As dating and relationships become more common in the early teen years, Berkeley High students have been raising awareness about domestic violence by conducting peer education in middle school classes. 

At Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School on Monday, Kate Aughenbaugh’s seventh-graders heard how to recognize the warning signs of an abusive relationship, how to respond when a friend is in one, and what forms domestic violence can take – from physical to mental and emotional. 

“I see so many people who are in these situations and they need this, but they’re already in high school and they’re in the middle of it,” said Maeve McGovern, a junior who co-led the class with junior Molly Baldridge. 

Asking questions first, and then unfurling posters to explain the answers, the peer educators taught the class how to identify domestic violence, distinguish it from non-threatening arguments, and recognize that it takes many forms: Physical, verbal, mental, emotional and sexual. 

“It can also be where a lady batters a guy,” one boy offered, to nods of approval from the teachers. 

McGovern counted off the students from one to three, then asked everyone numbered one to rise. 

Now, one in three kids are at risk of being abused in a relationship by age 21,” she said. “How does that make you feel?” 

“Sad,” said one voice. 

Citing a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Family Violence Prevention Fund’s August newsletter said one in five of high school girls report being physically or sexually abused by a partner – with the incidence rate much the same across racial and ethnic lines. These young women experience higher rates of substance abuse, eating disorders, and other problems, the newsletter said. 

Leuckessia Herse, the teen program coordinator at A Safe Place, an Oakland nonprofit giving outreach to schools and public agencies, said teens are especially vulnerable to getting trapped in bad relationships for two reasons: They don’t always recognize they’re in them, and if they do, they don’t know where to turn. 

“A lot of teens out there are pretty frustrated, they don’t feel like they can express what’s going on with them, and they don’t feel like they can be understood and have some action taken behind it,” Herse said. 

Teens are having relationships earlier than they used to (in order) to make up for the attention and companionship that have missed because “between family, friends and community, something is falling short,” Herse said. 

“Having a lack of those things is causing a lot of the issues with violence,” she said. “People who have been abused are abusing back. It seems like it’s a part of the whole cycle of violence, which is another thing we try to talk to them about.” 

At the classroom presentation on Monday, the cycle of violence was illustrated as three stages on a circle diagram: During “tension-building,” the abusive mate gets angry over small things and may be jealous. “Acute battery,” the second phase, sees open abuse. Then comes the “honeymoon” – remorse, presents, promises. 

“Which two might fade away over time?” Baldridge asked. 

Most students responded correctly. Sometimes, only the abuse is left. 

Shannon Singleton-Banks, the peer education coordinator at Berkeley High, said her student volunteers taught seventh and eighth graders at Berkeley Alternative School, Longfellow Middle School, and King in the last few years, as well as at Berkeley High. 

At Willard Middle School, she said, teachers give domestic violence education.  

Banks’ biggest challenge, she said, “is to get the guys to come and be a part of this peer education thing,” Banks said. 

Debbie Arthur, who coordinates the domestic violence prevention program for the Berkeley Department of Health and Human Services, said peer education was especially valuable for domestic violence because “young people, as opposed to turning to adults for advice, sometimes turn to their peers.” 

“We’re basically talking about power and control, and how they can be used to intimidate people, and also about attitudes and beliefs that we have in terms of how we treat each other and how does that play out in the school community,” Arthur said. “Relationship violence often starts during the teen years and may continue into the adult years as domestic violence, and it’s this continuum that we really want to prevent.”

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

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

Berkeley Organization for  

Animal Advocacy presents: 

7 p.m. 

UC Berkeley 

2305 Tolman 

Dr. J. B. Neilands, Cal Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, will discuss his involvement in the animal rights movement and provide insight on the alternatives to animal experimentation on campus. 

925-462-7927/ www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~boaa 

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 548-3333 

California Politics Seminar 

noon 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley, 119 Moses Hall 

Chuck Rund, President of Charlton Research. 

642-4608 

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 

Aids in South Africa 

7 p.m. 

150 University Hall 

UC Berkeley 

Zackie Achmat, a South African AIDS activist, will discuss the struggle of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa to obtain life-saving drugs. $ 5-10 Suggested donation. 415-621-6196  

Wednesday, Oct. 31

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 

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 

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.November Out and About Calendar 

Thursday, Nov. 1

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 

Justice for Tenants Rally and  

Picket 

4 – 5:30 p.m. 

1942 University Ave. 

Lacking affordable housing, renters are being pushed over the edge... Join the tenant fight back. Free food and music, 367-1225. 

Harris Seminar 

noon 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley, 119 Moses Hall 

Susan Hammer, former mayor of San Jose. 

642-4608 

Kayak Adventures on the  

Seven Seas 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave. 

Olaf Malver will share slides and stories of his sea kayaking adventures around the world: Turkey, Indonesia, Antarctica and more. Free. 527-4140 

Holiday Art Fest 2001 

6 - 8 p.m. 

Pro Arts Gallery 

461 Ninth Street, Oakland 

There will be live music and refreshments to celebrate the start of annual exhibit and sale of unique gifts and specialty items designed by Bay Area artists. 

Friday, Nov. 2

National Children’s Book Week 

3:30 p.m. 

North Branch Public Library 

1170 The Alameda 

Theatre company “Word for Word” in a children’s performance of two stories: “The Elephant’s Child” by Rudyard Kipling and “Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti” by Gerald McDermott. Geared for children 4 years and up. Free. 649-3943 www.infopeople.org/bpl. 

Saturday, Nov. 3

Media “Wedge Kit” Training 

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Ecology Center 

2530 San Pablo Ave. 

The goal of the Media Wedge Kit Training is to help participants create and insert dynamic, witty, and irresistible new language like a wedge into the mainstream media wall. $15 non-members, $10 members, nobody turned away for lack of funds, 548-2220 x233. 

National Children’s Book Week 

10:30 a.m. 

Central Branch Public Library 

2121 Allston Way 

3 p.m. 

Claremont Branch Public Library 

2940 Benvenue Ave. 

Theatre company “Word for Word” in a children’s performance of two stories: “The Elephant’s Child” by Rudyard Kipling and “Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti” by Gerald McDermott. Geared for children 4 years and up. Free. 649-3943 www.infopeople.org/bpl. 

Gardening with East Bay  

Native Plants 

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Class held offsite 

An Ecology Center sustainable living class. A hands on workshop in a local garden built from local native plants, restoration gardening, philosophy, ecology, design, local plant sources, and home propagation. Preregistration is required, 548-2220 x233. $15 non-members, $10 members, nobody turned away for lack of funds. 

Poetry Reading 

3 - 5 p.m. 

South Branch Public Library 

1901 Russell St. 

The Bay Area Poets Coalition hosts an open reading. 527-9905 poetalk@aol.com 

Free Sailboat Rides  

1 - 4 p.m. 

Cal Sailing Club 

Berkeley Marina 

The Cal Sailing Club, a nonprofit sailing and windsurfing cooperative, give free rides on a first come, first served basis on the first full weekend of each month. Wear warm clothes and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children must be at least 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult.  

Visit www.cal-sailing.org  

Editor: 

I am proud to live in Berkeley. I am proud to be a citizen of the city whose congressional representative resisted assigning unlimited discretion for war and peace to the president, and whose Town Council recommended stopping a brutal and largely gratuitous military exercise. 

I am not proud of the many, many leaders of this country who have labeled any analysis of the etiology of the nature of the events of Sept. 11, as condoning the attacks, and as disloyal. 

In her strikingly courageous refusal to follow the moment’s common will, Barbara Lee was the true and loyal citizen, at that moment the most loyal citizen of this constitutional democracy. She was the only one to show by voting that an undefined sequence of military commitments of such importance and complexity must be openly tested and discussed. Instead of publicly castigating the council “radicals” for their support of Lee and of continued bombing in Afghanistan, the mayor could well have shown respect for council resolutions with which she disagrees. 

Civil liberties, open discussion, a multitude of perspectives, opinions, voices, have been the essence, and, so far, the salvation of this country. The threat now is not book-burning, and scissors. The threat is more insidious - a total and freely offered submission of will. The will not to see. The will not to know. The will not to discuss. It extends from New York Times’ relative suppression of accounts, figures, or images of the assault on Afghanistan and its censorship of comments by bin Laden, to hysterical verbal whip-lashing of unpatriotic “traitors,” and to many instances of physical attack on Middle Easterners, any Middle Easterner. From Council to Congress, elected representatives must remember and support the principles of social and economic justice, protection of the environmental conditions of life, a fair and reasonable technical and social infrastructure both locally and globally, the freedom to think, talk, and criticize... They must continue to support the principles for which, presumably, they were elected. 

Now is the time for the concept and observance of The Loyal Opposition to be honored here. 

Ariel Parkinson 

Berkeley 

924 Gilman St. 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 Nov. 3: Dave Creamer Jazz Quartet; Both shows 9 p.m. 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473 albatrosspub@mindspring .com  

Anna’s Nov. 1: The Irrationals; Nov. 2: Anna de Leon and Ellen Hoffmann, 10 p.m. Bluesman Hideo Date; Nov. 3: Robin Gregory and Bill Bell, 10 p.m. The Distones Jazz Quartet; Nov. 4: Danubius; Nov. 5: Rengade Sideman with Calvin Keys; Nov. 6: Singers’ Open Mic #1; Nov. 7: Bob Shoen Jazz Quintet All shows 8 p.m. unless noted. Free. 1901 University Ave., 849-2662 

Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community 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. 29: The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Oct. 31: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2; Nov. 1: Ascension, $5; Nov. 2: Shady Lady, Buffalo Roam, $5; Nov. 3: Funk Monsters, Molasses, $5; Nov. 4: Lost Coast Band, Supercel, $3; Nov. 5: All Star Jam featuring The Steve Gannon Band and Mz. Dee, $4; Nov. 6: Inner, Ama, $3; Nov. 7: Erotic City, DJ Maestro, $2, Hebro, free; 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 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 

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 Lesbian @ La Peña: A Lesbian Performance and Film Series 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 Nov. 18 Harpsichordist Gilbert Martinez. Both shows 5 p.m. $15-18. 1000 The Alameda 528-1685 

The Stork Club 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 

“Distaff Singers Annual Benefit Concert” Nov. 3: 8 p.m., Distaff Singers 64th Annual Benefit Concert for the Ida Altenbach Scholarship Fund. $10. Oakland Mormon Interstake Auditorium, 4770 Lincoln Ave., 658-2921 

“me/you...us/them” Nov. 8 through 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” 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 

Pacific Film Archive Theater 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 

“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. Through 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 

GTU Exhibit: “Holocaust Series” by Cleve Gray through Jan. 25: Comprised of 21 works on paper that constitute “a catharsis... for all of humanity.” Mon. - Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 9:45 p.m., Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. noon - 7 p.m.; Free. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, Graduate Theological Union, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2541 www.gtu.edu 

“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 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. 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 

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 

“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.

The City Council will hold the first of two public hearings tonight on the Draft General Plan that, once approved, will govern city development for the next 20 years. 

City staff and planning commissioners expect some aspects of the draft plan to elicit controversy, including downtown parking, rent control and a proposed amendment by a nonprofit environmental development group that calls for the possibility of increased height limits downtown. 

The 191-page draft plan, prepared by the Planning Commission, is the result of two and a half years of public discussions and contains input from hundreds of Berkeley citizens and a variety of city commissions and boards.  

The council won’t weigh-in on the plan until after the second hearing on Nov. 6. The state requires the council to approve the General Plan by Dec. 18, the last council meeting of the year. 

The General Plan is a document of goals, objectives and policies, which govern land use, transportation and environmental management. 

Berkeley’s General Plan has not been updated since 1977, and Senior Planner Andrew Thomas said many of the goals of the old plan remain in the new draft although they reflect updated methods, concepts and theories. 

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the draft plan on July 11. But among the 600 policies approved, the commission was unable to agree on two issues: parking and rent control. 

The draft plan calls for a two-year moratorium on public parking studies, while seeing whether the city can make better use of existing parking.  

Business owners and arts groups in the downtown area believe a lack of new public parking will harm both existing businesses and the burgeoning Downtown Arts District. 

“We know that there is going to be more demand for short-term parking and the draft plan is asking: ‘Can we accommodate (automobiles) with our current parking supply before taking on the very expensive proposition of building more?’” Thomas said. 

Thomas added that the council may amend the draft plan to add a provision requiring that no downtown public parking is lost. 

He pointed to a city transportation report, the Transportation Demand Management study, which calls for getting traditional long-term parkers – usually people who work in the area – to take public transit or some other form of transportation, thereby freeing up parking spaces for theatergoers, shoppers and restaurant patrons. 

Another controversial issue might be a single sentence in the plan that supports the repeal of a 1995 Costa-Hawkins Bill. This state law allows landlords to increase residential rental rates when rental units become vacant. The policy in the draft plan would have no direct impact on the state law, but some city landlords object to its inclusion in the General Plan. 

Furthermore, Ecocity Builders, a nonprofit agency dedicated to creating open space in urban areas by increasing residential density along transportation corridors, is asking for four amendments to the plan. To support the proposed amendments, Ecocity Builders will submit a petition with more than 100 signatures from nonprofits, educational institutions and businesses, said Ecocity Builder President Richard Register. 

One amendment calls for establishing a Transfer of Development Rights policy. A TDR would allow developers to increase height limits in the downtown in exchange for purchasing and razing existing buildings in environmentally sensitive areas, over creeks for example, and then turning over the restored open space to the city. 

The draft plan sets a height limit in the downtown area for no more than seven floors. If the TDR amendment is approved, it would allow 10 or 11 story buildings Register said. 

“Biodiversity is extraordinarily important for the health of the Bay and for teaching our children how life systems work,” Register said. “If we are going to restore creeks we are going to need to remove occasional buildings and with a TDR policy you can also increase housing.” 

According to Thomas, the Planning Commission did not include the TDR policy in the draft because it did not want to create controversy by increasing height limits in the downtown area. 

“They didn’t want to get into the question of raising the height limits because the issue had been so controversial,” Thomas said. “This is the fourth draft of the plan and the first two recommended raising height limits but the public response against it was very strong. People came unglued.” 

The plan sets an ambitious goal to create 6,400 permanent affordable housing units during the next 20 years through acquisition of existing housing and new construction. Currently there are 1,600 units of affordable housing in Berkeley.  

The plan also reaffirms policies of dense in-fill development in the downtown area and along transit corridors.

When you pass a resolution you are assuming to speak for the citizens of your city. I can't imagine that an entire city is as blind to the truth as its elected representatives. 

In case you pull your head out of the sand in the near future, maybe you will realize that our enemies do not want to smoke a joint with you, or ask for your forgiveness, they want to kill us, all of us, you included, including your children and/or your grandchildren. Maybe you should go to New York City and witness the absolute carnage, to breathe in the smell of death, and help pickup the body parts of those that were murdered by our enemies. 

If you can't accept this and want to continue to be traitors to this country, maybe you will consider giving up your citizenship and try living in a country that will kill you simply for opening your stupid mouth. 

Charles Guion 

Baton Rouge, LA 

The number of assaults around Telegraph Avenue, south of the UC Berkeley campus, rose sharply last year, according to the latest available police crime statistics. 

While the city police department numbers point to felony rates dropping in parts of Berkeley, those same statistics reveal that the number of aggravated assault cases around north Telegraph Avenue nearly quadrupled between 1998 and 2000, doubling between 1999 and last year. 

Berkeley Police were unable to explain the sharp increase. 

“The figures are of deep concern (to us),” said Kathy Berger, executive director of the Telegraph Area Association, a grouping of residents and businesses. 

According to police department statistics, robberies, burglaries, and auto thefts have dominated crime in the neighborhood which is heavily populated by university students and encompasses Census Tract 28. Assault cases jumped to 104 in 2000 for that census tract from 50 in 1999 and 27 in 1998. The increase was sharper than in other census tracts of the city. Tract 28, which represents 6,407 people or 7.1 percent of Berkeley’s population, is bounded by College Ave., Oxford St. and Dwight Way.  

Last year, 7.6 percent of the city’s top eight major crimes took place in that area, a marginal increase from the previous year. This year’s overall crime rate, police statistics show, was identical to 1998: 7.6 percent. 

In the lexicon of criminology, “aggravated assault “ is one of those loosely defined terms where the crime can be treated as a felony or misdemeanor, depending on its gravity. 

Assault is not considered as serious as murder or rape. But the California attorney general’s office thinks it’s serious enough to rank it among the state’s top eight offenses. 

“If I say to you that I’m going to punch you in the face, and I move my fist toward your nose, and I hit you, that’s assault, “ said Susan Underwood, a legal expert with the attorney general’s crime prevention division. “If I say to you that I’m going to punch you in the face, and I move my fist toward your face but I stop myself from punching you – that’s still assault.” 

I am so proud of my city standing up in the face of the lockstep jingoistic insanity going on in this country. I feel glad that Berkeley is so far ahead of its time, looking so very many years into the future, when the rest of humanity catches up (if it survives) and learns that acting righteous and keeping one's boot on the neck of those born by some chance in another place isn't what gets us the most security. 

In Truth, Justice -- and the real American Way. 

Mandeep S. Gill 

U.C. Berkeley Graduate Student 

Palo Alto,  

Students and law professionals who attended the fifth annual National Latino and Latina Law Students Conference this weekend at UC Berkeley’s Boalt Law School agreed the field is hurting from a lack of Latinos. 

“There isn’t a level playing field in our courtrooms,” said Jessica Delgado, a public defender in Monterey. 

The situation is particularly dire in California, which has a population of more than 10 million Latinos. 

According to the California La Raza Lawyers Association, out of 1,600 superior court trial positions only 72 are held by Latinos. Furthermore, only 4 percent of the state’s attorneys are Latino. Therefore, clients who want a Latino lawyer have an especially small pool to choose from. 

Almost all who came to the conference expressed concerns that ranged from the number of Latino judges to universities’ admission policies. 

Margaret Montoya, a professor at University of New Mexico’s School of Law, said Latinos living in California make up one-third of its population and should expect to see a good representation of lawyers and judges they can turn to. 

“Supporters of legislation like Proposition 209 say that race is a proxy,” she said. “But we need to tell them that we are coming from a world view from which we understand the world and can help.” 

Gabriella Gallegos, 25, a student, said the university’s law school was once one of the most diverse schools in the country, and Proposition 209 has helped to change that. 

This year, only 17 of the program’s 299 enrolled students, identify themselves as Latino. 

But, Victoria Ortiz, an assistant dean, said the real problem of diversity in the school wasn’t admitting students. She said there was little money for scholarships to offer applicants. 

Out of 28 Latino students who were admitted but chose not to enroll, 27 went to Stanford, Ortiz said. Students chose Stanford over Berkeley because they received more scholarships to fund their education, she added. 

Yet, Delgado indicated that the issue wouldn’t be resolved by bringing in more judges and lawyers of Latin descent. She said there are many other challenges, which undermine the quality of representation the system offers clients. 

Delgado said she often sees Latino judges sentence clients more harshly than their white counterparts. 

“The benefit for the client whose case is being heard by a Latino judge is that the color of their skin and background should resonate with that judge,” she said. 

Delgado, who said she is often mistaken as an interpreter, also said the challenges she faces make the work of defending clients extremely difficult. She said she has had to convince judges, colleagues and even clients that a Latina could do the job. 

“I’ve had clients request a white male to be their attorney because they think a lawyer from that background will have better rapport with a judge,” said Delgado. 

Richard Paez, a judge with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, said he didn’t apply a different standard to determine decisions on cases brought against Latino clients. 

“When you take an oath at the federal level, you swear to judge the case that’s being advocated in your courtroom fairly,” he said. 

Nonetheless, he said, he can’t help but draw on his experiences and background to judge cases. However, he’ll use his knowledge to apply it on cases across racial and economic lines, he said.  

Panelists told students that forums like the weekend conference were important to bring about change. 

“Sometimes I feel like I’m a speed bump, but don’t misunderstand me,” Delgado told students. “I love what I do.” 

She said she feels elated when she wins small victories for a client whose rights have been trampled on. 

“You can affect people’s lives in a variety of different ways,” she told students. 

Valeriano Salcedo, a superior court judge in Tulare, said institutions of higher education needed to work on the K-12 grades, which can act as a “feeder system for students to enter competitive law programs.” 

Some professionals who attended the conference indicated that changing the status quo in law schools can impact the number of Latinos in those institutions. They said students are in a position to challenge university officials into changing the system. 

William Kidder, a researcher at Boalt Law School, said across the country there is a direct correlation with student activism and universities’ hiring of Latino professors and admission rates of Latino students. 

“The things that you do, at whatever school you’re going back to, can play a pivotal role in your school’s policy.”

Margo Shafer is right - the bombing of Afghanistan by U.S .government forces is our problem. I commend Councilmember Dona Spring for bringing this forward for debate. It is not true that it is happening “over there” so that it doesn’t affect us “over here.” Citizens must get good information in order to make good decisions and participate fully to ensure a democratic government. We are part of a global community, and should be informed and interested in government policy which does not directly affect us in our local community.  

The United States has hundreds of thousands of tons of depleted uranium piled in heaps outdoors at DOE facilities. It is 99.5 percent of what is left when the most fissionable isotope (one of three) is extracted from naturally occurring uranium. The extracted uranium is used in nuclear weapons or nuclear fuel for nuclear reactors. The 99.5 percent that is discarded cannot be put back into the mines it came out of because, after crushing and processing, the volume is greater than before it was removed from the mines. 

The Department of Defense got the bright idea of using DU in weapons because (1) it is very dense giving it greater penetrating power to destroy tanks etc. (2) it is pyrophoric – upon impact, it explodes into fire and smoke creating submicroscopic radioactive particles which travel great distances and can remain suspended until “rained out” of the atmosphere, (3) it is radioactive and will continue acting internally long after the battlefield has been cleared - with delayed effects which continue acting on soldiers and civilians the rest of their lives (4) it is cheap and passes the responsibility for disposal from DOE on to civilians (that means us) and the environment. The half life of uranium is 4.5 billion years - in 10 half lives radioactivity becomes an insignificant amount. In 45 billion years it will no longer be a danger. In other words - it’s “fun” for the DOD, it’s “cheap” for the arms manufacturers (at good profits), and “good riddance” says DOE. 

The United States has manufactured, used, tested DU in 39 states. The cleanup bill - just for the DU - at the Jefferson Proving Ground in Indiana would be $7.8 billion. It has not been cleaned up, but DOD has closed it. Communities living near these test ranges will continue to be exposed and suffer health problems. The Sierra Army Depot in California, for 40 years, has burned millions of tons of old munitions – including 20 times more DU than used in the Gulf War. The radioactive ash full of heavy metals, phosgene gas and dioxins contaminated local communities as well as Native American communities downwind - especially the Pyramid Lake Paiute reservation. The health problems in those communities has been horrendous. The Sierra Army depot burned old munitions in open pits - and was the single largest contributor to air pollution in California - 17-23 percent. 

Did anyone in this city know that, or do anything to inform the citizens? I doubt that anyone was aware or informed. Several months ago I made a short presentation to the Peace and Justice Commission. Norman Harry, former Pyramid Lake Tribal Chairman, and Senator Harry Reid worked with others to shut it down. Less than a month ago Lassen County refused to renew the burn permit for the Sierra Army Depot - finally. 

The United States has used DU weaponry in the Gulf War, Kosovo, Serbia, Vieques Island, Torishima Island near Okinawa, Japan, and sold it to at least 23 countries. Israel uses it nearly daily on the Palestinians. It is in the arsenal the United States is using on Afghanistan. It can be detected on gamma meters in Greece and Bulgaria on windy days. It’s the weapon that “keeps giving”... 

Leuren Moret 

Berkeley 

Editor: 

I wanted to reach out. There have been losses lately. Four people I love and like have suffered deep personal losses in a matter of days. The country has suffered a loss, and the world trembles and shakes. My heart is heavy. I have lost my dream that there could be a solution of courage, of existential acts which would transform. We are bombing the life out of Afghanistan, a land of my youthful romantic visions shaped by the pages of Mitchner's “Caravans.”  

Killing is horrible, but doing it without intimacy, without the mindfulness of what we do, from the air where those ordered to go cannot touch or be touched, I feel that is obscene. And the men and women who send them are even more removed. I hate it. 

Where is our courage? It is not Afghanistan which threatens us, that is simply the place the Saudis have bought to attack us from, perhaps in the hope that they can free themselves before their oil runs out and we don't need them any longer. Perhaps to cover that there are powerful and controlling forces in their midst which hate us because we are not them. Perhaps both. After all, the Saudi Royal Family is large and has to prepare for its future. 

Osama bin Laden is a front man, formidable but a front. The corrupt and cruel regimes of the Middle East are interested only in their own wealth and power. It's different there you know. In the West our power seekers, though selfish, identify with the nation and it's institutions. In the Middle East the nation identifies with the Power Man, and they don't get to vote him out.  

We know this---but we satisfy our primitive talonic need by bombing Afghanistan. Bush said, Turn him and his lieutenants and his thugs over and we''ll stop what we're doing to your country. “To your country!” he said. I am ashamed. The most powerful most technologically advanced country in the world crushing to dust a country where they have mostly stones.  

I hope to hell that we give them what they need to rebuild. But now, right now we have dropped 650,000 single day food packs. Are we rushing to send vast ship loads of our surplus grain, which we have sometimes allowed to rot? Doesn't our American spirit demand of us that we feed hungry people dislocated by our warfare, as the winter’s ice looms. 

Where is our courage? We have been attacked ruthlessly and the best we can do is bomb Afghanistan and sneak around on the ground at night blowing up small arms and killing some more pawns, while most of the real terrorist supporters and most of the rest of the world applaud politely. And while the worst thugs in Iraq thumb their noses at us, and in Iran they smile hardly even up their sleeves, at our seeming impotence. And maybe they tremble secretly at our raw power and our willingness to use it ruthlessly.  

The Taliban are thugs but... Where is our courage? I have been sitting with this for days. It helps to write. I feel a little more angry and a little less blue. 

Leonard Schwartzburd 

Berkeley

Among the questions before the council tonight, is a $100,000 contract with the Flamingo Hotel to provide emergency housing for homeless people who are seriously mentally disabled.  

The funds will come from state grant money the city received last November. In the past the city’s Mobile Crisis Team has been able to house people at the Flamingo Hotel on an emergency basis. 

According to the report the contract with the Flamingo is stop gap measure until long-term housing is arranged. 

Homeless survey finds services lacking 

The council will hear a report on the status of homeless people residing in Berkeley. The report is based on a survey by Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and services for the homeless in Berkeley and Oakland, of 100 homeless men and women. 

The report concludes that Berkeley’s estimated 1,200 homeless are regularly harassed by the police, have insufficient access to shelter, health services and education. 

Among the solutions suggested in the report are that the city add to the number of shelter beds, create a detoxification facility and designate a legal camping area in the city limits. The report also asks for greater investigation of the relationship between the homeless and the Berkeley Police Department. Chief Dash Butler will be present to respond to some of the conclusions in the report. 

Relocating the folk festival 

The Commission on Disability is requesting the council relocate Berkeley’s annual Free Folk Festival to a location more accessible to diabled people. 

According to a COD report, the stage of the current location, Ashkenaz, has an inaccessible stage and the entrance ramp is of an unsatisfactory design.  

The report also claims the venue’s bathrooms, though recently improved, are still awkward to use. Access to them is more difficult during events when the narrow hallway outside the bathroom is crowded with people.  

The report suggests that the current venue does not adequately accommodate the growing number of people who attend the popular festival each year. 

It suggests moving the festival to one of Berkeley’s schools as a possible solution. Some schools have accessible auditoriums and space for workshops and related festival activities. 

Traffic safety for school kids 

The council will consider a recommendation from Mayor Shirley Dean to review the school traffic safety plans. According to the recommendation, the council approved a proposal over a year ago that required each Berkeley school, public and private, to submit a safety plan for picking up and dropping off of children.  

But Dean said there is little evidence that the plans are in effect. The recommendation contends that a police officer, who once enforced a 10-minute parking limit on Ellis Street near Malcolm X School, is no longer there and children continue to cross Ashby Avenue at Ellis Street instead of walking one block west where there is a traffic signal. The report also describes a child struck by a car while crossing Ellis Street to reach a school yard.  

Public hearings 

The council will hold four public hearings, beginning with a proposal to increase parking fees at the Center Street Garage.  

The council will hear public comments on the formation and taxation of businesses in the Downtown Berkeley Business Improvement District. 

It will also hear an appeal of a declaration by the Zoning Adjustments Board that a property at 2507-09 McGee Avenue is a public nuisance.  

Finally, there will be a public hearing on the Draft General Plan and an Environmental Impact Report on the plan. Another public hearing will be held on the draft plan on Nov. 6. 

The council will also look at authorizing: 

• The acceptance of $800,000 in state grant money to construct the Berkeley Bay Trail. The additional funds will make the total state contribution to the project $3.5 million. 

• The city manager to develop a charter amendment to allow the redistricting process to occur after the decennial census is complete and any under or overcounts are adjusted. The recent redistricting process was marred by a Census Bureau undercount of nearly 4,500 people, mostly students in districts 7 and 8. 

• Six months of supplemental military leave benefits to employees called to active duty in response to the Sept. 11 attacks. 

Berkeley Housing Authority 

The Berkeley Housing Authority, which is made of the City Council and two affordable housing residents, will meet in the Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. just prior to the regular City Council meeting. The BHA will discuss a report detailing an increase of 17 rental units to Berkeley’s section 8 housing program over the last three months. In order for the program to remain viable and to avoid financial cuts by the Office of Housing and Urban Development, the BHA has to reach a goal of 1,620 section 8 leases. Currently there are 1,270. 

The BHA will also discuss a report on the status of Section 8 Resident Council and the Public Housing Resident Council. The council and board are made up of section 8 and public housing residents. According to the report, the effectiveness of the resident councils is impeded by an inability to work together. In addition many of the board’s and council’s meetings have been canceled because not enough members show up to legally take action on items on their agendas.  

Housing Director Stephen Barton will also ask the BHA to approve a $90,000 contract with AA-1 Construction to provide building maintenance for city-owned public housing. 

The meeting will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at 2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way in the City Council Chambers. It will also be broadcast live on the KPFA Radio, 89.3 and Cable B-TV, Channel 25.

WASHINGTON — After meeting Monday with federal officials, Gov. Gray Davis said he hopes to get approval within 30 days to allow California Highway Patrol officers to serve as sky marshals on flights within the state. 

The governor also wants federal approval to expand the duties of National Guard troops at California airports to include random searches of checked baggage. Currently, they are limited to checking carry-on bags at security checkpoints. 

Davis met in Washington Monday with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and Federal Aviation Administration chief Jane Garvey, whom he described as receptive to his ideas. 

“Both proposals were received with interest,” Davis said. 

Davis first made the sky marshal proposal a month ago, explaining that CHP officers take 7,800 work-related flights a year. The highway patrol officers’ union has raised questions about the idea, but has not voiced opposition. 

Davis described both proposals as essentially free. CHP officers would serve as marshals only on flights they already would be taking, and airports would not need more National Guard troops to expand the reservists’ duties. 

The governor headed from his meeting with transportation officials to tour the Pentagon crash site. He also will visit the World Trade Center site in New York on Tuesday. The itinerary for his East Coast trip also includes a visit to his mother in Florida and two campaign fund-raising events in New York. 

Davis was not the only California official on attacks-related business on the East Coast. 

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca was in New York on Monday to testify before the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, and to present $244,305 to New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. 

The money, for the survivors of the police and firefighters who died in the collapse of the Trade Center buildings, was raised by the sheriff’s department through the sales of memorial bracelets and bumper stickers. 

SAN DIEGO — Authorities detained 21 illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Immigration and Naturalization Service said Monday. 

The men and women came in two groups at the Otay Mesa border crossing in San Diego and are being held while the immigration service decides whether any qualify to remain in the United States, INS spokeswoman Lauren Mack said. 

Because of privacy laws, the INS can’t disclose whether any in the group are seeking political asylum, Mack said. 

By far, most illegal immigrants caught at the border in San Diego are Mexican. Authorities occasionally stop people from other countries, but it is rare to encounter a large group from Sri Lanka in Southern California, she said. 

The Sri Lankans arrived on foot in two groups. Sixteen arrived Saturday and five more Sunday. 

They told authorities they traveled by plane from their South Asian island nation to Jordan, then came to Mexico by ship. Each paid between $19,000 and $31,000 for the journey. 

Last year, nine illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka who came individually or in small groups were detained at the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego, Mack said. 

Sri Lanka has been plagued by an 18-year civil war in which at least 64,000 people have died. 

Militants among the 3.2 million Tamils of the island-nation off the southern tip of India are leading an often violent campaign for a separate homeland. They allege that Tamils are discriminated against by the majority Sinhalese, who comprise 14 million of the country’s 18.6 million people.

LOS ANGELES — Napster won’t let the music play until some time next year. 

The embattled song-swapping service’s chief executive, Konrad Hilbers, told a technology conference Monday that the company must still license more major record label music before it can go back online. That will probably be in the first quarter of next year, he said. 

Napster has been off-line since July in an effort to comply with a federal judge’s order that the free music trade be halted. Hilbers said Napster will replicate its popular file-sharing service in a secure environment while pressing for licensing deals with major labels. 

He hopes a settlement of the suit his company faces can help Napster recreate the song downloading magic that brought the company 60 million users at its peak. 

“Music, I think, makes close friends of people with nothing in common but a shared love of Incubus or Jerry Garcia’s Grateful Dead,” Hilbers said. 

Whenever Napster’s new service does come back online, Hilbers reiterated that digital song downloads will include technology that prevents unlimited copying and free distribution. 

All five major labels have vowed to come out with subscription online music services before year’s end. Sony and Universal have partnered to form pressplay while MusicNet is the joint venture of Warner, BMG and EMI. 

Analyst Phil Leigh, of Raymond James and Associates, said even if Napster remains on hold until early 2002 it could possibly time its re-emergence successfully. 

Leigh said Music Net and pressplay could serve to warm up consumers to the idea of subscribing for online music, to the benefit of Napster’s relaunch. 

“It doesn’t hurt Napster if they come in later when the offering becomes more attractive,” Leigh said. 

Jim Griffin, cheif executive officer of Cherry Lane Digital, said at the conference that the online music industry is not quite ready for prime time. He said the industry still needs a large pool of money and a fair way of dividing those funds up among copyright holders and music publishers. 

He said subscription online music businesses and major record labels would need to ignore many of the traditional models that worked for the recording industry in the past. Whatever business models emerge, they’ll be worlds apart from their predecessors, Griffin said. 

“It will not be about control. It will not be about clinging to content,” Griffin said. 

He predicts that subscribers will pay by the month, not per song, for downloaded and streaming music.  

Griffin believes wireless broadband access is a key component to the success of online music, a notion that dovetails with the goals of Evolab, a company he founded that focuses on wireless media services. 

Listen.com is making another play at the changing music landscape. Once merely a directory of legally downloadable music, the service is about to be reborn and will launch a new streaming music platform called Rhapsody. 

Rhapsody, set to launch in about two weeks, is an application where users can store and access streaming song playlists for a subscription fee set by independent distributors. 

But the same problem exists for Rhapsody, as with many others — no big name content. So far, Listen.com only has signed licensing deals with 37 independent labels to provide music content to the Rhapsody service. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.napster.com 

http://www.listen.com 

SAN FRANCISCO — The top lawyer for the state’s Commission on Judicial Performance is at the center of an ethical controversy, and experts say the watchdog agency must be careful in its handling of the issue. 

Victoria Henley, the commission’s chief counsel and top administrator, is accused of having a conflict of interest when she handled disciplinary action against a judge her husband was suing. 

How the commission, which is responsible for disciplining judges, handles the controversy could affect its integrity, experts say. The commission has already requested that an independent investigator handle the case. 

“That was the right thing to do,” Steve Barnett, a professor at UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall law school told the Los Angeles Times. “The commissioners should be commended for the speed with which they acted on this.” 

In December, Henley and her staff accused Sonoma County Judge Patricia Gray of unfair campaign practices during her 2000 re-election campaign and began disciplinary proceedings. The charges claim she unfairly accused her challenger, deputy public defender Elliot Daum, of condoning the actions of those he defended in court. Gray lost the election. 

The commission could bar Gray from serving as a judge again if it sustains the disciplinary charges. 

But Gray’s lawyer says Henley should have disqualified herself from the proceedings because her husband, Alameda County lawyer Michael Boli, filed a malpractice suit against Gray for a 1994 civil case she handled while still a lawyer. 

Boli had already filed the suit against Gray when the disciplinary proceedings were launched. The suit is still pending. 

Gray’s attorney accused Henley of using the disciplinary proceedings against Gray to enhance the outcome of the civil suit if it’s decided in favor of Boli’s clients. 

WASHINGTON — A new anti-viral drug is being added to the arsenal of anti-AIDS medications. 

The Food and Drug Administration said Monday it has approved Viread for use in combination with other drugs in fighting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. 

The drug blocks reproduction of the virus, the agency said. Its technical name is tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. 

AIDS survival rates have increased in recent years as combinations of drugs are used to battle the virus. 

FDA noted that the virus mutates rapidly, however, and often develops resistance to drugs. That makes development of new medications necessary. 

The FDA said it approved the new pill after two clinical trials on more than 700 people who showed increased HIV despite treatment with other drugs. They showed significant reductions in the amount of HIV in their blood during the trials, the agency said. 

The new drug is taken as a single pill once a day. Supplies should be available by the end of this week, according to the manufacturer, Gilead Sciences of Foster City, Calif. 

Gilead spokeswoman Amy Flood said a year’s supply of Viread would cost $4,135, but added that much of that probably would be covered by insurance. 

In clinical trials the most common side effects of Viread were moderate diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and flatulence. Viread is a type of drug known as a nucleotide analog. Its action is similar to nucleoside analogs, which the FDA said have been connected to some serious liver conditions.

Armed man killed 

SAN JOSE — An armed man who barricaded himself in his home Sunday afternoon and held police at bay for more then 10 hours as crisis negotiators tried to contact him, was shot and killed, San Jose police said Monday. 

According to police, the armed man left his house at about 3:25 a.m. Monday and walked about 50 yards toward a group of officers. He then raised his rifle and pointed it at the policemen. 

An officer fired a round from his rifle and struck the suspect in the chest, a police report said. Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. 

The wife of the man called police at about 4 p.m. to report her husband was on pain medication, was hallucinating and had fired at least two shots from a gun in the garage. 

The man refused to respond to negotiators trying to contact him by phone and a bullhorn, the police report said. 

The Homicide Unit of the San Jose Police Department is investigating the incident. The name of the officer, as well as the name of the suspect and his wife, have not been released. 

Adoptive parents, fathers eligible for  

extension 

STANFORD — The faculty Senate unanimously has voted to include adoptive parents and new fathers on the list of those eligible for tenure clock extension. 

If the changes are to be instituted next January, the board of trustees must approve the revisions during its next meeting in December. 

The current policy applies only to birth mothers, and has been in place for three years. 

Under the revised Faculty Tenure Policy clause, new parents would be able to apply for the extension for up to one year after the birth or adoption of a child.  

In cases of adoption, the child usually must be no older than 5. 

SAN FRANCISCO — More than one third of eligible utility customers answered Gov. Gray Davis’ call to cut electricity use by 20 percent and earned a 20 percent discount on their power bills, utilities said Monday. 

Combined, the customers will save millions of dollars on their electric bills, and by reducing their power use kept themselves from being charged record rate hikes passed by the state Public Utilities Commission in the spring. 

To get the discount, customers of all sizes had to trim their power use by 20 percent or more during any one of the four qualifying summer months — June through September. 

A third of Pacific Gas and Electric Co.’s 4.6 million electric customers saved a combined $120 million on their electric bills.  

At Southern California Edison, more than 373,000 customers saved a combined $855,956. About 374,000 San Diego Gas and Electric customers earned a combined $6.24 million. 

Californians slashed their power use so much they were lauded by state and utility officials as a chief reason the state weathered the summer heat without having to shut off the lights.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A leading bioterrorism expert has cautioned against the freewheeling exchange of scientific ideas, saying unfettered public access unwittingly could help terrorists. 

“We should be cognizant of the power of our own science,” Thomas Inglesby of the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense told doctors gathered Sunday at the Infectious Disease Society of America Conference. 

Inglesby said the same biotechnology research used to create disease-fighting drugs could make it easier for terrorists to develop biological weapons. Scientists soon will complete the genetic mapping of flu viruses, and Ingelsby warned that such information should not be shared publicly on the Internet. 

Meanwhile, most of the doctors attending the four-day event in San Francisco were preoccupied with how to distinguish early onset of anthrax from normal colds and flu, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Julie Gerberding, acting deputy director of infectious disease control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, discussed the latest anthrax treatment guidelines via satellite hookup Sunday. 

The doctors were told that none of the patients with anthrax had a runny nose, a typical symptom of flu or cold. 

“Usually, inhalation anthrax shouldn’t cause runny nose or sinus congestion,” Northwestern University Medical School Professor Tina Stosor told the San Jose Mercury News, “but the verdict’s still out on that.”

SAN JOSE — Police are looking for a 22-year-old suspect in the shooting death of a rookie officer. 

DeShawn Campbell of San Jose likely will face murder charges in Sunday’s death of 24-year-old Jeffrey Fontana, according to San Jose Police Sgt. Steve Dixon. 

Police believe Fontana had stopped a vehicle in an upscale neighborhood in San Jose early Sunday and was shot while approaching it. 

Residents called to report an officer on the ground near his patrol car. Fontana was pronounced dead at the scene, Dixon said. 

