News

Turnout was reportedly low in most Bay Area off-year elections on Tuesday, but at one Berkeley school, it came close to 100 percent. -more-

Wednesday, Nov. 7 -more-

City’s stealth redistricting -more-

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A task force, convened by the UC Berkeley chancellor, released an action plan last week, aimed at preventing riots and other criminal behavior that has occurred following student-organized dances at the Pauley Ballroom. -more-

OAKLAND – Two pairs of defendants associated with the Lakireddy Bali Reddy case appeared in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge Saundra Armstrong Tuesday charged with assisting Reddy in illegally bringing underage girls into the country for sex. -more-

Tahmeena Faryal said if she had obeyed the orders of the Taliban government, she would never have gone to school. Despite government warnings that all schools were “gateways to hell” for girls, she attended secret schools run by the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, known as RAWA. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — San Franciscans overwhelmingly approved a $100 million bond issue on Tuesday that would make the fog-shrouded city the nation’s largest municipal producer of sun-generated electricity. -more-

LOS ANGELES — A judge Tuesday let stand former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson’s guilty plea to possessing bombs with intent to murder policemen after questioning her about why she later insisted she was innocent. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Gray Davis defended his decision to warn last week of potential rush-hour terrorist attacks against four California bridges, and said he has no intention of easing security on the spans. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — A report released Tuesday shows that California HMOs fail to provide proper language access policies and procedures to those customers who are not fluent in English. -more-

WASHINGTON — Attorney General John Ashcroft gave federal drug agents the go-ahead Tuesday to take action against doctors who help terminally ill patients die, a move aimed at undercutting Oregon’s unique assisted-suicide law. -more-

SACRAMENTO — The state Senate committee investigating possible price manipulation of California’s energy market questioned the CEO of the state’s power grid Tuesday about his call to end price caps last winter as the state neared possible rolling blackouts for the first time. -more-

PALO ALTO — The family and foundation of Hewlett-Packard Co. co-founder William Hewlett said Tuesday they will vote their 5 percent stake against the proposed takeover of Compaq Computer Corp., revealing divisions that could threaten the $21 billion deal. -more-

LOS ANGELES — Ten years later, he is playing ball against guys half his age. He is running a small empire of theaters, coffeehouses and restaurants. And his smile — the one that launched a thousand ads — remains as wide as ever. -more-

Raymond Pinkston’s never been one to walk away from a challenge. That explains why he couldn’t wait to get back to the West Coast after a year of playing football in Detroit. -more-

City Council to hear discussion of parking, height limitations -more-

Tuesday, Nov. 6

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924 Gilman St. 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-

After two and a half years fighting Pacifica in the streets, the media and the courts, KPFA supporters say they have won the battle – a mediated agreement that will reconfigure the national Pacifica board. -more-

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It has to be about the goofiest looking thing on the road. It’s got three wheels and one door, a steering wheel and a motorcycle license plate, and one person can zip up the HOV lane in it. -more-

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Hot water heating system efficient for residential and commercial use -more-

The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter addressed to the City Council: -more-

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SAN FRANCISCO — Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi condemned Osama bin Laden and his terrorist network Monday, distancing his actions from Palestinian movements for independence. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — California voters were headed to the polls Tuesday to consider a new school district and contemplate pushing California’s largest utility out of its hometown in favor of a publicly-owned power agency. -more-

SAN JOSE — Cisco Systems Inc. posted a first-quarter net loss of $268 million, beating Wall Street’s expectations, sending shares of the networking giant nearly 5 percent higher in after-hours trading. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — PG&E Corp. reported Monday that its third-quarter profit nearly tripled from a year ago, reflecting a steep drop in the energy costs of its bankrupt utility, Pacific Gas and Electric. -more-

SAN JOSE — High-tech gadgets may be the focal point at Comdex, the nation’s largest technology trade show, but trusty laptops will not be welcome this year amid tightened security. -more-

BERKELEY — The majority of voters in Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s district support the president’s response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to a poll. -more-

