A two-alarm fire raged through the Fox Court apartment building at 1472 Universtiy Ave. early Tuesday, displacing seven residents and causing $300,000 in damage. 

The Berkeley Fire Department evacuated the 21-unit, mixed-use building deemed as a national landmark shortly after the fire was reported at 2 a.m. The residents of two adjoining buildings were also evacuated. No injuries were reported.  

The fire gutted two residential units, and at least four other units received water, smoke and structural damage. All of the units were left without water, gas or electricity. The three commercial spaces at the front of the complex were not damaged. 

Built in 1927, the “storybook” complex with its 18 residential units and three small commercial shops is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a designated Berkeley architectural landmark. 

Assistant Chief David Orth said the cause of the fire is still being investigated but that initially it appeared to be started by either smoking material or a faulty electrical appliance. 

Orth said the fire was difficult to fight.  

“It took about an hour to bring the fire under control because it got into a hidden attic space and ran to other units,” he said. “We has to cut about eight holes in the roof before we could cut it off.” 

Twenty-five-year resident Brenda Herbert said she was awakened about 2 a.m. by a commotion in the garden courtyard outside her apartment.  

“I thought there was a fight or something and called 911 to report it,” Herbert said. “They told me it was a fire and the next thing I knew someone was knocking at my door and I was being rushed out to the street in my night clothes.” 

The Red Cross dispatched its Disaster Reaction Team to the scene to provide emergency services to the 18 evacuated residents who were huddled in a fire vehicle for warmth. The DRT supplied blankets and later called in an AC Transit bus for the residents to stay warm in, many who were not dressed for the cold weather. 

Red Cross Disaster Manager Matt Rosenberg said the Red Cross would make sure that displaced residents would be provided with hotel rooms and that hot meals were also available. Rosenberg said that most of the displaced residents had alternate places to stay with friends in the area.  

Supervising Building Inspector Susan Spott was on site Tuesday morning to determine the extent of the damage and also to provide management with the necessary permits to reconnect gas, water and electricity to units that received little or no damage. 

The Fox Court built by the Fox Bros. Construction Company in 1927. It was designed by Carl Fox, who was a was a graduate of UC Berkeley’s Mining Engineering Department in 1911. Fox Bros. built a number of picturesque, cottage-styled buildings in Berkeley between 1924 and 1953. 

The Fox Court is described in Susan Cerny’s “Berkeley Landmarks, an illustrated Guide to Berkeley’s Architectural Heritage,” as characterized by a garden courtyard, steep gable roofs and brick chimneys that are of an irregular cylindrical shape. Cerny wrote that the winding paths, small-paned windows and curving staircases add to the “storybook” appearance of the complex. 

“An irregular, haphazard-looking arrangement, diminutive in scale and set in lush landscaping, it is a charming excursion into a stage-set plan that exploits small-scale spatial relationships to create mystery and surprise.” 

The property was listed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1977. It was also one of the first buildings that was designated as a City of Berkeley Architectural Landmark in 1977, shortly after the city adopted the landmark ordinance in the early 70s.

Early in Tuesday’s game against Encinal, the ’Jackets wowed the crowd with their athleticism. Late in the game, they impressed their coach with their developing composure. 

After letting the Jets tie the game at 43-43 with five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Berkeley went on a 8-0 run, then hit their free throws down the stretch to pull out a 58-49 win. 

“We’re maintaining our composure much better than earlier this season,” Berkeley head coach Mike Gragnani said of his young squad. “This game is a positive step for this team.” 

The ’Jackets (10-7, 4-1 ACCAL) were especially impressive from the free throw line in the final quarter, going 8-for-10 from the charity stripe, including 4-for-4 from guard Lee Franklin, his only points of the game, while Encinal was just 3-of-8. Nate Simmons shook off a bad shooting game to hit a huge 3-pointer for a 49-43 lead and Berkeley never looked back. 

Senior center Damien Burns led the ’Jackets with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 4 steals, while point guard Shawn Burl scored 11 points. Encinal was led by Danny Dozier and Brian Kindem with 12 points each, but were out-rebounded 28-18 for the game. 

Berkeley started the game slowly, falling behind 7-0 within the first two minutes. After some early trouble with Encinal’s 2-3 zone got them off to a 4-for-15 start from the field, the ’Jackets went to high-percentage shots: dunks. Sophomore Khion Tate gave his team its first lead at 12-11 with a cherry-picking slam, then brought the Berkeley crowd to its feet with a baseline jam over two defenders. 

“I didn’t think I was going to make it over them, but I just went for it,” Tate said of his second dunk. He finished the game with 7 points. 

Encinal (6-11, 2-3) answered back to end the first quarter with a 3-pointer from Danny Delmore to tie the game at 14-14, but the ’Jackets continued their sky-walking ways in the second quarter. Burns got a steal, ran the floor and was rewarded by a nice dish from point guard Burl, slamming it home for a 20-14 lead. After a 3-pointer from Encinal sophomore Drew Dozier, Lee Franklin nabbed another steal and found Kenneth Alexander breaking to the basket. Alexander rose above the crowd for a tomahawk jam that again incited the crowd to a near-riot, and the ’Jackets rode the momentum to a 41-38 halftime lead. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a team with more than one dunk in a season,” Gragnani said with a smile. “But we need to learn to use that athleticism within the team concept, and we’re still working on that.” 

Berkeley laid off the fast-break action and pounded the ball inside after halftime, getting two inside baskets each from Alexander and Burns, along with a putback by Simmons. Although the Jets got within a point near the end of the quarter, a tip-in by Burl gave the ’Jackets a 41-38 lead heading into the final stanza. 

Berkeley then caught a break when Kindem and Danny Dozier each missed two free throws with a chance to tie the game. But Kindem hit a 3-pointer, then James Johnson got a steal and found Kindem on a breakaway. Burns caught up with Kindem but was called for an intentional foul, and Kindem made the free throws this time to tie the game at 43-43. 

The ’Jackets held Encinal to just one point until Drew Dozier hit a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left in the game, by which time Berkeley had put the game away. Tate put the finishing touch on the win with another breakaway dunk, this time off an inbounds pass from Burns. The defensive stand impressed Gragnani, but he knows his team has a lot of work to do in upcoming games. 

“We aren’t consistent enough on defense,” he said. “We had defensive lapses, especially on the offensive boards. We gave them way too many second chances.” 

Wednesday, Jan. 23

Baby Bounce and Toddler  

Tales 

7 p.m. 

Public Library, West Branch 

1125 University Ave. 

A participatory program for families with children up to age 3. Stories, songs and fingerplays as entertainment and as a way for parents to learn some new material to share with their young ones. 981-6270. 

Public Works Commission 

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

2020 Wake Ave. 

Oakland 

Presentation and tour of EBMUD’s Wastewater Treatment Plant 

Moving Them Into a  

Retirement Home 

5 - 7 p.m. 

Alta Bates Medical Center, Auditorium 

2450 Ashby Ave. 

Donna Quinn Robbins, co-author of the book “Moving Mom and Dad,” gives guidelines for helping elders and their families cope with moving into a retirement home. Free. 869-6737. 

Peace Walk and Vigil 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley BART Station 

A peace walk and vigil to demonstrate opposition to U.S. bombing of Afghanistan. Ends at MLK Civic Center Park. www.indymedia.org. 

Berkeley Gray Panthers 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst St. 

The Gray Panther’s general meeting features Wanda Remmers, Director, Housing Rights, to discuss Section 8 and other housing concerns, and Lisa Romero and Seleena Gupte to discuss the Report on Senior Housing Survey. 548-9696. 

Debtors Anonymous 

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. 

Mandana Community Recovery Center 

3989 Howe St., Oakland 

Weekly Meeting. 415-522-9099 

Israel and the Arab World  

Presentation 

7:30 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Professor Ze’ev Brinner discusses Islam, the Islamic world, its attitude towards the Jews, Israel and America. $5. 

Thursday, Jan. 24

Sea Kayaking in Baja and the  

Bay Area 

7 p.m. 

Recreational Equipment, Inc. 

1338 San Pablo Ave. 

Mitch Powers presents slides of some of his favorite paddling destinations in Baja and the Bay Area and gives tips on planning kayaking trips. 527-4140 

Winter Holistic Health Groups  

1:15 – 2:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave.  

For ages 55 and older. This week’s topic: How To Be Your Own Health Advocate . 526-0148. 

Friday, Jan. 25

Women’s Health After  

Menopause 

10:30 a.m. - noon 

Summit North Pavilion, Cafeteria Annexes B & C 

350 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland 

A comprehensive presentation on women’s health and exams after menopause. 869-6737 

City Commons Club  

Luncheon 

11:15 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave. 

Douglas R. Powell presents slides and gives a lecture entitled “A Graphic Portrait of a Tortured Land – Afghanistan.” Social hour begins at 11:15 a.m. Lunch is served 11:45 - 12:15. Speaker begins at 12:30. $11 - 12.25 with lunch, $1 otherwise. 848-3533 

Dr. Helen Caldicott  

8 p.m. 

Berkeley First Congregational Church 

2345 Channing Way 

Nobel Prize Nominee and spokesperson for world anti-nuclear movement speaks about peace, survival and free speech in dangerous times. $15. 415-437-3425. 

Saturday, Jan. 26

Bay Area Women in Black  

2 - 3 p.m. 

4th & Hearst streets 

A silent vigil to oppose the Israeli Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Please wear black, everyone is welcome. 486-2744, bayareawomeninblack@earthlink.net. 

Vocal Jazz Workshop and  

Jazz Jam 

9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Albany Adult School 

601 San Gabriel St. 

Workshops for singers and instrumentalists led by Richard Kalman to explore jazz in a small jazz combo format. $5-$12 per class. 524-6796, richkalman@aol.com. 

Puberty Seminar for Girls 

10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

For girls ages 8-14. Understand why your body is changing, and celebrate your rite of passage. Refreshments. $25-$30. (Mothers free.) 595-3814. 

Book Talk and Signing 

3 - 5 p.m. 

The Berkshire Assisted Living Community 

2235 Sacramento Way 

Victor Bogart will discuss his new book “Assumptions” and “6 steps for Shifting Gears on the Senior Highway.” 814-4844. 

Magic School Bus Video  

Festival 

10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

Centennial Dr., above the UC Berkeley Campus 

Watch Ms. Frizzle take her skeptical class from outer space to inside a dog’s nose in seven different video adventures shown on the big screen and lasting for three hours. 

Sunday, Jan. 27

Neighborhood Clean-Up Day 

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Services Center 

1730 Oregon St. 

Clean up blocks: Russell St., Oregon St., McGee, Stuart, Grant and California St. 981-6670, www.ci.berkeley.ca.us. 

School Open House 

10:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

School of the Madeleine 

1225 Milvia St. 

Applications for K-8 grades available. Kindergarten informational meeting at noon. 526-4744, www.themadeleine.com. 

Organ Music 

5 p.m. 

MusicSources 

1000 The Alameda 

Ron McKean performs Ferscobaldi, Froberger and Bach, and improvises in the style of each composer. Reception follows concert. $15 - $18. 528-1685. 

Japanese Traditional  

Drumming 

2 p.m. 

Julia Morgan Center 

2640 College Ave. 

Emeryville Taiko presents a fun and interactive event for children and families. $10 adults, $5 children. 925-798-1300. 

Monday, Jan. 28

East Bay Heritage Quilters 

7:30 p.m. 

First Unitarian Church 

1 Lawson Rd., Kensington 

Guest Speaker, Alice Kolb, offers instruction on how to narrow many ideas into a focused garment. $3 non-members, free for members. 834-3706. 

Writing an Ethical Will  

Workshop 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Writers of ethical wills hope to convey what they have learned in life. All writing levels and native languages welcome. $30. To register call: 848-0237 X127. 

Tuesday, Jan 29

Experimental Music Workshop 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Tuva Space 

3192 Adeline 

The Cardew Choir announces three public experimental music workshops led by visiting composer and poet Joseph Zitt. Free and open to the public. 204-0607, www.metatronpress.com/artists/cardewchoir/. 

Camera Club Meeting 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church 

941 The Alameda 

Weekly meeting of the Berkeley Camera Club offers the opportunity to share slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. 547-4514 

Wednesday, Jan. 30

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

7 p.m. 

Public Library, West Branch 

1125 University Ave. 

A participatory program for families with children up to age 3. Stories, songs and fingerplays as entertainment and as a way for parents to learn some new material to share with their young ones. 981-6270. 

Peace Walk and Vigil 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley BART Station 

A peace walk and vigil to demonstrate opposition to U.S. bombing of Afghanistan. Ends at MLK Civic Center Park. www.indymedia.org. 

Debtors Anonymous 

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. 

Mandana Community Recovery Center 

3989 Howe St., Oakland 

Weekly Meeting. 415-522-9099. 

Experimental Music Workshop 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Tuva Space 

3192 Adeline 

The Cardew Choir announces three public experimental music workshops led by visiting composer and poet Joseph Zitt. Free and open to the public. 204-0607, www.metatronpress.com/artists/cardewchoir/. 

Editor: 

Re: Said’s Forum Letter of this weekend, since when does going up against crime, vagrancy, garbage, drugs and drunkenness become a black vs. white or yuppie issue? If Brothers Liquor is in your neighborhood, what have you been doing to rectify conditions that are unacceptable to all ethnic groups? 

N. Wilson 

Berkeley

The Dance Theatre of Harlem is coming to town this week (January 23-26) at UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall for a series of Bay Area and West Coast Premieres.  

The company was founded in 1968, by Arthur Mitchell in a remodeled garage in Harlem, New York, to “provide African- American children with the chance to dance ballet,” an art form few African- Americans were allowed to participate in, let alone achieve the high professional status as Mitchell, who at that time was a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, the first African-American to be a member of a major ballet company.  

This year, Bay Area resident Ikolo Griffin makes his debut with the company. The former member of the San Francisco Ballet Company's Corp de ballet, is excited about his first season with DTH as a soloist. This production in Berkeley will be the first time his family has seen him since he and his girlfriend took the train to New York in July of last year. 

The first dancer to be recruited from SFBC's Dance in the Schools Program, Griffin who excelled at eight years old in the after school program, then joined the company at 18 as an apprentice, said that what was so “wonderful about DTH is that everyone gets a chance to dance – Mitchell sets a great table, then invites them to eat.” 

A smaller company, about 40 members, to SFBC’s 65 or so, the excited Griffin, who signed a soloist contract last fall says though he loves it, he finds dancing so many leads a challenge.  

“When you're dancing ensemble you’re dealing more with people in a group, (but) when you dance principal leads you have to command the stage. One of the things I try to do is let the music come from me, and really try to dictate that.” 

We’ll be able to see Griffin throughout the DTH run this season at Zellerbach in both programs A & B as soloist in Laveen Naidu’s “Viraa” and in DTH member, Augustus van Heerden's “Passion of the Blood,’ an emotional ballet based on Garcia Lorca's original story ‘Blood Wedding,’” (both Program A: 1/24, 1/26 evenings). He'll also be soloing In Billy Wilson's “Concerto in F,” then perform as a member of Corp de ballet in Robert Garland's “New Bach” (both Program B: Jan. 25 evening, Jan. 26 matinee.)  

Griffin says that although he knows the company director was impressed with his work when he hired him last fall, he still needs to show DTH “what he's all about,” as he learns more about the company. “I feel it (goes) both ways,” he said excitedly. 

Although the dancer lived in Japan, his stepdad’s home, when he was 11, and is fluent in the language, he was ready for a change, so Griffin’s move to New York is the first time he's been “officially” away from home on his own.  

And even though things were hard, especially after Sept. 11, he decided to stay in New York with DTH, where his “very DNA, vibrates at a different level.” 

The biracial dancer traveled to Europe and throughout America during his seven years with SFBC, but he didn’t feel “comfortable in all those places, at home, or inspired,” which is something he definitely has felt with DTH.  

“Something very dormant in me was aroused, dancing with such a diverse group of dancers. Most companies are not as diverse as the DTH, so one of the things I enjoy is the diversity. I feel very comfortable. I'm biracial and I've never been surrounded by this many biracial dancers in my life. Already I feel a kinship.” 

A graduate of San Francisco public schools, the former Corp de ballet member says of his 10 years with the San Francisco Ballet Company though he feels he was “born to dance,” if he hadn’t had the chance to participate in SFBC’s Outreach Program, where he received a scholarship in the third grade, he might not have chosen that direction for his life.  

And even when he was 13 and 14 years old, he began to have doubts as peer pressure pulled him in other directions, Griffin, now 27, says his 10 years in the school, then almost another 10 with the company, gave “(him) a good foundation and good training the structure of ballet really offered (him), and (his) talent (or ) my knack for it (I don't know what you want to call it), coupled with hard work and determination and focus and discipline – led to his love for ballet.”  

This discipline is something Griffin likes to share with the many children he reaches in a variety of after-school programs that he has participated in. 

He says, “I know that not all kids are going to become dancers, but even if there's that one young boy or one young girl who goes ‘wow!’ I had so much fun today, like what happened to me, then that is what makes it worth it, and that's my motivation. I am very much the Pokemon/Nintendo generation. I’m very in tune with that and I feel that I'm able to communicate with them on some levels that they understand as well, whereas sometimes the older generation doesn't (quite) understand where Pokeman or these young kids are coming from. I feel that I have a grasp of their work and what their day to day is. Doing outreach definitely fills my heart. It feels like I'm completing the circle, (and) that's very important to me. I was given the opportunity and to go to the schools and take (dance) to (children) and tell them: ‘hey, it can change your life,’ (that) with focus (and) discipline, anything you can imagine is possible (is very rewarding).”

924 Gilman Jan. 25: Ludicra, Brain Oil, Creuvo, Scurvy Dogs, Arftificum Sanguis; Jan. 26: Mile Marker, Yaphet Kotto, Pirx the Pilot, Himsa, Confidante; Jan. 27: Bane, Over My Dead Body, Striking Distance, Breath In; Feb. 1: American Steel, Pitch Black, Fleshies, The Blottos, Sexy; Feb. 2: Dead and Gone, Black Cat Music, The Cost, The Frisk; Feb. 8: Divit, Scissorhands, Rufio, Don’t Look Down, Fenway Park; Feb. 9: Pansy Division, Subincision, The Fadeaways; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Anna’s Bistro Jan. 22: Doug Arrington; Jan. 23: Junebug; Jan. 24: Carl Garrett; Jan. 25: Anna & Ellen Hoffman; Jan. 26: Robin Gregory & Bliss Rodriguez; Jan. 27: “Acoustic Soul”; Jan. 28: “Renegade Sidemen” w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 29: Tangria; Jan. 30: Bob Schoen; Jan. 31: Jason Martineau & Dave Sayen; Music starts at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., 1801 University Ave., 849-2662. 

Blake’s Jan. 22: Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Wildsang, $3; Jan. 23: Mindz Eye, Hebro (Upstairs in the Tinibar), $5; Jan. 24: Electronica w/Ascension, $5; Jan. 25: Shady Lady, Blue Room, $6; Jan. 26: Dank Man Shank, TBA, $5; Jan. 27: Motivators, Funklogic, $3; Jan. 28: All Star Jam Featuring The Steve Gannon Band, $4; Jan. 29: Funkanauts, Len Patterson Trio, $3; Jan. 30: Sunru, Slaptones, DJ Kurse, $10; Jan. 31: Electronica w/ Ascension, $5; 2367 Telegraph Ave., 877-488-6533. 

Club Jjang-Ga Jan. 26: Krenshaw, Bearing, Lucid Inc., Zodiacal Circle; 400 29th Ave., Oakland, 261-1108, savageproductions1@ yahoo.com. 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

Jazzschool Jan. 27: 4:30 p.m., Michael Zilber, Sons of Bitches Brew; $6-$12. 2087 Addison St., 845-5373, www.jazzschool.com. 

Jupiter Jan. 23: Mitch Marcus Quintet; Jan. 24: Chris Shot Group; Jan. 25: The Sardonics; Jan. 26: Berkeley Jazz School Presents: Fourtet; Jan. 30: Joel Harrison Quartet; All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless noted. 2181 Shattuck Ave., 843-7625, www.jupiterbeer.com. 

La Pena Cultural Center Jan. 24: 7 p.m., Colombian Cultural Explosion, $5-$15; Jan. 25: 8 p.m., Wild Mango, $12; Jan. 26: 8 p.m., Naked Barbies: The Concert, $10-$15; Jan. 26: 10:30 a.m., Gary Lapow, $4 adults, $3 Children; Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Leticia Servín, $10-$8; 3105 Shattack Ave, 893-4648.  

Live Oaks Concerts: Berkeley Art Center Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Elaine Kreston, Laura Carmichael, $10, BACA Members $8, Students and Seniors $9. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., 644-6893. 

Rose Street House Jan. 25: 8 p.m. DivaBands Showcase: Bern, Elin Jr., Roberta Donnay, Christy Claxton and Tiger Zane. $8-$20. 1839 Rose St., 594-4000 x687, rosestreetmusic@yahoo.com. 

ACME Observatory Contemporary Performance Series Jan. 27: 8 p.m., Jane Rigler, $0-$20; TUVA Space, 3192 Adeline, http://sfSound.org/acme.html. 

Oakland Symphony Chorus Jan. 26: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Conductor Tony Pasqua will lead a study of Joseph Haydn’s “Harmoniemesse” and Johannes Brahm’s “Schicksalslied.” $25, $30 door; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 6013 Lawton St., Oakland, 465-4199. 

Roda Theatre Jan. 22 and 23: both at 8 p.m., The Berkeley Symphony, Schubert’s Symphony No. 5. $21, $32, $45, $10 students. 2015 Addison St., 841-2800, www.berkeleysymphony.org. 

Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre Jan. 26: 6:30 - 10 p.m., The City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre pay tribute to and welcome the return of “The Dru Band”; $5. 3201 Adeline St., 625-2120. 

Organ Music Jan. 27: 5 p.m., Ron McKean; $15 - $18. MusicSources, 1000 The Alameda, 528-1685. 

“Every Inch a King” Through Feb. 9: Thur. - Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m.; Three sisters have to make a decision as their father approaches death in this comedy presented by the Central Works Theater Ensemble. $8 - $18. LeValls Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. 558-138, www.centralworks.org.  

“Sisters” Through Feb. 16., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., The Prozorov sisters look at the gap between hope and fulfillment in their lives. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattack, www.actorsensemleofbkerkeley.com. 

“Rhinoceros” Jan. 23 through Mar. 10: Check theater for specific dates and times. An absurdist tragic-comedy about a small provincial town whose citizens slowly but surely transform into large cumbersome rhinoceroses. Directed by Barbara Damashek. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St. 647-2976 www.berkeleyrep.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 Jan. 22: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 1; Jan. 23: 3 p.m., The Terms of Cinema; 7:30 p.m., Telling It, Differently; Jan. 25: 7:30 p.m., The Aviator’s Wife; 9:30 p.m., A Good Marriage; Jan. 26: 6:30 p.m., Patrick Macias; 7 p.m., Battle Royale; 9:30 p.m., Blood and Law; Jan: 27: Children’s Film Festival, 1 p.m., Ikingut, 3 p.m., Peter Pan; 5:30 p.m., Sir Arne’s Treasure; 7:35 p.m., Song of the Scarlet Flower; Jan. 28: 3 p.m., The Jazz Singer; 7 p.m., Underground Kisses; Jan. 29: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 2; Jan. 30: 3 p.m., The Nickelodeon; 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 3; 2527 Bancroft Way, 642-1412. 

Parkway Theatre Jan. 29: 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., Boom! The Sound Of Eviction, a Just Cause Oakland benefit screening. $6-$20. 1843 Park Blvd., Oakland, 464-1011. 

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. 

“Prints and Paintings by Liao Shiou-Ping” on view through Jan. 31; Tues. to Fri.10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat.10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Free. Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388-9th St., Suite 290, Oakland, 238-4491. 

“Rhythms” Through Feb. 2: Art installation of sculpture, neon, music and video projections by Kati Casida; Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St., 845-5373 

Pro Arts: “Juried Annual 2001-02” Through Feb. 2: Exhibition of painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography and more by Bay Area and regional artists; Pro Arts, 461 Ninth St., www.proartsgallery.org. 

“All Grown Up” Through Feb. 2: New paintings and drawings by Amy Chan. Thurs. 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fri -Sun 1 p.m. -6 p.m., 21 Grand Ave., Oakland, 444-7263 

“Water Media” Through Feb. 8: An exhibit by Christine “Caipirinha” Mulder. Capoeira Arts Cafe Gallery, 2026 Center St., 666-1349 for hours. 

“New Work by Dennis Begg and Steve Briscoe” Through Feb. 9: Dennis Begg’s sculpture. Steve Brisco’s paintings. Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Traywick Gallery,1316 10th St., 527-1214. 

“Enduring Wisdom: Artwork and Stories by Homeless and Formerly Homeless Seniors” Through Feb. 15: 18 homeless and formerly homeless elders reveal how they learned and applied wisdom that is timeless. Mon. - Fri. and Sundays 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Free. St. Mary’s Center, 635 22nd St., Oakland, 893-4723 x222. 

“Envisioning Ecology” Through Feb. 15: Paintings by Michelle Waters. Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., 548-2220 x233. 

“The Other 364 Days: A Day in the Life of the Queer Community” Through Feb. 16: An exhibit of black and white photographs by East Bay photographer Limor Inbar-Hansen. Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St., 644-1400, limor@indelible-images.com. 

“Adventures in La Land” Through Feb. 23: Installations by Suzanne Husky and Paintings by Amy Morrell. Tues. - Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 4920 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 428-2349. 

“Transformations: Through the Eye of a Needle” Jan.24 - Feb. 23: Two-person exhibition by Rebecca Bui and Linda Lemon including procelain and fabric dolls and mixed media works on handmade paper. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland, 836-0831, www.artolio.com 

“Ton of Joy” Through Mar. 1: Group show of twelve painters and sculptors: Simone Anders, Susan Brady, Erin Fitzgerald, Karen Frey, Kei Hanafusa, Nancy Legge, Burke Rainey, Robin Sebourn, Kristen Throop, Clay Vajgrt, Whitney Vosburgh, Ann West; Mon. - Sat., 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Hollis Street Project, 5900 Hollis St., Emeryville. 

“Ansel Adams in the University of California Collections” Through Mar. 10: A selection of photographs and memorabilia presenting a different perspective on Adam’s career as one of the leading figures in American photography; Jan. 16 through Mar. 24: “Migrations: Photographs by Sebastiao Salgado,” over 300 black-and-white photographs of immigrants and refugees taken by the Brazilian photographer. Wed. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., $4- $6. The University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

"Earthly Pleasures" assemblage and photographs by Susan Danis, Through March 30: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. - Sat.; Sticks, 1579 B, Solano Ave., 526-6603.  

“Domestic Bliss” Through Apr. 4: Collection of abstract paintings and mixed medium by Amy St. George. Albany Community Center Foyer Gallery, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany, 524-9283. 

“The Legacy of Social Protest: The Disability Rights Movement” Through April 30: The first exhibition in a series dealing with Free Speech, Civil Rights, and Social Protest Movements of the 60s and 70s in California. Featuring photograghs by: Cathy Cade, HolLynn D’Lil, Howard Petrick, Ken Stein. The Free Speech Cafe, Moffitt Undergraduate Library, University of California-Berkeley, hjadler@yahoo.com  

“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, www.atelier9.com. 

Readings 

Coffee With a Beat Jan. 26: Paradise; Feb. 2: Julia Vinograd, Shauna Rogan; Feb. 9: Sydney Bell, Debrale Pagan; All readings 7-9 p.m., free and followed by open mike. 458 Perkins, Oakland, 526-5985.  

Easy Going Travel Shop & Bookstore Jan. 22: Lee Foster discusses his new guide “Northern California History Weekends”; All readings are free and start at 7:30 p.m., 1385 Shattuck Ave. at Rose, 843-3533. 

Revolution Books Jan. 25: 6:15 p.m., Eric Schlosser, Author of “Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the American Meal,” will appear for a book signing. 2425 Channing Way, 848-1196.  

Poetry 

Poetry Flash @ Cody’s Jan. 23: Paul Hoover and Elizabeth Robinson; Jan. 27: Wanda Coleman, Austin Straus and Kate Gale; Jan. 30 Ralph Angel and George Higgins; All events begin at 7:30 p.m., $2 donation. 2454 Telegraph Ave., 845-7852. 

Tours 

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

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. 

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; $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. - 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.  

Lawrence Hall of Science Through Jan. 26: Scream Machines: The Science of Roller Coasters; “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; Open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley, 642-5132, www.lawrencehallofscience.org. 

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, www.lhs.berkeley.edu. 

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

Two people were shot in the head and gravely wounded near the corner of King and 63rd streets early Tuesday. 

According to Lt. Cynthia Harris of the Berkeley Police Department, the department began receiving telephone calls about shots being fired in the south Berkeley neighborhood around 2:40 a.m. 

When police arrived on the scene, they found the victims in a car parked on the east side of King Street. The victims – whose names the BPD declined to release pending notification of their next of kin – were transported to Highland Hospital. 

A spokesperson for Highland said the two were in “very critical condition” late Tuesday afternoon. 

Two people were seen fleeing the scene on foot going northwest, according to Harris, who said the BPD has no physical descriptions of the suspects. 

Residents of the block were reluctant to discuss the crime later Tuesday morning. 

One woman who lives next to the crime scene said she did not hear the shots, but woke when police cars began arriving in the neighborhood. 

She said she looked out her window and saw a “swarm” of police around what looked like a late-model Honda or Acura. 

The neighbor said police woke her again around 7:45 a.m. to question her.  

“I don’t hang out around here,” she said. “I just go to the store, get my things and go home.” 

Lt. Harris said there was no known gang activity in the neighborhood. She added, though, that there had previously been several drug-related crimes in the area. 

Berkeley sophomore Kamani Hill posted two goals and had six assists despite playing only the second half on Tuesday, leading the ’Jackets to a 13-0 win over Encinal. 

Hill leads the ACCAL with 25 goals in just nine games, and more than doubled his assist total for the season against the helpless Jets. Both Hill and senior midfielder Chris Davis started the game on the bench for Berkeley due to missed practice time. 

“We have a rule that if you miss practice or you’re late, you don’t get to start,” Berkeley coach Janu Juarez said. “Kamani missed practice altogether, so he didn’t play until the second half.” 

But what a half it was. With the ’Jackets already comfortably ahead, 4-0, at halftime, Hill came on with specific instructions from his coach. 

“I told him to spread the offense around,” Juarez said. 

Hill did exactly that, needing just seven minutes to rack up four assists, just one short of his season total of five coming into the game. His first came when he missed a one-on-one opportunity, with Davis putting away the rebound. Hill then set up Roberto Meneses at the top of the box, and his fellow sophomore hit a shot that eluded the Encinal goalkeeper. 

Hill continued his assist streak with precise through balls to Liam Reilly and Chris Altieri-Dove, both of whom finished their chances calmly. He followed that with his first goal of the game, getting free in a crowd in front of the goal to score off of a Davis corner kick. 

The ’Jackets finally put together a goal without Hill’s input soon after, with defender Sam Geller hitting a beautiful ball about 40 yards upfield and all the way across to Reilly, who put it away for his second goal of the game to make the score 10-0. But Hill came back to score the next goal, as Micah Burger forced a turnover deep in Encinal territory. The ball bounced right to Hill, who dribbled around the goalie and slotted the ball home with his left foot. 

The Encinal goalkeeper apparently tired of having wave after wave of Berkeley attackers come at him, so he decided to turn the tables, charging far from his area to challenge Hill on the left flank. But Hill simply lofted the ball to the goalmouth, where Burger held off a defender and volleyed the ball into the net. All that remained was a Davis goal from yet another Hill assist to set the final score, with Hill dropping back to sweeper with 10 minutes left in the game. 

Berkeley forward David Ngov had two goals in the first half before sitting out the second half. 

Tuesday’s win puts the ’Jackets at 8-1 in league play, with their lone loss a 3-2 shocker at Alameda last week. While Juarez termed the loss “a robbery,” with a late Berkeley goal disallowed by the officials and two questionable Alameda penalty kicks, the ’Jackets still hold their own fate in their hands. If they can sweep through the five remaining regular season games, they will win the league title and earn an automatic bid to the North Coast Section playoffs.

Editor: 

Attorney General John Ashcroft appears spineless to take the lead on Enron.  

It is also my opinion, “attorney advice” and “director indemnity” are shields which should be dissolved whenever innocent victim(s) will be created. 

This Enron debacle is so severe that all advising attorneys and directors and benefiting agents, need to be prosecuted. 

Our country’s legal system must be allowed to weigh: their actions against the appropriate standards-of-conduct; determine innocence or guilt; and render judgements, where warranted. 

In addition, why aren’t the Enron victims, worldwide, entitled to a US Attorney General to act on their behalf? 

John Bauer 

Berkeley

With the school district in financial trouble, elementary school librarians, already part-time employees who operate part-time libraries, are worried about further cuts. 

“My concern is that we need to increase hours, not decrease,” said Ilene Sheng, library media technician at Oxford School. “The elementary school libraries are already closed one-third of the time.” 

Last week, a state agency called the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, which has been providing the Berkeley schools with financial advice since October, added new urgency to the concerns.  

FCMAT attached concrete figures to long-simmering fears about a budget deficit, projecting a $1.6 million shortfall this year, followed by deficits of $7.8 million and $16.7 million the next two years if the district does not make cuts. 

The district has a history of chipping away at the library budget in times of need. In the mid-1970s, Berkeley moved from full-time to half-time librarians. In 1981, the district replaced credentialed librarians at the elementary school level with library media technicians, who do not hold credentials. 

In 1994, the district made the elementary school technicians part-time employees. Those technicians now work 20 to 25 hours per week, depending on enrollment at the school. 

The district has kept full-time, credentialed librarians in place at the middle school and high school levels.  

Members of the Board of Education say it is too early to determine where they will trim the budget. But, board member Ted Schultz suggested that cuts to portions of the district’s $600,000 library budget are a possibility. 

“We’ll just have to see how things unfold in terms of whether we can maintain what we have,” said Schultz, “because that is an area where we tend to cut.” 

District funds go to salaries and benefits exclusively. State grants and money from the Berkeley Schools Excellence project, or BSEP, a special local tax, fund books, technology and technical assistance.  

John Selawsky, another board member, acknowledged that protection of teachers and classroom resources will be a top priority when it comes to cuts. But, he said he will work to give libraries top billing as well. 

“Certainly you want to make your cuts as far from the classroom as possible,” he said. “But for me, the library is at the heart of the school...and at some point, you can’t cut anymore.” 

Advocates say the school libraries serve a vital function. Susie Goodin, a library volunteer and consulting librarian for the district, points to studies in Pennsylvania, Colorado and Alaska demonstrating a link between well-stocked, well-staffed libraries, and higher test scores. 

School librarians add that they provide a whole range of vital, day-to-day services, beginning with the management, maintenance and building of the school’s book collection. 

Nancy Charlson, library media technician at Cragmont School, noted that many districts just use volunteers to maintain library collections.  

A librarian, she suggested, can be a lot more effective. “Having someone on site to maintain these expensive collections is very important,” she said. “Otherwise, (the books) would just walk off.”  

Sheng adds that school librarians are able to support classroom curricula, noting that she recently pulled out a series of biographies on famous African-Americans for a fifth-grade teacher to complement classwork. 

But, Sheng said, as a part-timer, she does not have nearly enough time to collaborate with teachers, or teach students basic research skills. 

“I would love to teach library skills, but I don’t have the time,” said Sheng, who meets with each class, once a week, for half an hour. 

Ellie Goldstein-Erickson, librarian at Berkeley High School, said that, as a full-timer, she is able to collaborate with teachers and instill research skills. 

The librarian cited work earlier this year with ninth grade Identity and Ethnic Studies classes, in which students looked up five key terms used in the class, and studied the relative values of dictionary and encyclopedia definitions at the same time. 

But staffing is not the only issue for the district’s libraries. Earlier this month, the school board submitted a plan to the state, drafted by district staff and consultants, that set a number of goals, including technological and furniture upgrades. 

But, with a deficit looming, it appears that these goals will have to wait. 

Editor: 

Public School Preach “Peace Loving” Islam 

I am utterly flabbergasted. 

A public school system in California is telling its seventh graders as part of their course work that for three weeks they must don Muslim robes in class, adopt Islamic names, pray to Allah and stage their own mock “jihads.” 

This in celebration of the “peace loving” religion whose fundamentalist fanatic followers killed three thousand Americans on 9-11. 

Supposedly, the curriculum is intended to promote “understanding.” 

I understand one thing. 

If my school district ever tried teaching my daughter to pray to any strange god, she’ll be home for as long as it takes to sit out the Arabian flu, even if he has to repeat a grade. 

By the way, have you noticed how the ACLU is sitting this one out? 

Alexander Magnus 

Internet Newspaper Reader  

and former California teacher

On Jan. 17, a residential robbery and assault occurred on the 3300 block of Claremont Avenue. The suspect entered the residence and demanded and confronted the 60-year-old female resident.  

The suspect demanded money and used a sharp object to assault the victim. The suspect took money from the victim and fled on foot in an unknown direction. 

The suspect is described as an African- American male adult, approximately 27 to 32 years old, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, of thin build weighing 165 pounds, with short, black hair and a clean-shaven face. He was last seen wearing a dark shirt and colored pants. 

The Berkeley Police Department has obtained a composite sketch of the suspect, which is being distributed to the public in an effort to identify the suspect. 

The BDP is seeking the public’s help in solving this case. 

If you have any information regarding the suspect in this crime, please contact the Berkeley Police Department Robbery Detail at 981-5742. 

Editor:  

In the debate over the United States possibly deciding to officially engage in torture of prisoners there is much talk of how proper legal safeguards would be observed in any instance of our government practicing torture.  

Irregardless of legal procedures, however, nations and governments that engage in torture have historically been remembered for the pain and suffering they inflicted rather than their legal procedures. Do we want to end up with the reputation of 16th Century Spain, for example? During the conquest of Mexico a solemn torture was arranged for the last Aztec King, Cuauhtemoc. With officials and high ranking priests in attendance his feet were burned off. Then the torture stopped. The applicable law did not authorize burning off enough of him to kill him. 

Does the world remember the Spanish legal safeguards? No. It recalls the image of Spaniards eager to inflict pain in the ill fated hope that Cuauhtemoc would reveal the location of an alleged massive stash of Aztec gold.  

Ted Vincent  

Berkeley 

p.s. Discussion of the burning of Cuauhtemoc and the legal safeguards that saved his life can be found in the section on the conquest in Vicente Riva Palacio, “Mexico a traves de los Siglos” various editions.

SAN JOSE — Secretary of State Bill Jones came out swinging in the first statewide debate of the Republican gubernatorial candidates. 

He delivered stinging appraisals of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and of his opponents, former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan and businessman Bill Simon. 

The debate provided the first taste for many voters of the trio of Republicans who want to challenge Democratic Gov. Gray Davis. 

Jones boasted of his experience, Riordan his ability to delegate. Simon said he won’t raise taxes. And all three immediately and repeatedly criticized Davis Tuesday night in the hour-long debate at California State University, San Jose. 

It was the first of three scheduled debates among the three candidates. 

Wearing nearly identical dark suits, white shirts and red ties, the trio of candidates called Davis’ first term a “disaster” for California. 

Jones trumpeted his experience as the only Republican holding statewide office in California and said he could best articulate Republican ideals, while Riordan has contributed to many Democratic campaigns. 

Analysts have called Jones’ debate performance crucial, because he is lagging in the polls and unable to raise as much money as Riordan or Simon. 

Touting authorship of the “Three Strikes” law and success in winning two statewide elections, he repeatedly challenged Riordan’s positions on solving the state’s energy and budget crisis. 

“It’s not enough to say you are going to hire the best and the brightest,” Jones said, responding to Riordan’s declaration that he would delegate to help solve the state’s major problems. 

On energy, Jones said to Riordan “you were busy trying to make sure that Los Angeles made as much money as it could off California.” 

Riordan repeatedly said he would “empower” others to do the difficult work of state government. 

“What I would do is bring the best and the brightest people that I could find in the world to help me solve those problems,” Riordan said. 

For Simon, who has never run for public office, it was a chance to boost his visibility across the state and prove he can compete in a political debate. 

Simon stressed the state’s failure to keep up with infrastructure needs, saying, “I notice we’re $175 billion behind in keeping our wonderful house of California in shape. We’ve got to take action now.” 

Simon answered questions about his inexperience by repeatedly saying his experience as a prosecutor, businessman and philanthropist has prepared him to be governor. 

“I’ve made a career of being a problem solver and a builder and I know that I can solve these problems,” Simon said. 

But he also had to defend his voting record, noting that he missed voting during three of the last five primary elections. 

“My track record is I voted in every general election,” he said. 

The candidates each said that Davis has failed the leadership test. 

Said Riordan, “In short, Gov. Davis has fumbled, fiddled and failed our state.” 

“His procrastination and timidity are legendary,” Jones said of Davis. 

The Davis campaign responded in kind Tuesday night. 

“I think neither one of these guys have shown any indication they’re up to the job of governor,” said Davis press secretary Roger Salazar, who watched from a lecture hall near where the debate was held with members of the public. “It was like Larry, Curly and Moe up there.” 

Jones also criticized Riordan — who said he was pro-abortion rights and supported providing public education and health care to some illegal immigrants — as too liberal for the party. Most observers had considered Riordan the most likely to blunder during the debate, and at times he seemed uncertain and forced to consult handwritten notes. But none of the three made any major gaffes. 

Four out of 10 likely voters still haven’t decided whom they are going to support in the race, according to a recent Public Policy Institute of California poll. The Republican hopefuls also are trying to woo independent voters, who can vote for any party in the semi-open primary. 

Tuesday’s debate was broadcast in all of California’s major markets. During the face-off, the candidates were seated, facing a panel of three Northern California journalists, rather than standing at the traditional podiums. 

A second televised debate is scheduled for Feb. 13 in Long Beach. The three candidates also have agreed to debate on Feb. 9 at the state Republican Party convention in San Jose, but it will not be televised. 

The primary winner will challenge Davis on Nov. 5. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.billjones.org 

http://www.simonforgovernor.com/ 

http://www.riordanforgovernor.org/ 

LOS ANGELES — Gov. Gray Davis released proposed government ratios Tuesday that would mandate the number of nurses to patients in California hospitals. 

The new rules, still to go through a normal regulatory review process, will make California the first state in the nation to set minimum nurse staffing levels. 

Officials from the Department of Health Services have spent more than two years developing the ratios, which were legislated in a 1999 bill. 

Nurses responded enthusiastically to the requirements, saying they will improve patient care and stem the tide of nurses leaving hospital jobs because of poor work conditions. 

“This is the most sweeping systemic health care reform that you’re going to see,” said Rose Ann DeMoro, executive director of the California Nurses Association, which represents some 40,000 nurses. “This measure will effect every hospital in the state of California.” 

Some other states are watching California’s lead, including Massachusetts, where law makers have discussed a similar plan. 

Julie Pinkham, executive director of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, said the California regulations will likely have a national impact. 

“Nurses across the country are waiting for this. California has put it out there. Now it’s going to go across the nation. It’s long overdue,” she said. 

Under the California proposal, every four patients put through triage in an emergency room will be assured at least one nurse between them. Currently, the ratio averages between 1-to-6 and 1-to-8, DeMoro said. 

In general medical and surgical wards, there will eventually be a minimum of five nurses per patient, compared with a wide range of existing ratios, that vary from 1-to-3 to 1-to-20, she said. 

California already imposes staffing requirements in some hospital units, including intensive and critical care, operating rooms and nurseries, but hospitals have been free to assign nurses as they wanted in other areas. 

The hospital industry said the new rules will be a financial burden and could actually hurt patient care because of a severe nurse shortage in the state. 

“Although hospitals will obey the law, the way we meet the law may have unintended consequences,” said Jan Emerson, vice president of external affairs for the California Healthcare Association, which represents nearly 500 hospitals in the state. 

If a hospital has 10 available beds in its emergency room, but only enough nurses to staff five of them under the new law, the remaining beds will have to be taken out of service, Emerson said. 

Already, California hospitals are operating with 15 percent fewer nurses than they need, and by 2006, the state is forecast to have a shortage of 25,000 registered nurses. California ranks second last among all states in terms of nurses per capita, she said. 

Davis said 5,000 additional nurses will be needed to implement the staffing ratios. That represents the total number of new nurses the state trains each year just to keep up with attrition and population growth, Emerson said. 

The California Nurses Association, however, said there are already enough nurses in the state to meet the proposed ratios. 

“They just won’t work in the hospitals,” said DeMoro. “We must make hospitals an appealing place for nurses to come back.” 

Almost two-thirds of California hospitals lose money today, and some said the new mandated ratios bring an additional financial burden. 

“This is one of those unfunded mandates that can have a negative impact on our industry. It’s difficult to pass the costs on,” said Bill Gleeson, spokesman for Sutter Health, a not-for-profit network of 26 hospitals in Northern California. 

The California Healthcare Association estimates that the new regulations will cost hospitals a minimum of $400 million a year in extra wages and benefits. 

A new study by a San Francisco-based consulting firm says the University of California at Berkeley is the fifth-largest employer in the Bay Area and contributes more than $1 billion annually overall to personal income in the region. 

The report this month by Sedway Group, “Building the Bay Area’s future: A Study of the Economic Impact of the University of California, Berkeley,” also indicates that the school's research and educational enterprise generates more than a half-billion dollars in new money annually for the regional economy. 

“What struck me was that when we commissioned this study more than a year ago, the Bay Area was enjoying an economic boom. Now, we are feeling the effects of a recession. But this report shows that whatever the climate, UC Berkeley is a major contributor to the vitality of the Bay Area economy and in the quality of life we enjoy here,” said UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Berdahl. 

