The Week
News
Where is the next trendy spot? Follow the artists.
Beginning in the 1960s artists set up studios in modest-sized industrial buildings in West Berkeley. -more-
Pacifica board battles draw to a close?
Marion Barry, former Washington, D.C. mayor and new Pacifica board member, came into the KPFA studios late Friday afternoon and declared to evening news reporter Mark Mericle the “war is over.” -more-
Aurora Theater opens with disappointing ‘St. John’
Berkeley’s Aurora Theater opened its 10th season Thursday with a production of George Bernard Shaw’s “St. Joan” in the company’s brand new theater downtown on Addison Street, next to the Berkeley Rep. -more-
’Jackets run all over Richmond
Championship game with Pinole Valley set for Thursday -more-
ZAB denies publisher’s request for expansion
What is the difference between an office and a factory? -more-
Berkeley officials remembered American values
The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter addressed to TV talk-show host Bill O’Reilly: -more-
Cal’s Tamir will miss only eight games due to NCAA ruling
Cal freshman forward/center Amit Tamir, whose eligibility was called into question because he played with professionals as a member of the Israeli National Team, will have to sit out just eight games this season. The decision came after a vote Thursday by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors. -more-
Mother helps families cope with parental disabilities
Every summer for the last few years, Rhoda Olkin had looked forward to a week at Berkeley’s family camp near Yosemite. It is a special time to share with her son. -more-
Poor air quality notices wanted at west Berkeley soccer fields
After receiving several months of data from a year-long study at Harrison Soccer Fields, the Community Environmental Advisory Commission asked city staff to post notices of poor air quality around the popular field. -more-
The grand vision for downtown requires parking
The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter written to the City Council: -more-
Market good for renters, bad for landlords
What’s that? You want $200 off the rent? No problem. -more-
Fair warning or panic mongering? Gov. Davis spurs new debate
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis’ warning that the Golden Gate and three other California bridges could be on terrorists’ Friday rush-hour hit list has renewed a debate over whether such disclosures do more harm than good. -more-
Microsoft rivals lament settlement as weak
SAN JOSE — Competitors complained Friday that Microsoft Corp.’s settlement with the federal government will do little to protect them or consumers from the software giant’s monopoly power. But they held out hope that state attorneys general could make the deal more restrictive. -more-
How Saudi businessman with suspected terror links joined San Diego firm’s board
SAN DIEGO — It took one of the world’s biggest gold-mining frauds to lead Yasin Al-Qadi, a Saudi businessman with suspected ties to Osama bin Laden’s terror network, to the board of a small California diamond mining firm. -more-
Technology in brief
SAN JOSE — Competitors complained Friday that Microsoft Corp.’s settlement with the federal government will do little to protect them or consumers from the software giant’s monopoly power. But they held out hope that state attorneys general could make the deal more restrictive. -more-
Parents pressure district to close school bathrooms
A group of first-grade parents at Washington Elementary School have been pressuring the district to close two bathrooms located in a “portable” building, which is accessible from the street, but invisible to teachers. They want new bathrooms built inside the classrooms. -more-
Fantasizing on the Rusalka Moon
“So, you want to know the story of our Rusalka?” begins an old woman, talking to a scholar of folklore who is recording the quaint beliefs held by those in these remote mountain villages. -more-
Inexperienced Bears will have to start small
Forney the lone returning starter -more-
City Council delays housing contract
Funding would continue hotel’s emergency homeless aid -more-
‘Friends’ hits No.1 TV spot
NEW YORK — Since Sept. 11, Americans by the millions have been reaching out to friends — real ones, and imaginary ones on television. -more-
’Jackets overpower Encinal
Berkeley clinches 2nd ACCAL title -more-
Davis says Bay’s bridges are targets
Gov. Gray Davis set off a flurry of mildly panicked inquiries Thursday when he told reporters that terrorists may be targeting California suspension bridges for a terrorist attack somewhere between Nov. 2 and Nov. 7. -more-
Medical marijuana club regs may limit dispensaries
Emeryville school board candidate approves of a Berkeley boycott
A.M. Fonda, an Emeryville mailman, poet and candidate for Emery Unified School District board election, was first at the mic during Monday’s poetry reading at Spasso Coffeehouse. His fellow poets had gathered to celebrate Halloween, Day of the Dead and the Celtic new year, but Fonda wanted to talk about modern politics and real-life terror. -more-
South Asian group focuses on domestic violence issue
Among the more light-hearted fashion and Mehndi tattoo stands and the cultural events of this week’s South Asian Awareness program on the UC Berkeley campus, stood a booth dealing with one of the most serious issues facing South Asian women – domestic violence. -more-