Police said Fontana, who was working his regular beat, never called for help and there was no record of a traffic stop. 

Fontana had just finished his 16-week field training and had been patrolling on his own in the last two weeks before being gunned down.  

He had been a member of the force for less than a year. 

MARIPOSA — The triple murder trial of Yosemite killer Cary Stayner will be moved out of this tiny community, away from the rugged mountains where he allegedly preyed on women, a judge ruled Monday. 

Judge Thomas Hastings agreed with the defense and prosecution that extensive news coverage of the case — including Stayner’s confession to four killings — would make it difficult to find a fair jury in this Sierra Nevada foothills county. 

Stayner, who appeared in court Monday with his head freshly shaved, could face the death penalty if convicted of killing three Yosemite tourists who were staying at Cedar Lodge, where he worked on the outskirts of Yosemite as a handyman. 

He is accused of killing Carole Sund, her daughter, Juli, and friend Silvina Pelosso in February 1999. 

The parents of Carole Sund said they were surprised by Stayner’s scalped look. Carole Carrington said he looked crazy. 

Defense lawyer Marcia Morrissey said outside of court that Stayner has shaved his head throughout his life as a result of a chronic hair-pulling disorder. 

He has always appeared in court with a crop of thinning hair. 

“It was a just a shock,” Francis Carrington said. “It looked like a long-term convict or something.” 

Stayner, 40, already is serving a federal life sentence for murdering Yosemite naturalist Joie Armstrong in July 1999. 

Hastings, a Santa Clara County judge assigned to the case, set a hearing for Dec. 17 to consider where to hold the trial. 

Prosecutor George Williamson recommended Sacramento, Santa Clara and Colusa counties. Morrissey suggested San Francisco or Los Angeles because they have larger jury pools. 

Court administrators will confirm which counties have adequate security, staff and courtrooms available for a trial starting Feb. 25.  

The court then will notify lawyers of the possible sites so they can conduct telephone polls or other research to determine how widely known the case is in those counties. 

Morrissey also said she would be filing motions to dismiss the charges against Stayner, and would seek to suppress witness statements. 

Morrissey left the court without making further comment. She said in the past she would seek to bar evidence of Stayner’s lengthy recorded confession to FBI agents. 

The tape of the confession was played at a hearing in June, with Stayner describing the methodical killings in graphic detail. 

He said a longtime fantasy of killing came alive the night of Feb. 15, 1999, when he saw “easy prey,” the mother and two teens, through the window of Room 509. 

Stayner went to the door and said he had to check a leak in the bathroom. Once inside, he pulled a gun and tied them up. He strangled Carole Sund, 42, and Pelosso, 16, in the room and put them in the trunk of their rental car. 

“I had no feeling, like I was performing a task,” he said about killing Carole Sund, the first of his victims. 

After repeatedly sexually assaulting Juli Sund, 15, he drove her to a remote lake and slashed her throat. He abandoned the rental car and torched it. 

He said it was the first time he ever felt in control of his life. 

Stayner was caught six months later at a nudist colony, after investigators found the headless body of Armstrong in a creek near her cabin in the park. Stayner was arrested after confessing to all four killings.

SACRAMENTO — California will spend more than $1.1 million to boost security at the state Capitol in the wake of last month’s terrorist attacks, legislators decided Monday. 

“Like it or not, the Capitol is a potential target,” said Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, chairman of the Joint Rules Committee that oversees security there. 

The state will spend $700,000 to install airport-style metal detectors and X-ray machines at four entrances to the building, eliminating public access at two additional existing entrances. The main and most ornate entrance to the Capitol will be reserved for tour groups. 

Officials said the new equipment will speed searches that have been conducted by hand since the Sept. 11 East Coast attacks, though it may be another two months before the machines are in place. 

In addition, an X-ray machine used to screen mail will be moved from its current location beneath the governor’s office to the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento, at a cost of $410,000. 

Legislators also are considering buying an irradiation machine that could kill anthrax and other bacteria in mail, but will first see what steps the U.S. Postal Service takes so as to avoid duplication, Cardoza said. 

Sixty large concrete flower planters already have been placed around the Capitol as a barrier to vehicles. The committee plans a public hearing Nov. 13 to consider whether they should be replaced by permanent metal posts or similar devices. 

The planters cost $10,000 to $15,000 but can be used at other state facilities if they’re not needed at the Capitol, said CHP Commissioner D.O. “Spike” Helmick. 

Cardoza estimated the state is spending $5,000 to $10,000 on other security measures, though some are as cheap and easy as locking previously unlocked doors.  

All told, the committee considered 25 precautions at its four-hour closed door meeting, the remainder of which were not made public for security reasons. 

“We don’t want to let the bad guys know what our points of vulnerability are,” Cardoza said. 

The security precautions were endorsed by Assembly members of the Joint Rules Committee, while Senate members still must be polled for their approval. 

Meanwhile, Helmick said the CHP has spent more than $17 million since Sept. 11 on increased security statewide, including more flights over aqueducts, power lines and patrols of bridges and dams. 

To pay the increased cost, Helmick said he is cutting back equipment, travel and training, though most training was postponed anyway because the officers are needed for the beefed up security patrols. 

SALT LAKE CITY — National Guardsmen patrolling the airport with M-16s were not part of the original plan for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Then came Sept. 11, and the Salt Lake Games would never be the same. 

With the games scheduled to start 100 days from Wednesday, Olympic organizers who overcame scandal and financial problems now have just one overriding mission — protecting 2,500 athletes and the fans who come to watch them. 

Unlike the bloody history of the Summer Games, the Winter Olympics have never been disrupted by terrorist attacks. If they are in Salt Lake City, those who are running them know well that both the city and the games may be forever scarred. 

“If you don’t have a safe games, there’s nothing you can do to redeem yourself,” said Mitt Romney, who heads the Salt Lake Organizing Committee. 

About the only thing that will still be the same for 17 days in February is that the world’s best skiers, skaters and jumpers will be competing for Olympic gold. 

But getting in to see them will now take more patience, and new security measures will mute some of the festivities that normally surround an Olympics. 

Some residents who were once proud their city landed the games are now fearful that they will become a target. 

“There is an awful lot of people that if they can find a way to get out of town for three weeks are out of here,” attorney Bruce Baird said. “I think it is just dawning on people what it might be like.” 

Indeed, the enduring image of the Feb. 8-24 games for those attending may be one of tall fences topped with razor wire and standing in long lines to empty pockets and purses into large plastic tubs for security checks. 

At the downtown high-rise where Baird has his office, workers were evacuated last week in a pre-Olympic drill. 

“The attacks have changed people’s psyche. Nobody before thought it was possible,” said Robert Flowers, who heads the Utah Olympic Public Safety Command, the security umbrella for the games. “We weren’t talking about anthrax in Olympic venues before. Now we are. It caused us to take some things more seriously.” 

Before last month’s terrorist attacks, Olympic security officials thought they had built a strong, multifaceted plan at a cost of some $265 million. 

Now the tab is over $300 million, thanks to the addition of 2,000 National Guardsmen to help guard venues and materials and the need to buy more metal detectors, security fences and surveillance equipment. 

Some 10,000 security personnel will be on guard, outnumbering athletes 4-1. Another 5,000 SLOC workers will help guide ticket holders through metal detectors and other detection equipment and make sure they aren’t carrying backpacks or other items that might conceal a weapon. 

In the sky, U.S. Customs helicopters and radar planes will patrol, along with F-16s from nearby Hill Air Force Base. Extraordinary air security measures will likely include the closure of Salt Lake International Airport to air traffic during the opening and closing ceremonies and airspace restrictions at other times. 

On the streets, health officials will have stocked up on antibiotics, and portable decontamination units will be ready to speed to venues should suspicious substances be found. 

Experts will monitor the air for chemical and biological contamination, and thousands of volunteers have been trained to respond to any type of threat. 

“If there’s something found or spotted, we’ll have someone on the scene in minutes and we’ll know how to handle it and what to do,” Flowers said. 

The FBI will have 1,000 agents in Utah to investigate and respond to any threats. Last week, teams of Secret Service agents practiced for various scenarios in Salt Lake City. 

“The intent was to dial up the stress levels,” said Mark Camillo, Olympics coordinator for the Secret Service, which has overall responsibility for the games’ security. 

Indeed, organizers say about the only thing that hasn’t been planned is what to do if the games are canceled. SLOC has $150 million in cancellation insurance from an earlier policy, but Romney said nothing short of a world war could stop the games. 

SLOC has gone so far as to reserve charter planes to bring athletes to the United States should the world’s air travel system be in turmoil. 

“The circumstances that suggest you couldn’t go forward with the games are unthinkable in my view,” Romney said. “There is no Plan B. You proceed with the games almost regardless of the turbulence.” 

Organizers say they hope much of the security will be unobtrusive and barely noticeable, outside of the security fences and checkpoints and the bomb-sniffing dogs at competition sites. 

Much of the armed security will be in plain clothes to blend in with the crowds, while some 1,900 state and local police officers and 500 volunteer officers from around the country will be outfitted in yellow and black uniforms. 

With new plans in place, they’re now trying to convince both foreign governments and Olympic ticket holders that the safest place to be in February may actually be Salt Lake City. 

Romney said only 15 people asked for refunds in the wake of the terrorist attacks, and that the head of the Iranian Olympic committee wrote him a three-page letter congratulating him on the steps taken to protect athletes. 

At a security briefing Monday, Danish International Olympic Committee member Niels Holst-Sorensen said the plans are detailed and thorough. 

“Everything is very well in hand,” he said. 

The extensive plans, though, don’t stop security officials from fretting. A lone man was responsible for the Atlanta bombing that killed one and injured dozens of others, and they worry as much about that as they do about any large organized attack. 

“No one can have 100 percent security. It’s not possible,” Flowers said. “But if we feel we can’t give reasonable protection then we’d ask them not to hold the games.” 

Romney doubts terrorists would make the Olympics a target. 

“Attacking a group of young athletes from around the world doesn’t seem to be a good public relations move to me,” Romney said. “The terrorists didn’t attack the United Nations, they attacked symbols of America. I don’t think they would want to attack the Olympics.”

DETROIT — The company that runs the Dish Network is poised to become the nation’s leading provider of home satellite TV service after reaching a deal to acquire rival DirecTV from General Motors Corp. 

EchoStar Communications Corp. is buying Hughes Electronics and its DirecTV subsidiary from GM for approximately $25.8 billion. The deal, struck Oct. 28 during a weekend session of GM’s board, came after News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch abruptly pulled a longstanding offer for Hughes off the table. 

With 10 million subscribers, DirecTV is the nation’s largest provider of home satellite television service. EchoStar’s Dish Network is a distant No. 2 to with 6.7 million. The combined 16.7 million subscribers would be slightly fewer than those of AT&T Corp., the leading cable TV provider. 

The new EchoStar would control nearly all of the U.S. satellite TV market, but GM said the new entity would have 17 percent of the total pay TV market while cable companies control 80 percent. 

Charles Ergen, chairman and chief executive officer of EchoStar, told reporters and analysts Oct. 29 that the deal would create “a true competitor to cable.” 

Ergen also said the new company would be able to reduce costs by sharing satellite spectrum, bargaining for lower programming costs and having one standard for set-top boxes. 

The new company would retain the EchoStar name, and DirecTV would become a brand for its services and related products. The deal must be approved by federal regulators and GM shareholders. 

Under terms of the deal, GM would technically spin off Hughes and merge it with EchoStar. A majority of EchoStar’s shareholders already have given their approval. 

EchoStar is offering 0.73 EchoStar shares for each share of Hughes. Based on EchoStar’s closing stock price Oct. 26 of $25.26, the deal values each share of Hughes at $18.44 — a 20 percent premium to Hughes’s closing share price of $15.35. 

EchoStar is also offering a $600 million breakup fee to Hughes in the event that the deal is turned down by regulators. 

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2002, the companies said. Hughes will control 54 percent of the stock, while EchoStar shareholders will maintain a 36 percent interest in the new company. 

GM president and chief executive officer Rick Wagoner said the deal would provide “significant benefits to Hughes, EchoStar, millions of present and future DirecTV customers, and shareholders of both GM and EchoStar,” 

Ergen said consumers would benefit from the company’s ability to increase the number of markets served with local channels via satellite and more high-definition TV offerings. 

In midday trading Monday, GM Hughes shares fell 67 cents to $14.6,00378 on the New York Stock Exchange, where News Corp. stock was off $1.91 at $27.14. EchoStar shares slipped 18 cents to $25.08 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. 

Ergen will remain chairman and CEO of the new company. The board of directors will have nine members, five of whom would be independent directors. 

Aside from DirecTV, Hughes also provides high-speed Internet service through DirecPC and its PanAmSat unit distributes entertainment and information to cable television systems, TV broadcast affiliates, telecommunication companies and corporations. 

Opposition to the transaction is likely to come from consumer groups who fear domination of the home satellite TV market by one company. 

Last week, the president of the National Consumers League asked the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department to look into the possible implications of an EchoStar takeover of DirecTV. 

GM wanted to sell off Hughes in order to focus on its core automotive business. 

Murdoch and GM had been in talks for more than 18 months, but when the automaker’s board failed to make a decision Oct. 27, Murdoch ended his bid for the company. 

Murdoch coveted DirecTV as an adjunct to the satellite TV services News Corp. operates overseas. Acquiring DirecTV would have given him a global satellite television network. 

EchoStar came into the picture last spring. Over the summer the company proposed a stock swap and assumption of almost $2 billion in debt for Hughes. 

Despite its market-leading position with DirecTV, Hughes lost $227.2 million in the third quarter and $481.6 million through the first nine months of the year. The company announced plans in August to lay off 10 percent of its 7,900 workers. 

——— 

On the Net: 

General Motors Corp.: http://www.gm.com 

EchoStar Communications Corp.: http://www.dishnetwork.com 

Hughes Electronics Corp.: http://www.hughes.com 

+++++ 

MORE 

SAN FRANCISCO — Mirroring the technology industry meltdown, venture capital investments and fundraising continued to evaporate in the third quarter, dissolving hopes for a turnaround early next year, an industry report said Monday. 

Venture capitalists invested $7.7 billion in start-ups in the three months ended Sept. 30, a 73 percent plunge from the same time last year when the industry reached its quarterly high-water mark of $28.5 billion, according to statistics compiled by industry research firm Venture Economics for the National Venture Capital Association. 

It marked the industry’s lowest investment amount since the first quarter of 1999, when start-ups received $7.2 billion. 

The about-face has been especially dramatic in Northern California, the Silicon Valley home of the nation’s most prominent venture capitalists. Northern California start-ups received $2.36 billion in the third quarter, down from about $10 billion a year ago. 

This year’s steep decline stems largely from the frenetic pace of venture capital investment in 1999 and 2000. During the previous two years, venture capitalists invested $161 billion as they chased after stock market jackpots. Despite the drastic slowdown, 2001 still will represent the venture capital industry’s third-largest investment year. 

But with the level of investment falling for the fourth consecutive quarter, venture capitalists are becoming increasingly somber as they gird for even more erosion in the months ahead. 

Most venture capitalists don’t expect the industry to bounce back for another 12 to 18 months, said John Taylor, research director for the National Venture Capital Association, the industry’s main trade group. 

“Anyone expecting a quick turnaround is sadly mistaken,” said Jim Breyer, managing partner with Accel Partners, a major venture capital firm in Palo Alto. 

In another sign of the industry’s retrenchment, venture capitalists raised $6.2 billion for future investments during the third quarter, a 78 percent decline from the $27.6 billion collected at the same time last year. It represented the lowest amount of venture capital raised since the third quarter of 1997, when $2.6 billion trickled in to the industry. 

Venture capitalists aren’t raising more money largely because they still have so much left over from last year, when institutional investors and other money managers turned over $106.8 billion to the industry. 

Venture capitalists still have an estimated $45 billion to $50 billion remaining from their past fundraising efforts, Taylor said. 

With the stock market turning a cold shoulder to tech companies, venture capitalists are spending most of their time and money nursing their existing investments. The triage is forcing venture capitalists to impose harsh expense reductions that frequently include layoffs, a process that is “emotionally difficult,” said Howard Cox, a general partner with Greylock Financial in Boston. 

“One of the new roles venture capitalists are taking on today is as outplacement (specialists) helping the former employees at their portfolio companies find new jobs,” Cox said. 

Venture capitalists also are expected to fall by the wayside if the technology industry’s carnage continues, as most analysts predict. 

“There will be a significant shakeout in the venture capital business, just as there already has been a significant shakeout in the companies that we have invested in,” Breyer predicted. 

Spooked by a slump that already has saddled the industry with its worst losses ever, venture capitalists are throttling back on their technology investments. Internet businesses accounted for 27 percent of the venture capital invested in the third quarter, down from 46 percent of investments last year, according to Venture Economics. 

Meanwhile, venture capitalists are becoming more intrigued with start-ups involved in biotechnology and medical products.  

These “life sciences” companies received 14 percent of venture capital in the third quarter, up from roughly 7 percent last year

SAN FRANCISCO — Stanford University attracted more money from private donors than any other U.S. school last year, according to a new survey by the Chronicle for Philanthropy to be released later this week. 

Stanford raised $580.5 million during the 2000 fiscal year, which university officials attributed to the then-robust stock market. The sum ranked Stanford eighth nationwide among hundreds of competing charitable organizations. 

Harvard University, the only other school in the top 10, raised $485.2 million. 

“Stanford had a phenomenal year,” said David Glen, associate vice president of the school’s Office of Development. “We are very pleased with the results.” 

The figures came from the Chronicle’s annual survey of the top 400 nonprofit fund-raisers. To make that list, a charity needed to raise nearly $31 million from individuals, corporations, foundations and other private sources. 

The Salvation Army ranked first for the ninth consecutive year, pulling in $1.44 billion. The rest of the top 10 were: 

— Fidelity Investment Charitable Gift Fund: $1.1 billion 

— YMCA of the USA: $812.1 million 

— American Cancer Society: $746.4 million 

— Lutheran Services in America: $710.3 million 

— American Red Cross: $637.7 million 

— Gifts In Kind International: $601.9 million 

— Stanford University: $580.5 million 

— Harvard University: $485.2 million 

— Nature Conservancy: $445.3 million 

Glen said Stanford, like any institution, has peaks and drops in donations from year to year, and said the $580 million reflected the school’s best year to date. He said the total was a combination of smaller gifts, not any one large gift in particular. Stanford was 19th in the previous year’s survey. 

Stanford’s 2000 fiscal year ran from Aug. 31, 1999, to Aug. 31, 2000. 

In May of this year, Stanford received $400 million from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the second-largest donation to an institution of higher learning. 

Over the weekend, Gordon and Betty Moore and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation gave the largest donation — $600 million over 10 years to the California Institute of Technology. Gordon Moore was a co-founder of Intel. 

Around the country, charities have raised more than $1 billion to aid victims and support recovery from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, undercutting charities not playing a direct role in the relief effort. 

Groups raising money for causes such as the environment or AIDS research are postponing fund drives and scaling back programs as a result. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.philanthropy.com 

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Examiner editor and publisher Ted Fang has been ousted by his mother, who put her own name on the masthead of the Oct. 29 edition. 

Florence Fang issued a four-paragraph statement Oct. 26 saying she had taken over as the newspaper’s editor and publisher while Ted Fang “had been relieved of all his operating duties and responsibilities for the Fang family newspapers.” 

Those duties included publisher of the San Francisco Independent and its related newspapers, giveaway weeklies delivered to doorsteps in the city and some suburbs. She said her son will remain on the Examiner’s board of directors. 

“Ted will continue to have the opportunity to consult and advise us on strengthening our businesses, and at the same time be free to pursue other interests,” Florence Fang said in the statement. 

Florence Fang is chairwoman of the Examiner’s corporate parent and the family business, ExIn LLC. 

Ted’s brother James Fang remains publisher of AsianWeek, another family paper, and Examiner Editor in Chief David Burgin “is taking more of a role in the other newspapers,” said the Examiner’s executive editor, Zoran Basich. 

Florence Fang’s office said she would have no additional comment, and calls to Ted Fang were referred to the Examiner, who said he was unavailable. Calls to his attorney, Darrell Salomon, were not returned. 

The Fangs acquired the Examiner’s name and some other assets last year from the Hearst Corp. for a token amount. The deal also included a subsidy from Hearst of up to $67 million over three years. Hearst had to give up the paper it founded in 1887 to satisfy antitrust concerns raised by its purchase of the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Ted Fang vowed to preserve a “second daily newspaper voice for the city.” The Examiner, which has a staff of about 50, hasn’t had an official circulation audit. 

Recently, the Examiner’s general manager, advertising director, circulation director and chief financial officer have left. 

Also, seven construction companies that installed the paper’s newsroom in a Fang family-owned building say they haven’t been paid, and have filed more than $1.4 million in liens against ExIn LLC, the Chronicle reported. 

Basich, who edited the paper’s editorial page before he was promoted in September, said the contractor lawsuits are “completely unrelated” to the reorganization. 

+++++ Two advertisers pull out of New York Post in protest over cartoon 

NEW YORK (AP) — Two advertisers have pulled out of the New York Post, saying they were offended by an editorial cartoon depicting Mort Zuckerman, publisher of the rival New York Daily News, as sealing an envelope bound for the Post that contained anthrax. 

The cartoon appeared Oct. 20, a day after the Post revealed that Johanna Huden, an assistant at the paper’s editorial page section, had developed anthrax on her skin after handling a suspect letter. The Post said Oct. 24 that a mailroom worker had also developed symptoms, including a sore, that were consistent with skin anthrax. 

The first panel in the two-part cartoon showed Post editor Col Allan sitting behind a desk, with a chart behind him showing increased circulation, being asked by another man: “What sort of twisted sicko would send us anthrax???” The next frame shows Zuckerman licking an envelope addressed to the Post, with a jar labeled “Anthrax” on his desk. 

Charles Chalom, who owns five area car dealerships, said Oct. 24 he decided to pull his regular advertising from the Post, which amounts to about $250,000 a year. He said it was the first time in 30 years he has suspended advertising from the newspaper. 

“They took it too far this time. This is way out of line,” Chalom said. “You’re telling the public that he’s a terrorist. It’s a time to stand together and fight a common enemy.” 

Harold Bendell, who owns about a dozen car dealerships in the New York area, has also pulled his advertising from the Post, citing the same reason. He said he normally spent up to $1 million a year on advertising in the Post. 

Zuckerman, a real estate developer who also owns U.S. News & World Report, declined to comment. A spokeswoman for the Post did not return a call seeking comment on the advertisers. 

+++++ WSJ editor who escaped collapse now in intensive care 

NEW YORK (AP) — A Wall Street Journal editor who was caught in dust and debris after the World Trade Center collapsed has been hospitalized for a week in intensive care with complications related to vasculitis. 

Rich Regis, 49, the deputy national editor, underwent surgery last week at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Westchester, said Journal spokesman Steve Goldstein. Regis has been treated for kidney failure, a perforated colon and sepsis, all apparently related to vasculitis, which is an inflammation of the blood vessels, Goldstein said. 

The hospital, in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., declined to give his condition but confirmed that he is a patient in the ICU. 

“We don’t know whether this could have been caused by anything he might have inhaled Sept. 11 or if this is a totally isolated case,” said Goldstein. “He was at the scene, but so were a number of other people who are doing just fine.” 

Regis originally sought treatment several weeks ago for swelling of the legs. He was diagnosed with vasculitis, which can be life-threatening if the blood vessels are located in vital organs. 

He arrived at the Phelps emergency room with additional symptoms last week. 

“He is doing better and we hope that he will continue to improve,” Goldstein said. 

Goldstein said anthrax has been ruled out. 

Journal employees were forced to flee their offices at the World Financial Center when the nearby twin towers collapsed, and many were caught in the choking ash and storm of debris as they escaped. 

+++++ Daily in Portland, Maine, ceases publication after 13 issues 

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Portland Morning Sun suspended publication Oct. 25 after 13 issues. 

Edward G. Pickett, the Morning Sun’s editor and publisher, said individuals who were expected to invest in the paper after it launched backed out because of the unstable economy. Without more funding, the paper could not make it through the initial startup period. 

The paper, which was published Monday through Friday and distributed for free, debuted on Oct. 8 with a circulation of about 5,000 in the Greater Portland area. It had local reporters and carried news stories from The New York Times and The Associated Press. 

The paper’s largest competitor was the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, which is owned by The Seattle Times Co. and has a daily circulation of about 75,000. 

Pickett, owner and publisher of the Portland Business Journal, said advertising revenue was increasing. He said the newspaper might return at a later date. 

+++++ Auburn students will no longer elect weekly’s editor 

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Students at Auburn University will no longer elect the editor of The Auburn Plainsman, one of the last major campus newspapers still choosing its editor by popular vote. 

The student senate and a communications board voted in recent weeks to quit electing an editor at the 22,000-student campus, turning the selection over to a committee instead. 

Ed Williams, a journalism professor and faculty adviser on the Board of Student Communications, said the board will meet next month to decide on the makeup of the committee, the standards for candidates and the process of selecting one as editor of the weekly. 

He said the decision to switch leaves the University of Texas as “the only major college newspaper that elects its editor.” 

The Auburn Plainsman has been critical of some members of the Auburn Board of Trustees in recent years. The Board of Student Communications, which includes student leaders and faculty members, voted three years ago to censure then-editor Lee Davidson for the paper’s coverage of trustee Bobby Lowder, a Montgomery banker accused of trying to micromanage the school, a claim he denied. 

Williams said the change, which the board approved Oct. 11 and the student senate made final Oct. 15 in a 23-5 vote, was not in response to the paper’s coverage of trustees. “That was never even mentioned,” he said. 

Williams said the issue was thoroughly researched and the main objective was to get the editor’s post out of the political arena so candidates “won’t have to walk around, wear T-shirts and ask for votes” in a campaign alongside student government hopefuls. 

The Auburn Plainsman has a circulation of 18,000 and a $400,000 annual budget that includes no financial support from the university. It has been well regarded over the years, winning a number of national Pacemaker awards from the Associated Collegiate Press, including one when Davidson was editor. 

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MORE 

SANTA CLARA — EBay Inc. executives affirmed their aggressive long-term growth targets Monday and detailed plans to expand the sales of cars and other high-ticket items on the trading Web site. 

At the company’s annual meeting with financial analysts, chief executive Meg Whitman said she is even more confident than she was last year that revenue can reach $3 billion by 2005. 

One reason is that the company’s 24 international sites are not yet as profitable as eBay expects they will be in coming years. 

“We are really proud of the foundation we have built,” Whitman said. “It was in 2001 that eBay really hit its stride.” 

The chief financial officer, Rajiv Dutta, said he expects revenue to grow about 50 percent next year, to between $1.05 billion and $1.10 billion, with earnings per share of 70 cents to 73 cents. 

The average estimate on Wall Street was for earnings of 73 cents per share next year, excluding charges, on $1.03 billion in revenue, according to Thomson Financial/First Call. 

“The long-term potential of this business ... is nothing short of outstanding,” Dutta said. 

EBay shares fell $4.48, nearly 8 percent, to $52.52 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The shares were down to $52.36 in the after-hours session. 

Executives said they will push to make eBay a more mainstream Internet shopping option, encouraging people to make the site their first choice for Web commerce rather than a place to turn mainly for hard-to-find items. 

They said they would concentrate on increasing auctions and fixed-price sales in key categories such as automobiles, computers and real estate. 

In hopes of becoming a “major player” in online auto sales, eBay will soon add a short-term warranty to cars bought on the site and make it easier for buyers to have roving mechanics certify cars, said Simon Rothman, head of eBay Motors. 

EBay already had said it would combine its separate Half.com site into eBay.com in the coming months to increase its listings of items at set prices. Executives said Monday that Half.com will be renamed eBay Express Buys. 

Analysts said they were impressed that the company was able to stick to its long-term targets while still taking a conservative approach to its finances. 

“It’s a cash machine,” said Jeetil Patel, Internet analyst for Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown. “Despite the economy, these guys are able to grow on a global basis.”

SAN JOSE — Openwave Systems Inc., a leading provider of software behind Internet-surfing cell phones, met Wall Street’s reduced expectations in its fiscal first quarter but will cut about 300 jobs. 

The Redwood City-based company said Monday the job cuts are part of a plan that will save at least $20 million per quarter. The company has about 2,300 employees. 

Openwave, formed in last year’s merger of Software.com and Phone.com, has been hard hit as wireless carriers reassess plans to introduce next-generation features, such as high-speed Internet access and messaging. 

“Openwave is realigning our operations to navigate the unprecedented uncertainty of the telecommunications market,” said Don Listwin, the company’s chief executive. 

For the three months ended Sept. 30, the company lost $170.5 million, or 99 cents per share, compared with a loss of $168 million, or $1.04 per share, in the same period a year ago. 

Excluding special items, the company lost $5.9 million, or 3 cents per share, which met the expectations of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial/First Call. 

The company posted first-quarter revenues of $117.2 million, compared with $80.8 million in the same period last year. 

Officials also lowered their estimates for the second quarter. Per-share loss is expected to be between 6 cents and 19 cents. Sales are expected to be about $100 million, plus or minus 15 percent. 

Analysts were expecting the company to break even on a per-share basis in its fiscal second quarter. 

Shares of Openwave fell $1.02 to $8.99 in trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market. After its loss was announced, it lost another $1.96, or 21 percent.

The Berkeley Unified School District’s two classroom technology coordinators have their work cut out for them. 

Under state law, they must write a detailed report by Jan. 1 explaining how the schools will spend public money on computers, digital cameras and related teacher training over the next three years. 

The problem is, with a big federal grant due to dry up at the end of the school year, they have to plan for things there may not be any money for. At the same time, they must not ask for so little that they miss out on some unexpected windfall. 

“How to ask for money without asking for money?” said Janet Levenson, who oversees the tech programs for the elementary and middle schools. “At this point I don’t think we can ask for anything that requires funding, so what we’re looking to do is sort of write it as a ‘plan to plan.’” 

The technology coordinators are on a tight timeline. They must draft the report by Nov. 26 and submit it for approval at the Dec. 5 school board meeting to meet the state’s Jan. 1 deadline. 

Ironically, as times change and the Internet craze of the 1990s seems like ancient history, Levenson and Carolyn Gery, Berkeley High’s technology coordinator, are also finding their mission hampered by the district’s recent success in rapidly bringing computers to every classroom. 

“Over the last year and half we’ve gotten completely wired and we’ve seen huge numbers of computers coming onto the campus,” said Gery. 

Now, Gery said, there is a minimum of two computers per classroom, plus myriad printers, scanners, digital video cameras and an instructional technician at each site to troubleshoot and help integrate the new technology into the curriculum. 

Statewide, 90 percent of schools were connected to the

Editor: 

Our City Council’s vote regarding current military action in Afghanistan is best understood as a further expression of self-righteous ideologues. Berkeley is dominated by a political machine rooted in the extremist politics of three decades ago. It is a politic that thrives on symbol versus content, and slogan versus thoughtfulness. Kriss Worthington, Dona Spring, Maudelle Shirek, Margaret Breland and Linda Maio are the predictable spokespersons for leftist and often anti-American views. They object to the “anti-American” characterization, asserting that, “dissent is an American value.” Indeed it is. However, their anti-Americanism is not revealed by mere dissent but rather by their fundamental and consistent framing of political events in a way that fixates on and exaggerates America’s errors and mistakes. They ignore our nation’s profound success, accomplishments and contributions to human kind.  

Even at a time when America has been brutally attacked by an enemy that intentionally targets innocent civilians, these symbolic grandstanders cannot resist the opportunity to make a statement contrary to the policy of our nation. They are more outraged by our efforts to defend ourselves than they are by the murder of nearly 6,000 innocent people in our capital and in the heart of one of our great cities. It is one thing for them to express their views as individuals but to arrogantly adopt an official city position is a profound affront to many of Berkeley’s citizens. Undoubtedly these elitists imagine themselves to be the moral conscience for the rest of us. In fact, they are simply ignorant or prejudiced, failing to grasp what the simplest and most ordinary person has understood: our enemy is unyielding, uncompromising and utterly intolerant of any view or culture other than their own. It is an enemy bent on killing anyone with whom it disagrees. 

This is not the time for further cultivation of the same old self-doubt and self-criticism of which the far left is so adept. For elected leaders to engage in such actions at so grave a period in our history is, at best, seriously irresponsible. If our City Council felt compelled to make some statement, it should simply have expressed support for our soldiers who are now in harms’ way, defending not only our rights but our lives. 

The extreme left fails to note that the United States provides more free food and medicine to the world than any other nation. They fail to note that it is the United States and its Western allies who have developed the technologies that allow for global communications, travel, the mass production of vaccines and medicines and the mapping of the genome. These extremists act as if all nations have a free educational system, walk-in emergency rooms, or curb cuts for people in wheel chairs. They forget that we were the first nation to create laws to protect endangered species and are one of only a handful of nations that even thinks about animal rights. We are a humane and self-critical nation that constantly struggles to be more tolerant and fair. Because of our stature, power and ideals we are called upon to participate in the world in a broader and more exposed fashion than any other country in human history. By our necessary broad participation we run the risk of more mistakes. But our City Council and the left in general fail to recognize this context, our risks, and ultimately our generosity. Instead, they behave as apologists for terrorists and the self-righteous critics of America.  

As a 20-year resident of Berkeley, a veteran of the anti-war movement, and a Democrat, I fully support our war efforts and am sickened by the pathetic action of our City Council. Perhaps it is time for a recall. 

John Koenigshofer 

Berkeley

924 Gilman St. 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 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. 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. 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 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 

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 Lesbian @ La Peña: A Lesbian Performance and Film Series 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 Nov. 18 Harpsichordist Gilbert Martinez. Both shows 5 p.m. $15-18. 1000 The Alameda 528-1685 

The Stork Club 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 

“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” 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

CORVALLIS, Ore. – As long as defenses keep zeroing in on Ken Simonton, Oregon State will keep throwing the ball to James Newson. 

And that might be just what the Beavers need to achieve their goal of qualifying for a bowl game, which can only be accomplished by winning three of their last four games. 

Newson had his second straight outstanding game, catching eight passes for a career-high of 166 yards as Oregon State prolonged California’s misery with a 19-10 victory Saturday. 

“We’re going to ride on his back for a while,” said quarterback Jonathan Smith, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 234 yards and a 14-yard first-quarter touchdown to Newson. “With the way they’re playing the run, we’re going to keep throwing it.” 

Simonton added 110 yards rushing for the Beavers (3-4, 2-3 Pac-10), but he fumbled at the end of a 55-yard gain in the third quarter, and otherwise Cal (0-7, 0-5) kept him under control. 

Terrell Williams, playing in place of injured tailback Joe Igber, gained 104 yards for the Golden Bears, who have lost 10 straight games dating to last season, when the Beavers started the skid in Berkeley. Cal has four games left to avoid its first winless season since 1897. 

“We’re just trying to finish this season,” freshman quarterback Reggie Robertson said. “I didn’t have a doubt in the world that we were going to win this game. I still believe that we should have, but we didn’t.” 

To make matters worse, Igber has a broken clavicle in his right shoulder and might be out the rest of the season; he was hurt before a 28-yard gain in the second quarter, the key play on an 80-yard drive that produced Cal’s only touchdown. 

With Kyle Boller sidelined for a second straight game with an injured back, Robertson got the start ahead of senior Eric Holtfreter. Robertson scored on an 8-yard scramble to pull the Bears to 10-7 in the second quarter, but he was just 12-of-32 passes for 120 yards and an interception. 

Cal also turned the ball over three more times, bringing its season total to 23. The Bears forced two turnovers, but still have the nation’s worst ratio at minus-18. 

Newson had eight catches for 112 yards in last week’s loss at Arizona State, and despite a steady rain, he came up with several big grabs Saturday. After his touchdown, he caught a pass over the middle from Smith for a 58-yard gain that set up a field goal, and he later had receptions of 16, 35, 16 and 31 yards. 

“I look forward to that kind of weather,” Newson said. “I think it’s kind of fun.” 

Oregon State gained 174 of its 364 total yards in the first quarter, and the Beavers’ defense – particularly the linebackers – did the job in the second half. 

Nick Barnett had 18 tackles, and Richard Seigler pressured Robertson into an intentional grounding from his own end zone for a 2-point safety and the game’s final score with 9:54 left. 

“My hat’s off to the D,” Simonton said. “They’re keeping us in games, period.” 

Simonton gained 100 yards for the 24th time in his career, but he had been averaging just 72.3 yards per game before Saturday. He was so happy to find some room to roam on his long run, he didn’t even worry too much about coughing up the ball. 

“It was a good high for me, even when I fumbled,” he said. “It felt good to get out and stretch my legs a little.” 

Cal entered the game with the conference’s worst defense, and the group seldom had anything go its way. So inept were the Bears that they managed to turn a fine defensive play into an Oregon State touchdown. 

With his team clinging to a 10-7 lead late in the second quarter, Smith threw into a crowd, and free safety Nnamdi Asomugha intercepted. But as he grappled with the intended receiver, Josh Hawkins, the Beavers’ Shawn Kintner came around Asomugha’s right side and stripped the ball from his arms. 

Kintner ran 10 yards for the touchdown and a 17-7 halftime lead. 

“It was our whole season wrapped into one 5-second play,” said Cal defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich.

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 

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

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

Berkeley Organization for  

Animal Advocacy presents: 

7 p.m. 

UC Berkeley 

2305 Tolman 

Dr. J. B. Neilands, Cal Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, will discuss his involvement in the animal rights movement and provide insight on the alternatives to animal experimentation on campus. 

925-462-7927/ www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~boaa 

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 548-3333 

California Politics Seminar 

noon 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley, 119 Moses Hall 

Chuck Rund, President of Charlton Research. 

642-4608 

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 

Aids in South Africa 

7 p.m. 

150 University Hall 

UC Berkeley 

Zackie Achmat, a South African AIDS activist, will discuss the struggle of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa to obtain life-saving drugs. $ 5-10 Suggested donation. 415-621-6196  

Wednesday, Oct. 31

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 

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 

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. 

Thursday, Nov. 1

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 

Justice for Tenants Rally and  

Picket 

4 – 5:30 p.m. 

1942 University Ave. 

Lacking affordable housing, renters are being pushed over the edge... Join the tenant fight back. Free food and music, 367-1225. 

Harris Seminar 

noon 

Institute of Governmental Studies 

UC Berkeley, 119 Moses Hall 

Susan Hammer, former mayor of San Jose. 

642-4608 

Kayak Adventures on the  

Seven Seas 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave. 

Olaf Malver will share slides and stories of his sea kayaking adventures around the world: Turkey, Indonesia, Antarctica and more. Free. 527-4140 

Holiday Art Fest 2001 

6 - 8 p.m. 

Pro Arts Gallery 

461 Ninth Street, Oakland 

There will be live music and refreshments to celebrate the start of annual exhibit and sale of unique gifts and specialty items designed by Bay Area artists. 

Tired of picking up the tab for UC Berkeley social events that go awry, the City Council will consider making the administration financially responsible for school-sponsored events that result in property damage or looting. 

At its Tuesday meeting, the council will likely ask City Manager Weldon Rucker to study the possibility of implementing a city policy that would require the university to reimburse any costs associated with school events that result in police action or clean up.  

The recommendation, put on the agenda by Mayor Shirley Dean, is the result of a widely publicized dance on campus at the Pauley Ballroom in August. The student-sponsored dance ended in looting spree of nearby businesses south of campus. About 200 of the 1,300 that attended the dance participated in the looting and according to organizers, none were UC students. In addition, several people who attended the dance broke into a residence and terrified four young women who lived there. 

The incident was the second time within a year that looting followed a campus dance. In October a large group of people who were unable to get into a Pauley Ballroom dance looted stores on Telegraph Avenue. 

“I am deeply disheartened that yet another incident of lawlessness occurred following a dance at Pauley Ballroom,” Dean wrote in a letter to UC Chancellor Robert Berdahl. “It was only a year ago that university officials assured the city, merchants and residents in the Telegraph area that the rules governing social events on campus would be changed to prevent further disturbances.” 

According to police, 23 officers responded to the area in an attempt to contain the crowd of

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

As our nation begins a new era of warfare that clearly shadows the destructive patterns of past administrations, the willingness to publicly renounce the American crusade against our enemies is a rare occurrence. After coming across a news article online I realized that I was not alone in my disapproval of the un-Christlike response to the events of Sept. 11. 

I am a member of the Church of the Brethren [http://www.brethren.org], a denomination which believes Jesus Christ’s central message is to respond to violence with nothing but the love of God. We try to “ask God to bless anyone who curses us, and pray for anyone who is cruel” (Luke 6.28 Contemporary English Version).  

The church has taught since its establishment in 1708 that “all war is sin.”  

Therefore, I support your decision to “condemn ‘the mass murder of thousands of people’ Sept. 11 and asking Congress to ‘break the cycle of violence’ and ‘bring the bombing (in Afghanistan) to a conclusion as soon as possible.” 

Although I can not come to Berkeley to pull the city out of the slump that may arise from the boycott, please know that I sincerely appreciate your statement. I do not support the individuals who attacked our nation, or anyone who has in the past, for the same reason that I do not support the American government’s agenda of revenge. God’s love was made clear by the life of Christ who healed, consoled and died for his enemies so that all may know what peace on earth is truly meant to be. 

I thank you for “calling on the U.S. to work with international organizations to bring the perpetrators of Sept. 11 to justice; and work with other nations' governments to address poverty, malnutrition, disease, oppression, subjugation and other conditions,” and “to lessen dependence on Middle East oil and commit to conversion to renewable energy sources such as solar and fuel cells within five years.” These issues are fundamental to reconciling the brokenness and outrage “that tend to drive some people to acts of terrorism” and drive others to acts of retribution.  