The study, which provides data on the campus' purchasing,employment and research activity, examines the economic impact of the school on the city of Berkeley, the East Bay and the Bay Area as a whole. 

The study found that in 1998-99, the university employed 13,520 workers, paid out $603 million in salary and wages and generated 20 jobs for every $1 million the campus spends. 

Additionally, the researchers reported that the campus generates more than $1.1 billion annually in personal income in the Bay Area and that the school does business with 2,400 vendors -- 40 percent of whom are small business owners. 

The report also indicated that UC Berkeley has a more significant impact on the local economy than Harvard, Johns Hopkins and Columbia universities do in their respective communities. Those three universities are considered to be major employers in their regions. 

“UC Berkeley is more closely aligned with the local economy than other universities,” the report states, even though the other three institutions also have their own medical schools and affiliated hospitals, unlike UC Berkeley. 

Finally, the study took into account the school's construction spending and how new projects help create jobs and new business for contractors and other vendors. Currently the campus has 98 major projects under way, with costs estimated at $766 million; upcoming projects are expected to total an additional $259 million. 

“What you see in these findings, and what is particularly gratifying, is that the enterprise we call UC Berkeley is more tightly woven into the fabric of life in the Bay Area, and especially in the East Bay, than most people may realize,” Berdahl said.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A city that marketing analysts say is loaded with Internet shoppers can now cruise Safeway aisles electronically in a test the grocery chain hopes will show it can succeed where online competitor Webvan failed. 

After burning through nearly a billion dollars in capital, Webvan declared bankruptcy last July and has been auctioning off assets to fetch just pennies on the dollar for creditors. 

Safeway managers watched Webvan carefully, all the way through its crash, and they believe they can avoid its mistakes. 

“We’ve been asked over and over why Webvan failed,” said Safeway spokeswoman Debra Lambert. “And this project has been different from the very beginning.” 

The key, Lambert says, is starting small and working out of existing stores that already have brand recognition with consumers. 

Instead of building a big, expensive central warehouse and distributing groceries across a wide area like Webvan, the Safeway stores will take orders from customers only in their neighborhoods. 

Safeway employees will use an electronic grocery list to fill special containers right from store shelves, then load them into vans divided into dry goods, refrigerated items and frozen foods. 

For a $9.95 charge, the vans will deliver in the area around the store, just hours after a customer has pointed and clicked a mouse on a home computer to order the groceries. 

“It’s much different than the Webvan model,” said Charles Lemos, an analyst with Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown in San Francisco. “The big warehouse model was just too expensive.” 

Webvan, based in Foster City, Calif., had attracted about 750,000 customers in several large cities — including San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago and Portland. 

“I think that Webvan proved successfully there was niche for it,” Lemos said. 

“Unfortunately, Webvan threw away billions in cash to pursue it on a grand scale,” he said. “Grocery stores like Safeway are doing it on a much smaller scale.” 

Lambert said the delivery time will be shorter and routes more efficient, shoppers are already familiar with the Safeway name and its products, and stores can manage inventory at the local level while taking advantage of the chain’s international purchasing power. 

“We’ve taken a conservative approach,” she said. “It’s an add-on to our business — it’s not our only business.” 

Safeway chose Portland and Vancouver, Wash., because market analysis shows about 70 percent of the households have Internet connections and consumers are Web savvy. 

The project, officially launched last week, is built on the highly successful model that the British grocery chain Tesco pioneered in the United Kingdom. 

The two companies are partners in the U.S. online venture, with Tesco providing much of the computer expertise to Safeway, based in Pleasanton, Calif., just across the San Francisco bay from Webvan. 

“The big question in my mind is to what degree the Tesco success in the United Kingdom is a function of the U.K. market, which is more favorable to online grocery shopping and delivery,” said Ken Cassar, an analyst with Jupiter Media Metrix in New York. 

“The population density is greater in Britain, the grocery stores are not as spacious and parking is more difficult. And it’s less likely that a British household will have two cars while it’s very likely in the U.S.,” Cassar said. “All this makes for more fertile ground in the U.K. than the U.S.” 

If the Safeway project proves wildly successful, store shoppers could find themselves competing with employees trying to fill orders off the shelves, he said. 

But Lemos said he doubts it would reach that point because grocery stores are typically busy only at peak evening hours and have plenty of idle time during the day, when orders would be filled. 

And the analysts agree the model is best suited to dense, urban areas, whether in the United States or Britain. 

“Is this going to work in rural Nebraska? No, but nobody’s expecting it to work there,” Lemos said. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Safeway stores: http://www.safeway.com 

SAN JOSE — Back in the early days of the World Wide Web, Netscape Communications Corp. pioneered the commercial development of Internet browsers and even charged for the software. 

Then Microsoft Corp. began giving away Internet Explorer with its Windows operating systems, sparking the so-called browser wars and adding fuel to monopoly arguments against Microsoft. 

The rest is history. Today, Netscape, a subsidiary of AOL Time Warner, has only 8 percent of the total browser market compared to Internet Explorer’s 91 percent, according to research firm WebSideStory Inc. 

“Microsoft was extremely successful in bundling the Explorer browser with the operating system and that was the best distribution for it,” said Ken Allard, senior vice president of research at Jupiter Media Metrix. 

On Tuesday, Netscape’s parent company sued Microsoft, seeking damages for anticompetitive behavior. The federal government’s antitrust case against Microsoft had been largely hinged on the old browser battles. 

But analysts say Netscape suffered because some of its later efforts were inferior to Internet Explorer. And it lost momentum — and key talent — when it was taken over by America Online in November 1998. 

Mountain View, Calif.-based Netscape sprang to life in April 1994, founded by Silicon Graphics pioneer James Clark and software developer Marc Andreessen, who was instrumental in developing one of the first Web browsers — NCSA Mosaic — as a student at the University of Illinois. 

Sixteen months after its founding, Netscape held its initial public offering, which gave the start-up a $2 billion market value even though it had only $20 million in sales. 

That same month, Microsoft awoke to the promise of the Web and released Internet Explorer. At the time, most users laughed off Microsoft’s buggy attempt to compete. 

But over the ensuing months, each company released improved versions with more capabilities with some users awaiting the next version as eagerly as the next installment of Star Wars. 

Netscape’s share of the market began to decline. 

on Jan. 22, 1998 — four years to the day before Tuesday’s lawsuit — Netscape capitulated and began giving away its software for free. 

At the same time, Netscape was hemorrhaging money. In November, AOL announced plans to acquire the Internet pioneer. 

AOL was more interested in Netscape’s media property, the Netscape.com Web site that many users kept as their home pages. Other Netscape initiatives, such as browser development, enterprise software and services did not receive as much attention, Allard said. 

AOL also never integrated the Netscape browser into its proprietary online service, instead relying on a version of Internet Explorer. 

Netscape 6.0 was released in April 2000 and was uniformly criticized for being incomplete and buggy. 

Netscape fixed the problems with later versions, but “the damage was already done, said Geoff Johnston, a browser market analyst at WebSideStory. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Netscape: http://www.netscape.com 

SAN BRUNO — San Francisco International Airport is trying to secure explosive-detecting luggage scanners before an ordering rush from other airports. 

Airport commissioners on Tuesday agreed to pay $19.3 million for 11 new scanners, an expenditure the airport’s board of supervisors must also approve. 

“There will be a tremendous demand for these units,” airport spokesman Ron Wilson said. “We want to get ourselves in line.” 

Though the airport already has 13 such scanners, it will need 60 more by Dec. 31 to meet new federal deadlines to look for bombs in all luggage. 

The airport plans to order the scanners from Newark, Calif.-based InVision Technologies Inc., one of two manufacturers approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. 

Wilson said the airport will have to spend several million dollars more to create space to house the mini van-sized scanners. 

He said the purchase is contingent on federal reimbursement and that the FAA has agreed verbally to reimburse the airport for the costs of the machines. 

San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown said Tuesday he spoke with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, a fellow Californian, who “looked with favor” on the reimbursement request. 

“We’re willing to pay the $19 million up front provided we know ... they will reimburse us,” said Brown, who was in Washington for the Conference of Mayors meeting. 

Rosa Parks students, staff adorn school in colorful tiles 

Local schools, and many area businesses, were closed Monday to honor the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. But Phoebe Ackley, an after-school art teacher at Rosa Parks Elementary School, was hard at work – on a very appropriate project. 

Ackley, working with two tile setters from Doty Tile of Oakland, affixed the last of 400 tiles, commemorating civil rights leader Rosa Parks, to a pair of benches in front of the main entrance to the school. 

Students from kindergarten to fifth grade created the majority of the tiles in October and November as part of a five-week curriculum combining art and civil rights education. School staff and parents crafted a number of their own tiles in subsequent weeks. 

“I think it’s an incredible project, it has incredible aesthetic value,” said Rebecca Herman, parent of two children at the school. “But it also includes a valuable message about the legacy of the civil rights movement.” 

“I think one of the really important things (for the students), aside from the educational component,” said Ackley, “is the idea of collaborating on something that doesn’t belong to them, that becomes part of the community, that they can look at with pride.” 

The tile project is one of several initiatives in a year-long dedication of the school. Rosa Parks, formerly Columbus, was damaged during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The district completed construction on the “new Columbus” in the mid-1990s, and, a year-and-a-half ago, renamed the school in honor of the civil rights activist. 

On Nov. 29, the school hosted a dedication night for families, and three weeks ago, Rosa Parks received its first school sign emblazoned with its new name. Rosa Parks will hold a larger dedication from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. March 23, replete with local officials and activities for kids. 

Kathy Freeburg, curriculum coordinator at Rosa Parks, worked with kindergarten teacher Marti Mogensen to win a $4,000 grant from the Berkeley Public Education Foundation to fund the dedication activities, including a portion of the $9,000 tile project. 

Funding for the project came in part from the Berkeley Schools Excellence Project, a taxpayer-funded pool of money set aside for the district, and Rosa Parks’ “school improvement funds” paid for the rest. 

Freeburg says the dedication activities, including the tile project, have helped bring the school community together around its new name. 

“It’s an identity piece for the school,” she said. “Each tile has a personal meaning. But as a whole work of art, it has a larger meaning.” 

Principal Alison Kelly said the project is particularly important for a school with a diverse student population.  

“We have to make sure the kids feel the school represents them,” she said. “They need to have some ownership.” 

Ackley worked with the Museum of Children’s Art, or MOCHA, in Oakland, to develop the project. MOCHA staff crafted the curriculum to accompany the project, and trained school staff on how to put the curriculum into action. 

After the trainings, Ackley and MOCHA’s Eric Haber divided the school’s classrooms between them, and visited each one for an hour each week, for five weeks. 

Ackley and Haber began by talking with the students about Rosa Parks and public art, and brainstorming around words they associated with the leader of the famous Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott of 1955.  

Then, students began drawing images that represented their thoughts and feelings about Parks. Eventually, they transferred those images – of hearts, peace signs and buses – onto tiles, using glaze. 

Leah Goodwin, education director at MOCHA, said the use of symbols helps students grapple with difficult subject matter.  

“It’s a way of getting kids to hold onto what they’re learning,” she said, labeling the concept “visual literacy.” 

“It makes the material more exciting when there’s a hands-on connection,” added Ackers. 

Laura Carr, a parent who volunteered in her daughter’s second grade classroom during the creation of the tiles, is thrilled with the result. 

“Not only did they learn about Rosa Parks,” she said, “but they learned how to paint beautiful tiles.” 

Those interested in the March 23 dedication should call Kathy Freeburg at 644-8655. The school is particularly interested in drawing alumni of the old Columbus School.  

Tuesday, Jan. 22

Candlelight Vigil to Protect  

and Advance Roe v. Wade 

5 p.m. 

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center  

2450 Ashby Ave. 

Part of a nationally coordinated campaign marking the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the National Organization for Women Oakland/East Bay Chapter will hold a candle light vigil in remembrance of the women who died as a result of illegal abortions. 287-8948, www.now.org. 

Forum on the Catholic  

Church 

7:30 p.m. 

St. Mary Magdalen Parish 

2005 Berryman St. 

The first in a series of weekly meetings for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church. 526-4811 x19 

Auditions for “Long Day’s  

Journey Into Night” 

7 p.m. 

Live Oak Theatre 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

No appointment needed, and there is no pay. Director requests a two-minute monologue and a reading from the script. Roles needed: three men – 20-75, and two women with Irish accent – 18-30 and 50-65. 424-0370, www.actorsensembleofberkeley.com.  

Camera Club Meeting 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church 

941 The Alameda 

Weekly meeting of the Berkeley Camera Club offers the opportunity to share slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. 547-4514 

Wednesday, Jan. 23

Baby Bounce and Toddler  

Tales 

7 p.m. 

Public Library, West Branch 

1125 University Ave. 

A participatory program for families with children up to age 3. Stories, songs and fingerplays as entertainment and as a way for parents to learn some new material to share with their young ones. 981-6270. 

Public Works Commission 

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

2020 Wake Ave. 

Oakland, CA 

Presentation and tour of EBMUD’s Wastewater Treatment Plant 

Moving Them Into a  

Retirement Home 

5 - 7 p.m. 

Alta Bates Medical Center, Auditorium 

2450 Ashby Avenue 

Donna Quinn Robbins, co-author of the book “Moving Mom and Dad,” gives guidelines for helping elders and their families cope with moving into a retirement home. Free. 869-6737. 

Peace Walk and Vigil 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley BART Station 

A peace walk and vigil to demonstrate opposition to U.S. bombing of Afghanistan. Ends at MLK Civic Center Park. www.indymedia.org. 

Berkeley Gray Panthers 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst St. 

The Gray Panther’s general meeting features Wanda Remmers, Director, Housing Rights, to discuss Section 8 and other housing concerns, and Lisa Romero and Seleena Gupte to discuss the Report on Senior Housing Survey. 548-9696. 

Debtors Anonymous 

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. 

Mandana Community Recovery Center 

3989 Howe St., Oakland 

Weekly Meeting. 415-522-9099 

Israel and the Arab World  

Presentation 

7:30 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Professor Ze’ev Brinner discusses Islam, the Islamic world, its attitude towards the Jews, Israel and America. $5. 

Thursday, Jan. 24

Sea Kayaking in Baja and the  

Bay Area 

7 p.m. 

Recreational Equipment, Inc. 

1338 San Pablo Ave. 

Mitch Powers presents slides of some of his favorite paddling destinations in Baja and the Bay Area and gives tips on planning kayaking trips. 527-4140 

Winter Holistic Health Groups  

1:15 – 2:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave.  

For ages 55 and older. This week’s topic: How To Be Your Own Health Advocate . 526-0148. 

Editor: 

L. Dawud Said (”Brothers Liquor closure is a sign of the ‘yuppies rule’ time,” in Forum, 1/19/02) writes that “Berkeley is being invaded by dot.com Yuppies.” 

If Said truly paid attention to what’s going on she’d see there’s been an exodus of such professionals since the dot-bomb. What’s left in their wake is a skeleton crew of families and working class people, like the neighbors of Brothers Liquor, who have lived here for decades.  

My South Berkeley neighborhood is rich only in diversity. We have few trees and the air is heavy with car exhaust. Neighbors have various-paying jobs; many are retired, unemployed and disabled. My family doesn’t belong to PAIN (“PALE,” as Said calls it), but we are grateful the city realizes the increased burden Brothers has placed on us.  

The motivating factor to close Brothers is this: Most residents, regardless of skin color, don’t want a neighborhood where selling drugs, prostitution and murder is the norm. Those from the “gentrification terrorist cells” don’t want our kids to be offered pornography or crack cocaine when they go to a cornerstore for candy. Many of the people who feel this way, who Said describes as “well-heeled immigrants’ infiltrating the neighborhood,” are third-generation families who have been battling Brothers for years.  

People who live in close vicinity of Brothers (unlike Said who lives blocks away), citizens who s/he calls “self-interest groups,” are woken at night by screaming people and screeching tires all related to sales of drugs and sex. Gunfire is not unusual. 

Like many of Said’s “Hatemongering Yuppies” on my block, prior to the crackdown on Brothers I had a special morning ritual that befit my posh lifestyle: Before I walked my child to Malcolm X, I’d go in the yard and pick up used condoms, syringes, human feces, broken liquor bottles, and beer cans in brown bags. Is it my hosing of a drunk’s vomit off the sidewalk that Said calls a “modus operandi a form of racial cleansing to make room for more white people?” 

Said writes that “the Berkeley Police Department was used or manipulated “to justify the newcomers nefarious paranoia.” My neighbor said the last time she was in Brothers the cashier asked her to sign a petition protesting the illegal activities occurring on the store premises. This petition was in truth presented to the Berkeley City Council as a list of Brothers’ supporters. Said defends a business that operates “by whatever means (influencing or manipulating by deception).” 

R. Walker, 

South Berkeley Resident 

*All quotations L. Dawud Said 

924 Gilman Jan. 25: Ludicra, Brain Oil, Creuvo, Scurvy Dogs, Arftificum Sanguis; Jan. 26: Mile Marker, Yaphet Kotto, Pirx the Pilot, Himsa, Confidante; Jan. 27: Bane, Over My Dead Body, Striking Distance, Breath In; Feb. 1: American Steel, Pitch Black, Fleshies, The Blottos, Sexy; Feb. 2: Dead and Gone, Black Cat Music, The Cost, The Frisk; Feb. 8: Divit, Scissorhands, Rufio, Don’t Look Down, Fenway Park; Feb. 9: Pansy Division, Subincision, The Fadeaways; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Anna’s Bistro Jan. 22: Doug Arrington; Jan. 23: Junebug; Jan. 24: Carl Garrett; Jan. 25: Anna & Ellen Hoffman; Jan. 26: Robin Gregory & Bliss Rodriguez; Jan. 27: “Acoustic Soul”; Jan. 28: “Renegade Sidemen” w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 29: Tangria; Jan. 30: Bob Schoen; Jan. 31: Jason Martineau & Dave Sayen; Music starts at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., 1801 University Ave., 849-2662. 

Blake’s Jan. 22: Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Wildsang, $3; Jan. 23: Mindz Eye, Hebro (Upstairs in the Tinibar), $5; Jan. 24: Electronica w/Ascension, $5; Jan. 25: Shady Lady, Blue Room, $6; Jan. 26: Dank Man Shank, TBA, $5; Jan. 27: Motivators, Funklogic, $3; Jan. 28: All Star Jam Featuring The Steve Gannon Band, $4; Jan. 29: Funkanauts, Len Patterson Trio, $3; Jan. 30: Sunru, Slaptones, DJ Kurse, $10; Jan. 31: Electronica w/ Ascension, $5; 2367 Telegraph Ave., 877-488-6533. 

Club Jjang-Ga Jan. 26: Krenshaw, Bearing, Lucid Inc., Zodiacal Circle; 400 29th Ave., Oakland, 261-1108, savageproductions1@ yahoo.com. 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

Jazzschool Jan. 27: 4:30 p.m., Michael Zilber, Sons of Bitches Brew; $6-$12. 2087 Addison St., 845-5373, www.jazzschool.com. 

Jupiter Jan. 23: Mitch Marcus Quintet; Jan. 24: Chris Shot Group; Jan. 25: The Sardonics; Jan. 26: Berkeley Jazz School Presents: Fourtet; Jan. 30: Joel Harrison Quartet; All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless noted. 2181 Shattuck Ave., 843-7625, www.jupiterbeer.com. 

La Pena Cultural Center Jan. 24: 7 p.m., Colombian Cultural Explosion, $5-$15; Jan. 25: 8 p.m., Wild Mango, $12; Jan. 26: 8 p.m., Naked Barbies: The Concert, $10-$15; Jan. 26: 10:30 a.m., Gary Lapow, $4 adults, $3 Children; Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Leticia Servín, $10-$8; 3105 Shattack Ave, 893-4648.  

Live Oaks Concerts: Berkeley Art Center Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Elaine Kreston, Laura Carmichael, $10, BACA Members $8, Students and Seniors $9. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., 644-6893. 

Rose Street House Jan. 25: 8 p.m. DivaBands Showcase: Bern, Elin Jr., Roberta Donnay, Christy Claxton and Tiger Zane. $8-$20. 1839 Rose St., 594-4000 x687, rosestreetmusic@yahoo.com. 

ACME Observatory Contemporary Performance Series Jan. 27: 8 p.m., Jane Rigler, $0-$20; TUVA Space, 3192 Adeline, http://sfSound.org/acme.html. 

Oakland Symphony Chorus Jan. 26: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Conductor Tony Pasqua will lead a study of Joseph Haydn’s “Harmoniemesse” and Johannes Brahm’s “Schicksalslied.” $25, $30 door; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 6013 Lawton St., Oakland, 465-4199. 

Roda Theatre Jan. 22 and 23: both at 8 p.m., The Berkeley Symphony, Schubert’s Symphony No. 5. $21, $32, $45, $10 students. 2015 Addison St., 841-2800, www.berkeleysymphony.org. 

Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre Jan. 26: 6:30 - 10 p.m., The City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre pay tribute to and welcome the return of “The Dru Band”; $5. 3201 Adeline St., 625-2120. 

Organ Music Jan. 27: 5 p.m., Ron McKean; $15 - $18. MusicSources, 1000 The Alameda, 528-1685. 

“Every Inch a King” Through Feb. 9: Thur. - Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m.; Three sisters have to make a decision as their father approaches death in this comedy presented by the Central Works Theater Ensemble. $8 - $18. LeValls Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. 558-138, www.centralworks.org.  

“Sisters” Through Feb. 16., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., The Prozorov sisters look at the gap between hope and fulfillment in their lives. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattack, www.actorsensemleofbkerkeley.com. 

“Rhinoceros” Jan. 23 through Mar. 10: Check theater for specific dates and times. An absurdist tragic-comedy about a small provincial town whose citizens slowly but surely transform into large cumbersome rhinoceroses. Directed by Barbara Damashek. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St. 647-2976 www.berkeleyrep.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 Jan. 22: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 1; Jan. 23: 3 p.m., The Terms of Cinema; 7:30 p.m., Telling It, Differently; Jan. 25: 7:30 p.m., The Aviator’s Wife; 9:30 p.m., A Good Marriage; Jan. 26: 6:30 p.m., Patrick Macias; 7 p.m., Battle Royale; 9:30 p.m., Blood and Law; Jan: 27: Children’s Film Festival, 1 p.m., Ikingut, 3 p.m., Peter Pan; 5:30 p.m., Sir Arne’s Treasure; 7:35 p.m., Song of the Scarlet Flower; Jan. 28: 3 p.m., The Jazz Singer; 7 p.m., Underground Kisses; Jan. 29: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 2; Jan. 30: 3 p.m., The Nickelodeon; 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 3; 2527 Bancroft Way, 642-1412. 

Parkway Theatre Jan. 29: 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., Boom! The Sound Of Eviction, a Just Cause Oakland benefit screening. $6-$20. 1843 Park Blvd., Oakland, 464-1011. 

Exhibits  

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. 

“Prints and Paintings by Liao Shiou-Ping” on view through Jan. 31; Tues. to Fri.10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat.10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Free. Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388-9th St., Suite 290, Oakland, 238-4491. 

“Rhythms” Through Feb. 2: Art installation of sculpture, neon, music and video projections by Kati Casida; Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St., 845-5373 

Pro Arts: “Juried Annual 2001-02” Through Feb. 2: Exhibition of painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography and more by Bay Area and regional artists; Pro Arts, 461 Ninth St., www.proartsgallery.org. 

“All Grown Up” Through Feb. 2: New paintings and drawings by Amy Chan. Thurs. 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fri -Sun 1 p.m. -6 p.m., 21 Grand Ave., Oakland, 444-7263 

“Water Media” Through Feb. 8: An exhibit by Christine “Caipirinha” Mulder. Capoeira Arts Cafe Gallery, 2026 Center St., 666-1349 for hours. 

“New Work by Dennis Begg and Steve Briscoe” Through Feb. 9: Dennis Begg’s sculpture. Steve Brisco’s paintings. Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Traywick Gallery,1316 10th St., 527-1214. 

“Enduring Wisdom: Artwork and Stories by Homeless and Formerly Homeless Seniors” Through Feb. 15: 18 homeless and formerly homeless elders reveal how they learned and applied wisdom that is timeless. Mon. - Fri. and Sundays 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Free. St. Mary’s Center, 635 22nd St., Oakland, 893-4723 x222. 

“Envisioning Ecology” Through Feb. 15: Paintings by Michelle Waters. Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., 548-2220 x233. 

“The Other 364 Days: A Day in the Life of the Queer Community” Through Feb. 16: An exhibit of black and white photographs by East Bay photographer Limor Inbar-Hansen. Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St., 644-1400, limor@indelible-images.com. 

“Adventures in La Land” Through Feb. 23: Installations by Suzanne Husky and Paintings by Amy Morrell. Tues. - Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 4920 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 428-2349. 

“Transformations: Through the Eye of a Needle” Jan.24 - Feb. 23: Two-person exhibition by Rebecca Bui and Linda Lemon including procelain and fabric dolls and mixed media works on handmade paper. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland, 836-0831, www.artolio.com 

“Ton of Joy” Through Mar. 1: Group show of twelve painters and sculptors: Simone Anders, Susan Brady, Erin Fitzgerald, Karen Frey, Kei Hanafusa, Nancy Legge, Burke Rainey, Robin Sebourn, Kristen Throop, Clay Vajgrt, Whitney Vosburgh, Ann West; Mon. - Sat., 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Hollis Street Project, 5900 Hollis St., Emeryville. 

“Ansel Adams in the University of California Collections” Through Mar. 10: A selection of photographs and memorabilia presenting a different perspective on Adam’s career as one of the leading figures in American photography; Jan. 16 through Mar. 24: “Migrations: Photographs by Sebastiao Salgado,” over 300 black-and-white photographs of immigrants and refugees taken by the Brazilian photographer. Wed. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., $4- $6. The University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

"Earthly Pleasures" assemblage and photographs by Susan Danis, Through March 30: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. - Sat.; Sticks, 1579 B, Solano Ave., 526-6603.  

“Domestic Bliss” Through Apr. 4: Collection of abstract paintings and mixed medium by Amy St. George. Albany Community Center Foyer Gallery, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany, 524-9283. 

“The Legacy of Social Protest: The Disability Rights Movement” Through April 30: The first exhibition in a series dealing with Free Speech, Civil Rights, and Social Protest Movements of the 60s and 70s in California. Featuring photograghs by: Cathy Cade, HolLynn D’Lil, Howard Petrick, Ken Stein. The Free Speech Cafe, Moffitt Undergraduate Library, University of California-Berkeley, hjadler@yahoo.com  

“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, www.atelier9.com. 

Readings 

Coffee With a Beat Jan. 26: Paradise; Feb. 2: Julia Vinograd, Shauna Rogan; Feb. 9: Sydney Bell, Debrale Pagan; All readings 7-9 p.m., free and followed by open mike. 458 Perkins, Oakland, 526-5985.  

Easy Going Travel Shop & Bookstore Jan. 22: Lee Foster discusses his new guide “Northern California History Weekends”; All readings are free and start at 7:30 p.m., 1385 Shattuck Ave. at Rose, 843-3533. 

Revolution Books Jan. 25: 6:15 p.m., Eric Schlosser, Author of “Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the American Meal,” will appear for a book signing. 2425 Channing Way, 848-1196.  

Poetry 

Poetry Flash @ Cody’s Jan. 23: Paul Hoover and Elizabeth Robinson; Jan. 27: Wanda Coleman, Austin Straus and Kate Gale; Jan. 30 Ralph Angel and George Higgins; All events begin at 7:30 p.m., $2 donation. 2454 Telegraph Ave., 845-7852. 

Tours 

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

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. 

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; $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. - 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.  

Lawrence Hall of Science Through Jan. 26: Scream Machines: The Science of Roller Coasters; “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; Open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley, 642-5132, www.lawrencehallofscience.org. 

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, www.lhs.berkeley.edu. 

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

Neighbors of Berkeley’s new Public Safety Building will get a chance to sound off tonight on the 170-foot emergency radio tower they say is not only an eyesore but was erected without proper public review. 

Neighbors, who are supported by Councilmember Dona Spring, say they will ask the City Council during tonight’s public hearing to reduce the tower’s visual impact by breaking it into two, smaller “flag pole” style towers. The tower is located behind the Public Safety Building at 2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. 

But they face opposition from the City Manager’s Office and the Department of Public Works, which are recommending the council leave the tower as is and activate it immediately to support police and fire department radio communication. 

The three-legged, five-story, steel structure, which neighbors compare to an “oil derrick,” was constructed in early 2000. The tower is designed to withstand a major seismic event and to continue providing critical communication during a major disaster response by multiple police, fire and medical agencies. 

City officials claim the tower, which has never been used, is located in position to best serve all sections of the city. It will also be valuable for daily emergency responses. 

“In an average calendar year, Berkeley police and fire departments each receive approximately 10,000 emergency calls,” a Department of Public Works report reads. “Wireless communication allows field personnel to effectively and efficiently respond to these incidents.” 

But neighbors say the tower is too large, and its design is inappropiate for its location next to a residential neighborhood and a historic district. Neighbors also charge that the tower was erected without the proper public review and permits. 

“This is Berkeley’s version of Tower Gate,” said Spring. “The process was a scandal, and it would be an assault to allow (the tower) to remain in place.” 

Spring said the tower should be broken into two or more parts and relocated atop the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center. She also supports dismantling the existing tower and replacing it, in the same approximate location, with two “flag pole” styled antennas, which would be more visually appropriate for the neighborhood. 

MACRO Corporation studied the situation last year, which cost the city $50,000, and found the best alternative to the existing tower would be two towers, approximately 110 feet tall in the general area of the nearby, old Hall of Justice, its report said. The consultant estimated the cost of the redesign to be $300,000. There was no estimate of the cost to relocate the antennas on the roof of the Civic Center. 

Neighbors also claim the tower never went through the city’s normal approval process prior to construction.  

“This is a historical district and the tower is right next to Old City Hall, which is one of the finest examples of public architecture in the East Bay,” said Vito Lab, who lives across the street from the tower. “And this project never went to Design Review, never went to the Zoning Adjustments Board and never went to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.” 

But according to the Department of Public Works report, there was public input on the tower design. The report cites a design competition for the Public Safety Building, in which drawings were available for public viewing and a backyard presentation, which included computer-generated images, at PSB neighbor Deborah Green’s home. The report also says the tower was described in the PSB Environmental Impact Report. 

Lab said any description of the tower was lost in the overall presentation of the PSB plans and argues the public review process was clearly lacking. 

“I would say this tower is the second tallest structure in Berkeley and you don’t just trot out a plan in front of three or four people in Debbie Green’s backyard and say that’s a public review,” he said.  

Editor: 

Perhaps it is time to take a look at the underlying causes of the problem with health care (“Doctor's New Practices Offer Deluxe Service for Deluxe Fee” New York Times 1/15/02). With physicians jumping ship so that they can spend more time with patients, hundreds of thousands to millions uninsured, many more underinsured, drug companies defending their right to hold patents on life-saving medications, and stories on the poor state of public health in light of the anthrax crimes, isn't it at least possible that these separate problems have a common root cause? I would contend that it is our country's policy that values money over health that is the underlying cause of all of these problems. It is time that we in the United States take a long look at ourselves, at least in the area of health care policy. 

Lara Wright, M.D. 

Berkeley 

About 300 people shook the pews with their cheers Saturday night as three familiar voices from Free Speech Radio spoke about the U.S. war in Afghanistan and their own war with Pacifica Network News.  

Locals from all across the Bay Area packed St. John the Worker’s Church, wearing “End the War” buttons and passing out flyers about how to improve KPFA 94.1 FM, the station that broadcasts FSR in Berkeley. 

The event featured Verna Avery Brown, the host of FSR, Fariba Nawa, an Afghan-American journalist who reported from the front, and Jeremy Scahill, a reporter who covered the U.S. bombing campaigns in Iraq and Yugoslavia. The event was a benefit for FSR – a program produced by an international group of freelance reporters, who went on strike from Pacifica in 2000 over issues of censorship.  

The night was billed as an opportunity to hear reporters who had just returned from the war in Afghanistan. Nawa was FSR’s woman on the ground there, dropping her graduate program at New York University to head for the refugee camps in Pakistan. 

She witnessed the collapse of the World Trade Center.  

“As an Afghan-born, American-raised journalist who interviewed the Taliban last year, I was shocked and horrified,” she said. “I knew where the destruction was going to be next – my homeland.” 

Although her main job in Islamabad was to translate her Farsi phone conversations with Northern Alliance commanders on the frontline into English for the Associated Press, she was also interested in detailing the complexities of the emotions in the camps she visited.  

“The Afghans I met were supportive of kicking out the Taliban,” she said, “But they were not supportive of the bombing. No one knew how long it would last.” 

Nawa also talked about misguided assumptions about the Taliban. Although Taliban and Northern Alliance forces might shoot at each other during the day, she said, they often have tea together at night. “They’re in it because of the money, to feed their kids. It’s the foreigners who come in and believe in the ideology and fight to the death.” 

When Pakistan deported her in December – because she had lunch with an Indian journalist, she thinks – Nawa went to Bonn to cover the U.N. conference on creating an interim government in Afghanistan. Heartened by the “intelligent and capable people” who were chosen, Nawa said, “Afghanistan comes out the winner in all of this.” Although she hates the bombing campaign, she said, “What I tell my friends is that it’s for us now. We have to decide our fate.” 

“I’m glad I can go home now and write about reconstruction and not just about bullets and war,” she said. 

While both Avery Brown and Scahill also denounced the bombing campaign in their speeches, they, and the host of the evening Larry Bensky, focused on the other war that needed ending. Although the Pacifica Foundation, which oversees the nation’s largest progressive radio network, says its mission is “to promote cultural diversity and pluralistic community expression,” the Pacifica Reporters Against Censorship (PRAC) charged the management with censoring their work and called for the return of editorial independence for local affiliates. 

Bensky began the night by announcing the end of the feud between Pacifica and PRAC, the reinstatement of Dan Coughlin as Pacifica’s executive director and his own rehiring. 

Avery Brown declared the end of “Pacifica Lite” and told the crowd she had accepted a position as second in command to Coughlin. Although she admitted there was still much work to be done in straightening out staffing and financial issues, she said, “We’re going back and we’re in charge.” 

Scahill was the most rousing speaker of the night, denouncing the “shameful” way Pacifica had been operating and calling for the “return of rebel radio.” 

“Radio is the most revolutionary medium we have in our world,” said Scahill. “One of the saddest things is the media failing to shake the institutions of power.” 

Although he applauded the change in management at PNN, he was still not entirely satisfied. “I promise you I will not do a single story for PNN until the grievances are resolved and democracy is returned,” he said. 

Their grievance – with Pacifica and the government – was about patriotism, they said. Avery Brown said she was not unpatriotic and had relatives who served in the armed forces, but she hesitated to wave the flag from her grandfather’s state funeral. “I will wave my grandfather’s flag when I see Bush on TV and he says every life is precious,” she said, “even those of Afghans who were not involved in the World Trade Center attack.” 

People do not owe their allegiance to the U.S. government, said Scahill, since it only seems to be causing “wanton destruction in already devastated country.” But, they do owe allegiance to America. “To be patriotic in this country today,” said Scahill, “is to be a dissident.” 

Audience members pumped fists in the air and shouted their agreement. Longtime KPFA listener Helene Knox was particularly impressed by Scahill. Praising his courage for staying on the ground while bombs were falling and his capacity to see the big international picture, the Oakland resident said, “For insight, Jeremy is number one in my book.” 

Melodie Barclay of Oakland found Nawa’s remarks most informative. Although she came because she was against the bombing campaign in Afghanistan, she said she was surprised by the upbeat picture Nawa painted of Afghanistan’s future. “It was good to hear her perspective,” she said. 

The thunderous applause at the end of the night was followed by another sound: The unzipping of bags to find wallets and checkbooks. 

Because its $26,500 per month operating budget comes mostly from listeners, FSR had asked audience members to contribute $10 to $20 at the door. “I can’t afford much,” said Knox, “but I gave them $20 to begin with.” When the collection buckets came around at the end of the passionate speeches, she said, “I gladly threw in another $20.” 

The Berkeley Daily Planet is seeking local columnists to appear on the Forum pages on a regular basis. If you have an idea for an interesting and regular column, please send a column sample and the topics you would like to raise to readers to: 

COLUMNIST WANTED 

Devona Walker 

Editor 

Berkeley Daily Planet 

2076 University Ave., Berkeley CA 94707 

or e-mail devona@berkeleydailyplanet.net

The City Council will consider a number of issues during the regular meeting tonight including a study of reduced access to recreation for the city’s youth, approval of $2.3 million for the construction of five affordable housing projects and a schedule for adopting the remaining elements of the Draft General Plan. 

Recreation access 

Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek and Councilmember Miriam Hawley are requesting the city manager to determine if middle and high school students have an acceptable amount of access to informal recreation at the city’s parks, school yards and sports fields. 

According to the recommendation, parents have been complaining of a decline in recreation opportunities for a variety of reasons – including budget constraints, reduced open space and lack of access to public school sites many of which have prohibited skateboards, bicycles and scooters. 

The assessment will include a survey of the Youth Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, Berkeley Unified School District and other appropriate groups. 

“Access to informal recreation space is particularly important for middle school and high school students because many teenagers are reluctant or unable to joint organized activities,” the recommendation reads. “Both parents and their teenage children benefit if the young people have opportunities near their homes for informal an healthful outdoor activities.” 

Housing trust 

The council is expected to approve $2.3 million from the Housing Trust Fund for five affordable housing projects. The projects, once completed, will add 27 units of permanently affordable housing for seniors, developmentally disabled children and low-income residents.  

Applications for the projects were approved by the Housing Advisory Commission after review by housing staff, the Planning Commission and the Commission on Disabilities, among others.  

The Housing Trust Fund, which is distributed once a year, consists of many funding sources, the largest of which is HUD. 

The projects include the Adeline Street Apartments at 3222-24 Adeline St. The 19-unit project, which will be developed by Resources for Community Development, received loan approval for $310,000. 

Affordable Housing Associates received approval for a loan of $874,000 to develop 38 units called the Outback Senior Homes at 2517 Sacramento St. 

Jubilee Restoration will receive $873,000 for developing Jubilee Senior Homes, a 27-unit project at 2577 San Pablo Ave. The transitional housing program McKinley House was approved for $190,000 and a disabled children’s housing project will receive $66,000. 

Draft General Plan schedule 

The council will likely endorse a schedule to approve the remaining elements of the Draft General Plan. On Dec. 18, the council approved the Land Use, Housing and Transportation elements. The remaining elements are Disaster Preparedness, Open Space and Recreation, Environmental Management, Economic Development, Urban Design and Preservation and Citizen Participation. 

The proposed schedule will have the councilmembers submit their proposed amendments on Feb. 1. They will be distributed to the public prior to the Feb. 19 council meeting and then discussion and consideration of the amendments on March 12 and final approval on March 19. 

Measure K 

The council is expected to endorse an Alameda and Contra Costa counties ballot measure which will impose a parcel tax of $1 per month on single family homes to raise $8.4 million annually for maintenance of the East Bay Regional Parks.  

The EBRP maintains 59 regional parks and more than 1,000 miles of trails on 93,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Along with East Bay population growth, park usage has greatly increased. The additional parcel tax will fund environmental maintenance, public safety and public access. 

Other matters: 

• The council will consider a resolution to ensure the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory clean up sites contaminated by tritium, a radioactive isotope, used by the recently closed National Tritium Labeling Facility in medical research. 

• The council will consider a recommendation from the Waterfront Commission to oppose any expansion of the San Francisco Airport that would include filling in the Bay. According to the commission’s recommendation “nearly one-third of the Bay has been filled in and consequently (the Bay Area) has lost an economic, environmental and recreational resource.” 

The City Council meeting will be held tonight at 2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The meeting will also be broadcast live on the KPFA Radio, 89.3 and Cable B-TV, Channel 78.

OAKLAND — A Sacramento couple accused of torturing, sexually assaulting and strangling a Pleasanton student in a minivan is scheduled to go on trial starting Tuesday. 

James Daveggio, 41, and girlfriend Michelle Michaud, 43, could face the death penalty if convicted of snatching and killing community college student Vanessa Lei Samson, 22, in December 1997. 

The two allegedly raped and killed Samson inside a minivan converted into what authorities have described as a mobile torture chamber, complete with hooks and ropes. They allegedly kidnapped Samson on her way to her clerical job at an insurance office less than a mile from her house. 

They are charged with repeatedly raping Samson with two curling irons while forcing her to wear a gag to muffle her screams, police said. She then allegedly was strangled with a nylon rope and dumped face-down on a snow-covered embankment in Alpine County. She was fully clothed, and her backpack and wallet were found beside her. 

Prosecutors have said the couple “formed a predatory team to sexually assault young, vulnerable women for their own depraved sexual gratification.” 

An Alameda County jury is set to hear opening statements Tuesday. Testimony is expected later in the trial from a former Reno community college student who was kidnapped, raped and sodomized in 1997 prior to Samson’s death. 

Michaud pleaded guilty in that case and is serving a 15-year prison sentence. Daveggio received a 25-year sentence in that case. 

According to prosecutors, Daveggio and Michaud were obsessed with modeling their crimes after Gerald and Charlene Gallego, the 1970s couple who made headlines with their so-called “sex-slave murders.” 

No one under 18 will be allowed in the courtroom during the trial because the judge is concerned about the potentially disturbing nature of the expected testimony. 

Daveggio’s daughter, then 16, told a grand jury her father had asked her to come along on what he called “hunting.” 

“He told me I would never know if I’d like killing someone unless I had tried,” according to grand jury testimony.

SAN JOSE — A coalition of scientists and technology companies is asking people around the world to use their computers’ extra processing power to help search for a cure for anthrax. 

The project follows similar efforts to use “distributed computing” to hunt for extraterrestrial life and a cure for cancer. 

This effort is being launched Tuesday to help Oxford University researchers find potential ways to treat anthrax that is beyond the stage at which antibiotics can work. It comes as fighting anthrax and other agents of bioterrorism has become an international priority. 

The project is based on the premise that the average personal computer uses between 13 percent and 18 percent of its processing power at any given time. Like Napster, it employs “peer-to-peer” technology, in which millions of computers can share files over the Internet. 

Participants download a screen-saver that runs whenever their computers have resources to spare, and uses that power to perform computations for the project. When the user connects to the Internet, the computer sends data back to a central hub and gets another assignment. 

The company that designed the program, United Devices Inc. of Austin, Texas, promises that no personal information on participants’ PCs can be compromised while they take part. 

With enough participants, the project gives researchers 10 times more power than the world’s best supercomputer, said Graham Richards, the Oxford professor leading the study. 

“The screen-saver doesn’t cost you anything, and at least you’re taking part in something, adding your bit,” he said. 

Scientists have discovered that the anthrax toxin is made up of three proteins — which are not toxic on their own but become so after binding together. 

The Oxford scientists want to scan 3.5 billion molecular compounds to see if any can block the process and keep the toxin from reproducing. 

The results, which could serve as blueprints for late-stage anthrax drugs, will be turned over to the U.S. and British governments, Richards said. 

The project is funded by Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. and supported by the National Foundation for Cancer Research. 

A similar program launched last April, to help Richards’ team find a molecule that might counteract a protein involved in the growth of leukemia, is harnessing the power of 1.3 million PCs around the world. 

“We’re now in a new era of computing directed at improving the quality of life,” said Pat Gelsinger, chief technology officer at Santa Clara-based Intel. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Screen-saver download site: http://www.intel.com/cure 

Richards’ cancer project: http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/curecancer.html 

Information inundation being what it is these days, culling what’s valuable from media listings – TV and radio programs, news bulletins, movies, music – is a daunting, time-consuming chore. 

What we all need is an interactive media guide that’s updated constantly and tailored to our individual tastes and needs – not just by media companies but also by the people we trust most. 

And that’s not all. This guide should alert us immediately to something vital, like a news flash. Let it also be a conduit, like instant messaging, that allows people we specify to reach us in real time. 

Creating the foundation for such a service is the latest project of one of the Internet’s most innovative provocateurs, Carl Malamud, and a team of programming heavyweights who previously helped write the Internet’s traffic laws, set the speed limits, even design the vehicles. 

This past week, Malamud converted the endeavor, dubbed NetTopBox, into a nonprofit venture. 

“We really call it a public works project,” Malamud said. “It is no different from building a public park or a railroad or dam.” 

Except, of course, that it would be at once everywhere and nowhere. And no one would own it. Many different media companies would feed it. 

At least that’s the idea. 

Author, programmer and agitator, Malamud has long worked on trying to ensure that grassy public parks coexist on the Internet beside its crass commercial strips. 

When the World Wide Web was in diapers, Malamud was already producing the Internet’s first talk-radio program. Long before RealAudio, he was webcasting National Press Club speeches. 

In 1994, Malamud made available online the full text of corporate filings to the Security and Exchange Commission. Later, he added large databases of other key federal agencies. 

Malamud’s nonprofit Internet Multicasting Service crowned those shoestring efforts in 1998 by pressuring the government to place its patent database on the Internet. 

“Carl has an amazing track record of accomplishing what he sets out to do,” said Tom Kalil, a former technology adviser to President Clinton. 

Malamud, 42, and his Web designer wife, Rebecca, co-founder and equal partner in NetTopBox, originally launched it as a startup that attracted $1 million in private capital. But when the investment climate soured last year, they and their partners decided the Internet Multicasting Service would purchase the venture. 

A year ago, the Malamuds moved from New York City to a log home on the northern California coast to begin putting together the software infrastructure – or protocols – and raise an infant son. 

Their team is now seeking sponsors, courting media companies and seeing potential allies in network news divisions in particular. 

Rod Prince, executive producer at NBC Weekend Nightly News for seven years until his December retirement, met with NetTopBox officials last year and liked the idea. 

“If in fact the flexibility, the immediacy and the ease of use can be demonstrated, I think all the content providers would be to happy to go with them,” Prince said. 