SAN DIEGO — A Texas chemist who wrote a guidebook on illegal drugs was accused Monday of providing expertise and supplies to what authorities say was one of the largest and most sophisticated Ecstasy labs ever found in the United States. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Police investigating as many as 30 firebombings of utility poles focused on a man with an apparent grudge against Pacific Gas & Electric Co., and searched his home without a warrant. -more-

SAN JOSE — Community college district trustees have rejected a plan that would have required a U.S. flag in each classroom on the two campuses they oversee. -more-

Planet reporter’s three-year-old story makes TV news headlines -more-

The troops – more than 150 spilled off of the sidewalk and into the street – were called back to KPFA at noon on Sunday. -more-

Monday, Nov. 5

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Cal football coach Tom Holmoe resigned Sunday, one day after a loss to Arizona gave the Golden Bears an 0-8 record and an 11-game losing streak dating back to last season. His resignation is effective after the 2001 season. -more-

The Berkeley Unified School District will be one of three testing grounds for a federally funded research program aimed at changing mathematics instruction and improving retention of minority students through the college years. -more-

The Berkeley Daily Planet received this letter addressed to Senator Barbara Boxer, Senator Diane Feinstein, and Congresswoman Barbara Lee. -more-

In a game filled with big plays and very little defense, the St. Mary’s Panthers got a bunch of the former and just enough of the latter to take down St. Patrick’s, winning 42-34 on Saturday in Berkeley. -more-

Newly reorganized agency in a race against time -more-

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Each week, John Mackovic has seen Arizona make steady improvements during a difficult season. -more-

Two UC students were robbed by a group of armed criminals as they walked down Telegraph Avenue early Oct. 31, according to Lt. Cynthia Harris of the Berkeley Police Department. -more-

The Berkeley Daily Planet received this letter addressed to Dale Sanford’s TV in Berkeley. -more-

Cal held off a feisty Bay Area-Pro Am Team, 61-55, in women’s basketball on Sunday afternoon at Haas Pavilion. -more-

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It may not have had the draw of the California Bears football game on the other side of the campus, but for the cognoscenti, the regional finals of the Third Annual Siemens-Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition, held Saturday in the Pauley Ballroom, was an eight-way battle royale to savor. -more-

The Cal men’s soccer team lost a heartbreaker on Sunday, falling in overtime to UCLA, 1-0, on a penalty kick. -more-

Lee: feds should take charge of baggage screening -more-

LOS ANGELES – California’s love affair with the car is rivaled only by its love affair with the airplane. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – After stumbling through the dot-com debacle, Web browser pioneer Jim Clark is teaming up with old partner Jim Barksdale again, trying to recapture the success they enjoyed in their heyday at Netscape Communications. -more-

Looks like it’s time for a new belt -more-

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Beginning in the 1960s artists set up studios in modest-sized industrial buildings in West Berkeley. -more-

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-

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-

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Championship game with Pinole Valley set for Thursday -more-

What is the difference between an office and a factory? -more-

The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter addressed to TV talk-show host Bill O’Reilly: -more-

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-

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-

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

What’s that? You want $200 off the rent? No problem. -more-

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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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

Friday, Nov. 2 -more-

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“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-

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Forney the lone returning starter -more-

Funding would continue hotel’s emergency homeless aid -more-

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NEW YORK — Since Sept. 11, Americans by the millions have been reaching out to friends — real ones, and imaginary ones on television. -more-

Berkeley clinches 2nd ACCAL title -more-

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-

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Hornets take ACCAL cross country titles -more-

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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-

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-

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-

CHICAGO — It’s a popular science exhibit that explores the slimy, the crusty and the scaly. -more-

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-

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-

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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-

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-

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-

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-

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-

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gays may be entitled to the estates of partners who die without wills, the Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday. -more-

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-

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-

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-

Thursday, Nov. 1

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MUSIC

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-

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-

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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-

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A new energy-efficient Berkeley Lamp was presented to the city Wednesday by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Director Charles Shank. -more-

The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter sent to the mayor and council: -more-

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The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter addressed to the Chamber of Commerce: -more-

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-

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-

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-

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-