The Church of the Brethren continuously strives for constructive alternatives to violence in all its forms, and joins all who do the same in “seeking peace” in this present situation. May God’s blessings be with you all as you walk the path of the One who was also harassed, even killed, because of his belief that the only thing that will ever save our world is nonviolence. 

Travis E. Poling 

Hagerstown, MD

The Cal men’s soccer team continued their hot streak on Sunday, scoring three goals in the second half to beat Oregon State, 4-0, at Edwards Stadium. Senior midfielder Chris Roner scored the first and last goals of the game. 

The win was the second straight for the Bears, who beat No. 4 Washington, 1-0, on Friday. Cal is now 8-5-1 overall and 2-2 in Pac-10 play, which puts them in a good position to lay claim to a spot in the NCAA postseason tournament, which has been expanded from 32 teams to 48 this season. 

“I feel like if we continue to play like this, we should be able to win some more games and find ourselves in the tournament,” Cal head coach Kevin Grimes said. 

Roner said the postseason is on all of the players’ minds as well. 

“Everybody really wants to make it,” he said. “This weekend should put us really close to getting there.” 

Roner scored the only goal of the first half off of a Mike Munoz corner kick. Midfielder Pat Fisher flicked the ball across the goal with his head right to the feet of Roner, who finished the easy opportunity. The Bears outshot the Beavers 10-0 in the first half as OSU resorted to hitting long balls out of the back to counter Cal’s attacks. 

Fisher got another assist on the second goal, which came in the 66th minute. Dribbling down the middle of the field, Fisher put a nice through ball for freshman Carl Acosta, who took two touches and slid the ball past Oregon State goalkeeper Peter Billmeyer for his first goal of his college career. 

The third goal was a stroke of luck for the Bears. Munoz, another freshman, put forward Austin Ripmaster through one-on-one with Billmeyer, but Ripmaster’s shot past the diving keeper was wide. Ripmaster lept over the prone Billmeyer and fell, and the referee called for a dubious penalty kick to the loud protests of the Beaver bench. Senior defender Leo Krupnik made the kick for a 3-0 lead. 

When asked whether Billmeyer had taken him down, Ripmaster responded with a smile. 

“Of course he did,” he said with a wink. 

Roner scored the final goal of the game in injury time, emerging from a tangle of players in the right corner with the ball. He dribbled along the baseline before sliding to hit a left-footed shot to the near post, somehow getting the ball past Billmeyer. 

Roner is one of just three seniors on a team that has eight freshmen seeing significant playing time. He said he doesn’t mind having such a young team in his final Cal season. 

“I think we have a good balance between us older guys and the young guys,” he said. “The definitely hold their own out there, and I just try to keep up.”

A coalition of parents, students and Berkeley High teachers launched the next phase of the movement to dramatically reorganize Berkeley High School on Saturday. 

The coalition, led in part by Parents of Children of African Descent, a community group that pioneered the short-lived REBOUND! program, met with elected officials and interested community members at Berkeley Alternative High School for a “stone soup” luncheon and a presentation on the coalition’s new goals. 

The goal of the coalition is to transform Berkeley High into eight to 12 small schools, which would continue to meet on the Berkeley High campus but would be organized and administered autonomously, each with its own curricular emphasis and teaching strategy. 

A few “small learning communities,” including the Communication Arts and Sciences program, the Computer Academy and the Biotechnology program,

You reported that at a rally in Oakland, people held signs that read, “Barbara Lee for President.” 

I assume that they meant President of the Taliban. 

Mark Johnson 

Berkeley

STANFORD - No. 22 Cal fought a strong battle against No. 6 Stanford but lost 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Maloney Field. The Golden Bears fell to 10-5-1 (2-3 Pac-10) after losing their third-straight game, while the Cardinal improved to 12-1-1 (5-0).  

Cal played the entire game without All-American striker Laura Schott, who is still suffering the affects of a concussion she sustained Oct. 19 against Washington. The Bears also lost starting left back Kim Stocklmeir in the first half with a right ankle injury.  

Without two key players for all or most of the game, the Bears kept the game scoreless until the 68th minute when the Cardinal capitalized on a Cal defensive miscue. The Cardinal dented the scoreboard at 67:09 when Callie Withers headed in a Marcie Ward corner kick. Stanford was awarded the corner kick shortly after Cal goalkeeper Mallory Moser threw an errant pass directly to a Stanford player.  

Less than three minutes later, another Cal defensive breakdown led to Stanford’s second goal. Bear defender Kathleen Cain headed a ball to forward Marcia Wallis, who beat Moser on a one-on-one opportunity.  

The Bears didn’t quit, as they put four players up top for the final 10 minutes of the game. At the 87:43 mark, forward Krysti Whalen took a pass from midfielder Brittany Kirk and fired it past Cardinal goalkeeper Carrie Walsh to avert the shutout. The goal was Whalen’s second of the season.  

Stanford outshot Cal, 15-5. Yokers led the Bears with three shots. Moser matched her career high with six saves.  

Cal will be faced with additional personnel problems in its next game against Arizona on Friday. Central midfielder Kim Yokers was assessed her fifth yellow card of the season today and must miss the game against the Wildcats.

The folk sounds of the Indian state of Gujarat resonated in the room as dancers and audience members came together to celebrate the vibrant dance of Raas Garba. Saturday night’s dance held in Pauley Ballroom led South Asian Awareness week to a rhythm-filled start. 

In keeping with relaxed South Asian time, the event began 45 minutes following the scheduled starting time. The feel of South Asia was palpable in the room as the traditionally-attired students walked in and mingled with the handful of older audience members.  

A kaleidoscope of color infused the dance floor as women in bright traditional clothing moved to the sounds. Participants moved in a circle, stepping in one direction while their hands coordinated the three claps of Raas Garba’s basic movement. 

The relatively long songs began slowly and increased in pace as they came to an end, with dancers accelerating the pacing of their movements. Each dance also gathered participants as the song progressed, making the circle of dancers wider and layered as movements increased. 

Tired dancers regained expended energy when the singers on stage took their breaks between songs.  

An audience member, a South Asian American not from the campus community, said that this was her first experience participating in UC Berkeley’s South Asian Awareness week. 

“I brought my daughter along because I wanted her to see the traditional dances,” she said. 

She also explained that Raas Garba, associated with the festival of Navratri — which means nine days — is a joyous amalgamation of culture and religion. 

Raas Garba is a traditional dance of Gujarat, which has its roots in folk tradition. It is said that the people of Gujarat work hard during the year to take nine days rest.  

These nine days, called Navratri, are looked forward to by those of every generation, because that is when they can put aside their work and begin dancing. 

The variations in the dancing come either through clapping while stepping to the beat or the use of the dandiya, or sticks. 

The music and singing to which the dancers move are mostly in praise of Hindu deities. Significant is the depiction of the Hindu deity Krishna and the gopis, or shepherdesses, with whom he was associated.  

Traditionally, the participants in the assorted variations of Raas Garba differ in sex according to the dance. While women mostly perform the dances in praise of the Goddess Amba, the Raas, which praises Krishna, normally includes only men.  

Saturday’s variations of the dance involved the participation of both men and women.  

Age, race, and cultural barriers were broken as a variety of audience members joined each other in celebrating the pure joy and energy of the music. 

Cultural ties were reinforced for those of Indian origin, while others, both observing and participating, were taken into a new world of South Asian culture.  

Although Gujerati in origin, student and audience participation in the dance proved that it went beyond India to a general appreciation of South Asian culture.

Stating that now is not the time, Oakland Vice Mayor Jane Brunner dropped her bid for Dion Aroner’s 14th District Assembly seat this weekend.  

Brunner’s campaign suffered a blow when the state Assembly redrew its district lines in September. The realignment excluded her Rockridge house of 25 years from the 14th District by less than two blocks.  

“The simple fact that my home and most of my council district were gerrymandered out of the 14th Assembly district contributed to my conclusion that this is not my time,” Brunner said in a prepared statement. “However, my highest priorities at this time are the revitalization of downtown Oakland, building affordable housing, promoting the restoration of our parks and creeks, continuing the improvement of Oakland schools and improving fire safety. These are issues best solved at the local level.” 

The race for the Democratic nomination is now wide open. Former Berkeley mayor Loni Hancock and Oakland attorney and Richmond resident Charles Ramsey are both running. Berkeley City Councilmember Kriss Worthington bowed out of the race to support Hancock. 

Aroner is also supporting Hancock. Former Alameda County supervisor Warren Widener, along with former Berkeley councilmember Mary Wainwright is supporting Ramsey.  

PALO ALTO – Parents of students at Jordan Middle School are upset after school officials asked them to buy their sixth-graders $2,000 laptops. 

Two weeks ago, more than 300 parents got a letter from the school principal and the district’s technology director asking them to buy the Apple iBook laptops with wireless Internet access as part of the school’s new technology program. 

Both the letter and school staff said the purchase is optional, but enrollment in the program, which also will rely heavily on a bank of school-purchased laptops to be kept at school, is not. 

“An optional program is never really optional,” said Steve Weinstein, a parent who started an e-mail campaign to halt the laptop program. “There are a lot of people who don’t have $2,000 to spend, but they are going to be forced into it because it’s the Palo Alto way: ’My kid might be disadvantaged if he’s four steps behind, so I’ve got to do what is necessary.’ ” 

Informational meetings were held last week in the school’s library and at the Apple retail store on University Avenue. 

“They need to open their eyes that not everyone in Palo Alto is loaded,” said Kathryn Varda, the mother of sixth-grade twins enrolled at Jordan. “There’s no way I could afford to shell out four grand right now. But do you really want your child to be the one who is hanging back and watching everyone else use a computer?” 

School officials say 35 percent of the parents have said they will not be buying an iBook, but 25 percent say they will buy one. The rest are unsure. 

Supporters of the program are quick to highlight the experiences of 51 Jordan sixth-graders who participated in a pilot laptop program last spring. 

Students borrowed laptops for 90 days. They typed their notes in class, stored them in virtual lockers and then accessed the notes at home for their homework. With the wireless connection, they could conduct research from class, at the library or at a park.

SAN FRANCISCO – Another round of low test scores has drawn more scorn for the Edison Charter Academy, the San Francisco public school managed by a for-profit company. 

Edison’s campus saw its state performance rating fall to 487 on a scale of 200 to 1,000, the lowest score of any school in town. 

Edison’s lagging test scores irk many in the community who have long railed against corporate managed public education. 

“It was at the bottom before privatization and it’s at the bottom still,” said Caroline Grannan, a San Francisco parent. 

Some parents with children at Edison’s San Francisco campus are satisfied with the school’s management, despite the lackluster test results. 

“There are people in San Francisco to this day who continue to wage a campaign to discredit us and harass us,” said Heather Mobley, whose two children are enrolled at Edison Charter Academy. 

“We’re trying to focus on our children and their success and ignore the naysayers as much as we can.”

FBI figures show big cities rates of violent and property crime drop 

Crime rates in California cities have plummeted more than in other parts of the country, according to the FBI’s latest per capita figures, knocking many of the state’s metropolitan areas down dramatically in the agency’s national crime rankings. 

The state’s best-known cities, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, all saw significant drops in their combined violent and property crime index, as did inland areas. While crime overall nationwide has fallen, the decreases in California were greater than those in much of the country. 

The combined violent and property crime index in four booming inland California cities was so high just a few years ago that they earned the dubious distinction of being among the nation’s 50 most crime-ridden metropolitan areas. All but one of those cities, Fresno, has dropped out of the top 50, according to the recently released figures in the FBI’s 2000 Uniform Crime Report. 

The news doesn’t surprise citizens like Danielle Prater, a Stockton mother of two who used to see drug dealers and prostitutes regularly roaming the streets in her city. Now, children in her neighborhood leave their bikes unattended outside without a second thought, and she is comforted by the frequent sight of police officers. 

“The whole town has gotten a whole lot better,” the prep cook said during a shift at Chuck’s Hamburgers, a cozy family-run restaurant that has packed in breakfast and lunch crowds for 41 years. 

“Five years ago, I was worried,” said Prater, 35. “Now, I don’t even lock my doors or roll my windows up.” 

The Stockton-Lodi area, along with the metropolitan areas of Fresno, Modesto and Sacramento, had the highest crime indexes among California cities in 1995. All of them have dropped significantly since then, with Fresno dropping from No. 10 to No. 44. 

Fresno was among the nation’s top five cities for motor vehicle theft in 2000, alongside Miami, Phoenix-Mesa, New Orleans and Detroit. It was the only California city to rank in the top five of any of the major crime categories. 

The Los Angeles-Long Beach area dropped out of the top 100 and was ranked just two notches above San Francisco in the year 2000 at No. 148. San Diego’s crime index declined markedly, too, sending it down to the nation’s 193rd slot. 

Stockton, a San Joaquin Valley city traditionally known for its vast farms, is one of several cities attracting hordes of new residents as housing markets in the crowded San Francisco and San Jose metro areas become too pricey for many workers. 

Nathan Barankin, spokesman for Attorney General Bill Lockyer, suggested one reason for the dramatic drops in the growing Central Valley areas is that many of the new residents are “generally law-abiding,” although he cautioned that it’s impossible to know definitively why the rates have changed. 

“Anyone who tells you that they know why crime rates go up and down is lying,” he said. 

Malcolm Klein, professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Southern California, agreed. 

“We don’t know to what extent it’s police activity, to what extent it’s the booming economy ... to what extent it’s the act of God,” he said of the declines. 

Several police officers across the state speculated that beefed up community policing programs, increases in the size of police forces and low unemployment rates contributed to the declines, along with things including parole intervention programs and outreach to schoolchildren. 

“We can’t take all the credit for it,” said Stockton Officer Doug Anderson. “It’s also the prosecutors, the schools and many other factors.” 

Anderson noted that the actual number of crimes — not just the per-capita rate — in his city has declined dramatically in the past five years, contradicting any suggestion that its criminal element has been diluted by the influx of new residents. 

Sacramento Police Sgt. Daniel Hahn credited the community with helping keep crime rates down by communicating with police to assist in apprehension of suspects. 

“No police department is going to do it by themselves,” he said.

SAN ONOFRE – Security has been boosted at the San Onofre nuclear power plant, but critics claim that government officials have not added extra protections put in place at other nuclear facilities after the terrorist attacks. 

Southern California Edison has added more private, armed security guards at the Southern California plant and the California Highway Patrol and Coast Guard have increased patrols. 

Though the plant is at its highest stage of alert, government officials have not taken added measures being taken at nuclear plants in the northeastern United States and in Central California. 

The governors of New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts called out the National guard to protect nuclear power plants in their states. Gov. Gray Davis has not made a similar move at San Onofre or at the Diablo Canyon plant that is located on the state’s Central Coast. 

The Coast Guard is keeping boats from coming within a mile of Diablo Canyon, but vessels are not being restricted at San Onofre. Vessels can come right to shore at San Onofre and beachgoers can still walk on the strip of sand between the facility and San Onofre State Beach. 

Edison officials claim their increased security is adequate. 

Industry officials say a concrete- and steel-reinforced “hardened target” such as a nuclear power plant likely would not become at target for terrorists 

“The plant was never designed for the impact from a commercial airplane,” said Ray Golden, Edison’s spokesman for San Onofre, which is owned and operated by the private utility. “That does not mean we wouldn’t withstand it.” 

Officials said the plant was designed to withstand truck bombs set off on the nearby San Diego freeway or the attempt by a small group of terrorists to enter the plant. 

Steven Dolley, research director of the Washington D.C.-based Nuclear Control Institute, wants the government to install anti-aircraft weapons at nuclear power plants, including San Onofre. 

“No one can predict these attacks,” Dolley said. “That’s become apparent. If they can’t predict them, we need to seriously consider the deployment of anti-aircraft forces.” 

Dolley’s nonprofit group also has called on Gov. Davis to deploy the National Guard at the state’s two nuclear power plants. 

Deploying the National Guard would be a huge waste of money, since thousands of Marines are already posted at nearby Camp Pendleton, said Rep. Darrell E. Issa, R-Vista, whose district includes San Onofre. 

Though the Marines are not involved in plant security, they would be available if called, said Lt. Mamie Ward of Camp Pendleton.

Refinements helping Web sites stay current 

SAN FRANCISCO – Search engines have always been among the Web’s most popular destinations. Then came multimedia – and frustration. 

How do you find music with a keyword search? 

In a sunny San Francisco loft, a tiny company called Friskit Inc. has spent the last two years honing a search engine that scans the Internet for songs and music videos available to Web surfers for free but often difficult to locate. 

Other search sites also are seeking refinements they hope will make them indispensable in the multimedia age. As more and more Web users get broadband access, such tools are sure to become attractive. 

Google recently began offering searches of images on the Web, rather than just words. Google performs that feat not by analyzing an image itself but by reading the text labeling the picture. 

Researchers at the “Googleplex,” the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., also are looking for ways to more directly connect Web surfers to online databases – and to run voice-activated searches from wireless devices. 

With better search techniques over handheld computers, for example, someone in a grocery store pondering an unfamiliar item could instantly call up product information or compare prices, said Craig Silverstein, Google’s director of technology. 

“Our mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” Silverstein said. 

Friskit is based on the notion that many users want links straight to a certain experience – such as hearing a song – rather than to static information. 

Though analysts note that several other multimedia search engines have come and gone without leaving much of a mark, Friskit’s executives hope to cash in by licensing their technology to Web portals, music sites, record labels or companies that want to catalogue their multimedia presentations. 

“Whether you want to find a Moby track, a Steve Jobs interview or an Osama bin Laden interview, you should be able to find it with one click,” said Jeff Morgen, Friskit’s chief operating officer. 

Morgen and Aviv Eyal, Friskit’s co-founder and technology guru, are aiming at the rapidly changing market for online music, which gained prominence with the popularity of Napster but has been bogged down in legal squabbles over copyright protection. 

Rather than offering downloads a la Napster, Friskit believes it can stay out of the fray by connecting users to streaming content, essentially making it a customized Internet radio station. 

Bill Rose, who has researched the market as vice president and general manager of Arbitron Webcast Services, said a multimedia search engine offers Web surfers more choice and control than current Internet broadcast sites, which often have a more limited pool of available content. 

Friskit can lump songs by genre or by musician, so users don’t have to be precise in what they’re looking for. It also accounts for common spelling errors, so it will ask if you meant to hear The Beatles when you entered “Beetles.” 

But even with such thoughtful features, it appears certain that Friskit’s life will get helter-skelter. 

At least one competitor with similar multimedia search technology, Seattle-based Singingfish Inc., already has signed partnerships with RealNetworks Inc. and Inktomi Corp. and is pursuing deals with the big portals as well. 

Through its connections as a subsidiary of Thomson Multimedia, a French consumer electronics giant, Singingfish hopes to become the search engine for the next generation of wireless devices and home entertainment systems. 

Analysts believe those kinds of partnerships will be essential. 

Many people prefer music downloads to stand-alone streaming media sites, since downloads tend to offer better quality and can be transferred to portable devices, said Lee Black, an analyst with Webnoize Inc. 

Singingfish’s president and co-founder, Mike Behlke, envisions future search engines delivering several kinds of results at once: some links to documents, some pictures, some direct connections to relevant streaming media. 

Danny Sullivan, editor of the SearchEngineWatch.com online newsletter, makes the same prediction. But he believes that at least in the short term, companies like Friskit and Singingfish will have trouble getting many Web sites to pay for their technology. 

The reason: even the largest Web sites are pressed for cash these days. 

“They’ve got enough trouble saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got one single program you’ve got to have – will you shell out $9.95 for this single program?”’ Sullivan said. “People don’t pay for any kind of search at the moment.”

Before a highly-charged crowd of South Berkeley residents, the Zoning Adjustments Board declared Brothers Liquor, at 3039 Shattuck Ave., a public nuisance at its Thursday meeting, and imposed a restrictive set of regulations on its future operations. 

Neighbors allege the store is the center of serious criminal activity in the area.  

In a recent six-month period, the police department responded to more than 200 calls at or near Brothers Liquor. Nineteen of those calls resulted in arrests for crack cocaine possession or sales, prostitution, public drunkenness or creating a public disturbance. 

In her report to the ZAB, Victoria Johnson, the city’s senior zoning enforcement officer, presented the board with two possible solutions.  

The first allowed the liquor store to remain open with sharply curtailed hours of operation, the posting of security guards and the obligation to submit to ZAB review every three months. The second would shut the store down completely. 

The ZAB voted 7 - 2 for the first option, and added an extra conditions of its own. 

Board chair Carolyn Weinberger suggested the store be mandated to chain-off its parking lot when it closed its doors at 9 p.m. Board member Deborah Matthews added that the store should be required to clean and maintain its exterior. 

At the suggestion of Mark Rhoades, the city’s director of current planning, the board also put language into the declaration that would automatically trigger another public hearing on the store – one which would presumably result in its closure – if the Berkeley Police Department receives more than four calls having to do with store activities per month. 

Monsoor Ghanem, the store’s manager, said Friday that the charges against his store were unwarranted, and he would appeal the ZAB’s decision to the City Council. Members of the audience hissed and shouted when the board discussed the option of leaving the store open with restrictions. Several ZAB members addressed the crowd directly, assuring it that the conditions imposed on Brothers were very tough, and any deviation from them would be swiftly punished. 

“We’re giving them enough rope to hang themselves,” said Weinberger. 

Rhoades said city staff came up with the compromise declaration after consulting with the city attorney’s office. He said the imposition of conditions as a first step would bolster the city’s case if it were sued by the store’s owners. 

“The courts take a very dim view of cities closing businesses without giving them a chance to clean up their act,” Rhoades said. “But if, after three months, this business does not comply with the conditions, we can set another public hearing and the ZAB can close them down. You will already have declared them a public nuisance.” 

Board member, Gene Poschman, provoked applause from the audience when he said he favored putting the store out of business. 

“I want to revoke the thing,” he said. “I think the city attorney is being far too cautious. We’ve got six, maybe eight votes here for revocation here.” 

But, he said, the staff report had swayed him. 

“The staff is the reason we’re not revoking their business tonight,” he said. “That means there will be a special weight on staff to monitor this closely.” 

Matthews, a resident of South Berkeley, shared Poshman’s reservations, but she, too, voted for the compromise option. 

“I have a hard time accepting the recommendations of staff,” she said. 

“In the community of South Berkeley, in a five-mile radius we have probably 10 liquor stores, each of them with the problems we have here before us.” 

“It’s really important to me that we develop some kind of standard for identifying and dealing with these issues.” 

Rhoades told the board and the audience that the new restrictions – especially the police department “trigger” he had proposed – would assure that the store would be severely punished if the problems continue. 

“There’s 40 or 50 pairs of eyes and ears in this room tonight that will be monitoring this situation,” he said. 

“Do you hear that?” Weinberger asked the audience. “If three months from now it hasn’t improved, you come back to us and we will yank their business.” 

Only board member Paul Schwartz and Marie Bowman, who substituted for board member Mike Issel at Tuesday’s meeting, voted against the declaration. 

Schwartz said he was in favor of the restrictions on the business, but he wanted to vote for complete closure to expedite matters.  

“I don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in business with these restrictions, so they’ll probably end up shutting down anyway,” he said. 

At the end of the hearing, Rhoades thanked the board for voting for the staff’s recommendations. 

“I know it was a very difficult decision,” he said.

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 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 

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) 

Berkeley, Where Is It Going 

8 p.m. 

BTVU ch. 25  

Notable Berkeley neighborhood supporters give important informa 

tion 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 Avenue, between 3rd and 4th sreets  

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 

– compiled by Guy Poole 

In 1877 John G. Wright, an Englishman, opened Berkeley’s first wholesale-retail bakery at 2026 Shattuck Ave., just north of where the Kress building stands today. The original bakery which is pictured here, was a two-story wood frame building that had tall storefront windows and a covered wood veranda in front. The owners, as well as their bakery workers and student boarders, lived on the second floor. 

The bakery produced 26 varieties of bread, twelve types of cakes and pies and also had a catering service, dining room and retail sales shop. By 1905 the business had grown so large that it had a fleet of 40 horse-drawn trucks and motor cars.  

Wright was active in organizing the bakers union which was formally established in 1904 at the Golden Sheaf Bakery. But unionization led to the demise of family run bakeries and the rise of large companies. In 1909 the Wright family sold their business to Wonderbread and the old bakery building was torn down.  

Around the corner at 2071 Addison St. is a remnant of the Golden Sheaf Bakery. The brick-sided building was constructed in 1905 as a storage building and loading area for the bakery. But despite its rather humble use, the building was designed by noted architect Clinton Day.  

It is a Classic-inspired, two-story red brick and terra-cotta building with a three-part composition. Four pilasters frame three vertical bays, which contain three sets of paired arched windows on the second story. Above the central bay there is a sign molded in brick-colored terra-cotta depicting a sheaf of wheat and under this, the bakery’s name. Molded terra cotta was also used for the bases and capitals of the pilasters and for the cornice. The terra cotta was made by the Gladding McBean Company. 

After the bakery was sold, the building served as offices and shops until 1927, when it was converted into a garage. On July 20, 2000 a dedication ceremony was held for the Nevo Educational Center of the Berkeley Repertory Theater. The remodeled bakery-warehouse building will provide space for the theater’s education program.  

Susan Cerny, author of “Berkeley Landmarks,” writes this series in conjunction with the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.

Conventional warfare questioned in fight against terrorism 

The missile camera films and the aerial photos of bombs hitting Afghanistan targets looks little different to me than the 8th. Air Force’s “precision” bombing of NAZI targets I saw from the waist window of our B-24 four engine Liberator from early April to May 9, 1944. That was the day our plane was shot down and six of our 10 crew members bailed out over Belgium. The tons of bombs we POW’s saw falling in our direction from Allied planes bombing nearby German targets looked and felt no different to us than is being experienced by Afghani civilians on the edge of Afghani military targets – it is breath stopping terror. 

Remarkably that same W.W.II aerial warfare strategy is paralleled by the high-tech bombing, satellite surveillance, night vision technology now being used in the Middle East. Another similarity is the claim that precision bombing avoids civilian casualties and the dichotomy that despite sixty years the U.S. bombing errors, over-runs, and “accidents” continue to occur. To understand why is to realize that the high-tech advancements in airplanes, armament, rocketry, and guidance systems has the primary purpose of protecting Air Force planes and air crews from casualties. Now the planes are bigger, faster, and carry larger bomb loads, and yet require fewer crew. During 1941 through 1944 the Royal Air Force and the American air crew losses were up to 50 percent, some of whom became POW’s. 

Today’s B-51 has a crew of four compared with ten men each in W.W.II’s B-17 and B-24 bombers. Although WW II bombers flew lower and slower making accurate bombing apparently easier, technical and human errors by navigators, bombardiers, and pilots, and the interference by enemy German ack-ack and fighters caused unintended bombing of residential areas, churches, hospitals, Red Cross trains and convoys, and even harmless villages regularly. The WW II press seldom learned about those tragedies, but there lies the “collateral” damage rational of the military mind. Similarly, ground forces face the same moral dilemma, every U.S. war has been shrouded with “unintended” civilian 

deaths. 

The common denominator in the above comparisons to today is they are all “conventional” wars. “America’s New War” has been referenced to the “crusades,” and a “campaign ” or an “action,” the terms used historically for incursions into other countries when “war” is not politically correct. In this war all the military and patriotic rhetoric that have been used in past wars are present again. Today’s military-industrial complex, inherited from W.W.II, is making full use of the hardware capacity accumulated from pork-barrel Defense Department budgets that focus on modern warfare technology, but conventional in concept: bomb “them” into submission, use minimal ground forces, and get out. 

We need a new strategy that incorporates a geo-historic-cultural-political-moral concern for civilians. The proposed “Department of Peace” may not be too late to save us from retaliations from other terrorist cells, loss of support from the Muslim world, and alienation from those who normally are our allies. The admonitions and cautions about fighting terrorism have been heard long before Sept. 11, and immediately following the W.T.C. attack we were reminded again: the “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth” avenging of our losses on 9-11 can not justify fighting world terrorism conventionally. 

Terror is a bitter pill, composed of fear, anger, hate, and the inevitable retaliation, and it never tastes good. War is for cowards – shoot if it moves, ask questions later. To do otherwise is to the disadvantage of the soldier. Our nation will better endure by exercising our power of social, economic, and environmental justice for all. The escalation of the war in Afghanistan is too close to reality to allow the “old guard” unquestioned power. There are alternatives, if we stop, look, and listen. 

Ken Norwood is a Berkeley resident. 

Robert L. Smith, a Berkeley resident since 1950, served as a medic in the 28th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1945. He aided the wounded in combat, helping to liberate Paris. Smith served approximately two months after the D-Day landings. 

Robert L. Smith’s new book, “Medic!” A WWII Combat Medic Remembers, chronicles his entry into the army, his plethora of experiences on the battlefield and some events he went through immediately after returning home – such as even though he was a discharged veteran with a Purple Heart, he was not yet 21 years old and too young to qualify for a California driver’s license.  

In the latter part of Smith’s book, he describes returning to Europe with his wife, Fran, in 1997-98. The Smiths travelled through many of the same areas he’d been half a century earlier. Fran’s photographs reference and counterpoint the fact-filled text.  

While the book reads, in part, like a really long post card, the story is riveting in parts and is almost always engaging.  

A quiet strength and steady bravery inform Smith’s voice. 

Smith’s comments about K rations, the combination of terror and tedium soldiers experienced and the forms of segregation he witnessed are sobering.  

Smith describes many of the individuals he came into contact with. 

Smith eloquently tells of the moral strength and honor shown by some American soldiers. For instance, Smith describes Caleb A. Converse, a litter bearer from Columbus, Ga.: “A slow, steady person who consistently was brave. Every night Converse carried out our critical cases on his back, one at a time, making three or four separate trips down the hill and across the fields and river to safety on the American side. He did something that none of the rest of us would do. Yet he did it voluntarily, never asking for help. He simply went on saving the lives of men who otherwise would not have survived.” 

Smith also describes the actions of some of the enemy soldiers and civilians he came into contact with. At one point an enemy soldier told Smith, in perfect English, that he is behind enemy lines and sent Smith in another direction, which probably saved his life.  

Smith’s perspective as a medic puts him in the center of both the physical and spiritual action. A medic’s job is to be heroic. As Smith explains: “Anyone else could yell for the medic, but I was the medic.”  

Smith portrays the challenges of trying to save lives in the heat of battle. Medics are called upon to provide immediate relief to injured soldiers during combat. The wounded call to them. Sometimes medics have the skills and materials they need to disinfect wounds and immediately affect the balance of life vs. death. At other times a medic’s skills and desire to bring relief are insufficient to remediate devastating damage.  

Smith writes: “I had gone to war full of conviction and came out having lost my naivete about some things that had previously been absolutes.” 

As we see in All Quiet On the Western Front, the classic WWI novel by Erich Maria Remarque, going to war is unlike any other human experience. And there are some stories only a warrior can tell. 

Sari Friedman teaches writing at local colleges and can be reached at literate2@earthlink.net 

924 Gilman St. 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 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. 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. 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. 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.

After a heartbreaking loss to rival Kennedy last week, the St. Mary’s High football team needed a game to get out some aggression while keeping everyone healthy. A game with Albany was just what the doctor ordered. 

St. Mary’s jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead against the Cougars on Friday afternoon and cruised home with a 34-6 win. Tailback Trestin George ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries and quarterback Steve Murphy threw for two scores to wide receiver Courtney Brown in the victory. 

“We knew if we played a good first half that we could get ahead of them,” St. Mary’s head coach Jay Lawson said. “It’s nice to get an easy win once in a while.” 

The Panthers (4-4 overall, 2-1 BSAL) came into the game looking to put heat on Albany quarterback Harold Lueders, and they did just that. They sacked Lueders three times in the first quarter, including two by linebacker Omarr Flood, and knocked him out of the game early in the second quarter. His replacements, J.P. Koehn and Garin Hecht, were clearly in over their heads, completing just 6-of-23 for 83 yards with Lueders on the bench with a possible separated shoulder. Koehn, who played most of the second half, also threw two interceptions, including one that George returned 100 yards for a score. 

“We have better athletes in our secondary than they have at receiver,” Lawson said. “We thought our defensive backs could man up and let us get a lot of heat on the quarterback, and we did that.” 

Flood, who also had an interception to go with his two sacks, enjoyed the freedom to blitz for most of the game. 

“Being aggressive is the name of the game on defense,” he said. “We sent them a message that we weren’t playing out there.” 

Linebacker Julian Taylor got the ball rolling with a punt block on Albany’s (3-5, 0-3) opening possession, giving the St. Mary’s offense the ball on the 23-yard line. Two plays later, Murphy threw a quick pass to Brown, who juked one defender and found the end zone to open the scoring. 

George came up big on the next drive, running three times for 54 yards. In fact, the entire series was on the ground, as St. Mary’s ran the ball seven times for 78 yards. George finished the drive with a spectacular 19-yard touchdown run during which he broke five tackles and destroyed one Albany defender on his way to the end zone. In fact, it looked as if George was actually looking for defenders to hit instead of the other way around. 

“I was just hungry to run somebody over,” George said. “I lowered my shoulder, then put on a little shake. Then the last guy stepped up and I hit him as hard as I could.” 

Brown put on a show of his own early in the second quarter, taking a short pass over the middle and turning it into a 55-yard score, juking two defenders and racing up the right sideline to make the score 22-0, a lead the Panthers took into halftime. 

The second half was a slow-paced affair, with the Panthers looking to run out the clock and Albany unable to get anything going on offense. George took control early with runs of 19 and 20 yards on the first drive of the half, capping it with a nine-yard touchdown run. 

Albany answered back with a good drive, keyed by a screen pass to running back Michael Estis for 34 yards that put the ball inside the St. Mary’s 10. Estis scored from a yard out sson after for Albany’s lone score of the day.  

But the next Albany drive turned into George’s interception return, and it was clear there would be no comeback. All that was left was the self-destruction of the Albany offense, including an unforced fumble that St. Mary’s Jerrell Booker recovered and an easy interception by safety Jason Bolden-Anderson.

In the wake of Principal Frank Lynch’s departure last week, Berkeley High School’s vice principals will run the school as a team until a new principal can be found.  

“(We) built the model being optimistic that we could get someone by second semester, but if we couldn’t, it could certainly go through the end of the year,” Superintendent Michele Lawrence said. 

Vice principals Mary Ann Valles and Laura Leventer will be co-principals, vice principal Mike Hassett will primarily oversee the ninth-grade program, and Executive Vice Principal Larry Lee will oversee day-to-day operations and discipline. 

In addition, the district placed job announcements Thursday for two new deans, who will oversee student discipline and report to Lee. 

“We’ve had deans in the past, but it is a new position,” said Chris Lim, the associate superintendent for instruction. 

District administrators met with Berkeley High staff on Wednesday to unveil a detailed list of the duties for each of the vice principals. 

Valles, who led the San Francisco schools technology program until coming to Berkeley High last summer, will primarily look after attendance, grades, and student services. Among those are counseling and the Student Learning Center, which provides tutoring. She will also continue to act as liaison to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges as the school struggles to be renew its accreditation next fall. 

Leventer, the high school’s former math department chairwoman, will coordinate scheduling, field trips, the Web site and “E-tree,” assemblies, clubs, and relations with the Parent Teacher Student Association. She has been designated lead contact person for parents and the press. 

Hassett, a longtime English department chair before taking on his administrative post, will be the lead person on testing in addition to the ninth-grade retention programs, including the new Critical Pathways program, which is intended to remedy the “achievement gap” among African-American and Latino students. 

“Don’t be deceived by the short list of tasks he has,” Leventer wrote in a community e-mail Thursday. “This is probably the most challenging job there is and Mike is the most qualified for it.” 

Lee, who served as interim principal for three years before Lynch’s predecessor, Teresa Saunders, will manage the buildings and everything from disaster preparedness to relations with the Shattuck Avenue merchants and others in the surrounding community.  

Lawrence said she had decided against hiring an interim principal this time because she was “concerned... not to throw another variable into a school that has had so many over this period of time. And seeing how well the four administrators work together, I was convinced that that relationship could sustain the school.” 

Lawrence said during recent meetings with representatives of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which has demanded changes at the school before renewing its accreditation next fall, she has pared down the 11 areas of concern it cited last spring to five: Discipline and safety, attendance, decision-making processes and collaboration, retaining low-achieving ninth-graders and teacher training. 

These goals, she said, would be spread among the vice principals. 

“I felt that by more clearly aligning the responsibilities that each of them could shepherd through one of those important aspects of meeting the WASC requirements,” Lawrence said. 

The new plan also calls for a “shared governance committee,” made up of teachers, administrators, and small school leaders, with the power to vote on school policy and longer-term decisions. 

“There will be command decisions that will be made by the co-principals and vice principals, but a lot of decisions you want more input from staff members,” said Leventer. “There’s always been something where teachers felt they didn’t have a voice in administrative decisions and they wanted a sub-group. What we’re doing here is to pull that subgroup into the administrative body in order to be more focused.” 

The shared governance committee will have a representative from the School Site Council, mandated by the state to oversee staff development and the site plan. It will combine functions of an older shared governance committee that lacked decision-making power and another made up of department district chairs. 

Teachers are to elect three of their own to the committee: one representing the union, another the Parent Teacher Student Association, and another “at large,” Leventer said. 

“We actually want teachers to come up with the system to do that, since it shouldn’t come from administrators,” she said.  

A teacher who asked that her name not be used said the new plan suits the school better than having a single principal. 

“I think they’re working towards a model that we should look at as a permanent plan for administration,” the teacher said. “I think a cadre or team is a much better model for a school this size.” 

School Board President Terry Doran said the board and superintendent needed to look at the principal’s job in its current form and “ask what are the aspects of the job that are driving people away.” 

“We need to solve that and come up with some answers before we begin trying to find a new principal,” Doran said.

Editor, 

The loud groans heard across the East Bay last week were from local Green activists upon hearing Audie Bock announce for Congress. Though her departure from the Greens to the Democrats improved both parties, let there be no doubt; the local, state and national Green Party supports Barbara Lee and her brave vote against a blank check for war making. Audie Bock threw away the only constituency she ever had when she left the Green party and it was a slap in the face to a lot of hard working people. 

She obviously didn’t hear the voice of the voters when she failed to get re-elected, and like any other politician needing another campaign, she seems to think she can go to Washington on the back of a brave congessional leader besieged during troubled times. As one who groaned the loudest, I want to apologize to the voters of the 16th District for foisting Audie on them in the first place. In politics, sometimes you get a lemon. 

Hank Chapot 

Oakland

Playing the best they have all year, the Berkeley Yellowjackets destroyed Encinal on Friday night, forcing five turnovers and holding the Jets to 103 yards of offense in a 47-0 win. 

The ’Jackets (4-3 overall, 3-0 ACCAL) were a team on a mission against the Jets, and it showed in their pure aggression in all facets of the game. They scored on plays of 45, 29, 23 and 20 yards on offense, as well as getting their first defensive touchdown of the season, a 75-yard interception return by linebacker Leonard Scarborough in the third quarter. The Berkeley defense was flying all over the field, punishing the Encinal running backs every time they touched the ball and breaking up several passes with huge hits. 

“I can’t imagine it happening any better for us,” Berkeley head coach Matt Bissell said. “One player makes a good play, and it’s contagious. Everyone wants to get it on it. It’s like a mob mentality.” 

The game was clearly out of hand by the second half, and the Encinal (3-4, 3-2) coaches waved the white flag by asking the officials to let the clock run before the fourth quarter began. 

The ’Jackets had their long passing game working on Friday, with quarterback Raymond Pinkston hooking up with wideout Sean Young for nearly identical touchdown passes of 45 and 29 yards, both fly patterns into the right corner of the end zone. Young, who runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds, has become the deep threat that the ‘Jackets need to keep teams from ganging up on their stable of running backs. 

“Raymond and I are just hooked up right now. We practice it all the time and now we’ve got it down perfectly,” Young said. 

The one-two punch of tailbacks Germaine Baird and Craig Hollis has become a potent one. Baird ran for 95 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, while Hollis crammed 72 yards and a score into just four carries. Throw in fullbacks Aaron Boatwright and Roger Mason, who each scored touchdowns themselves, and the ’Jackets piled up 228 yards on the ground. 

But while the offense has come to life in the last four games, the Berkeley defense really broke through with a big game against a tough opponent. Besides the five turnovers, the ’Jackets held Encinal’s senior running back, DeAndre Geen, to just 68 yards on 21 carries, and completely shut down the Jets’ passing game, allowing just five completions for 15 yards. 

Several Berkeley players said the game was a statement directed at ACCAL rival Pinole Valley, the league’s other undefeated team. The two will clash in two weeks in the regular season finale for both teams. 

“We want Pinole to look at this score and know we ain’t backing down,” said linebacker Akeem Brown, who had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on Friday. “We want them to know we’re coming for them.” 

“It’s just between us and Pinole now,” defensive end/kicker Greg Mitchell said. “We thought this would be a big game, but now we know it’s all about the last game.” 

Bissell said he wants his players to concentrate on next week’s game against Richmond, but realizes that may be unrealistic. 

“Obviously we’ve got the Pinole game looming ahead of us, so it’s hard not to look past Richmond,” he said. “But we’ve got our eyes on the league title, and we have to take it one game at a time.” 

NOTES: The Berkeley-De Anza game postponed earlier this season will not be rescheduled, the league announced this week... In junior varsity action, Berkeley defeated Encinal 24-12 on Friday. 