Among reasons for taking NetTopBox nonprofit, one loomed large: The interactive programming guide world is currently dominated by TV Guide brand owner Gemstar, which vigorously defends its patents. 

Although Malamud says he’s not competing with Gemstar, he reckons he could be in for an eventual legal tussle. Gemstar officials would not comment, saying they have not seen a product. 

Driving NetTopBox are objections to the current closed, proprietary systems that portion out programming information. Malamud complains that the market is “ossifying because there’s not enough small innovative players.” 

Now that set-top boxes are becoming Internet-enabled and computing more decentralized, there’s no reason they can’t allow viewers to communicate with one another through core software that is in the public domain, just like the code underlying the rest of the Internet, Malamud argues. 

With NetTopBox, the program guide would know what gadgets you have, your interests and your willingness to share preferences. 

So if your haute cuisine pal across town wants to alert you a particular cooking show, and you happen to be in front of the TV, it’s a simple matter of a click or two. If network TV is pre-empting scheduled shows for a bulletin, and you’re away from the television, you could be alerted through your cell phone. 

Malamud’s team is developing the underlying technology, using approaches such as those employed by the Google search engine for page rankings and by Amazon.com for predicting customer preferences. 

Media companies – and databases such as CDDB, which catalogues music CDs – would then help contribute the listings and content. 

Malamud estimates the project will cost $3.5 million over two years. 

NetTopBox may never catch on. Malamud readily acknowledges the risk of opting for an ambitious “proof of concept” rather than attempting to create a niche business in collaborative media. 

The programming required to create an open interactive programming guide “shouldn’t be hard in and of itself,” said Fred Baker, chairman of the Internet Engineering Task Force from 1996-2001. 

“What will probably be hard is getting that information given to him (Malamud) in real time without getting a money feed going back to those who are providing it,” he said. 

“Of course he’s pretty good at making those things happen,” Baker added. “If there’s a wheeler-dealer, it’s Carl.”

PALO ALTO — A mutual fund with 1.1 percent of Hewlett-Packard Co. shares has endorsed the $24.3 billion plan to buy Compaq Computer Corp., giving HP valuable support as it prepares for a proxy fight over the deal. 

Lewis Sanders, vice chairman of Alliance Capital Management Holding L.P., told The Wall Street Journal he believes merging would give HP and Compaq the best chance of cutting costs and surviving consolidation in the computer and data-storage markets. 

An Alliance Capital spokesman said he could not immediately confirm Sanders’ comments because of Monday’s holiday. 

But HP spokeswoman Rebeca Robboy said the Palo Alto-based technology giant was aware of Alliance’s support. Top HP executives had lobbied Alliance for its vote and plan to meet with other large shareholders in coming weeks, Robboy said. 

“Our messages are resonating and we’re making great progress with investors,” she said. 

As of Sept. 30, Alliance Capital was HP’s 17th-largest stockholder, with more than 21 million shares. 

No other large institutional investors have come out in support of the deal, which is opposed by Hewlett and Packard family interests with 18 percent of HP shares. HP board member Walter Hewlett, eldest son of one co-founder, is leading the fight against the deal. 

HP and Compaq are awaiting clearance from U.S. and European regulators before announcing a date for a shareholder vote.

MOUNTAIN VIEW — IBM Corp. and network security provider VeriSign Inc. have formed a broad technology and marketing partnership aimed at improving authentication and access-control services for businesses. 

Financial terms of the deal, which is to be formally announced Tuesday, were not disclosed. 

In addition to developing new security services together, Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM and Mountain View-based VeriSign said they would help market each other’s existing offerings. 

IBM already supplies VeriSign with some servers and other hardware, and the deal calls for more such purchases. But VeriSign also will continue to equip itself with gear from Sun Microsystems Inc., executives said

SACRAMENTO — He’s likely still out there, somewhere. He is probably gray as middle age settles in and he escapes his radical past. 

James William Kilgore hasn’t been seen since he fled federal charges in 1976 as a member of the Symbionese Liberation Army, the group perhaps best known for kidnapping newspaper heiress Patty Hearst. 

“He’s been in the wind for over 20 years, and we have no solid leads on his whereabouts,” said Sacramento County Sheriff’s Sgt. James Lewis. “We don’t even know where to start.” 

Kilgore, 54, was charged last week with murder in connection with a deadly bank holdup in 1975 that was blamed on the SLA. Four alleged accomplices were charged and taken into custody. 

But investigators say Kilgore is nowhere to be found. They say he has done a remarkable job eluding authorities — with not a single confirmed sighting in more than two decades. 

He allegedly met up with Hearst in a cheap Las Vegas motel room in late September 1974, a .38 caliber revolver shoved in his waistband in case they were recognized. 

Kilgore and the most hunted woman in America hopped a bus to Sacramento to rendezvous with other members of the SLA who had escaped a Los Angeles police shootout that spring. 

They were joined at a rundown “safe house” by Steven and Kathleen Soliah, Emily and Bill Harris, and intermittently by Michael Bortin, Hearst told investigators after her eventual capture. 

There, they began elaborately plotting the bank robbery that would result in the death of 42-year-old Myrna Opsahl, Sacramento County prosecutors alleged in court filings last week. 

The Harrises, Bortin, Kathleen Soliah and Kilgore were charged with Opsahl’s murder Wednesday, after prosecutors said they developed new evidence corroborating Hearst’s account. 

Bortin is fighting extradition to California from Oregon, while Kathleen Soliah, now known as Sara Jane Olson, pleaded innocent to the charges Friday. The Harrises will plead innocent, their attorneys said. 

All are in custody except Kilgore, an intellectual and calm voice of reason in those frantic days, Hearst recounted in her 1982 book, “Every Secret Thing.” 

“He’s clearly more intelligent than the average criminal, to sever any ties in the Bay area that might lead us to him,” said Andrew Black, a spokesman for the San Francisco FBI office that is leading the search. “He’s smart enough, we feel, to establish a new identity, to establish credit.” 

Profilers have said Kilgore probably lives in North America. He was a sports fanatic with an undergraduate degree in economics who worked as a cook and house painter during his radical years. 

Investigators have no reason to believe Kilgore is dead — but he could be. He hasn’t been arrested even on a petty charge, because his fingerprints haven’t turned up. 

The FBI stepped up the search after Olson was arrested in June 1999 in St. Paul, Minn. She was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison Friday for trying to blow up Los Angeles police cars in 1974. 

The FBI recently offered a $20,000 reward and unveiled a bust and computer-enhanced photographs of what a clean-shaven, gray-haired Kilgore might look like now. 

He was featured on TV’s “America’s Most Wanted,” and tips poured in — more than 200 in the last two years. They yielded no success. 

“It appears he’s able to blend into society,” Black said. “He’s probably somebody’s neighbor and very likely could be living quietly, as Kathleen Soliah was.” 

Kilgore was born in Portland, Ore., and grew up in the San Francisco Bay area town of San Rafael. The 5-foot, 10-inch Kilgore was athletically inclined and the FBI said he may play basketball and golf. 

Kilgore was originally charged with having a pipe bomb at his San Francisco residence in September 1975, just as the group’s remaining members fled for life underground. 

Now they hope adding a murder charge might prompt someone, somewhere, to turn him in. 

Hopefully, someone will recognize him,” Black said. “It’s been a long time, though.”

RENO, Nev. — Reno and Las Vegas rank near the middle nationally but continue to boast some of the most-affordable housing in the West. Santa Cruz, Calif., edged out San Francisco for the least-affordable housing in the nation. 

The results come from the National Association of Home Builders, which compiles the list each year by comparing family incomes and home prices for metropolitan areas around the country. The latest survey is based on third-quarter numbers for 2001. 

The Santa Cruz metro area’s median income is $65,000, and the median home price is $420,000, up $5,000 from the previous quarterly survey. 

San Francisco dropped to second, as its median home price fell $10,000 to $520,000, still the most expensive median home price in the country. 

In the West, Anchorage, Alaska, claims the most-affordable housing, with about 80 percent of its housing affordable to families with median incomes, the report said. 

That’s due in large part to the relatively large median family income in Alaska — $60,500 in 2001. The median sales price for a home there was $145,000. 

Phoenix ranked second among the 48 major metropolitan areas in the West in terms of most-affordable housing, followed by Albuquerque, N.M. 

Reno-Sparks tied with Bakersfield, Calif., for fourth regionally, with about 68 percent of the housing in both areas affordable to families with median incomes. Las Vegas was next at 67 percent, followed by Viaslia-Tulare-Porterville, Calif.; Salt Lake City; Tucson, Ariz., and Olympia, Wash. 

The median family income in the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area in 2001 was $58,400 with a median home sale price of $167,000. In Bakersfield, the houses are cheaper, $109,000, but the median income is lower as well, $40,300. 

Las Vegas reported median income of $52,100 and houses priced at $150,000. 

Nationally, Reno and Bakersfield tied for 97th in terms of affordability with Las Vegas at 150 out of 186 metropolitan areas. 

The regional figures are somewhat skewed in the West because nine of the 10 least-affordable markets in the nation are in California. The Salinas metro area in Monterey County was third, followed by San Jose, which has a $450,000 median home price — the second-most expensive median home price in the nation. 

Rounding out the top 10 behind San Jose were Santa Rosa, the Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa area, the San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles area, Oakland and San Diego. The Portsmouth-Rochester area in New Hampshire and Maine took 10th in the study. 

The most affordable housing was found in Rockford, Ill., which has a median home price of $99,000 and a median family income of $57,100. 

Among cities of more than 1 million people, Indianapolis was the most affordable, with a median home price of $130,000 and a median income of $60,700. 

Santa Cruz has been vehemently anti-growth, but with such an expensive housing market, the City Council is trying to come up with solutions for environmentally sound and affordable housing.

RENO, Nev. — Blustery winds could not snuff the Olympic torch or the enthusiasm of thousands of people who lined northern Nevada streets on Monday to cheer the flame as it makes its way to the Winter Games in Utah. 

A day after celebrants welcomed the Olympic flame back to the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley USA, torch bearers braved winds gusting up to 40 mph along the eastern front of the Sierra range on a one-day visit to northern Nevada. 

Jessica Young made it to the downtown Reno arch about a half-hour behind schedule as thousands of onlookers cheered at a midday rally and sent the torch on a last leg through nearby Sparks before continuing on to Oregon. 

In Genoa, one of Nevada’s earliest settlements, several hundred people turned out in the early-morning chill to watch the relay as it began the day against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. 

From there, the relay progressed north up U.S 395 to Carson City. 

Daryl Nourse, 18, was among those who carried the flame through Nevada’s capital city. 

A Carson City native, Nourse, who is a freshman at Montana State University in Bozeman, flew home on Saturday to participate in Monday’s torch relay. 

He planned to fly back to Montana later in the day. 

“I hadn’t really thought about carrying the torch until I was chosen,” he told the Nevada Appeal. “It makes you think about being in the Olympics.” 

World champion freestyle skier Glen Plake sported a foot-high, red, white and blue mohawk hairdo as he helped shuttle the torch through Carson City. 

From Carson, the torch was driven to the south end of Reno, where another group of carriers dressed in official torchbearer sweat suits took up the cause. 

One group of spectators had crafted a makeshift arch out of red, white and blue balloons for the torch relay to pass under as it entered Reno’s southern limits. 

But whipping winds gusting to 25-40 mph tore the delicate architecture before the relay arrived. 

Still, the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the runners or onlookers. 

Mills Lane, the former star of the “Judge Mills Lane” show who nearly boxed his way into the 1960 Summer Olympics, was among those who helped pass the torch through Reno. 

“It was a kick in the tail. I enjoyed it,” said Lane, an ex-county prosecutor and district court judge, boxing referee and promoter. 

“I was one fight away from the Olympics in 1960. I got beat in the finals. Now to be involved in this way — this is just a great country. 

“This is what it’s all about. Race, creed, color, gender, makes no matter. We’re all Americans.” 

In downtown Reno, many people waved flags and cheered as Young carried the torch along the last leg of the run down Virginia Street and lit the Olympic cauldron under the famed arch proclaiming Reno as the “The Biggest Little City in the World.” 

The University of Nevada, Reno student who donated a kidney to her sister in April described her Olympic experience as uplifting and “a rush.” 

Young said participating in the torch run and Olympics as a whole have instilled “pride and spirit in our country, especially when we need it.” 

After a brief ceremony in downtown Reno, the torch headed toward Sparks. 

From there, it will be taken by train to Klamath Falls, Ore., where it will continue its journey through Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado before arriving in Salt Lake City on Feb. 8 in time for the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Olympic Games. 

LOS ANGELES — As many of his kin hibernate, a black bear dubbed Arthur is as active as the debate that persists over his fate. 

Middle-aged with a limp, and weighing just 309 pounds, the bear is living in a Department of Fish and Game facility near Sacramento. Its haunches are half-shaven, but the bear is still heartier-looking than it was when state officials took him in last November. 

Then, the animal was walking on three legs — holding up its right rear paw — and living in a golf course culvert in Mammoth Lakes, a ski resort town in the eastern Sierra Nevada that is home to about 30 bears. 

Animal welfare advocates had monitored and videotaped the bear for nearly a month while urging the state to do something about the animal. 

“It was an easy one to fix: Either kill the bear or help him,” said Steve Searles, who works with the Mammoth Lakes Police Department on a bear aversion program. 

The Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called for the bear to receive treatment. 

Fish and Game officials finally stepped in to help, but Searles contends the delay amounted to cruelty to the animal. 

He has submitted videotapes, letters and other evidence to Mono County prosecutors. District Attorney George Booth said last week he was examining the information but declined to comment further. 

Searles and others believed Arthur had a gunshot wound. But Fish and Game officials said they didn’t see one and initially decided to let the animal deal with its injury naturally. 

“It’s not like, ’my dog is limping, I need to take it to the vet,”’ said Doug Updike, a senior wildlife biologist with Fish and Game. “I don’t think that’s respectful of the fact that these are wild animals.” 

The bear was able to move around and even climbed 60 feet up a tree to get away from officials, said agency spokesman Steve Martarano. 

“We probably should have just let the bear stay in the wild; it’d be hibernating right now,” he said. “Once we put our hands on them, it’s not a good situation for the bear.” 

After the bear was captured, veterinarians found that a bony growth — probably triggered by a bacteria or fungus — was responsible for the bear’s lameness. They found no open wound but did discover three pieces of buckshot in its hip. 

Fish and Game officials said the shooting of the bear had nothing to do with its bone injury. 

But John Hadidian, director of the Humane Society’s urban wildlife program, said the bone problem and the shooting appear to have happened at about the same time. 

“The bulk of the evidence does suggest the gunshot had a big, big role to play in this,” he said. 

The Humane Society and other groups are urging authorities to find and prosecute whoever shot the bear. 

Veterinarians have put the bear on antibiotics and painkillers. Now it’s putting weight on its left rear leg, although it still favors the right one. It’s also living in a pen covered in burlap to minimize exposure to humans. 

State officials say they can’t release the bear back into the wild, and that it probably will end up in a zoo. 

“The bear was taken out of a situation where it was living in and out of garbage cans. Putting a bear back in that ... isn’t the responsible thing,” Updike said. 

Searles contends that Arthur resorted to eating garbage only when he became too weak to compete with other bears to find anything else. The bear should be set free — even if that means an early death, he said. 

“The only way I see to right the wrong that’s happened is to set him free and let nature take its course,” Searles said. “He is not afraid of death like you and I are. Nothing worse could happen than what already has occurred to him.” 

City not likely to forgive $100,000 BYA loan 

About 100 young people turned out Friday night at a fundraiser for the fledgling teen center at Berkeley Youth Alternatives, a non-profit child services agency in West Berkeley.  

The event came three days after BYA officials appeared before the City Council and requested forgiveness on a seven year-old, $100,000 loan from the city.  

Niculia Williams, BYA executive director, said fundraisers, like Friday’s event, help to keep the agency’s roughly 35 programs afloat. Diverting money to loan repayment, she said, could lead to the collapse of some of the organization’s services for at-risk youth.  

But some members of City Council have concerns about forgiving a loan of substantial size, particularly during a time of recession. They also raise questions of fairness. The city has provided loans to other non-profits, they say, so it would be difficult to justify forgiving a loan for one organization, and not the others.  

“It’s a wonderful program,” said Councilmember Kriss Worthington. “It’s not a question of do people like the program. It’s a question of fairness.”  

BYA, which serves mostly Berkeley youth, received the loan in 1994 to help convert an old bread factory at 2141 Bonar St. into a youth center, and to retrofit the building to protect against earthquake damage. The loan came on top of a $1 million state grant, and a $267,000 Community Development Block Grant from the city.  

The organization intended to repay the loan by renting storage space in an adjacent building to the city. But, in July 1995, the adjacent facility burned down, eliminating the storage space and causing extensive smoke and water damage at the youth center.  

The city has repeatedly extended repayment of the loan since the fire, and on Tuesday, the City Council voted to extend the loan again until the city manager’s office makes a recommendation on loan forgiveness.  

Phil Kamlarz, deputy city manager, said a recommendation will probably not be forthcoming until June, when the council votes on the budget for the next fiscal year. He did, however, say he has concerns about bailing out BYA in a time of recession.  

“If things were rosy and there was a lot of money out there, it’s an easier decision to make,” he said. “But things aren’t rosy.”  

Still, Williams said there are compelling reasons to forgive the loan. “We like to think we’re doing the city of Berkeley a great service,” she said, noting that BYA provides Berkeley youth with an extensive range of services, from mentoring, to basketball leagues, to employment, in an area of town where there is little in the way of city services.  

The city currently funds about 22 percent of BYA’s budget, she said. It would cost the municipality far more to provide extensive youth services in the area on its own.  

Williams also argued that, with the recent economic downturn, fundraising has become more difficult for the organization, making the loan a greater burden then ever. BYA recently had to cut a program for the first time since Williams took the helm as executive director in 1990, she said. The program trained young people in floral arrangement and the flower business.  

Williams’s argument resonates with Mayor Shirley Dean. Dean said she understands concerns about the city budget, and added that the council must be cautious about setting a precedent on loan forgiveness. But, she said the city would lose vital services if it did not bail out BYA.  

“They would have to cut programs,” she said, “and what do we want them to cut?”  

Friday night’s fundraiser, which took place at The Black Box Gallery and Theater in Oakland, was a talent showcase, featuring hip-hop DJs and rappers trained through BYA’s teen center. Local rappers Natural Blackness and Blu Collar also performed.  

Matthew Chandler, teen center coordinator, signed on with BYA in October 2000, and began asking young people what they envisioned for the program. In the next several months, he acquired a range of musical equipment through donations and BYA funding, and launched the teen center in January 2001.  

Today, the facility serves about 50 young people, providing DJ training, music and video production classes, a tutoring program, and a college advisory program. “I think it’s good because it gets kids off the streets,” said Herman White, 16, a Berkeley High School student who takes DJ classes at the teen center.  

Dominika Anderson, another BYA regular, said that events like the Friday night fundraiser, which took in several hundred dollars, provide young people with an important alternative. “Everyone wants to party on Friday night,” she said. “This gives us a safer environment.”  

“There’s not a whole lot, if anything at all, for teens to do on the weekend,” added Chandler. “We wanted to provide something for them to do to use the skills they’ve been learning…This is something they’ve been asking for.”  

But turntables and rap lyrics were not the only topic of discussion at the event. Julian Fernandez, 16, of Oakland, who is employed by BYA to educate young children about nutrition, made a plug for loan forgiveness. “If they try to pay that back,” he said, “it’s just going to collapse the whole BYA, because it’s taking money out of our programs.”  

The teen center will host another, similar fundraiser on Feb. 22 at Black Box.

Monday, Jan. 21`

Martin Luther King Jr.  

Celebration 

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church 

1188 12th Street 

The University of Creation Spirituality hosts its 4th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration bringing the community together to remember and further the Dr. King’s struggle for a more humane world. Donations welcomed. 83504827 x31, www.creationspirituality.com 

Presentation on Medicare  

Coverage 

1 - 3 p.m. 

Summit North Pavilion, Cafeteria Annex A 

350 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland 

Addresses questions regarding changes in coverage and services for local seniors. 869-6737. 

Auditions for “Long Day’s  

Journey Into Night” 

7 p.m. 

Live Oak Theatre 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

No appointment needed, and there is no pay. Director requests a two-minute monologue and a reading from the script. Roles needed: three men - 20-75, and two women with Irish accent - 18-30 and 50-65. 424-0370, www.actorsensembleofberkeley.com.  

University Chorus Auditions 

10 a.m. - noon and 1 - 5 p.m. 

Department of Music 

UC Berkeley 

U-Chorus is open to all singers in the Berkeley community with previous experience. This Spring will feature the Hindemith “Requiem: When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom’d.” Sign up on the bulletin board outside 104 Morrison Hall. 642-5519, http://music.berkeley.edu/chorus.html. 

Tuesday, Jan. 22

Candlelight Vigil to Protect  

and Advance Roe v. Wade 

5 p.m. 

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center  

2450 Ashby Ave. 

Part of a nationally coordinated campaign marking the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the National Organization for Women Oakland/East Bay Chapter will hold a candle light vigil in remembrance of the women who died as a result of illegal abortions. 287-8948, www.now.org. 

Forum on the Catholic  

Church 

7:30 p.m. 

St. Mary Magdalen Parish 

2005 Berryman St. 

The first in a series of weekly meetings for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church. 526-4811 x19 

Auditions for “Long Day’s  

Journey Into Night” 

7 p.m. 

Live Oak Theatre 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

No appointment needed, and there is no pay. Director requests a two-minute monologue and a reading from the script. Roles needed: three men - 20-75, and two women with Irish accent - 18-30 and 50-65. 424-0370, www.actorsensembleofberkeley.com.  

Camera Club Meeting 

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church 

941 The Alameda 

Weekly meeting of the Berkeley Camera Club offers the opportunity to share slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. 547-4514 

Wednesday, Jan. 23

Baby Bounce and Toddler  

Tales 

7 p.m. 

Public Library, West Branch 

1125 University Ave. 

A participatory program for families with children up to age 3. Stories, songs and fingerplays as entertainment and as a way for parents to learn some new material to share with their young ones. 981-6270. 

Public Works Commission 

1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

2020 Wake Ave. 

Oakland, CA 

Presentation and tour of EBMUD’s Wastewater Treatment Plant 

Moving Them Into a  

Retirement Home 

5 - 7 p.m. 

Alta Bates Medical Center, Auditorium 

2450 Ashby Avenue 

Donna Quinn Robbins, co-author of the book “Moving Mom and Dad,” gives guidelines for helping elders and their families cope with moving into a retirement home. Free. 869-6737. 

Peace Walk and Vigil 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley BART Station 

A peace walk and vigil to demonstrate opposition to U.S. bombing of Afghanistan. Ends at MLK Civic Center Park. www.indymedia.org. 

Berkeley Gray Panthers 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst St. 

The Gray Panther’s general meeting features Wanda Remmers, Director, Housing Rights, to discuss Section 8 and other housing concerns, and Lisa Romero and Seleena Gupte to discuss the Report on Senior Housing Survey. 548-9696. 

Debtors Anonymous 

6:30 - 7:45 p.m. 

Mandana Community Recovery Center 

3989 Howe St., Oakland 

Weekly Meeting. 415-522-9099 

Israel and the Arab World  

Presentation 

7:30 - 9 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Professor Ze’ev Brinner discusses Islam, the Islamic world, its attitude towards the Jews, Israel, and America. $5. 

Thursday, Jan. 24

Sea Kayaking in Baja and the  

Bay Area 

7 p.m. 

Recreational Equipment, Inc. 

1338 San Pablo Ave. 

Mitch Powers presents slides of some of his favorite paddling destinations in Baja and the Bay Area and gives tips on planning kayaking trips. 527-4140 

Winter Holistic Health Groups  

1:15 – 2:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave.  

For ages 55 and over. This weeks topic: How To Be Your Own Health Advocate . 526-0148. 

Friday, Jan. 25

Women’s Health After  

Menopause 

10:30 a.m. - noon 

Summit North Pavilion, Cafeteria Annexes B & C 

350 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland 

A comprehensive presentation on women’s health and exams after menopause. 869-6737 

City Commons Club  

Luncheon 

11:15 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave. 

Douglas R. Powell presents slides and gives a lecture entitled “A Graphic Portrait of a Tortured Land - Afghanistan”. Social hour begins at 11:15. $11 - 12.25 with lunch, $1 otherwise. 848-3533 

Dr. Helen Caldicott  

8 p.m. 

Berkeley First Congregational Church 

2345 Channing Way 

Nobel Prize Nominee and spokesperson for world anti-nuclear movement speaks about peace, survival and free speech in dangerous times. $15. 415-437-3425. 

Saturday, Jan. 26

Bay Area Women in Black  

2 - 3 p.m. 

4th & Hearst Streets 

A silent vigil to oppose the Israeli Occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. Please wear black, everyone is welcome. 486-2744, bayareawomeninblack@earthlink.net. 

Vocal Jazz Workshop and  

Jazz Jam 

9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Albany Adult School 

601 San Gabriel St. 

Workshops for singers and instrumentalists led by Richard Kalman to explore Jazz in a small jazz combo format. $5-$12 per class. 524-6796, richkalman@aol.com. 

Puberty Seminar for Girls 

10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

For girls 8-14. Understand why your body is changing, and celebrate your rite of passage. Refreshments. $25-$30. (Mothers free.) 595-3814.

924 Gilman Jan. 25: Ludicra, Brain Oil, Creuvo, Scurvy Dogs, Arftificum Sanguis; Jan. 26: Mile Marker, Yaphet Kotto, Pirx the Pilot, Himsa, Confidante; Jan. 27: Bane, Over My Dead Body, Striking Distance, Breath In; Feb. 1: American Steel, Pitch Black, Fleshies, The Blottos, Sexy; Feb. 2: Dead and Gone, Black Cat Music, The Cost, The Frisk; Feb. 8: Divit, Scissorhands, Rufio, Don’t Look Down, Fenway Park; Feb. 9: Pansy Division, Subincision, The Fadeaways; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Anna’s Bistro Jan. 21: Renegade Sidemen w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 22: Doug Arrington; Jan. 23: Junebug; Jan. 24: Carl Garrett; Jan. 25: Anna & Ellen Hoffman; Jan. 26: Robin Gregory & Bliss Rodriguez; Jan. 27: “Acoustic Soul”; Jan. 28: “Renegade Sidemen” w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 29: Tangria; Jan. 30: Bob Schoen; Jan. 31: Jason Martineau & Dave Sayen; Music starts at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., 1801 University Ave., 849-2662. 

Blake’s Jan. 21: All Star Jam Featuring the Steve Gannon Band & Mz. Dee, $4; Jan. 22: Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Wildsang, $3; Jan. 23: Mindz Eye, Hebro (Upstairs in the Tinibar), $5; Jan. 24: Electronica w/Ascension, $5; Jan. 25: Shady Lady, Blue Room, $6; Jan. 26: Dank Man Shank, TBA, $5; Jan. 27: Motivators, Funklogic, $3; Jan. 28: All Star Jam Featuring The Steve Gannon Band, $4; Jan. 29: Funkanauts, Len Patterson Trio, $3; Jan. 30: Sunru, Slaptones, DJ Kurse, $10; Jan. 31: Electronica w/ Ascension, $5; 2367 Telegraph Ave., 877-488-6533. 

Club Jjang-Ga Jan. 26: Krenshaw, Bearing, Lucid Inc., Zodiacal Circle; 400 29th Ave., Oakland, 261-1108, savageproductions1@yahoo.com. 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

Jazzschool Jan. 27: 4:30 p.m., Michael Zilber, Sons of Bitches Brew; $6-$12. 2087 Addison St., 845-5373, www.jazzschool.com. 

Jupiter Jan. 23: Mitch Marcus Quintet; Jan. 24: Chris Shot Group; Jan. 25: The Sardonics; Jan. 26: Berkeley Jazz School Presents: Fourtet; Jan. 30: Joel Harrison Quartet; All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless noted. 2181 Shattuck Ave., 843-7625, www.jupiterbeer.com. 

La Pena Cultural Center Jan. 24: 7 p.m., Colombian Cultural Explosion, $5-$15; Jan. 25: 8 p.m., Wild Mango, $12; Jan. 26: 8 p.m., Naked Barbies: The Concert, $10-$15; Jan. 26: 10:30 a.m., Gary Lapow, $4 adults, $3 Children; Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Leticia Servín, $10-$8; 3105 Shattack Ave, 893-4648.  

Live Oaks Concerts: Berkeley Art Center Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Elaine Kreston, Laura Carmichael, $10, BACA Members $8, Students and Seniors $9. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., 644-6893. 

Rose Street House Jan. 25: 8 p.m. DivaBands Showcase: Bern, Elin Jr., Roberta Donnay, Christy Claxton and Tiger Zane. $8-$20. 1839 Rose St., 594-4000 x687, rosestreetmusic@yahoo.com. 

ACME Observatory Contemporary Performance Series Jan. 27: 8 p.m., Jane Rigler, $0-$20; TUVA Space, 3192 Adeline, http://sfSound.org/acme.html. 

Oakland Symphony Chorus Jan. 26: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Conductor Tony Pasqua will lead a study of Joseph Haydn’s “Harmoniemesse” and Johannes Brahm’s “Schicksalslied.” $25, $30 door; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 6013 Lawton St., Oakland, 465-4199. 

Roda Theatre Jan. 22 and 23: both at 8 p.m., The Berkeley Symphony, Schubert’s Symphony No. 5. $21, $32, $45, $10 students. 2015 Addison St., 841-2800, www.berkeleysymphony.org. 

Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre Jan. 26: 6:30 - 10 p.m., The City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre pay tribute to and welcome the return of “The Dru Band”; $5. 3201 Adeline St., 625-2120. 

Organ Music Jan. 27: 5 p.m., Ron McKean; $15 - $18. MusicSources, 1000 The Alameda, 528-1685. 

Berkeley High School Dance Production Jan. 18 &19: 7:30 p.m., Diverse mix of classical, modern ballet and hip-hop. $5. Florence Schwimley Little Theatre, Allston way and MLK., 644-6120 

“Every Inch a King” Through Feb. 9: Thur. - Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m.; Three sisters have to make a decision as their father approaches death in this comedy presented by the Central Works Theater Ensemble. $8 - $18. LeValls Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. 558-138, www.centralworks.org.  

“Sisters” Through Feb. 16., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., The Prozorov sisters look at the gap between hope and fulfillment in their lives. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattack, www.actorsensemleofbkerkeley.com. 

“Rhinoceros” Jan. 23 through Mar. 10: Check theater for specific dates and times. An absurdist tragic-comedy about a small provincial town whose citizens slowly but surely transform into large cumbersome rhinoceroses. Directed by Barbara Damashek. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St. 647-2976 www.berkeleyrep.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 Jan. 22: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 1; Jan. 23: 3 p.m., The Terms of Cinema; 7:30 p.m., Telling It, Differently; Jan. 25: 7:30 p.m., The Aviator’s Wife; 9:30 p.m., A Good Marriage; Jan. 26: 6:30 p.m., Patrick Macias; 7 p.m., Battle Royale; 9:30 p.m., Blood and Law; Jan: 27: Children’s Film Festival, 1 p.m., Ikingut, 3 p.m., Peter Pan; 5:30 p.m., Sir Arne’s Treasure; 7:35 p.m., Song of the Scarlet Flower; Jan. 28: 3 p.m., The Jazz Singer; 7 p.m., Underground Kisses; Jan. 29: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 2; Jan. 30: 3 p.m., The Nickelodeon; 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 3; 2527 Bancroft Way, 642-1412. 

Parkway Theatre Jan. 29: 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., Boom! The Sound Of Eviction, a Just Cause Oakland benefit screening. $6-$20. 1843 Park Blvd., Oakland, 464-1011. 

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. 

“Prints and Paintings by Liao Shiou-Ping” on view through Jan. 31; Tues. to Fri.10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat.10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Free. Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388-9th St., Suite 290, Oakland, 238-4491. 

“Rhythms” Through Feb. 2: Art installation of sculpture, neon, music and video projections by Kati Casida; Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St., 845-5373 

Pro Arts: “Juried Annual 2001-02” Through Feb. 2: Exhibition of painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography and more by Bay Area and regional artists; Pro Arts, 461 Ninth St., www.proartsgallery.org. 

“All Grown Up” Through Feb. 2: New paintings and drawings by Amy Chan. Thurs. 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fri -Sun 1 p.m. -6 p.m., 21 Grand Ave., Oakland, 444-7263 

“Water Media” Through Feb. 8: An exhibit by Christine “Caipirinha” Mulder. Capoeira Arts Cafe Gallery, 2026 Center St., 666-1349 for hours. 

“New Work by Dennis Begg and Steve Briscoe” Through Feb. 9: Dennis Begg’s sculpture. Steve Brisco’s paintings. Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Traywick Gallery,1316 10th St., 527-1214. 

“Enduring Wisdom: Artwork and Stories by Homeless and Formerly Homeless Seniors” Through Feb. 15: 18 homeless and formerly homeless elders reveal how they learned and applied wisdom that is timeless. Mon. - Fri. and Sundays 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Free. St. Mary’s Center, 635 22nd St., Oakland, 893-4723 x222. 

“Envisioning Ecology” Through Feb. 15: Paintings by Michelle Waters. Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., 548-2220 x233. 

“The Other 364 Days: A Day in the Life of the Queer Community” Through Feb. 16: An exhibit of black and white photographs by East Bay photographer Limor Inbar-Hansen. Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St., 644-1400, limor@indelible-images.com. 

“Adventures in La Land” Through Feb. 23: Installations by Suzanne Husky and Paintings by Amy Morrell. Tues. - Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 4920 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 428-2349. 

“Transformations: Through the Eye of a Needle” Jan.24 - Feb. 23: Two-person exhibition by Rebecca Bui and Linda Lemon including procelain and fabric dolls and mixed media works on handmade paper. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland, 836-0831, www.artolio.com 

“Ton of Joy” Through Mar. 1: Group show of twelve painters and sculptors: Simone Anders, Susan Brady, Erin Fitzgerald, Karen Frey, Kei Hanafusa, Nancy Legge, Burke Rainey, Robin Sebourn, Kristen Throop, Clay Vajgrt, Whitney Vosburgh, Ann West; Mon. - Sat., 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Hollis Street Project, 5900 Hollis St., Emeryville. 

“Ansel Adams in the University of California Collections” Through Mar. 10: A selection of photographs and memorabilia presenting a different perspective on Adam’s career as one of the leading figures in American photography; Jan. 16 through Mar. 24: “Migrations: Photographs by Sebastiao Salgado,” over 300 black-and-white photographs of immigrants and refugees taken by the Brazilian photographer. Wed. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., $4- $6. The University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

"Earthly Pleasures" assemblage and photographs by Susan Danis, Through March 30: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. - Sat.; Sticks, 1579 B, Solano Ave., 526-6603.  

“Domestic Bliss” Through Apr. 4: Collection of abstract paintings and mixed medium by Amy St. George. Albany Community Center Foyer Gallery, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany, 524-9283. 

“The Legacy of Social Protest: The Disability Rights Movement” Through April 30: The first exhibition in a series dealing with Free Speech, Civil Rights, and Social Protest Movements of the 60s and 70s in California. Featuring photograghs by: Cathy Cade, HolLynn D’Lil, Howard Petrick, Ken Stein. The Free Speech Cafe, Moffitt Undergraduate Library, University of California-Berkeley, hjadler@yahoo.com  

“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, www.atelier9.com. 

Coffee With a Beat Jan. 26: Paradise; Feb. 2: Julia Vinograd, Shauna Rogan; Feb. 9: Sydney Bell, Debrale Pagan; All readings 7-9 p.m., free and followed by open mike. 458 Perkins, Oakland, 526-5985.  

Easy Going Travel Shop & Bookstore Jan. 22: Lee Foster discusses his new guide “Northern California History Weekends”; All readings are free and start at 7:30 p.m., 1385 Shattuck Ave. at Rose, 843-3533. 

Revolution Books Jan. 25: 6:15 p.m., Eric Schlosser, Author of “Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the American Meal,” will appear for a book signing. 2425 Channing Way, 848-1196.  

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

Saturday’s game between the Berkeley Lady Yellowjackets and Marin Catholic was supposed to be a chance for the Wildcats to take over the title of Northern California’s best team. After all, they were the top-ranked team in the region and earlier this season defeated the then-No. 1 team in the country, Highlands Ranch of Colorado, last month.  

Berkeley, on the other hand, has struggled through a rough season, going into Saturday’s game with an uncharacteristic 8-7 record. But the ‘Jackets, winners of the last two NorCal titles, weren’t quite ready to pass the torch just yet, overcoming a six-point fourth-quarter deficit to win, 57-52. 

The game, part of the Acalanes Shootout in Lafayette, was a tense affair, with each team’s senior leader benched by foul trouble early. Brooke Smith, Marin Catholic’s 6-foot-3 center, picked up her second foul just three minutes into the game and didn’t play again until the second half. But Berkeley’s star, 6-foot-1 forward Sabrina Keys, also drew her second foul in the opening quarter and sat for the entire second period. Keys, a Purdue signee, ended up fouling out halfway through the fourth quarter, but not before scoring her team’s first seven points in the period to bring them within a point at 47-46. 

“The refs called the fouls, so I had to live with them,” Keys said of fouling out. “But we still pulled it through. When we play team ball, we’re unstoppable, no matter who’s out there.” 

With Keys out of the game, no one would have been surprised if the ‘Jackets had folded. After all, Keys was their main offensive threat, leading all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and did a solid job on the Duke-bound Smith, holding her to just 9 points and 5 rebounds. But Berkeley managed to tie the game, 51-51 on a 3-pointer from Natasha Bailey, then took a 53-52 lead on a spinning layup from Angelita Hutton with a minute left. 

“One of our traditional strong points has been our bench strength, and that was the case tonight,” Berkeley head coach Gene Nakamura said. “I’ve been putting pressure on people to step up. I have confidence in our bench people.” 

Both teams showed frazzled nerves in the final minute. Hutton missed the front end of a one-and-one, but then Smith handed control right back to the ‘Jackets when she blew a wide-open layup. Berkeley freshman Devanei Hampton missed her chance to extend the lead when she missed another free throw before Smith missed another open shot, then missed the putback. 

A key mistake by Marin Catholic (12-3) coach Rick DeMartini gave Berkeley the chance to put the game away for good. After Bailey pulled down the rebound from Smith’s third miss and was fouled, DeMartini called for a timeout. But his team didn’t have any remaining, resulting in an automatic technical foul. Bailey hit 3-of-4 free throws to give her team a four-point lead with just three seconds left in the game to ice the victory, and Shaquita Brown provided the final score with another free throw with one tick left on the clock. 

“We definitely had our chances,” DeMartini said. “This time we had the bulls-eye on our back and Berkeley took it away. The good news is this wasn’t for the NorCal title and we have a lot more basketball ahead of us. We’re still very disappointed.” 

Nicole Warren, a 6-foot-1 forward headed to Boston College in the fall, led the Wildcats with 16 points and 7 rebounds, but no other Marin Catholic players scored in double figures. 

Berkeley used a mix of old heads and young talent to secure the win. Keys, Bailey and Hutton are all seniors and have been through the wars, but head coach Gene Nakamura also got key contributions from 6-foot-3 Hampton and Shaquita Brown, who was playing her first game for the ’Jackets after tranferring from Vallejo High. Hampton scored 11 points and dominated the boards with 13 rebounds, although she did take quite a few questionable shots and was just 5-of-16 from the floor. 

“Devanei’s just a freshman. She does some great things, and there are some things she needs to improve on,” Nakamura said. “You have to remember that these are young kids, and be patient. That’s what being a coach is all about.” 

Brown scored just 2 points in her Berkeley debut, playing about half of the game, but fit right in with the team concept. She has been practicing with the team all season, but just became eligible to play at a CIF hearing on Thursday. 

“(Brown) was a steadying influence, and she helped solidify our offense and our defense,” Nakamura said. 

In picking up their first win over a ranked team this season, the ’Jackets showed they are still contenders for regional honors. Nakamura knew this was an important game for his team. 

“I was using this game as a gauge to see where we stood,” he said. “This was the one.” 

Editor: 

Your recent front page story, “Resident urges city to prevent tree tragedies” (The Berkeley Daily Planet, 17 Jan.) was interesting. The graceful and beautiful Blue Gum trees (Eucalyptus globulus) have been thriving in our East Bay hills for well over a century. In the last two decades, a few shrill native plant fanatics in California have been spewing their venom on Eucalyptus trees. They dream of turning the botanical clock back to before the pre-Spanish colonial days. They claim that these useful trees are “invasive,” limit plant and animal diversity, litter and constitute a fire hazard. And now we hear that these “gentle giants” are supposedly going to topple over in the next still breeze. 

These trees have successfully reached the age of several hundred years in their native Australia. Actually, Blue Gums have long been used as windbreaks in both agricultural and suburban areas in California. They have helped to make the summer climates in the Bay Area much less windy and thus more pleasant.  

The Blue Gum, Eucalyptus globulus, is naturalized in coastal California and now provides unique habitat for a wide variety of animals includes many birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. The graceful tall trees provide good nesting habitat for hawks, eagles and vultures. The trees also provide food and shelter for the Monarch Butterfly in the winter.  

Since many of our native Oak trees (Quercus species) and Pine trees (Pinus species) are currently under attack from a variety of plant pathogens, in the future we may want to select our urban ornamental trees from the more than five hundred species of Eucalyptus.  

Perhaps those residents of the east bay that detest and fear the Eucalyptus trees should consider relocating to a tree-less region such as the Mojave Desert, the Sonoran Desert or the Great Plains. They could then sing that old song, “Oh, give me a home where the Eucalypts don’t roam...”. 

James K. Sayre 

Oakland 

Before a standing room-only crowd, Madeline Eastman and a three piece ensemble christened the Jazzschool’s Hardymon Hall with the velvety smooth tones that she is known for around the world. 

Eastman performed seven numbers accompanied by pianist Frank Martin, bassist Peter Barshay and drummer Vince Lateano. The numbers celebrated the grand opening of the Jazzschool, which has moved form it’s former location at 2375 Shattuck to 2087 Addison St. right in the middle of the Downtown Berkeley Arts District. 

“In our search for a new home for the Jazzschool, there were two things that were more important than anything else, it had to be in Berkeley and it had to be in the Arts District.” said Founder and Director Susan Muscarella. “And this is more beautiful than I ever expected.” 

Mayor Shirley Dean and Councilmember Polly Armstrong joined the nearly 150 people inside the performance hall while another 150 outside waited patently in a cold wind to come in for a tour of the basement school and catered celebration after the performance.  

“This will add some hip hop to the district,” Armstrong said. “Now people can get great food, great music and great theater all right downtown.” 

The 7,500-square-foot Jazzschool will operate in the basement of the Kress Building at 2087 Addison St. The school, which was founded by Muscarella in 1997, now boasts a 120-seat performance space, seven classrooms and seven practice rooms.  

“When the school opened four years ago there were 200 students,” Jazzschool publicist Merrilee Trost said. “Now we have over 600. We had outgrown our old location two years ago.” 

The $650,000 basement seismic upgrade and renovation, which was designed by Berkeley Rep architect Donn Logan, includes art deco ambiance with hard wood floors and walls containing acoustic materials to keep the classes and practice rooms soundproof. The school will also run a book and CD store as well as a coffee shop. 

Funding for the renovation came in part from a City of Berkeley low-interest loan and part from donations. 

Muscarella named the performance space after the late Phil Hardymon, a jazz instructor who created Berkeley High School’s award winning Berkeley Jazz Project in 1975. According to Trost, the high school program has spawned well-known jazz musicians such as Peter Apfelbaum, Ben Ball, Will Bernard, Dave Ellis, Rodney Franklin, Kito Gamble, Benny Green, Craig Handy, Miles Perkins, Lenny Pickett, Josh Redman and Michael Wolf. 

“Phil had a huge impact on young musicians and he was very important to Susan, so much so she wanted to name the performance space after him,” Trost said. 

Trost said the Jazzschool is expected fit in well in the Downtown Arts District which has recently seen the opening of the Berkeley Repertory Theater, The Aurora Theater and the Capoeira Arts school and café. The Freight and Salvage Coffee House is expected to open in the district sometime this year. 

The Jazzschool offers up to 125 classes a week for students who take classes on a quarterly basis. “Our students are predominately middle and high school aged but we attract all ages,” Trost said. “Our youngest student is 9 and our oldest is in her 80s.” 

In addition to music classes, four of which are accredited by UC extension, there are two non-music courses, Jazz History and Jazz Appreciation. 

“Susan believes that music education should include performing,” Trust said. “So every Friday there will be an informal student performance from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.” 

The Jazzschool provides scholarships for deserving students through the Educational Scholarship Fund, which is administered by the East Bay Community Foundation.  

For more information call (510) 845-5373 or visit the school’s Web site at www.jazzschool.com.

Cal throttled Washington State from the start, scoring inside almost at will in a 90-57 win over the hapless Cougars on Saturday evening at Haas Pavilion. 

Despite facing the Cougars’ 2-3 zone, Cal got the ball into the low post to freshmen Jamal Sampson and Amit Tamir early and often. Sampson dominated early, but Tamir led the Golden Bears in scoring with 17 points and in assists with 4. Sampson ended up with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists. 

Joe Shipp, who had led Cal in scoring in each of the previous three games, scored 8 points on 3-of-8 shooting. The junior forward played just six minutes of the second half as the rout was on. 

Washington State coach Paul Graham praised the Bears after the game. 

“Those big guys are good,” he said of Sampson and Tamir. “They’re mobile and they’ve got good feet. They’re good passers. Cal is good. I can’t believe they’re not in one of the polls.” 

The 6-foot-11 Sampson took advantage of his height advantage against Washington State, whose tallest player in the starting lineup was 6-foot-9 center J Locklier. Sampson scored 6 points in the first seven minutes on two short-range shots and two free throws as Cal built a 12-6 lead. 