UC faculty approve change in admissions
BERKELEY — University of California faculty have endorsed a change in admissions policy that would look at students’ life achievements as well as their academic records. -more-
‘Ewwwwww!’, Grossology exhibit indulges kids’ fascination with body functions
CHICAGO — It’s a popular science exhibit that explores the slimy, the crusty and the scaly. -more-
New garden varieties for the coming year
POUND RIDGE, N.Y. — “Variety’s the very spice of life,” said 18th century British poet William Cowper. The phrase, stale now, is still hard to beat. But statesman Benjamin Disraeli tried, calling variety “the mother of enjoyment.” -more-
Californians to get parenting kits paid for by tobacco tax
LOS ANGELES — The parents of every child born in California will receive a free, bilingual parenting kit in an unprecedented statewide education campaign funded by a voter-approved tobacco tax. -more-
Survey finds state economies weakening fast
Television networks sue maker of digital video recorder
NEW YORK — Three major television networks are suing the maker of the first Internet-ready personal digital video recorder, saying the ReplayTV 4000 lets people make and distribute illegal copies of television programs. -more-
BEA Systems plans 300 cuts
SAN JOSE — Business software maker BEA Systems Inc. said Thursday it will lay off about 300 employees, or about 10 percent of its work force, by year’s end, joining the long list of Silicon Valley firms that have trimmed payrolls to offset declining sales. -more-
Sun Microsystems laying off about 250 in Colorado
BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Sun Microsystems Inc. will lay off about 250 people in Colorado as it cuts its global work force because of the soured economy. -more-
Hearing held to verify SLA radical’s guilty plea
LOS ANGELES — A hearing was ordered Thursday to determine whether the guilty plea by a former Symbionese Liberation Army radical for a 1975 attempted bombing was valid, given her public declarations of innocence. -more-
Feds order states to strengthen Megan’s laws
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The federal government has ordered Ohio and 13 other states to make their Megan’s laws stronger or risk losing millions in grant money. -more-
Washington court rules gays entitled to partner’s estate
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gays may be entitled to the estates of partners who die without wills, the Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday. -more-
Geraldo Rivera to be Fox News’ war correspondent
NEW YORK — Geraldo Rivera is quitting his prime-time talk show on CNBC to become a war correspondent for Fox News Channel, saying Thursday he couldn’t bear to stay on the sidelines during a big story. -more-
Council won’t move Free Folk Festival
Unable to agree on a compromise Tuesday, the City Council took no direct action on a recommendation from the Commission on Disability to change one of the Berkeley Free Folk Festival venues because of poor disabled accessibility. -more-
Boller cleared to play, but will he start vs. Arizona?
After missing Cal’s last two games due to a back injury, junior quarterback Kyle Boller has been allowed to return to the field by team doctors. But head coach Tom Holmoe said it isn’t a sure thing that Boller will start against Arizona on Saturday. -more-
MUSIC
Schools receive second-round of magnet grant funds
The Berkeley Unified School District has won a second Magnet Schools Grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which will spread $1 million among four schools. The award will help the schools buy equipment and materials based on a specialized theme of instruction that is integrated throughout the curriculum. -more-
Sensley still not eligible
Cal basketball recruit Julian Sensley failed to get a qualifying score on his latest attempt at the SAT, the San Francisco Chronicle reported this week. -more-
Sudden Oak Death fungus found on UC Berkeley campus
The fungus that causes Sudden Oak Death, a virulent disease which has killed tens of thousands of trees in northern California since 1995, was recently discovered on the UC Berkeley campus, school officials reported on Wednesday. -more-
City offices experiment with energy-efficient Berkeley Lamp
A new energy-efficient Berkeley Lamp was presented to the city Wednesday by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Director Charles Shank. -more-
Mayor responsible for talking up boycott
The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter sent to the mayor and council: -more-
Ready to buy in Berkeley
The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter addressed to the Chamber of Commerce: -more-
California’s wine harvest smaller than last year’s
SAN FRANCISCO — A spring frost and summer heat spikes led to a lower wine grape yield this year, but it also helped vines intensify the flavor in the grapes that survived the temperature extremes. -more-
Former SLA fugitive pleads guilty in 1975 case
LOS ANGELES — Former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson pleaded guilty Wednesday to possessing bombs with intent to murder policemen during the violent era of the 1970s revolutionary group. -more-
Travel agencies report ups and downs post-Sept. 11