Century-old trees diagnosed with Dutch elm disease 

Neighbors on quiet, tree-lined Elmwood Avenue are preparing themselves for the removal of the street’s namesake – 100-year-old American elm trees that have been diagnosed with the relentless Dutch elm disease. 

“We understand that the trees have to come down,” said neighbor Naomi Janowitz. “We’re just in mourning over them.” 

Residents on Elmwood Avenue, located in the southeast Berkeley “Elmwood District,” say they are concerned about what type of tree will be planted in place of the stately elms that have characterized the neighborhood for the last 90 years. 

Jerry Koch, the city’s senior forestry supervisor, said Berkeley is working with neighbors to try and determine what type of tree to plant in place of the elms. 

“We’re trying to work with the neighborhood to come up with a suitable species that will be resistant to disease,” he said. “We do have guidelines though, we are not going to plant a redwood tree in a two-foot plot.” 

Koch said whatever the new trees are, they will have to be compatible with the homes, utilities and sidewalks in the neighborhood. “We want to put in a beautiful tree that will be there for a good number of years.” he said. “But the city will be responsible for maintenance, trimming branches and repairing damaged sidewalks and utility wires, so we’re not going to get ridiculous about it.” 

Koch is meeting with a group of neighbors Sunday and says he will present them with a frontier elm, which the city has been planting in other sections of town. 

However, neighbors say they are not yet sold on the frontier elm, which only grows to 40 feet, much shorter than the American elm. They said they may consider the liberty elm, which grows as high as 100 feet, might be a more appropriate replacement. 

The American elms were diagnosed with Dutch elm disease last year. Caused by a fungus, the disease is transmitted by two species of bark beetles.  

Once the fungus is established within a tree, it spreads rapidly via its water-conducting vessels. The presence of the fungus damages the vessels, which causes the tree to wilt and eventually die.  

The first known case of Dutch elm disease was discovered in Ohio more than 70 years ago. It has now spread throughout North America and has destroyed more than half the elm trees in the northern United Sates. 

So far, only one tree has been felled on Elmwood Avenue. Janowitz pointed to a tree, marked with a blotch of red paint, across the street from her home.  

“That one comes down on Monday,” she said.  

The only elm tree not being cut down on Janowitz’s street is the one in front of her home. She said she is glad it is still healthy because her 10-year-old son, Noah, likes to watch the squirrels and hawks that nest in the tree from his bedroom window.  

Another neighbor, who declined to give her name, said she feared that whatever trees replace the American elms would be about five feet tall and grow at a rate of one foot or so a year. 

“In other words we’ll all be dead before we see trees like this again,” she said with an upward nod.

Editor: 

Though I support Barbara Lee's lone stand in Congress, I can understand that there are others who may disagree. I urge them to support an opposition candidate who speaks from principle rather than Audie Bock who, by her shameless exploitation of patriotism, war fever, and human tragedy, has once again shown herself to be a well-lubed weathervane that turns in the direction of big money. 

Gray Brechin 

Berkeley 

Ripmaster scores game’s only goal as Bears win upset 

The California men’s soccer team outlasted the fourth-ranked Huskies, 1-0, Friday afternoon at Edwards Stadium in its Pac-10 home opener.  

California drew first blood as senior Austin Ripmaster slipped past two defenders and launched a shot from 20 feet out at 18:28 for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. It turned out to be the game winning goal as the Bears went on to win, 1-0, against their sixth nationally ranked opponent this season.  

“We were pushing hard to make their defense give us the ball on the counter-attack,” said Ripmaster. “Angel (Quintero) and (Chris) Roner stepped up, played it to Carl who slotted it perfectly with me and the keeper for a one-on-one chance. I was able to slip it past him.”  

UW had two great opportunities in the half. The first came in the 29th minute as Seth Marsh took a shot that went just over the cross bar.  

The other chance came when a shot was misdirected, landing in front of Kyle Fukuchi just five yards from goal. Kyle Navarro came to the defense as Saunders dove in to salvage an otherwise sure score.  

In the second stanza, the Huskies came out strong, forcing Cal back on its heels. UW controlled possession for most of the first five minutes but the Bears staved off the initial wave of attacks and settled in allowing five shots on goal the rest of the way. The battle was at midfield in what ultimately turned out to be a defensive battle in the second half for both sides.  

“Washington came out strong in the second half and put a lot of pressure on us” said coach Kevin Grimes. “We weren’t able to capitalize on the counterattack but our defense played solidly and we came out with the win.”  

The Bears defeated a ranked opponent for the second time this season after edging No. 14 San Jose State, 3-2, on Sept. 16. Cal hosts Oregon State Sunday at 2 p.m. at Edwards Stadium.

SAN FRANCISCO – At Berkeley’s Alta Bates Medical Center – and at hospitals across the country – panicked people are showing up, wanting to be tested for exposure to anthrax. 

“There’s a lot of anxiety-mongering going on out there, and the media are fanning the flames,” said Carolyn Kemp, spokesperson for Alta Bates. “It’s a scary time, and there’s a lot of incorrect information out there.” 

Judging by the concerns of infectious disease experts gathered this week across the Bay, the problem is growing. 

Sunday is the last day of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s 39th annual meeting, which was held Oct. 25 - Oct. 28 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center.  

Bioterrorism – previously scheduled as a small part of the conference – has understandably become the focus of this year’s event. 

A hastily-planned slate of events geared toward answering questions in the wake of the current anthrax scare started off Friday with a well-attended discussion led by two experts on bioterrorism. 

The question-and-answer session, which will be repeated this morning, was led by James Snyder, an anthrax expert from the University of Louisville, and Maj. Jon Woods, a doctor in the United States Air Force. 

As they took questions from the audience, it was apparent that many of those in attendance are under pressure from the public to administer anthrax tests and antibiotics – even when it is inadvisable. 

“Nasal swabs are not that productive except for epidemiological purposes,” said Snyder. 

Woods agreed. 

“(Nasal swabs) are really not useful for deciding who should receive treatment,” he said. “It’s foolhardy to use them to decide if a person is going to receive prophylactic (treatment).” 

But many in the audience said they are having a hard time convincing the public. 

One man, who works in Long Island, New York, said he is being pressured by unions. 

“Two of the unions in our area represent a lot of postal workers,” he said. “They are not asking but demanding to be given a nasal swab.” 

He said he explains to them the uselessness of the swab for disease detection, but “their response is: ‘Are you not going to know until the first person dies?’” 

The answer, at least for now, seems to be yes. 

“We don’t know who the future targets are going to be,” said Woods. “You can’t do swabs on 260 million people. So for now, that first person in a new group is unfortunately going to be very hard to save.” 

Many in the audience – most of whom never work with bioterrorism – attended out of curiosity. 

Suzanne Phelps, 33, of Alameda said the discussion of nasal swabs “did kind of surprise me. But it makes sense when I think about it. You don’t want to go give swabs to the whole state of New York, but you don’t want to make the search so narrow that you miss anyone.” 

Phelps works for an Oakland project which studies infectious diseases – but not anthrax. She said she understands the public concern but also sees how, in excess, it could itself become a problem. 

“You have to look at the risk of exposure, “ she said. “Right now, if you’re not in Florida, Washington, D.C., New York or New Jersey, you’re not at risk. And you’re just taxing important resources if you insist on being tested.” 

Kemp agreed. The Berkeley hospital instituted a bioterrorism response plan early last year, she said, and is prepared to deal with both real threats and panic. 

“If you come in and you’re worried that you feel sick, and you’re afraid the white powder next to the coffee machine might have made you sick, we need to find that out,” said Kemp. 

Editor: 

Having lived in Albany for over 70 years, my memories go back to old John Glavinovich, our Town Marshall prior to the new City Charter. He stood on the corner of San Pablo and Solano, directed traffic and escorted children across the street. In 1927, the new City Charter gave John the title of Chief of Police. He oversaw 3 persons, 2 of whom were motorcycle officers, without radios. Woe to the person who exceeded 25 miles per hour in Albany, as tough cop Frank Davis mercilessly gave out tickets. 

The Charter made the Chief's office elective, as did most small cities in those days. We in Albany have been fortunate to have had citizens living in Albany who had the qualities to head a small town department. As cities grew, most every city found that to obtain qualified chiefs, they had to select them from outside their boundaries. Only two cities in all of California still elect their Chief, one being Albany. To select a Chief for a modern department with all its complexities and problems, a city had to advertise the opening, demanding experience and qualifications, just as we do now for our Chief Administrative Officer, Public Works and Zoning Officers. 

By voting "YES" on Measure C, we do not give up any voting rights. After our present Chief retires, Measure C would allow our duly elected representatives on the Albany City Council to select a qualified experienced person from amongst a pool of applicants, who are screened and interviewed as to qualifications to head our department. Would we give up any rights as citizens if Measure C passed? A hearty NO! At present anyone having a non-police problem in the city can complain at weekly City Council meetings and have a hearing. If we have an unresponsive Council, we can elect new Councilpersons every two years, with persons who will listen to the citizens. On the other hand, at present, what citizen not satisfied with any action of the Police Department, would have the temerity to criticize the Police Department or its Chief should they have a problem. They would have to wait for four years to make any kind of change via an election. 

How long can we be so fortunate as to have qualified applicants for chief living in the city? The answer is to keep our Police Department out of politics and let our elected City Council and its Chief Administrative 

Officer handle the administration of every department of the city while allowing each Department Head to perform his or her duties. For Albany's future we must adopt Measure C by voting YES! 

Jerome Blank,  

former councilman and mayor 

Albany

STANFORD – The Cal women’s volleyball team lost to No. 4 ranked Stanford, 3-0 (30-16, 30-18, 30-20) Friday night at Maples Pavilion. The Bears were led by seven kills by sophomore Gabrielle Abernathy and six kills apiece from senior Candace McNamee and sophomore Jessica Zatica. Sophomore middle blocker Heather Diers added four block assists for Cal.  

Stanford, which outhit the Bears, .464 to .138, was led by junior Olympian Logan Tom’s 12 kills.  

In game one, Cal (7-12 overall, 2-9 Pac-10) jumped out to a 4-2 lead with the help of a McNamee kill, a service ace by sophomore Ashleigh Turner and a kill by junior Leah Young. That was the highlight for the Bears as Stanford (18-2, 10-1) broke away from a 16-12 lead by going on a 8-0 run for a 24-12 advantage, finally winning game one, 30-16.  

A highlight for Cal in game two was the Bears coming back from a 9-5 deficit to take a 10-9 lead behind two kills from Abernathy, two service aces from junior Reena Pardiwala and a kill by McNamee. However, Cal only had one more lead after that, 11-10 on another Abernathy kill, before falling 30-18. In game three, the Bears fell behind 5-0 early and were never really in the contest, losing 30-20. .  

Cal will next travel to Oregon Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. at McArthur Court, before facing Oregon State, Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at Gill Coliseum.

SACRAMENTO — California voters will act on six ballot measures when they go to the polls for the March 5 primary election, state officials said Friday. 

The measures include five proposals put on the ballot by the Legislature and an initiative that would extend term limits to allow lawmakers to serve up to four more years. 

That proposal will be Proposition 45, the secretary of state’s office said. 

Also appearing on the ballot will be: 

— Proposition 40, a $2.6 billion bond measure to pay for park, clean-air and a variety of other environmental programs. 

— Proposition 41, which would allow the sale of $200 million in bonds to buy updated voting equipment. 

— Proposition 42, a constitutional amendment that would earmark gasoline sales taxes for transportation programs. 

— Proposition 43, which would create a constitutional guarantee that a voter’s vote will be counted. 

— Proposition 44, a measure to crack down on auto insurance fraud. 

The numbering of propositions for an election generally starts where the previous election left off, although legislators can designate numbers for the measures they put on the ballot. 

The numbering reverts to Proposition 1 every 10 years. 

———— 

On the Net: Read the legislation — AB1602, AB56, ACA4, ACA9 of 2001 and SB1988 of 2000 — at www.senate.ca.gov and the initiative at www.ss.ca.gov 

Editor: 

Those who are calling for a Berkeley city boycott, and others who oppose the Berkeley City Council resolution calling for an end, as soon as possible, to the bombing of Afghanistan should consider the following: 

Regardless of political persuasion, the people of the United States need to come to terms with the fact that the weapons in the U.S. arsenal are extremely toxic. They include depleted uranium, among other harmful chemicals, and the residues will continue killing the people of Afghanistan for generations to come. 

As in Iraq, the people of Afghanistan can expect high rates of cancer and birth defects as a result of these attacks. Doctors in Iraq report sharp increases in all types of cancer, especially childhood leukemia, and the hospitals around Basra report many babies born with birth defects. Of those babies, approximately two each day are severely deformed, such as babies born with no limbs or no recognizable facial features. The damage to the Iraqi gene pool is permanent, and the land can never be cleaned up. 

In addition to the environmental and genetic damage, the bombing in Afghanistan is creating a humanitarian crisis of immense proportion. Numerous international aid agencies serving Afghanistan are calling for a cessation in the bombing so that essential supplies can be delivered into the area before winter sets in. It is estimated that 7 million people, almost a third of the population, will perish without these supplies. Many of those who die will be children, as half of the population of Afghanistan is under the age of 16. 

As our nation mourns, we must question the wisdom of inflicting this horrific and lasting damage upon the people and environment of Afghanistan. 

Margo Shafer 

Berkeley

Editor: 

I have received several very angry e-mail messages lately, trashing Berkeley, and one even calling me a traitor for living in this city. I now have a standard reply, and here it is: 

A lot of very irresponsible and erroneous news stories about Berkeley have appeared in nationally known and respected newspapers since destruction of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Contrary to what you may have heard or read: 

There have been no pro-bin Laden or pro-Taliban rallies in Berkeley! There are no stores in Berkeley with pictures of Osama bin Laden or Mohammed Omar (the head of the Taliban) in their windows. 

Berkeley is well-known for it’s left-wing politics. The people who run the government of Afghanistan torture and murder leftists, socialists, and communists. 

The domestic policies of the Taliban are universally despised in Berkeley. In Afghanistan, the penalty for teaching girls to read is death. Women are prohibited from working outside their homes, even if they are starving and work is the only way they can earn money to buy food. Flying a kite is punishable by death. (I don’t know why. I can’t figure that one out.) Homosexuals are publicly executed by dropping concrete blocks or collapsing walls on them. 

Anyone who thinks that policies like these are popular in Berkeley or that they are supported by anyone in Berkeley city government has absolutely no idea what Berkeley is really like! 

Also, despite claims to the contrary, there have been no fund-raisers in Berkeley for Osama bin Laden or the Taliban. Bin Laden is a millionaire many times over. Nobody is quite sure how much he is worth, but it’s more money than he’s going to spend in his lifetime. 

The Taliban controls and taxes opium production. Half the world’s heroin originates in Afghanistan, and the Taliban makes billions of dollars a year in opium taxes. 

Why would people in Berkeley (or anywhere else) hold fund-raisers for people like this?!? It’s utterly ridiculous! 

The attack on the World Trade Center saddens, angers, and frustrates us all. We don’t know who is responsible. The people who hijacked the airplanes on Sept. 11 are all dead and can’t be punished or even questioned. I don’t know who to blame either, but there is no point in blaming Berkeley. 

Mark Tarses 

Berkeley

Shortly after midnight Wednesday, two armed robbers held up the Office Depot store at 1025 Gilman Street, according to Berkeley Police Department Spokesperson Lt. Cynthia Harris. 

The men approached two employees as they closed the store for the night. They forced the employees back inside the store and made them hand over an undisclosed amount of cash. No merchandise was taken. 

The suspects are described as black males in their 20s, one around 6 feet tall and 170 pounds., the other around 5 feet 6 inches tall and 160 pounds. Both were wearing black, hooded, long-sleeve sweatshirts, baggy black jeans and black tennis shoes. Both carried handguns. 

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the BPD Robbery Detail at 981-5742. 

Three juvenile females robbed a purse from a woman near the corner of Shattuck and University avenues on Wednesday at 9:45 a.m., according to Harris. 

One asked the woman for the time as she walked down the street. When the woman stopped to check her watch, another juvenile allegedly reached into a bag the woman was carrying and pulled out her purse. The three then fled on foot. 

Police have no suspects at this time. 

There were reports of shots fired Tuesday evening. 

Many neighbors near the corner of Derby and Milvia Streets reported hearing a series of gunshots around 9:40 p.m. One witness said he saw what appeared to be one male firing at another.  

Police were unable to find any suspects or victims in the neighborhood. 

– Hank Sims

Editor: 

We all seek peace, for ourselves, our families, our nation, and indeed, the world. Our nation is engaged in a national debate on how we achieve that peace. The City Council resolution asks that we work to break the cycle of violence and urges that we make an investment in our security, in achieving peace.  

The loss of innocent lives at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in the destroyed aircraft is a horrifying shock to people throughout the world. Our hearts go out to the victims, to their families, and to their friends, who have suffered so deeply. We are a nation in mourning.  

We need to ask how the perpetrators could have reached such levels of hatred and frustration. The explanation that they are brainwashed by a perverted leader who holds seemingly magical power over them has to be a dangerous simplification. Such anger can only have been constructed over time, through a combination of historical events resulting in a deep sense of threat and sustained exclusion. Our nation’s response has everything to do with whether we reinforce this alienation and thus provide the soil, seeds, and nutrients for future cycles of revenge and violence. Or whether it changes. 

Our enemies believe they are fighting an evil system that wishes to eradicate them and their people. We need to destroy this myth, not their people. Military action that attacks already vulnerable civilian populations will sow more hatred, confirming those who regard us as evil and nurturing yet another generation of recruits prepared to attack us at all cost.  

Monumental times require monumental change. Now is the time for a different, an unexpected, response from the United States. Countries like Pakistan, Tajikistan, and yes, Iran and Syria should be approached by the West, and especially by the United States, with a question of strategic importance: How can we help you meet the fundamental needs of your people? The single greatest pressure we can put on our enemies now is to remove the justification for their “holy” war. We can overcome terror by making it irrelevant. Let’s do exactly what our enemies do not expect. Let’s seek justice, of course, but at the same time work vigorously to create a different future, one that does not breed hatred and make the world unsafe for Americans everywhere. 

Our global challenge is how to engage others effectively to ensure a new kind of future, a future based on the life-affirming ethics that are present in every cultural tradition. Our challenge is to engage with people everywhere, deeply respecting their own traditions and religious beliefs, to help them meet their own fundamental needs. Such an effort will bequeath to the generation of our children’s children a legacy far more secure than could result from any amount of military might. The current situation poses an unprecedented opportunity for this to happen. Let us have the wisdom and strength to rise to it, to seize the opportunity to construct a better future for ourselves and, indeed, the world. 

We need to respond to well-organized, decentralized, self-perpetuating sources of terror by thinking and acting differently. Our enemies are now counting on us to strike back, harm the innocent, and create more desperate and lasting rage. Let us not fulfill their prophecy by providing them with the martyrs and justifications they need. They changed the face of war. They entered our lives by turning our own tools against us. We will not win peace, justice, or security with the traditional weapons of war. We need to change the terms of engagement.  

Linda Maio 

city councilmember 

with help from John Paul Lederach

SAN FRANCISCO — Transit officials will have to pay more than $1 million for stopping construction on a project near the airport while wildlife officials investigated a rare dead snake found at the site. 

In all, $1.07 million will be paid by Bay Area Rapid Transit to Tutor-Saliba/Slattery, the construction company that was working near San Francisco International Airport. 

Work on the BART extension project was halted for 18 days after an endangered San Francisco garter snake was discovered dead at the site. 

The pencil-thin snake, which has a turquoise blue belly and vivid red and black stripes, is listed as endangered by the state. It also is found in parts of San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, where it lives primarily in ponds, creeks, marshes and meadows. 

State Department of Fish and Game sleuths were unable to figure out who was responsible for the snake’s death, so BART will pay the bill for stopping construction. 

“Nobody has ever been able to find out what happened to the snake,” said BART spokesman Mike Healy. “There was no evidence that the contractor or anyone was directly at fault.” 

BART already has spent close to $6 million to comply with environmental laws. The transit agency captured and relocated 77 snakes during construction near wetlands in San Bruno. Those snakes have been returned to their original habitat. 

New safety standards were set after the dead garter snake was discovered. The speed limit in the construction area was slowed to 10 mph and workers now arrive at the site by bus rather than in their personal vehicles to limit snake squishings. 

Extending the BART transit line to San Francisco Airport is estimated to cost $1.48 billion and be completed by December 2002. 

Editor: 

Whether the Berkeley City Council passes resolutions or not; whether we, as individuals, support or reject these resolutions; whether we are vocal or silent on the issue of the United States attacking or not attacking Osama bin Laden and the Taliban forces in Afghanistan ? What difference does it make? 

I am not a Christian, nor do I follow any religion. But I do believe in cause and effect, and so do the various scriptures. In the King James version of the Bible, in Galatians 6:7, it is written “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” 

What happened in New York on Sept. 11, 2001 was an effect. The bombing of Taliban forces in Afghanistan is also an effect. Whatsoever Osama bin Laden sowed, it is certain that he shall also reap. Whatsoever anyone of us sows today, that too shall he or she reap. 

It should be somewhat obvious, then, that every moment of our lives we are simply receiving our just harvest. And if this is true, then the issue at hand isn’t one of religion or politics, but rather of agriculture! We can be more careful what we sow. 

Carl da Costa 

Berkeley

OAKLAND — A San Francisco International Airport air traffic controller who had been struggling with a series of personal and financial problems pleaded guilty Friday to a bank robbery spree. 

Rick Lee Davis, 43, the president of the air traffic controllers’ union local, changed his plea after originally pleading innocent. He pleaded guilty Friday to six counts of bank robbery. 

Davis, nicknamed the Robust Robber because of his stocky build, was arrested Aug. 3 after a spree of nine Bay Area bank robberies over a 10-month period. Police say he made off with $40,000. 

He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 15. Davis faces a sentence of 120 years in prison. 

Davis had been working as an air traffic controller at SFO since 1998, earning $98,000 a year. In 1996, Davis was seriously hurt when his car hit a cow in Hawaii, where he had been living with his wife and two sons. Davis later divorced and filed for bankruptcy. 

Editor 

I am also against war and for quick conclusion to the problems instead of killing poor people and achieving nothing.  

I am with your city and will support you in all possible ways and I am very sure most of the Americans are also with your city. It’s just few crazy people trying to ruin the reputation of the city and trying to scare the people by saying they will boycott Berkeley. I am sure that not even they have the guts to boycott Berkeley because I am sure they will not survive without Berkeley.  

I am very proud of people of Berkeley and wish them to keep up the good work. 

Satnam Bains 

Yuba City

SACRAMENTO — Demand for electricity in California has been so low at times that the state has had to give away power and even pay utilities to take it, according to state financial records. 

The state lost a total of $26 million in its first three months of trading power on the daily wholesale electricity market as demand and prices declined, documents released this week show. 

“They’re selling electricity that taxpayers paid for at 10 cents on the dollar,” said Harvey Rosenfield of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. 

State officials say Gov. Gray Davis’ power-trading program averted blackouts this summer. 

The state began buying power in January but didn’t begin selling it until April when the daily scramble to meet power needs eased. 

State traders gave away a total of 1,414 megawatt-hours. 

A few times the state had to pay a utility to take the excess power in order to avoid paying penalties that the operator of the state’s power grid charges for dumping surplus electricity, said Oscar Hidalgo, spokesman for the state Department of Power. 

DWR is the state department charged with managing the state’s power buys. The state stepped in to purchase power on behalf of three utilities in January, when high wholesale electricity prices led the companies to the brink of bankruptcy. 

Editor: 

In this time of intense patriotism, who among us is truly ready to risk death for our freedoms? I suspect that many people deeply believe that they are. But which freedoms will they risk death to preserve? The freedom of privacy? Of habeas corpus? Of speech? Of free assembly? Of free expression? The freedom from unreasonable search and seizure? Are we willing to risk death at the hands of terrorists as the price of these freedoms? 

I see many people waving our flag and – remarkably – at the same time proclaiming that we must give up our constitutional freedoms in order to be safer. I see members of Congress quick to legislate away our freedoms for our safety. Where is the courage and patriotism in that? 

Now that we must chose between safety and freedom, we must not flinch if our flag is to mean anything: The courage of our convictions is being tested by history. We should let our representative know that we are not so fearful as to have them legislate away the freedoms and privacies that other generations have died to give us. 

Dennis M. Burke 

Phoenix, Arizona  

SAN FRANCISCO — Hours after President Bush signed an anti-terrorism bill granting police unprecedented powers Friday, a former Ukrainian prime minister on trial here argued the new legislation proves he did not commit a crime on U.S. soil. 

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavel Lazarenko is on trial for allegedly laundering millions of dollars in the United States with money obtained by extorting or bribing Ukrainian businesses, according to a grand jury indictment unsealed in July. 

In a court hearing Friday, Lazarenko’s attorneys urged a federal judge to dismiss the case. 

They argued that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 broadens money-laundering crimes that were not expressly outlawed when Lazarenko was accused.  

That means he cannot be prosecuted because it was not a crime before Friday’s law was created, said Lazarenko’s attorney Dennis P. Riordan. 

Senate amendments to the bill for the first time include acts “for money laundering, the very conduct by a foreign official with which Lazarenko is charged in the pending indictment,” Riordan argued. 

Wearing brown jail smocks, Lazarenko sat quietly and listened to the two-hour proceedings translated through a Russian-language interpreter. 

Riordan argued that prior to the new law, money laundering was only a crime for foreign public officials in the United States if the money was obtained through extortion or drug deals — not bribery. 

The package Bush signed Friday changed that to also criminalize money obtained through bribery. 

Federal prosecutors said Lazarenko can still be prosecuted under the old law because he extorted millions from Ukrainian businesses. Extortion, the government maintained Friday, is the same as bribery. 

“For this case, Congress didn’t need to make the amendment,” argued Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha Boersch. 

But Lazarenko’s attorneys said the U.S. Supreme Court has outlined extortion as a “violent or terrorist act” for which Lazarenko is not accused. Some charges allege Lazarenko took money from businesses, which in return received government favors. 

U.S. District Judge Martin Jenkins said he would rule on the dispute before Nov. 20. 

Lazarenko is a political centrist who fled his country for the United States in February 1999. He was named prime minister in 1996 by Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, serving 13 months before losing a power struggle. 

He fled to the United States after the Ukrainian government accused him of stealing about $2 million. Lazarenko has maintained the accusations were part of an attempt by his enemies, including Kuchma, to silence political opposition. 

The U.S. government has accused Lazarenko of conspiring to transfer about $200 million in ill-gotten funds to U.S. bank and brokerage accounts to conceal their origin. 

Officials want forfeiture of Lazarenko’s 41-room home in Novato, north of San Francisco, and the laundered money. 

In February, meanwhile, Ukrainian prosecutors instituted a criminal case against opposition leader and former Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Tymoshenko, who was dismissed by Kuchma in mid-January after prosecutors accused her of wide-scale corruption. She is charged with paying millions of dollars in bribes to Lazarenko. 

The case argued Friday is United States v. Lazarenko, CR-000284. 

OAKLAND — Attorneys for three former Oakland police officers accused of criminal misconduct said Friday they will seek to have their clients tried outside of Alameda County. 

Michael Rains, attorney for Clarence Mabanag, said pretrial publicity in the so-called “Riders” case would make it hard to seat a panel of unbiased jurors. 

A trial date for the former police officers, Mabanag, Jude Siapno and Matthew Hornung, has not yet been set. A fourth officer, Frank Vazquez, fled soon after the investigation began. 

The officers were fired by the Oakland Police Department after they were accused of beating suspects and falsifying police reports during a two-week period in June of 2000. 

About 25 activists from the community group PUEBLO, People United for a Better Oakland, held a rally outside of the Oakland courthouse and urged a more comprehensive investigation. 

PUEBLO claims that misconduct runs rampant within the Oakland Police Department and that the investigation should not be restricted to the four defendants charged. 

SAN FRANCISCO — The Exploratorium here hosted more than a dozen of the brightest minds in the world Friday as it marked the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize. 

Four Nobel laureates took time to discuss the impact of the Nobel Prize. Chemist Paul Berg and economist Milton Friedman were among those who described how they earned their awards and how the prize changed their lives. 

The Nobel Prize is the most prestigious award in science, and California’s universities and research facilities lay claim to more Nobel laureates than any other place in the world. 

On Saturday, the Exploratorium hosts a live event called “Stump the Scientist,” where Nobel Prize winners will try to explain some of the curious Exploratorium exhibits for members of the public in attendance. 

SACRAMENTO — California is sending inmates to prison at a far lower rate than just a few years ago, but the prisoners are serving longer sentences, figures released Friday show. 

The number of prison inmates is expected to drop in the next two years from the current 159,114 to as low as 155,720 in mid-2003 before beginning a slow climb to about 164,620 by mid-2007. 

That’s thousands fewer inmates than prison officials predicted just six months ago. 

However, the slumping economy could boost crime and convictions beyond projections, said California Department of Corrections spokeswoman Margot Bach. 

Prison population swings tend to be cyclical, she said, and it remains unclear if the drop in imprisonments is a long- or short-term trend. 

The trend stems largely from policy decisions and runs counter to California’s rapidly growing population, said Frank Zimring, a University of California, Berkeley law professor who has studied California prisons for more than 20 years. 

For instance, most of the slowdown is in minimum- and medium-security inmates, particularly women, in large part because of a state initiative that took effect July 1 requiring treatment instead of prison or jail for first- and second-time nonviolent drug offenders. 

The drug initiative will cut the prisons’ population by about 5,440 next year and by more than 7,700 inmates by 2007, the department predicts. 

However, the state’s maximum security population, particularly inmates serving life terms and extended sentences under the three-strikes law, continues to grow, according to the department’s fall report now being reviewed by the governor’s office. Those inmates require higher security prisons and more supervision, Bach said. 

The number of inmates serving life in prison has grown from about 9,800 or 10 percent of the total population a decade ago to 20,429 or about 12.8 percent of the total today, Bach said. 

The state’s prison admission rate has also dropped significantly, from 293.5 felons per 100,000 Californians five years ago to 239.2 per 100,000 today. 

However, prison sentence length throughout the system has grown by 20 percent in less than a decade, from an average 47.9 months in 1993 to the current 54.6 months, the figures show. 

Actual time behind prison walls has grown from an average 23.6 months to 35.7 months when early release incentives and time spent in county jails prior to imprisonment are taken into account. 

That increase could partly be a function of weeding out inmates like drug offenders who would have served shorter sentences, Zimring said. 

The state’s prison population is expected to grow 6.3 percent over the next 10 years, Bach said, down sharply from the 14.5 increase in the number of inmates California saw during the 1980s. 

“California’s prison rate kept growing while the crime rate kept dropping,” said Zimring. “We were defying gravity until 1999. That’s when we stopped toughening up (anti-crime policies). That’s when the declining crime rate could catch up.” 

The 19,725 inmates who entered California prisons in the first half of this year is 4.5 percent lower than the number of incarcerations during the same period last year. 

The number of parolees returned to prison for parole violations is also fewer than projected by prison officials just six months ago. 

Bach said the drop was due to changes in police crime-fighting tactics, a state program to help recently released inmates succeed on parole, and an emphasis on keeping persons with two convictions from committing a third crime that would bring a far longer sentence under the state’s three-strikes law. 

Supervision of twice-convicted parolees was doubled so that one parole officer now oversees about 40 parolees instead of 70 or 80, Bach said. 

“We want to keep them from coming back for their third strike,” she said. 

. 

POMONA — Rodney King, whose videotaped beating by police led to the 1992 Los Angeles riot, pleaded guilty Friday to drug-related charges and was ordered to spend a year in treatment. 

King, 36, unexpectedly entered the pleas during a brief hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court. 

King admitted to three misdemeanor counts of being under the influence of PCP and one count of indecent exposure, the district attorney’s office said in a statement. 

He was ordered to spend a year in the American Recovery Center, a live-in drug treatment facility in Pomona. 

King, who was free on $7,500 bond, checked into the center after the hearing, defense attorney Antonio J. Bestard said. 

“I think he will be successful because he wants to get rid of this,” the attorney said. “He’s had a very bad time this year.” 

“I think this was the best result,” he added. “I think the court, particularly, was very understanding.” 

Prosecutor Thomas Gowen had sought a year in county jail for King, who could have faced more than three years in jail if he had gone on trial and been convicted. 

But district attorney’s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons called the sentence acceptable. 

“It’s obvious that Mr. King needs some help and, hopefully, he’ll get it there,” she said. 

King was arrested earlier this month in Pomona for allegedly driving while under the influence of a psychedelic drug. 

On Sept. 29, he was arrested by Pomona police for allegedly being under the influence of PCP and exposing himself. 

And earlier last month, he pleaded innocent to another charge of being under the psychedelic drug, stemming from an Aug. 28 arrest by Claremont police at a hotel. 

His guilty pleas end all three cases, but he faces a Nov. 20 hearing in San Bernardino County for allegedly violating probation in a 1999 misdemeanor domestic abuse case. 

King’s 1991 videotaped beating by Los Angeles police led to the 1992 riot when a jury acquitted four officers of most state charges and deadlocked on one count. Two officers were later convicted in federal court of violating King’s civil rights. 

King won a $3.8 million settlement in a civil rights lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles. 

SAN FRANCISCO — A recent study on more than 80,000 preschoolers demonstrates a new vaccine is highly successful in preventing the bacteria that causes meningitis, one of the co-authors of the study said Friday. 

Meningitis causes about 200 deaths in preschoolers nationwide each year, and more than 1 million deaths worldwide annually among infants and toddlers. 

A vaccine to protect older children and adults against pneumococcal infections, the principal cause of meningitis, has been available for 20 years.  

But a vaccine for children younger than 2 was just approved last year. 

The valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or PNCV7, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in February 2000, but this study was the first of its effects in the general public, said Dr. Steven Black, co-director of the Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center in Oakland and one of the study’s co-authors. 

Researchers say one of the most relevant findings of the study is a herd immunity effect, which means that vaccinated infants and toddlers seemed to be protecting those who had not been vaccinated. 

“It lowers the percentage of children who carry the disease in their throat,” Black said. “In fact, some evidence from the CDC shows adults are also being protected.” 

The pneumococcal bacteria can cause meningitis — an infection of the lining of the brain — which can lead to death, blindness, deafness, paralysis and learning problems. 

The bacteria also causes blood stream infections, pneumonia and middle ear infections. The bacteria is spread through close contact, including sneezing. 

“I would predict a decrease in the disease in the adult population as well,” said Black, a pediatrician with 25 years of experience, who explained that 20 percent of adults living with a young child contracts the disease — compared with only 5 percent of adults who don’t have any contact with preschoolers. 

The study will be presented Saturday during the 39th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America in San Francisco. 

“The vaccine is highly effective, it is important not only for the U.S. but also for countries in the developing world,” Black said. 

No serious side effects to the vaccine were reported during the study, Black said. Common side effects are similar to those of other vaccines and include soreness and redness at the injection site, as well as fever. 

The FDA recommends all children up to 24 months of age be given the vaccine in four doses, at 2, 4, 6 and 12 to 15 months of age.  

Black said the vaccine already is available in some countries in Europe, South America and Australia. 

HAYWARD — Exploiting a lack of checks and balances, an accountant in the Cal State-Hayward fundraising department embezzled more than $150,000 over five years, regaling himself with gifts including a personal computer and home improvements, according to a university audit. 

The employee was fired over the summer, but not before he used a series of accounting tricks to take the money beginning in July 1996, the report by the Cal State system auditor said. 

The audit, which ran from May through late September, did not use the employee’s name. It said campus police were investigating the employee, but neither spokesmen from the campus nor the system’s headquarters returned calls abut the status of that probe. 

The employee worked for Cal State-Hayward’s Educational Foundation, an organization affiliated with the campus that solicits donations from alumni and grant makers. He was the primary accountant for the foundation’s vice president. 

According to the audit, which was dated Monday, the man forged documents to buy $5,200 in personal computing equipment and made more than 40 fraudulent disbursements to get cash and pay contractors remodeling his house and credit card bills. 

The report suggested the fundraising office implement a series of tighter accounting procedures.

SAN FRANCISCO — A significant rise in syphilis infections is being driven by gay men having unprotected sex with multiple partners, according to city public health officials. 

At 116 reported infections this year through September, the caseload may not be overwhelming — but the rise is precipitous. The city’s department of public health reported just 39 cases in 1998, 47 in 1999 and 71 in 2000. 

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can be treated with penicillin. The telltale sore often goes unnoticed, however, and over time, it can damage organs. 

The number of infections more than doubled among gay and bisexual men from 2000, according to a report city officials will deliver Saturday at the Infectious Diseases Society of America meeting in San Francisco. 

There have been 93 cases among gay or bisexual men so far this year, up from 47 last year. There were just 10 such reported cases in 1998. 

The study suggests the rise comes because gay and bisexual men are having unprotected sex with unfamiliar partners they meet in sex clubs and adult bookstores, and on the Internet. The 93 men reported having 1,225 sexual partners and could identify only 8 percent of them by name. 

Similar syphilis spikes have been reported in San Diego, Florida, Boston and Chicago, said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/ 

ANDERSON — The state’s largest timber company is shifting its logging practices from selective thinning of forestland to clearcutting, in order to help small trees grow big, it says. 

Sierra Pacific Industries says the shift also will cut down on fire danger, with new techniques making clearcutting more efficient and safer. But environmentalists and some neighbors charge that clearcuts are not good fire management tools. 

One thing is clear. With California’s fire season drawing to a close after more than 293,700 acres of wildland was burned, the issue of whether clearcutting is an effective fire management tool is heating up. 

“We try to design these along major ridge lines or roads so we can control fire better,” said Mike Mitzel, a district manager for Sierra Pacific Industries. 

Environmentalists say clearcuts eventually could lead to greater fire danger if the replacement trees are allowed to grow back too densely. 

“If you take everything away, a fire’s not going to burn effectively,” said Sierra Club organizer Warren Alford. “But in eight to 10 years, in a dense forest, that’s an increasingly dangerous fire opportunity.” 

The company plans to use a technique called “visual retention” on 70 percent of its 1.5 million acres, about 3.7 percent of forestland in California. Visual retention is a harvesting technique that leaves four to eight trees per acre in what otherwise would be a clearcut. 

Once the company completes the visual retention or clearcuts, it will go back to selective harvests, said Mark Lathrop, community relations manager for Sierra Pacific. That could take decades. 

On average, timber companies clearcut about 8,350 acres of the state’s 279,000 acres that are harvested in a typical year, according to the California Forestry Association. 

All agree that the Sierra forests where trees grow so thick that their trunks are inches apart and their branches are indistinguishable are not as healthy as those where the trees grow as much as six feet apart and the sunlight filters down to the forest floor. 

Fire is a natural, important part of a healthy Sierra Nevada forest — it leaves old, dead trees, called “snags,” for birds and other animals to nest in; it clears away small trees and leaves the large ones to provide habitat; it keeps the trees from crowding each other; it helps return nutrients to the soil. 

But the fires that consume unhealthy dense forests can burn so hot they burn up all the nutrients in the soil and make the ground as hard as concrete. Even water can’t penetrate it, and the water and ash run off into streams. 

Logging almost always increases fire danger, said Steve Pyne, professor and fire historian at Arizona State University. 

“All of the large fires in American history have followed logging or land clearing,” he said. “Because you’ve created a huge amount of fuel. A lot of material may be used, but a huge amount is left — branches, needles, small stuff or slash, that’s particularly vulnerable to fire.” 

And the trees planted to replenish the clearcuts are susceptible to fire because they are young and small. Older, bigger trees are more resistant to fire. 

But harvesting trees can be beneficial if they are properly maintained. 

“Where logging works as a fire protection measure is really kind of gardening,” Pyne said, “where you convert it to a garden and you intensively weed it and manage it and cultivate it.” 

That practice, however, can cost the forest biodiversity and ecosystem health, and it’s expensive and labor-intensive, Pyne said. 

The threat of intense, catastrophic fires has increased because the more frequent, cooler fires typical of the Sierra Nevada have been suppressed, and the forests don’t receive the fires’ restorative benefits. 

That’s where clearcutting comes in, according to Sierra Pacific Industries. 

“If you want to keep a system, you need disturbance,” said Cajun James, principal research scientist for the company. 

Sierra Pacific maintains the clearcuts or visual retention will provide the disturbance needed to let new trees grow to restore the health of the forest, and help prevent intense fires. 

“Nothing can stop a fire in these dense stands,” James said. “We’ve suppressed fires long enough that when they get that intense, they can’t fight them.” 

The Sierra Club’s Alford counters that clearcutting does not mimic a healthy fire in the Sierra Nevada. He said too much is taken out for a healthy forest to grow back in its place, and the herbicides that are put on clearcuts — to keep down the vegetation that might interfere with replanted trees — can be harmful to people. 

Clearcutting is controversial throughout the state. Even the U.S. Forest Service has significantly cut back on its clearcutting, cutting only a few acres at most and doing it rarely, said spokesman Matt Mathes. The Forest Service used to clearcut and sell the timber. It stopped the practice in 1992. 

“Society has made it fairly clear to us that they want to see less emphasis on timber harvesting,” Mathes said. “The laws of the land to protect wildlife and water quality have been factors in our move away from clearcutting.” 

Instead, the Forest Service thins the forests, taking out brush and small diameter trees, then finishes up with a “prescribed” burn, which means it sets controlled fires in the spring and fall to clear the rest of the fuel that could feed a catastrophic fire. 

The Forest Service owns 20 million acres — or one-fifth of the land in California. About 4.5 million acres of that is designated as wilderness and has no timber cutting done on it. Another 600,000 acres in river corridors are not cut either. 