“He’s an unselfish player, which I think sometimes goes unnoticed,” Braun said of Sampson. “I liked he got a little more aggressive and looked for his shot on the block today. I thought he had some very sound post moves. I really thought he did a good job establishing himself in the block. We’ve got some pretty legitimate threats down there, in Solomon [Hughes], Jamal and Amit.” 

Tamir was coming off of a sub-par performance just two days earlier in a 62-50 win over Washington. The 22-year-old forward from Israel said after Saturday’s win that he had let undisclosed “personal problems” affect him against the Huskies. 

“It’s a struggle when you’re away from home, that’s tough,” Braun said of Tamir, who scored just 3 points against Washington. “And when you have family and friends you haven’t seen in a while, that’s tough. He’s the kind of kid who won’t say much. In talking to him, he’ll finally tell you, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine.’ But I think that does affect you.  

“I talked about that with the whole team. When you’re having a bad day or personal issues, the one thing you don’t want to do is have that affect the whole team. At least for the two hours you’re together with the team, try to make yourself a team player.” 

The only problem for the Bears in the first half came from the perimeter. Cal couldn’t hit a 3-point shot and its only long-range basket came on a 19-foot jumper from A.J. Diggs. The Bears didn’t really need any threes, but Shantay Legans, again coming off the bench in support of Diggs, hit two in the second half anyway. Tamir hit one from downtown early in the second stanza. 

Hughes, who came off the bench for the second straight game after recovering from a right knee strain and bone bruise, played 11 minutes, made his only shot and grabbed 6 rebounds. Braun said Hughes is healthy and would have played more minutes if the game had been closer. 

But Braun wouldn’t say if the 6-foot-11 senior center might reclaim his starting position in this weekend’s trip to Los Angeles, where the Bears face USC and UCLA. Tamir has started the last six games in place of Hughes. 

“We have three post players right now who are pretty good players,” Braun said. “And I hope that will continue to be a positive for us. I think it will be. I just hope we don’t make a big issue of that and continue to use it as a positive. Somebody’s starting, somebody’s not. If you’re a team guy, it’s a positive.”

Editor: 

In response to Berkeley LITE of January 16, by Judith Scherr, I have been asking the powers-that-be at City Hall for many years now why they have the lights on 24/7. I have phoned, written, emailed. Sometimes I get an answer such as “it’s for the custodians who clean all night”(!), or more recently it was because of the remodeling that was being done. It seems they were working all day and all night (! again). When I pointed out that this was a poor example to the citizens of Berkeley of how to save energy, I was assured the lights would be turned off as soon as the work was done, probably early October, 2001. From my experience I doubt that anything will get those lights turned off at night, but I sincerely hope that Scherr’s efforts with Rene Cardinaux will prevail, and thank her for taking the time. 

Mary Ann Brewin 

The Berkeley Police Department is actively investigating a home invasion robbery that sent a homeowner in the Claremont neighborhood to the hospital on Thursday, according to the BPD’s Lt. Cynthia Harris. 

Harris said that at about 1:15 p.m., a man entered the woman’s house via an unlocked door. He walked up to the stairs to the house’s second story, where the resident was in her bedroom. 

Once there, the suspect allegedly attacked the victim with a knife and demanded money from her. He also hit and kicked her several times in the head. 

The suspect then went downstairs and found the victim’s purse. He took from it an undisclosed amount of cash, and fled the house on foot. 

The victim was taken to Highland Hospital for treatment. 

The suspect is described as a black male between the ages of 27 and 32. He is approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall and is of slight build. He has short, dark hair, and he was clean-shaven and wearing dark clothing at the time of the crime. 

The BPD is expected to release more information and a sketch of the suspect sometime today. In the meantime, anyone who may know something about the case is asked to call the BPD Robbery Detail at 981-5742.

Editor: 

Thank you, Hank Resnik and Dean Metzger, for comparing, or rather contrasting, our mass transit to that of European cities. I would love to hear what AC Transit says about this. We never hear from them, except for announcements like the recent decision to eliminate the #59 and #64 bus lines. When I phoned them about a month ago to discuss their silence, and asked for either Marketing, Sales, or a Community Relations Department, I was connected to a pleasant gentleman. When I asked him what if anything AC Transit does to increase ridership by educating the public about mass transit he said it was an interesting question, but he had no answer. We agreed that giving students and city workers free passes is a good idea, although I suspect it will eliminate more walking and bike-riding than cars and parking. After discussing several other things AC Transit might do to increase sales, he said, with great enthusiasm, that he would tell the head of the department about my call, and assured me I’d get a call back shortly. It’s over a month now. No call. No AC Transit. Complete silence. I’m sure the transit companies of Montpelier and/or Copenhagen would have been more cooperative. 

Rose M. Green

SALINAS – While searching the Internet for information on the Alamo and the city of San Antonio, two brothers helped police nab a man on Texas’ 10 Most Wanted list. 

The brothers, Alfred and Robert Castaneda, were preparing for a visit to their grandmother’s house when they came across the photo of Robert Enriquez, 32, who was suspected of molesting two Waco, Texas, boys and who had been wanted for two years. 

The brothers said they recognized the man as a clerk from a fast-food restaurant in Salinas. The brothers printed out the photo, took it to the restaurant to compare it to the man, then drove around Salinas for 20 minutes looking for a police officer to tell. 

Officers booked Enriquez into Monterey County Jail Thursday night, where he is awaiting hearings for extradition to Texas to face the charges. Police did not know how long Enriquez had been in Salinas. 

“I’m glad he won’t be hurting any more kids,” Alfred Castaneda said. “I’ve got a 5-year-old daughter and my brother has a 4-year-old son.”

Editor: 

We hear all this talk about traffic congestion, but not enough people are willing to do anything about it – except complain. 

Reading the weekend Planet (1/19-20), I see that the City of Berkeley might sue UC Berkeley if UC doesn’t deal effectively with the impact of proposed UC Northside development – especially traffic and parking. 

The same day, I saw a notice posted in the Derby Street Market about the American Baptist Seminary of the West, which is on Dwight. The ABSW wants to generate some commercial revenue by constructing a 6-story class and office building, with a 46-car garage. The notice complained about the likely traffic impact. 

Well, what’s the problem? There’s been all this hand-wringing about Berkeley’s lack of office space and student housing. Looks like these lacks are being dealt with. It appears the problem is that the cost of such beneficial development includes more traffic and more parking problems. 

The same issue of the Planet had an article by Traffic Commissioner Dean Metzger. He praised the recent letter from Hank Resnick about how Montpellier, France is dealing with urban congestion. Many European cities have car-free centers; they do it by having big parking garages distant from downtown, and expect people to either walk or take transit to get around downtown. 

Well, Berkeley isn’t surrounded by uninhabited territory. Remote parking structures may have to be built cooperatively with our East Bay neighbors. Space can be found if we re-use some of the “blighted” areas; both Oakland and Berkeley have plenty of those. Berkeley does have some open space down by the Marina; we don’t have to rip up Cezar Chavez Park. 

But public policy consistently goes the other way, toward building more downtown parking. 

Metzger says that he’d support making Berkeley car-free, where everyone walks or bikes, but something has to be done to accommodate cars. 

OK, bring on the cars. Traffic congestion may be the only thing capable of motivating enough people to choose alternative transportation. It seems that, politically, we can’t cut back on parking. But maybe we can increase traffic congestion by “benign neglect”. Let traffic get steadily worse, but keep offering nice transit alternatives, and make sure people know about them. 

So I suggest that the City leave UC alone, and do nothing about congestion. Build parking where people scream the most about it, and are willing to pay for it. UC pretty much has this policy right now. Why should they get sued for being enlightened? 

Steve Geller 

Berkeley

SAN FRANCISCO – Erlinda Valencia worries she could lose the airport security job she’s had for 14 years because her citizenship application hasn’t yet been approved. 

Carlos Michel’s father brought him across the Mexican border seven years ago, and he dreamed of attending the University of California, Berkeley next fall. Now he’s afraid to drive to the grocery store. 

Fauzia Melatyar couldn’t eat for days after her sister, an Afghan refugee she hasn’t seen in 19 years, was prevented from making a long-anticipated move to the United States. 

The impact of Sept. 11 continues to wash over immigrants in America. While a sense of normalcy is slowly returning for many in the nation, immigrants like Michel, Valencia and Melatyar still find themselves caught by circumstances that have created increased hardship. 

“The momentum in favor of immigrants and in favor of generous immigration policies was incredibly strong” before Sept. 11, said Cecilia Munoz, vice president for policy at the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group. Now, “there is a lot of fear. We’re checking IDs a lot more, and are suspicious of each other a lot more.” 

Last summer was an optimistic time for immigrants, particularly Mexicans. 

President Bush signaled he was willing to grant legal status to undocumented Mexicans, perhaps through a guest worker program. Days before the attacks, Mexican President Vicente Fox was the first state visitor of the Bush presidency. 

Ever since the attacks, the immigration debate has focused on whether foreigners pose a threat to national security. 

“We as a people have no obligation to facilitate life for people who shouldn’t be here,” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies. 

That’s bad news for undocumented immigrants like Michel, who say they are just trying to carve out a life for themselves in America. He fears getting caught in the police dragnet aimed at capturing terrorists. 

Thousands of legal residents like Valencia may lose their jobs under a new law requiring airport screeners to be U.S. citizens. And, like 20,000 other refugees who had been approved to come to the United States, Melatyar’s sister was delayed after the attacks. 

“They don’t trust us. They think that we will not care for the American people, but we do,” said Valencia, a Filipina immigrant who has spotted knives, guns and a hand grenade in her 14 years as a screener at San Francisco International Airport. 

“This is now our home and we feel like we are a part of this country.” 

Like Valencia, about 20 percent of the nation’s 28,000 airport screeners are not citizens, and could lose their jobs under the new laws, said Andrew McDonald, spokesman for the Service Employees International Union, which represents some of the screeners. Valencia joined with several other plaintiffs to file a lawsuit last week challenging the citizenship requirement. 

Valencia fears she could lose her job if her citizenship application isn’t approved by the time the requirement is invoked at the San Francisco airport. 

“It scares me a lot,” said Valencia, a 56-year-old single mother who supports three children. “I might end up living on the streets.” 

As local authorities begin to work more closely with federal agents, illegal immigrants like Michel worry the added scrutiny could lead to deportation. 

Michel, who sneaked into the United States with his family, said he avoids driving as much as possible now. Police could stop him and find he doesn’t have a driver’s license, which he couldn’t get because he’s here illegally. 

“Since Sept. 11, I’m more afraid the police might be a little more inquiring,” said Michel, 21, who lives near San Francisco. “If they (hear) an accent on you, they might start asking more questions.” 

Michel, who has a 3.9 GPA at a community college, wanted to apply to Berkeley last fall to double major in Latin American studies and Spanish. But his plans were waylaid, as it became clear that a change in immigration laws was on hold. 

Hearing he wouldn’t gain legal status “was just like a blow on my cheek,” Michel said. “It was like all I hoped for wasn’t happening.” 

Would-be immigrants have also had problems. Melatyar’s sister, Razia Ahmed Gul and her five children, ages 5 to 15, sold all their furniture to prepare for their move to the United States. 

In Fremont, a Bay Area city with a large Afghan community, the Melatyars were excitedly preparing for their relatives’ arrival. 

They cleared two of their four bedrooms and filled them with new mattresses, pillows and sheets. They bought school supplies — backpacks, pens and notebooks — for the children. 

“My mom was very happy she was going to come here,” said Hasib Melatyar, 17, translating for Fauzia Melatyar, who speaks very little English. 

But the attacks delayed the move and put the families in limbo. The San Francisco refugee resettlement agency that is handling the case said the Guls, who are now in Pakistan, may finally arrive later this month. 

“My mom is very worried,” said Melatyar, sitting in the family’s living room, where a television newscast flashed maps of Afghanistan and Pakistan. “She’s just got this one wish, that her sister would come here.”

Mile-long island went under during the last ice age 

SANTA BARBARA – A scientist has discovered a tiny island submerged off the California coast, more than 16,000 years after it slipped from view during the waning years of the last ice age. 

The low-slung island, little more than a mile in length, lies under 400 feet of water about a dozen miles from shore. 

At most, it poked just 30 feet above the waves during the late Pleistocene, when the continental-sized ice sheets that capped much of the Earth began to melt, raising global sea levels. 

At that time, the four Channel Islands off Santa Barbara – San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz and Anacapa – formed a single, larger island, called Santarosae. 

University of California, Santa Barbara scientist Ed Keller discovered Santarosae’s smaller neighbor while poring over recently created topographic maps of the Santa Barbara Channel, a seismically active region crisscrossed with faults. 

More than a mere curiosity, the discovery is a reminder of how advances in science – in this case, sonar technology – can restore to view land masses thought lost millennia ago. 

“It’s magnificent. We’re just seeing some fantastic, very interesting things we thought we couldn’t see or couldn’t conceive of,” said H. Gary Greene, a research scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, which mapped the region in 1998 with a shipboard sonar. 

In examining a 31-mile-long ridge in the middle of the channel formed by the squeeze of the two nearly parallel faults that bookend it, Keller spotted an unusual uprising. 

Unlike the comparatively smooth ocean bottom around it, the protrusion appeared rough and was marked by features that suggested it had been eroded by the pounding of waves, rain and the wind – something that could have occurred only if it had stuck up above sea level. 

“It had enough of the features that we suspect it was an island,” said Keller, a professor of geological sciences and environmental studies at the oceanside university. He first presented his findings, made in 1999, last fall at the Geological Society of America’s meeting in Boston. 

He dubbed his discovery “Calafia,” after a mythical queen who ruled over the race of Amazons who inhabited the island of California in a popular 16th century Spanish romance novel. 

If Calafia did stick up above sea level, it was one of about 26 islands and islets thought to exist off the California coast at the peak of the last ice age. Today, there are about 16 separate land masses. 

The new maps reveal the ocean bottom in far more detail than traditional bathymetric data had, and show Calafia at near-photographic resolution. The view is unique, because the island likely vanished thousands of years before the first humans arrived in Southern California. 

At that time, buffalo, saber-tooth cats, camels and mammoths still roamed the region. Skeletal remains of the latter, including dwarf examples, have been found on the Channel Islands. 

The tusked beasts likely swam out to the islands – a distance then of just two miles or so – to feast on vegetation there. 

Paul Collins, curator of vertebrate zoology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, said while mammoths may well have stopped off on Calafia while en route to Santarosae, the halfway point was likely too small to support a permanent population. 

The island has supported other creatures since then, namely schools of fish. Fishermen have long called the rich fishing grounds around Calafia, or at least the ridge upon which it sits, ”12-mile reef” in reference to its distance from shore. 

The 1998 mapping images also revealed enormous submarine landslides, as well as series of large pits and mounds that reflect the large amounts of oil and natural gas found beneath the channel, dotted today with offshore drilling rigs. 

The mounds are likely spots where gas has welled up under the ocean bottom but remains capped by the pressure of the sediments and water atop it. Images of the mounds snapped by submersible robots show methane bubbling from them. 

In the past, Keller said, the mounds must have occasionally burst, belching large amounts of gas.

SAN JOSE – The leading Republican gubernatorial candidates will face each other in a televised three-way debate in San Jose Tuesday night. 

The first of two debates to be broadcast statewide will provide many voters with their first glimpse of Secretary of State Bill Jones, businessman Bill Simon and former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. 

“We basically have all the ingredients necessary for a lot of political sizzle,” said moderator Stan Statham, president of the California Broadcasters Association. 

The primary is March 5. 

Four out of 10 likely voters still haven’t decided whom they are going to support in the race, according to a recent Public Policy Institute of California poll. 

The Republican hopefuls also are trying to woo independent voters, who can vote for any party in the semi-open primary. 

Political analysts say the debates are particularly crucial for Simon and Jones, who trail front-runner Riordan in most polls. 

Simon, who has never run for public office, needs to boost his recognition across the state and prove he can compete in a political debate. Jones, meanwhile, has failed to generate excitement around his campaign, despite being the only Republican holding statewide office. 

But Riordan, though the leading contender now, has made several public slip-ups and is widely seen as the most likely to blunder during the debate. 

“Riordan has been in debates before but he sometimes has foot-in-mouth disease, so can he get through the debate without making any embarrassing mistakes?” asked Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College. 

Indeed, Pitney said, a key for the candidates will be to avoid any major gaffes, Pitney said. 

“The most important thing is to avoid doing something damaging. (Debates) can’t help a candidate very much but they can hurt a great deal,” Pitney said. 

Tuesday’s one-hour debate will be broadcast at 7 p.m. on television stations in all of California’s major markets. During the face-off, the candidates will be seated, facing a panel of three Northern California journalists, rather than standing at the traditional podiums. 

A second televised debate is scheduled to take place in Long Beach on Feb. 13. The three candidates also have agreed to debate on Feb. 9 at the state Republican Party convention in San Jose, but it will not be televised. 

The primary winner will challenge Democratic Gov. Gray Davis on Nov. 5.

SACRAMENTO – The state Assembly paid a female staff member $140,000 in the settlement of a sexual harassment complaint, a newspaper reported Sunday. 

The settlement, reached in May 2000, was obtained through the Legislative Open Records Act by The Sacramento Bee. In the settlement, the Assembly Rules Committee denied any admission of liability or that the Assembly acted wrongly. 

The settlement identifies Rebecca Miles, who worked for the Assembly from February 1997 to May 2000, but does not identify the people she alleges harassed her. 

The Bee did obtain complaints filed by Miles that allege her supervisor and Assemblyman Lou Papan, D-Millbrae, harassed her. 

A complaint filed by Miles in April 2000, obtained by The Bee through the California Public Records Act, said she had been harassed by Papan on one occasion. 

Papan said he didn’t “recall any of that” when responding to the allegation. 

Miles alleged Papan’s actions stopped only when Assemblyman Mike Machado intervened. 

“The behavior of my colleague was inappropriate and I told him to stop and that we should leave,” Machado, D-Linden, told The Bee. “He was embarrassing her and bantering about her physique.” 

But the bulk of the allegations focused on Luke Breit, Miles’ supervisor in the Speaker’s Office of Member Services. 

Breit declined to comment to The Bee and referred questions to Jon Waldie, the Rules Committee’s chief administrative officer, who said an investigation found Miles’ allegations groundless. 

“Our conclusion was basically that if we had gone to litigation, we would have defeated her,” Waldie said. “But when you look at the cost of litigation versus the cost of settlement, ultimately it was decided to settle.”

LOS ANGELES – GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon was set to begin airing television commercials Monday, joining GOP rival Richard Riordan and Democratic incumbent Gray Davis on the airwaves. 

With the March 5 primary approaching, that leaves Republican Secretary of State Bill Jones, who’s lagging in funding, as the only major candidate without a television presence. 

Three different 30-second spots featuring testimonials from Simon’s major endorser, ex-New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, will air in media markets throughout the state, said Simon strategist Sal Russo. 

He declined to provide details on the cost or placement of the ads. 

Two of the spots show Giuliani in an office setting praising Simon as a qualified, conservative leader. 

“Should you vote for Bill Simon? That’s your decision,” Giuliani says at the end of one spot. “But trust me when I tell you that Bill Simon would make a great Republican governor for California.” 

Simon worked for Giuliani for 3 1/2 years when Giuliani was U.S. attorney in New York. 

The third spot shows a brainstorming session in a boardroom as a group of actors and actual Simon staff members discuss how to raise Simon’s profile. 

“We need a major endorsement,” muses one. 

“Maybe a Hollywood star, like Bruce Willis?” asks another. 

“Or conservative Bruce Herschenson,” suggests a third, referring to the conservative commentator who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in the early ’90s. 

At that point Giuliani turns to face the camera and offers to tell people about Simon, as others in the room nod as if to suggest that might be a good idea. 

Russo said Simon has received expressions of support from Willis and Herschenson and they would be alerted that their names are being used. 

Simon, a wealthy but little-known Los Angeles businessman and the son of a former U.S. treasury secretary, is shown in the ads but does not speak. 

“Nobody today would know who he is so you wouldn’t capture people’s attention,” Russo said. “So we’re starting off with Giuliani saying you should listen to what this man has to say.” 

Simon’s opponents have dismissed the significance of Simon’s endorsement from Time magazine’s Person of the Year. Polls show Simon lagging behind Jones and Riordan, the front-runner. 

“Bill Simon is running for governor, not former Mayor Giuliani,” said Jones strategist Sean Walsh. “One has to wonder based on the Simon campaign whether Mr. Simon is going to campaign around the state wearing a Rudolph Giuliani mask.” 

Jones will be on the air with television ads fairly soon, Walsh said.

LOS ANGELES – GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon was set to begin airing television commercials Monday, joining GOP rival Richard Riordan and Democratic incumbent Gray Davis on the airwaves. 

With the March 5 primary approaching, that leaves Republican Secretary of State Bill Jones, who’s lagging in funding, as the only major candidate without a television presence. 

Three different 30-second spots featuring testimonials from Simon’s major endorser, ex-New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, will air in media markets throughout the state, said Simon strategist Sal Russo. 

He declined to provide details on the cost or placement of the ads. 

Two of the spots show Giuliani in an office setting praising Simon as a qualified, conservative leader. 

“Should you vote for Bill Simon? That’s your decision,” Giuliani says at the end of one spot. “But trust me when I tell you that Bill Simon would make a great Republican governor for California.” 

Simon worked for Giuliani for 3 1/2 years when Giuliani was U.S. attorney in New York. 

The third spot shows a brainstorming session in a boardroom as a group of actors and actual Simon staff members discuss how to raise Simon’s profile. 

“We need a major endorsement,” muses one. 

“Maybe a Hollywood star, like Bruce Willis?” asks another. 

“Or conservative Bruce Herschenson,” suggests a third, referring to the conservative commentator who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in the early ’90s. 

At that point Giuliani turns to face the camera and offers to tell people about Simon, as others in the room nod as if to suggest that might be a good idea. 

Russo said Simon has received expressions of support from Willis and Herschenson and they would be alerted that their names are being used. 

Simon, a wealthy but little-known Los Angeles businessman and the son of a former U.S. treasury secretary, is shown in the ads but does not speak. 

“Nobody today would know who he is so you wouldn’t capture people’s attention,” Russo said. “So we’re starting off with Giuliani saying you should listen to what this man has to say.” 

Simon’s opponents have dismissed the significance of Simon’s endorsement from Time magazine’s Person of the Year. Polls show Simon lagging behind Jones and Riordan, the front-runner. 

“Bill Simon is running for governor, not former Mayor Giuliani,” said Jones strategist Sean Walsh. “One has to wonder based on the Simon campaign whether Mr. Simon is going to campaign around the state wearing a Rudolph Giuliani mask.” 

Jones will be on the air with television ads fairly soon, Walsh said.

SAN JOSE – This is the future in America as high-tech leaders see it: People work from home more often. They watch high-definition TV on their computers. They get information on national security instantaneously. 

The key ingredient, the boosters say, is for everyone to have always-on Internet connections that pump data nearly 2,000 times faster than today’s dial-up modems. 

This week, a prominent high-tech lobbying group challenged the government to make that happen by 2010, saying universal broadband access should be a “national imperative” just like the 1960s drive to land on the moon. 

The report from TechNet asks the government to loosen regulations on telecommunications and refrain from imposing new ones. It doesn’t seek subsidies or tax credits for companies that would roll out the technology, only for poor and rural users who otherwise could not afford broadband. 

Not surprisingly, the TechNet initiative has the support of Cisco Systems Inc., Intel Corp., AT&T Corp., Microsoft Corp. and other companies that stand to benefit from a souped-up Internet. 

Others question whether the plan is feasible, worthwhile or does anything to promote competition. 

“It’s not in the consumers’ best interests, but that’s not what this is about,” said Mike Jackman, executive director of the California Internet Service Provider Association, a group of 140 independent Internet companies. “It’s about big companies protecting their big customers.” 

Kathie Hackler, a broadband analyst at Gartner Dataquest, applauded the goal of keeping the United States from falling further behind other countries, such as South Korea and Germany, in broadband deployment. 

But she was skeptical of TechNet’s suggestion that the industry could cooperate better if only the government would eliminate uncertainty over how it will regulate investments in new broadband networks. 

Forrester Research analyst Carl Howe was even more circumspect. 

“There is no proof, in any way, shape or manner, that says if we give more broadband to everybody it’s going to make us more productive,” he said. “It will make us more connected. It might make us happier. But I’m not sure it’s a better use of our money than putting 50,000 more teachers in schools.” 

Forrester says more than 11 million U.S. households have broadband service now, generally through cable TV lines, satellite TV hookups or phone wires that have been transformed into digital subscriber lines, or DSL. 

But only 12 percent of consumers who could get broadband have sought it. Many are put off by service problems and high prices. 

Cable broadband costs an average of $44 a month, while DSL averages $52, according to ARS Inc., a market research firm. 

Many Internet service providers say the telecom giants keep prices artificially high by charging excessive fees for access to the phone lines they control. Telecoms counter that DSL in particular is hindered by a patchwork of local, state and federal fees and taxes. 

Still, the number of broadband households will hit 54 million by 2006 even if no significant changes in government regulation are made, Forrester projects. 

TechNet calls for accelerating that significantly: not only getting broadband to 100 million homes and small businesses by 2010, but at speeds of 100 megabits per second. That is as much as 250 times faster than the typical broadband connection in most American homes now. 

That would require an overhaul of the existing telecommunications infrastructure, digging up streets in neighborhoods across the country to install new fiber-optic cables. The estimated cost: at least $100 billion, perhaps $300 billion. 

But TechNet cites a Brookings Institution study that found that the improvements in education, health and office productivity from universal broadband could generate $500 billion for the economy. 

Though most consumers haven’t embraced broadband yet, TechNet believes just about everyone would want it once new applications are developed to take advantage of super-fast connection speeds. 

In addition to high speeds, broadband has the advantage of being always on — there’s no waiting for a modem connection to quickly check e-mail or download a song. 

With the blazing Internet speeds envisioned by TechNet, home computers could easily facilitate sophisticated video conferencing and quickly download high-quality digital entertainment. 

Congress already is considering several ways of increasing broadband deployment. A bill sponsored by Reps. Billy Tauzin, R-La., and John Dingell, D-Mich., would relax requirements on local phone companies, letting them provide Internet access nationwide without requiring them to share their networks with competitors. 

TechNet is officially neutral on the bill, calling it “a battle of the past.” 

It also suggests the government allocate more of the radio spectrum to wireless broadband networks. 

Every major industrialized country except for the United States and Italy has a national policy to spur broadband deployment — and Italy is developing one, argues TechNet. 

“We are falling behind in our K-through-12 education system, and now we are falling behind in broadband,” Cisco chief executive John Chambers said. “For our nation’s competitiveness and the future of our economic development, we must not fail.”

WASHINGTON – Bank of China has agreed to pay $20 million in fines to U.S. and Chinese authorities in a deal announced Friday resolving cases of alleged misconduct at one of the bank’s New York branches. 

The transgressions allegedly included preferential treatment to customers with personal relationships with bank officials and fraudulent letter-of-credit and loan schemes, said the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a division of the Treasury Department that oversees U.S. branches of foreign banks and nationally chartered banks. 

The consent order also requires all three of Bank of China’s U.S. branches – including another in New York and one in Los Angeles – to take several actions, including ceasing business with 34 individuals and companies and any entities related to them and strengthening its risk management division. 

Bank of China – China’s main foreign exchange bank – did not acknowledge wrongdoing but said it has already taken steps to ensure such “past imprudent and unsafe management” will not occur in the future. 

In one example, the bank gave a $1 million line of credit – increased within months to $7 million – to a start-up metals trading firm that showed losses and operated out of the owner’s apartment. The line of credit eventually grew to $18 million, almost all of which had to be written off as a loss, said Robert Garsson, a spokesman for the comptroller’s office. 

At the same time, the company was given a $50 million low-interest loan and allowed to deposit the proceeds at a much higher interest rate at another branch – effectively making a profit from the bank. 

Another $12 million was loaned to an entity believed to be the owner’s wife and $3 million loaned to a company controlled by his housekeeper – all of which was lost by the bank, Garsson said. 

The alleged misconduct by former senior executive management and other personnel took place from 1991 to 1999 and resulted in significant – but unspecified – losses to the New York branch, the comptroller’s office said. 

Wang Xuebing, who headed the Bank of China’s U.S. operations from 1988 to 1993, was fired earlier this week from his post as president of another of China’s four major state-run commercial banks, the China Construction Bank in Beijing. 

No reason was given for his dismissal, but it came amid reports of the U.S. and Chinese investigation into Bank of China. Wang was president and vice chairman of Bank of China from 1993 to 2000. 

While saying that further action against the bank is unlikely, Garsson acknowledged that it has not yet been determined whether former bank officials or customers would eventually be targeted. 

The consent order requires the New York branch to pay $10 million to the U.S. Treasury. In Beijing, the parent bank agreed to pay $10 million to China’s central bank. Garsson said it is the largest civil penalty ever levied by the comptroller’s office. 

“The Bank of China is ruling out managerial deficiencies that might cause similar problems,” said a statement from Bank of China president Liu Mingkang.

OAKLAND – The Olympic flame may have missed Berkeley in its tour around the Bay Area Friday, but one Berkeley resident did his part to get the fire to Salt Lake City. 

Ilan Biederman of North Berkeley, whose strength and courage in the face of a debilitating disease has been an inspiration to those who know him, carried the torch on its closest approach to the Berkeley border.  

“Ilan-mania” broke out on the corner of Broadway and 51st St. at around 2 p.m., as about 75 of Biederman’s friends and family members – some of whom came from New York, Boston, Seattle and Los Angeles – gathered at the spot where the flame would be passed to their hero. 

Biederman’s fans painted a large banner and wore matching shirts that said “I Y Ilan” on the front and “He Bie de’ Man” on the back. 

The rambunctious crowd was hollering and cheering on their man a good ten minutes before he arrived at the scene.  

“He’s got a big fan club!” shouted Anna Dinaburg, Biederman’s fiancee. 

For the last 10 years, Biederman has suffered from osteoblastoma – a very rare, benign tumor of the bone that has required him to undergo 14 operations, and has left him in severe, near-constant pain. 

“It’s been a very exciting week,” said Dinaburg. “This last year has been a really tough one for us. This has been something that we’ve been able to look forward to.” 

Stephen Lamarca, Biederman’s brother-in-law, came from Seattle to root Biederman on. 

“Ilan is just super-cool,” he said. “He keeps such a positive outlook on life. That’s why people nominated him – he always puts his best foot forward.” 

Knowing Biederman was an Olympics fan, Dinaburg’s sister, Alissa Stolz, nominated him to be a torch carrier several months ago. She told many of Biederman’s friends, but not Biederman himself, about the campaign. About 100 of them contributed letters in support. 

Biederman said on Thursday that when Stolz called him to say he would be carrying the torch he was shocked and amazed and “overwhelmed with emotion.”  

At around 2:40 p.m., when a van pulled up to lower Biederman – who gets around in a wheelchair because of his condition – to his starting point for the relay, the crowd went crazy. Security guards on motorcycles repeatedly requested Ilan fans to take their photographs from the sidewalk. 

The fire-bearer from the previous stretch approached, and Biederman held his torch aloft to receive the flame.  

Fans raced along behind Biederman, snapping photos, the entire length of his stretch of the relay. They battled for the roadway with the security guards and several large promotional vehicles. 

At its end, people carrying cameras asked everyone to line up behind Biederman for a group photo. A good number of faces, including Biederman’s, were in tears. 

“Thank you all so much for coming,” Biederman said. “It’s really all about you guys – it’s not about me.”

The Berkeley Yellowjackets dominated their first-ever meeting with Hercules High on Friday night, winning 65-55 over the brand-new school. 

Kenneth Alexander led the way for the ’Jackets with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and all 12 Berkeley players who saw any playing time scored at least 2 points. Berkeley used a big- size advantage to dominate the boards, beating the Titans 32-19 on rebounds and blocking 6 shots. 

“(Alexander) gave us a nice spark, and Jack (McSweeney) did a nice job inside too,” Berkeley head coach Mike Gragnani said. “We want to get the ball inside against every team we play.” 

Guard Dontae Hall also scored 11 points for Berkeley, with point guard Shaun Burl contributing 10 points and 2 steals. Burl also had several nice assists and is showing signs of becoming a team leader despite being just a sophomore. 

“Shaun’s a very solid player,” Gragnani said. “When he has the ball in his hands, most of the time something good is going to happen.” 

Hercules (3-11, 0-4 ACCAL) was pretty much a two-man show on offense, with guards Brad Nakana and Thomas Mays combining to score 31 of their team’s 55 points. Nakana, who scored 16 points, hit four 3-pointers in the game, with Mays hitting three outside bombs. But the dynamic duo wasn’t nearly enough for the Titans to put a scare into Gragnani’s squad, which jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead to start the game and never trailed. 

Gragnani understands how hard the Hercules coaching staff has it, starting a program at a new school. The Berkeley coach said he went through the same thing when he took his first head coach job at Redwood High in Marin County. 

“I know exactly where they’re at, and it’s not easy,” Gragnani said. “They’re starting from scratch, trying to build the program.” 

Berkeley (9-7, 3-1) caught a break when guard Lee Franklin banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the first quarter, staking his team to a 19-8 lead. Although the Titans would cut the lead to as close as six points with two minutes left in the first half, the ’Jackets pulled back out to a 32-21 lead at halftime, then rode McSweeney and Alexander to big second-half leads. 

McSweeney scored all 9 of his points in the third quarter, using every inch of his 6-foot-6 frame to toss in leaners over the smaller Titans. Then Alexander dominated the early part of the fourth, scoring on three straight possessions when Hercules got within 11 points. The capper was a thunderous dunk by sophomore forward Khion Tate off of a nice dish from Hall. 

After suspending seven players for Tuesday’s victory over Alameda for team rules violations, Gragnani kept three on the bench for Friday’s game, including the team’s leading scorer, center Damien Burns. 

“We have some team policy issues right now that we need to get under control,” Gragnani said. “The players have to understand that we say what we mean and we mean what we say. Hopefully the message has gotten through.” 

Despite a rough start to the season, the ’Jackets have shown improvement in ACCAL play, with their only loss coming to league favorite Pinole Valley. Gragnani still considers his team in contention for the league title, an honor the ’Jackets took last season with an undefeated run through the league. 

“We need to get some more energy, but we feel we can defend anyone,” he said. “If we do that, anything can happen.”

Saturday, Jan. 19

Discussion of the U.S. war in Afghanistan 

7 p.m. 

St. Joseph the Worker Church 

2125 Jefferson St. 

“Free Speech Radio News” (Pacifica reporters on strike) journalists report back first hand from Afghanistan 

916-705-7528 

Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations (BANA) 

9:30 - ll a.m. 

Fireside Room, Live Oak Park Center 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

A citywide caucus and network benefiting the citizens of Berkeley. 849-46l9. 

Vocal Jazz Workshop and  

Jazz Jam 

9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Albany Adult School 

601 San Gabriel St. 

Workshops for singers and instrumentalists led by Richard Kalman to explore Jazz in a small jazz combo format. $5-$12 per class. 524-6796, richkalman@aol.com. 

Building and Remodeling  

Advice 

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Building Education Center 

812 Page St. 

A morning lecture entitled “What You Need to Know Before You Build or Remodel” will be followed by an afternoon lecture entitled “Choosing to Add On: Pros and Cons of Building an Addition”. 525-7610 

Community Yoga 

5 - 6:30 p.m. 

Finn Hall 

1970 Chestnut 

Ashley Sharp teaches an all-level yoga class on Saturdays. Please bring a mat. $5-$10. 845-8584, grntoe@hotmail.com. 

Tree Pruning 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Ecology Center 

2530 San Pablo Ave. 

A class on the basics of aesthetic ornamental tree pruning. $15 non-members, $10 members. 548-2220 x233. 

Puppet Show 

1:30 and 2:30 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

Includes puppets from diverse cultures and with such conditions as cerebral palsy, blindness, and Down syndrome. 549-1564. 

5th Annual Pancake  

Breakfast Fund Raiser 

8 a.m. - noon 

Frances Albrier Community Center 

2800 Park St. 

Celebrating the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., benefiting the Teen Clubs in the community. $5, children 10 and younger, $3. 981-6640, recreation@ci.berkeley. ca.us. 

Sunday, Jan. 20

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Event 

2:30 - 5:30 p.m. 

Allen Temple Baptist Church 

8501 International Blvd., Oakland 

A celebration of Martin Luther King’s message of nonviolence and reconciliation featuring Rev. James Lawson, Rep. Barbara Lee, and Ron Daniels, as well as multi-cultural performances of music and poetry. 654-6966 

Oakland Jazz Choir 

7:30 p.m. 

First Congregational Church of Oakland 

Corner of 27th and Harrison St. 

A concert, entitled “In the Name of Love”, to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. $18. 866-468-3399 to buy tickets. 

World Peace Ceremony 

5 - 6 p.m. 

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Pl. 

Eva Casey presents slides and lectures about the Tibetan World Peace Ceremony at Bodh Gaya, India. 843-6812 

Patrice Lumumba  

Commemoration 

2 - 4 p.m. 

Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library 

6501 Telegraph Ave. 

Commemoration of the 41st anniversary of the assassination of Lumumba sponsored by The African Humanists Alliance. 595-7417. 

Buddy Club Presentation 

1 - 2 p.m. 

Berkeley JCC Auditorium 

1414 Walnut St. 

Roy Porfido and his cast of animal assistants perform a comedy and magic act. 236-7469, www.thebuddyclub.com 

Jewish Learning Seminar 

10 a.m. - noon 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

K’Tanim: A Celebration of Jewish Learning for Families with Young Children, birth to 3 years old. Family activities, songs, stories, crafts, and discussions. $10. To register call: 549-9447 x 104. 

University Chorus Auditions 

2 - 6 p.m. and 7 - 9:30 p.m. 

Department of Music 

UC Berkeley 

U-Chorus is open to all singers in the Berkeley community with previous experience. This Spring will feature the Hindemith “Requiem: When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom’d.” Sign up on the bulletin board outside 104 Morrison Hall. 642-5519, http://music.berkeley. edu/chorus.html. 

Editor: 

I am contemporaneously classified as an African American. The above address (taken out in concern for the writer’s privacy) is my family’s home house, where we have resided since 1958 – four years after the passage of the Byron Rumford Fair Housing Act.  

Our home is located within a two and one-half block radius of Brother’s Liquor Store. Incidentally, there was a time when we were not allowed to live east of Shattuck Avenue.  

I attended elementary school at C. Village, which is now a part of the Cal student housing complex in Albany, when it was a reservation for people of color and poor whites. I attended Burbank Junior High, Berkeley High, and have a degree from Cal. All that is to say that I am a conscious, long-time Berkeley resident. 

I will come straight to the point. Over the years, I have seen the complexion of this community change, but, nothing like what is happening now.  

It appears that the City of Berkeley, which was essentially founded by the University of California, is being invaded by dot.com Yuppies who are economic refugees seeking relief and/or by those seeking refuge from the violence in San Francisco, i.e., the Yuppie Eradication Program in the Mission.  

I have been witnessing what now seems to be a wave of hatemongering Yuppies (Xenophobes) infiltrating the neighborhood and now the neighborhood is in turmoil. These hordes of well-heeled immigrants are gentrifying the neighborhood, forming what looks like little gentrification terrorist cells (community groups like PALE or PAIN or whatever they call themselves, it means the same thing). The modus operandi is reminiscent of those of the infamous White Citizens Councils, the systematic removal of people from their homes and businesses. In fact, in San Francisco, some say that the gentrification process is essentially a form of racial cleansing to make room for more white people. We do know what happened to the Native Americans. 

I only mention the above because I have seen the maladies of Yuppie Cancer and hope and pray that this is not what is happening. The unfounded and unproved allegations lodged against Brother’s Liquor Store will not stand up in High Court.  

What I witnessed at one of the Public Hearings, held in the Old City Hall, was nothing less that a travesty of the law and governing body of the City. The Berkeley Police Department was used or manipulated to set up sting operations to use sting statistics to justify the newcomer’s nefarious paranoia. These tactics are not new in the waging of gentrification wars. The new immigrants even used their little children, making them carry pickets up and down the aisle at the beginning of the meeting. 

As you are well aware, Berkeley is known for its multicultural ethnicity, if you will. I would not like to see us regress to the pre-Byron Rumford Fair Housing issues, or not to have the right to engage in legitimate business where you will, because of the so-called wages of white skin. The issue at hand just may be greater than the Brother’s Liquor Store issue. If the City of Berkeley, in all of its wisdom, allows itself to be used by self-interest groups to close legitimate business or to do whatever, by what ever means (influencing or manipulating by deception, BPD or City Council), we might as well fly the Stars and Bars. 

For the Record, my interest is in the re-establishment of peace and harmony in my community. There must be an amicable meeting of the minds of all the residents for the benefit of all. If the resolution of the issues surrounding Brother’s Liquor Store are not forthcoming, indeed, if they are at an impasse, then, we may need to take all issues to a higher level of adjudication. 

L. Dawud Said 

Berkeley 

cc: Chief "Dash" Butler 

Mr. Weldon Rucker, City Manager 

924 Gilman Jan. 19: Capitalist Casualities, Phobia, Pig Destroyer, Index, Strong Intention; Jan. 25: Ludicra, Brain Oil, Creuvo, Scurvy Dogs, Arftificum Sanguis; Jan. 26: Mile Marker, Yaphet Kotto, Pirx the Pilot, Himsa, Confidante; Jan. 27: Bane, Over My Dead Body, Striking Distance, Breath In; Feb. 1: American Steel, Pitch Black, Fleshies, The Blottos, Sexy; Feb. 2: Dead and Gone, Black Cat Music, The Cost, The Frisk; Feb. 8: Divit, Scissorhands, Rufio, Don’t Look Down, Fenway Park; Feb. 9: Pansy Division, Subincision, The Fadeaways; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Anna’s Bistro Jan. 19: Vicki Burns & Felice York; 10 p.m., Ducksan Distones Jazz Sextet; Jan. 20: Aleph Null; Jan. 21: Renegade Sidemen w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 22: Doug Arrington; Jan. 23: Junebug; Jan. 24: Carl Garrett; Jan. 25: Anna & Ellen Hoffman; Jan. 26: Robin Gregory & Bliss Rodriguez; Jan. 27: “Acoustic Soul”; Jan. 28: “Renegade Sidemen” w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 29: Tangria; Jan. 30: Bob Schoen; Jan. 31: Jason Martineau & Dave Sayen; Music starts at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., 1801 University Ave., 849-2662. 

Blake’s Jan. 19: Solemite, Monky, $5; Jan. 20: First Circle, The Locals, $6; Jan. 21: All Star Jam Featuring the Steve Gannon Band & Mz. Dee, $4; Jan. 22: Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Wildsang, $3; Jan. 23: Mindz Eye, Hebro (Upstairs in the Tinibar), $5; Jan. 24: Electronica w/Ascension, $5; Jan. 25: Shady Lady, Blue Room, $6; Jan. 26: Dank Man Shank, TBA, $5; Jan. 27: Motivators, Funklogic, $3; Jan. 28: All Star Jam Featuring The Steve Gannon Band, $4; Jan. 29: Funkanauts, Len Patterson Trio, $3; Jan. 30: Sunru, Slaptones, DJ Kurse, $10; Jan. 31: Electronica w/ Ascension, $5; 2367 Telegraph Ave., 877-488-6533. 

Cal Performances Jan. 18 and 19: 8 p.m., The National Acrobats of Taiwan, R.O.C.; Jan. 20: 3 p.m., Midori and Robert McDonald. $28 -$48. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Telegraph. 642-9988 

Club Jjang-Ga Jan. 19: Dick, Multiply, Mental Case, Nine Pound Grind, The Elegy; Jan. 26: Krenshaw, Bearing, Lucid Inc., Zodiacal Circle; 400 29th Ave., Oakland, 261-1108, savageproductions1@yahoo.com. 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

Jazzschool Jan. 20: 4:30 p.m., Madeline Eastman, $6-$12. Jan. 27: 4:30 p.m., Michael Zilber, Sons of Bitches Brew; $6-$12. 2087 Addison St., 845-5373, www.jazzschool.com. 

Jupiter Jan. 16: Realistic; Jan. 17: Chris Shot Group; Jan. 18: Bigfoot In Paris Trio; Jan. 19: Netwerk: Electric; Jan. 23: Mitch Marcus Quintet; Jan. 24: Chris Shot Group; Jan. 25: The Sardonics; Jan. 26: Berkeley Jazz School Presents: Fourtet; Jan. 30: Joel Harrison Quartet; All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless noted. 2181 Shattuck Ave., 843-7625, www.jupiterbeer.com. 

La Pena Cultural Center Jan. 16: 7 p.m., Park Day School Winter Music Recital, Free; Jan. 18: 8 p.m., Word Descarga: Poets and Musicians collaborate across cultures, Genny Lim, Paul Flores, John Santos, $10; Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Word Descarga: Aya de Leon, Robert Henry Johnson, $10; Jan. 20: 7 p.m., A Hip/Trip Hop Benefit for the Prison Activist Resource Center: Black Dot Artists Collective, COINTELPRO, DJ So Much Soul, EK Trip, Prophets of Rage and Renaissance. $10-$15; Jan. 24: 7 p.m., Colombian Cultural Explosion, $5-$15; Jan. 25: 8 p.m., Wild Mango, $12; Jan. 26: 8 p.m., Naked Barbies: The Concert, $10-$15; Jan. 26: 10:30 a.m., Gary Lapow, $4 adults, $3 Children; Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Leticia Servín, $10-$8; 3105 Shattack Ave, 893-4648.  