East Bay tour operators who deal in the exotic say their clients, at least those still traveling, are sticking to destinations closer to home. -more-
NextCard investigated by Feds; plans to sell online company
SAN FRANCISCO — NextCard Inc., the nation’s largest online credit card issuer, disclosed Wednesday that federal regulators clamped down on its operations as its loan losses mount, prompting the company to put itself up for sale. -more-
Sept. 11-related books on high-demand
Attention, customers: terror and germs are now in stock. -more-
Author Sandra Cisneros shares her marriage with writing
Author Sandra Cisneros has a way of giving voice to adolescent angst or fervor. I remember, as a teacher, my earnest freshmen at Maybeck High School in Berkeley using chapters from Cisneros’ signature work “House on Mango Street” for journal topic ideas. Her protagonist, 11-year-old Esperanza Cordero, is wonderfully vibrant, spunky and encouraging to young writers, especially women. -more-
Versatile athlete chooses running for collegiate sport
Football and soccer kept Rudy Vasquez running during his first few months at St. Mary’s High School. Before that it was roller and ice hockey, and even before that it was basketball. -more-
Schools try for a lighter and brighter Halloween
Halloween is showing a less deadly face this year. -more-
Native American landmark soon to shrink in size
The West Berkeley Shellmound, a city landmark, will shrink a little in November. -more-
Mayor says preparing for possible terrorist attacks will be expensive
Having just returned from a national security summit for civic leaders in Washington D.C., Mayor Shirley Dean and several top-ranking city officials held a press conference Tuesday to discuss preparation strategies for possible terrorist attacks. -more-
Emeryville Afghani restaurant flooded with business
On Sept. 12, Ahmad Esmatyar took down the sign in front of his food stall at the Emeryville Public Market, afraid the words “Afghan Cuisine” would hurt his sales. -more-
Halloween Night Happenings
Halloween Night at Old East Campus -more-
Police Briefs
A gunman took over a College Avenue store Monday evening, robbing it and four individuals, according to Lt. Cynthia Harris of the Berkeley Police Department. -more-
Santa Clara County asks governor to halt executions
SAN JOSE — Santa Clara County has become the second California county to ask Gov. Gray Davis to halt all executions. -more-
Anthrax kills 12 cows; not related to terrorism
SAN JOSE — Nearly two dozen cattle killed by anthrax in a remote area of Santa Clara County do not pose a threat to the general public, and the deaths were not related to terrorism, authorities said. -more-
Bay Area Briefs
CONCORD — The only maternity ward in Concord, Contra Costa County’s largest city, has closed. -more-
Abdul Haq’s son mourns father’s death
UNION CITY — As news emerged last week that former Afghan guerrilla leader Abdul Haq was executed by the Taliban, his 16-year-old son and crowds of others began mourning half a world away. -more-
Bay Area toy executive, heir to sugar fortune, dies
SAN FRANCISCO — John Newton Rosenkrans, a San Francisco Bay area toy company executive and heir to the Spreckels sugar fortune, has died of heart failure. He was 73. -more-
Court says S.F. must allow write-ins during runoffs
SAN FRANCISCO — A state appeals court said Tuesday that San Francisco voting laws must a0llow for write-in candidates during runoff elections for mayor or other city offices. -more-
Salmonella DNA test promises fast detection of harmful strain
SAN FRANCISCO — Salmonella-contaminated eggs may be identified within hours, rather than days or weeks, using a rapid-detection technique developed by germ warfare researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. -more-
State law banning false accusations against cops ruled unconstitutional
LOS ANGELES — Laws making it a crime to bring false accusations against a peace officer but not anyone else are unconstitutional because they represent a selective prohibition that inhibits free expression, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday. -more-
Police Commission condemns councilman’s ‘Osama’ remark aimed at police chief
LOS ANGELES — The Police Commission on Tuesday condemned a city councilman’s reference to Police Chief Bernard C. Parks as “Osama bin Parks.” -more-
Panel discusses Indian mascots, nicknames
BILLINGS, Mont. — The use of American Indian mascots for sports teams can demean a culture still fighting discrimination and can be a barrier to learning, a panel of experts told a gathering of Indian educators Tuesday. -more-
Ford Motor ousts CEO and brings in a member of the Ford family to run day-to-day operations
DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. chairman William Clay Ford Jr. took over as chief executive of the struggling automaker Tuesday after the ouster of Jacques Nasser, becoming the first Ford in 22 years to run day-to-day operations. -more-
Haunted house aims to scare teenagers into safer sex
NASHVILLE, Tenn — Teen-agers may have outgrown their fear of ghouls and goblins, but health officials believe their haunted house has something far scarier: gonorrhea and genital warts. -more-
Cities, fun parks continue with Halloween plans despite threats
WEST HOLLYWOOD — The most popular outfit at public Halloween bashes around the nation is expected to be a police uniform — but it won’t be a costume. -more-