According to the California Forestry Association, state loggers do a relatively low amount of clearcutting. There are 40 million acres of forest land in the state and 16.7 million of that is harvestable, the association says. 

Lumber from California in general brought in more than $1.6 billion in 1999, the latest year for which numbers were available, said Butch Bernhardt, director of information services for the Western Wood Products Association in Oregon. 

Fighting wildfires is costly for the state, consuming 90 percent of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s $450 million budget. 

END Advance 

So you finally found the ideal general contractor for your major home-improvement or repair job. The interviews went well. The background checks checked out. You really trust this person. 

But what’s with these new faces on the job? 

They’re probably subcontractors — specialists hired by the general contractor to perform specific jobs. According to an expert who shepherds home-improvement tasks for a living, homeowners should understand their relationship and responsibilities to subcontractors. 

“Subcontractors work indirectly for the homeowner because their contract is with the general contractor,” says Michael Christy, director of market development for the Home Service Store. “Some homeowners assume the general contractor performs all the work and are surprised when other workers show up at the front door.” 

The role of the general contractor is to coordinate the project. Dozens of tasks, such as drywall, plumbing, wiring and roofing are farmed (subcontracted) out to independent contractors, who specialize in a particular trade. Homeowners usually have no role in the selection of subcontractors. However, homeowners who have heard from friends and neighbors about the good work of a subcontractor can suggest names to the general contractor. 

Christy says general contractors “should be very clear with homeowners about the jobs and work schedules of subcontractors. Homeowners need to insist upon a work calendar that shows approximate time frames when subcontractors will be on the job. That’s the only way everyone stays on the same page and the job stays on track.” 

Subcontractors, or subs, are paid by the general contractor. The payments are often drawn against an amount of money the homeowner provides to the general contractor to pay for project costs.  

“Homeowners would do well not to make the advance payment one large, lump sum,” says Christy. “Instead, they should add money to the fund only when certain jobs involving subcontractors are performed.” 

Although subcontractors are not paid directly by the homeowner, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to make certain the general contractor makes payments on time. Christy says payments are due when the subcontractor is at a point when critical materials are needed or when the job is done. 

If the general contractor does not make payments, subcontractors can take action against the homeowner.  

These actions, often filed as liens, place the financial burden squarely on the homeowner’s shoulders. If liens aren’t taken care of quickly, work on the project can grind to a halt. “Worse still,” says Christy, “liens may show up years later when the home goes up for sale. No sale can be completed until past liens are resolved.” 

The working relationship with subcontractors is the general contractor’s job. He or she makes sure the quality of workmanship and materials by subcontractors is in line with project plans or homeowner expectations. 

The general contractor makes certain subcontractors have the necessary licenses and insurance. 

The homeowner can exercise some clout on subcontractor performance.  

Christy says “a cost of delay clause should be inserted into the contract with the general contractor. If the subcontractor doesn’t show for work, the general contractor can be held financially responsible.” 

If the homeowner believes subcontractor work is shoddy, Christy advises the homeowner to first bring the problem to the attention of the general contractor.  

If that does not yield results, the homeowner can seek arbitration between the parties. The last resort is litigation. 

In extreme cases, subcontractors can be removed from the job for failure to perform, argumentativeness or drug and alcohol abuse.

LOS ANGELES — Employment in the entertainment industry has hit a four-year low, as an already tumultuous year in Hollywood was made worse by the terrorist attacks. 

State employment figures show that  

September was the slowest month for movie, television and video production since June 1997.  

A total of 143,500 people were employed in the industry last month — down from 158,300 in November 1998, the high mark of the last four years. 

The latest numbers do not include the thousands of independent contractors who are also out of work. 

“This is a worse hit than anyone expected, and we really don’t know the full ramifications,” said Stephen Katz, an independent analyst who monitors employment in the industry.  

“There’s a trickle-down effect, and what’s so concerning is that these companies are laying off their full-time employees.” 

All across Hollywood, projects have been delayed or even canceled since Sept. 11, weakening the already fragile industry. 

The Entertainment Industry Development Corp. found that location shooting for feature length films in Los Angeles last month was half of the September 1999 total.  

Commercial shooting was down nearly a third from the same period. 

Alternately frenetic and stalled, the industry saw a rush to production in the past year, driven by fear of dual strikes by the actors and writers unions.  

Once they were averted, the industry had to deal with a minor slowdown caused by an excess of projects. 

Business was just starting to pick up when the terrorist attacks struck New York and Washington. 

“We were anticipating things would start back up again in September,” said Gabe Videla, president of Special Effects Limited. “And then all of the sudden the World Trade Center happened, and we got hit below the knees.” 

Industry officials have said production is unlikely to pickup until late winter or early spring 2002. 

LOS ANGELES — The Joint Strike Fighter program may be the single largest defense project in history, but its impact on California’s economy will be a far cry from what it might have been in the 1980s, when the state was the center of the national aerospace industry. 

Most of the work on the $200 billion fighter project will be done at the Lockheed Martin Corp. plant in Ft. Worth, Texas. 

Friday, the Department of Defense awarded Lockheed the contract to develop the next-generation, supersonic stealth fighter. Lockheed will be the lead contractor, working with Northrop Grumman Corp., based in Los Angeles, and BAE Systems of Great Britain. 

Northrop Grumman said the award will mean a total of 1,600 new jobs for the company across the nation, with 1,200 in California. Officials declined to estimate the financial impact of the award on the company. 

Most of the California jobs will be in El Segundo, where Northrop will design and assemble the plane’s center fuselage. 

Lockheed competed with Boeing Co. for the contract. But no matter which company received the lucrative contract, tech companies in California were expected to benefit from subcontracting work.  

Still, the impact will be nowhere near what it would have been a decade ago, when Southern California was heavily dependent on defense spending. 

“It seems likely this is the beginning of a very slow upturn, but not the beginning of defense dependence or anything like that again,” said Stephen Levy, an economist at the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy. 

Levy said the 1,200 new jobs in the state must be seen in the context of the 280,000 defense jobs that left California in the 1990s. 

“Getting hotel occupancy back up again will have a far greater economic impact than this,” he said, referring to the current collapse of the state tourism industry. “But it should have some confidence-building impact in terms of Southern California remaining a place to do business for this kind of work.” 

Northrop Grumman is the last big defense contractor with headquarters in California. With a handful of other firms, it will likely benefit from a general increase in defense spending as the country fights its new war on terrorism. 

“We have ongoing expertise in military satellite capabilities and defense systems that might be part of a national missile defense system, which seems to have a head of steam now,” said Tom Lieser, senior economist for the UCLA Anderson Forecast. “The impact on the companies may be more significant than the impact on the economy.” 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

My son, who is a certified mechanic and sells lots of tires, tells me that if I go to a higher-profile tire on my '98 Chevy Cavalier for a softer ride, terrible things will happen: The computer will sizzle, gas mileage will drop to 4.3 miles per gallon and I will roll the car on the first lane change. He says he has been told this in his certification classes (he has stripes down his sleeve like a sergeant major). On the other hand, I have a couple of college degrees and a lot of experience, so I don't believe it. What do you clowns believe? – Richard 

TOM: Gee, Richard, I'm surprised your son didn't mention the rapid hair loss and the rash on your butt that will last a month. 

RAY: The kid does have a flair for exaggeration, Richard, but the truth is, he's right. He's right to discourage you from switching to a non-manufacturer-recommended tire size. 

TOM: Here's the story. When a car is designed, it's tested for handling and emergency-control characteristics with a certain size and type of tire. If you change that, you, by definition, alter the handling characteristics of the car. Enough to fry the computer? No. Enough to seriously alter your gas mileage? No. Enough to flip the car in a lane change? Probably not. 

RAY: But the problem is, nobody knows exactly what the new handling characteristics of the car will be, because the car has never been tested using higher-profile tires. 

TOM: Now, if you make a modest change in tire size in one direction or the other, chances are the car will still be safe. In fact, you probably won't even notice any difference; most cars probably have a reasonable safety margin built in. But if you're dealing with a sport utility vehicle or something else that already handles peculiarly, then changing the type or size of the tires can be very dangerous. And that's why your son is taught to recommend against it. 

RAY: And we're with him, Richard. 

How to break into a car 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

My dear, departed daddy told me that if you broke in a new car engine at slow speeds, it would always be slow and sluggish. Is this true? What's the real skinny? Is there a preferred break-in protocol? – Susan 

TOM: Great question, Susan. But since we never speak ill of the departed, we can't answer it. 

RAY: Actually, I'm sure your daddy was right about many OTHER things and was a superior human being in all other regards. 

TOM: But his story about break-in is an old myth, Susan. And we don't know how it got started. Probably by some teen-age boy who got caught racing his dad's new car. 

RAY: It assumes that the car somehow "learns" to go slow when it's young, and then it never knows how to go at normal speeds later on. Kind of like my brother at work. 

TOM: But it's just not true. There IS a legitimate protocol for breaking in a new vehicle. It varies slightly from car to car, but the main purpose is to allow the piston rings to "seat," or conform to the exact shape of the cylinder walls so that they make a tight seal. And most experts agree that the best way to do this is to keep the engine rpm below 3,000 and to vary the engine speed (i.e., don't drive at one constant speed for a long time). 

RAY: And the break-in period generally lasts anywhere from 500 to 1,000 miles. Or until your check clears at the dealership, whichever comes first. 

TOM: If the piston rings don't seat correctly, your car might burn oil later on. And nobody wants that. 

RAY: So the speed at which you break the car in might have an effect on how much oil it burns. But it has absolutely no effect on how fast or slow the car goes. 

TOM: Last time we checked, that was mostly affected by the position of your foot on the gas pedal.  

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.

Before a highly-charged crowd of South Berkeley residents, the Zoning Adjustments Board declared Brothers Liquor, at 3039 Shattuck Ave., a public nuisance at its Thursday meeting, and imposed a restrictive set of regulations on its future operations. 

Neighbors allege the store is the center of serious criminal activity in the area.  

In a recent six-month period, the police department responded to more than 200 calls at or near Brothers Liquor. Nineteen of those calls resulted in arrests for crack cocaine possession or sales, prostitution, public drunkenness or creating a public disturbance. 

In her report to the ZAB, Victoria Johnson, the city’s senior zoning enforcement officer, presented the board with two possible solutions.  

The first allowed the liquor store to remain open with sharply curtailed hours of operation, the posting of security guards and the obligation to submit to ZAB review every three months. The second would shut the store down completely. 

The ZAB voted 7 - 2 for the first option, and added an extra conditions of its own. 

Board chair Carolyn Weinberger suggested the store be mandated to chain-off its parking lot when it closed its doors at 9 p.m. Board member Deborah Matthews added that the store should be required to clean and maintain its exterior. 

At the suggestion of Mark Rhoades, the city’s director of current planning, the board also put language into the declaration that would automatically trigger another public hearing on the store – one which would presumably result in its closure – if the Berkeley Police Department receives more than four calls having to do with store activities per month. 

Monsoor Ghanem, the store’s manager, said Friday that the charges against his store were unwarranted, and he would appeal the ZAB’s decision to the City Council. Members of the audience hissed and shouted when the board discussed the option of leaving the store open with restrictions. Several ZAB members addressed the crowd directly, assuring it that the conditions imposed on Brothers were very tough, and any deviation from them would be swiftly punished. 

“We’re giving them enough rope to hang themselves,” said Weinberger. 

Rhoades said city staff came up with the compromise declaration after consulting with the city attorney’s office. He said the imposition of conditions as a first step would bolster the city’s case if it were sued by the store’s owners. 

“The courts take a very dim view of cities closing businesses without giving them a chance to clean up their act,” Rhoades said. “But if, after three months, this business does not comply with the conditions, we can set another public hearing and the ZAB can close them down. You will already have declared them a public nuisance.” 

Board member, Gene Poschman, provoked applause from the audience when he said he favored putting the store out of business. 

“I want to revoke the thing,” he said. “I think the city attorney is being far too cautious. We’ve got six, maybe eight votes here for revocation here.” 

But, he said, the staff report had swayed him. 

“The staff is the reason we’re not revoking their business tonight,” he said. “That means there will be a special weight on staff to monitor this closely.” 

Matthews, a resident of South Berkeley, shared Poshman’s reservations, but she, too, voted for the compromise option. 

“I have a hard time accepting the recommendations of staff,” she said. 

“In the community of South Berkeley, in a five-mile radius we have probably 10 liquor stores, each of them with the problems we have here before us.” 

“It’s really important to me that we develop some kind of standard for identifying and dealing with these issues.” 

Rhoades told the board and the audience that the new restrictions – especially the police department “trigger” he had proposed – would assure that the store would be severely punished if the problems continue. 

“There’s 40 or 50 pairs of eyes and ears in this room tonight that will be monitoring this situation,” he said. 

“Do you hear that?” Weinberger asked the audience. “If three months from now it hasn’t improved, you come back to us and we will yank their business.” 

Only board member Paul Schwartz and Marie Bowman, who substituted for board member Mike Issel at Tuesday’s meeting, voted against the declaration. 

Schwartz said he was in favor of the restrictions on the business, but he wanted to vote for complete closure to expedite matters.  

“I don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in business with these restrictions, so they’ll probably end up shutting down anyway,” he said. 

At the end of the hearing, Rhoades thanked the board for voting for the staff’s recommendations. 

“I know it was a very difficult decision,” he said.

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 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 

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) 

Berkeley, Where Is It Going 

8 p.m. 

BTVU ch. 25  

Notable Berkeley neighborhood supporters give important informa 

tion 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 Avenue, between 3rd and 4th sreets  

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 

– compiled by Guy Poole 

In 1877 John G. Wright, an Englishman, opened Berkeley’s first wholesale-retail bakery at 2026 Shattuck Ave., just north of where the Kress building stands today. The original bakery which is pictured here, was a two-story wood frame building that had tall storefront windows and a covered wood veranda in front. The owners, as well as their bakery workers and student boarders, lived on the second floor. 

The bakery produced 26 varieties of bread, twelve types of cakes and pies and also had a catering service, dining room and retail sales shop. By 1905 the business had grown so large that it had a fleet of 40 horse-drawn trucks and motor cars.  

Wright was active in organizing the bakers union which was formally established in 1904 at the Golden Sheaf Bakery. But unionization led to the demise of family run bakeries and the rise of large companies. In 1909 the Wright family sold their business to Wonderbread and the old bakery building was torn down.  

Around the corner at 2071 Addison St. is a remnant of the Golden Sheaf Bakery. The brick-sided building was constructed in 1905 as a storage building and loading area for the bakery. But despite its rather humble use, the building was designed by noted architect Clinton Day.  

It is a Classic-inspired, two-story red brick and terra-cotta building with a three-part composition. Four pilasters frame three vertical bays, which contain three sets of paired arched windows on the second story. Above the central bay there is a sign molded in brick-colored terra-cotta depicting a sheaf of wheat and under this, the bakery’s name. Molded terra cotta was also used for the bases and capitals of the pilasters and for the cornice. The terra cotta was made by the Gladding McBean Company. 

After the bakery was sold, the building served as offices and shops until 1927, when it was converted into a garage. On July 20, 2000 a dedication ceremony was held for the Nevo Educational Center of the Berkeley Repertory Theater. The remodeled bakery-warehouse building will provide space for the theater’s education program.  

Susan Cerny, author of “Berkeley Landmarks,” writes this series in conjunction with the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.

By Ken Norwood 

The missile camera films and the aerial photos of bombs hitting Afghanistan targets looks little different to me than the 8th. Air Force’s “precision” bombing of NAZI targets I saw from the waist window of our B-24 four engine Liberator from early April to May 9, 1944. That was the day our plane was shot down and six of our 10 crew members bailed out over Belgium. The tons of bombs we POW’s saw falling in our direction from Allied planes bombing nearby German targets looked and felt no different to us than is being experienced by Afghani civilians on the edge of Afghani military targets – it is breath stopping terror. 

Remarkably that same W.W.II aerial warfare strategy is paralleled by the high-tech bombing, satellite surveillance, night vision technology now being used in the Middle East. Another similarity is the claim that precision bombing avoids civilian casualties and the dichotomy that despite sixty years the U.S. bombing errors, over-runs, and “accidents” continue to occur. To understand why is to realize that the high-tech advancements in airplanes, armament, rocketry, and guidance systems has the primary purpose of protecting Air Force planes and air crews from casualties. Now the planes are bigger, faster, and carry larger bomb loads, and yet require fewer crew. During 1941 through 1944 the Royal Air Force and the American air crew losses were up to 50 percent, some of whom became POW’s. 

Today’s B-51 has a crew of four compared with ten men each in W.W.II’s B-17 and B-24 bombers. Although WW II bombers flew lower and slower making accurate bombing apparently easier, technical and human errors by navigators, bombardiers, and pilots, and the interference by enemy German ack-ack and fighters caused unintended bombing of residential areas, churches, hospitals, Red Cross trains and convoys, and even harmless villages regularly. The WW II press seldom learned about those tragedies, but there lies the “collateral” damage rational of the military mind. Similarly, ground forces face the same moral dilemma, every U.S. war has been shrouded with “unintended” civilian 

deaths. 

The common denominator in the above comparisons to today is they are all “conventional” wars. “America’s New War” has been referenced to the “crusades,” and a “campaign ” or an “action,” the terms used historically for incursions into other countries when “war” is not politically correct. In this war all the military and patriotic rhetoric that have been used in past wars are present again. Today’s military-industrial complex, inherited from W.W.II, is making full use of the hardware capacity accumulated from pork-barrel Defense Department budgets that focus on modern warfare technology, but conventional in concept: bomb “them” into submission, use minimal ground forces, and get out. 

We need a new strategy that incorporates a geo-historic-cultural-political-moral concern for civilians. The proposed “Department of Peace” may not be too late to save us from retaliations from other terrorist cells, loss of support from the Muslim world, and alienation from those who normally are our allies. The admonitions and cautions about fighting terrorism have been heard long before Sept. 11, and immediately following the W.T.C. attack we were reminded again: the “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth” avenging of our losses on 9-11 can not justify fighting world terrorism conventionally. 

Terror is a bitter pill, composed of fear, anger, hate, and the inevitable retaliation, and it never tastes good. War is for cowards – shoot if it moves, ask questions later. To do otherwise is to the disadvantage of the soldier. Our nation will better endure by exercising our power of social, economic, and environmental justice for all. The escalation of the war in Afghanistan is too close to reality to allow the “old guard” unquestioned power. There are alternatives, if we stop, look, and listen. 

Ken Norwood is a Berkeley resident. 

Robert L. Smith, a Berkeley resident since 1950, served as a medic in the 28th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1945. He aided the wounded in combat, helping to liberate Paris. Smith served approximately two months after the D-Day landings. 

Robert L. Smith’s new book, “Medic!” A WWII Combat Medic Remembers, chronicles his entry into the army, his plethora of experiences on the battlefield and some events he went through immediately after returning home – such as even though he was a discharged veteran with a Purple Heart, he was not yet 21 years old and too young to qualify for a California driver’s license.  

In the latter part of Smith’s book, he describes returning to Europe with his wife, Fran, in 1997-98. The Smiths travelled through many of the same areas he’d been half a century earlier. Fran’s photographs reference and counterpoint the fact-filled text.  

While the book reads, in part, like a really long post card, the story is riveting in parts and is almost always engaging.  

A quiet strength and steady bravery inform Smith’s voice. 

Smith’s comments about K rations, the combination of terror and tedium soldiers experienced and the forms of segregation he witnessed are sobering.  

Smith describes many of the individuals he came into contact with. 

Smith eloquently tells of the moral strength and honor shown by some American soldiers. For instance, Smith describes Caleb A. Converse, a litter bearer from Columbus, Ga.: “A slow, steady person who consistently was brave. Every night Converse carried out our critical cases on his back, one at a time, making three or four separate trips down the hill and across the fields and river to safety on the American side. He did something that none of the rest of us would do. Yet he did it voluntarily, never asking for help. He simply went on saving the lives of men who otherwise would not have survived.” 

Smith also describes the actions of some of the enemy soldiers and civilians he came into contact with. At one point an enemy soldier told Smith, in perfect English, that he is behind enemy lines and sent Smith in another direction, which probably saved his life.  

Smith’s perspective as a medic puts him in the center of both the physical and spiritual action. A medic’s job is to be heroic. As Smith explains: “Anyone else could yell for the medic, but I was the medic.”  

Smith portrays the challenges of trying to save lives in the heat of battle. Medics are called upon to provide immediate relief to injured soldiers during combat. The wounded call to them. Sometimes medics have the skills and materials they need to disinfect wounds and immediately affect the balance of life vs. death. At other times a medic’s skills and desire to bring relief are insufficient to remediate devastating damage.  

Smith writes: “I had gone to war full of conviction and came out having lost my naivete about some things that had previously been absolutes.” 

As we see in All Quiet On the Western Front, the classic WWI novel by Erich Maria Remarque, going to war is unlike any other human experience. And there are some stories only a warrior can tell. 

Sari Friedman teaches writing at local colleges and can be reached at literate2@earthlink.net 

924 Gilman St. 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 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. 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. 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. 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.

After a heartbreaking loss to rival Kennedy last week, the St. Mary’s High football team needed a game to get out some aggression while keeping everyone healthy. A game with Albany was just what the doctor ordered. 

St. Mary’s jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead against the Cougars on Friday afternoon and cruised home with a 34-6 win. Tailback Trestin George ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries and quarterback Steve Murphy threw for two scores to wide receiver Courtney Brown in the victory. 

“We knew if we played a good first half that we could get ahead of them,” St. Mary’s head coach Jay Lawson said. “It’s nice to get an easy win once in a while.” 

The Panthers (4-4 overall, 2-1 BSAL) came into the game looking to put heat on Albany quarterback Harold Lueders, and they did just that. They sacked Lueders three times in the first quarter, including two by linebacker Omarr Flood, and knocked him out of the game early in the second quarter. His replacements, J.P. Koehn and Garin Hecht, were clearly in over their heads, completing just 6-of-23 for 83 yards with Lueders on the bench with a possible separated shoulder. Koehn, who played most of the second half, also threw two interceptions, including one that George returned 100 yards for a score. 

“We have better athletes in our secondary than they have at receiver,” Lawson said. “We thought our defensive backs could man up and let us get a lot of heat on the quarterback, and we did that.” 

Flood, who also had an interception to go with his two sacks, enjoyed the freedom to blitz for most of the game. 

“Being aggressive is the name of the game on defense,” he said. “We sent them a message that we weren’t playing out there.” 

Linebacker Julian Taylor got the ball rolling with a punt block on Albany’s (3-5, 0-3) opening possession, giving the St. Mary’s offense the ball on the 23-yard line. Two plays later, Murphy threw a quick pass to Brown, who juked one defender and found the end zone to open the scoring. 

George came up big on the next drive, running three times for 54 yards. In fact, the entire series was on the ground, as St. Mary’s ran the ball seven times for 78 yards. George finished the drive with a spectacular 19-yard touchdown run during which he broke five tackles and destroyed one Albany defender on his way to the end zone. In fact, it looked as if George was actually looking for defenders to hit instead of the other way around. 

“I was just hungry to run somebody over,” George said. “I lowered my shoulder, then put on a little shake. Then the last guy stepped up and I hit him as hard as I could.” 

Brown put on a show of his own early in the second quarter, taking a short pass over the middle and turning it into a 55-yard score, juking two defenders and racing up the right sideline to make the score 22-0, a lead the Panthers took into halftime. 

The second half was a slow-paced affair, with the Panthers looking to run out the clock and Albany unable to get anything going on offense. George took control early with runs of 19 and 20 yards on the first drive of the half, capping it with a nine-yard touchdown run. 

Albany answered back with a good drive, keyed by a screen pass to running back Michael Estis for 34 yards that put the ball inside the St. Mary’s 10. Estis scored from a yard out sson after for Albany’s lone score of the day.  

But the next Albany drive turned into George’s interception return, and it was clear there would be no comeback. All that was left was the self-destruction of the Albany offense, including an unforced fumble that St. Mary’s Jerrell Booker recovered and an easy interception by safety Jason Bolden-Anderson.

In the wake of Principal Frank Lynch’s departure last week, Berkeley High School’s vice principals will run the school as a team until a new principal can be found.  

“(We) built the model being optimistic that we could get someone by second semester, but if we couldn’t, it could certainly go through the end of the year,” Superintendent Michele Lawrence said. 

Vice principals Mary Ann Valles and Laura Leventer will be co-principals, vice principal Mike Hassett will primarily oversee the ninth-grade program, and Executive Vice Principal Larry Lee will oversee day-to-day operations and discipline. 

In addition, the district placed job announcements Thursday for two new deans, who will oversee student discipline and report to Lee. 

“We’ve had deans in the past, but it is a new position,” said Chris Lim, the associate superintendent for instruction. 

District administrators met with Berkeley High staff on Wednesday to unveil a detailed list of the duties for each of the vice principals. 

Valles, who led the San Francisco schools technology program until coming to Berkeley High last summer, will primarily look after attendance, grades, and student services. Among those are counseling and the Student Learning Center, which provides tutoring. She will also continue to act as liaison to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges as the school struggles to be renew its accreditation next fall. 

Leventer, the high school’s former math department chairwoman, will coordinate scheduling, field trips, the Web site and “E-tree,” assemblies, clubs, and relations with the Parent Teacher Student Association. She has been designated lead contact person for parents and the press. 

Hassett, a longtime English department chair before taking on his administrative post, will be the lead person on testing in addition to the ninth-grade retention programs, including the new Critical Pathways program, which is intended to remedy the “achievement gap” among African-American and Latino students. 

“Don’t be deceived by the short list of tasks he has,” Leventer wrote in a community e-mail Thursday. “This is probably the most challenging job there is and Mike is the most qualified for it.” 

Lee, who served as interim principal for three years before Lynch’s predecessor, Teresa Saunders, will manage the buildings and everything from disaster preparedness to relations with the Shattuck Avenue merchants and others in the surrounding community.  

Lawrence said she had decided against hiring an interim principal this time because she was “concerned... not to throw another variable into a school that has had so many over this period of time. And seeing how well the four administrators work together, I was convinced that that relationship could sustain the school.” 

Lawrence said during recent meetings with representatives of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which has demanded changes at the school before renewing its accreditation next fall, she has pared down the 11 areas of concern it cited last spring to five: Discipline and safety, attendance, decision-making processes and collaboration, retaining low-achieving ninth-graders and teacher training. 

These goals, she said, would be spread among the vice principals. 

“I felt that by more clearly aligning the responsibilities that each of them could shepherd through one of those important aspects of meeting the WASC requirements,” Lawrence said. 

The new plan also calls for a “shared governance committee,” made up of teachers, administrators, and small school leaders, with the power to vote on school policy and longer-term decisions. 

“There will be command decisions that will be made by the co-principals and vice principals, but a lot of decisions you want more input from staff members,” said Leventer. “There’s always been something where teachers felt they didn’t have a voice in administrative decisions and they wanted a sub-group. What we’re doing here is to pull that subgroup into the administrative body in order to be more focused.” 

The shared governance committee will have a representative from the School Site Council, mandated by the state to oversee staff development and the site plan. It will combine functions of an older shared governance committee that lacked decision-making power and another made up of department district chairs. 

Teachers are to elect three of their own to the committee: one representing the union, another the Parent Teacher Student Association, and another “at large,” Leventer said. 

“We actually want teachers to come up with the system to do that, since it shouldn’t come from administrators,” she said.  

A teacher who asked that her name not be used said the new plan suits the school better than having a single principal. 

“I think they’re working towards a model that we should look at as a permanent plan for administration,” the teacher said. “I think a cadre or team is a much better model for a school this size.” 

School Board President Terry Doran said the board and superintendent needed to look at the principal’s job in its current form and “ask what are the aspects of the job that are driving people away.” 

“We need to solve that and come up with some answers before we begin trying to find a new principal,” Doran said.

Editor, 

The loud groans heard across the East Bay last week were from local Green activists upon hearing Audie Bock announce for Congress. Though her departure from the Greens to the Democrats improved both parties, let there be no doubt; the local, state and national Green Party supports Barbara Lee and her brave vote against a blank check for war making. Audie Bock threw away the only constituency she ever had when she left the Green party and it was a slap in the face to a lot of hard working people. 

She obviously didn’t hear the voice of the voters when she failed to get re-elected, and like any other politician needing another campaign, she seems to think she can go to Washington on the back of a brave congessional leader besieged during troubled times. As one who groaned the loudest, I want to apologize to the voters of the 16th District for foisting Audie on them in the first place. In politics, sometimes you get a lemon. 

Hank Chapot 

Oakland 

Playing the best they have all year, the Berkeley Yellowjackets destroyed Encinal on Friday night, forcing five turnovers and holding the Jets to 103 yards of offense in a 47-0 win. 

The ’Jackets (4-3 overall, 3-0 ACCAL) were a team on a mission against the Jets, and it showed in their pure aggression in all facets of the game. They scored on plays of 45, 29, 23 and 20 yards on offense, as well as getting their first defensive touchdown of the season, a 75-yard interception return by linebacker Leonard Scarborough in the third quarter. The Berkeley defense was flying all over the field, punishing the Encinal running backs every time they touched the ball and breaking up several passes with huge hits. 

“I can’t imagine it happening any better for us,” Berkeley head coach Matt Bissell said. “One player makes a good play, and it’s contagious. Everyone wants to get it on it. It’s like a mob mentality.” 

The game was clearly out of hand by the second half, and the Encinal (3-4, 3-2) coaches waved the white flag by asking the officials to let the clock run before the fourth quarter began. 

The ’Jackets had their long passing game working on Friday, with quarterback Raymond Pinkston hooking up with wideout Sean Young for nearly identical touchdown passes of 45 and 29 yards, both fly patterns into the right corner of the end zone. Young, who runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds, has become the deep threat that the ‘Jackets need to keep teams from ganging up on their stable of running backs. 

“Raymond and I are just hooked up right now. We practice it all the time and now we’ve got it down perfectly,” Young said. 

The one-two punch of tailbacks Germaine Baird and Craig Hollis has become a potent one. Baird ran for 95 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, while Hollis crammed 72 yards and a score into just four carries. Throw in fullbacks Aaron Boatwright and Roger Mason, who each scored touchdowns themselves, and the ’Jackets piled up 228 yards on the ground. 

But while the offense has come to life in the last four games, the Berkeley defense really broke through with a big game against a tough opponent. Besides the five turnovers, the ’Jackets held Encinal’s senior running back, DeAndre Geen, to just 68 yards on 21 carries, and completely shut down the Jets’ passing game, allowing just five completions for 15 yards. 

Several Berkeley players said the game was a statement directed at ACCAL rival Pinole Valley, the league’s other undefeated team. The two will clash in two weeks in the regular season finale for both teams. 

“We want Pinole to look at this score and know we ain’t backing down,” said linebacker Akeem Brown, who had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on Friday. “We want them to know we’re coming for them.” 

“It’s just between us and Pinole now,” defensive end/kicker Greg Mitchell said. “We thought this would be a big game, but now we know it’s all about the last game.” 

Bissell said he wants his players to concentrate on next week’s game against Richmond, but realizes that may be unrealistic. 

“Obviously we’ve got the Pinole game looming ahead of us, so it’s hard not to look past Richmond,” he said. “But we’ve got our eyes on the league title, and we have to take it one game at a time.” 

NOTES: The Berkeley-De Anza game postponed earlier this season will not be rescheduled, the league announced this week... In junior varsity action, Berkeley defeated Encinal 24-12 on Friday. 

Century-old trees diagnosed with Dutch elm disease  

Neighbors on quiet, tree-lined Elmwood Avenue are preparing themselves for the removal of the street’s namesake – 100-year-old American elm trees that have been diagnosed with the relentless Dutch elm disease. 

“We understand that the trees have to come down,” said neighbor Naomi Janowitz. “We’re just in mourning over them.” 

Residents on Elmwood Avenue, located in the southeast Berkeley “Elmwood District,” say they are concerned about what type of tree will be planted in place of the stately elms that have characterized the neighborhood for the last 90 years. 

Jerry Koch, the city’s senior forestry supervisor, said Berkeley is working with neighbors to try and determine what type of tree to plant in place of the elms. 

“We’re trying to work with the neighborhood to come up with a suitable species that will be resistant to disease,” he said. “We do have guidelines though, we are not going to plant a redwood tree in a two-foot plot.” 

Koch said whatever the new trees are, they will have to be compatible with the homes, utilities and sidewalks in the neighborhood. “We want to put in a beautiful tree that will be there for a good number of years.” he said. “But the city will be responsible for maintenance, trimming branches and repairing damaged sidewalks and utility wires, so we’re not going to get ridiculous about it.” 

Koch is meeting with a group of neighbors Sunday and says he will present them with a frontier elm, which the city has been planting in other sections of town. 

However, neighbors say they are not yet sold on the frontier elm, which only grows to 40 feet, much shorter than the American elm. They said they may consider the liberty elm, which grows as high as 100 feet, might be a more appropriate replacement. 

The American elms were diagnosed with Dutch elm disease last year. Caused by a fungus, the disease is transmitted by two species of bark beetles.  

Once the fungus is established within a tree, it spreads rapidly via its water-conducting vessels. The presence of the fungus damages the vessels, which causes the tree to wilt and eventually die.  

The first known case of Dutch elm disease was discovered in Ohio more than 70 years ago. It has now spread throughout North America and has destroyed more than half the elm trees in the northern United Sates. 

So far, only one tree has been felled on Elmwood Avenue. Janowitz pointed to a tree, marked with a blotch of red paint, across the street from her home.  

“That one comes down on Monday,” she said.  

The only elm tree not being cut down on Janowitz’s street is the one in front of her home. She said she is glad it is still healthy because her 10-year-old son, Noah, likes to watch the squirrels and hawks that nest in the tree from his bedroom window.  

Another neighbor, who declined to give her name, said she feared that whatever trees replace the American elms would be about five feet tall and grow at a rate of one foot or so a year. 

“In other words we’ll all be dead before we see trees like this again,” she said with an upward nod.

Editor: 

Though I support Barbara Lee's lone stand in Congress, I can understand that there are others who may disagree. I urge them to support an opposition candidate who speaks from principle rather than Audie Bock who, by her shameless exploitation of patriotism, war fever, and human tragedy, has once again shown herself to be a well-lubed weathervane that turns in the direction of big money. 

Gray Brechin

Ripmaster scores game’s only goal as Bears win upset 

The California men’s soccer team outlasted the fourth-ranked Huskies, 1-0, Friday afternoon at Edwards Stadium in its Pac-10 home opener.  

California drew first blood as senior Austin Ripmaster slipped past two defenders and launched a shot from 20 feet out at 18:28 for his team-leading fifth goal of the season. It turned out to be the game winning goal as the Bears went on to win, 1-0, against their sixth nationally ranked opponent this season.  

“We were pushing hard to make their defense give us the ball on the counter-attack,” said Ripmaster. “Angel (Quintero) and (Chris) Roner stepped up, played it to Carl who slotted it perfectly with me and the keeper for a one-on-one chance. I was able to slip it past him.”  

UW had two great opportunities in the half. The first came in the 29th minute as Seth Marsh took a shot that went just over the cross bar.  

The other chance came when a shot was misdirected, landing in front of Kyle Fukuchi just five yards from goal. Kyle Navarro came to the defense as Saunders dove in to salvage an otherwise sure score.  

In the second stanza, the Huskies came out strong, forcing Cal back on its heels. UW controlled possession for most of the first five minutes but the Bears staved off the initial wave of attacks and settled in allowing five shots on goal the rest of the way. The battle was at midfield in what ultimately turned out to be a defensive battle in the second half for both sides.  

“Washington came out strong in the second half and put a lot of pressure on us” said coach Kevin Grimes. “We weren’t able to capitalize on the counterattack but our defense played solidly and we came out with the win.”  

The Bears defeated a ranked opponent for the second time this season after edging No. 14 San Jose State, 3-2, on Sept. 16. Cal hosts Oregon State Sunday at 2 p.m. at Edwards Stadium.

SAN FRANCISCO – At Berkeley’s Alta Bates Medical Center – and at hospitals across the country – panicked people are showing up, wanting to be tested for exposure to anthrax. 

“There’s a lot of anxiety-mongering going on out there, and the media are fanning the flames,” said Carolyn Kemp, spokesperson for Alta Bates. “It’s a scary time, and there’s a lot of incorrect information out there.” 

Judging by the concerns of infectious disease experts gathered this week across the Bay, the problem is growing. 

Sunday is the last day of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s 39th annual meeting, which was held Oct. 25 - Oct. 28 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center.  

Bioterrorism – previously scheduled as a small part of the conference – has understandably become the focus of this year’s event. 

A hastily-planned slate of events geared toward answering questions in the wake of the current anthrax scare started off Friday with a well-attended discussion led by two experts on bioterrorism. 

The question-and-answer session, which will be repeated this morning, was led by James Snyder, an anthrax expert from the University of Louisville, and Maj. Jon Woods, a doctor in the United States Air Force. 

As they took questions from the audience, it was apparent that many of those in attendance are under pressure from the public to administer anthrax tests and antibiotics – even when it is inadvisable. 

“Nasal swabs are not that productive except for epidemiological purposes,” said Snyder. 

Woods agreed. 

“(Nasal swabs) are really not useful for deciding who should receive treatment,” he said. “It’s foolhardy to use them to decide if a person is going to receive prophylactic (treatment).” 

But many in the audience said they are having a hard time convincing the public. 

One man, who works in Long Island, New York, said he is being pressured by unions. 

“Two of the unions in our area represent a lot of postal workers,” he said. “They are not asking but demanding to be given a nasal swab.” 

He said he explains to them the uselessness of the swab for disease detection, but “their response is: ‘Are you not going to know until the first person dies?’” 

The answer, at least for now, seems to be yes. 

“We don’t know who the future targets are going to be,” said Woods. “You can’t do swabs on 260 million people. So for now, that first person in a new group is unfortunately going to be very hard to save.” 

Many in the audience – most of whom never work with bioterrorism – attended out of curiosity. 

Suzanne Phelps, 33, of Alameda said the discussion of nasal swabs “did kind of surprise me. But it makes sense when I think about it. You don’t want to go give swabs to the whole state of New York, but you don’t want to make the search so narrow that you miss anyone.” 

Phelps works for an Oakland project which studies infectious diseases – but not anthrax. She said she understands the public concern but also sees how, in excess, it could itself become a problem. 

“You have to look at the risk of exposure, “ she said. “Right now, if you’re not in Florida, Washington, D.C., New York or New Jersey, you’re not at risk. And you’re just taxing important resources if you insist on being tested.” 

Kemp agreed. The Berkeley hospital instituted a bioterrorism response plan early last year, she said, and is prepared to deal with both real threats and panic. 

“If you come in and you’re worried that you feel sick, and you’re afraid the white powder next to the coffee machine might have made you sick, we need to find that out,” said Kemp. 

Editor: 

Having lived in Albany for over 70 years, my memories go back to old John Glavinovich, our Town Marshall prior to the new City Charter. He stood on the corner of San Pablo and Solano, directed traffic and escorted children across the street. In 1927, the new City Charter gave John the title of Chief of Police. He oversaw 3 persons, 2 of whom were motorcycle officers, without radios. Woe to the person who exceeded 25 miles per hour in Albany, as tough cop Frank Davis mercilessly gave out tickets. 

The Charter made the Chief's office elective, as did most small cities in those days. We in Albany have been fortunate to have had citizens living in Albany who had the qualities to head a small town department. As cities grew, most every city found that to obtain qualified chiefs, they had to select them from outside their boundaries. Only two cities in all of California still elect their Chief, one being Albany. To select a Chief for a modern department with all its complexities and problems, a city had to advertise the opening, demanding experience and qualifications, just as we do now for our Chief Administrative Officer, Public Works and Zoning Officers. 

By voting "YES" on Measure C, we do not give up any voting rights. After our present Chief retires, Measure C would allow our duly elected representatives on the Albany City Council to select a qualified experienced person from amongst a pool of applicants, who are screened and interviewed as to qualifications to head our department. Would we give up any rights as citizens if Measure C passed? A hearty NO! At present anyone having a non-police problem in the city can complain at weekly City Council meetings and have a hearing. If we have an unresponsive Council, we can elect new Councilpersons every two years, with persons who will listen to the citizens. On the other hand, at present, what citizen not satisfied with any action of the Police Department, would have the temerity to criticize the Police Department or its Chief should they have a problem. They would have to wait for four years to make any kind of change via an election. 

How long can we be so fortunate as to have qualified applicants for chief living in the city? The answer is to keep our Police Department out of politics and let our elected City Council and its Chief Administrative 

Officer handle the administration of every department of the city while allowing each Department Head to perform his or her duties. For Albany's future we must adopt Measure C by voting YES! 

Jerome Blank,  

former councilman and mayor 

Albany

SACRAMENTO — California voters will act on six ballot measures when they go to the polls for the March 5 primary election, state officials said Friday. 

The measures include five proposals put on the ballot by the Legislature and an initiative that would extend term limits to allow lawmakers to serve up to four more years. 

That proposal will be Proposition 45, the secretary of state’s office said. 

Also appearing on the ballot will be: 

— Proposition 40, a $2.6 billion bond measure to pay for park, clean-air and a variety of other environmental programs. 

— Proposition 41, which would allow the sale of $200 million in bonds to buy updated voting equipment. 

— Proposition 42, a constitutional amendment that would earmark gasoline sales taxes for transportation programs. 

— Proposition 43, which would create a constitutional guarantee that a voter’s vote will be counted. 

— Proposition 44, a measure to crack down on auto insurance fraud. 