Live Oaks Concerts: Berkeley Art Center Jan. 20: 7:30 p.m., Marvin Sanders, Kana Mimaki; Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Elaine Kreston, Laura Carmichael, $10, BACA Members $8, Students and Seniors $9. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., 644-6893. 

Rose Street House Jan. 17: 7:30 p.m., Allette Brooks; Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Gwen Avery House Concert, $5-$15; Jan. 25: 8 p.m. DivaBands Showcase: Bern, Elin Jr., Roberta Donnay, Christy Claxton and Tiger Zane. $8-$20. 1839 Rose St., 594-4000 x687, rosestreetmusic@yahoo.com. 

ACME Observatory Contemporary Performance Series Jan. 27: 8 p.m., Jane 

Rigler, $0-$20; TUVA Space, 3192 Adeline, http://sfSound.org/acme.html. 

Fellowship Coffee House Jan. 18: 7:30 p.m., Carol Denney, open mike. $3 -$5. Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar St. 

Off Da Hook! Party Jan. 19: 9 p.m., DJ’s SAKE1, Ab; $8-$15. 2670 Union St, West Oakland, 464-1011. 

Trinity Chapel Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Janine Johnson, harpsichord; 2320 Dana St., 549-3864. 

First Congregational Church Jan. 19: 8p.m., Eight women’s voices and continuo, also Hugh Davis; $12- $25; First Congregational Church, Dana & Durant, Berkeley, 415-979-4500. 

Mama Bears Jan. 19: 7:30 p.m., WildSang; 6536 Telegraph Ave. 595-4642. 

Oakland Symphony Chorus Jan. 26: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Conductor Tony Pasqua will lead a study of Joseph Haydn’s “Harmoniemesse” and Johannes Brahm’s “Schicksalslied.” $25, $30 door; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 6013 Lawton St., Oakland, 465-4199. 

Roda Theatre Jan. 22 and 23: both at 8 p.m., The Berkeley Symphony, Schubert’s Symphony No. 5. $21, $32, $45, $10 students. 2015 Addison St., 841-2800, www.berkeleysymphony.org. 

Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre Jan. 26: 6:30 - 10 p.m., The City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre pay tribute to and welcome the return of “The Dru Band”; $5. 3201 Adeline St., 625-2120. 

Organ Music Jan. 27: 5 p.m., Ron McKean; $15 - $18. MusicSources, 1000 The Alameda, 528-1685. 

Dance 

Berkeley High School Dance Production Jan. 18 &19: 7:30 p.m., Diverse mix of classical, modern ballet and hip-hop. $5. Florence Schwimley Little Theatre, Allston way and MLK., 644-6120 

Theater 

“Every Inch a King” Through Feb. 9: Thur. - Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m.; Three sisters have to make a decision as their father approaches death in this comedy presented by the Central Works Theater Ensemble. $8 - $18. LeValls Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. 558-138, www.centralworks.org.  

“Sisters” Through Feb. 16., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., The Prozorov sisters look at the gap between hope and fulfillment in their lives. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattack, www.actorsensemleofbkerkeley.com. 

“Rhinoceros” Jan. 23 through Mar. 10: Check theater for specific dates and times. An absurdist tragic-comedy about a small provincial town whose citizens slowly but surely transform into large cumbersome rhinoceroses. Directed by Barbara Damashek. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St. 647-2976 www.berkeleyrep.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. 

Film 

Pacific Film Archive Jan. 16: 7:30 p.m., So, To Speak: Videoworks of Jacqueline Goss; Jan. 17: 7 p.m., The Marquise of O...; Jan. 18: 7:30 p.m., Claire’s Knee; 9:30 p.m., Chloe in the Afternoon; Jan. 19: 7 p.m., The Wings; 8:30 p.m., Thomas Graal’s Best Film; Jan. 20: Children’s Film Festival, 1 p.m., Living in a New Land, 3 p.m., The Dinosaur Hunter; 5:30 p.m., Love and Journalism; 7:45 p.m., Thomas Graal’s Best Child; Jan. 22: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 1; Jan. 23: 3 p.m., The Terms of Cinema; 7:30 p.m., Telling It, Differently; Jan. 25: 7:30 p.m., The Aviator’s Wife; 9:30 p.m., A Good Marriage; Jan. 26: 6:30 p.m., Patrick Macias; 7 p.m., Battle Royale; 9:30 p.m., Blood and Law; Jan: 27: Children’s Film Festival, 1 p.m., Ikingut, 3 p.m., Peter Pan; 5:30 p.m., Sir Arne’s Treasure; 7:35 p.m., Song of the Scarlet Flower; Jan. 28: 3 p.m., The Jazz Singer; 7 p.m., Underground Kisses; Jan. 29: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 2; Jan. 30: 3 p.m., The Nickelodeon; 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 3; 2527 Bancroft Way, 642-1412. 

Landmark’s Shattuck Cinema Jan. 18: 5 p.m., 7 p.m., Life And Debt, filmmaker Stephanie Black will speak. 2230 Shattuck Ave., 843-3456, www.landmarktheatres.com. 

Parkway Theatre Jan. 29: 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., Boom! The Sound Of Eviction, a Just Cause Oakland benefit screening. $6-$20. 1843 Park Blvd., Oakland, 464-1011. 

Exhibits  

“Analogous Biology: Balance and Use,” Mark J. Leavitt Through Jan. 19; Tue. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland. 836-0831, www.artolio.com. 

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. 

“Prints and Paintings by Liao Shiou-Ping” on view through Jan. 31; Tues. to Fri.10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat.10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Free. Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388-9th St., Suite 290, Oakland, 238-4491. 

“Rhythms” Jan. 20 - Feb. 2: Art installation of sculpture, neon, music and video projections by Kati Casida; Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St., 845-5373 

Pro Arts: “Juried Annual 2001-02” Through Feb. 2: Exhibition of painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography and more by Bay Area and regional artists; Pro Arts, 461 Ninth St., www.proartsgallery.org. 

“All Grown Up” Through Feb. 2: New paintings and drawings by Amy Chan. Thurs. 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fri -Sun 1 p.m. -6 p.m., 21 Grand Ave., Oakland, 444-7263 

“Water Media” Through Feb. 8: An exhibit by Christine “Caipirinha” Mulder. Capoeira Arts Cafe Gallery, 2026 Center St., 666-1349 for hours. 

“New Work by Dennis Begg and Steve Briscoe” Through Feb. 9: Dennis Begg’s sculpture. Steve Brisco’s paintings. Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Traywick Gallery,1316 10th St., 527-1214. 

“Enduring Wisdom: Artwork and Stories by Homeless and Formerly Homeless Seniors” Through Feb. 15: 18 homeless and formerly homeless elders reveal how they learned and applied wisdom that is timeless. Mon. - Fri. and Sundays 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Free. St. Mary’s Center, 635 22nd St., Oakland, 893-4723 x222. 

“Envisioning Ecology” Through Feb. 15: Paintings by Michelle Waters. Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., 548-2220 x233. 

“The Other 364 Days: A Day in the Life of the Queer Community” Through Feb. 16: An exhibit of black and white photographs by East Bay photographer Limor Inbar-Hansen. Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St., 644-1400, limor@indelible-images.com. 

“Adventures in La Land” Through Feb. 23: Installations by Suzanne Husky and Paintings by Amy Morrell. Tues. - Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 4920 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 428-2349. 

“Transformations: Through the Eye of a Needle” Jan.24 - Feb. 23: Two-person exhibition by Rebecca Bui and Linda Lemon including procelain and fabric dolls and mixed media works on handmade paper. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland, 836-0831, www.artolio.com 

“Ton of Joy” Jan. 20 through Mar. 1: Group show of twelve painters and sculptors: Simone Anders, Susan Brady, Erin Fitzgerald, Karen Frey, Kei Hanafusa, Nancy Legge, Burke Rainey, Robin Sebourn, Kristen Throop, Clay Vajgrt, Whitney Vosburgh, Ann West; Mon. - Sat., 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Hollis Street Project, 5900 Hollis St., Emeryville. 

“Ansel Adams in the University of California Collections” Through Mar. 10: A selection of photographs and memorabilia presenting a different perspective on Adam’s career as one of the leading figures in American photography; Jan. 16 through Mar. 24: “Migrations: Photographs by Sebastiao Salgado,” over 300 black-and-white photographs of immigrants and refugees taken by the Brazilian photographer. Wed. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., $4- $6. The University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

"Earthly Pleasures" assemblage and photographs by Susan Danis, Through March 30: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. - Sat.; Sticks, 1579 B, Solano Ave., 526-6603.  

“Domestic Bliss” Through Apr. 4: Collection of abstract paintings and mixed medium by Amy St. George. Albany Community Center Foyer Gallery, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany, 524-9283. 

“The Legacy of Social Protest: The Disability Rights Movement” Through April 30: The first exhibition in a series dealing with Free Speech, Civil Rights, and Social Protest Movements of the 60s and 70s in California. Featuring photograghs by: Cathy Cade, HolLynn D’Lil, Howard Petrick, Ken Stein. The Free Speech Cafe, Moffitt Undergraduate Library, University of California-Berkeley, hjadler@yahoo.com  

“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, www.atelier9.com. 

Readings 

AK Press Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Joel Schalit dissects the New World Order and the rise of religious fundamentalism in his new book “Jerusalem Calling”. 674-A 23rd St., Oakland, 208-1700, molly@akpress.org 

Cody’s on Telegraph Ave. Jan. 14: Pamela Logan talks about “Tibetan Rescue: A Woman’s Quest to Save the Fabulous Art Treasures of Pewar Monastery”; Jan. 15: Jake Fuchs reads from his new mystery “Death of a Professer.”; Jan. 17: Anthony Bourdain takes a “Cooks Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal”; Jan. 18: Luis Rodriguez looks at “Hearts and Hands: Creating Community in Violent Times.”; Jan. 19: Wen Ho Lee with Helen Zia on “My Country Versus Me.”; All events are free and start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted. 2454 Telegraph Ave., 845-7852. 

Coffee With a Beat Jan. 19: Tim Donnelly, Anna May Stanley; Jan. 26: Paradise; Feb. 2: Julia Vinograd, Shauna Rogan; Feb. 9: Sydney Bell, Debrale Pagan; All readings 7-9 p.m., free and followed by open mike. 458 Perkins, Oakland, 526-5985.  

Easy Going Travel Shop & Bookstore Jan. 16: Elliott Hester discusses her book “Plane Insanity”; Jan. 17: Jan Friedman discusses her new book “Eccentric America”; Jan. 22: Lee Foster discusses his new guide “Northern California History Weekends”; All readings are free and start at 7:30 p.m., 1385 Shattuck Ave. at Rose, 843-3533. 

Jewish Community Center Jan. 14: 7:30-9 p.m., Emily Rose interweaves the family chronicle of her ancestors with the political and social events of the 18th and 19th centuries; Jan. 16: 7:30-8:30 p.m., Elizabeth Rosner will read from her debut novel “The Speed of of Light.” 1414 Walnut St. 

Revolution Books Jan. 25: 6:15 p.m., Eric Schlosser, Author of “Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the American Meal,” will appear for a book signing. 2425 Channing Way, 848-1196.  

Poetry 

Poetry Flash @ Cody’s Jan. 16: Tea Party magazine reading with Ariel, Rita Boagert, Daniel Y. Harris, Denise Mewbourne, Judith Offer, Andrena Zawinski; Jan. 23: Paul Hoover and Elizabeth Robinson; Jan. 27: Wanda Coleman, Austin Straus and Kate Gale; Jan. 30 Ralph Angel and George Higgins; All events begin at 7:30 p.m., $2 donation. 2454 Telegraph Ave., 845-7852. 

Tours 

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

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. 

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; $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 “Kwanzaa Community Celebration” Dec. 30: 12-4 p.m., Nia Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that honors black family history; Through Jan. 13: Grand Lyricist: The Art of Elmer Bischoff, featuring paintings and works on paper that trace the evolution of Bischoff’s career. $6 adults, $4 seniors and students, children under 5 free. Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 5 p.m.; 1000 Oak St., Oakland, 238-2200, 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. - 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 and Pacific Film Archive “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. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; 2626 Bancroft Way, 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

Lawrence Hall of Science Through Jan. 26: Scream Machines: The Science of Roller Coasters; “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; Open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley, 642-5132, www.lawrencehallofscience.org. 

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, www.lhs.berkeley.edu. 

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

Anthology chronicles the ancient spiritual force of the redwoods 

Imagine an anthology of poems, essays, diary entries and stories so consistently well-written, spiritually transformative, fact-filled, honest and comprehensive that it actually meets the challenge of authentically describing the majestic, ancient, and somber beautiful strength of a 2,000 year old, cinnamon-barked, California redwood. 

“Giants in the Earth: The California Redwoods,” edited by Berkeley resident, Peter Johnstone, and just released by local publisher, Heyday Books, is one of those extremely rare books that are actually worth the paper they’re printed on. (From a tree-hugging, organic cloth-wearing, inkjet-recycling, purse-made-out-of-an-inner-tube fanatic like myself, that’s high praise.) 

Contributors include literary icons, such as the Nobel Prize-winning Czeslaw Milosz, the passionate voice of America Walt Whitman, the melancholic nature-loving misanthrope Robinson Jeffers, the adventurous Robert Louis Stevenson and the sparkling Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Tom Wolfe.  

Also included are famous distinguished local writers such as Jack London, the exquisitely observant John Muir, Armistead Maupin, Gary Synder, Jack Kerouac and Julia Butterfly Hill.  

Equally worth reading are the excerpted works of lesser-known documentarians such as Anna M. Lind – who wrote about starting work as a waitress and cook in a Humboldt County logging camp in 1926; and Lucy Thompson (1853-1932), a native of the Yurok village of Pecwan – the U.K.Leguin of the 19th Century, in my opinion -- who tells the story of a custody dispute over a Yurok child who lived among the redwoods.  

This anthology is simply tremendous. Peter Johnstone, Peter M. Palmquist and Malcolm Margolin of Heyday Books did an amazing job.  

Giants in the Earth: The California Redwoods opens with philosophical essays which introduce botanical and other facts about these unusual trees, and which provide the reader with a historical perspective on the logging practices which caused massive destruction, and which continue to threaten this plant species’ future.  

This book contains some of the finest naturalist writing I’ve seen, such as Elna S. Bakker’s ecstatic verbal paeon to the redwood forest floor: "The pink petals of oxalis (redwood sorrel) open tiny whorls among shamrock-shaped leaves. Sword ferns arch green fronds over log and root." Ninetta Eames writes: "we rode through lofty branchless columns keeping their ranks closed in and supporting a plumy roof more than two hundred feet above us." 

Explanations are provided for what is termed: "redwood mysticism and aestheticism." There are descriptions of the different types of redwood groves and of their astonishing longevity. Redwoods date back to the age of the dinosaurs. Their existence predates today’s continental configuration, mountain ranges such as the Alps, and the existence of flowering plants.  

Later in the collection, Peter E. Palmquist describes the challenge photographers face in trying to represent the moist, foggy, fragrant ecosystem and metaphysical grandeur of a redwood grove… using a medium as flat as a photograph. Included in Giants in the Earth are a selection of historical photos from his personal collection.  

Giants in the Earth closes with works such as Dana Gioia’s deeply moving and brilliantly written memorial to his stillborn son: "Planting a Sequoia," a poem with the aboriginal eloquence and stature of the most ancient and silently momentous Sequoia Gigantia. 

An excerpt from Julia Butterfly Hill’s The Legacy of Luna describes the spiritual learning she acquired after sitting hundreds of feet up in a redwood during the fierce lashing of a winter storm. Her words help bring the reader to a most tumultuous and transcendent finish. An unforgettable book. 

Sari Friedman teaches writing at local colleges and can be reached at Sari2@Earthlink.net 

Additional inset: plate 26 with photo credit, will be sent by publisher. 

The City Council voted unanimously to sue UC Berkeley if the university does not work with the city to solve problems expected to arise from a large development and remodeling proposal for the north side of campus. 

“We are acting out of our deep concern about the impact of this project,” Councilmember Linda Maio said. “We expressed out intent to file a law suit if sufficient mitigation is not achieved in this matter.” 

The council decided by an 8-1 vote to sue the university if it does not work with the city to address concerns regarding traffic increases, parking problems and city infrastructure issues, such as sewage system upgrades and the repair of roadways. Councilmember Polly Armstrong left the meeting prior to the vote. The council has until Feb. 19 to file the lawsuit. 

The university’s principal planner of capitol projects, Jennifer Lawrence, did not return calls to the Daily Planet on Friday to comment on the lawsuit, but she did say earlier this week that the university has been trying to work with the city. She pointed to recent meetings with traffic engineering staff to discuss traffic impacts near proposed development. 

But Mayor Shirley Dean disagreed with Lawrence’s statement. “The university has to learn to sit down with the city to see if there’s not a way that we can work these issues out to both our satisfactions,” she said.  

Councilmember Betty Olds who represents District 6 where the majority of the development is proposed, said the university has gone to far. 

“I usually stick up for the university because I know Berkeley wouldn’t be here without them,” she said. “But this is a far more serious problem.” 

Olds said the university should work with the city to make the construction process tolerable for residents of the “quiet side of campus” by not starting construction before 8 a.m. in the morning and repaying the roadways that will be damaged by the four years of construction. 

Councilmember Dona Spring said she would like to see the university initiate the Eco Pass program that would provide faculty and staff with free bus transportation.  

Friday’s was the second closed session meeting the council has held in the last four days on the possible law suit. Last Tuesday, the council scheduled another meeting on Friday to see if the Regents of the University of California approved the Final Environmental Impact Report on the seven proposed projects on Thursday. 

The regents also considered an amendment doubling the proposed development in the university’s 1990 Long Range Development Plan, from 333,300 square feet to 658,000. The expanded square footage will accommodate three of the seven proposed projects totaling 360,000 square feet mostly along Hearst Avenue and Gayly Road.  

Councilmember Dona Spring said fighting the university is the only choice for the city. 

“If we roll over on this one, there eventually won’t be any Berkeley left,” she said. “It will just be the UC Industrial Park.”

Andrew Nackerud scored the Panthers’ first two goals, and St. Mary’s held off a late Salesian push to stay undefeated in BSAL play with a 3-1 win on Friday in Berkeley. 

St. Mary’s dressed just 13 players for the game and were missing five starters, but played their best game as a team against the Chieftans according to their head coach. 

“Our numbers are dwindling, but when we play like a team it doesn’t matter,” Teale Matteson said. “It was beautiful to watch us play so well with people missing and players in unfamiliar positions.” 

Nackerud scored the only goal of the first half in the 15th minute, taking a long free kick from Zack Huddleston and popping the ball into the net with his knee just before a violent collision with Salesian goalkeeper Alex Gomez. Gomez got the worst of the incident, being helped from the field and leaving the game for good. 

Gomez’s replacement, Alan Serrano, did well for the rest of the half with four saves, including a Chris Nicoletti breakaway that Serrano tipped off his goalpost. 

Nackerud nearly had his second goal just after halftime, getting a breakaway from a clearance by sweeper Brendan Slevin, but he shot over the crossbar. Huddleston nearly had a goal of his own off a corner kick, as Pat McMahon headed the ball over Serrano right to Huddleston, but he put the ball just over the bar. 

St. Mary’s (8-9-1, 4-0-1 BSAL) had what looked like a goal minutes later when Slevin launched a throw-in into the Salesian box, and the ball ended up in the net. But the referee ruled that no player touched the ball before it crossed the goal line and negated the goal. 

Nackerud gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead in the 67th minute, taking a throw-in from Huddleston and chipping Serrano to the back post.  

“Andrew has become our cherry-picker,” Matteson said. “He’s always in the right place at the right time.” 

But the Chieftans (4-6, 2-4) came right back with a garbage goal from speedy midfielder Anthony Butler, who had been stuffed by St. Mary’s goalkeeper Danny Penza on a breakaway seconds earlier. 

Penza filled in nicely for absent starter Nick Osborne, who missed the game with the flu. Penza made 7 saves against Salesian. 

Salesian had a great chance to even the game soon after, as Kyle Batheal used his huge throw-in to put the ball into the St. Mary’s box. Players from both sides hacked at the ball for what seemed like an eternity before the Panthers were able to clear it out. 

“(Salesian) got an adrenaline rush, but our defense rose to the occasion,” Matteson said. “I knew our defense would be smart enough not to do anything foolish that close to the goal.” 

St. Mary’s put the game away just before injury time with a goal from winger Luis Lopez. Midfielder Ben Feldman took a quick free kick to get Lopez behind the Salesian defense, and Lopez dribbled around Serrano before sliding the ball home from a tough angle. 

Editor: 

Hank Resnik’s excellent description of Montpellier in the south of France and his question of why can’t we do it in Berkeley should be considered by all Berkeley citizens. Being a member of the current Transportation Commission for the last year and attending many meetings concerning transportation issues in the City of Berkeley, it seems there is a good reason for our transportation problems. Any discussion concerning the automobile in Berkeley brings out all those who hate the auto industry and what it has done to our society.  

The only proposals heard are – get rid of cars. What to do with them and how to help those who depend on them is ignored. If Hank, the bicycle coalition, and pedestrian organizations want to make Berkeley into a car free City, I would support them.  

The catch is, they must come-up with a plan or solutions on how to solve the problems this would create. The narrowing of streets, barricades, one ways and restrictions on parking will not solve any of the problems. These things have only made matters worse.  

Like Hank and many Berkeley citizens, I have traveled in Europe and experienced the car free city centers and enjoyed them. Venice Italy is a great example of how to avoid cars. Of course the city is small enough to walk everywhere. But the key to success is the huge parking structure outside the city. As Hank points out in his commentary on Montpellier France, you can park your car in one of the many large garages on the periphery of the city.  

This is true of all the cities I have visited. Each has accommodated the automobile by providing large parking areas within walking distance of the city center or provided public transportation to reach it.  

When all of those who want the citizens of Berkeley to get out of their cars come-up with a plan similar to that described by Hank, maybe some progress can be made. Where in Berkeley should we build the large parking structure? How about the Berkeley marina? Is anyone willing to give up the bay views and land for it? Are there any other large open spaces in Berkeley we are willing to create for this purpose? Of course we could discuss the real reasons for the traffic congestion in Berkeley, but no one seems to want to. For instance, what effect does the University of California, Alta Bates Medical Center, and other institutions have on our streets? Anyone notice how quite our streets were during the University holiday season? Was parking a problem? What has happened to the TDM study – anyone heard or seen how it will impact our city? This study was paid for by the City of Berkeley and the University of California. It was to be used as a guide to solve the parking and circulation problems in the downtown and southside areas. Instead it has been put a-side for lack of City staff. What it can do to help solve the problem depends on how willing the University is to make the right decisions.  

It is another example of our lack of leadership and unwillingness to work on the hard problems we face, if we are to reduce car usage in Berkeley. Until the University of California and other institutions decide that Berkeley should be a bicyclists and pedestrian city, Hank and all the rest of us can keep on wondering where the vision and leadership is. 

Why do students at the University need to bring their cars into Berkeley? You can walk to any part of the downtown or the University campus.  

Why do the employees of the University need to drive their cars into Berkeley?  

Shouldn’t the University provide periphery parking and free shuttle service to the campus?  

How about the other institutions doing the same. The City government has taken a first step with the Eco-pass on AC Transit. The actual effects on traffic in Berkeley remains to be seen. If other institutions would follow the cities lead – it may have an impact. It probably won’t help much until we make a car free zone out of our downtown area. I have lived in Berkeley since 1963 and experienced the city when it was a quite college town. It would be nice to see it return, but unless we are willing to make some hard choices it won’t.  

Dean Metzger  

Berkeley, Ca. Transportation Commissioner  

District 8

Hardcover Fiction 

1. THE CORRECTIONS 

Jonathan Franzen Farrar Straus Giroux $26.00 

2. BOONVILLE 

Robert Mailer Anderson Creative Arts $21.95 

3. BALZAC AND THE LITTLE CHINESE SEAMSTRESS 

Sijie Dai Knopf $18.00 

4. BASKET CASE 

Carl Hiaasen Knopf $25.95 

5. PORTRAIT IN SEPIA 

Isabel Allende HarperCollins $26 

6. HATESHIP, LOVESHIP, COURTSHIP, LOVESHIP,  

MARRIAGE 

Alice Munro Knopf $24.00 

7. SAILING ALONE AROUND THE WORLD 

Billy Collins Random House $21.95 

8. FALLING ANGELS 

Tracy Chevalier Dutton $24.95 

9. SKIPPING CHRISTMAS 

John Grisham Doubleday $19.95 

10. JACKDAWS 

Ken Follett Dutton $26.95 

Paperback Fiction 

1. THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY 

Michael Chabon Picador $15.00 

2. THE RED TENT 

Anita Diamant Picador $14.00 

3. PRODIGAL SUMMER 

Barbara Kingsolver Perennial $14.00 

4. WHEN WE WERE ORPHANS 

Kazuo Ishiguro Vintage $14.00 

5. THE LORD OF THE RINGS 

J.R.R. Tolkien Houghton Mifflin $20.00 

6. THE BLIND ASSASSIN 

Margaret Atwood Anchor $14.00 

7. SHOPGIRL 

Steve Martin Theia $10.95 

8. GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING 

Tracy Chevalier Plume $12.00 

9. LYING AWAKE 

Mark Salzman Vintage $12.00 

10. THE SHIPPING NEWS 

E. Annie Proulx Scribner $14.00 

Hardcover Nonfiction 

1. JOHN ADAMS 

David McCullough Simon & Schuster $35.00 

2. THE SISTERS: THE SAGA OF THE MITFORD FAMILY 

Mary Lovell W. W. Norton $29.95 

3. A COOK’S TOUR 

Anthony Bourdain Bloomsbury $25.95 

4. BIAS: A CBS INSIDER EXPOSES HOW THE MEDIA DISTORT THE NEWS 

Bernard Goldberg Regenery $27.95 

5. THEODORE REX 

Edmund Morris Random House $35.00 

6. SACRED CONTRACTS 

Carolyn Myss Harmony $25.00 

7. WITTGENSTEIN’S POKER 

David Edmonds & John Eidinow Ecco $24.00 

8. LETTERS TO A YOUNG CONTRARIAN 

Christopher Hitchens Basic Books $22.00 

9. THE BOTANY OF DESIRE 

Michael Pollan Random House $24.95 

10. THE BUREAU AND THE MOLE 

David Vise Atlantic Monthly Press $25.00 

– Northern California 

Independent Booksellers  

Association

The Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday night to provide a “negative certification” on the school budget, acknowledging that the district will be unable to meet its financial obligations this year and next without significant budget cuts and revenue growth. 

The vote came after a two-hour budget presentation by officials from the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, or FCMAT, a state agency appointed by the Alameda County Office of Education in October to provide financial advice to the district.  

The county office has fiscal oversight responsibilities for every district in its jurisdiction. 

FCMAT estimates that the district will face a $1.6 million budget shortfall this year. The agency is projecting a $7.8 million deficit next year, and a $16.7 million shortfall the following year if the school board does not take appropriate action. 

Despite the $1.6 million deficit, the district should be able to pay all its bills this year, although it will not meet a state requirement for a three percent budget reserve.  

The projected deficits for the next two years would not only eliminate the district’s reserve, but would cut into its operating budget. 

Superintendent Michele Lawrence and board members committed themselves to making the required cuts this year to avoid deficits in the next two years. They indicated at the meeting, and afterward, that layoffs are a possibility. 

Barbara Dean, a FCMAT management analyst who has been working closely with the district for several months, cited a whole host of reasons for the 2001-2002 deficit, and the projected deficits in the coming years. 

Among other things, Dean discussed a $2.5 million hole in the district’s “self-insurance” fund, which covers worker’s compensation and building claims, a $900,000 fee the district owes the state for failure to properly report staff development activities, and a lack of control over payroll services. At one point, Dean said the district needs to make sure that “for every check issued, there is a person alive and working.” 

Superintendent Michele Lawrence agreed that the system’s payment services are dysfunctional. She noted that, in recent weeks, district officials discovered they are dishing out $120,000 per month to cover health and welfare services for people no longer employed by the Berkeley schools. 

Jerry Kurr, associate superintendent of business, said in an interview Friday that the district will attempt to recoup some of those health and welfare funds, paid to local health care providers, in the coming months.  

During the public comment section, several speakers urged the board to take responsibility for the budget difficulties, arguing that they have known about the district’s fiscal problems for a long time.  

“The freight train has been coming for three years,” said Nancy Riddle, vice-chair of the Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee, “and the right thing to do tonight is to take full responsibility.” 

Board members did not directly address the issue at the meeting. But, in an interview Friday, Shirley Issel, president of the board, said the body has taken responsibility by acknowledging the problem and bringing in a talented Superintendent this year to confront it. 

“The public needs a board that knows when something is wrong and takes responsibility for digging into it,” she said. “We acknowledged the problem with the Superintendent search.”  

Issel added that the district’s outdated and inadequate data systems have failed to provide the board with the information they need to make sound policy decisions. 

The district was supposed to transfer its data operations to Quintessential School Systems, or QSS, a processor that handles payroll, personnel, purchasing, and financial information, by June 2001.  

Now, the district is looking to complete the conversion by July 1. Kurr said the payroll and financial components, at a minimum, will be in place by that date. 

During the public comment period, Carol Wilkins, a Berkeley parent, called on the board to include the public in any budget cutting decisions this year. 

“Difficult decisions will be made and they will need to be made quickly,” she said. “But that doesn’t mean they’ll need to be done in the dark.” 

Later in the evening, Lawrence warned that, at this point in the year, the district will have to move quickly to make cuts, allowing for less public input than she would like.  

John Selawsky, a board member, replied that the school leadership should “certainly be as transparent with the public as we can.” 

“Absolutely,” Lawrence said.  

Selawsky recommended some immediate belt-tightening measures Friday morning – calling for an end to non-essential travel and overtime work, the elimination of cell phones in the district and a hiring freeze, with exceptions where needed. 

Selawsky said it is too early to discuss layoffs, but added that “it looks like a possibility.” 

District personnel are already gearing up for a battle over layoffs. Pat Robertson, a store keeper for the schools, and president of the operations unit of Local 1, which represents classified staff in the district, laid the blame for the deficit at the feet of district administrators. He urged the board to begin cutting there, not among custodial and food services employees. 

“A lot of the operational decisions were made by the management on up,” he said. “The cuts ought to be from there on down.” 

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Symphony, which shut down last fall amid a financial crisis, is taking a step toward a comeback with concerts whose proceeds would help fund the organization’s future operations. 

The first of the concerts is set for Feb. 23, though the symphony is still looking for sponsors to cover the musicians’ payments and other costs, spokeswoman Nanci Williams said Friday. The symphony hopes to have three or four more benefit concerts in coming months. 

The benefit concerts were made possible this week when the union representing the symphony’s 89 musicians agreed to forgo $2.5 million they were owed under their contract for rehearsals and performances this season that were canceled. 

Symphony management, now headed by former San Jose Mercury News publisher Jay Harris, had told the union that without the concession, the 122-year-old orchestra would have to file for bankruptcy, according to Kristen Linfante, a viola player who chairs the union negotiating committee. 

The union also agreed the symphony could use fewer than 89 musicians in the benefit concerts, Linfante said. 

“I think it’s the beginning of the return of the symphony, in that the orchestra will be back on stage,” Linfante said. “But I don’t think it’s necessarily going to be enough to relieve the debt that has been incurred or really start a new organization.” 

Harris did not immediately return a call seeking comment. 

The orchestra is believed to be the oldest west of the Mississippi. After years of poor fundraising left it in debt and with an endowment of just $1 million, it shut down in October, making San Jose the biggest U.S. city without a working symphony. 

The musicians, who average about $25,000 for 190 performances and rehearsals a year, have been scrambling to teach more private lessons and playing in other Northern California orchestras. 

“It’s very, very difficult,” Linfante said. “It’s a crisis for many.”

Architecture ‘father’ used Berkeley to grow career 

Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of Central Park in New York City, is considered the father of Landscape Architecture in the United States. He is primarily associated with the extensive work he did in the New York and Boston areas, and it is a revelation to realize he also worked in California between 1863 and 1865.  

It is also a revelation that it was his work in Berkeley, in particular, that served as a turning point in his career.  

In 1860 the Trustees of the College of California purchased 30-acres of land that would become the future campus of the University. In 1864 they asked Olmsted, already working in California as the manager of a large mining company, to prepare plans for their new campus and an adjacent residential subdivision.  

Olmsted’s plan for the college campus was not used, but his plan for the residential subdivision was followed.  

The Berkeley Property, as the subdivision was called, encompasses the area between College Avenue on the west, Prospect Street on the east, Dwight Way on the south and Strawberry Creek on the north.  

Piedmont Avenue (formally Piedmont Way) is the main divided roadway bisecting the residential subdivision and is the most clearly defined surviving feature of Olmsted’s 1865 plan for the College of California.  

While Piedmont Avenue features a curvilinear plan, with a planted median, rounded corners, and a large garden circle at Channing Way, Olmsted’s street design merges with the existing grid pattern of the streets to the west.  

Piedmont Avenue is the first divided residential boulevard that Olmsted designed. His designs for Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, the Buffalo Parkway system and Boston parkways had their beginnings here.  

During the next 30 years, Olmsted designed hundreds of parks and residential subdivisions where the most important feature was the preservation, enhancement, and use of natural features. Olmsted’s legacy can be seen in residential subdivisions across the country.  

Piedmont Way was designated California Historical Landmark No. 986 in May 1989. A plaque was placed its intersection with Bancroft Avenue in 1990. It is also a city landmark.  

By the first decade of this century, Piedmont Avenue was lined with impressive houses designed by prominent architects and set in lush gardens. Although today these homes are mostly used for student housing, the appearance of the street, with its green median and overhanging trees, retains many of the qualities Olmsted envisioned.  

Susan Cerny is author of “Berkeley Landmarks” and writes Berkeley Observed in conjunction with the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.  

LOS ANGELES — The truth may be out there but “The X-Files” won’t be. 

The television series about FBI agents tracking aliens and other unusual suspects will end its nine-year run on Fox in May with its 201st episode, the network said. 

The decision to wrap up “The X-Files,” which became a signature show for Fox and turned David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson into stars, followed network discussions with creator Chris Carter. 

“It’s the ninth inning. We want to go out on top,” Carter told the Hollywood trade paper Daily Variety. “We wanted to go out as a strong show.” 

“We respect Chris’ wishes to end the show this season,” Fox Television Entertainment Group chairman Sandy Grushow said in a statement. 

Duchovny bowed out of the series last season, leading to the introduction of new cast members Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish as agents working with Dana Scully (Anderson). 

“The X-Files” will end with a two-part episode, written by Carter, which he promised will tie up loose ends. He’d welcome Duchovny’s return for the finale, Carter said in Variety’s Thursday edition. 

The series’ ratings had dropped this season, but Fox still sees life in Carter’s eerie tales of conspiracies and otherworldly events: A second theatrical feature is planned. The first film, “The X-Files,” was a 1998 box-office success.

After several years of neglect, during which proposals have bounced back and forth between neighborhood groups and city government, the ancient, dilapidated sign welcoming visitors to the Berkeley Community Rose Garden appears to be on the verge of renovation.  

“It’s been a long process of getting something everyone can agree on. But I think we’re getting close,” said Gail Keleman, a member of the Friends of the Rose Garden, a community group, which maintains much of the garden. 

No one seems to know when the current sign was built, but everyone involved believe it to be a minor masterpiece of Art Deco design that has fallen into serious disrepair. 

Many of the hand-cut plywood letters are falling off the face of the sign and several of the stylish flourishes that outline the words “Berkeley Rose Garden” are crumbling. Graffiti tags mar the sign’s face. 

Since the Rose Garden is a registered city of Berkeley landmark, the Landmarks Preservation Commission must approve all changes to the site. 

“Our responsibility is to make sure alterations to city landmarks are appropriate,” said Carrie Olson, a member of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. 

Olson said one new design proposed for the sign several years ago didn’t pass muster because it didn’t take into consideration the look of the existing sign. 

“They came to us with a very beautiful, but sort of brass-and-oak, sign that was completely inappropriate for the site,” she said. 

Bill Moore and Associates, an Albanybased sign-making firm, has offered its services in designing and building the sign for free. The firm chooses a different pro bono project every year as a way of giving to the community. 

The sign that the company has proposed is made of more durable materials, but it is meant to echo the look of the old one. 

Dave Blake, a member of several city architectural commissions and a professional graphic designer, is recommending that the new sign preserve the typeface of the letters that make up the word “Berkeley.” 

He said that the typeface is unknown to local type historians who he consulted, and is probably unique to that sign.  

However, he said, the typeface of the letters that spell out “Rose Garden” were immensely ugly, and should be abandoned when the new sign is made. 

The Friends of the Rose Garden will be paying for a new post and trellis from which to hang the sign. The group has received a $3,000 grant from the city’s Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department. If that proves to be insufficient, the group will try to raise funds at its annual Mother’s Day celebration. 

Jeff Hunt, who works as a stage designer, has been spearheading the effort to replace the sign on behalf of the Friends of the Rose Garden.  

Hunt said he is to blame, in part, for the delay on the new sign. As a volunteer, he said, he must occasionally supplement his work on the garden with remunerative labor. 

Still, Hunt said, he looks forward to the day when a new, proud sign hangs over the entrance to the city’s most famous open space.  

“People come to this town from all over the world, and a lot of them decide to visit the nicest park in Berkeley,” he said. 

“What do they see? A sign falling over, deer nibbling on the plants … It’s an embarrassment.”

Cruise control doesn’t control everything 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

My father-in-law owns a 2001 Ford Taurus SE. He has owned several Tauruses and Sables in the past 10 years, and he insists that the cruise control will hold his speed down when descending a hill. I own a 2000 Taurus and told him that he is full of it. Even after at least one speeding ticket, he still insists that I don't know what I'm talking about and that "at least it USED to hold the speed down." Who's right? – Dave 

TOM: Dave, it's not good for family relations to humiliate your father-in-law. So we'll trust that you'll apply the answer we're about to give you with all due sensitivity, tact and kindness, OK? 

RAY: The old goat is nuts, Dave. The cruise-control system operates the throttle only.  

TOM: Now, having said that, I can tell you why he thinks it's braking for him. Let's say you're driving down a long grade, on a highway, for instance. Normally, if you start to go too fast, you back off the gas pedal. But you rarely back all the way off, because that would be jarring. Instead, you back off a little bit and “accelerate less.” 

RAY: But the cruise control can back all the way off the gas pedal if you exceed the set speed by more than a few miles per hour. And when you let off the gas pedal entirely, you do experience the natural braking action of the engine, which results from the friction of the moving parts and the pistons having to compress air in the cylinders. And that's probably what he’s feeling. 

TOM: So if you have a kind bone in your body, Dave, explain to the old man that what he's feeling is the natural braking action of the engine when it's not accelerating. Tell him it makes perfect sense that he would experience this as braking, and that heright, he can feel a “braking action” of sorts associated with the cruise control. 

RAY: And try not to end the explanation by jumping up and down on his sofa and yelling “naah nah nah naaah nah!” 

Saving the earth with trees 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

In spite of all the advice I’ve heard from you concerning diesels, I bought a 2001 VW Jetta TDI. It's a wonderful car, and it's much easier to drive than my girlfriend's gas-powered Passat. Because I'm a "get us off this imported oil" nut and an air-pollution wacko, I am experimenting with running my car on biodiesel as well. So far, so good – 40 to 50 miles per gallon, and plenty of power. However, I have a question about tires. The car was delivered with what most people consider desirable wheels and tires: big, wide R205/55R16s. I want to improve the mileage even further. Can I use tires that will get me better mileage? – Tom 

P.S. You are free to slander me, I’m used to it. 

RAY: Well, before we slander you, we want to clear up our position on diesels. For the record, we don't hate diesels. We just think they're stinkier, pokier and noisier than gasoline-powered cars. Plus, not every gas station offers diesel fuel, which can be a bummer when the tank's running low. 

TOM: However, by all reports we've read (we haven't driven one), the Jetta TDI is quieter and quicker than most diesels of the past. Although it still burns that primordial ooze with sulfur and dirt chunks in it that we call diesel fuel. 

RAY: As for the tires, the answer is yes, you can get tires that will help you get better mileage. But I wouldn't throw away the tires you've got. Since you're an admitted eco-freak, throwing away your current tires will waste the energy and natural resources it took to make those tires. Plus, you'll be adding to the used-tire-disposal problem. 

TOM: Not to mention the money you'll be wasting, which could be used on “Save the Free-Range Granola” bumper stickers.  

RAY: So keep those tires for now, and study up on the topic of “rolling resistance.” Rolling resistance is drag caused by the friction of the tires on the road when the car is moving.  

TOM: The best way to minimize the rolling resistance of your current tires is simply to keep them properly inflated. If your recommended tire pressure is, say, 35 psi, and you let them go down to 28 psi, you increase your rolling resistance by about 12 percent. That would have a -1 percent to -2 percent effect on your mileage. 

RAY: Eventually, when these tires do wear out, you can shop for some low-rolling-resistance replacement tires. By altering the rubber compounds and using certain tread patterns, tire makers have been able to reduce rolling resistance quite a bit. That might increase your mileage by another few percent – about the same as hitting a few green lights on the way home instead of red ones. 

TOM: And with all the money you save on fuel, perhaps you'll be able to replace all of those gaskets and seals that your biodiesel fuel is eating in your engine. 

RAY: Seriously, Tom, ask your dealer if it's OK to use biodiesel (basically used cooking oil) in this car. I commend you for wanting to reduce air pollution, but that Burger King runoff might be doing a number on your engine.  

Tire pressure; truck pulls to the right 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

Recently, I was told by my mechanic that one should keep one's tire pressure within 15 percent of the maximum stated on the tire. What is your take on this? – Hank 

TOM: My take is that I would take my questions to another mechanic, Hank. 

RAY: The proper tire pressure is listed on the glove-box door or on the driver's door pillar. That's the pressure that represents the best combination of attributes such as handling, braking, comfort and mileage. 

TOM: When you change your tire pressure, you alter that matrix. For instance, if you add more pressure, you might get better mileage, but less comfort and poorer braking. If you put in less than the recommended pressure, you might get a softer ride, but poorer mileage and handling. 

RAY: So unless you have a specific reason to alter the pressure (like you're carrying two mothers-in-law), use the recommended pressure as your guide. 

TOM: The “maximum” pressure listed on the tire is just what it says, a maximum. That's the greatest amount you can safely put in your tire without damaging it. And your mechanic's advice to stay “within” 15 percent of that number suggests that you could be 15 percent ABOVE it as well as below it. And that's absolutely wrong, Hank.  

Dear Tom and Ray: 

I have a 1994 Chevy Silverado truck. It has 80,000 miles on it. I noticed that when I applied the brakes, the truck pulled to the right. It felt like it was the right front wheel, so I had new front pads installed. But I can still feel it pull a little bit. It is a light pull and does not happen every time. I can live with it, but I would like to fix it. Any ideas? – Edgar 

TOM: I'd watch your back, Edgar – the back of the vehicle, that is. 

RAY: You say it felt like the right front wheel, but it could just as easily be the right rear wheel that's causing the pulling. 

TOM: This truck has drum brakes in the rear. And if you have a sticky parking brake, weak brake springs or a lining that's coming apart, any of these things could cause that wheel to lock up early and make the truck pull to the right. 

RAY: Don't feel bad about replacing your pads, Edgar. Chances are, you needed to replace them anyway. And if not, I'm sure your mechanic needed to sell them. But look in back for the problem. Tom and Ray share secrets mechanics don't want you to know in their pamphlet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" Send $3 (check or money order) and a stamped (57 cents), self-addressed, No. 10 envelope to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. 

Got a question about cars? Write to Click and Clack in care of this newspaper, or e-mail them by visiting the Car Talk section of cars.com on the World Wide Web.

SAN FRANCISCO — A sports figure, a television celebrity and the widow of a local hero transported the Olympic Torch in its 150-mile route through the San Francisco Bay area on Friday. 

San Francisco Giants’ Barry Bonds, who set baseball’s season home-run record last fall carried the torch through the city, while Santa Rosa resident Deena Burnett ran with the torch in Oakland. Her husband Thomas was aboard United Airlines Flight 93 and apparently participated in a passenger revolt that brought the plane down in a Pennsylvania field on Sept. 11. 

Pat O’Brien from the syndicated entertainment news program Access Hollywood, carried the torch through Santa Cruz. 

Friday’s route started at Santa Cruz’s Surfing Museum and continued to San Jose’s Tech Museum of Innovation. The torch is expected to travel north through the East Bay, where after a welcome from Oakland mayor Jerry Brown, it will be ferried to San Francisco’s Justin Hermann Plaza at 7:46 p.m. The torch will travel not just with runners, but also by ferry and cable car. 

Saturday’s runners will carry the flame through the North Bay up to Sacramento. It will then wind its way through Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado before arriving in Salt Lake City on Feb. 8 in time for the opening ceremonies of the 2002 Olympic Games. 

Specific routes and detailed information can be found on the official 2002 Salt Lake City Games Web page at http://www. saltlake2002.com.

SACRAMENTO — Graying and settled into middle age, three former 1970s revolutionaries and members of the Symbionese Liberation Army were arraigned Friday on first-degree murder charges in the 1975 shooting death of a woman during a bank robbery. 

A fourth fought extradition hearings to bring him to California to face the charges. 

In dramatic scenes that played out in three West Coast courtrooms, Sara Jane Olson, Emily Harris, William Harris and Michael Bortin faced judges and prosecutors nearly 30 years after a robbery that left Myrna Opsahl, a 42-year-old mother of four, dead from a shotgun blast. 

Olson pleaded innocent to the murder charges from the April 21, 1975, robbery of the Crocker National Bank branch in suburban Carmichael, Calif. In Sacramento, the Harrises entered no plea. 

Olson, 55, who changed her name from Kathleen Soliah and was a Minnesota housewife until her June 1999 arrest on bomb charges, was arraigned immediately after being sentenced to 20 years to life in prison in Los Angeles Superior Court for conspiring to blow up police cars in 1975. 