Wells Fargo launches literacy program
SAN FRANCISCO — Pledging to make the next generation of consumers better educated about money than their parents, Wells Fargo Bank has introduced a financial literacy program aimed at students in fourth grade and above. -more-
Coke buys Odwalla
ATLANTA — The Coca-Cola Co. is buying juice maker Odwalla Inc. in a $181 million deal that gives the world’s biggest soft drink company a stronger foothold in the market for noncarbonated beverages. -more-
Adobe to cut 5% of work force, lowers revenue, quarterly earnings targets
SAN JOSE — Adobe Systems Inc. will lay off about 150 people, or about 5 percent of its worldwide work force, and lower its revenue and earnings targets for the current quarter and fiscal year 2002. -more-
Court temporarily blocks Edison debt payment plan
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court temporarily has blocked a settlement between California’s second-largest utility and state power regulators that would keep electric rates at record highs for the next two years. -more-
Students educate peers about domestic violence
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. -more-
Calendar of Events & Activities
On war, Lee, and dissidence
Editor: -more-
Arts
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 -more-
Public to comment on Draft General Plan
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. -more-
Get heads out of sand The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter to the City
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. -more-
Telegraph Avenue area’s crime rate has risen
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. -more-
City found real American way The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter addressed to the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce:
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. -more-
Law students’ conference raises issue of little Latino presence in profession
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. -more-
Bombing comes home The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter addressed to the mayor and City Council:
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. -more-
City Council to consider housing, festivals tonight
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. -more-
Davis touts CHP sky marshal plan
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. -more-
INS detains 21 from Sri Lanka at San Diego border
SAN DIEGO — Authorities detained 21 illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka at the U.S.-Mexico border, the Immigration and Naturalization Service said Monday. -more-
New Napster on hold until next year; other online music services forge ahead
LOS ANGELES — Napster won’t let the music play until some time next year. -more-
Top attorney of watchdog group at center of controversy
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. -more-
FDA approves additional drug in fight against AIDS
WASHINGTON — A new anti-viral drug is being added to the arsenal of anti-AIDS medications. -more-
Utility customers conserved, saved millions
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. -more-
Bioterror experts warn open research unwittingly could help terrorists
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A leading bioterrorism expert has cautioned against the freewheeling exchange of scientific ideas, saying unfettered public access unwittingly could help terrorists. -more-
Suspect in 22-year old shooting still wanted
SAN JOSE — Police are looking for a 22-year-old suspect in the shooting death of a rookie officer. -more-
Judge agrees to move trial in Yosemite murder case
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. -more-
State expected to spend at least $1 million to toughen security at the Capitol
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. -more-
Security liable to be indelible image of Salt Lake Games
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. -more-
GM to sell Hughes to EchoStar for $25.8 billion
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. -more-
Venture Capital investments, fundraising plunges in third quarter
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. -more-
Stanford is in top 10 of fundraisers in country
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. -more-
Ted Fang fired as Examiner editor and publisher ... by his mother
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. -more-
eBay executives unveil aggresive long-term expansion targets
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. -more-
Openwave cuts 300 jobs
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. -more-
New challenges ahead for ‘wired’ Berkeley High
The Berkeley Unified School District’s two classroom technology coordinators have their work cut out for them. -more-
City Council ‘extremists’ have lost sight of what is America
Editor: -more-
Beavers send Cal packing with seventh straight loss
CORVALLIS, Ore. – As long as defenses keep zeroing in on Ken Simonton, Oregon State will keep throwing the ball to James Newson. -more-
Calendar of Events & Activities
Mayor wants UC to pay for looting
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. -more-
Respond to violence with the love of God
The Daily Planet received this letter addressed to the Berkeley City Council: -more-
Surging Bears take down Oregon St.