The numbering of propositions for an election generally starts where the previous election left off, although legislators can designate numbers for the measures they put on the ballot. 

The numbering reverts to Proposition 1 every 10 years. 

———— 

On the Net: Read the legislation — AB1602, AB56, ACA4, ACA9 of 2001 and SB1988 of 2000 — at www.senate.ca.gov and the initiative at www.ss.ca.gov 

Editor: 

I have received several very angry e-mail messages lately, trashing Berkeley, and one even calling me a traitor for living in this city. I now have a standard reply, and here it is: 

A lot of very irresponsible and erroneous news stories about Berkeley have appeared in nationally known and respected newspapers since destruction of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Contrary to what you may have heard or read: 

There have been no pro-bin Laden or pro-Taliban rallies in Berkeley! There are no stores in Berkeley with pictures of Osama bin Laden or Mohammed Omar (the head of the Taliban) in their windows. 

Berkeley is well-known for it’s left-wing politics. The people who run the government of Afghanistan torture and murder leftists, socialists, and communists. 

The domestic policies of the Taliban are universally despised in Berkeley. In Afghanistan, the penalty for teaching girls to read is death. Women are prohibited from working outside their homes, even if they are starving and work is the only way they can earn money to buy food. Flying a kite is punishable by death. (I don’t know why. I can’t figure that one out.) Homosexuals are publicly executed by dropping concrete blocks or collapsing walls on them. 

Anyone who thinks that policies like these are popular in Berkeley or that they are supported by anyone in Berkeley city government has absolutely no idea what Berkeley is really like! 

Also, despite claims to the contrary, there have been no fund-raisers in Berkeley for Osama bin Laden or the Taliban. Bin Laden is a millionaire many times over. Nobody is quite sure how much he is worth, but it’s more money than he’s going to spend in his lifetime. 

The Taliban controls and taxes opium production. Half the world’s heroin originates in Afghanistan, and the Taliban makes billions of dollars a year in opium taxes. 

Why would people in Berkeley (or anywhere else) hold fund-raisers for people like this?!? It’s utterly ridiculous! 

The attack on the World Trade Center saddens, angers, and frustrates us all. We don’t know who is responsible. The people who hijacked the airplanes on Sept. 11 are all dead and can’t be punished or even questioned. I don’t know who to blame either, but there is no point in blaming Berkeley. 

Mark Tarses 

Berkeley

Shortly after midnight Wednesday, two armed robbers held up the Office Depot store at 1025 Gilman Street, according to Berkeley Police Department Spokesperson Lt. Cynthia Harris. 

The men approached two employees as they closed the store for the night. They forced the employees back inside the store and made them hand over an undisclosed amount of cash. No merchandise was taken. 

The suspects are described as black males in their 20s, one around 6 feet tall and 170 pounds., the other around 5 feet 6 inches tall and 160 pounds. Both were wearing black, hooded, long-sleeve sweatshirts, baggy black jeans and black tennis shoes. Both carried handguns. 

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the BPD Robbery Detail at 981-5742. 

Three juvenile females robbed a purse from a woman near the corner of Shattuck and University avenues on Wednesday at 9:45 a.m., according to Harris. 

One asked the woman for the time as she walked down the street. When the woman stopped to check her watch, another juvenile allegedly reached into a bag the woman was carrying and pulled out her purse. The three then fled on foot. 

Police have no suspects at this time. 

There were reports of shots fired Tuesday evening. 

Many neighbors near the corner of Derby and Milvia Streets reported hearing a series of gunshots around 9:40 p.m. One witness said he saw what appeared to be one male firing at another.  

Police were unable to find any suspects or victims in the neighborhood. 

Editor: 

We all seek peace, for ourselves, our families, our nation, and indeed, the world. Our nation is engaged in a national debate on how we achieve that peace. The City Council resolution asks that we work to break the cycle of violence and urges that we make an investment in our security, in achieving peace.  

The loss of innocent lives at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in the destroyed aircraft is a horrifying shock to people throughout the world. Our hearts go out to the victims, to their families, and to their friends, who have suffered so deeply. We are a nation in mourning.  

We need to ask how the perpetrators could have reached such levels of hatred and frustration. The explanation that they are brainwashed by a perverted leader who holds seemingly magical power over them has to be a dangerous simplification. Such anger can only have been constructed over time, through a combination of historical events resulting in a deep sense of threat and sustained exclusion. Our nation’s response has everything to do with whether we reinforce this alienation and thus provide the soil, seeds, and nutrients for future cycles of revenge and violence. Or whether it changes. 

Our enemies believe they are fighting an evil system that wishes to eradicate them and their people. We need to destroy this myth, not their people. Military action that attacks already vulnerable civilian populations will sow more hatred, confirming those who regard us as evil and nurturing yet another generation of recruits prepared to attack us at all cost.  

Monumental times require monumental change. Now is the time for a different, an unexpected, response from the United States. Countries like Pakistan, Tajikistan, and yes, Iran and Syria should be approached by the West, and especially by the United States, with a question of strategic importance: How can we help you meet the fundamental needs of your people? The single greatest pressure we can put on our enemies now is to remove the justification for their “holy” war. We can overcome terror by making it irrelevant. Let’s do exactly what our enemies do not expect. Let’s seek justice, of course, but at the same time work vigorously to create a different future, one that does not breed hatred and make the world unsafe for Americans everywhere. 

Our global challenge is how to engage others effectively to ensure a new kind of future, a future based on the life-affirming ethics that are present in every cultural tradition. Our challenge is to engage with people everywhere, deeply respecting their own traditions and religious beliefs, to help them meet their own fundamental needs. Such an effort will bequeath to the generation of our children’s children a legacy far more secure than could result from any amount of military might. The current situation poses an unprecedented opportunity for this to happen. Let us have the wisdom and strength to rise to it, to seize the opportunity to construct a better future for ourselves and, indeed, the world. 

We need to respond to well-organized, decentralized, self-perpetuating sources of terror by thinking and acting differently. Our enemies are now counting on us to strike back, harm the innocent, and create more desperate and lasting rage. Let us not fulfill their prophecy by providing them with the martyrs and justifications they need. They changed the face of war. They entered our lives by turning our own tools against us. We will not win peace, justice, or security with the traditional weapons of war. We need to change the terms of engagement.  

Linda Maio 

city councilmember 

with help from John Paul Lederac

SAN FRANCISCO — Transit officials will have to pay more than $1 million for stopping construction on a project near the airport while wildlife officials investigated a rare dead snake found at the site. 

In all, $1.07 million will be paid by Bay Area Rapid Transit to Tutor-Saliba/Slattery, the construction company that was working near San Francisco International Airport. 

Work on the BART extension project was halted for 18 days after an endangered San Francisco garter snake was discovered dead at the site. 

The pencil-thin snake, which has a turquoise blue belly and vivid red and black stripes, is listed as endangered by the state. It also is found in parts of San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, where it lives primarily in ponds, creeks, marshes and meadows. 

State Department of Fish and Game sleuths were unable to figure out who was responsible for the snake’s death, so BART will pay the bill for stopping construction. 

“Nobody has ever been able to find out what happened to the snake,” said BART spokesman Mike Healy. “There was no evidence that the contractor or anyone was directly at fault.” 

BART already has spent close to $6 million to comply with environmental laws. The transit agency captured and relocated 77 snakes during construction near wetlands in San Bruno. Those snakes have been returned to their original habitat. 

New safety standards were set after the dead garter snake was discovered. The speed limit in the construction area was slowed to 10 mph and workers now arrive at the site by bus rather than in their personal vehicles to limit snake squishings. 

Extending the BART transit line to San Francisco Airport is estimated to cost $1.48 billion and be completed by December 2002. 

Editor: 

Whether the Berkeley City Council passes resolutions or not; whether we, as individuals, support or reject these resolutions; whether we are vocal or silent on the issue of the United States attacking or not attacking Osama bin Laden and the Taliban forces in Afghanistan ? What difference does it make? 

I am not a Christian, nor do I follow any religion. But I do believe in cause and effect, and so do the various scriptures. In the King James version of the Bible, in Galatians 6:7, it is written “For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” 

What happened in New York on Sept. 11, 2001 was an effect. The bombing of Taliban forces in Afghanistan is also an effect. Whatsoever Osama bin Laden sowed, it is certain that he shall also reap. Whatsoever anyone of us sows today, that too shall he or she reap. 

It should be somewhat obvious, then, that every moment of our lives we are simply receiving our just harvest. And if this is true, then the issue at hand isn’t one of religion or politics, but rather of agriculture! We can be more careful what we sow. 

Carl da Costa 

Berkeley

OAKLAND — A San Francisco International Airport air traffic controller who had been struggling with a series of personal and financial problems pleaded guilty Friday to a bank robbery spree. 

Rick Lee Davis, 43, the president of the air traffic controllers’ union local, changed his plea after originally pleading innocent. He pleaded guilty Friday to six counts of bank robbery. 

Davis, nicknamed the Robust Robber because of his stocky build, was arrested Aug. 3 after a spree of nine Bay Area bank robberies over a 10-month period. Police say he made off with $40,000. 

He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 15. Davis faces a sentence of 120 years in prison. 

Davis had been working as an air traffic controller at SFO since 1998, earning $98,000 a year. In 1996, Davis was seriously hurt when his car hit a cow in Hawaii, where he had been living with his wife and two sons. Davis later divorced and filed for bankruptcy. 

Editor 

I am also against war and for quick conclusion to the problems instead of killing poor people and achieving nothing.  

I am with your city and will support you in all possible ways and I am very sure most of the Americans are also with your city. It’s just few crazy people trying to ruin the reputation of the city and trying to scare the people by saying they will boycott Berkeley. I am sure that not even they have the guts to boycott Berkeley because I am sure they will not survive without Berkeley.  

I am very proud of people of Berkeley and wish them to keep up the good work. 

Satnam Bains 

Yuba City

SACRAMENTO — Demand for electricity in California has been so low at times that the state has had to give away power and even pay utilities to take it, according to state financial records. 

The state lost a total of $26 million in its first three months of trading power on the daily wholesale electricity market as demand and prices declined, documents released this week show. 

“They’re selling electricity that taxpayers paid for at 10 cents on the dollar,” said Harvey Rosenfield of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. 

State officials say Gov. Gray Davis’ power-trading program averted blackouts this summer. 

The state began buying power in January but didn’t begin selling it until April when the daily scramble to meet power needs eased. 

State traders gave away a total of 1,414 megawatt-hours. 

A few times the state had to pay a utility to take the excess power in order to avoid paying penalties that the operator of the state’s power grid charges for dumping surplus electricity, said Oscar Hidalgo, spokesman for the state Department of Power. 

DWR is the state department charged with managing the state’s power buys. The state stepped in to purchase power on behalf of three utilities in January, when high wholesale electricity prices led the companies to the brink of bankruptcy. 

SAN FRANCISCO — Hours after President Bush signed an anti-terrorism bill granting police unprecedented powers Friday, a former Ukrainian prime minister on trial here argued the new legislation proves he did not commit a crime on U.S. soil. 

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavel Lazarenko is on trial for allegedly laundering millions of dollars in the United States with money obtained by extorting or bribing Ukrainian businesses, according to a grand jury indictment unsealed in July. 

In a court hearing Friday, Lazarenko’s attorneys urged a federal judge to dismiss the case. 

They argued that the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001 broadens money-laundering crimes that were not expressly outlawed when Lazarenko was accused.  

That means he cannot be prosecuted because it was not a crime before Friday’s law was created, said Lazarenko’s attorney Dennis P. Riordan. 

Senate amendments to the bill for the first time include acts “for money laundering, the very conduct by a foreign official with which Lazarenko is charged in the pending indictment,” Riordan argued. 

Wearing brown jail smocks, Lazarenko sat quietly and listened to the two-hour proceedings translated through a Russian-language interpreter. 

Riordan argued that prior to the new law, money laundering was only a crime for foreign public officials in the United States if the money was obtained through extortion or drug deals — not bribery. 

The package Bush signed Friday changed that to also criminalize money obtained through bribery. 

Federal prosecutors said Lazarenko can still be prosecuted under the old law because he extorted millions from Ukrainian businesses. Extortion, the government maintained Friday, is the same as bribery. 

“For this case, Congress didn’t need to make the amendment,” argued Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha Boersch. 

But Lazarenko’s attorneys said the U.S. Supreme Court has outlined extortion as a “violent or terrorist act” for which Lazarenko is not accused. Some charges allege Lazarenko took money from businesses, which in return received government favors. 

U.S. District Judge Martin Jenkins said he would rule on the dispute before Nov. 20. 

Lazarenko is a political centrist who fled his country for the United States in February 1999. He was named prime minister in 1996 by Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, serving 13 months before losing a power struggle. 

He fled to the United States after the Ukrainian government accused him of stealing about $2 million. Lazarenko has maintained the accusations were part of an attempt by his enemies, including Kuchma, to silence political opposition. 

The U.S. government has accused Lazarenko of conspiring to transfer about $200 million in ill-gotten funds to U.S. bank and brokerage accounts to conceal their origin. 

Officials want forfeiture of Lazarenko’s 41-room home in Novato, north of San Francisco, and the laundered money. 

In February, meanwhile, Ukrainian prosecutors instituted a criminal case against opposition leader and former Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Tymoshenko, who was dismissed by Kuchma in mid-January after prosecutors accused her of wide-scale corruption. She is charged with paying millions of dollars in bribes to Lazarenko. 

The case argued Friday is United States v. Lazarenko, CR-000284. 

Editor: 

In this time of intense patriotism, who among us is truly ready to risk death for our freedoms? I suspect that many people deeply believe that they are. But which freedoms will they risk death to preserve? The freedom of privacy? Of habeas corpus? Of speech? Of free assembly? Of free expression? The freedom from unreasonable search and seizure? Are we willing to risk death at the hands of terrorists as the price of these freedoms? 

I see many people waving our flag and – remarkably – at the same time proclaiming that we must give up our constitutional freedoms in order to be safer. I see members of Congress quick to legislate away our freedoms for our safety. Where is the courage and patriotism in that? 

Now that we must chose between safety and freedom, we must not flinch if our flag is to mean anything: The courage of our convictions is being tested by history. We should let our representative know that we are not so fearful as to have them legislate away the freedoms and privacies that other generations have died to give us. 

Dennis M. Burke 

Phoenix, Arizona  

OAKLAND — Attorneys for three former Oakland police officers accused of criminal misconduct said Friday they will seek to have their clients tried outside of Alameda County. 

Michael Rains, attorney for Clarence Mabanag, said pretrial publicity in the so-called “Riders” case would make it hard to seat a panel of unbiased jurors. 

A trial date for the former police officers, Mabanag, Jude Siapno and Matthew Hornung, has not yet been set. A fourth officer, Frank Vazquez, fled soon after the investigation began. 

The officers were fired by the Oakland Police Department after they were accused of beating suspects and falsifying police reports during a two-week period in June of 2000. 

About 25 activists from the community group PUEBLO, People United for a Better Oakland, held a rally outside of the Oakland courthouse and urged a more comprehensive investigation. 

PUEBLO claims that misconduct runs rampant within the Oakland Police Department and that the investigation should not be restricted to the four defendants charged. 

SAN FRANCISCO — The Exploratorium here hosted more than a dozen of the brightest minds in the world Friday as it marked the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Prize. 

Four Nobel laureates took time to discuss the impact of the Nobel Prize. Chemist Paul Berg and economist Milton Friedman were among those who described how they earned their awards and how the prize changed their lives. 

The Nobel Prize is the most prestigious award in science, and California’s universities and research facilities lay claim to more Nobel laureates than any other place in the world. 

On Saturday, the Exploratorium hosts a live event called “Stump the Scientist,” where Nobel Prize winners will try to explain some of the curious Exploratorium exhibits for members of the public in attendance. 

SACRAMENTO — California is sending inmates to prison at a far lower rate than just a few years ago, but the prisoners are serving longer sentences, figures released Friday show. 

The number of prison inmates is expected to drop in the next two years from the current 159,114 to as low as 155,720 in mid-2003 before beginning a slow climb to about 164,620 by mid-2007. 

That’s thousands fewer inmates than prison officials predicted just six months ago. 

However, the slumping economy could boost crime and convictions beyond projections, said California Department of Corrections spokeswoman Margot Bach. 

Prison population swings tend to be cyclical, she said, and it remains unclear if the drop in imprisonments is a long- or short-term trend. 

The trend stems largely from policy decisions and runs counter to California’s rapidly growing population, said Frank Zimring, a University of California, Berkeley law professor who has studied California prisons for more than 20 years. 

For instance, most of the slowdown is in minimum- and medium-security inmates, particularly women, in large part because of a state initiative that took effect July 1 requiring treatment instead of prison or jail for first- and second-time nonviolent drug offenders. 

The drug initiative will cut the prisons’ population by about 5,440 next year and by more than 7,700 inmates by 2007, the department predicts. 

However, the state’s maximum security population, particularly inmates serving life terms and extended sentences under the three-strikes law, continues to grow, according to the department’s fall report now being reviewed by the governor’s office. Those inmates require higher security prisons and more supervision, Bach said. 

The number of inmates serving life in prison has grown from about 9,800 or 10 percent of the total population a decade ago to 20,429 or about 12.8 percent of the total today, Bach said. 

The state’s prison admission rate has also dropped significantly, from 293.5 felons per 100,000 Californians five years ago to 239.2 per 100,000 today. 

However, prison sentence length throughout the system has grown by 20 percent in less than a decade, from an average 47.9 months in 1993 to the current 54.6 months, the figures show. 

Actual time behind prison walls has grown from an average 23.6 months to 35.7 months when early release incentives and time spent in county jails prior to imprisonment are taken into account. 

That increase could partly be a function of weeding out inmates like drug offenders who would have served shorter sentences, Zimring said. 

The state’s prison population is expected to grow 6.3 percent over the next 10 years, Bach said, down sharply from the 14.5 increase in the number of inmates California saw during the 1980s. 

“California’s prison rate kept growing while the crime rate kept dropping,” said Zimring. “We were defying gravity until 1999. That’s when we stopped toughening up (anti-crime policies). That’s when the declining crime rate could catch up.” 

The 19,725 inmates who entered California prisons in the first half of this year is 4.5 percent lower than the number of incarcerations during the same period last year. 

The number of parolees returned to prison for parole violations is also fewer than projected by prison officials just six months ago. 

Bach said the drop was due to changes in police crime-fighting tactics, a state program to help recently released inmates succeed on parole, and an emphasis on keeping persons with two convictions from committing a third crime that would bring a far longer sentence under the state’s three-strikes law. 

Supervision of twice-convicted parolees was doubled so that one parole officer now oversees about 40 parolees instead of 70 or 80, Bach said. 

“We want to keep them from coming back for their third strike,” she said. 

POMONA — Rodney King, whose videotaped beating by police led to the 1992 Los Angeles riot, pleaded guilty Friday to drug-related charges and was ordered to spend a year in treatment. 

King, 36, unexpectedly entered the pleas during a brief hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court. 

King admitted to three misdemeanor counts of being under the influence of PCP and one count of indecent exposure, the district attorney’s office said in a statement. 

He was ordered to spend a year in the American Recovery Center, a live-in drug treatment facility in Pomona. 

King, who was free on $7,500 bond, checked into the center after the hearing, defense attorney Antonio J. Bestard said. 

“I think he will be successful because he wants to get rid of this,” the attorney said. “He’s had a very bad time this year.” 

“I think this was the best result,” he added. “I think the court, particularly, was very understanding.” 

Prosecutor Thomas Gowen had sought a year in county jail for King, who could have faced more than three years in jail if he had gone on trial and been convicted. 

But district attorney’s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons called the sentence acceptable. 

“It’s obvious that Mr. King needs some help and, hopefully, he’ll get it there,” she said. 

King was arrested earlier this month in Pomona for allegedly driving while under the influence of a psychedelic drug. 

On Sept. 29, he was arrested by Pomona police for allegedly being under the influence of PCP and exposing himself. 

And earlier last month, he pleaded innocent to another charge of being under the psychedelic drug, stemming from an Aug. 28 arrest by Claremont police at a hotel. 

His guilty pleas end all three cases, but he faces a Nov. 20 hearing in San Bernardino County for allegedly violating probation in a 1999 misdemeanor domestic abuse case. 

King’s 1991 videotaped beating by Los Angeles police led to the 1992 riot when a jury acquitted four officers of most state charges and deadlocked on one count. Two officers were later convicted in federal court of violating King’s civil rights. 

King won a $3.8 million settlement in a civil rights lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles. 

SAN FRANCISCO — A recent study on more than 80,000 preschoolers demonstrates a new vaccine is highly successful in preventing the bacteria that causes meningitis, one of the co-authors of the study said Friday. 

Meningitis causes about 200 deaths in preschoolers nationwide each year, and more than 1 million deaths worldwide annually among infants and toddlers. 

A vaccine to protect older children and adults against pneumococcal infections, the principal cause of meningitis, has been available for 20 years.  

But a vaccine for children younger than 2 was just approved last year. 

The valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or PNCV7, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in February 2000, but this study was the first of its effects in the general public, said Dr. Steven Black, co-director of the Kaiser Permanente Vaccine Study Center in Oakland and one of the study’s co-authors. 

Researchers say one of the most relevant findings of the study is a herd immunity effect, which means that vaccinated infants and toddlers seemed to be protecting those who had not been vaccinated. 

“It lowers the percentage of children who carry the disease in their throat,” Black said. “In fact, some evidence from the CDC shows adults are also being protected.” 

The pneumococcal bacteria can cause meningitis — an infection of the lining of the brain — which can lead to death, blindness, deafness, paralysis and learning problems. 

The bacteria also causes blood stream infections, pneumonia and middle ear infections. The bacteria is spread through close contact, including sneezing. 

“I would predict a decrease in the disease in the adult population as well,” said Black, a pediatrician with 25 years of experience, who explained that 20 percent of adults living with a young child contracts the disease — compared with only 5 percent of adults who don’t have any contact with preschoolers. 

The study will be presented Saturday during the 39th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America in San Francisco. 

“The vaccine is highly effective, it is important not only for the U.S. but also for countries in the developing world,” Black said. 

No serious side effects to the vaccine were reported during the study, Black said. Common side effects are similar to those of other vaccines and include soreness and redness at the injection site, as well as fever. 

The FDA recommends all children up to 24 months of age be given the vaccine in four doses, at 2, 4, 6 and 12 to 15 months of age.  

Black said the vaccine already is available in some countries in Europe, South America and Australia. 

HAYWARD — Exploiting a lack of checks and balances, an accountant in the Cal State-Hayward fundraising department embezzled more than $150,000 over five years, regaling himself with gifts including a personal computer and home improvements, according to a university audit. 

The employee was fired over the summer, but not before he used a series of accounting tricks to take the money beginning in July 1996, the report by the Cal State system auditor said. 

The audit, which ran from May through late September, did not use the employee’s name. It said campus police were investigating the employee, but neither spokesmen from the campus nor the system’s headquarters returned calls abut the status of that probe. 

The employee worked for Cal State-Hayward’s Educational Foundation, an organization affiliated with the campus that solicits donations from alumni and grant makers. He was the primary accountant for the foundation’s vice president. 

According to the audit, which was dated Monday, the man forged documents to buy $5,200 in personal computing equipment and made more than 40 fraudulent disbursements to get cash and pay contractors remodeling his house and credit card bills. 

The report suggested the fundraising office implement a series of tighter accounting procedures.

SAN FRANCISCO — A significant rise in syphilis infections is being driven by gay men having unprotected sex with multiple partners, according to city public health officials. 

At 116 reported infections this year through September, the caseload may not be overwhelming — but the rise is precipitous. The city’s department of public health reported just 39 cases in 1998, 47 in 1999 and 71 in 2000. 

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that can be treated with penicillin. The telltale sore often goes unnoticed, however, and over time, it can damage organs. 

The number of infections more than doubled among gay and bisexual men from 2000, according to a report city officials will deliver Saturday at the Infectious Diseases Society of America meeting in San Francisco. 

There have been 93 cases among gay or bisexual men so far this year, up from 47 last year. There were just 10 such reported cases in 1998. 

The study suggests the rise comes because gay and bisexual men are having unprotected sex with unfamiliar partners they meet in sex clubs and adult bookstores, and on the Internet. The 93 men reported having 1,225 sexual partners and could identify only 8 percent of them by name. 

Similar syphilis spikes have been reported in San Diego, Florida, Boston and Chicago, said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/ 

So you finally found the ideal general contractor for your major home-improvement or repair job. The interviews went well. The background checks checked out. You really trust this person. 

But what’s with these new faces on the job? 

They’re probably subcontractors — specialists hired by the general contractor to perform specific jobs. According to an expert who shepherds home-improvement tasks for a living, homeowners should understand their relationship and responsibilities to subcontractors. 

“Subcontractors work indirectly for the homeowner because their contract is with the general contractor,” says Michael Christy, director of market development for the Home Service Store. “Some homeowners assume the general contractor performs all the work and are surprised when other workers show up at the front door.” 

The role of the general contractor is to coordinate the project. Dozens of tasks, such as drywall, plumbing, wiring and roofing are farmed (subcontracted) out to independent contractors, who specialize in a particular trade. Homeowners usually have no role in the selection of subcontractors. However, homeowners who have heard from friends and neighbors about the good work of a subcontractor can suggest names to the general contractor. 

Christy says general contractors “should be very clear with homeowners about the jobs and work schedules of subcontractors. Homeowners need to insist upon a work calendar that shows approximate time frames when subcontractors will be on the job. That’s the only way everyone stays on the same page and the job stays on track.” 

Subcontractors, or subs, are paid by the general contractor. The payments are often drawn against an amount of money the homeowner provides to the general contractor to pay for project costs.  

“Homeowners would do well not to make the advance payment one large, lump sum,” says Christy. “Instead, they should add money to the fund only when certain jobs involving subcontractors are performed.” 

Although subcontractors are not paid directly by the homeowner, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to make certain the general contractor makes payments on time. Christy says payments are due when the subcontractor is at a point when critical materials are needed or when the job is done. 

If the general contractor does not make payments, subcontractors can take action against the homeowner.  

These actions, often filed as liens, place the financial burden squarely on the homeowner’s shoulders. If liens aren’t taken care of quickly, work on the project can grind to a halt. “Worse still,” says Christy, “liens may show up years later when the home goes up for sale. No sale can be completed until past liens are resolved.” 

The working relationship with subcontractors is the general contractor’s job. He or she makes sure the quality of workmanship and materials by subcontractors is in line with project plans or homeowner expectations. 

The general contractor makes certain subcontractors have the necessary licenses and insurance. 

The homeowner can exercise some clout on subcontractor performance.  

Christy says “a cost of delay clause should be inserted into the contract with the general contractor. If the subcontractor doesn’t show for work, the general contractor can be held financially responsible.” 

If the homeowner believes subcontractor work is shoddy, Christy advises the homeowner to first bring the problem to the attention of the general contractor.  

If that does not yield results, the homeowner can seek arbitration between the parties. The last resort is litigation. 

In extreme cases, subcontractors can be removed from the job for failure to perform, argumentativeness or drug and alcohol abuse.

LOS ANGELES — Employment in the entertainment industry has hit a four-year low, as an already tumultuous year in Hollywood was made worse by the terrorist attacks. 

State employment figures show that  

September was the slowest month for movie, television and video production since June 1997.  

A total of 143,500 people were employed in the industry last month — down from 158,300 in November 1998, the high mark of the last four years. 

The latest numbers do not include the thousands of independent contractors who are also out of work. 

“This is a worse hit than anyone expected, and we really don’t know the full ramifications,” said Stephen Katz, an independent analyst who monitors employment in the industry.  

“There’s a trickle-down effect, and what’s so concerning is that these companies are laying off their full-time employees.” 

All across Hollywood, projects have been delayed or even canceled since Sept. 11, weakening the already fragile industry. 

The Entertainment Industry Development Corp. found that location shooting for feature length films in Los Angeles last month was half of the September 1999 total.  

Commercial shooting was down nearly a third from the same period. 

Alternately frenetic and stalled, the industry saw a rush to production in the past year, driven by fear of dual strikes by the actors and writers unions.  

Once they were averted, the industry had to deal with a minor slowdown caused by an excess of projects. 

Business was just starting to pick up when the terrorist attacks struck New York and Washington. 

“We were anticipating things would start back up again in September,” said Gabe Videla, president of Special Effects Limited. “And then all of the sudden the World Trade Center happened, and we got hit below the knees.” 

Industry officials have said production is unlikely to pickup until late winter or early spring 2002. 

LOS ANGELES — The Joint Strike Fighter program may be the single largest defense project in history, but its impact on California’s economy will be a far cry from what it might have been in the 1980s, when the state was the center of the national aerospace industry. 

Most of the work on the $200 billion fighter project will be done at the Lockheed Martin Corp. plant in Ft. Worth, Texas. 

Friday, the Department of Defense awarded Lockheed the contract to develop the next-generation, supersonic stealth fighter. Lockheed will be the lead contractor, working with Northrop Grumman Corp., based in Los Angeles, and BAE Systems of Great Britain. 

Northrop Grumman said the award will mean a total of 1,600 new jobs for the company across the nation, with 1,200 in California. Officials declined to estimate the financial impact of the award on the company. 

Most of the California jobs will be in El Segundo, where Northrop will design and assemble the plane’s center fuselage. 

Lockheed competed with Boeing Co. for the contract. But no matter which company received the lucrative contract, tech companies in California were expected to benefit from subcontracting work.  

Still, the impact will be nowhere near what it would have been a decade ago, when Southern California was heavily dependent on defense spending. 

“It seems likely this is the beginning of a very slow upturn, but not the beginning of defense dependence or anything like that again,” said Stephen Levy, an economist at the Center for Continuing Study of the California Economy. 

Levy said the 1,200 new jobs in the state must be seen in the context of the 280,000 defense jobs that left California in the 1990s. 

“Getting hotel occupancy back up again will have a far greater economic impact than this,” he said, referring to the current collapse of the state tourism industry. “But it should have some confidence-building impact in terms of Southern California remaining a place to do business for this kind of work.” 

Northrop Grumman is the last big defense contractor with headquarters in California. With a handful of other firms, it will likely benefit from a general increase in defense spending as the country fights its new war on terrorism. 

“We have ongoing expertise in military satellite capabilities and defense systems that might be part of a national missile defense system, which seems to have a head of steam now,” said Tom Lieser, senior economist for the UCLA Anderson Forecast. “The impact on the companies may be more significant than the impact on the economy.” 

Don’t switch tire size 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

My son, who is a certified mechanic and sells lots of tires, tells me that if I go to a higher-profile tire on my '98 Chevy Cavalier for a softer ride, terrible things will happen: The computer will sizzle, gas mileage will drop to 4.3 miles per gallon and I will roll the car on the first lane change. He says he has been told this in his certification classes (he has stripes down his sleeve like a sergeant major). On the other hand, I have a couple of college degrees and a lot of experience, so I don't believe it. What do you clowns believe? – Richard 

TOM: Gee, Richard, I'm surprised your son didn't mention the rapid hair loss and the rash on your butt that will last a month. 

RAY: The kid does have a flair for exaggeration, Richard, but the truth is, he's right. He's right to discourage you from switching to a non-manufacturer-recommended tire size. 

TOM: Here's the story. When a car is designed, it's tested for handling and emergency-control characteristics with a certain size and type of tire. If you change that, you, by definition, alter the handling characteristics of the car. Enough to fry the computer? No. Enough to seriously alter your gas mileage? No. Enough to flip the car in a lane change? Probably not. 

RAY: But the problem is, nobody knows exactly what the new handling characteristics of the car will be, because the car has never been tested using higher-profile tires. 

TOM: Now, if you make a modest change in tire size in one direction or the other, chances are the car will still be safe. In fact, you probably won't even notice any difference; most cars probably have a reasonable safety margin built in. But if you're dealing with a sport utility vehicle or something else that already handles peculiarly, then changing the type or size of the tires can be very dangerous. And that's why your son is taught to recommend against it. 

RAY: And we're with him, Richard. 

How to break into a car 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

My dear, departed daddy told me that if you broke in a new car engine at slow speeds, it would always be slow and sluggish. Is this true? What's the real skinny? Is there a preferred break-in protocol? – Susan 

TOM: Great question, Susan. But since we never speak ill of the departed, we can't answer it. 

RAY: Actually, I'm sure your daddy was right about many OTHER things and was a superior human being in all other regards. 

TOM: But his story about break-in is an old myth, Susan. And we don't know how it got started. Probably by some teen-age boy who got caught racing his dad's new car. 

RAY: It assumes that the car somehow "learns" to go slow when it's young, and then it never knows how to go at normal speeds later on. Kind of like my brother at work. 

TOM: But it's just not true. There IS a legitimate protocol for breaking in a new vehicle. It varies slightly from car to car, but the main purpose is to allow the piston rings to "seat," or conform to the exact shape of the cylinder walls so that they make a tight seal. And most experts agree that the best way to do this is to keep the engine rpm below 3,000 and to vary the engine speed (i.e., don't drive at one constant speed for a long time). 

RAY: And the break-in period generally lasts anywhere from 500 to 1,000 miles. Or until your check clears at the dealership, whichever comes first. 

TOM: If the piston rings don't seat correctly, your car might burn oil later on. And nobody wants that. 

RAY: So the speed at which you break the car in might have an effect on how much oil it burns. But it has absolutely no effect on how fast or slow the car goes. 

TOM: Last time we checked, that was mostly affected by the position of your foot on the gas pedal.  

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.

Veteran educator Thelette Bennett receives award for lifetime dedication 

Thelette A. Bennett, vice principal at Longfellow Arts and Technology Magnet Middle School and a 32-year veteran of the Berkeley school system, received a Berkeley Community Fund Award Thursday for a “lifetime of dedication to educating and nurturing Berkeley students.” 

Bennett, 54, brimming with energy, juggled phone calls and congratulatory flower deliveries while telling a reporter her life story. 

On her desk were a few odd specimens from the many student presents she has received over the years, most prominently a ceramic Fred and Wilma Flintstone. 

“I’m on my second generation of kids here now,” she said. “My kids’ kids are here. I can give them a look and they act right!” 

Bennett, who has lived in Berkeley her entire life – except her first few days at Oakland Kaiser Hospital – went to work as a student activities’ director at Berkeley High in 1969. 

She stayed there for 22 years. 

“I really like and love kids, and I feed off of them most of the time,” she said. 

Terry Doran, school board president, worked with Bennett at the high school and the students loved her so much that each senior class competed to outdo its predecessor in buying the most impressive gift. The contest culminated in a fur coat that “embarrassed” Bennett for its price tag. 

“She just always was able to connect to the wide array of students at Berkeley High in very positive ways,” Doran said. “I really enjoyed working with her.”  

Ten years ago, Bennett moved to Longfellow, first as an activities coordinator and more recently as vice principal with the official title “Director of Community Relations.”  

In the years since, the school has won an astonishing array of awards for its innovative technology curriculum, including the 2000 Smithsonian Technology Award. Bennett insisted the credit for this should mostly go to Nancy Elnor, the school’s technology director, and to Jim Rousey, its ubiquitous technology volunteer. 

Rousey pushed some of that credit back in Bennett’s direction. 

“Without a doubt, Thelette Bennett is one of the single most important factors in the success of Longfellow,” he said . “Her dedication and willingness to sacrifice her personal life to support this school and student population here is without parallel in my 30 years of volunteering in schools.” 

Bennett’s parents, Harold and Laura Bennett, were born in the South but moved the family to Berkeley from Beaumont, Texas in 1944 to escape segregation. “They wanted to give their kids a better opportunity,” Bennett said, and they set an example with longtime commitments to community groups such as the YMCA, the San Pablo Neighborhood Council, and the South Berkeley Church. 

“I grew up with a village of people, and they all made sure I came up on the straight and narrow,” she said. 

Bennett said her parents’ take-charge attitude has shaped her approach to students. When she has to give them a talking-to for fighting, she said, she tells them to refrain from assigning blame or fancying themselves as victims. 

“My mama said: ‘You do the crime, you do the time.’ And my father said: ‘Life isn’t fair – you handle it.’ So I say (to misbehaving students): ‘This is what happened, how are you going to be successful in this setting?’ How could you have done this differently so you don’t get in trouble this time?” 

Bennett said the shock of recent events has made her more convinced than ever that changing the world has much to do with how the next generations grow up. 

“I always tell them: ‘You’ve got to do a better job than we’ve done,’” she said. 

Back in the days when she worked at Berkeley High, Bennett won admiration for her creative and often funny ways of teaching life’s lessons. Marc Breindel, a 1984 graduate and Berkeley resident, said she held class registrations by holding a lottery and letting students into the cafeteria in groups. They then ran around from station to station selecting classes on a first-come, first-served basis. 

“So it was like a game show, or like musical chairs with a thousand kids,” Breindel said. “She would stand in the middle of the hurricane, and she was like the queen of the hurricane, in a good way. She would tell us all she was preparing us for college registration and she would yell, ‘When you’re in the real world you’re going to have to fight for everything just like you have to fight for these classes!’” 

“Everybody loved her,” Breindel added. 

Bennett said: “When I walk through Berkeley there’s always someone hollering, ‘I remember you from high school!’”  

Doran, the school board president, said he had asked Bennett if she wanted to be the Berkeley High principal each time the position has become vacant in recent years. “She said she wasn’t ready,” he said. 

When the question was posed to Bennett on Thursday, she burst into laughter. 

“I have no comment!” she said, her voice up in the high notes. 

“I have some more growing to do. I haven’t grown up yet!” 

The Berkeley Community Fund annually rewards outstanding community leaders and organizations. Bennett is one recipient of this year’s Berkeley Community Award, a non-monetary honor. The other is Regina Minudri, the retired Director of Library Services. Former mayor Jeffrey Shattuck Leiter was awarded the organization’s Benjamin Ide Wheeler Medal for longtime service to Berkeley, and two $5,000 grants went to Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency, which assists homeless adults and youth, and Youth Radio. Smaller grants were awarded to 21 other community organizations. 

“I’m very humble and I’m very thankful to even be acknowledged in this way,” Bennett said, “but it’s important to stay grounded. If I happened to stand up a little taller, it’s because I stand on other people’s shoulders.”

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 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) 

– Compiled by Guy Poole

Editor: 

As most Americans struggle to understand the enormity of Sept. 11, a small group of opportunists have lost no time rushing to collect the fortunes of war. The pro-deregulation airlines press to collect a $15 billion bailout at the trough of public tax dollars. Oil manufacturers hasten to drill in the ANWAR wildlife refuge while American soldiers fight yet another war to secure their access to oil and natural gas overseas. Arms manufacturers press for public funding for Strategic Missile Defense despite it’s inability to address terrorist attacks. 

Locally, Audie Bock sees her opportunity to run for Barbara Lee’s congressional seat. “Green today, gone tomorrow,” Bock is tossed about by the winds of public sentiment and is incapable of providing leadership during these difficult times. Barbara Lee, however, has remained consistent with her principles and has demonstrated courage unique among her peers. She represents many of us in her district, and millions more throughout our country, who believe that terror cannot be vanquished by terror. I for one am honored to be represented by someone willing to set aside personal and financial interests and represent their moral beliefs as Congresswoman Lee has done. 

David Eifler 

Berkeley

Wrapped in a rope high above a darkened stage, a body wriggles and giggles, drops, rewinds then drops again, smiling and blowing kisses to the audience – Cirque Elioze has come to town, performing “Excentricus” at Zellerbach Hall through Saturday. 

Breaking away from the traditional circus of live animals and “thrills galore,” the Montreal-based company has its roots in theater, dance and music, as well as the circus.  

They have started what they call the “Canadian” tradition of circus.  

Cirque Eloize was founded in 1993 by seven artists – graduates of Montreal’s National Circus School and from the Magdalen Islands near New Brunswick. The name of the group comes from the island word, “eloize,” which means “flash lightning.”  

“We want to reach people by the heart, rather than the somersault,” said Jeannot Painchaud, co-founder and artistic director.  

The company has taken a step in a different direction from the sometimes distant, abstract and imaginary world of Cirque du Soleil, another group from Montreal. Cirque Eloize has added personalities and character development to the traditional circus acts. 

“This keeps the show alive,” said Jamie Adkins, slack wire aerialist and juggler. “The characters change a little each performance – we’re living it on stage – in the moment.” 

The Elioze performers generate warmth and laughter with their engaging characterizations. 

Acrobats, bicyclists, musicians and jugglers – each has developed an individual personality whose playful antics, petulant moods and funny quirks weave a line through the energetic, sometime chaotic, environment. 

The flare and atmosphere of a three-ring circus has been created with inventive lighting and a backdrop of stylized swags, which suggest the Big Top.  

With a wink to the traditional ringmaster, bass player Pat Donaldson was decked out in full tuxedo, a mane of wild hair and an authoritative posture. He and the versatile musicians were involved in the action while playing point and counterpoint to the various acts.  

The original musical score evoked childhood memories, hinted at circus themes, and offered everything from hard rock to cool jazz. 

The audience shouted comments, applauded gravity-defying stunts and snapped their fingers to the sexy sounds of the saxophone. 

An audience favorite was bicyclist Serge Huercio. Mild mannered, glasses slipping down his nose, he rode his bicycle in ways that seemed impossible yet looked so easy: Upside down, backwards, a pirouette.  

An “artistic bicyclist” for 10 years, Huercio told the audience during the question and answer period after the show that the “pirouette” alone took two years to perfect.  

“Now it is like walking down the street,” he added, to the laughter and applause of a charmed audience. 