Her arraignment followed an emotional sentencing hearing, in which family members tearfully praised Olson as a good wife, mother and daughter. 

For the first time, Olson also expressed remorse for the SLA’s violent actions during the 1970s, telling a judge and others, “Forgive me for the pain I’ve caused you.” 

In Portland, Bortin, 53, a flooring contractor, said he would fight extradition to California because he is not a fugitive. 

“I’ve been a legal resident here for all of 12 and a half years. I have my own business here, family, four kids,” he told Multnomah County Circuit Judge David Smedema. 

Later, in a basement courtroom of the Sacramento County Jail, the formerly married Bill Harris, 56, and Emily Harris, 54, respectively, a private investigator and computer consultant who once led the band of armed urban revolutionaries under the names General Teko and Yolanda, were also arraigned. 

The Harrises didn’t enter a plea during a four-minute hearing at Sacramento Superior Court Friday afternoon.  

They appeared in court handcuffed, wearing orange jail-issue pants and gray t-shirts. 

They will return to court Feb. 1 for a bail hearing and plan to enter pleas then, said Stuart Hanlon, Emily Harris’s attorney. 

“They are not guilty,” Hanlon said. 

William Harris’ wife, Rebecca Young, sat in the front row of the courtroom, but declined to comment. 

Police arrested Bortin and the Harrises Wednesday morning, while Soliah surrendered to authorities Wednesday afternoon. 

James Kilgore, 54, a fifth former SLA member charged with murder Opsahl, has been a fugitive since the 1970s. 

The four entered their courtrooms to answer for old actions during a time that’s greatly changed since the 1970s, when the SLA gained notoriety for its symbol of a seven-headed snake, passions for the poor and minorities and political rhetoric from South American revolutionaries and Communist leaders. Its members killed an Oakland school superintendent, robbed banks and kidnapped newspaper heiress Patty Hearst. 

Hearst, now a 48-year-old mother of three who lives in Connecticut, is expected to be the lead witness in the case. 

In a 1976 interview with the FBI, and later in her 1982 book, “Every Secret Thing,” Hearst said Emily Harris shot Opsahl during the bank robbery. 

“Patty Hearst is the only person who can make this case,” Hanlon said. “The jury will decide if Patty Hearst’s book is truth or fantasy. That will be the issue in this trial.” 

Arrest affidavits state that four SLA members allegedly burst into bank, made off with $15,000 and shot Opsahl, who was depositing a church collection. 

Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully, citing Hearst’s FBI interview, named Olson, Bortin, Kilgore and Emily Harris as the robbers inside the bank when Opsahl was shot. She named Bill Harris and Steven Soliah, Olson’s brother, as the lookouts, while Hearst and Wendy Yoshimura drove getaway cars. 

Despite a 1976 federal robbery trial that acquitted Soliah of robbery charges and 1991 grand jury investigation that led to immunity from prosecution for Hearst, Soliah and Yoshimura, no murder charges were ever filed in Opsahl’s death until Wednesday. Sacramento authorities reopened their investigation after Olson’s 1999 arrest in Minnesota. 

After Olson’s sentencing in Los Angeles, her attorney Shawn Snider Chapman called the decision to file charges in Sacramento political. 

Olson made no deal to testify against others in the case and “there’s nothing she can offer,” Chapman said. Sacramento prosecutors have not asked Olson to testify or turn state’s evidence. 

Fresh evidence and new forensic methods will bolster Hearst’s testimony, Scully said. Arrest affidavits note that Olson’s palm print, taken during her 1999 arrest, matches palm prints on the door of a Sacramento garage where the group stored a getaway car. Other items include bullets, shotgun ammunition, hand drawings of banks and instructions to rob banks — all found at an SLA “safe house” in San Francisco. The FBI also linked shotgun pellets found in Opsahl’s body to ammunition from the SLA house. 

SANTA CRUZ — San Francisco no longer tops the list for least-affordable housing in the nation. That distinction now falls an hour and a half to the south to Santa Cruz, famous for its waves and hippies. 

That result comes from the National Association of Home Builders, which compiles the list each year by comparing family incomes and home prices for metropolitan areas around the country. The latest survey is based on third-quarter numbers for 2001. 

The Santa Cruz metro area’s median income is $65,000, and the median home price is $420,000, up $5,000 from the previous quarterly survey. 

San Francisco dropped to second, as its median home price fell $10,000 to $520,000, still the most expensive median home price in the country. 

In fact, nine of the 10 least-affordable markets in the nation are in California. The Salinas metro area in Monterey County was third, followed by San Jose, which has a $450,000 median home price — the second most expensive median home price in the nation. 

Rounding out the top 10 behind San Jose were Santa Rosa, the Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa area, the San Luis-Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles area, Oakland and San Diego. The Portsmouth-Rochester area in New Hampshire and Maine took 10th in the study. 

In contrast, Rockford, Ill., has a median home price of $99,000 and a median family income of $57,100. 

Indianapolis was the most affordable city with more than a million people, with a median home price of $130,000 and a median income of $60,700. 

Santa Cruz has been vehemently anti-growth, but with such an expensive housing market, the Santa Cruz city council is trying to come up with solutions that include environmentally sound and affordable housing.

When the brain is in jeopardy, minutes matter.  

A clogged or broken blood vessel in the brain is an emergency but many people will wait to call 911after experiencing sudden confusion, loss of balance or other stroke symptoms, Deidre Wentworth, a registered nurse, told members of the Berkeley Fire Department at the Cedar Street station on Thursday. 

“The impact of stroke is huge: It is the leading cause of adult disability,” Wentworth said. “Health professionals play a key role in educating the public about the importance of getting to the emergency room early.” 

About 20 Berkeley firefighters, which include emergency medical technicians and paramedics, listened and discussed their experiences with stroke patients during the course given by Wentworth, a consultant for The Stroke Group – a Denver-based organization, which provides education to health care professionals. Wentworth said she she spoke to about 60 of the city’s emergency workers during the two-day seminar. 

Each year, 750,000 people suffer from ischemic strokes, caused by blood clots, and hemorrhagic strokes, caused by ruptured blood vessels, Wentworth said. Drugs intended to break up blood clots can be effective, but they must be administered within three hours after the onset of symptoms, which is why early recognition and timely transport are vital, she said. 

Methods of recognizing some stroke symptoms have changed over the years, said Wentworth, who also manages Mercy Stroke Center for Catholic Health Care West in Sacramento.  

Years ago, patients were asked to squeeze health care workers’ hands as a way to gauge limb strength, but what is considered a firm grasp can be subjective, she said. Today, it is considered more effective to have a patient close their eyes and hold out both their arms.  

This way, health care workers can see if one arm falls from lack of strength, she said. 

Treatments for stroke patients have improved, and paramedics and other emergency workers are always learning about changes in the field, said Ed Pennine, a Berkeley paramedic and firefighter. 

“As first responders, Berkeley is committed to providing continuing education on any procedure, equipment and care to optimize what it provides to citizens,” said Ann-Margaret Moyer, paramedic program supervisor for Berkeley Fire Department. “This class brings everyone up to speed on how debilitating stroke is and how early recognition and intervention are key.” 

According to literature by the National Stroke Association, symptoms of stroke include: 

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. 

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. 

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Wentworth said patients will sometimes “talk about a shade coming over their eye.” 

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. 

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause. 

Strokes are not disorders that affect only older adults, said Karen Ashikeh, a research nurse for the East Bay Region Associates in Neurology.  

Young people and people who use recreational drugs can also experience strokes, she said. 

“When a person thinks they are having a stroke, it is important they call 911 just as if they thought they were having a heart attack,” Ashikeh said. “Sometimes people will call the doctor, or they’ll go to the doctor, but they won't call 911. They think, ‘well, I’m still walking around.’ There is excellent treatment available, but time is limited.”

SAN JOSE — This is the future in America as high-tech leaders see it: People work from home more often. They watch high-definition TV on their computers. They get information on national security instantaneously. 

The key ingredient, the boosters say, is for everyone to have always-on Internet connections that pump data nearly 2,000 times faster than today’s dial-up modems. 

This week, a prominent high-tech lobbying group challenged the government to make that happen by 2010, saying universal broadband access should be a “national imperative” just like the 1960s drive to land on the moon. 

The report from TechNet asks the government to loosen regulations on telecommunications and refrain from imposing new ones. It doesn’t seek subsidies or tax credits for companies that would roll out the technology, only for poor and rural users who otherwise could not afford broadband. 

Not surprisingly, the TechNet initiative has the support of Cisco Systems Inc., Intel Corp., AT&T Corp., Microsoft Corp. and other companies that stand to benefit from a souped-up Internet. 

Others question whether the plan is feasible, worthwhile or does anything to promote competition. 

“It’s not in the consumers’ best interests, but that’s not what this is about,” said Mike Jackman, executive director of the California Internet Service Provider Association, a group of 140 independent Internet companies. “It’s about big companies protecting their big customers.” 

Kathie Hackler, a broadband analyst at Gartner Dataquest, applauded the goal of keeping the United States from falling further behind other countries, such as South Korea and Germany, in broadband deployment. 

But she was skeptical of TechNet’s suggestion that the industry could cooperate better if only the government would eliminate uncertainty over how it will regulate investments in new broadband networks. 

Forrester Research analyst Carl Howe was even more circumspect. 

“There is no proof, in any way, shape or manner, that says if we give more broadband to everybody it’s going to make us more productive,” he said. “It will make us more connected. It might make us happier. But I’m not sure it’s a better use of our money than putting 50,000 more teachers in schools.” 

Forrester says more than 11 million U.S. households have broadband service now, generally through cable TV lines, satellite TV hookups or phone wires that have been transformed into digital subscriber lines, or DSL. 

But only 12 percent of consumers who could get broadband have sought it. Many are put off by service problems and high prices. 

Cable broadband costs an average of $44 a month, while DSL averages $52, according to ARS Inc., a market research firm. 

Many Internet service providers say the telecom giants keep prices artificially high by charging excessive fees for access to the phone lines they control. Telecoms counter that DSL in particular is hindered by a patchwork of local, state and federal fees and taxes. 

Still, the number of broadband households will hit 54 million by 2006 even if no significant changes in government regulation are made, Forrester projects. 

TechNet calls for accelerating that significantly: not only getting broadband to 100 million homes and small businesses by 2010, but at speeds of 100 megabits per second. That is as much as 250 times faster than the typical broadband connection in most American homes now. 

That would require an overhaul of the existing telecommunications infrastructure, digging up streets in neighborhoods across the country to install new fiber-optic cables. The estimated cost: at least $100 billion, perhaps $300 billion. 

But TechNet cites a Brookings Institution study that found that the improvements in education, health and office productivity from universal broadband could generate $500 billion for the economy. 

Though most consumers haven’t embraced broadband yet, TechNet believes just about everyone would want it once new applications are developed to take advantage of super-fast connection speeds. 

In addition to high speeds, broadband has the advantage of being always on — no waiting for a modem connection to quickly check e-mail or download a song. 

With the blazing Internet speeds envisioned by TechNet, home computers could easily facilitate sophisticated video conferencing and quickly download high-quality digital entertainment. 

Congress already is considering several ways of increasing broadband deployment. A bill sponsored by Reps. Billy Tauzin, R-La., and John Dingell, D-Mich., would relax requirements on local phone companies, letting them provide Internet access nationwide without requiring them to share their networks with competitors. 

TechNet is officially neutral on the bill, calling it “a battle of the past.” 

It also suggests the government allocate more of the radio spectrum to wireless broadband networks. 

Every major industrialized country except for the United States and Italy has a national policy to spur broadband deployment — and Italy is developing one, argues TechNet. 

“We are falling behind in our K-through-12 education system, and now we are falling behind in broadband,” Cisco chief executive John Chambers said. “For our nation’s competitiveness and the future of our economic development, we must not fail.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.technet.org 

SAN JOSE — Server giant Sun Microsystems Inc. on Friday announced a smaller-than-expected second-quarter loss and some success as it expands its customer base beyond dot-coms and telecommunications companies. 

The company said it has recently made sales in health care, life sciences, education, government and retail — areas where it has always played, but not to the extent of telecoms and dot-coms in the past. 

“Obviously, no business wants to be horribly dependent on one major segment no matter who it is, so broader is better,” said Michael Lehman, Sun’s chief financial officer. 

For the three months ended Dec. 30, Sun lost $431 million, or 13 cents per share, on revenue of $3.1 billion. That compares with profits of $423 million, or 15 cents a share, on sales of $5.1 billion last year. 

Excluding special items, the company lost $99 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with a profit of $494 million, or 13 cents a share, in the same period last year, the company said Friday. 

Analysts were expecting a loss of 4 cents a share on sales of $3.1 billion, according to a survey by Thomson Financial/First Call. 

In trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Sun shares were down 20 cents at $12.17. 

“We are showing signs of progress,” Lehman said. “Despite economic uncertainties, Sun still is investing in product development and core competencies to promote the long-term growth of the company.” 

In December, the company said it was likely to hit its financial targets for the quarter but stopped short of offering any specific guidance. 

After strong growth during the high-tech boom, Sun was hit hard as large companies reduced spending and dot-coms shut down. In October, Sun said it was laying off 3,900 employees, or 9 percent of its work force. 

On Friday, Sun said it made gains in industries that were behind much of its growth before the downturn. 

“We’re winning more business and getting more design wins than we have in a long time,” said Scott McNealy, Sun’s chief executive. 

Among recent customer wins are the American Hospital Association, De Novo Pharmaceuticals, the University of Southern California, the Census Bureau and the grocery chain Smart and Final. 

“We’re obviously seeing the benefits, but this is not something where you’re going to see big chunks of business,” said Richard Chu, an analyst at SG Cowen Securities. “It’s building brick by brick into classic enterprise businesses.” 

Lehman said the company expects third-quarter revenues to be slightly above the $3.1 billion of the second quarter. Analysts are expecting third-quarter revenues of $3.2 billion. 

Sun executives said the company is on track to return to profitability by its fiscal fourth quarter, which ends in June. 

For the first half of its fiscal year, Sun lost $611 million, or 19 cents a share, versus a profit of $879 million, or 26 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue fell to $5.97 billion from $10.17 billion. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Sun Microsystems: http://www.sun.com 

NEW YORK — Shares of ImClone Systems Inc. plunged nearly a third Friday after being temporarily halted as the beleaguered company disclosed it was the subject of a congressional inquiry. 

ImClone stock has been in a tailspin since late last year, when the Food and Drug Administration refused to accept the company’s application for the colorectal cancer drug Erbitux, which had been touted as a potential blockbuster. 

Earlier this month, information released by a trade publication indicated problems with the application were more serious than ImClone had led investors and analysts to believe when it disclosed the FDA rejection. 

At least four suits have been filed against ImClone alleging it trivialized the extent of the problem. 

At a meeting last week in San Francisco, ImClone chief executive Samuel Waksal said some of the data the FDA wanted did not exist. 

“It’s not an insignificant problem,” he said. “We put together a faulty package and we screwed up.” 

Now a House subcommittee is inquiring into the study, the application and the drug. ImClone said it would cooperate with the investigation. 

The inquiry is also bad news for Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, which invested $1 billion for a 20 percent stake in ImClone last year. 

Under the agreement, Bristol-Myers will co-promote Erbitux and share in its revenues if it is ever approved. 

Shares of Imclone were down $8.93, or 29.70 percent, closing at $21.15 Friday on the Nasdaq. Meanwhile, shares of Bristol-Myers were down 75 cents, or 1.45 percent, closing at $47.94 on the New York Stock Exchange. 

Bust a culmination of several weeks of police surveillance 

Undercover officers from the Berkeley Police Department raided two homes on Wednesday in a multi-city crackdown of an indoor marijuana growing syndicate. 

“This is the biggest bust we’ve had in a while,” said Lt. Allen Yuen of the BPD’s Special Enforcement Unit. 

Yuen said police confiscated more than 350 marijuana plants at both homes, and the plants had an estimated street value of $500,000. 

In addition, police confiscated indoor growing lights, drug literature, three automobiles of recent make, a boat and five ferrets. 

The bust was a culmination of several weeks of undercover police surveillance. Early in the morning, the enforcement unit moved on the first house, which was in Castro Valley. The raid at the Berkeley location – 2811 Eighth St. – occurred later in the afternoon.  

Police arrested Stephen Rios, 34, and Dawn Bazurto, 32, during the raid on the Castro Valley house. 

They have been charged with five counts of marijuana cultivation, two counts of possessing marijuana for distribution and conspiracy to commit the above crimes. 

The two are currently in the Berkeley Jail and may appear in court as early as tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, the case is still being investigated. Lt. Harris of the BPD said that officers are looking into whether Rios and Bazurto may have had additional operations elsewhere in the Bay Area. 

Police said that Rios and Bazurto rented the Eighth Street home and that the owner of the house was not a suspect in the crime. 

On Thursday, the owner – who wished to remain anonymous – said that Rios and Bazurto had been renting the house for about a year, and that he had received numerous complaints from neighbors about the couple.  

He said that the two had initially appeared to be a “nice, clean-cut couple.”  

“When we first interviewed them, we asked them why they were moving from where they were,” he said. “They told us that the landlord was too nosy. I suppose that should have told us something.” 

Later, though, residents of the neighborhood started to call him to say that a dog locked in the house was barking day and night, and no one seemed to be there to take care of it. 

After he called Rios to confront him about the issue, the owner said, the dog disappeared. 

The owner said he was afraid that the house – which he had lived in for 15 years – was ruined. He said he was especially worried about the damage the two ferrets – which are outlawed in the state of California – may have done to his hardwood floors. 

“The ferrets are really the grossest part of this,” he said.  

A neighbor said the couple was rarely seen outside the home, and they rarely said hello or engaged in otherwise neighborly behavior. 

“This is a very friendly block,” the neighbor said. “We have dinner parties and Thanksgiving dinner together, but they never really acknowledged anyone.” 

“They were so unfriendly.” 

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call Lt. Yuen or Detective Lindenau of the Special Enforcement Unit at 981-5918.  

Friday, Jan. 18

Acting and Storytelling  

Classes for Seniors 

10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

Stagebridge 

2501 Harrison St., Oakland 

For the morning class, instructor Stuart Kandell teaches Storytelling in the Community and in the afternoon he teaches the Scene Study for Performance. Classes meet weekly and may be joined at any time. 444-4755, www.stagebridge.org 

City Commons Club  

Luncheon 

11:15 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave. 

Alain Rieu lectures on “France in the European Union”. Social hour begins at 11:15 a.m. Lunch is served 11:45 - 12:15. Speaker begins at 12:30. $11 - 12.25 with lunch, $1 otherwise. 848-3533 

Still Stronger Women 

1:15 - 3:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Celebrating Marlene Dietrich's 100th anniversary with a film showing of “The Blue Angel.” Free. 232-1351. 

From Rio to Johannesburg: How Far Have We Come 

On Global Environmental Goals? 

3 p.m. 

UC Berkeley 

103 Mulford Hall 

Dr. Alvaro Umana, Costa Rica’s first Minister of Environment, speaks on the global environment and the progress and goals set at the Rio de Janeiro Conference. Free. 643-4200. 

Saturday, Jan. 19

Discussion of U.S. war in Afghanistan 

7 p.m. 

St. Joseph the Worker Church 

2125 Jefferson St. 

“Free Speech Radio News” (Pacifica reporters on strike) journalists report back first hand from Afghanistan 

916-705-7528 

Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations (BANA) 

9:30 - ll a.m. 

Fireside Room, Live Oak Park Center 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

A city wide caucus and network benefiting the citizens of Berkeley. 849-46l9. 

Vocal Jazz Workshop and  

Jazz Jam 

9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

Albany Adult School 

601 San Gabriel St. 

Workshops for singers and instrumentalists led by Richard Kalman to explore Jazz in a small jazz combo format. $5-$12 per class. 524-6796, richkalman@aol.com. 

Building and Remodeling  

Advice 

10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Building Education Center 

812 Page St. 

A morning lecture entitled “What You Need to Know Before You Build or Remodel” will be followed by an afternoon lecture entitled “Choosing to Add On: Pros and Cons of Building an Addition”. 525-7610 

Community Yoga 

5 - 6:30 p.m. 

Finn Hall 

1970 Chestnut 

Ashley Sharp teaches an all-level yoga class on Saturdays. Please bring a mat. $5-$10. 845-8584, grntoe@hotmail.com. 

Tree Pruning 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Ecology Center 

2530 San Pablo Ave. 

A class on the basics of aesthetic ornamental tree pruning. $15 non-members, $10 members. 548-2220 x233. 

Puppet Show 

1:30 and 2:30 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. 

Includes puppets from diverse cultures and with such conditions as cerebral palsy, blindness, and Down syndrome. 549-1564. 

5th Annual Pancake  

Breakfast Fundraiser 

8 a.m. - noon 

Frances Albrier Community Center 

2800 Park St. 

Celebrating the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., benefiting the Teen Clubs in the community. $5, children 10 and under $3. 981-6640, recreation@ci.berkeley. ca.us. 

Sunday, Jan. 20

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Event 

2:30 - 5:30 p.m. 

Allen Temple Baptist Church 

8501 International Blvd., Oakland 

A celebration of Martin Luther King’s message of nonviolence and reconciliation featuring Rev. James Lawson, Rep. Barbara Lee and Ron Daniels, as well as multi-cultural performances of music and poetry. 654-6966 

Oakland Jazz Choir 

7:30 p.m. 

First Congregational Church of Oakland 

Corner of 27th and Harrison St. 

A concert, entitled “In the Name of Love”, to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. $18. 866-468-3399 to buy tickets. 

World Peace Ceremony 

5 - 6 p.m. 

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Pl. 

Eva Casey presents slides and lectures about the Tibetan World Peace Ceremony at Bodh Gaya, India. 843-6812 

Patrice Lumumba  

Commemoration 

2 - 4 p.m. 

Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library 

6501 Telegraph Ave. 

Commemoration of the 41st anniversary of the assassination of Lumumba sponsored by The African Humanists Alliance. 595-7417. 

Buddy Club Presentation 

1 - 2 p.m. 

Berkeley JCC Auditorium 

1414 Walnut St. 

Roy Porfido and his cast of animal assistants perform a comedy and magic act. 236-7469, www.thebuddyclub.com 

Jewish Learning Seminar 

10 a.m. - noon 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

K’Tanim: A Celebration of Jewish Learning for Families with Young Children, birth to 3 years old. Family activities, songs, stories, crafts, and discussions. $10. To register call: 549-9447 x 104. 

– Compiled by Guy Poole 

Dear Mayor Dean, City Officials, Berkeley News Media and Bcc’d Neighbors, 

There was another accident tonight, January 15th, 2002 at Benvenue and Ashby at approximately 5:30 pm. One car was crossing Ashby, going Southbound on Benvenue, when it collided with another car that was going East up Ashby in the parking lane. 

The resulting accident had such force that one of the cars wound up ON the S.E. corner of the SIDEWALK and crashed into the street light. Fortunately, no one was standing on the corner at that moment. There was considerable damage to both cars which were towed away. 

The lady who wound up on the sidewalk stayed in her smoking car until the paramedics arrived. The paramedic's also looked over the toddler son of the other driver. Everyone seemed OK. 

This is the 2nd (SECOND) accident this year at Benvenue and Ashby that I know of. There were 18 last year. There now have been 4 accidents here in under one month (12/19/01, 12/20/01, 1/6/02, 1/15/02). Two of the four are exactly alike. One car is Southbound on Benvenue, crossing Ashby when it gets hit by an Eastbound car on Ashby driving up the parking lane between 4-6 pm. 

Our 5th Traffic Task Force meeting was held yesterday at the Library. 

Reh-Lin says the temporary traffic calming devices have been ordered. They will now be put in sometime in the beginning of March 2002. 

Reh-Lin also said that he now has to go to the City Council to get their approval to remove the 4-6 pm Tow-Away parking signs on the eastbound side of Ashby between Hillegass and College. This would then allow cars to park in the metered spots and stop cars from zooming up the parking lane between 4-6 pm, like they can now. 

Jed will be sending out an email highlighting this 5th Task Force meeting. 

One lady who was at the corner after the accident was upset with drivers on Ashby. She said she was trying to cross Ashby at Benvenue with her child in 

a stroller, and the cars were ignoring her in the cross walk. 

The next Traffic Task Force meeting is scheduled for February 11th, 6:30 p.m., at the Library. 

Paul Tuleja 

Berkeley

As Avon Kirkland spoke to the Daily Planet on his cell phone from Park City, Utah, he was interrupted by an invitation from a PBS television executive to come have a drink. He told them he would join them in a minute. 

Kirkland’s documentary, “Ralph Ellison: An American Journey” is now being screened at the Sundance Film Festival, where meeting with potential exhibitors, comparing war stories with other filmmakers, dialoguing with critics and filmgoers and taking in as many films as possible can make the high-profile, high-altitude film festival a heady swirl of giddy appreciation and thrilling potential. 

“I’m getting over a cold, and getting over the thin air,” said Kirkland last Tuesday, who was busy working on promoting the remaining screenings of his documentary. Kirkland is one of several Berkeley-based filmmakers whose films have been invited to compete at Sundance, one of the world’s more prestigious and certain most lauded film festival showcasing independent and emerging filmmakers, co-founded 20 years ago by movie star Robert Redford. 

Sundance insists its selections be premieres, and “Ralph Ellison: An American Journey,” was completed a scant two weeks ago. Created for the PBS television series “American Masters,” to be broadcast in February, the episode is about the famed and elusive author of Invisible Man, a powerhouse novel about race in America featuring the disoriented and deeply angry protagonist Bigger Thomas. Although Ellison wrote reams of essays in his long writing career, he never completed a second novel and has become as enigmatic as his Bigger in American letters. 

Audiences expressed they learned a lot about Ellison after seeing the film, said Kirkland of the lengthy post-screening question-and-answer sessions the festival schedule allows.  

Meeting directly with a film’s premiere viewers is one of the rewards of the festival, he added. 

Filmmaker Gail Dolgin said the Q&As following the screenings of “Daughter From Danang” were often an hour long. Her film about an American woman reuniting with her Vietnamese mother evoked personal responses, and she said the discussions cut short by festival staff preparing the theater for the next screening often continued in the lobby. 

Dolgin’s story begins in 1975 with Operation Baby Lift, wherein children in Vietnamese orphanages (many fathered by American GIs) were airlifted out of the country to American adoptive parents. Some of those orphans were not really orphans. 

The film’s audiences were touched by the denouement, said Dolgin, “but it’s hard to talk about without giving away the drama.” 

Dolgin, whose office on the fourth floor of the Fantasy Building in West Berkeley is down the hall from Kirkland’s, said the festival’s competition brings with it a thread of anxiety.  

Her film is already slated to be broadcast on the PBS series “American Experience” in early 2003, so when the idea of competition grips her she said she backs off the worrying and remembers the festival is a supportive atmosphere. Simply being accepted at Sundance “boosts any film.” 

“Sundance is on everyone’s radar,” said Johnny Symons, whose documentary about gay partners adopting children, “Daddy and Papa” is also currently screening at the festival. The film has not yet been picked up for distribution or broadcast, and acceptance to Sundance means viewers and critics will see the work and the social and political issues it brings up. He says the film’s future is bright: “Signs are really good that this is the beginning.” 

“Daddy and Papa” follows four gay couples through their adventures in adopting and parenting. One of the subjects is Symons himself, and he said audiences were curious about his family. His partner and two children were in attendance for the early days of the festival, but “Sundance isn’t set up for a 2 year-old and a 3 month-old,” and Symons is spending the rest of the “10-day shmooze fest” without them. 

The House of Docs is the place at Sundance for documentary filmmakers to shmooze and discuss and pat each other on the shoulder. For the past couple years the festival has established the House as a hospitality suite and seminar hall for those filmmakers which are often overlooked in the shadow of the more popular feature narrative filmmakers. 

“We’re increasingly treated well,” said Kirkland, describing the House of Docs as “bigger than any Berkeley hotel lobby.” He said he attended a workshop on art and politics because they are topics at the core of his film. Other seminars include “Filmmaker to Filmmaker: Whose Story Is It?” moderated by Jon Else, “Open Outcry,” head of the documentary department at the UC Berkeley School of Journalism; and “Changing the Subject: Women and Documentary” featuring panelist Frances Reid, maker of “Long Night’s Journey Into Day” and another tenant of the Fantasy Building’s fourth floor. 

The Sundance publicity material says “The House of Docs is a community space designed to increase awareness of documentary film and to provide support to documentary filmmakers.” The filmmakers who attend concur. 

“Sundance is respectful of documentaries,” said Dolgin. “Robert Redford was present at the House of Docs and spoke with great sincerity about how important docs are.” 

“Documentaries from around the globe that bear witness to issues of human rights, social justice, civil liberties and freedom of expression bring forth truth in ways which can have a profound effect on societies and lives,” said Redford in the Sundance publicity material.  

Sundance puts their money where their mouth is. The Sundance Institute – the entity that put on the film festival – announced on January 13 the International Documentary Fund to grant money to filmmakers documenting human rights issues.  

The Sundance Channel, another product of the Sundance Institute which recently became available on Bay Area cable television, will soon launch a documentary cable channel, which will provide another outlet for documentary filmmakers’ work to be seen. Kirkland is hopeful; he’s been shmoozing with the programmers. 

924 Gilman Jan. 18: Christian Reigh, Dystrophy, Stalker Potential, Lower 48, Thought Crime, No Direction; Jan. 19: Capitalist Casualities, Phobia, Pig Destroyer, Index, Strong Intention; Jan. 25: Ludicra, Brain Oil, Creuvo, Scurvy Dogs, Arftificum Sanguis; Jan. 26: Mile Marker, Yaphet Kotto, Pirx the Pilot, Himsa, Confidante; Jan. 27: Bane, Over My Dead Body, Striking Distance, Breath In; Feb. 1: American Steel, Pitch Black, Fleshies, The Blottos, Sexy; Feb. 2: Dead and Gone, Black Cat Music, The Cost, The Frisk; Feb. 8: Divit, Scissorhands, Rufio, Don’t Look Down, Fenway Park; Feb. 9: Pansy Division, Subincision, The Fadeaways; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Anna’s Bistro Jan. 18: Karen Guthrie & Her Trio; 10 p.m., Bluesman Hideo Date; Jan. 19: Vicki Burns & Felice York; 10 p.m., Ducksan Distones Jazz Sextet; Jan. 20: Aleph Null; Jan. 21: Renegade Sidemen w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 22: Doug Arrington; Jan. 23: Junebug; Jan. 24: Carl Garrett; Jan. 25: Anna & Ellen Hoffman; Jan. 26: Robin Gregory & Bliss Rodriguez; Jan. 27: “Acoustic Soul”; Jan. 28: “Renegade Sidemen” w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 29: Tangria; Jan. 30: Bob Schoen; Jan. 31: Jason Martineau & Dave Sayen; Music starts at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., 1801 University Ave., 849-2662. 

Blake’s Jan. 18: Ten Ton Chicken, Black Dog Band with Peanut Daniels, $5; Jan. 19: Solemite, Monky, $5; Jan. 20: First Circle, The Locals, $6; Jan. 21: All Star Jam Featuring the Steve Gannon Band & Mz. Dee, $4; Jan. 22: Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Wildsang, $3; Jan. 23: Mindz Eye, Hebro (Upstairs in the Tinibar), $5; Jan. 24: Electronica w/Ascension, $5; Jan. 25: Shady Lady, Blue Room, $6; Jan. 26: Dank Man Shank, TBA, $5; Jan. 27: Motivators, Funklogic, $3; Jan. 28: All Star Jam Featuring The Steve Gannon Band, $4; Jan. 29: Funkanauts, Len Patterson Trio, $3; Jan. 30: Sunru, Slaptones, DJ Kurse, $10; Jan. 31: Electronica w/ Ascension, $5; 2367 Telegraph Ave., 877-488-6533. 

Cal Performances Jan. 18 and 19: 8 p.m., The National Acrobats of Taiwan, R.O.C.; Jan. 20: 3 p.m., Midori and Robert McDonald. $28 -$48. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Telegraph. 642-9988 

Club Jjang-Ga Jan. 19: Dick, Multiply, Mental Case, Nine Pound Grind, The Elegy; Jan. 26: Krenshaw, Bearing, Lucid Inc., Zodiacal Circle; 400 29th Ave., Oakland, 261-1108, savageproductions1@yahoo.com. 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

Jazzschool Jan. 20: 4:30 p.m., Madeline Eastman, $6-$12. Jan. 27: 4:30 p.m., Michael Zilber, Sons of Bitches Brew; $6-$12. 2087 Addison St., 845-5373, www.jazzschool.com. 

Jupiter Jan. 16: Realistic; Jan. 17: Chris Shot Group; Jan. 18: Bigfoot In Paris Trio; Jan. 19: Netwerk: Electric; Jan. 23: Mitch Marcus Quintet; Jan. 24: Chris Shot Group; Jan. 25: The Sardonics; Jan. 26: Berkeley Jazz School Presents: Fourtet; Jan. 30: Joel Harrison Quartet; All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless noted. 2181 Shattuck Ave., 843-7625, www.jupiterbeer.com. 

La Pena Cultural Center Jan. 16: 7 p.m., Park Day School Winter Music Recital, Free; Jan. 18: 8 p.m., Word Descarga: Poets and Musicians collaborate across cultures, Genny Lim, Paul Flores, John Santos, $10; Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Word Descarga: Aya de Leon, Robert Henry Johnson, $10; Jan. 20: 7 p.m., A Hip/Trip Hop Benefit for the Prison Activist Resource Center: Black Dot Artists Collective, COINTELPRO, DJ So Much Soul, EK Trip, Prophets of Rage and Renaissance. $10-$15; Jan. 24: 7 p.m., Colombian Cultural Explosion, $5-$15; Jan. 25: 8 p.m., Wild Mango, $12; Jan. 26: 8 p.m., Naked Barbies: The Concert, $10-$15; Jan. 26: 10:30 a.m., Gary Lapow, $4 adults, $3 Children; Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Leticia Servín, $10-$8; 3105 Shattack Ave, 893-4648.  

Live Oaks Concerts: Berkeley Art Center Jan. 20: 7:30 p.m., Marvin Sanders, Kana Mimaki; Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Elaine Kreston, Laura Carmichael, $10, BACA Members $8, Students and Seniors $9. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., 644-6893. 

Rose Street House Jan. 17: 7:30 p.m., Allette Brooks; Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Gwen Avery House Concert, $5-$15; Jan. 25: 8 p.m. DivaBands Showcase: Bern, Elin Jr., Roberta Donnay, Christy Claxton and Tiger Zane. $8-$20. 1839 Rose St., 594-4000 x687, rosestreetmusic@yahoo.com. 

ACME Observatory Contemporary Performance Series Jan. 27: 8 p.m., Jane 

Rigler, $0-$20; TUVA Space, 3192 Adeline, http://sfSound.org/acme.html. 

Fellowship Coffee House Jan. 18: 7:30 p.m., Carol Denney, open mike. $3 -$5. Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar St. 

Off Da Hook! Party Jan. 19: 9 p.m., DJ’s SAKE1, Ab; $8-$15. 2670 Union St, West Oakland, 464-1011. 

Trinity Chapel Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Janine Johnson, harpsichord; 2320 Dana St., 549-3864. 

First Congregational Church Jan. 19: 8p.m., Eight women’s voices and continuo, also Hugh Davis; $12- $25; First Congregational Church, Dana & Durant, Berkeley, 415-979-4500. 

Mama Bears Jan. 19: 7:30 p.m., WildSang; 6536 Telegraph Ave. 595-4642. 

Oakland Symphony Chorus Jan. 26: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Conductor Tony Pasqua will lead a study of Joseph Haydn’s “Harmoniemesse” and Johannes Brahm’s “Schicksalslied.” $25, $30 door; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 6013 Lawton St., Oakland, 465-4199. 

Roda Theatre Jan. 22 and 23: both at 8 p.m., The Berkeley Symphony, Schubert’s Symphony No. 5. $21, $32, $45, $10 students. 2015 Addison St., 841-2800, www.berkeleysymphony.org. 

Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre Jan. 26: 6:30 - 10 p.m., The City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre pay tribute to and welcome the return of “The Dru Band”; $5. 3201 Adeline St., 625-2120. 

Organ Music Jan. 27: 5 p.m., Ron McKean; $15 - $18. MusicSources, 1000 The Alameda, 528-1685. 

Dance 

Berkeley High School Dance Production Jan. 18 &19: 7:30 p.m., Diverse mix of classical, modern ballet and hip-hop. $5. Florence Schwimley Little Theatre, Allston way and MLK., 644-6120 

Theater 

“Every Inch a King” Through Feb. 9: Thur. - Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m.; Three sisters have to make a decision as their father approaches death in this comedy presented by the Central Works Theater Ensemble. $8 - $18. LeValls Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. 558-138, www.centralworks.org.  

“Sisters” Through Feb. 16., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., The Prozorov sisters look at the gap between hope and fulfillment in their lives. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattack, www.actorsensemleofbkerkeley.com. 

“Rhinoceros” Jan. 23 through Mar. 10: Check theater for specific dates and times. An absurdist tragic-comedy about a small provincial town whose citizens slowly but surely transform into large cumbersome rhinoceroses. Directed by Barbara Damashek. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St. 647-2976 www.berkeleyrep.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. 

Film 

Pacific Film Archive Jan. 16: 7:30 p.m., So, To Speak: Videoworks of Jacqueline Goss; Jan. 17: 7 p.m., The Marquise of O...; Jan. 18: 7:30 p.m., Claire’s Knee; 9:30 p.m., Chloe in the Afternoon; Jan. 19: 7 p.m., The Wings; 8:30 p.m., Thomas Graal’s Best Film; Jan. 20: Children’s Film Festival, 1 p.m., Living in a New Land, 3 p.m., The Dinosaur Hunter; 5:30 p.m., Love and Journalism; 7:45 p.m., Thomas Graal’s Best Child; Jan. 22: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 1; Jan. 23: 3 p.m., The Terms of Cinema; 7:30 p.m., Telling It, Differently; Jan. 25: 7:30 p.m., The Aviator’s Wife; 9:30 p.m., A Good Marriage; Jan. 26: 6:30 p.m., Patrick Macias; 7 p.m., Battle Royale; 9:30 p.m., Blood and Law; Jan: 27: Children’s Film Festival, 1 p.m., Ikingut, 3 p.m., Peter Pan; 5:30 p.m., Sir Arne’s Treasure; 7:35 p.m., Song of the Scarlet Flower; Jan. 28: 3 p.m., The Jazz Singer; 7 p.m., Underground Kisses; Jan. 29: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 2; Jan. 30: 3 p.m., The Nickelodeon; 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 3; 2527 Bancroft Way, 642-1412. 

Landmark’s Shattuck Cinema Jan. 18: 5 p.m., 7 p.m., Life And Debt, filmmaker Stephanie Black will speak. 2230 Shattuck Ave., 843-3456, www.landmarktheatres.com. 

Parkway Theatre Jan. 29: 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., Boom! The Sound Of Eviction, a Just Cause Oakland benefit screening. $6-$20. 1843 Park Blvd., Oakland, 464-1011. 

Exhibits  

“Analogous Biology: Balance and Use,” Mark J. Leavitt Through Jan. 19; Tue. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland. 836-0831, www.artolio.com. 

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. 

“Prints and Paintings by Liao Shiou-Ping” on view through Jan. 31; Tues. to Fri.10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat.10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Free. Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388-9th St., Suite 290, Oakland, 238-4491. 

“Rhythms” Jan. 20 - Feb. 2: Art installation of sculpture, neon, music and video projections by Kati Casida; Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St., 845-5373 

Pro Arts: “Juried Annual 2001-02” Through Feb. 2: Exhibition of painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography and more by Bay Area and regional artists; Pro Arts, 461 Ninth St., www.proartsgallery.org. 

“All Grown Up” Through Feb. 2: New paintings and drawings by Amy Chan. Thurs. 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fri -Sun 1 p.m. -6 p.m., 21 Grand Ave., Oakland, 444-7263 

“Water Media” Through Feb. 8: An exhibit by Christine “Caipirinha” Mulder. Capoeira Arts Cafe Gallery, 2026 Center St., 666-1349 for hours. 

“New Work by Dennis Begg and Steve Briscoe” Through Feb. 9: Dennis Begg’s sculpture. Steve Brisco’s paintings. Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Traywick Gallery,1316 10th St., 527-1214. 

“Enduring Wisdom: Artwork and Stories by Homeless and Formerly Homeless Seniors” Through Feb. 15: 18 homeless and formerly homeless elders reveal how they learned and applied wisdom that is timeless. Mon. - Fri. and Sundays 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Free. St. Mary’s Center, 635 22nd St., Oakland, 893-4723 x222. 

“Envisioning Ecology” Through Feb. 15: Paintings by Michelle Waters. Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., 548-2220 x233. 

“The Other 364 Days: A Day in the Life of the Queer Community” Through Feb. 16: An exhibit of black and white photographs by East Bay photographer Limor Inbar-Hansen. Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St., 644-1400, limor@indelible-images.com. 

“Adventures in La Land” Through Feb. 23: Installations by Suzanne Husky and Paintings by Amy Morrell. Tues. - Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 4920 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 428-2349. 

“Transformations: Through the Eye of a Needle” Jan.24 - Feb. 23: Two-person exhibition by Rebecca Bui and Linda Lemon including procelain and fabric dolls and mixed media works on handmade paper. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland, 836-0831, www.artolio.com 

“Ton of Joy” Jan. 20 through Mar. 1: Group show of twelve painters and sculptors: Simone Anders, Susan Brady, Erin Fitzgerald, Karen Frey, Kei Hanafusa, Nancy Legge, Burke Rainey, Robin Sebourn, Kristen Throop, Clay Vajgrt, Whitney Vosburgh, Ann West; Mon. - Sat., 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Hollis Street Project, 5900 Hollis St., Emeryville. 

“Ansel Adams in the University of California Collections” Through Mar. 10: A selection of photographs and memorabilia presenting a different perspective on Adam’s career as one of the leading figures in American photography; Jan. 16 through Mar. 24: “Migrations: Photographs by Sebastiao Salgado,” over 300 black-and-white photographs of immigrants and refugees taken by the Brazilian photographer. Wed. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., $4- $6. The University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

"Earthly Pleasures" assemblage and photographs by Susan Danis, Through March 30: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. - Sat.; Sticks, 1579 B, Solano Ave., 526-6603.  

“Domestic Bliss” Through Apr. 4: Collection of abstract paintings and mixed medium by Amy St. George. Albany Community Center Foyer Gallery, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany, 524-9283. 

“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, www.atelier9.com. 

Readings 

AK Press Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Joel Schalit dissects the New World Order and the rise of religious fundamentalism in his new book “Jerusalem Calling”. 674-A 23rd St., Oakland, 208-1700, molly@akpress.org 

Cody’s on Telegraph Ave. Jan. 14: Pamela Logan talks about “Tibetan Rescue: A Woman’s Quest to Save the Fabulous Art Treasures of Pewar Monastery”; Jan. 15: Jake Fuchs reads from his new mystery “Death of a Professer.”; Jan. 17: Anthony Bourdain takes a “Cooks Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal”; Jan. 18: Luis Rodriguez looks at “Hearts and Hands: Creating Community in Violent Times.”; Jan. 19: Wen Ho Lee with Helen Zia on “My Country Versus Me.”; All events are free and start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted. 2454 Telegraph Ave., 845-7852. 

Coffee With a Beat Jan. 19: Tim Donnelly, Anna May Stanley; Jan. 26: Paradise; Feb. 2: Julia Vinograd, Shauna Rogan; Feb. 9: Sydney Bell, Debrale Pagan; All readings 7-9 p.m., free and followed by open mike. 458 Perkins, Oakland, 526-5985.  

Easy Going Travel Shop & Bookstore Jan. 16: Elliott Hester discusses her book “Plane Insanity”; Jan. 17: Jan Friedman discusses her new book “Eccentric America”; Jan. 22: Lee Foster discusses his new guide “Northern California History Weekends”; All readings are free and start at 7:30 p.m., 1385 Shattuck Ave. at Rose, 843-3533. 

Jewish Community Center Jan. 14: 7:30-9 p.m., Emily Rose interweaves the family chronicle of her ancestors with the political and social events of the 18th and 19th centuries; Jan. 16: 7:30-8:30 p.m., Elizabeth Rosner will read from her debut novel “The Speed of of Light.” 1414 Walnut St. 

Revolution Books Jan. 25: 6:15 p.m., Eric Schlosser, Author of “Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the American Meal,” will appear for a book signing. 2425 Channing Way, 848-1196.  

Poetry 

Poetry Flash @ Cody’s Jan. 16: Tea Party magazine reading with Ariel, Rita Boagert, Daniel Y. Harris, Denise Mewbourne, Judith Offer, Andrena Zawinski; Jan. 23: Paul Hoover and Elizabeth Robinson; Jan. 27: Wanda Coleman, Austin Straus and Kate Gale; Jan. 30 Ralph Angel and George Higgins; All events begin at 7:30 p.m., $2 donation. 2454 Telegraph Ave., 845-7852. 

Tours 

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

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. 

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; $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 “Kwanzaa Community Celebration” Dec. 30: 12-4 p.m., Nia Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that honors black family history; Through Jan. 13: Grand Lyricist: The Art of Elmer Bischoff, featuring paintings and works on paper that trace the evolution of Bischoff’s career. $6 adults, $4 seniors and students, children under 5 free. Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 5 p.m.; 1000 Oak St., Oakland, 238-2200, 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. - 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 and Pacific Film Archive “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. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; 2626 Bancroft Way, 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

Lawrence Hall of Science Through Jan. 26: Scream Machines: The Science of Roller Coasters; “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; Open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley, 642-5132, www.lawrencehallofscience.org. 

