTC officials want a plan developed by the end of 2001, but the commission does not have the authority to set fares. Those decisions would be left to individual transit agencies. 

Jaimie Levin, communications director for AC Transit, said his agency supports the idea of a pilot program. But AC Transit would need contributing funds from MTC or other sources to make the program run smoothly, Levin said. 

Other cities in the area haven’t reached such dire financial straights in transporting students. San Jose provides free bus service to 11,000 of its district’s 30,000 students. Santa Clara transports 2,500 of its 13,500 students each day.


Let’s get our heads out of the sand

Maris Arnold
Saturday October 20, 2001

 

Editor: 

Donaldson’s and Kawcznska’s letters (10/18) condemning the council l calling for an end to the government’s bombing of Afghanistan exemplifies an ostrich-in-the-sand attitude mingled with hysteria (fear?) over dissent from the Government’s explanation of why we are at war.  

The implications seem to be that Berkeley is an island unaffected by the immensity of the WTC attack; that we are immune to the national and international consequences of our federal government’s response; that if we ignore the nightmare we are in, it will go away; and Berkeley’s chutzpah to dare to participate in democratic dialogue is embarrassing. 

Civic life is much more than paved streets. I thank the City Council for passing the resolution and thus widening the arena as Barbara Lee did in which to debate the wisdom and truth of the government’s policies and tactics. Democracy – use it or lose it. 

 

Maris Arnold 

Berkeley


Bay Brief

Staff
Saturday October 20, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — Nearly one in three San Franciscans would have difficulty electing an immigrant to public office, according to a new citywide poll. 

Voters would have less of a problem voting for gay men, lesbians and Arab Americans, according to the poll, which was commissioned by the Chinese American Voters Education Committee. Members of the civic education group found those results troubling, in part because a strong majority of the city’s Asian population is foreign born. 

“Clearly there are pockets of anti-immigrant sentiments,” said David Lee, the group’s executive director. “We should not assume since we live in progressive, liberal San Francisco that the voters are as progressive when it comes to immigrants.” 

The poll also found that San Francisco voters hold generally favorable opinions of Asian Americans. Though they are about one-third of the city’s population, currently only one of the city’s 11 supervisors is Asian American. 

The phone survey was conducted this month by David Binder Research. It included 600 frequent voters and had a 4 percent margin of error. Respondents were 67 percent white, 13 percent Asian, 6 percent black, 6 percent Hispanic and 4 percent multiracial. 

 

 

 

——— 

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — During the prime of the old New Economy last year, Silicon Valley paychecks were fatter than those of Manhattanites — historically the nation’s best-paid workers. 

That fact, reported Thursday by the Labor Department, could have fleeting significance given this year’s dot-com crash. 

Still, during 2000, Santa Clara County rode a 24 percent rise in average wages to overtake New York County as the county with the highest average yearly pay. Santa Clara residents made an average of $76,076, while those living in New York County — that is, the island of Manhattan — earned $71,115. 

San Mateo County residents jumped to third-best compensated, on the strength of a 30 percent growth in average pay over 1999. They earned $66,943 in 2000. San Francisco County registered sixth at $57,626. 

The national average was $35,296. 

The data were based on an analysis of employment and pay trends in the nation’s 315 largest counties. Labor economists warned that the pay raises in 2000 will not likely stick. 

“The data do not reflect current economic conditions, nor do they reflect what has happened in the stock market this year,” said Stanley Stephenson, regional commissioner of the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

——— 

MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) — Neighbors of an oil refinery that has leaked noxious clouds twice this week are pressing for tighter regulation of the plant. 

Accidents at the Equilon Martinez Refining Co. forced area residents to shelter in their homes Sunday and Wednesday, as plumes of yellowish, sooty smoke billowed from the plant. While no one reported serious injuries, the incidents are prompting Contra Costa County supervisors and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to consider new controls over the plant. 

One idea is to let public health officials shut down refinery operations after chemical releases. The county has issued two public nuisance citations against the company. 

The Martinez City Council will hold a town meeting Wednesday about the plant. Councilman Mark Ross said he has received several calls from people wanting to close the refinery, though that is unlikely. 

——— 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco International Airport will use a fingerprint scanner to conduct employee background checks. 

The Federal Aviation Administration is requiring major airports to recheck the backgrounds of employees who have access to tarmacs or planes. 

Airport officials said the $40,000 scanning system should be installed within weeks, making it the ninth major airport in the nation to install the Identix TouchPrint 2000 technology. 

The fingerprint reader, which is tied to a computerized database, means employee background checks will take hours instead of weeks, said SFO spokesman Ron Wilson. He said the airport has about 35,000 employees, most requiring new checks. 


Berkeley Historical Society gets governor’s award

– Bay City News and press statements
Friday October 19, 2001

The Berkeley Historical Society received the governor’s Historic Preservation Award on Oct. 5 for its local history publication “Tales from the Elmwood, A Community Memory” by Burl Willes.  

The awards are presented annually under the sponsorship of the Office of Historic Preservation of the California Department of Parks and Recreation to organizations and groups, and federal, state and local agencies whose contributions demonstrate outstanding commitment to excellence in historic preservation.  

The book recounts almost a century’s worth of stories about people and events, using oral histories, photographs, and local trivia. The book is currently in its third edition and tells how actress Jane Fonda met her husband-to-be activist Tom Hayden at the counter-culture nursery school Blue Fairyland. We learn that Eldridge Cleaver was also planning to write his own book about the Elmwood. There are tales of the community meeting place Ozzie’s Fountain, local stores, and the early storefront for the Berkeley Repertory Theater. The history of the Judah Magnes Museum, St. John’s Presbyterian Church and Willard Junior High is also included. 

 

Food not bombs needs help 

 

 

East Bay Food Not Bombs is looking for volunteers. They pick-up food, cook, serve, clean and compost. Contact: Food Not Bombs, 3124 Shattuck Ave. or 644-4187.  

 

 

Survey for parents with a disability raising a teenager 

 

 

Through the Looking Glass, a nonprofit organization servicing families with disabilities, is conducting a nationwide survey to learn more about the experiences of families in which a parent with a disability is raising a teen, 11-17. The research is being supported by the National Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. 

Department of Education. 

Contact Nancy Freed at 848-1112 ext. 174 or (800) 644-2666; TTY: (800) 804-1616; FAX: (510) 848-4445; EMAIL: nfreed@lookingglass.org; Website: www.lookingglass.org