Each act was a gem of timing, expertise and artistry. A stepladder became a graceful structure in the hands of Daniel Cyr and his work within the acrobatic wheel awed the audience with its elegant movement. The antics of Jamie Adkins with a metal folding chair delighted the audience. And the traditional glamorous aerialists – kissed without a safety net. 

The current 14-member ensemble has been touring together for four years, 233 days a year. This is their first time performing in the Bay Area.  

There will be a post-performance talk with the performers on Oct. 26.

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. 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.

When you mention this year’s recruiting class for Cal basketball, most fans think immediately of the ongoing drama of Julian Sensley’s eligibility. But regardless of whether Sensley ever plays for the Bears, there will definitely be an impact freshman in the Cal rotation. 

Jamal Sampson was one of the best high school centers in the nation last year, leading his Mater Dei team to a California state championship and dominating the competition despite being hampered by bone spurs in his right ankle. With four of the best prep centers heading straight into the NBA Draft, he may be the most coveted big man in his class to actually attend college. 

The 6-foot-11, 235-pound Sampson will see considerable time on the floor as a true freshman, although he may have a slow start due to his ankle. He had surgery this summer to remove the bone spurs, and Cal head coach Ben Braun estimates him at about half strength right now. 

“Jamal’s coming along slowly because of his ankle, but he can produce for us at 50-60 percent,” Braun said. “He will be excellent once he gets to full health.” 

The Bears will gladly endure Sampson’s rehab on the injury, because it may be the only thing that kept him from joining Eddy Curry, Kwame Brown, Tyson Chandler and DeSagana Diop as NBA players. 

“I was real tempted, but surgery isn’t a good thing to have going into the draft,” Sampson said. “I played against all those guys, and I measured up well with all of them.” 

Although Sampson is still confident of his abilities, his first practices with his new teammates has been a bit of a reality check for a player who admittedly coasted through portions of his senior year of high school. 

“I didn’t always have to play hard. In high school I could dominate in every practice and most of the games, but now I’m playing against great players every day,” he said. “College will benefit me from playing against stronger dudes.” 

Sampson will be competing for playing time with three other Bear big men. Senior center Solomon Hughes is the only sure starter in the frontcourt after leading the Pac-10 in shooting percentage last season and proving himself to be a solid shot-blocker. Hughes’ brother Gabriel will be looking to see more action after spending most of his freshman year on the bench, and Israeli import Amit Tamir is also in the mix, although he could miss as many as eight games due to NCAA regulations. 

This year’s NBA Draft was a sign of the times, with just one college senior picked in the first 19 selections. Sampson still plans to head to the NBA at some point, but he’s hesitant to say how long he plans to stay at Cal. 

“I’m like every other guy in that I want to get to the next level, but I’m not going to put a limit on it,” he said. “It could be one, two, three or four years.” 

Braun and Cal fans should hope it’s one of the latter.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday night to hold public hearings on whether one side of a block of Hearst Avenue should be “downzoned” to restrict large, multi-family housing developments. 

The block in question is the north side of Hearst Avenue, between San Pablo Avenue and Curtis Street. It lies a half-block from San Pablo Avenue and one block from University Avenue.  

The proposed change would affect only 10 properties. 

Neighbors in the area began pushing to rezone the block when Alice Landis, the owner of the property at 1155-63 Hearst Ave., proposed to demolish the six units there and rebuild a three-story, 14-unit complex. 

Landis filed for a use permit on the project on Sept. 12. The day after she filed papers, the City Council asked the Planning Commission to study a neighborhood association’s request to change the zoning of the block so the project would not be allowed. 

Though the tactic would seem to contradict normal city procedures, in which opposition to specific developments are fought at the Zoning Adjustments Board meetings, Planning Commissioner Rob Wrenn said Thursday that the neighbors’ request to rezone the block was the result of years of battles about developments. 

“This is more in opposition to a series of battles that have happened over the last few years,” said Wrenn. “They’ve decided to look at the overall zoning rather than fighting each development one at a time.” 

Paul Shain, a neighborhood resident, said that the request to rezone the block was “sparked” by Landis’ project, but in fact is the result of a series of developments is the neighborhood and an “anomaly” in the city’s zoning map. 

“We’re not against development,” he said. “We’re just looking for development that’s in scale with the neighborhood.” 

Linda Hart, Landis’ daughter, said on Thursday that she had been talking to her neighbors for months, informing them of their plans and soliciting their opinions. After investing several months and “tens of thousands of dollars” to try to accommodate the neighbors, Hart said, the neighbors told her that they would oppose any development that exceeded the size of the current building on the lot. 

Shain, though, said that the changes to the project proposed by Hart were superficial in nature, and never really addressed their concerns about the size of the project. 

Though the block does bump up against areas zoned for higher-density development, Shain said most of the residential neighborhoods touching the block are zoned for low-density housing. 

“All through the years there has been development on this street, but it’s developing in a way that’s organic,” he said. “It’s individual homeowners adding a room for a member of their family.” 

“There’s a categorical difference between that and massive development.” 

Hart said her openness to neighbors was what gave them time to prepare to fight the project at the Planning Commission.  

“I think that it sends a message to anyone who wants to build anything in Berkeley,” she said. “Don’t try to negotiate with your neighbors – file your papers quietly and prepare for your battles at the Zoning Adjustment Board.” 

Hart said her attorneys were preparing a lawsuit that would be filed if the Planning Commission and the City Council succeeded in downzoning the block. 

Karen Kho, the director of the Sustainable Cities Project at Urban Ecology, a nonprofit organization that advocates “smart growth,” argued against the rezoning. 

“Encouraging opposition to specific projects to argue for downzoning in response is not a good precedent for the city to set,” she said Thursday. 

“This project is right off San Pablo, which is targeted for rapid bus transit. It’s the kind of place we need to keep for higher density.” 

The Planning Commission has not yet set a date for public hearings on the matter. 

Editor:  

Many thanks and praise to the progressive City Councilmembers who supported Dona Spring’s anti-war resolution. They 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

Berkeley Russian School to hold benefit for New York victims’ families 

For the past several years, the Berkeley Russian School has staged a series of benefit performances of classical music to raise funds for the school, whose mission is to provide instruction in Russian culture, especially music, language and art, to children and teens.  

This year a portion of the proceeds will be donated to victims of the attack on the World Trade Center. 

The program will open with Barber’s Adagio for strings, a famously melancholy piece, which is meant to evoke the sadness of recent events and perhaps lead some listeners to purge their grief, using music to heal the wounds of the soul. Although this piece is often performed by a full string orchestra, this time there will be only five players, allowing for a deep appreciation of Barber’s contrapuntal cleverness, which is often lost in the thick lushness of the grand mass of players normally assembled to present this popular work. Fans of the Adagio will be glad to hear this fine quintet present it in small format. Sometimes less is more. 

The program continues with a series of sonatas by Tartini, Marais, Vivaldi, Mozart and Prokofiev. Since most of the performers were trained in Russian conservatories, the level of technical virtuosity is expected to be impeccable, and the level of soulfulness will be deep.  

Pianist Sergei Podobedov was awarded the Queen Mother Scholarship and played a command performance for Queen Elizabeth and the royal family. He will display his virtuosic powers in the Prokofiev piece and his mature musicality in the Mozart soanata. 

Bass player Alex Glikman and violinist Arthur Mikhailov have been playing together since their younger days when they both played in the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra, so they bring a sense of ensemble tempered and deepened by decades.  

Pianist Miles Graber raises the task of accompaniment to a high art.  

“It appeals to me to be an accompanist with great chamber music players, feeling oneness with them,” Graber said. 

In the midst of the banquet of sonatas there will be a main course of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, sung by soprano Yulia Ronskaya and mezzo-soprano Sally Munro. This stunningly beautiful work is worth the price of admission by itself. This setting of the Stabat Mater is available in many recorded versions, but the intimacy and directness of a live performance puts all recordings to shame, especially with voices as lovely and rich as these.  

The concert will conclude on an unusually rousing note, as a trio of sopranos renders a medley of Gershwin tunes and finishes with an arrangement of a Russian Gypsy song.  

With any kind of luck, they will add an encore or two from the Russian repertory of songs. This will be a special treat to hear Russian ex-patriots singing their native soul music after presenting some of ours. 

The First Congregational Church is an excellent venue for chamber music. Unfortunately too many chamber music concerts take place in halls intended for large ensembles and so the sound of the music is lost in the overwhelming space. During this concert audience members will be able to hear the full power and the subtle nuances inherent in these pieces. 

This concert will provide a delightful evening of entertainment through high culture, while contributing to one of Berkeley’s important educational institutions and also aiding the families of victims of the tragedy in New York. 

The Berkeley High field hockey team got a double treat on Thursday, scoring their first two goals of the season and picking up their first win. 

Miriam Bellows scored the Yellowjackets’ first goal of the season late in the first half, and Veronica Searles scored the game-winner with just a minute left in the game to beat Marin Catholic, 2-1. The win lifted Berkeley’s record to 1-6-1, while Marin Catholic dropped to 1-1-3. 

After going seven full games without scoring, Berkeley went on the offensive early on Thursday, making several rushes on the Marin Catholic net, but were unable to get any shots. The Wildcats could only mount a couple of counter-attacks under the ’Jackets’ heavy pressure, although Anna Cross showed remarkable power in putting balls into the Berkeley crease. 

With two minutes left in the first half, Berkeley earned a long corner. Merideth Gaber put the ball across the Marin Catholic crease, and Bellows calmly put a shot past sprawling goalkeeper Mary Mahoney to finally break the Berkeley scoring drought. 

“That was just awesome,” Bellows said after the game. “I didn’t think I would make it, but I did.” 

A minute later, Gaber appeared to score on a long penalty shot, but the officials called it back on a Berkeley infraction, and the ’Jackets had to settle for a 1-0 halftime lead. 

But the Wildcats came back strong in the second half, as Cross continued to put dangerous balls toward the Berkeley goal. Karey Palacek nearly scored early in the half, but Berkeley goalkeeper Erin Meggessy made a nice reaction save to keep Marin Catholic off the board. 

Minutes later, however, Cross put a long corner through the Berkeley crease. Danielle Silverman deflected the ball right to Palacek, who slotted the ball past Meggessy to tie the game. 

Meggessy made one more clutch save in the half, kick-saving a long Cross shot. 

With time ticking down, it looked as if the ’Jackets would have to settle for a moral victory. But they earned a short corner with a minute left. In a well-practiced set play, Bellows stopped Alex Pauley’s cross dead and Searles came out blasting. Her shot was deflected over Mahoney’s shoulder for the winning goal. After the final whistle blew soon thereafter, the ’Jackets celebrated wildly, dog-piling in the middle of the field. 

“Our players deserved to win one,” Berkeley coach Amy Meehan said. “They’ve worked super-hard in practice. They’ve been the better team for a while, and they finally put it all together.” 

One Berkeley player said the victory might finally get the team some attention. 

“We’ve been struggling to get respect around school, and that comes with winning,” Joanna Hoch said. “Hopefully this will help.”

The Berkeley High field hockey team got a double treat on Thursday, scoring their first two goals of the season and picking up their first win. 

Miriam Bellows scored the Yellowjackets’ first goal of the season late in the first half, and Veronica Searles scored the game-winner with just a minute left in the game to beat Marin Catholic, 2-1. The win lifted Berkeley’s record to 1-6-1, while Marin Catholic dropped to 1-1-3. 

After going seven full games without scoring, Berkeley went on the offensive early on Thursday, making several rushes on the Marin Catholic net, but were unable to get any shots. The Wildcats could only mount a couple of counter-attacks under the ’Jackets’ heavy pressure, although Anna Cross showed remarkable power in putting balls into the Berkeley crease. 

With two minutes left in the first half, Berkeley earned a long corner. Merideth Gaber put the ball across the Marin Catholic crease, and Bellows calmly put a shot past sprawling goalkeeper Mary Mahoney to finally break the Berkeley scoring drought. 

“That was just awesome,” Bellows said after the game. “I didn’t think I would make it, but I did.” 

A minute later, Gaber appeared to score on a long penalty shot, but the officials called it back on a Berkeley infraction, and the ’Jackets had to settle for a 1-0 halftime lead. 

But the Wildcats came back strong in the second half, as Cross continued to put dangerous balls toward the Berkeley goal. Karey Palacek nearly scored early in the half, but Berkeley goalkeeper Erin Meggessy made a nice reaction save to keep Marin Catholic off the board. 

Minutes later, however, Cross put a long corner through the Berkeley crease. Danielle Silverman deflected the ball right to Palacek, who slotted the ball past Meggessy to tie the game. 

Meggessy made one more clutch save in the half, kick-saving a long Cross shot. 

With time ticking down, it looked as if the ’Jackets would have to settle for a moral victory. But they earned a short corner with a minute left. In a well-practiced set play, Bellows stopped Alex Pauley’s cross dead and Searles came out blasting. Her shot was deflected over Mahoney’s shoulder for the winning goal. After the final whistle blew soon thereafter, the ’Jackets celebrated wildly, dog-piling in the middle of the field. 

“Our players deserved to win one,” Berkeley coach Amy Meehan said. “They’ve worked super-hard in practice. They’ve been the better team for a while, and they finally put it all together.” 

One Berkeley player said the victory might finally get the team some attention. 

“We’ve been struggling to get respect around school, and that comes with winning,” Joanna Hoch said. “Hopefully this will help.”

SAN FRANCISCO – As the California economy slows, Assemblymember Dion Aroner, D-Berkeley, warned Thursday that the state’s welfare caseload – in decline for half a decade – may soon rise again.  

Addressing U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health and Human Services Wade Horn, who invited lawmakers and administrators from five Western states and Guam to the meeting at a San Francisco hotel, Aroner said California needs flexibility to move around federal funds as job losses mount in the state.  

“You’re sitting in a city where I-don’t-know-how-many people have been laid off,” she said. “That’s the reason you’re all getting this hotel at the rates you are.” 

The meeting was the second in a series of five “listening sessions” being conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with the reauthorization of a key welfare reform program set to come before Congress.  

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families legislation, passed in 1996, provides block grants to the states to help low-income families and transition them from welfare to the workforce. The program expires at the end of September 2002.  

States are free to spend the money as they please, as long as it is used to address one of four areas: assisting working families, promoting job preparation, discouraging out-of-wedlock childbirth and increasing the number of two-parent families. Aroner implored lawmakers to leave spending decisions in the hands of the states.  

“These purposes highlight federal priorities while respecting local authority,” she said.  

Aroner touted California’s welfare reform program, urging federal administrators not to restrict how states spend federal funds doled out to run states’ welfare reform programs.  

“It’s very important that we maintain that flexibility,” Aroner said. “Please don’t take that away from us.”  

Aroner said California will need the freedom to shift TANF funds from programs like childcare and job training, which were considered good investments in times of relative prosperity, to income-maintenance programs as the economy slows.  

Since welfare reform began, the state’s welfare rolls have been nearly halved. According to figures from the California Department of Finance, nearly 1 million families received assistance from the state’s welfare program in 1995. By 2001, that number was down to about 550,000.  

As chair of the Assembly Committee on Human Services, Aroner helps manage the state’s “devolution” process, which she said gives counties a great deal of autonomy in how they use funds from the TANF grants.  

“We make a conscious effort to pass that flexibility on to the 58 counties,” she said. “In effect, we have 58 different welfare-reform programs.”  

But not everyone was pleased with the way the state has administered the program.  

Outside the hotel, several dozen protesters marched and chanted, calling on the decision-makers inside to heed their voices and the voices of the poor.  

“I was on welfare for seven years. I went to UC Berkeley on welfare,” said Aimee Fisher, program specialist at Lifetime, an Oakland-based group that advocates for educational opportunities for families on welfare.  

“The only reason I was able to go to school was because I got in before welfare reform.” 

Fisher said the “devolution” program Aroner praised at the meeting actually takes money away from the people who need it.  

“It would be nice if the counties would use the money for the needs of poor people,” she said. “But the county money gets taken into other programs, into general-use county funds.” 

Inside the hotel, Aroner urged Horn to extend his listening tour to include activists.  

“I think it’s important that we hear from all the advocacy groups,” she said. “There are a lot of folks out there on the sidewalk, rather than at this table. We need to find a place for everybody.” 

Editor: 

Soon the fall air will be growing crisp and folks will be thinking how it would be to build a nice cozy fire in the fireplace or wood stove. And before we know it, Halloween will be upon us and all the excited kids will be out with their costumes going house to house trick-or-treating. But what’s wrong with this picture? It is that kids that are outside trick-or-treating on chilly Halloween Night are likely to be inhaling doses of particulate pollution coming from residential fireplaces and wood stoves. 

It is a well known fact that once the tiny particles that comprise wood smoke are breathed in, they lodge deep within the lung tissue and cannot be expelled. Asthma attacks are triggered by breathing air pollution. Every mother of an asthmatic child knows how devastating an asthma attack can be. Childhood asthma in the United States is approaching epidemic proportions. According to a survey by the Center for Disease Control, one child in seven has been diagnosed with asthma. In the last 10 years the number of children suffering from asthma has doubled. 

Healthy or not, we wouldn’t allow our little ones to smoke cigarettes. But cigarette smoke and wood smoke are very similar in both the chemical components and the size of the particulate matter in them. For more information on how to reduce or eliminate wood smoke pollution, residents can call the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, (BAAQMD) at 1-415-749-4900 and ask for a copy of the Woodburning Handbook. 

Don’t we owe it to our children to leave off the burning for that one night of the year that is so special to them? And parents, wouldn’t it be a good idea to provide good filter masks for kids to wear under their Halloween masks to protect them and their lungs from being damaged by breathing wood smoke? According to 3M, with a good fit, even the kind of N95 or R95 paper masks that can be purchased at any local hardware store for less than $1.50 will filter particles down to .3 micron in size. 

For more information regarding the health effects of breathing wood smoke, please check burning issues.org on the world wide web. 

Jami Caseber  

for Citizens Opposing a Polluted Environment 

St. Mary’s High point guard DeShawn Freeman has given a verbal commitment to play for Sacramento State University next season, his coach said Thursday. 

Freeman, who helped lead the Panthers to a Division IV state championship last season, chose Sacramento State over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, UC Riverside and Portland State. 

“It’s a great opportunity for DeShawn,” St. Mary’s head coach Jose Caraballo said. “He can go in there and have a chance to start right away.”

Speakers respond to Governor Davis’ $24 million subsidy cut 

OAKLAND – The Women’s Legislative Caucus held the first of two public hearings Thursday to collect community input on Gov. Gray Davis’ proposal to cut $24 million from the state’s child care subsidy program. 

A panel including assemblymembers Wilma Chan, D-Alameda and Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro and Sherry Novick, chief of staff to Assemblymember Dion Aroner, D-Berkeley, heard comments from nearly 50 parents, child care providers and related advocacy groups during the hearing at the Elihu Harris State Building in Oakland. Another public hearing will be held in Los Angeles on Oct. 29. 

All those who spoke Thursday said cutting the program would be disastrous for the state’s most vulnerable communities. 

“By cutting these programs we are cutting the opportunities of our most vulnerable families and workers,” said Pamela Hayes, legislative representative of the California State Federation of Labor. “Please do not balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable families and workers.” 

When Davis signed the 2001- 02 Budget Act in July, he vetoed $24 million in funding from the state’s $1.3 billion child care subsidy program. In his veto message, Davis said the program’s policies were inequitable because welfare to work families had more access to the programs than families who earned very little but had not previously been on welfare. 

Furthermore Davis is concerned about the growth of the program’s budget. In 2000, the Department of Finance projected the program budget would increase by $108 million. The department has since reduced that estimate to $63 million but Davis has still expressed concerns.  

The budget cuts would come from portion of the program known as the Stage 3 set aside. The Stage 3 tier of the program is designed for welfare parents who have entered the work force. 

According to subsidized child care advocates, the stage 3 assistance is often the most critical to parents who are often in a fragile transition phase. They said that is especially true in the Bay Area where the cost of living is higher than the rest of the state. Parents who make the transition from welfare to work are often working at low-paying jobs and are unable able to afford child care, which in Alameda County can cost as much as $600 per month for preschoolers and $500 a month for five to 12 year olds. 

Assemblymember Chan said that child care costs are such a burden that many parents who are transitioning to work are in danger of going back on welfare.  

“Can you imagine, you’re making the effort to work and you have been lucky enough to have found child care that you’re happy with and then you discover that you have to drop it?” she said. “I raised two children and I can tell you, finding good child care is not easy and when you lose it, it’s very, very upsetting.” 

Berkeley resident and single mom Tasha Henneman said she would not be able to work without the child care scholarship she receives from Monteverde preschool her 3-year-old daughter attends. Henneman said that child care in Berkeley can cost as much as $750 per month for preschoolers, higher than the county average. 

“It would be impossible for me to afford child care with my salary,” she said.  

Erica Sorrells, a single mother of two, told the panel that she panicked when she first heard of the proposed budget cuts. “The first thing I did was go over my budget and there is no way I can afford child care,” she said. “I thought I was safe and that nothing like this could happen to me.” 

Sorrells, formerly on welfare, is now working as a counselor for the Alameda 4 Cs, a nonprofit agency that helps parents apply for child care subsidies. She said she often has to tell parents that they will be put on a six- to 18-month waiting list for child care assistance. She said when they hear this, the parents sometimes begin to cry. 

“It touches me so much because I know what they are struggling with.” she said. “They are just asking for chance to get past those struggles.” 

Editor: 

Jim Mellander (Forum 10/22) talks about “root causes” for the 9-11 tragedy first as if the “root causes argument is bogus” but later suggesting that we need to go back to 1453, 1683 and 1912 to look at conflict between the Arab and Western worlds. I suggest we go back to February 16, 1988 when the New York Times reported the incident where the Israeli soldiers were caught burying alive young Palestinians, or the February 25, 1988 CBS Evening News report showing the Israeli soldiers holding down and breaking the arms of the Palestinian children with rocks, just to remind ourselves that the Palestinians of the West Bank and the Gaza strip have sufficient reason to hate their Israeli masters and to be ready for terrorism training camp. Probably we have simply put out of our minds that our Israeli allies have been brutalizing and terrorizing these people for a very long time, and our government, while giving the Israelis stern warnings about their behavior continues to give them all the support they need to continue on their path of terror. Until we stop giving them full support, until we insist on a real settlement of the “Palestinian Problem,” enforced either by the U.N., by NATO or some other regional entity, the escalation of terrorism in this region will not stop. 

Jim, you and I both know that this hotbed of terrorism would have ended decades ago except for the U.S. support of Israeli. I know also that the Palestinians are not mere innocents, and I know that U.S. support for Israeli interests seems to stem from good intentions. But our foreign policy has simply failed to protect our deepest American interests, which can and should include humanitarian interests as well as economic interests. 

I am sorry that you consider Mr. Azevedo’s (Forum 10/19) hope that looking within will be helpful to be naive. Those who succeed in the task of self-understanding surely come to understand that we are all similarly human, with good and bad aspects, and that when we wish to understand our enemies, those who are strangers to us, or simply those who appear different, we need simply put ourselves in their shoes and ask what we might have done. 

If we understand why humans are prepared to commit suicide for a cause, then we can work to solve the need for that cause and the camps for terrorists will very quickly find no new recruits. 

Thomas de Lackner 

Berkeley

EMERYVILLE – Doras Briggs can remember details of her first train ride down to the day, year and Amtrak line.  

“It was the Fourth of July, 1923. My dad gave me a train ride as my fifth birthday present,” said Briggs, who turned 84 on July 4. “It was the Waterloo-Cedar Falls and Northern Line, in Iowa.” 

Nearly 80 years later, Briggs said she could never forget this gift.  

And at an Emeryville City Council meeting this month, the five-foot tall Briggs stepped up to the podium to receive praise not only as a life-long devoted train passenger, but as a powerful Amtrak advocate and “champion of the rails.”  

Briggs, director of the National Association of Railroad Passengers – a group of 16,000 volunteer train advocates – became a mass transit pioneer when she began a host program at the Emeryville Amtrak station. She now trains other volunteers to help passengers with directions, bus schedules, and travel advice.  

When passengers stop at one of her stations when Briggs is on duty, she bustles around providing assistance to anyone looking like they need it. She effortlessly explains the best direct train lines and bus routes, and probably knows the exact time a train pulls into stations around the country. Wearing a jacket with her short, curly gray hair covered by a volunteer host cap, Briggs serves as a brochure-carrying savior to the confused commuter. 

Hers is the first Amtrak-approved station host program in the country, and is quickly spreading to other stations. 

To honor her work, Mayor Nora Davis and other councilmembers declared Oct. 26, as “Dora Briggs/ Amtrak Volunteer Day.” Davis said councilmembers crafted the proclamation because of Brigg’s daily work helping Emeryville passengers.  

“Clearly, she is such an ardent fan of Amtrak, the train, and moving people by rail,” Davis said after the meeting. “For this city, that is so important. Her assistance has been so valuable.” 

Briggs is now training more than 20 volunteers as hosts for the Emeryville, Oakland, and Martinez stations. She said she keeps getting increasing numbers of host applications. 

In the Bay Area, where a BART strike is looming and airport lines are notoriously long, Amtrak West spokeswoman Vernae Graham said she couldn’t have hoped for a better friend for rail passengers. 

“She’s just incredible, she’s a spitfire,” said Graham. “She’s just our best friend.” 

Graham said Briggs also sends her articles about trains gathered from newspapers printed all over the country, usually before Graham receives them from Amtrak’s clipping service.  

“I hope I have that much energy when I’m that age,” Graham said. “It doesn’t get any better than Doras.” 

Briggs and her volunteers help rail passengers with travel tips, as well as information about local lodgings and events. Like Briggs, each host dons a jacket, volunteer station host cap, and a badge while on the job. This week hosts began carrying new security badges, complete with photographs for additional passenger safety. 

“The people behind the counter are so busy,” Briggs said. “We’re really just filling in the cracks.” 

Amtrak Service Manager Jeff Snowden said Briggs and her crew have helped more than they could know. While sitting in his office at the Emeryville station, Snowden said when he moved from Los Angeles last year, he turned to Briggs for information about restaurants and recreation in the Bay Area. 

“Some of our passengers get off the train and look for her,” Snowden said. “And she can’t wait to get out there to give information.” 

For example, Briggs easily listed the departure locations, destinations, and route numbers for buses to each of the major BART stations during one phone interview. 

Briggs has plenty of information about the Bay Area based on her own experiences. While a student at UC Berkeley, where she earned a music degree in 1942, Briggs funded her education by working as a church organist. She also worked as an associate chimes mistress, playing the Campanile bells four times a week. 

After retiring from her job at the university in the late 70s, she started devoting her days to the rails. Briggs, who is also a member of the Train Riders of California and similar groups in Washington and Oregon, frequently takes Amtrak around the country to attend railroad meetings. But Emeryville station employees said she always has time for their station.  

“She knows everybody here,” Amtrak employee Carita Leyx said. “She is just a lovely, lovely spirit.” 

Briggs said she will soon be moving to an apartment next door to the Emeryville station, and can’t wait to live closer to Amtrak. 

As Briggs accepted her honors at the Emeryville council meeting, she encouraged everyone there to ride the rails. 

“I hope I see you all on a train one of these days,” she said. 

Editor: 

Maybe I didn’t make myself clear the last time I voiced my opinion about this journalism you call ‘Berkeley Lite.’ My first issue is simple. You write a ‘Prospective’ or editorial, sprinkling a few facts, use opinions and innuendo, then print it on the front page leaving the impression that it’s news. Fact. Not opinion. You show a great deal of concern in regard to implied abuses of power; what are your thoughts in regard to abuse of the power of the press? Second, you failed to point out that the ‘executive meeting’ you referred to was the superintendent’s employee evaluation; a personnel issue, that would need to be held in closed session. The previous accusations (yours) you referred to didn’t deserve a response. That’s why the so called ‘apologists’ didn’t bother to question their accuracy. While I’m on the subject of accuracy, you complained that the closed meeting wasn’t wheelchair accessible. Since none of the board use a wheelchair, what was your point? And about that comment about the board’s apologists. I am offended. No one is asking you to “sit down and shut up” (10/19/2001). My complaint there, is that you seem to take such great pleasure in bad news. Especially when it involves the Berkeley schools. I have been an active parent in our district for six years. I have been involved at the district level for the past four years, and while I’ve been no one’s apologist, I do not feel that I need to apologize for my actions in standing up to defend the board whenever I have felt they needed support. And when I have felt the need, I didn’t hesitate to tell them when I thought they were making mistakes. I don’t see the value in trying to publicly embarrass people when solid advise is called for, nor have I hesitated to speak out when it’s needed. Our district isn’t perfect, but if we don’t work together, it never will be. If you have concerns about the Brown Act, use your article to print parts of it. Not in this mean spirited way that you have so far, but in a helpful way so that we can all learn together. I can assure you that many of the groups meeting in Berkeley could use that help. It doesn’t make them bad. They are just overworked volunteers (like the board) who could always use any help they could get. Instead of a hard time. Have you noticed any of the good things that Michelle Lawrence has accomplished in her short time here? I ask because I haven’t seen that coverage. 

Why would anyone want to run for the School Board if this is what they can expect for their honest efforts? I am surely having second thoughts. 

I have learned through years of activism, that progress depends on our working together. I know that you have your role as the objective media, but you are a Berkeley paper. Self proclaimed. When you report on our mistakes, our problems, or our kids; don’t enjoy our pain. You can feel it with us while you report the news objectively and with dignity. If you can’t do that, then you should read the Planet’s first year of copy; you’ll see a paper that cared about the community they called their own. If you still don’t care, then change your name to the Star or the Inquirer. Not a community newspaper.  

Mark A. Coplan  

Willard Parent 

Berkeley

The UC Berkeley student-run newspaper is again the subject of controversy.  

An ad published in the Daily Californian Tuesday, which called for “taking out Iran” caused someone to remove Wednesday’s edition from the racks. It also resulted in the organization of outraged students. 

“At least a few thousand” copies of the paper were “stolen” from distribution racks around Sproul Plaza and Doe Library soon after they were delivered Wednesday morning, said Editor in Chief Janny Hu. UC Police captain Bill Cooper said police were investigating, but had no suspects Thursday. 

The full-page ad was written by the Ayn Rand Institute’s founder, Leonard Peikoff, and was titled: “End States Who Sponsor Terrorism.” It states the U.S. would be justified in killing people in order to overthrow states, which sponsor or harbor terrorists. Peikoff singles out Iran as a country the Bush administration should target in its military campaign to eradicate terrorism.  

The United States, he says, has appeased the Middle East for 50 years. Citing a 1999 State Department report, Peikoff calls Iran the “most active sponsor of state terrorism.”  

A version of the ad also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and student papers at other universities including Stanford and Harvard, according to Yaron Brook, the institute’s president and executive director.  

In the Daily Cal, the ad announced a talk Thursday by Gary Hull, director of Duke University’s program on values and ethics in the marketplace. 

Additionally, the ad calls for the United States to engage in a “proper war in self-defense” and advocates “de-Nazifying (Iran), by expelling every official and bringing down every branch of its government.” It suggests the use of nuclear weapons and includes the phrase, “regardless of the countless innocents caught in the line of fire.” 

“He is accusing Iranians of being like Nazism while he has this idea that American people are more precious than people in any other part of the world,” said Behnaz Shahidi, an education graduate student, who was born in and whose entire family lives in Iran. 

“My jaw dropped,” said junior Maryam Gharavi, an Iranian student and member of the Stop the War Coalition. “I could not believe they actually made the choice to print this ad. 

“Paid advertisements are not free speech,” continued Gharavi, who was present at Wednesday night’s ASUC meeting where members of the Iranian Students Cultural Organization asked the ASUC Senate to demand an apology from the newspaper. 

Hu said the Daily Cal’s editorial staff does not see advertisements before the paper is published and referred questions about the ad to its general manager, Hubert Brucker, who could not be reached for comment. 

“Obviously these people believe very passionately in their cause,” Hu said of the ad’s critics. “I don’t think they understand really what the First Amendment is about and what freedom of speech is about. What they’re asking for is tantamount to censorship.” 

Whoever took the papers Wednesday, left copies of an unsigned flier calling on readers to “stop racist hate speech” and boycott the Daily Californian. 

“Yesterday’s ad was the final straw,” the flier said.  

It cited the printing by the paper last year of a “racist ad against reparations for slavery” by David Horowitz, and the publication this fall of a “racist editorial cartoon” by syndicated cartoonist Darren Bell, which depicted two Middle Eastern men celebrating terrorist attacks on America. 

“We must take a stand against the continuation of a systematic policy of eliciting and reinforcing hatred and racism from our student newspaper,” the flier said. “Until the Daily Californian shifts policy we will not allow business as usual to continue.” 

Gharavi said student groups, including the Afghan Student Association and the Sikh Students Association, are coming together to start a petition calling for the abolition of “racist, sexist, homophobic” material from the independent student paper. “This is not a new issue,” Gharavi said. “It seems like a perpetual cycle.” 

Hu said she did not view the ad as “hate speech,” nor did she think it was unconstitutional. Orville Schell, dean of UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism, said that, while he had not seen the advertisement, “the First Amendment strikes me as probably the operable principle for an advertisement like this. 

“It doesn’t seem like it’s necessarily hate speech,” Schell said. “I mean, if you call for the bombing of Iraq after they’ve invaded Kuwait, is that hate speech?” He said it was important for the media to “provide the proper context,” not only “so that there is not the suffocation of free speech or the First Amendment right,” but also to ensure that “extreme advocacy does not go unchallenged.” 

Thursday’s Daily Californian carried an editorial titled, “First Amendment Freedoms” which Hu said “was mainly to educate about the First Amendment.” 

Sherief Ibrahim of the University of California police department’s bomb squad has an unusual package with him Tuesday.  

It’s an empty cardboard box addressed to a chancellor who no longer works at the university. The words “urgent” and “important” are written on the front. There is no return address. 

“My policy at home is if I get something without a return address, I don’t open it,” said Ibrahim. He says if he thinks it’s his in-laws, he will call and ask them before opening the package. 

One of the most obvious indicators of a bomb inside a package is how it feels when you pick it up.  

“If two-thirds of the weight (of the package) is on one-third of the package, that is a No. 1 concern for me,” said Ibrahim.  

Other indicators include excessive postage, misspelled words, wrong title with names and oily stains on the wrapper. 

Ibrahim’s message is part of several brown bag presentations being held on campus this week by the police department’s Threat Management Division.  

No immediate threat is known to the campus say officials. They are just trying to take precautions and educate people on what to do if something were to occur.  

“Several people have had concerns about different letters and packages that they have received. None of them have proven to be a biological or explosive threat,” said Lieutenant Adan Tejada of the UC Police department, “We don’t have any information that Berkeley is a target.” 

A false alarm occurred last Wednesday afternoon when a wing of the Haas School of Business was evacuated for several hours after a mail clerk reported an unknown white powder to the campus police. The powder tested negative for Anthrax and classes resumed on Thursday. 

Tejada says there is a cross section of people attending the brown bag sessions including people whose primary job is to handle mail, building coordinators and interested individuals. 

“The chancellor’s office has put an emphasis on asking people who handle mail to come to these presentations. When I asked the question earlier to the crowd more than three quarters of the people said they handle mail,” said Tejada. 

Both Ibrahim and Tejada told the crowd it is important not to panic and the possibility that they might get exposed to antharax is very slim. According to the Centers for Disease Control, only a small number of cases become infected even after exposure. 

“The likelihood of actually getting exposed to anthrax is much less than the likelihood of getting the flu,” said Tejada, “but it’s good to be concerned and keep your eyes open.” 

The first main thing to do if you suspect anthrax in a letter is put it inside some kind of plastic protector, like a Ziploc bag, and contact the police, said Tejada. 

“We want doors closed in that room. Don’t let anybody else in that room. Wash your hands and face, and keep all together, all the people in the room (at the time of exposure),” said Tejada.  

In the case of a bomb threat the first thing to do is put the suspicious item down, open the windows to allow the pressure of the explosion to go out the window. 

David Hernes, building manager of Evans Hall, says two weeks ago they had a suspicious package in the mailroom at the math department where he works.  

A professor became suspicious when he didn’t recognize the sender of a large package. In the end it turned out to be four large manuscripts from a Canadian University. 

As he left the Tuesday meeting Hernes said the only thing he would change in his department is to go out and get some Ziploc bags.  

Otherwise he said, “We’re doing the things we’re supposed to do.”

OAKLAND — Subject-oriented SAT II tests do a better job of showing how students will do in college than the better-known SAT I college entry exam, according to a University of California study released Thursday. 

The study comes as UC faculty are considering a request by UC President Richard C. Atkinson that students no longer be required to take the SAT I. 

UC has required students to take both the SAT I (or ACT) and SAT II tests since 1968. 

The new study looked at the relationship between test scores and the records of nearly 78,000 freshmen from fall 1996 through fall 1999. 

The study found that SAT II scores gave a better indication than SAT I scores of how well students would do in college. Adding SAT II scores to high school grades gave a very good idea of student performance. Adding SAT I scores on top of that resulted in only a very slight increase in the ability to predict student success over the four-year period. 

That isn’t enough to justify the effort and expense of the SAT I, the study’s authors say. 

At the College Board, Amy Schmidt, director of higher education research, said she doubted the UC findings could be translated to students across the country. 

She said the SAT I and II, both owned by the board, are “both excellent tests. I just don’t think ... that most institutions would be happy with that (switching to the SAT II only.) Most institutions seem to really prefer the SAT I.” 

The SAT I is a test of language and math skills, based on how well students can reason. The SAT II is more content based, with each test devoted to specific subjects, such as history. Both tests are multiple choice. 

One of the criticisms leveled against the SAT is that it is culturally biased and unfair to disadvantaged students. Defenders say the test is fair; the problem is that not all students have the same educational opportunities. 

Robert Schaeffer of FairTest, which advocates less emphasis on standardized tests, called the UC study the “first truly comprehensive study showing how poor the SAT I is as a predictor.” 

Schaeffer, however, said the answer is not to switch to SAT II, but to stop using it altogether. 

Atkinson has proposed using SAT II tests as an interim measure while new tests are developed that would be more closely linked to the California high school curriculum. 

His proposal to drop the SAT I is being reviewed by the Academic Senate. 

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On the Net: UC study, www.ucop.edu/sas/research/researchandplanning/ 

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court unanimously upheld a verdict awarding a black employee $1 million in punitive damages after he experienced repeated racial harassment on the job at a cardboard company near Seattle. 

Three judges on a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel affirmed that Troy Swinton was owed the punitive damages because he was the subject of repeated jokes by co-workers that used “a continuing stream of racial slurs,” Judge Margaret McKeown wrote Wednesday. 

Out of 140 employees at Potomac Corp., 30 miles north of Seattle, Swinton was the only black employee when he worked in the shipping department for seven months before quitting. 

McKeown said Swinton was forced to listen to offensive remarks made in front him while his supervisor stood by without intervening. 

McKeown also said testimony from a trial in U.S. District Court in Seattle “underscored the ubiquity of the racist atmosphere” at the company. 

The Seattle jury awarded Swinton $5,612 in back pay, $30,000 for emotional distress and $1 million in punitive damages. Law experts said it’s one of the largest awards ever for racial harassment based only on offensive language. 

“Although much of what happened here was characterized by management as ’jokes,’ neither the discrimination nor the jury verdict is a laughing matter,” McKeown wrote. 

Circuit Judges William A. Fletcher and Johnnie B. Rawlinson joined her opinion. 

In Potomac’s appeal, it said U.S. District Judge Jack E. Tanner showed bias toward the plaintiff during the questioning of a plant manager. The appeals panel said Tanner’s questions did not reveal anything of consequence. 

Potomac’s lawyer, Richard Winter, said it was “difficult to try the case” before an ”80-year-old black judge,” referring to Tanner. “He was visibly distressed by the evidence of the N-word.” 

Winter said the company has not decided whether to request another hearing before a larger 9th Circuit panel. 

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1999 that a company cannot be required to pay punitive damages for managers who discriminate against employees if the company has made “good faith efforts” to comply with the Civil Rights Act of 1991. 

Potomac argued it should be immune from paying punitive damages because it had written policies forbidding workplace harassment. 

The federal appeals court rejected that contention, citing decisions from other appeals courts that held companies liable for punitive damages even when low-level supervisors do not respond to harassment complaints. 

“Despite testimony that offensive racial language was ubiquitous, there is nothing to indicate that anyone in the company did anything to combat this problem until officially informed by a state agency that Swinton was charging racial harassment,” McKeown wrote. 

SAN FRANCISCO — A ferry to the former prison island of Alcatraz will be powered by soybean-based fuel thanks to a $25,000 grant announced Thursday. 

The 400-passenger Blue & Gold Ferry is already taking visitors to Alcatraz powered only by the biodiesel fuel, said San Francisco Water Transit Authority spokeswoman Heide Machen. 

The ferry is part of a pilot project to collect emission data on the highly efficient but relatively expensive fuel, which produces 78 percent less carbon dioxide than diesel; pure biodiesel reduces air toxics and cancer-causing compounds by 94 percent. 

The WTA expects a final report by the end of February 2002. 

RICHMOND — The City Council has approved Contra Costa County’s first living wage ordinance, setting higher wage standards than similar measures adopted in Oakland, San Francisco and San Jose. 

The ordinance requires firms with 10 or more employees receiving more than $25,000 in city contracts to pay employees at least $11.42 an hour with benefits or $12.92 without. The measure also applies to city employees, nonprofit groups with annual city contracts totaling $100,000 and anyone who leases public property with 25 employees and annual earnings of $350,000. 

The council is expected to formally adopt the measure on a second reading next week. 