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, www.lhs.berkeley.edu. 

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

Freshman has 17 rebounds and 5 blocks 

The Cal Bears held Washington to just five field goals in the second half and freshman center Jamal Sampson set career highs for rebounds and blocks as Cal remained undefeated at home this season with a 62-50 win over the Huskies on Thursday at Haas Pavilion. 

Sampson had 17 rebounds and 5 blocks to go with 15 points in the victory. The rebounds were the second-most ever by a Cal freshman. Shareef Abdur-Raheem had 18 boards at Washington State on Jan. 25, 1996. 

Joe Shipp led the Bears (12-3, 3-2 Pac-10) with 18 points, but it was Sampson who was the game’s dominant force. He led Cal back from a 33-31 deficit at halftime, throwing an outlet pass to Shipp for the first score of the half, then getting the bucket and drawing a foul on a drive. He missed the free throw, but guard Dennis Gates tipped in the miss for a 37-35 lead, and the Huskies would never lead again. Although they would cut the Cal lead to 53-48 with just over two minutes left in the game on a Curtis Allen 3-pointer, the Bears hit their free throws down the stretch to pull away. 

The Bears didn’t exactly light it up on offense either, shooting just 33 percent on the night. Their defense carried them, as it has in most of their wins this season. 

“We’ve struggled on offense, and we’ve been winning ugly lately,” point guard Shantay Legans said. “I’m just waiting for everyone to play good at once.” 

Freshman forward Amit Tamir struggled mightily against the Huskies despite having a big size advantage for most of the night. With 6-foot-6 Grant Leep guarding him, he shot just 1-of-10 and didn’t get to the free-throw line in 26 minutes. He also had only 2 rebounds. 

“Amit got some good looks tonight, but they just didn’t go in,” Braun said. “He rushed a little bit. If he doesn’t get the shot, he has to get the foul.” 

“Sampson obviously had a big impact,” Washington head coach Bob Bender said. “He made us change what we did on defense, and he obviously affected our offense.” 

The Huskies (7-10, 1-6) shot just 16 percent from the field in the second half, as Bender’s only legitimate big man, 6-foot-11 David Dixon, got into foul trouble and played just 13 minutes in the half before fouling out. With no player taller than 6-foot-8 on the floor for Washington, Sampson dominated the boards on both ends and stifled the Huskies’ offense inside. 

Sampson admitted that he has been practicing harder lately because the Cal coaches have been on him about letting Cal’s wingmen like Brian Wethers out-rebound him.  

“I was sick of hearing the coaches say the big men weren’t rebounding,” Sampson said with a smile. “I won’t have to hear that tonight.” 

Cal head coach Ben Braun said Thursday’s effort should be a constant from the freshman. 

“I told Jamal he could have had 20 (rebounds) if he hadn’t let a couple get by him,” Braun said. “Before the game I asked him to get 10-plus tonight, and he did a little better than that.” 

The Huskies looked lost on offense for most of the game, with forward Doug Wrenn their only good threat. Wrenn scored a game-high 19 points, but shot just 6-of-18 from the floor and committed 7 turnovers, facing constant double-teams from the Bears. 

Point guard Allen was the only other Husky to score in double figures with 11 points, but he was invisible after scoring 8 points in the game’s first six minutes. He didn’t score again until his 3-pointer with two minutes left in the game, and had more turnovers than assists. 

Thursday also marked the return of Solomon Hughes to the Cal lineup. The senior center missed the last five games with a knee injury, but looked solid in his limited playing time against Washington, scoring 5 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. 

“Solomon’s going to be fine,” Braun said. “He was a little sore, but he’s okay. I think he’ll get more minutes on Saturday (against Washington State).” 

With the return of Hughes, it will be interesting to see how Braun doles out the minutes between him, Sampson and Tamir. Tamir and Sampson have yet to play their best together in the same game, so Braun could choose to rotate them alongside Hughes.

Superintendent Michele Lawrence met in closed session Tuesday with about 30 teachers from the three major schools-within-a-school at Berkeley High School, where ideas for expanding the autonomy of small schools were discussed. 

Advocates say the changes would strengthen small schools and improve conditions for students and teachers, but some in the district say the proposed reforms are flawed. 

Representatives from the three programs – Common Ground, Communications/Arts/Science and the Computer Academy – focused on six proposals or areas of concern. 

• First, teachers talked of developing a consortium of the small schools, with its own administrative structure, that would be on par with the high school’s central administration. 

• Second, several teachers said they would like small schools classrooms to be in closer proximity to each other. This proximity, they say, would help to develop a sense of community and encourage inter-classroom collaboration. 

• Small schools representatives also called for greater power over curriculum development, hiring decisions and scheduling.  

• In addition, several teachers suggested that the schools-within-a-school should have control over a share of the high school budget commensurate with student enrollment in Common Ground, CAS and the Computer Academy.  

Currently, the programs serve about 800 of 3,200 students at BHS. Each small school emphasizes core subjects like math and English, but organizes itself around a different theme. Common Ground focuses on environmental issues, CAS is centered on social justice and emphasizes the humanities and media literacy and the Computer Academy hones technological skills. 

Several teachers in the existing small schools have clashed with Lawrence this year about a proposal, offered by a community group called the Coalition for Excellence and Equity, to shift BHS to a wall-to-wall small schools model by 2003. Advocates say the reform would help to ease the “achievement gap” separating white and minority students.  

Lawrence has voiced her support for the concept of small schools, but has also argued that a district in budgetary trouble, with basic systems broken, is not yet ready for wholesale change at the high school level. 

Despite the conflict over wall-to-wall reform, several teachers who attended the Tuesday meeting said they were pleased with the Superintendent’s response to their proposals for the existing small schools.  

Lawrence, who convened the Tuesday meeting, has repeatedly indicated that she believes the existing small schools should receive support, even if a rapid, wholesale shift to small schools is not in the cards. 

“I was pretty impressed, actually,” said Bill Pratt, a history teacher in the CAS program, discussing the Superintendent’s conduct in the meeting. “On both sides ... the sense of good will and ability to work together is going to depend on what we’re actually able to accomplish. But, overall, I thought she listened well.” 

The Daily Planet could not reach Lawrence by deadline Thursday, but several people who attended the meeting said the superintendent repeatedly expressed support for the concept of small schools, while warning that the budget crunch might prevent any costly reforms. 

A team of fiscal crisis managers, composed of state and county officials, just announced last week that the district is facing a $1.6 million budget shortfall for the current fiscal year. The managers are projecting a $7.8 million deficit next year. 

Joaquin Rivera, vice president of the Board of Education, said the deficit would make the creation of a small schools consortium, with its own administrative structure, difficult. 

“At this point, I do not see how the budget situation would allow us to do that,” he said. 

But Dana Richards, a social sciences teacher and director of Common Ground, said that all of the small schools proposals, including the consortium initiative, are cost-neutral. He said that, with administrative responsibility for hundreds of students moving to the small schools office, BHS could simply transfer the appropriate administrative resources from central administration to the small schools. 

Mike Hassett, vice principal at BHS, said he was amenable to some of the proposed reforms. He said the small schools could have greater control over their own curricula, for example, as long as their classes met state standards. 

But, Hassett said he had a problem with the proposal for greater scheduling control. He said the high school’s experience with Common Ground, which moved to a block scheduling system this year, illustrates some of his concerns. 

Students at Common Ground take a limited number of classes each semester, with double periods, finishing a year’s work in several months time. The idea is to focus students attention on a few subjects at a time. 

Hassett said the clash between the Common Ground and larger high school schedules has created a number of problems, particularly for students who want to move in or out of the program at mid-year. 

“There are issues with inconsistent schedules between schools,” Richards acknowledged. “But we’ve been down the path of uniformity, one size fits all, and the result of that is bureaucracy and multiple kinds of failure: The failure of students ... and the failure to inspire.” 

Rick Ayers, head of the CAS program, said the cumulative effect of all the reforms would be to strengthen small schools programs that do not have the autonomy they need to survive. 

“We’re not institutionalized,” he said. “We’re not viable long-term. We’re dependent on the hard work of a small number of teachers.” 

But, not all the small schools teachers are ready to hop on board with the reforms just yet. Leaders of CAS and Common Ground, which are relatively new programs, are actively endorsing the proposed reforms, while acknowledging that there is still much to be worked out. 

Flora Russ, director of the Computer Academy, which has been in existence for 12 years, is more circumspect. She said many of the issues raised Tuesday are important ones, but she emphasized that the discussion has just begun.  

“There were not solutions,” she said, describing the back-and-forth at the Tuesday meeting, “this was opening the discussion.” 

Russ added that the computer Academy has tended to work within the high school system since its inception. 

Lawrence will meet with the small schools teachers again on Jan. 22.  

LAS VEGAS — Would-be contestants answered the call to “come on down” in a big way Thursday, overwhelming “The Price is Right” in hopes of being on the program’s 30th anniversary show. 

“It’s gone way beyond what we expected,” said Henri Bollinger, spokesman for the weekday program that picked Las Vegas for its first-ever taping away from CBS Television City in Hollywood. 

“There are thousands of people out there,” Bollinger said of a line that formed before dawn — more than 14 hours before a scheduled 7 p.m. taping in the Rio hotel-casino’s 1,500-seat Samba Theater. “There’s no way we can get everybody in.” 

Bollinger said 900 tickets were being handed out to potential contestants on a first-come, first-served basis, and 100 more standby tickets would be issued. The remaining seats have been given to 500 invited guests who won’t have a chance to be on the game show. 

Las Vegas police spokesman Tirso Dominguez said the crowd outside the hotel west of the Las Vegas Strip was orderly and no arrests were reported. 

Bob Barker, the show’s host and executive producer, said Wednesday that he thought it would be fun to take the show on the road for the first time in 30 years. 

“The Price is Right” is the longest running game show in television history, surpassing 18 seasons of “What’s My Line?” 

The Las Vegas show was to be taped and aired at 8 p.m. Jan. 31. 

Las Vegas was chosen for the show’s first on-location taping because of its glamour and because the city’s visitors reflect a wide cross-section of the program’s audience, Barker said. 

“The taping will give hundreds of people, who would otherwise be unable to participate, a chance to personally experience the show live,” he said. “And Las Vegas is still one of the most exciting places in the world.” 

Also on hand for the taping will be show announcer Rod Roddy and “Barker’s Beauties,” show models Claudia Jordan, Heather Kozar and Nikki Ziering. 

The audience in the Bob Barker Studio in Hollywood usually numbers 320 people. Bollinger said producers sometimes handle as many as 1,000 contestant hopefuls in a day. 

Barker said Wednesday there were hints that there might be a ticket crush in Las Vegas. 

“The first time I mentioned the Las Vegas show (on the air) was Dec. 17,” he said. “We had a frantic call from the Rio that they were being inundated with phone calls. They had 7,000 calls (from people wanting tickets) that day.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.cbs.com/daytime/price/ 

If you are a car owner tired of orbiting your home and workplace looking for parking, only to return and find a parking ticket that seems to mock you as it flaps in the wind, there may be another option. 

The City Council unanimously approved $55,000 as seed money for the City CarShare program, which will allow members to access an automobile to run errands, pick up groceries or take trips out of town without the economic burden and hassles of car ownership. 

Councilmember Linda Maio said she has been a strong advocate of CarShare and is looking forward to seeing how the program will fair in Berkeley.  

“If we really want to cut down on the number of cars on our streets, this is a great way to do it,” she said.  

For a $300 deposit and a $10 monthly fee, members can have access to a new, lime green Volkswagen Beetle. For each trip, members will also be charged $2.50 per hour and 45 cents for each mile. 

The program starts with two cars in Berkeley, but CarShare’s East Bay Director Daryl Norcott said the goal is to have five cars available within months. Initially one car will be kept at the Oxford-Kittridge parking lot and the other at the Berkeley Way lot between Shattuck Avenue and Milvia Street. Both lots are city owned. CarShare members also have access to 35 cars in the San Francisco program and two in Oakland’s program. 

According to Norcott, CarShare’s goal is to grow the program to include parking lots south of campus and in the Elmwood Neighborhood. He said there are already 30 members in Berkeley’s program. 

“We want to make this program attractive to households who already have one car and don’t want to buy another, and to people who can afford a car but don’t want the hassles of ownership,” he said. “We want to make CarShare as attractive and feasible as possible to people in the low- to moderate-income ranges.” 

Cory Levenberg, who owns 42, INC., a information systems consulting business with eight employees, uses CarShare as company transportation.  

“This program has been economically very valuable,” said Levenberg who renounced personal car ownership in 1999. “Before this we primarily used BART and cabs.” 

Levenberg, who’s office is in the heart of downtown Berkeley, said parking is a challenge here and nearly impossible in San Francisco where his employees often travel for work. 

“Now we just hop on downtown BART and then pick up a car in the city,” he said.  

Deputy City Manager Phil Kamlarz said the city manager has identified transportation, traffic and parking issues as a priority for the upcoming year. 

“We are hopeful that as CarShare becomes more popular, it will reduce the need for car ownership, which will reduce traffic,” Kamlarz said. 

City CarShare’s Executive Director Elizabeth Sullivan said the organization is patterned after Mobility Car Sharing, a Swiss company that was launched in Zurich several years ago.  

“They now have 40,000 members in the entire country, which has about the same population as the Bay Area,” she said. “With those kind of numbers, you can really see how parking and traffic problems can be reduced.” 

Sullivan said Mobility Car Sharing is intimately intertwined with the National Rail System in Switzerland and that the availability of cars at or near rail stations has helped to make the program successful. 

“It’s very important for us to be similarly linked with Bay Area public transportation,” she said. “Currently we are working with BART to make cars available at the Rockridge Station parking lot.” 

For more information about City CarShare call 510-352-0323 or visit their Web site at www.sfcarshare.org.

Local girls lead Boy Scouts to  

Panama 

Two young women from Berkeley, Brianna Georgi and Baily Hopkins, flew to Panama on Saturday, leading a group of five Boy Scouts from the area in an international camping competition. 

Georgi and Baily are both Venture Scouts, a co-ed group under the auspices of the Boy Scouts organization. The Berkeley chapter of the Venture Scouts, known as “Crew 24,” is focused on “high adventure” activities such as backpacking and kayaking. 

Five adults, including parents of the four Boy Scouts, are traveling with the group as chaperones. 

According to Ellen Georgi, Brianna’s mother, scouting teams from the United States, Mexico, and various countries in Central and South America have converged in Panama. All the groups will do community service projects, examine the ecosystem of the Panama Canal, socialize, and compete in various camping activities. 

Ellen Georgi said her daughter should learn some valuable lessons about other cultures. But, she does not expect the Berkeley-area troop to win any of the camping competitions.  

“I think what she’s really getting out of this is realizing that American superiority is highly overrated,” Georgi said. 

The scouts return Monday evening. 

E-mail David Scharfenberg at scharfenberg@ berkeleydailyplanet.net with school news for “Class Notes,”appearing almost every Thursday (or Friday).

PETALUMA— A 19-year-old man’s legs were seriously injured when he fell into a portable cement mixer. 

Authorities said the man was straddling the running machine to clean it at the Pomeroy Corp. when his legs slipped into an augur, which resembles a large, open half pipe with a corkscrew drill running its length. 

The man’s legs were mangled when they were caught between the drill and the frame of the machine. He had to be cut free. 

He was taken by helicopter to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Officials there would not release his name or information about his condition, citing confidentiality laws. 

——— 

WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Members of the Windsor Town Council sided with angry neighbors Wednesday in voicing their opposition to plans for a 50-home Indian reservation just outside the city limits. 

The council didn’t name the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians or its proposed development on Windsor River Road. 

But council members outlined a letter to the Board of Supervisors, detailing their opposition to building any more homes than allowed under the Sonoma County general plan. 

The proposed reservation property is limited to 10 homes under the general plan. 

Neither the council nor the supervisors has jurisdiction over the tribe’s efforts to acquire and develop the land. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has yet to render a decision. 

In approving the letter, Windsor officials said they wanted to provide their input on a project neighbors fear could significantly alter their rural way of life. 

“I hope to preserve the rural way of life and to preserve agriculture,” Councilwoman Lynn Morehouse said. If that’s threatened, “I feel it’s appropriate to weigh in.”

NOVATO — Breast cancer rates in Marin County have jumped 20 percent in one year, increasing the already-high rates for the county, according to a recent study. 

The increase was mostly among women between 45 and 64 years old. Marin County’s breast cancer rates in that age group have been 58 percent higher than other parts of the San Francisco Bay Area and 72 percent higher than other urban areas of California. 

The reasons for the high rates are unclear. They could be due to better health screening, demographic factors or statistical flaws. 

The Northern California Cancer Center compiled statistics on cancer rates using census data and county health records. 

Tina Clarke, an epidemiologist for the center, said the higher rates could be due to a large number of women in the county who have characteristics associated with breast cancer, such as being white, having fewer children, having children later in life, and higher education or household income. 

Also, there could be a wider use of mammograms in Marin, which could mean that more cancer is being caught earlier. 

But more people are dying from breast cancer in Marin. The death rates there are 25 percent higher than around the Bay Area and other urban areas of the state. 

Breast cancer rates in the county increased 60 percent between 1991 and 1999. 

In the spring, Marin Breast Cancer Watch is expected to release its study of adolescent risk factors in developing breast cancer, and it’s also working with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory on a study by the county and the Centers for Disease Control to examine the possible relationship between breast cancer risk and exposure to environmental risk factors.

SAN FRANCISCO — Many Californians are concerned government officials will trample on civil liberties in the fight against terrorism, according to a new poll. 

A survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found that 51 percent of people questioned think the government is more likely to excessively restrict civil liberties than it is to fail to enact tough anti-terrorism laws. 

Slightly more than one third, 37 percent, are more concerned about the latter possibility. 

The poll, conducted from Dec. 26 to Jan. 10, posed questions to a random sample of 2,023 people on the social, economic and political forces shaping the state. It marks the first time since Sept. 11 the institute has probed Californians’ opinions about the anti-terrorism effort and civil liberties. 

“Californians by nature are civil libertarians,” said Mark Baldassare, a senior fellow at the institute. “They want the government to play as limited a role as possible in our daily lives.” 

Overall, 68 percent of those polled approve of Gov. Gray Davis’ handling of terrorism and security matters. 

Nearly two-thirds of those polled said they are unwilling to allow government agencies to monitor their telephone calls and e-mail on a regular basis. Slightly more than a third would be willing. 

The survey’s margin for error was plus or minus 2 percent. 

LOS ANGELES — Illegal immigrants and other students who qualify will get a big break in University of California tuition under a plan approved Thursday that will allow them to pay the same amount as California residents. 

After an emotional hearing, the UC Board of Regents voted 17-5 to approve the proposal at the close of its two-day meeting at UCLA. 

The move came only a few months after Gov. Gray Davis and the Legislature approved a bill implementing a similar tuition plan at California State University and community college campuses. 

That created a dilemma for the UC system, which had to weigh financial, legal and moral considerations in joining the initiative. 

“Talk what you will about their status, the reality is industries could not survive without the backbreaking work these people and their parents do,” said California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante, a member of the board. 

Other regents said the move was a mistake. 

“We’ve got to take care of Americans first,” said David S. Lee. “Now we’re telling the whole world just come in illegally and we will give you a good education. I don’t understand that.” 

To qualify for what amounts to an $11,000 annual tuition subsidy, students must graduate from a California high school after three years of attendance. In addition, illegal immigrants must prove they are in the process of seeking legalized residency status. 

Several hundred students already enrolled at UC campuses will get the subsidy, which reduces their tuition from $14,933 to $3,859 a year. It also opens the way for an unknown number of students to apply for an education they previously could not afford. 

The board estimated the initial cost of the change at $2 million to $4 million at a time when the tight state budget will likely limit raises for faculty and staff members and could lead to tuition increases to fund more competitive salaries. 

During their 30-minute discussion, the regents addressed a variety of issues. A key point was whether the policy will violate a federal rule forbidding in-state tuition for illegal immigrants unless the same fees apply to U.S. citizens in any state. 

“I do think we will be sued,” said regent Joanne Corday Kozberg, who nevertheless voted for the measure. 

During a public comment session earlier in the day, America Yareli Hernandez, an 18-year-old student at Fresno State, told regents she wants to transfer to a UC campus but can’t afford the expensive tuition. 

She said her parents brought her to California from Mexico when she was three months old. Since family members are still classified as temporary residents, she would have to pay out-of-state fees at UC without the new policy. 

“I feel I should have equal opportunity because I have been here all my life,” she said outside the meeting. “It’s not my fault. I didn’t make a conscious effort to arrive illegally.” 

On Wednesday, 300 students staged a boisterous demonstration in favor of the move. 

Waving signs reading “Knowledge not discrimination” and “Education is a human right,” they rallied for an hour outside the building where the regents met. 

Also on Thursday, the board approved an environmental report and master development plan for the new UC Merced campus. 

Groundbreaking is scheduled for May for the first three academic buildings, as the campus readies to receive its first 1,000 students in fall 2004. The cost of that first phase of construction is $225 million. 

UC officials said building the system’s 10th campus — its first since the 1960s — has only begun and could take decades to complete. 

“This is really just an early step in many steps that will have to be taken,” UC President Richard C. Atkinson said. 

OAKLAND — The man accused of driving into five children and a mother in a crosswalk as they headed to school faces several felony counts, including vehicular manslaughter, Oakland police said Thursday. 

Osvaldo Urzua, 41, of Oakland, was arrested Wednesday evening at about the same time a 5-year-old girl died from injuries sustained in the accident a day earlier. 

“He admitted to being in the scene and in the car,” said Oakland Police Chief Richard Word. 

Among the charges police were considering were one count of vehicular manslaughter, six counts of felony hit and run, and several lesser charges. Police said it appeared neither alcohol nor drugs was a factor. 

Investigator Dennis Franckowski said Urzua did not have a drivers license, and a background check turned up no history of prior arrest. Officials were waiting for results of a fingerprint check on Thursday. 

Police believe Urzua came to the United States from Mexico within the last five years, but they were unsure whether he was in the country legally. 

Franckowski said Urzua had shown little interest in the conditions of the victims. 

“He was concerned about the incident, but it was more about what was going to happen to him,” Franckowski said. 

The hit and run happened Tuesday morning when a green 1967 Ford Mustang sped through an Oakland intersection, hitting the six as they crossed the street. 

Witnesses said the driver was speeding, and did not attempt to slow down. The car was abandoned nearby, and the driver fled on foot. 

Ana Cerna was taken off life support at Children’s Hospital in Oakland on Wednesday afternoon, and died soon after. Juan Espinosa, 7; Anylene Espinosa, 10, and Juan Cerna, 11, were listed Thursday in fair condition with broken bones and other injuries, according to hospital spokeswoman Vanya Rainova. One-year-old Kathy Espinosa was released Wednesday. 

The mother of three of the children, Maribel Espinosa, had a broken ankle and knee. 

Urzua, who allegedly borrowed the Mustang without permission from the home where he was staying, said the car had mechanical problems, according to Franckowski. Police were checking the car for defects. 

SACRAMENTO — Pacific Gas and Electric Co. filed a $4.1 billion breach of contract claim against the state of California Thursday, saying it was prohibited from selling power from its power plants at market rates as promised under the state’s 1996 deregulation law. 

A law passed last year during the height of state’s energy crisis violates an agreement between PG&E and the state, utility lawyers said. 

That law, written by Assemblyman John Dutra, D-Fremont, prohibits utilities from selling their generating facilities until at least 2006. 

The 1996 deregulation law required utilities to sell most of their power plants, turn over management of their transmission lines to an independent grid manager and open their distribution system to competition. In return, the utilities would be allowed to sell their power plants or sell energy from their nuclear and hydroelectric plants at market rates. 

“When the state passed Assembly Bill 6x, a year ago today, they broke that agreement,” said PG&E spokesman Ron Low. 

The bill was passed with strong bipartisan support, Dutra said. It cleared the Assembly by a 61-10 vote and the Senate 30-6. 

California lawmakers approved the bill as the state’s three largest utilities, including PG&E, struggled to find energy suppliers who would sell to them. Record-high wholesale prices forced them to incur huge debts, and they couldn’t pass their costs to consumers. 

PG&E had contracts for about one-third of its power needs with renewable generators, another one-third was bought on the spot market, and the remaining power need was met by its own plants, Dutra said. 

If the utility sold its power on the spot market, it could have been purchased by energy marketers who would mark it up and sell it back to the utility at much higher prices, he said. At the time, spot market prices were hitting 60 cents a kilowatt hour. 

Critics of the deregulation plan said having utilities purchase their power from outside suppliers contributed to a huge increase in wholesale energy prices. 

By not selling power from those plants on the open market, PG&E officials estimate, they lost $4.1 billion in potential revenue. 

Dutra said the utility, which declared bankruptcy in April, may want the law repealed to make its proposed reorganization work. 

PG&E’s plan would split it from its parent company, PG&E Corp., and transfer generating and electric and gas transmission assets to form three new companies. 

The plan, Dutra said, is based on their ability to sell or transfer the plants to another company. 

Low said the filing wasn’t connected to the reorganization plan. Instead, the claim “is because of the breach of contract.” As part of the reorganization, PG&E asked the bankruptcy court to “pre-empt the minimum amount of state laws and regulations that would allow our plan to move forward.” 

AB6x was one of those laws, Low said. 

If the reorganization plan proceeds, credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s said Thursday, the proposed PG&E affiliates would receive a preliminary investment-grade rating of “BBB,” the lowest rating before junk status. 

That rating, however, depends on the federal bankruptcy judge allowing PG&E to transfer power plants, transmission lines and other assets from state to federal regulation. 

The state Public Utilities Commission opposes the reorganization and called PG&E’s claim against the state “a frivolous act of desperation.” 

“Once it became clear that deregulation meant vastly higher costs of electricity to California consumers and businesses, the Legislature wisely stepped in to prevent PG&E from selling off any more of its generation assets, particularly its extensive hydroelectric facilities,” the PUC said in a statement. 

PG&E’s claim with the State Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board came on the one-year anniversary of the Legislature’s approval of a bill that nullified part of the deregulation law. 

Steve Maviglio, spokesman for Gov. Gray Davis, said the governor’s advisers were reviewing the claim, but it appeared to be “another salvo against the ratepayers of the state, and now the taxpayers of the state.” 

The Victim Compensation Board is funded by tax dollars, he said. 

——— 

On the Net: 

PG&E: http://www.pge.com 

Read AB6x at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov 

TUCSON, Ariz. — Two A-10 attack jets from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base collided and crashed Thursday in a desert area just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, killing one pilot, a military spokesman said. 

Base officials said the second pilot was airlifted to a Sierra Vista hospital, where he was in stable condition. 

The single-seat Thunderbolt II jets, assigned to the 355th Wing at the Tucson base, were on a training mission when they crashed about 25 miles east of Douglas at about 3 p.m. MST, base spokesman Master Sgt. Dan Carpenter said. A third aircraft involved in the mission returned safely to the base. 

There was no immediate word on a possible cause. Neither pilot was identified immediately, pending notification of their families. 

The crash site was in a rugged area north of the U.S.-Mexico border in the southeast corner of Arizona.  

Francisco Honne, a Douglas Fire Department firefighter who went to the crash site, said he could see military helicopters circling the wreckage Thursday afternoon. 

The clinical nursing supervisor at Sierra Vista Regional Health Center said one pilot was brought to the hospital. 

Bridget Schuldies wouldn’t disclose the pilot’s name or injuries. 

“He’s been X-rayed, he’s walking and talking,” said Schuldies. 

Davis-Monthan’s 355th Wing, with more than 6,100 personnel, has six flying squadrons. 

Its fleet and missions include close air support, forward air controllers, air liaison officers, EC-130 aircraft for command, control and communications warfare, air control radar and combat support forces. 

The wing also trains all pilots and crews flying A-10, OA-10 and EC-130 planes. 

The A-10 aircraft, used in close air support of ground forces, gained fame during the Gulf War when they attacked Iraqi tanks. 

The last crash involving an A-10 from Davis-Monthan occurred in May 1998 a few miles southwest of Tucson’s Kitt Peak. 

Capt. Christopher Hamilton of the Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., ejected before the crash and suffered only minor injuries. 

Pilot Amy Svoboda died when her A-10 crashed in May 1997 during a night mission over the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range in southwestern Arizona. 

One month earlier, an A-10 Thunderbolt flown by Capt. Craig Button vanished after it mysteriously broke off from a training mission heading for the Goldwater desert range. 

The wreckage of the bomb-laden jet was found 2 1/2 weeks later on a snowy mountainside in the Colorado Rockies, with Button’s remains in the wreckage. 

LOS ANGELES — Nine airport security screeners who could lose their jobs under a new federal law that says only U.S. citizens can work as screeners filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging it is unconstitutional and discriminatory. 

In what lawyers called the first such case in the nation, the screeners are suing Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta and John Magaw, the undersecretary of transportation for security, who are responsible for carrying out the new airport security law. 

About 20 percent of the nation’s 28,000 screeners are not citizens. 

A provision of the law discriminates against non-citizens and compromises airport security by eliminating experienced screeners, said Ben Wizner of the ACLU of Southern California, an attorney for the plaintiffs. 

Transportation security administration spokesman Hank Price said he could not comment on ongoing litigation. 

The new law affects the many immigrants who work in low-paying screening jobs, said Eliseo Medina, executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union, which represents 2,000 screeners in California and several other states. 

“When I learned about this law, I was deeply hurt,” said plaintiff Vicente Crisologo, who has worked at San Francisco International Airport in screening, security and customer service for more than two years. 

“I wonder if our honorable senators and congressmen have forgotten that once upon a time their ancestors or their forefathers were once immigrants, too.” 

Crisologo, a permanent legal resident, came to the United States from the Philippines about three years ago to be closer to his son and two grandchildren. The former pharmaceutical company sales manager won’t be eligible to apply for citizenship for another two years. 

The citizenship requirements will be felt keenly at San Francisco airport, where about 80 percent of its 800 screeners are not citizens, and at Los Angeles International Airport, where an estimated 40 percent of the 1,000 screeners are non-citizens. 

About 70 percent of screeners at Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports are not citizens, and more than 80 percent of screeners at Sacramento and Dulles airports are not citizens, according to the complaint, filed in United States District Court in Los Angeles. 

The citizenship requirements are unfair, Medina said, noting that they don’t apply to others at the airport, including National Guards, pilots, flight attendants and mechanics. 

——  

Associated Press Minority Issues Writer Deborah Kong contributed to this report. 

We live, work and play in the town where we were born and raised — Pittsburg, Calif. 

Urban renewal hit our downtown in the early ’70s. Dozens of turn-of-the century buildings were leveled to make room for a new waterfront complex and new housing developments. What was once our local business district — and the epitome of small-town America — disappeared. Since then there have been repeated attempts to revive the old area. And although several of the old buildings have been restored, the downtown area as we once knew it has vaporized. 

Only one of the original businesses still survives — The New Mecca Cafe. It’s been there since we were kids. The man who owns it is from Mexico and its food is known for hundreds of miles around. Everyone knows where the Mecca is. The food served there today tastes as it did 30 years ago. Even the metal ceiling — an excellent example of restoration (restored about 20 years ago) — looks precisely as it did when the old building was originally built in the early 1900s. 

Our downtown may not have survived, but experts say there is a resurgence of interest in old-fashioned architectural finishes — and in particular, metal ceilings. 

The Internet lists many companies that offer metal ceiling tiles in all shapes and sizes. Ceiling tiles aren’t made just of metal anymore. New offerings are available in plastic and in fibrous acoustic materials. For more on what’s available on the Internet, go to your favorite search engine and type in “metal ceiling tile.” 

Metal tiles used to be made of plated brass and painted copper and were usually found in 1-by-1, 1-by-2, 2-by-4 and 4-by-8 sizes (all sizes are in feet). They were tacked to wooden furring strips spaced 12 inches apart. Crown moldings, borders and center medallions also were available. 

All of those shapes, sizes and accessories still are available. You now can make a ceiling in your home look like the turn-of-the-century ceiling you used to see at the old five-and-dime store. Wall panels still can be found as well. 

However, ornate as they might be, metal panels are not acoustically sound. You could be asking for reverberations galore by installing metal surfaces in some modern homes. Metal ceilings most often were used in commercial buildings, and therefore were usually 20 to 30 feet up. It’s hard to see installation details (nails and seams) from such a distance. And the acoustics in a store with a high ceiling are quite different from those in a home with a much lower ceiling. 

We love metal ceilings, but there is a place for everything and everything has its place. Metal ceiling tiles work well on large, high ceilings. The reason is that the smallest tile is 1-foot square — not small by tile standards. Using large metal tiles in small rooms and halls was once popular, but today’s ceilings are lower, and that can make a difference. 

If you have the right place for a metal tile ceiling, you will need to install a grid of wooden furring strips. The spacing of the strips will depend on the size of the tiles that you purchase. Some sculpted tiles that can be glued into place are available. How easy can it get? In any event, you must select the tile before deciding on the installation method. 

Tiling a ceiling is no different from tiling a floor or a counter. A good job cannot be achieved unless the tiles are laid out first. In most cases, you will start with the first tile centered in both directions in the room. In this way, opposing edges will match in width, and the result will be more uniform. By drawing an X in the room (from corner to corner) you can locate the center.  

To make the job a little easier, draw the ceiling to scale on a piece of paper. It will give you a better idea of where things eventually will be placed. 

For more home improvement tips and information visit our Web site at www.onthehouse.com. 

Tips of the week:  

Toilet Flush

If your toilet is not flushing properly, you might think it’s low water pressure that’s causing the problem. But pressure has nothing to do with it. The water in the tank does the job. It fills the bowl and starts the flush-and-siphon action, and the p-trap below completes it. Gravity starts a flush, and natural siphoning draws it through. When a toilet doesn’t work right, something is inhibiting water flow. Maybe a line is blocked; or water ports under the rim are clogged; or the tank is not full enough. First check the tank’s water level. If it’s low, adjust it by raising the float. Then try cleaning the water ports using white vinegar and a coat hanger. If that doesn’t do it, call in a sewer and drain specialist.  

Low-voltage Lighting

Are your outdoor security lights on all night? Beautify, protect and save energy with low-voltage lighting instead. It’s a smart replacement for outdoor floor lighting. Do-it-yourself systems are easy to install, and they plug into any standard 110-volt outlet. Sets have walkway lights with optional floodlights and color lenses for dramatic landscape lighting. Versatile and beautiful when in place, some sets use only 11 watts per light, and cost less than a single 110-volt floodlight to operate. And, because they don’t use enough current to be dangerous, even a novice can install them without concern for fire or shock. It isn’t necessary to remove your old security lights. Instead, add a motion-sensor switch on each, and you’ll have the best of both worlds — beautiful low voltage, energy-saving lighting and brilliant 110-volt security when things go bump in the night.

You either like the look of a tree that has been pollarded, or you do not. It’s not a natural look. This time of year, a pollarded tree presents a trunk capped by a clubbed head, or a trunk with short limbs that are capped by clubbed heads. 

In summer, a mass of vigorous shoots wildly bursts forth from that head or heads. Pollarding is useful for lending a formal appearance to a tree, and for controlling the size of an otherwise large-growing tree. 

Pollarding, which originated centuries ago in Europe, is a specialized technique arrived out of need, as a means to harvest firewood without killing a tree or letting sprouts near ground level be munched by grazing animals. 

Deciduous, fast-growing trees that do not mind being cut, repeatedly are ideal candidates for pollarding. Such trees include tree-of-heaven, black locust, catalpa, chestnut, horse chestnut, linden, London plane tree, princess tree, sycamore and willow. 

You can start creating a pollarded tree right now. Remove branches along the trunk of a young tree to give the tree a high head, with at least 5 or 6 feet of clear trunk. You determine how high a head you want for your tree — it’s all for looks. 

For the pollarded tree destined to become a trunk with a clubbed head, cut back the trunk sometime in winter to the height you want for that head. 

If your pollarded tree is to have stubby limbs growing off the trunk, still plan for a clear trunk of at least 5 or 6 feet. 

But above that length of clear trunk, select some well-spaced limbs.  

Cut off the trunk above the top limb, as well as any other limbs, then shorten limbs that you saved to 2 feet to 5 feet. Also remove any side branches growing off saved limbs. 

A pollarded tree needs to be pruned every winter, or at least every second or third winter.  

Pruning is easy: Just lop all young stems back to within a half-inch or so of where they began growing the previous season. Repeatedly lopping stems back to that point is what develops a knob atop the trunk or at the ends of the scaffold limbs. 

Prune early enough each winter so that you can enjoy the curious look of your pollarded tree when it is leafless.

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge has denounced AT&T’s private system of resolving disputes as an “illegal and unconscionable” attempt to deprive telephone customers of their legal rights. 

On Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bernard Zimmerman found that AT&T’s arbitration system puts long-distance customers at a disadvantage. Binding arbitration is a quasi-legal process of resolving disputes without laws, juries or constitutional rights. 

Zimmerman’s ruling strikes down AT&T’s attempt in August to impose rules on California customers that would have barred them from joining in class-action suits, limited damages for fraud and other intentional wrongdoing and made filing complaints in certain cases prohibitively expensive. 

“It is not just that AT&T wants to litigate in the forum of its choice — arbitration,” Zimmerman wrote. “It is that AT&T wants to make it very difficult for anyone to effectively vindicate her rights, even in that forum.” 

AT&T spokesman Gordon Diamond said Thursday that binding arbitration is a quick and convenient way to resolve disputes and that AT&T settles the overwhelming majority of its disputes over the phone. 

“This is a process that’s widely used in the wireless industry, the credit card industry, it’s not something that’s unique to AT&T,” Diamond said. AT&T plans to appeal the decision, he said. 

Zimmerman’s decision came a day after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an arbitration agreement could not block a federal agency from seeking damages in court for victims of employment discrimination. 

Together, the cases indicate a potential shift in the consistent support from federal courts for corporate policies that force employees, stockholders, patients and other consumers into binding arbitration.

SAN JOSE — Two days after reporting record profits, eBay Inc. said Thursday it will raise many of the fees it charges to sell items on the site. 

Starting Jan. 31, eBay will take a commission of 5.25 percent, instead of 5 percent, on items that sell for less than $25. The rate is rising to 2.75 percent, from 2.5 percent, on items between $25 and $1,000, and to 1.50 percent, from 1.25 percent, on sales of more than $1,000. 

The San Jose-based company also will begin charging five cents for all products listed with the “buy it now” feature rather than in the typical auction format. EBay says 45 percent of all items on the site are sold with that fixed-price option. 

Among the other increases: it will cost $40, up from $25, to offer and to sell a car on eBay, with an extra 50 cents for motorcycles sold with the “buy it now” option and $1 for other vehicles sold that way. 

San Jose-based eBay said in a message posted on the site that “we do not raise fees lightly or without considering the impact to our community.” But it said the higher fees would help the company invest in better technology, marketing and customer support, and did not rule out the possibility more increases could come this year. 

Some of eBay’s 42.4 million registered users posted critical comments about the fee increases on the site’s message boards almost immediately. 

One seller estimated the new fee structure would increase his or her monthly costs by $100, more than 6 percent. Another wrote: “You know, it isn’t much, but it seems a slap in the face when they have to KNOW how most of us are struggling.” 

But eBay spokesman Kevin Pursglove said most eBay users will realize the increases are reasonable. 

“Many of them are running a business, too. They understand the need for businesses to adjust fees from time to time,” Pursglove said. “The dustbins of the New Economy are crowded with companies that didn’t take the appropriate financial or fiduciary steps to bring in new revenues.” 

EBay said Tuesday it earned $90.4 million in 2001, on revenue of $748.8 million. The company expects to break through the $1 billion sales mark this year. 

Although the use of the “buy it now” function helps eBay by increasing the pace at which items are sold on the site, Pursglove said it was fair to begin charging a fee for it because sellers who use it have another way of drawing attention to their products that auction sellers do not. 

Shares of eBay rose $1.67, nearly 3 percent, to $61.61 on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

TORONTO — Nortel Networks posted a $1.83 billion loss in the fourth quarter of 2001, bringing its total loss for 2001 to $27.3 billion, the company announced Thursday. 

The results included a loss of 57 cents a share in the final quarter of a year in which Nortel saw its work force cut by half and stock prices fall from triple digits to below $10 a share. 

Despite the losses, the results were better than a forecast issued Dec. 21 that predicted a fourth-quarter loss of 61 cents a share. 

Revenue for the quarter was $3.46 billion, far less than the $8.2 billion in the same quarter a year ago but better than the $3.4 billion forecast last month. 

In its announcement, Nortel said it expected to return a profit in the fourth quarter of 2002. 

The company’s stock has plunged 90 percent in less than a year, losing more than $300 billion in market value. 

Nortel has been troubled for almost a year because of problems that have dominated the meltdown of the technology industry: misguided acquisitions at sky-high prices, overly aggressive expansion, risky lending practices with new customers and a tendency toward exuberant forecasts. 

The company is cutting its work force to 45,000 from nearly 95,000 workers.

SAN FRANCISCO — Hammered by a high-tech bust that shrank incomes and lengthened unemployment lines, Silicon Valley apartment rents dropped 22 percent during 2001, the biggest change in the West, according to a real estate study obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. 

The average monthly rent for an apartment in Santa Clara County — the Silicon Valley’s heart — stood at $1,507 in the fourth quarter, down from $1,935 a year earlier, according to RealFacts, a Novato-based firm that surveyed 6,000 apartment complexes in 19 major markets west of the Mississippi River. 

The San Francisco Bay area was the only major Western market where average rents fell in 2001, although the increases weren’t significant in most other regions, according to the study. 

RealFacts said average rents in 2001 fluctuated by less than 4 percent in every major market outside California except Seattle and Oklahoma City, where rents climbed by 4.1 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively. 

The about-face in Santa Clara County’s apartment rents — adding up to an average annual savings of $5,136 in housing costs — illustrates the severity of a high-tech downturn that has trimmed the paychecks of many Silicon Valley workers and left a growing number without jobs. 

The fallout also depressed rents in two other tech-driven markets — the San Francisco metropolitan area, where average monthly rents fell to $1,738, down 15 percent from the prior year, and the Oakland metropolitan area, where rents dropped to $1,269, down 8 percent. 

Even with four consecutive quarters of declining rents, the three-county San Francisco metro area remains by far the most expensive market in the West, RealFacts said. Santa Clara County and the two-county Oakland metro area are the next most expensive. 

Los Angeles County, where 2001 rents rose 4 percent to $1,220 per month, is the West’s most expensive market outside the San Francisco Bay area, RealFacts said. 

The Sacramento metropolitan area — home to California’s original Gold Rush in the 19th century — emerged as the West’s hottest rental market during 2001. Rents in the three-county market located 90 miles east of San Francisco averaged $843 per month in the fourth quarter, a 10 percent increase from $769 in the prior year. 

The next-strongest market was at the other end of California, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, where fourth-quarter rents averaged $831 per month, a 7.4 percent increase from the prior year. 

Rents typically move in inverse direction of the unemployment rate — a pattern holding true in the San Francisco Bay area, where the high-tech industry accounts for 11 percent of the region’s nonfarm jobs and nearly one-third of the wages, according to a Federal Reserve Bank study. 

When the high-tech industry’s fortunes were soaring in 2000, just about everyone who wanted a job in the Silicon Valley had one and demand for housing was at its peak, enabling landlords to demand a premium price for a place to live. 

In December 2000, the unemployment rate in Santa Clara County was just 1.3 percent, according to state statistics. A year later, Santa Clara County’s unemployment stood at 6.1 percent, translating into an additional 48,100 people looking for work. 

The meltdown is driving many renters out of the area, with some fleeing to less expensive markets such as the Sacramento metro area, where December’s unemployment rate of 4.1 percent remained unchanged from the prior year. 

The apartment vacancy rate in Santa Clara County rose to 7.2 percent in the fourth quarter, up from 1.5 percent in the prior year, RealFacts said. Meanwhile, Sacramento’s apartment vacancy rate was 4.4 percent in the fourth quarter, up from 2.9 percent in the prior year. 

A vacancy rate of 5 percent or less usually gives landlords the leverage to raise rents, RealFacts said. 

With vacancy rates rising, Silicon Valley rents are falling at an accelerating rate. Santa Clara County’s average rent fell 10.6 percent from Sept. 30 to Dec. 31 — the sharpest three-month decline during the 12 years that RealFacts has been tracking that market. 

San Francisco Bay area landlords still collect far more money than they did a few years ago, when a proliferation of free-spending Internet start-ups injected billions of dollars into the local economy. In 1995, Santa Clara County rents averaged $906 per month and the San Francisco metro area averaged $972, RealFacts said. 

——— 

On The Net: 

http://www.realfacts.com 

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court appeared ready Thursday to pull the plug on two California city ordinances regulating fees that banks can charge ATM users. 

The fees in question are those levied by banks on customers who use their ATM machines but do not have an account with that bank. The fees can be as much as $2.50 a transaction. The banks do not charge their own customers such fees. 

During an hour of oral arguments Thursday before a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the judges appeared unmoved by lawyers defending the ordinances banning those fees in San Francisco and Santa Monica. 

“What’s the constitutional problem to charge what you want?” Judge Joseph Sneed asked. 

Judge Stephen Trott added: “You are asking them to provide a free service?” 

In July 2000, U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker in San Francisco struck down the two ATM fee bans — one approved by San Francisco voters and another approved by Santa Monica’s City Council that year. 

Walker ruled that any local ordinances restricting automated teller machine surcharges violate both the National Banking Act and the Home Owners Loan Act, which govern nationally chartered banks and federal savings banks. 

In essence, Walker said that those congressional acts precluded local entities from enacting such legislation. 

San Francisco and Santa Monica noted that federal banking laws do bar local governments from enacting a host of rules on banks, such as regulating certain advertising practices, where they can place ATM machines and whether they can sell insurance. 