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. -more-
Stone soup for small schools
A coalition of parents, students and Berkeley High teachers launched the next phase of the movement to dramatically reorganize Berkeley High School on Saturday. -more-
Sans Schott, Cal women fall to No. 6 Cardinal
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). -more-
Dance begins South Asian Awareness Week
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. -more-
Brunner out of Assembly race
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. -more-
Parents upset after school asks them to buy laptops
PALO ALTO – Parents of students at Jordan Middle School are upset after school officials asked them to buy their sixth-graders $2,000 laptops. -more-
Low scores hurt Edison Charter Academy
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. -more-
California crime rates plummet further than much of nation
FBI figures show big cities rates of violent and property crime drop -more-
Critics claim security lax at state’s nuclear power plants
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. -more-
Search engines advance into multimedia scans
Refinements helping Web sites stay current -more-
ZAB places strict restrictions on liquor store
Berkeley bakery once the largest in the East Bay
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. -more-
Conventional warfare questioned in fight against terrorism
Conventional warfare questioned in fight against terrorism -more-
Berkeley man’s wartime journal published
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. -more-
Panthers roll over Albany
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. -more-
BHS tries team leadership approach
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. -more-
Aggressive ’Jackets punish Encinal
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. -more-
Elmwood residents about to loose their sick elms
Century-old trees diagnosed with Dutch elm disease -more-
Cal shocks No. 4 Washington
Ripmaster scores game’s only goal as Bears win upset -more-
Annual meeting hopes to lessen public’s anthrax worries
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. -more-
Cal falls to Stanford
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. -more-
Six measures to be on March ballot
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. -more-
Dead snake costs transit system $1 million in San Francisco
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. -more-
Air traffic controller pleads guilty to holding up banks
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. -more-
Calif. power demand low
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. -more-
Former prime minister seeks freedom under newly signed Anti-Terrorism Act
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. -more-
Bay Area Briefs
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. -more-
CA imprisons fewer inmates, but for longer terms
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. -more-
Rodney King pleads guilty to drugs, will get treatment
Meningitis bacteria vaccine is useful with preschoolers
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. -more-
Cal State Hayward says accountant, now dismissed, embezzled $150,000
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. -more-
S.F. doctors report increase of syphilis
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. -more-
Some fear clearcuts could increase fire danger
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. -more-
New faces on home-improvement jobs
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. -more-
Job availability within state’s entertainment industry hits low
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. -more-
Fighter work won’t rejuvenate California aerospace sector
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. -more-
Click and Clack Talk Cars
Dear Tom and Ray: -more-
Opinion
Editorials
Another Pacifica board member resigns
Will shop on-line in Berkeley
The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter to the Berkeley City Council: -more-
Berkeley cannabis buyers clubs worried
Bay Area Briefs
SAN FRANCISCO — Some Northern California counties are hoping to win approval for a committee of government creditors in the Pacific Gas and Electric bankruptcy case. -more-
Proud American wants ineffective war to end
Editor: -more-
Parents keep kids from trick-or-treating
As Attorney General John Ashcroft’s warning Monday of a new, “credible” threat of terrorism during the next week further heightened national anxiety, many Bay Area parents said the neighborhood ritual of trick-or- treating will be replaced today by more secure alternatives. -more-
Teen who admitted to school shooting commits suicide in jail
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. -more-
UCSF shows off planned biotech research hub
SAN FRANCISCO – Rising from landfill across from Pacific Bell Park is the planned biotechnology research facility Genentech Hall, the city’s new economic hope. -more-
This is not Viet Nam – 6,000 innocents died
Editor: -more-
Local auto dealers see a strange rise in sales
Some local car dealers, who are experiencing a jump in business, are attributing this phenomenon to two main factors: zero-percent financing and patriotism. -more-