San Francisco’s wage ordinance sets a $9 per hour minimum for city-hired contractors; Oakland requires $8 per hour with benefits or $9.25 without; San Jose mandates $9.50 with benefits and $10.75 without. 

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CONCORD, Calif. (AP) — Several shopping centers in the East Bay are canceling trick-or-treat events because of concerns over possible terrorism attacks. 

Sun Valley Mall in Concord and Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton have canceled long-standing trick-or-treat traditions, while Richmond’s Hilltop Mall will hold a candy-free event. Michigan-based Taubman Co. owns all three centers and has directed its 31 shopping malls in 13 states not to distribute edible treats in light of anthrax scares. 

Other malls, including Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek and County East Mall in Antioch, are going ahead with edible fright-night delights. County East General Manager Sharon Cooper said it’s important to carry on with the 12-year tradition that draws crowds of up to 4,000 people. 

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A plan to reduce smog in the Bay Area is on its way to state and federal regulators after it was approved Wednesday by a trio of regional panels. 

The Bay Area ozone plan seeks to reduce the two ingredients that make up ozone by 20 percent between now and 2006, largely through measures that are already in place such as improved gasoline formulas and cleaner burning cars. 

The plan includes stricter regulation of paints and varnishes, better valves at refineries and new lower-emission buses. It also promises to study other measures, including a stricter smog check program, that could be implemented in the future. 

Environmentalists speaking at a public hearing complained the plan was not aggressive enough. Representatives of Central Valley municipalities have objected in writing because they believe many of that region’s air quality problems come from Bay Area exhaust blowing inland. 

SAN DIEGO – Six years after identifying Sudden Oak Death syndrome, scientists are still struggling to understand the disease that’s killing thousands of trees in California. 

Since its discovery in Marin County in 1995, the pathogen Phytophthora ramorum has been found attacking oaks in 10 California counties as well as in southwestern Oregon, Germany and Holland. 

It quickly kills certain trees and, even more insidiously, lingers in other plant species that spread the disease while barely showing symptoms themselves. 

“A large part of California could be infected and we just don’t know about it,” Matteo Garbelotto, a forest pathologist at the University of California, Berkeley, said Wednesday at a symposium in San Diego. 

Scientists admitted there is much to learn about Sudden Oak Death. 

Where it came from, how it spreads and how it can be contained remain uncertain, said Mark Stanley, chairman of the California Oak Mortality Task Force. 

The disease is caused by a fungus-like pathogen related to the one that caused the Irish potato famine of the mid-1800s. 

It causes bleeding or oozing of a dark sap in the coast live oak, the black oak and the Shreve oak. In the tanoak, which is not a true oak, it causes drooping in new growth. Weakened trees then become vulnerable to attacks by insects and wood-decaying fungi. 

Recent evidence suggests the disease was brought into the state, possibly through the trade of ornamental plants, Garbelotto said. 

Birds, humans trading plants and even spores wafting on the breeze may spread the disease. 

The state of California has imposed regulations for transporting host plants and material in the 10 counties where Sudden Oak Death has been documented: Alameda, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano and Sonoma. 

But infested host plants — such as bay laurel, rhododendron, huckleberry and many others — could easily go undetected, Garbelotto said. 

“The symptoms are so small and minute that only the very trained eye can see them,” he said. “The problem is this is a microorganism. So if it doesn’t cause a huge tree to die, how do you see it? How do you see a microorganism that is minuscule in a bunch of soil?” 

Experts at the symposium called for a strengthened effort to diagnose and monitor the disease. The state and federal governments have allocated $7.6 million to study and help contain Sudden Oak Death, Stanley said. 

In the meantime, researchers urged Californians to be cautious about moving possibly infected material: Firewood should not be moved from one place to another; cyclists should clean soil from their tires. 

Property owners should dispose of leaves and other debris in proscribed burns or in compost piles capable of reaching a 131-degree temperature. If someone wants to take material to a designated compost facility, they should check with local authorities to see if a permit is needed. If they do move it, they should properly seal the transport container. 

“The worst thing that you could do is to put it in the back of your pickup truck and then drive all across the county with the leaves flying out of the truck,” Garbelotto said. 

ease, people should not move infected leaves, wood or soil. Wood that already has been moved should be burned. Visitors to coastal forests should clean their tires, shoes and animals’ feet thoroughly. Construction workers should wash equipment. Ornamental plants that could be carriers of the disease should not be moved from infected counties. 

LOS ANGELES - The judge in the attempted-murder trial of former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson on Thursday rejected a request by prosecutors to formally declare that the SLA was “a terrorist organization.” 

“The motion is denied,” Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler said.  

But he noted his ruling covered only the period of pretrial motion hearings on challenges to searches in the case and could be renewed at a later time. 

He noted that “such testimony may have a subliminal effect,” and refused to allow it. 

Defense lawyers have argued that the trial should be delayed because the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will prejudice jurors against Olson, who is accused of trying to kill Los Angeles police officers with pipe bombs in 1975. 

Prosecutors have described the crimes with which she is charged as domestic terrorism.  

Although the charges date back 26 years, defense lawyers worried that jurors could equate the actions of the SLA with the current siege of terrorism. 

“It’s a real concern,” attorney Shawn Snider Chapman said outside court.  

She called the prosecution attempt to inject the concept of terrorism into the case as “very transparent.” 

Chapman said that questionnaires which will be given to prospective jurors next week are being rewritten to address terrorism concerns. 

One question, she said, will ask “whether the events of Sept. 11 would make it more difficult to sit on a case where the defendant is charged with terrorist acts.” 

Deputy District Attorneys Michael Latin and Eleanor Hunter sought the declaration from the judge as they fought a move by the defense to suppress items seized in warrantless searches in 1975.  

The prosecutors planned to argue that police were justified in searching because of “exigent circumstances” which included knowledge that the SLA was involved in terrorism. 

But Chapman said outside court that some officers may not have known anything about the SLA when they conducted searches.  

They swept into several apartments and a mailbox rental office in the San Francisco Bay area after the arrest of newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst, who was kidnapped by the SLA and then joined the group. 

Among items found in the searches were parts of a bomb and 200 feet of safety fuse which prosecutors say were ordered through the mail in letters handwritten by Olson. 

The judge refused a defense bid to challenge the reliability of handwriting analysis and turned down another defense challenge involving fingerprint evidence. He said both are regularly used in courts. 

Olson, 54, is charged with conspiring to kill police officers by planting bombs under police cars.  

The bombs did not explode. Olson was a fugitive until two years ago, living as a wife and mother in Minnesota. 

Her doctor husband and their three daughters have been attending court hearings along with a group of her supporters. 

Outside court, Chapman said Olson is anxious to tell her story in court. 

“She wants to testify,” the attorney said. “She is a very vocal and passionate woman. She’s innocent and has sat silent for a long time. She’d like the world to know that she’s innocent.” 

The judge delayed further hearings until Oct. 31. The absence of Olson’s lead lawyer, J. Tony Serra, who is involved in another trial, has stalled progress in Olson’s trial.

LOS ANGELES — Heightened concern about America’s dependence on foreign oil should provide the strongest incentive yet for the country to boost research in renewable energy and improve energy efficiency, advocates for alternatives to fossil fuels say. 

Foreign countries produced more than half the oil America consumed last year, with Persian Gulf countries — namely Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait — producing close to a quarter of those imports. 

Supporters of alternative energy say the Middle East’s political uncertainty should prompt U.S. policy makers to aggressively pursue homegrown energy sources such as fuel cells, biomass and wind and solar power. 

“The less encumbered our foreign policy is to economic interests, the better,” said Hal Harvey, president of The Energy Foundation, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that promotes renewable energy. “When you’re sort of a drug addict trying to negotiate with a dealer, you don’t have a lot of cards.” 

Even if Congress approves a contentious plan to open oil drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the United States cannot come close to gaining energy independence without renewable sources, said Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev. 

Last week, Reid and Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., introduced legislation to renew the federal tax credit for wind power and expand it to include solar, biomass, geothermal and other renewable energies. 

He said concerns over national security eventually will draw more legislators from both parties toward expanding renewable energy. 

“We’re at a point now where I think we have no alternative,” Reid said. 

Others, however, warn that proponents of increased domestic oil drilling continue to take a narrow view of the nation’s energy policy. 

Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., a member of the House Resources and Science committees, said colleagues who see increased U.S. drilling as the most important way to reduce dependence on foreign oil aren’t budging. 

“People have used what happened to reinforce their previous points of view,” said Udall, who supports some additional drilling but opposes President Bush’s plan to tap the Arctic refuge. 

He said the United States must diversify its energy sources, saying the country will have no choice but to rethink its energy policy as world oil reserves shrink in the decades ahead. 

“We can go there with a lot of pain, or we can do it on our own timeframe,” he said. 

The national-security argument to reducing fossil-fuel use applies mainly to petroleum and the motor vehicles that consume most of it. 

Automakers, government officials and environmentalists speak optimistically about the potential of fuel-cell technology, which they say eventually could replace gasoline to power motor vehicles. 

The cells use energy generated when hydrogen, produced by anything from gasoline to electricity, bonds with oxygen to create water vapor. 

“We think it’s a key competitive race among manufacturers: Who’ll be first to produce large volumes of these vehicles?” General Motors spokesman Dave Barthmuss said. “I don’t know that we could move any faster.” 

It is expected to take a decade or more to make fuel cells affordable, to set up fueling stations and to ensure the vehicles safely handle the ultralight, flammable hydrogen they use. 

But in a sign the technology is progressing, GM and several other automakers on Friday will put 65 of their fuel-cell cars and other alternative-fuel vehicles to the test in the Michelin Challenge Bibendum. 

The three-day event includes performance tests at the California Speedway in Fontana and ends Sunday with a 226-mile road rally from the Los Angeles area to Las Vegas. 

California has been the source of other advances in alternative-fuel vehicles, thanks to efforts to clean up air that has ranked among the dirtiest in the nation. 

State and regional regulations and subsidies have helped create fleets of low-polluting cars, trucks and buses, including 40 electric postal vehicles unveiled last week in Los Angeles. 

Bush administration officials said the president’s national energy plan, which passed in the House but is languishing in the Senate, sets a course to increase the use of lower-polluting technologies to help reduce dependence on foreign oil. 

But they add that more domestic oil production is needed in the short term. 

They estimate more than 1 million barrels a day — about 20 percent of current U.S. production — could be extracted from the Arctic preserve and advocate drilling on other federal lands. 

Bush’s plan “was on target when it came out and it’s still on target today,” said David Garman, the U.S. Department of Energy’s assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy. 

More than half of the energy policy’s 105 recommendations relate to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, programs for which the government is spending about $1.2 billion a year, Garman said. 

New Mexico Democrat Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is pursuing an alternative to the Bush plan that increases annual research and development funding for energy efficiency programs and renewables to $1.7 billion by 2006 and that scales back increases in domestic oil development. 

The Bush plan doesn’t emphasize reducing oil consumption, Bingaman spokeswoman Jude McCartin said, and thus “would have us at the end of the day more dependent on foreign oil rather than less.”

Several years ago one of us made the mistake of purchasing and installing a pet door in his home without thoroughly studying the issue. The actual installation was no big deal. All he had to do was cut a hole in a door, mount the simple-to-install kit and begin the process of teaching his pet to use it. But, there were a few extremely important things that he was soon to discover. 

He assumed his pets were the only ones that would want to take advantage of the shelter, warmth and nourishment offered inside the home. Big mistake. Soon after the installation the pets seemed to be eating twice as much pet food as they did before. He thought it was because they were getting more exercise. 

Then he discovered what was occurring. Late one evening one of his kids wandered into the kitchen for a snack. She heard scratching and rustling nearby in the laundry-bath and rushed to her parents’ bedroom to report. Moments later they returned to the scene of the crime and turned on the lights to discover four raccoons (mama and three babies) happily partaking of pet food and making quite a mess. Raccoons are cute, but they are ferocious fighters and have long, sharp claws. The Careys managed to have them exit without incident. 

After that, the culpable Carey decided to abandon the pet door. And, not until recently did he realize that he could have prevented the intrusion had he been more aware of choices in pet doors. It was a mistake he would not have made had he asked a few important questions, such as: 

—Are there other domestic animals in the neighborhood that might attempt to use one’s pet door? 

—Are there wild animals in the area that might attempt to use one’s pet door? 

—Will a pet door offer egress or other dangers for a toddler? 

—Is the selected installation location accessible and convenient to a burglar? 

—Is the selected location one that could increase the danger of a house fire? 

Before the raccoon incident a neighbor’s pet did make it into the home — harmless enough. But the incident with the raccoons made us realize that wild animals can exist even in areas that are completely built out with housing. This is something that needs to be considered when opening up one’s home to the great outdoors. Before the incident we were completely oblivious of the possibility of such an occurrence. We had not previously encountered raccoons in our yards, nor did we have any idea that they lived in our neighborhood. 

Toddler safety is another consideration. A pet-door opening could be large enough for a toddler to scoot through. And, believe it or not, there are burglars who are expert at using a pet door to gain access to one’s home, especially if the opening is located near a door lock. 

Then there’s fire. The door between your kitchen and garage is special. It might not look that way, but it is. In the construction industry the door between the garage and home is known as “the fire door.” In most homes this is the only door of its kind. It is specially made to take longer to burn than a regular interior door. Installing a pet door in a fire door is a no-no. Doing so increases the danger of a fire spreading from the garage to the house. 

If you want to install a pet door, look for one where your pet wears a special collar that unlocks the door. Pet doors of this type do exist. How about that — a house key for Fido. At least you won’t have to worry about wild animals joining you at home.  

Your pet door should be in a location that is completely inaccessible to a toddler. And, be sure that the door is the smallest size that your pet can get through. 

For more home-improvement tips and information, visit our Web site at www.onthehouse.com. 

——— 

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. 

A common sight on autumn mornings is that of plants shrouded in white. These are life-giving shrouds — sheets, newspapers, and old blankets — protecting such cold-tender plants as basil, pepper, and impatiens from nighttime frost. 

Signs of imminent frost are unmistakable, and worth knowing if you want to give your plants some protection. Carried unscathed through the first frosts of autumn, tender plants can continue their offerings for a few more weeks of Indian summer. 

A cool afternoon, with temperatures in the 40s or lower, sets the stage for an even chillier night. Then frost is likely if the air turns eerily still at sunset, and stars glow brightly against a cloudless sky. The cloudless sky is like a giant vacuum, sucking back the day’s warmth. 

The soil, with its great capacity to store heat, keeps releasing heat to warm the air near ground level, perhaps enough to stave off frost on nearby plants. Plants growing in lawn or mulched ground are more likely to freeze than are plants growing in bare soil, because lawn and mulch are insulators, containing the ground’s heat. Old-timers used to loosen the surface of the soil in the garden with a hoe or a tiller to help protect nearby plants from a few degrees of frost. 

Heat lost from the earth’s surface does not necessarily escape unimpeded. Water molecules in the air absorb some of this outgoing radiation, so frost is less likely when the air is moist. And anything between clear sky and the ground can reflect heat rays back to the ground like a mirror, keeping plants warm. So although open lawn might be covered with hoar frost after a chilly night, lawn under a tree might still look lush and green. Similarly, houseplants on a covered porch might come through a frosty night unscathed, while those out in the open might be limp with frost. 

Anything draped over plants to block heat loss offers some protection from frost. Hence autumn’s shrouds. Better insulators offer greater degrees of protection. Thus the temperature stays warmer beneath a blanket than beneath a fabric sheet, and warmer beneath the fabric sheet than beneath plastic sheeting. Reflective materials, shiny side down, bounce outgoing radiation back downward. 

The best covering of all is clouds, quietly rolling in during the night. The mercury stops plummeting once this fleecy blanket covers the sky, and might even rise before morning. 

HAYWARD — Ford Motor Co. settled one of the industry’s biggest auto defect cases Thursday, agreeing to pay for repairs on millions of cars and trucks with an ignition-system flaw that can cause the vehicles to stall in traffic. 

The deal could cost the automaker $2.7 billion, the plaintiffs said. Ford attorney Richard Warmer disputed that figure but offered no specifics except to say that the settlement will have little effect on the automaker’s financial position. 

At least 11 deaths and 31 injuries have been blamed on stalling Ford vehicles that were equipped with the ignition device. 

Ford has maintained that the devices and its vehicles are safe and admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement. 

Under the deal approved by a California judge, Ford will reimburse owners nationwide who paid or will pay to repair ignition systems that have failed, so long as the vehicle had less than 100,000 miles at the time of failure. Ford will also cover related costs, such as towing fees. 

The settlement does not affect any of the wrongful-death and personal-injury lawsuits filed over the defect. 

And it does not remove from the road an estimated 12 million Fords nationwide equipped with the ignition system, which was originally installed in 20 million cars and trucks between 1983 and 1995, including the popular Taurus, Mustang, Escort and Ranger. 

The deal ends years of litigation, avoids a court-ordered recall and averts a trial expected to begin later this year that could have exposed Ford to billions of dollars in damages under California consumer law. 

For the plaintiffs, “I think it’s as good as they could have possibly gotten, short of a recall,” said Jeff Fazio, the lead attorney suing Ford. 

The deal comes amid a series of setbacks for the automaker, including a drop-off in sales. Ford is already spending $3 billion to replace 13 million Firestone tires it blames for deadly rollover accidents involving the Ford Explorer. 

Industry analysts said that whatever its final cost, the settlement is not good news for Ford. 

“Unfortunately it’s a hit to their balance sheet, which is Ford’s last remaining strength,” said David Littmann, chief economist at Comerica bank. 

Ford stock was up 46 cents, or 2.9 percent, to close at $16.52 on the New York Stock Exchange. 

Superior Court Judge Michael E. Ballachey, who said earlier that the automaker was living in an “Alice in Wonderland” dream by denying the ignition modules were defective, signed the settlement after weeks of closed-door negotiations. 

“I thought this wasn’t going to happen,” Ballachey said. 

The agreement came two months after The Associated Press reported on the many deaths and injuries blamed on the defect. The AP also obtained internal Ford memos that show the automaker had evidence its ignition design could make engines suddenly fail on the road. 

Ballachey ruled that Ford knew as early as 1982 that the vehicles were prone to stalling, especially when engines grew hot, and that Ford failed to alert consumers and repeatedly deceived federal regulators. 

The lawsuit challenged Ford’s placement of the thick film ignition module, which regulates electric current to the spark plugs. 

The module was mounted in 29 Ford models on the distributor near the engine block, where it was exposed to high temperatures. According to internal documents obtained by the AP, Ford had designed it this way to save up to $2 per vehicle and increase fuel economy. 

One document indicates Ford knew the devices should not be exposed to temperatures above 257 degrees. Another indicates Ford warned its engineers that many engines ran at temperatures higher than this, raising the risk of “rapid catastrophic failure.” 

A former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigator told the AP that Ford concealed this information from federal regulators, who were studying hundreds of complaints about Ford vehicles stalling. Michael B. Brownlee, who oversaw the defect cases, said the government might not have closed its four investigations if Ford had provided these and other key documents. 

The government decided against a recall years before the memos became known. It cannot recall the vehicles now because the legal deadline has passed, legal experts said. 

Ballachey ordered Ford last year to recall as many as 2 million vehicles in California but had no jurisdiction over vehicles in other states. The settlement ends this recall threat and expands the class to Ford vehicles nationwide. 

Consumer groups backed the accord, but were frustrated nevertheless. 

“If Ford were concerned about public safety, they would have recalled the vehicles,” said Clarence Ditlow, who heads the Center for Automotive Safety. 

Last week, Ford reported a third-quarter loss of $692 million. Standard & Poor’s lowered its credit rating two notches after the automaker said it would cut its fourth-quarter dividend in half. 

The federal government has blamed at least 271 deaths on Firestone tires whose tread peeled away.  

Bridgestone/Firestone Corp. insists the vehicle is partly to blame. Ford says the tire is the problem.

CINCINNATI — Jurors in the trial of a white police officer accused of causing a black man’s death with a choke hold heard a recording Thursday in which the officer told a supervisor he had held the man’s head during a struggle. 

“I had his head wrapped almost the whole time,” Officer Robert Jorg was heard saying on the videotape. A few seconds later Jorg said: “I was trying to hold him down.” 

The tape was recorded by a camera mounted on the police cruiser of Officer Victor Spellen, who said he drove to the scene to assist officers struggling with Roger Owensby Jr. The struggle was not captured on videotape. 

Defense attorney R. Scott Croswell has said his client did not choke Owensby and was holding his head to try to protect him from injury. 

Autopsy findings showed Owensby, 29, died from asphyxia caused by compression of the neck or chest. Death could have resulted from a choke hold or from the weight of officers holding him down, according to a deputy coroner. 

Jorg, charged with felony involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor assault in Owensby’s death, is the first on-duty city police officer ever charged with a felony offense in a killing. 

Another officer, Patrick Caton, went on trial separately Wednesday on a charge of misdemeanor assault. In opening statements, prosecutor Ernest McAdams Jr. said Caton slugged Owensby after officers subdued him. 

Defense lawyer Merlyn Shiverdecker told the jurors Caton’s actions were “a permissible and lawful use of restraint and force.” 

The trials started almost a month after a judge acquitted Officer Stephen Roach in the shooting of an unarmed black man who was running from police. Timothy Thomas’ death touched off three days of rioting in April. 

Roach sat at the back of the courtroom during Jorg’s trial on Thursday. 

Fifteen black men and a 12-year-old boy have died in confrontations with Cincinnati police since 1995. Eleven of them threatened officers with weapons. 

SACRAMENTO – California faces between an $8 billion and $14 billion budget deficit next year, Gov. Gray Davis said Wednesday after meeting with the state’s top four legislative leaders. 

“The focus now is on reducing expenditures and balancing the budget. That’s the direction we’re heading,” Davis said, following a 45-minute conference with the Democratic and Republican leaders of both chambers of the Legislature. 

The group, dubbed the “Big Five” within the State Capitol, agreed the state may need a special legislative session to fix the growing budget problem, Davis said. 

On Tuesday, Davis imposed an immediate statewide hiring freeze and asked his appointed Cabinet to identify $150 million in cuts to current state spending. 

He also asked state agency heads to prepare plans to cut 15 percent from their budgets next years. 

Attaching a potential price tag to the problem for the first time, Davis said the state could face an $8 billion to $14 billion deficit if revenues continue to lag. His current estimate assumes $12.5 billion in revenue bonds will be issued to repay the state treasury for power purchases. 

Davis said his office and legislative staff must find more cuts to close the gap caused by an already weakening economy and the fiscal fallout from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. 

He said he asked Democratic U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein Wednesday for federal financial help, adding that lawmakers must consider ways to boost California’s economy, such as by providing incentives for the movie industry. 

Senate Minority Leader Jim Brulte, R-Rancho Cucamonga, said he told Davis he should call a special legislative session immediately. 

“We need to act now,” Brulte said. 

Davis, however, said he would only call a special session if lawmakers had specific cost-cutting plans to consider. 

Brulte and other Republicans have criticized Davis, saying the state’s general fund has grown by 37 percent since he took office. “We sounded the alarm last year that we had problem,” said Assembly Minority Leader Dave Cox, R-Fair Oaks. 

Davis press secretary Steve Maviglio sent a note to reporters Wednesday noting that other governors have increased the state budget at a higher rate than Davis. 

Throughout the nation, states are conducting special legislative sessions to handle falling revenues and the costs of increased security measures since Sept. 11. 

“This is not just California asking for help,” Davis said.

SAN FRANCISCO – Advertising-driven search engine Overture Services Inc. reported its first-ever quarterly profit Thursday, demonstrating that some dot-com companies may emerge from the Internet industry’s rubble as moneymaking businesses. 

The Pasadena-based company earned $9 million, or 15 cents per share, reversing a loss of $46.1 million, or 94 cents per share, in last year’s same period. Overture’s revenue nearly tripled to $72.5 million in this year’s third quarter, up from $25 million a year ago. 

Wall Street had expected Overture to become profitable in the quarter, but not by such a wide margin. The consensus earnings estimate among analysts polled by Thomson Financial/First Call was 2 cents per share. 

“They had a Barry Bonds-like quarter,” quipped industry analyst Lanny Baker of Salomon Smith Barney. 

Before the company’s earnings breakthrough, Overture’s shares gained $1.02 to close at $19.05 on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The stock climbed by another $3.70, or 19 percent, in after-hours trading. 

With its performance, Overture joins a handful of profitable Internet companies. Despite the weakening economy, Overture remains bullish. It disclosed Thursday that it expects to make $10 million, or 17 cents per share, in the fourth quarter, up from the consensus earnings estimate of 6 cents per year. 

Next year, Overture expects to earn $28 million, or 45 cents per share, on revenue of $345 million, up from the consensus estimates of 29 cents per share on revenue of $317 million. 

“Although we are very excited about this accomplishment, you won’t finding any of us resting on it,” said Overture CEO Ted Meisel. “We know that what we did will probably engender even more competition.” 

Overture, which changed its name from GoTo.com earlier this month, is thriving by auctioning off the rankings in its search engine, a method that has rankled some consumer activists. 

The Web sites in Overture’s database are ranked by how much they are willing to be paid to be listed in specific categories. The more a Web site pays, the higher it appears in Overture’s search results. 

Although online purists argue that the practice misleads Web surfers who believe they are getting objective search results, the method is becoming more prevalent. Popular search engines run by MSN, AOL and AltaVista all draw upon Overture for their search engines. 

As Overture’s search engine emerges as the Web’s version of the Yellow Pages, more sites are paying to be listed in the database. As of Sept. 30, Overture had 49,000 active advertisers, a 53 percent increase from 32,000 advertisers a year ago. In the third quarter, advertisers paid Overture an average of $1,510, up 9 percent from an average of $1,380 a year ago. 

Through the first nine months of the year, Overture lost $605,000, or 1 cent per share, on revenue of $186.9 million. At the same time last year, the company had lost $96.9 million, or $2.04 per share, on revenue of $63.3 million.

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.

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.

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 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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 

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.”

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.

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 

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. 

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 

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. 

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 — 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 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.

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, 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. 

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. 

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.

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 

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.  

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.

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.”

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.” 

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

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.” 

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.”

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. 

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.

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 

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. 

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. 

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 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.” 

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.” 

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 

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. 

SAN DIEGO — An 18-year-old who admitted to a March shooting spree that wounded five people at his high school committed suicide early Monday, hanging himself in his jail cell. 

Jason Hoffman, who had a history of mental illness, was found dead at San Diego’s Central Jail shortly before 1 a.m., Deputy District Attorney Dan Lamborn said. He was alone in the cell and had been checked less than an hour earlier, investigators said. 

Hoffman left behind writings which indicated “he was displeased with the world,” said Lt. Jerry Lewis of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. 

The writings included doodles and a list of musical artists, which Lewis declined to name. They were not a suicide note in the usual sense, he said. 

“You can only theorize that he didn’t like being 18 and in jail with what he was facing,” he said. 

Last month, Hoffman pleaded guilty to six felony counts for the March 22 shooting at Granite Hills High School in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon. He was to be sentenced on Nov. 8 to 27 years to life in prison. 

“This was an obviously troubled young man and it’s a sad end to his life,” Lamborn said. 

Five people were wounded when Hoffman opened fire with a shotgun on the campus in an attack apparently aimed at the school’s dean of students. The motivation for the assault was never fully explained, according to Lamborn. 

Hoffman was stopped when a police officer shot him in the face, fracturing his jaw. 

The attack came two weeks after a shooting at a nearby campus, Santana High School in Santee, killed two students and left 13 people wounded. The alleged gunman in that attack was a 15-year-old freshman, Charles “Andy” Williams, who remains in custody pending trial. 

Hoffman’s attorney, William Trainor, has said his client took antidepressants before the shooting and had a history of mental problems, which he planned to detail if the case went to trial. 

It was unclear whether Hoffman had continued to take medication while in custody, Lewis said. 

Following his arrest, Hoffman was held in a padded “safety cell” due to concerns he might hurt himself. But a doctor later ruled he could be moved to the type of “administrative detention cell” where he was found dead, Lewis said. 

It was not clear when the transfer occurred, but Lewis did not believe it was recent. 

Hoffman was confined to the small cell, with only a small window in the door, for 23 hours a day. During a one-hour daily break he was allowed to exercise, shower and make phone calls. 

Early Monday, a deputy performing a routine check discovered Hoffman hanging from a vent screen from a torn bed sheet. Two deputies lowered him and found no pulse. Medical staff and paramedics were unable to revive him. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene just before 1:30 a.m. An autopsy was planned for Tuesday. 

SAN FRANCISCO – Rising from landfill across from Pacific Bell Park is the planned biotechnology research facility Genentech Hall, the city’s new economic hope. 

University of California, San Francisco officials on Sunday showed off Genentech Hall to reporters and other attendees of the annual American Medical Association Science Reporters Conference. They saw the skeletal exterior of a 430,000-square-foot building expected to be completed by the end of next year. When completed for an expected $223 million, the building will house some of the university’s biotechnology and medical research departments. 

“It is by far the largest such urban development of its type in the United States,” said Christopher Scott, UCSF assistant chancellor in charge of research. 

Genentech Hall will be the first of four buildings UCSF plans to erect on 43 acres in the city’s China Basin neighborhood during the next three years for an estimated $640.7 million. Officials said the four buildings are only the first phase of a planned 15-year, $1.5 billion expansion at the site. They hope ultimately to have 20 buildings and to spur a biotechnology growth in the city, which UCSF officials said is home to just a single biotech company. Most Bay Area biotechnology companies are clustered in South San Francisco around biotech giant Genentech and south into Silicon Valley. 

“UCSF is a primary player in the formation of the biotech industry,” Scott said. Scott said 63 biotech companies were launched by UCSF faculty or technology developed at the school. 

Most of the project’s funding will come from private donors and corporations as part of the university’s $1.4 billion fund-raising drive. 

“This is an ambitious effort by any stretch of the imagination,” UCSF Chancellor J. Michael Bishop told a gathering of 300 of the school’s top donors during a glitzy dinner Wednesday formally announcing the drive. 

Despite the severe economic downturn and the events of Sept. 11, Bishop said he’s confident the school will meet its fund-raising target and complete the construction project. 

In fact, Bishop said the school has already received donor commitments of $740 million, more than enough to complete the project. The project’s finances were boosted by a lawsuit UCSF filed against Genentech that accused the giant biotech company’s scientists of stealing key intellectual property. Genentech settled the dispute in 1999 by paying the University of California and UCSF a combined $200 million, $50 million of which was used to help finance the building’s construction. In exchange, UCSF agreed to name the building Genentech Hall. 

Nearby, a five-story, 155,000-square-foot building is being built by Catellus, Inc. The developer is hoping to lure private biotech companies to its building, which is expected to be completed about the same time as Genentech Hall. 

Catellus donated most of the land to UCSF and owns nearly all the 303 acres in the formerly industrial area. Catellus plans to turn the area into a vibrant biotech center and residential neighborhood. Catellus hopes eventually to build 6,090 units of housing, 850,000 square feet of retail space and 5 million square feet of office space, mostly devoted to the biotech industry.

Editor: 

As a Citizen of Berkeley I am outraged and disgusted that Resolution No. 61,310-N.S. was brought before the Berkeley City Council. This is not a Viet Nam! The country is still reeling from the vicious terrorist attacks where 6,000 innocent U.S. citizens died, and more die daily due to possible bio-terrorism attacks currently being played out in Our Great Country. Every firehouse in NYC has lost at least one member of their brotherhood and some lost as many as 15 firefighters at some firehouses. This resolution creates the image of Berkeley as pithy, divisive, opportunistic and out of touch with reality and I don’t believe reflects the majority of Berkeley voters. 

Councilperson Worthington’s statement to the press regarding the proposal showed his nearsightedness: “This sort of proposal”, he said, “plays into the “Berserkeley” image that attracts national attention to the city and benefits the economy.” “Tourists come to Berkeley because of all the attention the bastion of liberalism generates.”  

Perhaps your progressive vision needs an adjustment in light of the Berkeley boycott now gaining steam in this country. 

Also Dona Spring’s comment to the press: “The U.S. is now a terrorist. According to the Taliban these are terrorist attacks.” Dona, perhaps you should listen to the cries of terror from your oppressed Afghani sisters rather than the lies of Taliban thugs. The Taliban certainly didn’t avoid actions that could and would and have endangered the lives of innocent people in Afghanistan. 

Now, as a result of your short sighted view, you have brought suffering to Berkeley busineses. Grow up, wake up, and do the job you were hired for. 

Think Globally and act Locally - I will - at the next city elections! 

Timothy McCluskey 

Berkeley 

Editor’s note: Spring says the Daily Cal misquoted her.

Some local car dealers, who are experiencing a jump in business, are attributing this phenomenon to two main factors: zero-percent financing and patriotism.  

“Our whole product line is just taking off,” said Larry Stanfield, sales manager for Saturn in Oakland. “This actually started on the 12th of September.” 

Like many competing domestic car manufacturers, Saturn, owned by General Motors, has slashed its loans to zero-percent interest, which has significantly boosted sales.  

“I don’t know how long this is going to last, but I will ride the wave,” Stanfield said. 

According to a Federal Reserve Board report issued this week, zero-interest rates are boosting retail auto sales around the United States. 

Zero-percent financing has strengthened sales at Albany Ford-Subaru, according to John Nakamura, president of the dealership. For the month of October, Nakamura has already matched sales from 2000. With five days remaining, he expects to exceed last year’s numbers by at least 30 percent. 

Nakamura said some patriotic customers want to stimulate the economy.  

“A lot of our customers say they have planned to buy a vehicle in the next few months,” he said. But after the attacks, “they decided to do it now.” 

Sales in Subarus, the foreign brand sold at Albany Ford-Subaru, stayed consistent, according to Nakamura. “The domestic brand is higher,” he said, referring to Fords. “A lot of it might be the Pro-American sentiment.” 

Nakamura is fortunate. In a recent press release, Ford announced its domestic sales were down by nearly 10 percent for the month of September. 

Some East Bay dealers are feeling the pinch too. Sales slipped at Connell Chrysler in Oakland.  

“After our tragedy, we were down about 25 percent” for September, said sales manager Martin Muranishi.  

After joining the competition by offering zero-percent financing, they were able to close the gap; October sales are only 6 percent below last year’s figures. 

Sales have been slumping all year for some foreign auto dealers. According to Jason Kolesnikow, sales manager at Berkeley Nissan-Datsun, sales had been sinking 20 percent throughout 2001 prior to the Sept. 11 attacks. Despite offering zero-percent financing now, sales at Berkeley Nissan-Datsun remain down. 

Confident about his foreign brand sales, Ed Irving, a salesman at Doten Honda, said the company does not plan to follow others who offer zero-interest financing. Honda, he said, is not as worried as domestic manufacturers about the U.S. economy.  

Irving said for the first one-and-a-half weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, customers assumed that Honda wanted to sell its cars quick and cheap. They began coming in looking for bargains, up to $4,000 less than what the dealership paid.  

Irving leaned against a shiny blue showroom model.  

“People were asking for outrageous deals,” he said.

Editor: 

As a Citizen of Berkeley I am outraged and disgusted that Resolution No. 61,310-N.S. was brought before the Berkeley City Council. This is not a Viet Nam! The country is still reeling from the vicious terrorist attacks where 6,000 innocent U.S. citizens died, and more die daily due to possible bio-terrorism attacks currently being played out in Our Great Country. Every firehouse in NYC has lost at least one member of their brotherhood and some lost as many as 15 firefighters at some firehouses. This resolution creates the image of Berkeley as pithy, divisive, opportunistic and out of touch with reality and I don’t believe reflects the majority of Berkeley voters. 

Councilperson Worthington’s statement to the press regarding the proposal showed his nearsightedness: “This sort of proposal”, he said, “plays into the “Berserkeley” image that attracts national attention to the city and benefits the economy.” “Tourists come to Berkeley because of all the attention the bastion of liberalism generates.”  

Perhaps your progressive vision needs an adjustment in light of the Berkeley boycott now gaining steam in this country. 

Also Dona Spring’s comment to the press: “The U.S. is now a terrorist. According to the Taliban these are terrorist attacks.” Dona, perhaps you should listen to the cries of terror from your oppressed Afghani sisters rather than the lies of Taliban thugs. The Taliban certainly didn’t avoid actions that could and would and have endangered the lives of innocent people in Afghanistan. 

Now, as a result of your short sighted view, you have brought suffering to Berkeley busineses. Grow up, wake up, and do the job you were hired for. 

Think Globally and act Locally - I will - at the next city elections! 

Timothy McCluskey 

Berkeley 

Editor’s note: Spring says the Daily Cal misquoted her.

Some local car dealers, who are experiencing a jump in business, are attributing this phenomenon to two main factors: zero-percent financing and patriotism.  

“Our whole product line is just taking off,” said Larry Stanfield, sales manager for Saturn in Oakland. “This actually started on the 12th of September.” 

Like many competing domestic car manufacturers, Saturn, owned by General Motors, has slashed its loans to zero-percent interest, which has significantly boosted sales.  

“I don’t know how long this is going to last, but I will ride the wave,” Stanfield said. 

According to a Federal Reserve Board report issued this week, zero-interest rates are boosting retail auto sales around the United States. 

Zero-percent financing has strengthened sales at Albany Ford-Subaru, according to John Nakamura, president of the dealership. For the month of October, Nakamura has already matched sales from 2000. With five days remaining, he expects to exceed last year’s numbers by at least 30 percent. 

Nakamura said some patriotic customers want to stimulate the economy.  

“A lot of our customers say they have planned to buy a vehicle in the next few months,” he said. But after the attacks, “they decided to do it now.” 

Sales in Subarus, the foreign brand sold at Albany Ford-Subaru, stayed consistent, according to Nakamura. “The domestic brand is higher,” he said, referring to Fords. “A lot of it might be the Pro-American sentiment.” 

Nakamura is fortunate. In a recent press release, Ford announced its domestic sales were down by nearly 10 percent for the month of September. 

Some East Bay dealers are feeling the pinch too. Sales slipped at Connell Chrysler in Oakland.  

“After our tragedy, we were down about 25 percent” for September, said sales manager Martin Muranishi.  

After joining the competition by offering zero-percent financing, they were able to close the gap; October sales are only 6 percent below last year’s figures. 

Sales have been slumping all year for some foreign auto dealers. According to Jason Kolesnikow, sales manager at Berkeley Nissan-Datsun, sales had been sinking 20 percent throughout 2001 prior to the Sept. 11 attacks. Despite offering zero-percent financing now, sales at Berkeley Nissan-Datsun remain down. 

Confident about his foreign brand sales, Ed Irving, a salesman at Doten Honda, said the company does not plan to follow others who offer zero-interest financing. Honda, he said, is not as worried as domestic manufacturers about the U.S. economy.  

Irving said for the first one-and-a-half weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, customers assumed that Honda wanted to sell its cars quick and cheap. They began coming in looking for bargains, up to $4,000 less than what the dealership paid.  

Irving leaned against a shiny blue showroom model.  

“People were asking for outrageous deals,” he said.

Editor: 

We have received various messages from our customers that they will not be patronizing Berkeley businesses. We received a cancellation of a ROTC dinner event scheduled for November 30th because of the proposed boycott. I would appreciate your help in creating an environment where people from all walks of life continue to patronize our businesses. Our existing business environment due to the dot-com failures and global recession is already a difficult one to operate in successfully. We cannot afford to create reasons that keep people away from Berkeley. 

Brij M. Misra 

Regional Vice President and General Manager 

Radisson Hotel Berkeley

Pumpkins are carved, candies in the bowls and costume shops are open. Halloween’s a week away, and the trendiest of all holidays is catching up with world affairs, with firemen uniforms and patriotic figures apparently this year’s favorite costumes.  

Paper Heaven staff on Shattuck Avenue were surprised at the number of people asking for firemen costumes. 

Compared to previous years, however, there’s a smaller crowd. Shop owner Jules Weiss said this year sales are 30 to 40 percent down.  

“Halloween spirit is not as pronounced as it was before. But I am sure if we had a bin Laden mask, that would sell best,” she said. 

Some customers complain about the prices.  

Deborah, 30, is looking for a gray wig for her 8 and a half year old son. He wants to be dressed like a sage but she is reluctant to buy one. 

“It is 20 bucks,” she said. “Twenty bucks for one night is too much. I think I will just spray his hair gray.”  

Deborah, who declined to give her last name, lives on Russell Street, where crowds typically gather on Halloween. 

“I don’t think world events will affect Halloween. People want to go out,” she said while trying on a mask with spider nets. 

George Torre, 18, manager of the Spirit Store in San Francisco said he thinks that firemen costumes are the new trend. 

“People come really for firemen uniforms. We didn’t have any because we didn’t think that it would be so popular,” he said. “We only had hats but they are all gone now. Our Uncle Sam costumes and patriotic hats are also all sold out.” 

Lauren Greenberg, 22, the shop manager of Halloween Headquarters on University Avenue said they have had a couple of slow days, but she is optimistic. 

“The day before (Halloween) gets completely insane, we do a lot of hiring for that day. The lines become too long.” 

Greenberg also confirmed the popularity of patriotic costumes.  

“We sold a lot of W. Bush masks. The statue of liberty has just come in so I don’t know about it yet but people have bought lots of flags.” 

Classics like vampires, cheerleaders and clowns are still popular. And Hollywood makes its way. 

“Batman masks are selling a lot. I have also sold a couple of Darth Mauls and X-Men.”  

Greenberg said she is thinking of dressing up like Alex from the Clockwork Orange, the Stanley Kubrick movie. 

Harry Potter seems to be the children’s number one…  

“We sold out whatever we had about Potter,” Sirit Store manager Torre says, “even girls come and ask for it.”

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.” 

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

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.