But they argued to the appeals judges that they can ban the ATM charges under state consumer protection laws. The states, San Francisco attorney Owen Martikan said, hold the “right to protect the interests of their consumers.” 

Trott later responded: “You’re prohibiting what federal law allows.” 

California cities are not the only ones embroiled in such litigation. 

Several banking concerns are suing Iowa to overturn that state’s ban on ATM surcharges. And Arkansas, Missouri and Wyoming regulate the amount of those fees the banks can charge. 

Banks say they need the surcharges to pay for expanding their ATM networks. Consumer organizations that sponsored the San Francisco and Santa Monica bans, the first by U.S. cities, say the fees merely pad bank profits. 

The circuit did not indicate when it would rule. 

The case is Bank of America v. Santa Monica, 00-16355.

SAN FRANCISCO — In his first public comments since his release from prison, former Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee quipped Thursday that if he could turn the clock back 20 years, he would go to work for IBM or Intel, develop semiconductors and “make big money.” 

Lee spoke briefly and answered a few questions from a crowd of about 100 who had gathered at a downtown bookstore. 

San Francisco was the second stop for Lee and his co-author, Helen Zia, who were promoting Lee’s memoir, “My Country Versus Me.” 

“I wrote the book because I want to tell all the American people the true story of my ordeal, step by step, and how I went through all this,” said Lee, 62, a Taiwanese-born naturalized citizen. 

Lee was arrested in December 1999 and indicted on 59 felony counts alleging he transferred nuclear weapons information to unsecure computers and tape. He was held in solitary confinement for nine months, though never charged with spying. 

He read a short passage from his book about his first time in prison: 

“Not knowing my rights as an American to be free of cruel and unusual punishment,” Lee read, “I was constantly cold, shivering most of the time because all I had was a red jumpsuit ... an undershirt and two very thin blankets.” 

Lee, who believes the FBI wanted him to be “as miserable as possible,” said that during his incarceration he worried most about his lost reputation. 

“You don’t know how important reputation and dignity are until you’ve lost them,” he said. 

In September 2000, Lee pleaded guilty to a single count of downloading sensitive material and was set free. 

He said Thursday he had downloaded the files for “safety reasons” because he had lost files in the past after Los Alamos changed computer systems. 

“If I could turn my clock back 20 years, I would probably go to work in industry,” he said. “IBM or Intel ... and make big money.” 

Despite his experiences, Lee, dressed in a suit and tie, was gracious, soft-spoken and appreciative of his audience. 

“I do believe the American system is the best system in the world,” he said. “However, I want to say when the system is handled by the wrong people, our lives can be very miserable. ... I hope they don’t make a mistake again.” 

The Lee investigation caused nearly two years of controversy and heated exchanges in Congress over the alleged loss of nuclear secrets to China and lax security at the Energy Department’s nuclear weapons laboratories.

SACRAMENTO — The shotgun pressed against Myrna Opsahl’s left side and went off with a loud explosion. Then, fallen flat on the floor of Crocker National Bank, she began to bleed. 

“She was torn up,” said Terry Dyer, then chief of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department robbery unit. 

Opsahl was shot shortly after 9 a.m. on April 21, 1975, when four armed and masked robbers burst into the bank’s branch in suburban Carmichael. 

As she announced first-degree murder charges against five former Symbionese Liberation Army members almost 27 years later, Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully said the robbers pointed weapons “at customers and employees and threats and demands were made.” 

In Los Angeles, Oakland and Portland, Ore., Wednesday, police arrested former SLA members Emily Harris, William Harris and Michael Bortin. Sara Jane Olson, facing sentencing Friday for a failed 1975 plot to bomb a Los Angeles police car, also surrendered to police. Also charged was former SLA member James Kilgore, who’s been a fugitive since the 1970s. 

Olson’s sentencing is set for 10 a.m. Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court. She faces 20 years to life in prison for the bombing attempt, which she said was to avenge the death of six colleagues in a 1974 police shootout in Los Angeles. 

Opsahl, 42 and a mother of four, arrived at the bank as she frequently did, to drop off a collection from her Carmichael Seventh-Day Adventist Church. 

But her routine collided with the SLA and its radical agenda, a notorious after-echo of the 1960s anti-war movement. Using a seven-headed snake as its symbol, the SLA was a volatile mix of black ex-convicts and middle-class college students that achieved notoriety for bank robberies, kidnapping newspaper heiress Patty Hearst and forcing her wealthy parents, Randolph and Catherine Hearst, to distribute millions of dollars of food to the needy. 

The April 1975 robbery, Patty Hearst wrote in her 1982 book, “Every Secret Thing,” was the group’s second in Sacramento. Two months earlier, they had robbed the nearby Guild Savings and Loan for more than $3,700. 

Now, using guns bought from that heist, Hearst wrote, they were doing it again. 

As Opsahl lay dying, “the robbers stole cash from the tellers’ drawers and fled from the bank with about $15,000 in cash,” Scully said this week. 

They had a car parked across the street, former Sacramento Sheriff’s Capt. Larry Stamm recalled, and lookouts were ready to kill police who responded to the robbery. 

“They were well prepared to do that,” Stamm said. 

Bill Harris and Steven Soliah watched outside, Hearst wrote, while she and Wendy Yoshimura drove the getaway cars. Scully, using Hearst’s book and testimony she gave to authorities after her September 1975 arrest, named Emily Harris, Bortin, Kilgore and Olson, then going by her original name, Kathleen Soliah, as the robbers. Hearst also said Emily Harris shot Opsahl. 

Hearst, who now goes by her married name of Patricia Hearst Shaw, is expected to be the leading witness against the five. She, Steven Soliah and Yoshimura were granted immunity for their involvement in the robbery in exchange for their testimony before a 1991 grand jury, Scully said. 

After the robbery, Hearst wrote, the group pointed fingers over Opsahl’s killing. One called the robbery a “sloppy job” that could lead them to the gas chamber. A “simple stickup” had become a huge problem. 

Emily Harris, Hearst wrote, said the shotgun went off by accident, but that it didn’t matter. Opsahl, Hearst quoted Emily Harris as saying, “was a bourgeois pig anyway.” 

Compounding the Opsahls’ agony that day was that her husband, Trygve, was the surgeon on duty at the hospital where his wounded wife arrived. He couldn’t save her. 

Sheriff’s patrols arrived minutes after the robbers fled the scene. Dyer, whose staff was short on resources, welcomed the FBI’s help. And a federal detective, Fred Shirasago, broke a nearly 2 1/2-month mystery when he identified a fingerprint on the back of a license plate as that of an SLA member. 

“After we narrowed it down to the SLA,” Dyer said, “we knew what we were doing.” 

That led to the 1976 federal trial of Steven Soliah, who was acquitted. Soliah, claiming an alibi, said he wasn’t at the scene. Scully called his alibi “bogus” Wednesday. 

Since then, authorities have faced a long dry period. 

The 1991 grand jury failed to produce indictments. Indeed, four district attorneys didn’t bring criminal charges, Scully said, “for various legal reasons” she declined to define. 

It was the June 1999 arrest of Olson, the name Kathleen Soliah took after she fled California for a new life as a Minnesota housewife, led to a fresh review. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office reported it provided new evidence to Sacramento authorities. Opsahl’s son, Riverside doctor John Opsahl, who was 15 when his mother was killed, also publicly pressured Scully. 

After Olson pleaded guilty in October to the attempted Los Angeles bombing, Scully said, she assigned investigators to re-examine the 1975 case. That review included new evidence. 

Affidavits filed in Sacramento Superior Court for Wednesday’s arrests revealed many of the details, including items found at the SLA’s San Francisco “safe house.” The FBI also linked shotgun pellets found in Myrna Opsahl to ammunition from the SLA house. 

The files also say Olson’s palm print, taken during her 1999 arrest, matches palm prints on the door of a Sacramento garage where the group stored a getaway car. 

The City Council declared Brothers Liquors in south Berkeley a public nuisance and then revoked its operating license Tuesday after hearing contradicting public comments that told a “tale of two Brothers.” 

The store’s manager, Monsoor Ghanem, was appealing an Oct. 25 Zoning Adjustments Board decision that imposed 11 operating conditions on the business because of repeated complaints of drug dealing, excessive noise, public drunkenness and prostitution on or near its Shattuck Avenue parking lot.  

According to Ghanem’s appeal, two of the operating conditions, mandatory 9 p.m. closing time and the posting of a full-time security guard during all hours of operation, were too economically punitive and would cause Brothers Liquors to go out of business. 

Three courses of action had been available to the council: removing or modifying the 11 conditions; enforcing them as is; or closing the store by revoking its operating license. 

The council heard from more than 40 neighbors, former neighbors and customers both in support and in opposition to the liquor store located at 3039 Shattuck Ave. The council also heard a presentation by Police Lt. Allen Yuen, who said there had been 19 felony arrests on or near the store in a one-year period.  

After closing the hearing, the council broke from its usual practice of waiting until the following council meeting to take action and revoked the store’s license by a vote of 8 -1. Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek, who said she did not feel prepared to vote on the issue, was the sole vote in opposition. 

Mayor Shirley Dean had little doubt about the issue.  

“It seems to me we ought to vote tonight and we ought to vote to revoke,” Dean said. “It appears the owner has no intention of calming things down and that really makes me mad.” 

Ghanem, who operates the store for his father, Abdo Aldafari, would say only that he was shocked at the council’s decision. 

Ghanem’s attorney Thomas Swihart said his client intends to challenge the revocation in court. 

“The decision is really bizarre,” he said. “It’s like they’ve put us in a better position by revoking the license, because this will never hold up in court.” 

Once the council confirms the revocation on Jan. 22, Ghanem will have the option of appealing the decision in court or accepting the city’s order to close the store. According to Current Planning Manager Mark Rhoades, if the council decision is challenged in court, the store could stay open during its normal operating hours for as long as two years while the appeal works its way through the court system. 

“Two Brothers”  

The council heard conflicting comments from the public about the store’s impact on the neighborhood. 

Supporters described Ghanem as a hardworking benevolent store manager always considerate of his customers and the neighborhood. They also said that neighbors had exaggerated problems, claiming that they never see drug dealers, prostitutes or anyone else hanging out in front of the store. 

“I live three houses away from Brothers and I’ve never had any problem at the store,” said Theresa Heckathorne adding that “The only time I lose any sleep is when there’s a band playing at the Starry Plough.”  

The Starry Plough Pub, located at 1301 Shattuck Ave., is a block away from Brothers Liquors 

But the majority of speakers described Brothers Liquors as a hub for drug dealers, drunks, prostitutes and vandals who have had the neighborhood under siege for years. They also described Ghanem as generally hostile to neighbors and some even admitted they are afraid of him. 

“Mr. Ghanem has a long history of hostile and aggressive behavior,” said neighbor Dean Smith who said he has lived on the same block as the store for 11 years. “There has been a pattern of threats and implied violence since 1992. We are concerned for our safety and our property.” 

After the public hearing, Councilmember Kriss Worthington said he was concerned that revoking the store’s license, would not hold up in court because of the conflicting testimony. 

“Tonight we heard a tale of two Brothers,” said Worthington, who then asked City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque: “Is the evidence so dramatic and irreconcilable that we can shut the store down?” 

Albuquerque told the council there was enough evidence to close the store. “We have enough of a record here to do the entire range of remedies, including revocation,” she said.  

Albuquerque did advise the council to ask Ghanem’s attorney if his client would be willing to accept the 11 ZAB-imposed conditions prior to voting.  

Swihart said his client was not willing to accept the conditions. “They are too extreme and would, in effect, shut down the store,” he said.

Parras Vega racked up a hat trick and four other St. Mary’s players scored goals in a runaway 7-0 win over John Swett on Wednesday in Berkeley. 

The Panthers evened their BSAL record at 2-2 on the season (5-3 overall), while John Swett dropped to 0-5 overall. 

The tone of the game was set right away, as Vega took the kickoff, played a give-and-go with a teammate, then dribbled past four Swett players before sliding the ball past goalkeeper Stevani Verducci. 

“I didn’t even see the first goal,” St. Mary’s coach Donny McGuire said. “I was looking at some paperwork, and the whistle blew. I looked up and we were running back to the center circle. I had to ask one of my players what happened.” 

The Panthers would score two more goals in quick succession. The goals came from Alythea Morrell and Chelsea Sera, with Sera’s coming from a rebound off of a Vega shot. 

The only reason the score wasn’t out of hand at halftime was the solid play of Verducci, who made 12 saves in the half on her way to 19 in the game. But with the Panthers constantly knocking at the doorstep of the goal, Verducci was eventually worn down. She started snapping at her defenders for letting St. Mary’s attackers through, and looked exhausted by the end of the game. She got the worst of several collisions with Panther players, mostly on breakaways. 

Although the Panthers would score four more goals in the second half, it was clear that McGuire took it easy, pulling Vega and freshman striker Margot Davis back into defensive positions for most of the half.  

“We’ve been in the situation where you’re getting shelled, and it’s not the right thing to do,” McGuire said. “There’s no reason to keep piling on the goals when you’ve clearly got the game won.” 

But for the short time Davis was up front, she was a force. Vega set her free for a 50-yard solo run early in the half, and the freshman calmly dribbled around the diving Verducci for her only goal of the game. 

Even when the Panthers made a mistake, it usually turned out for the best. Vega tried to put a throw-in to Davis’s feet, but Davis missed the trap. The ball, however, bounced between two Swett players straight to St. Mary’s Caelin Boman in front of the goal, and it was an easy score. Vega scored the final two goals of the game, both on breakaways, to complete her hat trick. 

“Today was good practice for us, and a confidence-builder,” McGuire said of his team’s romp over its winless opponent. “We got to work on our positioning, our passing, and setting up goals during a live game, and that’s very helpful.”

Thursday, Jan. 17

Landmarks Preservation  

Commission 

10:45 a.m. 

Entrance to the Rose Garden at Euclid Ave. 

Special Meeting Announcement: AD HOC Committee, Municipal Rose Garden, Structural Alteration permit for modifications to an existing Landmark. 705-8114, www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks. 

Globalization: Chiapas and  

the Zapatistas 

7:30 p.m. 

La Pena Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Global Exchange's Carleen Pickard will discuss the pros and cons of globalization in Mexico, focusing on the state of Chiapas. $5 - $10 sliding scale. 653-7882. 

Berkeley Special Education  

Parents Group (BSPED) 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Ala Costa Center 

1300 Rose St. 

Guest speakers from the Regional Center for the East Bay and the East Bay Learning Disabilities Association. 558-8933, sandstep@earthlink.net. 

Climbing Nepal’s Imja Tse 

7 p.m. 

Recreational Equipment, Inc. 

1338 San Pablo Ave. 

Rob Chang gives a slide presentation sharing highlights of his team’s recent trek to the summit of Imja Tse. 527-4140 

Adventure Travel Course 

6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 

Vista Community College 

2020 Milvia St. 

The course will cover various kinds of adventure travel: Hard adventure, soft adventure, and cultural/spiritual adventure. Classes will meet every Thursday through May 23. $22. 981-2931, josemarty@yahoo.com 

Public Works Commission 

7 p.m. - 9 p.m. 

City Council Chambers 

2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way 

Citywide Informational meeting on Applicant Financed Underground Utility Districts. 

Simplicity Forum 

7 - 8:30 p.m. 

Claremont Branch Library 

2940 Benvenue Ave. 

“Stuff - Do You Own It or Does It Own You?” Several people will talk about their successes and difficulties in managing “stuff.” 549-3509, or go to www.seedsofsimplicity.org. 

Fair Campaign Practices  

Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave.  

Agenda includes: Discussion and action regarding adoption of revisions to FCPC Regulations and the Campaign Filing Manual. 981-6950, attorney@ci.berkeley.ca.us. 

Toastmaster Meeting 

12:05 p.m. 

Department of Human Health Service 

Toastmaster Club of State Health Branch 

Rm. 804 

Learn ways to improve your public speaking skills and boost your self-confidence. 665-1611. 

People’s Park Community  

Advisory Board 

7:30 p.m. 

UC Berkeley 

Unit 2 Residence Halls Rec. Rm.  

2650 Haste St. 

Monthly meeting, community invited. The PP CAB reviews and makes recommendations on park policies, programs, and improvements. 642-7860, http://communityrelations.berkeley.edu. 

2X2 Committee 

12:30 p.m. 

Redwood Conference Room, 6th floor 

2180 Milvia St. 

Seven items are on the meeting’s agenda. 

Housing Advisory Commission 

7:30 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center Dining Room 

2939 Ellis St. 

A special meeting is planned to discuss several matters. 

Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee 

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter 

101 8th Street, Oakland 

The Committee advises the Metropolitan Transportation Commission on projects and programs that affect transportation for persons with disabilities and older adults. 

Open Source Programmer Group 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Au Coquelet Cafe (back room) 

2000 University Ave. 

Open invitation to attend a free informal monthly get-together to discuss issues relevant to open source programmers. 235-2397, www.movieeditor.com/open-source-programmer/. 

Friday, Jan. 18

Acting and Storytelling  

Classes for Seniors 

10 a.m. - 12 p.m., 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

Stagebridge 

2501 Harrison St., Oakland 

For the morning class, Instructor Stuart Kandell teaches Storytelling in he Community and in the afternoon he teaches the Scene Study for Performance. Classes are weekly and may be joined at any time. 444-4755, www.stagebridge.org 

City Commons Club  

Luncheon 

11:15 a.m. 

Berkeley City Club 

2315 Durant Ave. 

Alain Rieu lectures on “France in the European Union.” Social hour begins at 11:15. Lunch is served 11:45 - 12:15. Speaker begins at 12:30. $11 - 12.25 with lunch, $1 otherwise. 848-3533 

Editor: 

“Goodbye my friend In Honor of Alberta Godfrey” (Jan. 11) written by Geneva Gates Foote was a beautiful, moving piece and I think it was wonderful she took the time to tell the world how another human being affected her life. I think we should pay more attention to people we meet if, “only for a season,” who impact us as we roll through this hard world. We might find we have more in common than we thought.  

Pamela Foster 

El Sobrante 

924 Gilman Jan. 18: Christian Reigh, Dystrophy, Stalker Potential, Lower 48, Thought Crime, No Direction; Jan. 19: Capitalist Casualities, Phobia, Pig Destroyer, Index, Strong Intention; Jan. 25: Ludicra, Brain Oil, Creuvo, Scurvy Dogs, Arftificum Sanguis; Jan. 26: Mile Marker, Yaphet Kotto, Pirx the Pilot, Himsa, Confidante; Jan. 27: Bane, Over My Dead Body, Striking Distance, Breath In; Feb. 1: American Steel, Pitch Black, Fleshies, The Blottos, Sexy; Feb. 2: Dead and Gone, Black Cat Music, The Cost, The Frisk; Feb. 8: Divit, Scissorhands, Rufio, Don’t Look Down, Fenway Park; Feb. 9: Pansy Division, Subincision, The Fadeaways; All shows start a 8 p.m. unless noted; Most are $5; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Anna’s Bistro Jan. 17: Christy Dana Jazz Duo; Jan. 18: Karen Guthrie & Her Trio; 10 p.m., Bluesman Hideo Date; Jan. 19: Vicki Burns & Felice York; 10 p.m., Ducksan Distones Jazz Sextet; Jan. 20: Aleph Null; Jan. 21: Renegade Sidemen w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 22: Doug Arrington; Jan. 23: Junebug; Jan. 24: Carl Garrett; Jan. 25: Anna & Ellen Hoffman; Jan. 26: Robin Gregory & Bliss Rodriguez; Jan. 27: “Acoustic Soul”; Jan. 28: “Renegade Sidemen” w/Calvin Keyes; Jan. 29: Tangria; Jan. 30: Bob Schoen; Jan. 31: Jason Martineau & Dave Sayen; Music starts at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., 1801 University Ave., 849-2662. 

Blake’s Jan. 17: Electronica with Ascension, $5; Jan. 18: Ten Ton Chicken, Black Dog Band with Peanut Daniels, $5; Jan. 19: Solemite, Monky, $5; Jan. 20: First Circle, The Locals, $6; Jan. 21: All Star Jam Featuring the Steve Gannon Band & Mz. Dee, $4; Jan. 22: Hot Buttered Rum String Band, Wildsang, $3; Jan. 23: Mindz Eye, Hebro (Upstairs in the Tinibar), $5; Jan. 24: Electronica w/Ascension, $5; Jan. 25: Shady Lady, Blue Room, $6; Jan. 26: Dank Man Shank, TBA, $5; Jan. 27: Motivators, Funklogic, $3; Jan. 28: All Star Jam Featuring The Steve Gannon Band, $4; Jan. 29: Funkanauts, Len Patterson Trio, $3; Jan. 30: Sunru, Slaptones, DJ Kurse, $10; Jan. 31: Electronica w/ Ascension, $5; 2367 Telegraph Ave., 877-488-6533. 

Cal Performances Jan. 18 and 19: 8 p.m., The National Acrobats of Taiwan, R.O.C.; Jan. 20: 3 p.m., Midori and Robert McDonald. $28 -$48. Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Telegraph. 642-9988 

Club Jjang-Ga Jan. 19: Dick, Multiply, Mental Case, Nine Pound Grind, The Elegy; Jan. 26: Krenshaw, Bearing, Lucid Inc., Zodiacal Circle; 400 29th Ave., Oakland, 261-1108, savageproductions1@ yahoo.com. 

Eli’s Mile High Club Every Friday, 10 p.m. Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Splif Skankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

Jazzschool Jan. 20: 4:30 p.m., Madeline Eastman, $6-$12. Jan. 27: 4:30 p.m., Michael Zilber, Sons of Bitches Brew; $6-$12. 2087 Addison St., 845-5373, www.jazzschool.com. 

Jupiter Jan. 17: Chris Shot Group; Jan. 18: Bigfoot In Paris Trio; Jan. 19: Netwerk: Electric; Jan. 23: Mitch Marcus Quintet; Jan. 24: Chris Shot Group; Jan. 25: The Sardonics; Jan. 26: Berkeley Jazz School Presents: Fourtet; Jan. 30: Joel Harrison Quartet; All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless noted. 2181 Shattuck Ave., 843-7625, www.jupiterbeer.com. 

La Peña Cultural Center Jan. 18: 8 p.m., Word Descarga: Poets and Musicians collaborate across cultures, Genny Lim, Paul Flores, John Santos, $10; Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Word Descarga: Aya de Leon, Robert Henry Johnson, $10; Jan. 20: 7 p.m., A Hip/Trip Hop Benefit for the Prison Activist Resource Center: Black Dot Artists Collective, COINTELPRO, DJ So Much Soul, EK Trip, Prophets of Rage and Renaissance. $10-$15; Jan. 24: 7 p.m., Colombian Cultural Explosion, $5-$15; Jan. 25: 8 p.m., Wild Mango, $12; Jan. 26: 8 p.m., Naked Barbies: The Concert, $10-$15; Jan. 26: 10:30 a.m., Gary Lapow, $4 adults, $3 Children; Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Leticia Servín, $10-$8; 3105 Shattack Ave, 893-4648.  

Live Oaks Concerts: Berkeley Art Center Jan. 20: 7:30 p.m., Marvin Sanders, Kana Mimaki; Jan. 27: 7:30 p.m., Elaine Kreston, Laura Carmichael, $10, BACA Members $8, Students and Seniors $9. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., 644-6893. 

Rose Street House Jan. 17: 7:30 p.m., Allette Brooks; Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Gwen Avery House Concert, $5-$15; Jan. 25: 8 p.m. DivaBands Showcase: Bern, Elin Jr., Roberta Donnay, Christy Claxton and Tiger Zane. $8-$20. 1839 Rose St., 594-4000 x687, rosestreetmusic@yahoo.com. 

ACME Observatory Contemporary Performance Series Jan. 27: 8 p.m., Jane 

Rigler, $0-$20; TUVA Space, 3192 Adeline, http://sfSound.org/acme.html. 

Fellowship Coffee House Jan. 18: 7:30 p.m., Carol Denney, open mike. $3 -$5. Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar St. 

Off Da Hook! Party Jan. 19: 9 p.m., DJ’s SAKE1, Ab; $8-$15. 2670 Union St, West Oakland, 464-1011. 

Trinity Chapel Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Janine Johnson, harpsichord; 2320 Dana St., 549-3864. 

First Congregational Church Jan. 19: 8p.m., Eight women’s voices and continuo, also Hugh Davis; $12- $25; First Congregational Church, Dana & Durant, Berkeley, 415-979-4500. 

Mama Bears Jan. 19: 7:30 p.m., WildSang; 6536 Telegraph Ave. 595-4642. 

Oakland Symphony Chorus Jan. 26: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Conductor Tony Pasqua will lead a study of Joseph Haydn’s “Harmoniemesse” and Johannes Brahm’s “Schicksalslied.” $25, $30 door; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church 6013 Lawton St., Oakland, 465-4199. 

Roda Theatre Jan. 22 and 23: both at 8 p.m., The Berkeley Symphony, Schubert’s Symphony No. 5. $21, $32, $45, $10 students. 2015 Addison St., 841-2800, www.berkeleysymphony.org. 

Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre Jan. 26: 6:30 - 10 p.m., The City of Berkeley and the Berkeley Black Repertory Theatre pay tribute to and welcome the return of “The Dru Band”; $5. 3201 Adeline St., 625-2120. 

Organ Music Jan. 27: 5 p.m., Ron McKean; $15 - $18. MusicSources, 1000 The Alameda, 528-1685. 

Dance 

Berkeley High School Dance Production Jan. 18 &19: 7:30 p.m., Diverse mix of classical, modern ballet and hip-hop. $5. Florence Schwimley Little Theatre, Allston way and MLK., 644-6120 

Theater 

“Every Inch a King” Through Feb. 9: Thur. - Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 5 p.m.; Three sisters have to make a decision as their father approaches death in this comedy presented by the Central Works Theater Ensemble. $8 - $18. LeValls Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. 558-138, www.centralworks.org.  

“Sisters” Through Feb. 16., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., The Prozorov sisters look at the gap between hope and fulfillment in their lives. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattack, www.actorsensemleofbkerkeley.com. 

“Rhinoceros” Jan. 23 through Mar. 10: Check theater for specific dates and times. An absurdist tragic-comedy about a small provincial town whose citizens slowly but surely transform into large cumbersome rhinoceroses. Directed by Barbara Damashek. $38 - $54. Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St. 647-2976 www.berkeleyrep.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. 

Film 

Pacific Film Archive Jan. 16: 7:30 p.m., So, To Speak: Videoworks of Jacqueline Goss; Jan. 17: 7 p.m., The Marquise of O...; Jan. 18: 7:30 p.m., Claire’s Knee; 9:30 p.m., Chloe in the Afternoon; Jan. 19: 7 p.m., The Wings; 8:30 p.m., Thomas Graal’s Best Film; Jan. 20: Children’s Film Festival, 1 p.m., Living in a New Land, 3 p.m., The Dinosaur Hunter; 5:30 p.m., Love and Journalism; 7:45 p.m., Thomas Graal’s Best Child; Jan. 22: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 1; Jan. 23: 3 p.m., The Terms of Cinema; 7:30 p.m., Telling It, Differently; Jan. 25: 7:30 p.m., The Aviator’s Wife; 9:30 p.m., A Good Marriage; Jan. 26: 6:30 p.m., Patrick Macias; 7 p.m., Battle Royale; 9:30 p.m., Blood and Law; Jan: 27: Children’s Film Festival, 1 p.m., Ikingut, 3 p.m., Peter Pan; 5:30 p.m., Sir Arne’s Treasure; 7:35 p.m., Song of the Scarlet Flower; Jan. 28: 3 p.m., The Jazz Singer; 7 p.m., Underground Kisses; Jan. 29: 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 2; Jan. 30: 3 p.m., The Nickelodeon; 7:30 p.m., New Arab Video 3; 2527 Bancroft Way, 642-1412. 

Landmark’s Shattuck Cinema Jan. 18: 5 p.m., 7 p.m., Life And Debt, filmmaker Stephanie Black will speak. 2230 Shattuck Ave., 843-3456, www.landmarktheatres.com. 

Parkway Theatre Jan. 29: 6:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., Boom! The Sound Of Eviction, a Just Cause Oakland benefit screening. $6-$20. 1843 Park Blvd., Oakland, 464-1011. 

Exhibits  

“Analogous Biology: Balance and Use,” Mark J. Leavitt Through Jan. 19; Tue. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland. 836-0831, www.artolio.com. 

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. 

“Prints and Paintings by Liao Shiou-Ping” on view through Jan. 31; Tues. to Fri.10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat.10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Free. Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388-9th St., Suite 290, Oakland, 238-4491. 

“Rhythms” Jan. 20 - Feb. 2: Art installation of sculpture, neon, music and video projections by Kati Casida; Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St., 845-5373 

Pro Arts: “Juried Annual 2001-02” Through Feb. 2: Exhibition of painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography and more by Bay Area and regional artists; Pro Arts, 461 Ninth St., www.proartsgallery.org. 

“All Grown Up” Through Feb. 2: New paintings and drawings by Amy Chan. Thurs. 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fri -Sun 1 p.m. -6 p.m., 21 Grand Ave., Oakland, 444-7263 

“Water Media” Through Feb. 8: An exhibit by Christine “Caipirinha” Mulder. Capoeira Arts Cafe Gallery, 2026 Center St., 666-1349 for hours. 

“New Work by Dennis Begg and Steve Briscoe” Through Feb. 9: Dennis Begg’s sculpture. Steve Brisco’s paintings. Tues. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Traywick Gallery,1316 10th St., 527-1214. 

“Enduring Wisdom: Artwork and Stories by Homeless and Formerly Homeless Seniors” Through Feb. 15: 18 homeless and formerly homeless elders reveal how they learned and applied wisdom that is timeless. Mon. - Fri. and Sundays 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Free. St. Mary’s Center, 635 22nd St., Oakland, 893-4723 x222. 

“Envisioning Ecology” Through Feb. 15: Paintings by Michelle Waters. Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., 548-2220 x233. 

“The Other 364 Days: A Day in the Life of the Queer Community” Through Feb. 16: An exhibit of black and white photographs by East Bay photographer Limor Inbar-Hansen. Mon. - Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Photolab Gallery, 2235 Fifth St., 644-1400, limor@indelible-images.com. 

“Adventures in La Land” Through Feb. 23: Installations by Suzanne Husky and Paintings by Amy Morrell. Tues. - Sat., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 4920 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, 428-2349. 

“Transformations: Through the Eye of a Needle” Jan.24 - Feb. 23: Two-person exhibition by Rebecca Bui and Linda Lemon including procelain and fabric dolls and mixed media works on handmade paper. Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Ardency Gallery, 709 Broadway, Oakland, 836-0831, www.artolio.com 

“Ton of Joy” Jan. 20 through Mar. 1: Group show of twelve painters and sculptors: Simone Anders, Susan Brady, Erin Fitzgerald, Karen Frey, Kei Hanafusa, Nancy Legge, Burke Rainey, Robin Sebourn, Kristen Throop, Clay Vajgrt, Whitney Vosburgh, Ann West; Mon. - Sat., 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Hollis Street Project, 5900 Hollis St., Emeryville. 

“Ansel Adams in the University of California Collections” Through Mar. 10: A selection of photographs and memorabilia presenting a different perspective on Adam’s career as one of the leading figures in American photography; Jan. 16 through Mar. 24: “Migrations: Photographs by Sebastiao Salgado,” over 300 black-and-white photographs of immigrants and refugees taken by the Brazilian photographer. Wed. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., $4- $6. The University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, 2626 Bancroft Way, 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

"Earthly Pleasures" assemblage and photographs by Susan Danis, Through March 30: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. - Sat.; Sticks, 1579 B, Solano Ave., 526-6603.  

“Domestic Bliss” Through Apr. 4: Collection of abstract paintings and mixed medium by Amy St. George. Albany Community Center Foyer Gallery, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany, 524-9283. 

“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, www.atelier9.com. 

Readings 

AK Press Jan. 19: 8 p.m., Joel Schalit dissects the New World Order and the rise of religious fundamentalism in his new book “Jerusalem Calling”. 674-A 23rd St., Oakland, 208-1700, molly@akpress.org 

Cody’s on Telegraph Ave. Jan. 14: Pamela Logan talks about “Tibetan Rescue: A Woman’s Quest to Save the Fabulous Art Treasures of Pewar Monastery”; Jan. 15: Jake Fuchs reads from his new mystery “Death of a Professer.”; Jan. 17: Anthony Bourdain takes a “Cooks Tour: In Search of the Perfect Meal”; Jan. 18: Luis Rodriguez looks at “Hearts and Hands: Creating Community in Violent Times.”; Jan. 19: Wen Ho Lee with Helen Zia on “My Country Versus Me.”; All events are free and start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted. 2454 Telegraph Ave., 845-7852. 

Coffee With a Beat Jan. 19: Tim Donnelly, Anna May Stanley; Jan. 26: Paradise; Feb. 2: Julia Vinograd, Shauna Rogan; Feb. 9: Sydney Bell, Debrale Pagan; All readings 7-9 p.m., free and followed by open mike. 458 Perkins, Oakland, 526-5985.  

Easy Going Travel Shop & Bookstore Jan. 16: Elliott Hester discusses her book “Plane Insanity”; Jan. 17: Jan Friedman discusses her new book “Eccentric America”; Jan. 22: Lee Foster discusses his new guide “Northern California History Weekends”; All readings are free and start at 7:30 p.m., 1385 Shattuck Ave. at Rose, 843-3533. 

Jewish Community Center Jan. 14: 7:30-9 p.m., Emily Rose interweaves the family chronicle of her ancestors with the political and social events of the 18th and 19th centuries; Jan. 16: 7:30-8:30 p.m., Elizabeth Rosner will read from her debut novel “The Speed of of Light.” 1414 Walnut St. 

Revolution Books Jan. 25: 6:15 p.m., Eric Schlosser, Author of “Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the American Meal,” will appear for a book signing. 2425 Channing Way, 848-1196.  

Poetry 

Poetry Flash @ Cody’s Jan. 16: Tea Party magazine reading with Ariel, Rita Boagert, Daniel Y. Harris, Denise Mewbourne, Judith Offer, Andrena Zawinski; Jan. 23: Paul Hoover and Elizabeth Robinson; Jan. 27: Wanda Coleman, Austin Straus and Kate Gale; Jan. 30 Ralph Angel and George Higgins; All events begin at 7:30 p.m., $2 donation. 2454 Telegraph Ave., 845-7852. 

Tours 

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

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. 

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; $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 “Kwanzaa Community Celebration” Dec. 30: 12-4 p.m., Nia Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that honors black family history; Through Jan. 13: Grand Lyricist: The Art of Elmer Bischoff, featuring paintings and works on paper that trace the evolution of Bischoff’s career. $6 adults, $4 seniors and students, children under 5 free. Wed. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 5 p.m.; 1000 Oak St., Oakland, 238-2200, 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. - 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 and Pacific Film Archive “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. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; 2626 Bancroft Way, 642-0808, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

Lawrence Hall of Science Through Jan. 26: Scream Machines: The Science of Roller Coasters; “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; Open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley, 642-5132, www.lawrencehallofscience.org. 

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, www.lhs.berkeley.edu. 

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

Lazarus Ortega, the sometime Berkeley resident who was accused last month of the murder of his adoptive mother, Charlotte Ortega of Berkeley, briefly appeared in court Wednesday morning. 

Ortega, 21, did not enter his plea in the case, as had been expected. The Public Defender’s office, which is representing Ortega, asked for a two-week extension, which Judge John Zlyka of the Alameda County Superior Court’s Berkeley Courthouse granted. 

Public Defender Michael McCormick told Zlyka that his colleague, James McWilliams, had been assigned to the case, but could not make the arraignment because of a scheduling conflict. 

The date was rescheduled for Jan. 30 at 9 a.m. at the Berkeley Courthouse. 

McCormick filed a motion for discovery with the court on behalf of the public defender’s office. The motion, routinely filed in criminal cases, commands the district attorney to share evidence. 

District Attorney Jason Sjoberg said on Wednesday that his office is still awaiting the results of forensic tests that are being performed on articles found in Charlotte Ortega’s home and in her van.  

Police reports in the case said blood was found in both locations. 

Charlotte Ortega’s body was found floating in the bay, near the Berkeley Pier, on Dec. 30. She was a teacher in the Oakland Unified School District, an advocate for the disabled and the director of a Christian mission that established a low-cost health clinic for the poor in Lagos, Nigeria.

Having broken their road curse with a win at Oregon State last weekend, the Cal men’s basketball team will now tend to their own turf, hosting Washington and Washington State this week. The Bears have yet to lose at Haas Pavilion this season. 

The Bears will first take on the Huskies tonight at 7:30 p.m. Washington is just 1-5 in Pac-10 play this season, but may be the victim of a tough early schedule. They have already completed their season series with both UCLA and USC, resulting in four losses, with the other defeat coming at the hands of Arizona. 

The Huskies have a dynamic duo in forward Doug Wrenn and point guard Curtis Allen, but little to back them up. Wrenn, a 6-foot-8 transfer from Connecticut, is the team’s leading scorer at 16.6 points per game and has excellent athleticism. He will be a tough matchup for the Bears, especially if Cal center Solomon Hughes is still out with a knee injury. It could be left up to freshman Jamal Sampson, who has the quickness and range to guard Wrenn, to be the defensive stopper for the Bears. 

The Bears have been good defensively for the most part this season, with the notable exception of losses to Stanford and Oregon. They have already exceeded last season’s total for blocked shots, but have also excelled in the less glamorous areas of defense, such as taking charges and consistently challenging shots. 

“We’re not going to make national magazines (by being defense-oriented), you’re not going to make highlight center,” Cal head coach Ben Braun said. “Guys taking charges, it’s not going to be a headline for a story. Deflections, that’s not showing up anywhere. Challenging a shot, there’s no statistic that shows a (shot challenge).” 

The Bears’ main concern on defense against Washington should be the super-quick Allen. The sophomore has been a revelation at the point for the Huskies, amazing spectators with his speed since becoming the starter halfway through last season. He is a bit careless with the ball, with an assist/turnover ratio of just 1.1, but has brought a playmaking ability that the team has sorely lacked in recent years. He was the top returning scorer, but has let Wrenn step to the forefront so far this year. 

Guard Grant Leep is the Huskies’ best hope for points outside of Wrenn and Allen, leading the Pac-10 in 3-point shooting at 60 percent. But Leep should be neutralized by the Bears’ perimeter players, as he doesn’t have the quickness to get his own shot. Unless Allen can break down the defense, it should be a long night for Washington. 

The outlook is even worse for Washington State. The Cougars are winless in conference play, right where most observers predicted. They visit Haas on Saturday at 5 p.m. 

The Cougars are much like Cal on offense: they spread the scoring around and don’t have a go-to guy. Four players average double-figures in points for Washington State, with freshman point guard Marcus Moore leading the way with 14.4 ppg. 

Moore is an odd story. As a high school player in Inglewood, he was one of California’s top prep players, recruited by loads of big college programs. But he ended up choosing to spend his college years in the Paloose, and has made an immediate impact. He is not only the team’s leading scorer, he leads in assists and steals and is fourth in rebounding. 

Unfortunately, the rest of the team isn’t quite up to Moore’s level. Forward Mike Bush, an outstanding receiver for the school’s football team, is athletic but lacks some basketball instincts. He gets by on quickness and leaping ability to the tune of 11.5 points per game. But overall, the Cougars shouldn’t be a threat unless the Bears have a terrible game. 

The relatively weak competition this week should give Hughes a chance to work his way back into game shape, assuming he can play at all. He has missed the last four games, and Braun was non-commital as of Monday as to whether Hughes would play. 

“(Hughes) was on the floor (Sunday) testing. He was able to go up and down without significant pain,” Braun said. “We’re going to work him back into practice slowly and surely this week. I expect him to get some minutes. It depends on getting his timing back.” 

Hughes’ absence has made worse an already weak rebounding squad for Braun. The Bears have been out-rebounded in four of their last five games despite the addition of 6-foot-10 Amit Tamir, and Braun knows working the glass will be important for the remainder of the season. 

“I think it’s concentration. I think it’s mindset,” Braun said. “If we could really solidify the rebounding, that would help us.” 

One player who clearly has the right mindset for rebounding is wingman Brian Wethers. Although just 6-foot-5, Wethers has been one of the team’s best rebounders, fourth on the squad with 4.2 per game, including 7 against Oregon State and a team-best 8 in the upset of Stanford. 

“Brian is actually going after the boards a lot harder. He’s made that a personal mission. He’s taken that on as part of his identity,” Braun said. “It’s something that he is capable of doing, and he’s going out now and doing it.”

Editor: 

In a persistent and fanatical bid to engineer Berkeley schools, the powerful and liberal status quo continues to debate the efficacy of “small schools.”  

This on-going debate is pure foolishness. Does anyone still think that serving up lunchroom size, homogenized education will actually improve student achievement? What nonsense. The billions of dollars spent over 40 years of grand experimentation demonstrates the failure to achieve its objective. 

How do we know this? Just examine the dialog. “Achievement scores are down and class size is up. California scores are at rock bottom and there is a widening achievement gap.” The same old worn out liberal mantra with the same old bleating for more federal and state cash bail-out grants.  

Do they actually expect anyone to believe this? Now, the Berkeley Daily Planet accusingly reports that the achievement gap exists only between white kids and minorities. What a blatant, and racist assumption. It’s like saying that sure, minority students can “hoop it up,” but they don’t have the talent to excel scholastically.  

Frankly, any such conclusion offends me. Students excel because they are motivated and want to do well, not because their roots are found in one ethnicity or another. Some students discover their motivational fuel in deeply held personal goals.  

Believe it or not, many young people aspire to a life work that is lofty and seemingly unattainable. Hurray for them! The benevolent thing to do would be to support their positive direction and not sidetrack them into a political labyrinth in a money-grubbing search for smaller schools. 

School kids that are motivated are the same kids that are encouraged at home.  

Imagine that, young people with moms and dads that actually care do well in school. Reputable studies prove this out. Regardless of your race, creed or color, if your mom and dad get involved with your schooling, you will be academically successful. 

Miraculously, there are students who find a way to carve out an education despite overwhelming odds shoved in their faces at school. I know, because I’ve seen it first hand. Schools and many all too willing teachers start the madness by shuffling achievement oriented kids with students who don’t give a rip about learning! 

This transparent maneuver gets nearly everyone off the hook and it’s so easy to explain. Get this! These “masters of manipulation” say that achieving students with good study skills and motivation will serve to elevate those kids not as equally endowed.  

Isn’t this wonderful! Kids helping kids...who could argue with that? What a load of trash. In reality, it’s the motivated student that gets bushwhacked by the ne’er-do-well. 

The class troublemakers are made wards of the achievement-oriented students.  

The yoking of the want-to-learn kids with a “Lex Luthor Wanna Be” is the exact circumstance that erodes and demolishes any possibility of learning. Maybe if we get rid of such bankrupt notions as “achievement gaps” and the “small schools” solution, kids will have more time for learning and less distraction from hyperbolic political hoopla. 

G.W. Seegmiller 

Berkeley 

Berkeley’s public schools had a mixed showing in statewide rankings, based on standardized test scores, released Wednesday by the California Department of Education. 

These rankings are based upon the results of two tests students across the state took last spring. They are the Stanford Achievement Test, Ninth Edition, or SAT-9, and the California Standards Test in English Language Arts, or CST ELA. Both tests’ results are combined in a system called the Academic Performance Index, or API. 

The state released the SAT-9 and CST ELA results in August, but the comparative, API rankings are new. 

Eleven of Berkeley’s 15 schools were in the 50th percentile or higher when compared to schools statewide. But, only one school, John Muir, improved from last year’s ranking. Four schools saw their state rankings decrease. 

Seven of 15 ranked in the 50th percentile or higher, when compared to schools with similar demographic qualities around California. Malcolm X, John Muir, King Middle, Longfellow Middle, and Berkeley High School were all in the 80th percentile or higher. 

But, “similar school” rankings dropped for nine of the 15 schools, and improved for only three. 

The state created pools of “similar schools” by looking at the ethnicity and socioeconomic status of students, the number of credentialed teachers and the average class size, among other things, for each school. 

Jason Lustig, principal at Cragmont, said that similar school rankings provide teachers and administrators with an important sense for where they stand. “This forces schools to step back,” he said. “This forces more reflection.” 

Cragmont School, despite improving its API scores for the third year in a row, and holding steady on its statewide ranking, watched its similar schools ranking declined from the 60th to 70th percentile last year, to the 30th to 40th percentile this year. 

“It’s both disappointing and inspirational,” said Lustig. “That gives us motivation to improve.” 

Lustig said the school will continue to build on its efforts at professional development in math and reading, and integration of technology into the curriculum, in an attempt to boost performance. 

Nancy D. Waters, principal of John Muir School, which was in the 90th to 100th percentile in similar school rankings was pleased, but downplayed the result. 

“It’s wonderful,” she said, “but I do think we need to put it in perspective.” Waters said the test results are just one of many important measures of a school’s success. 

Barry Fike, president of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers, said that testing can provide a useful snapshot of student and teacher performance. But, he emphasized that testing can only go so far in improving that performance. 

“It’s seen as this panacea, as a short-cut to healing all the ills in our schools,” he said, “and it really isn’t.” 

“We have this high stakes mania in the state and around the country,” added Terry Doran, a member of the Board of Education, arguing that standardized testing can encourage instructors to “teach to the test.” 

But Shirley Issel, president of the school board, said the API results can be very helpful for administrators. “It gives us a sense for what best practices are in the district, which is essential information if you’re going to provide guidance and make policy,” she said. 

This year’s API rankings are the first to include the California Standards Test in English Language Arts. Previous rankings have been based only on performance on the SAT-9, a nationwide test. 

California educators have complained for years that the SAT-9 test, as a national exam, does not accurately reflect the state curriculum and standards. The CST ELA test is more closely aligned with California standards, and Berkeley leaders say the new rankings, combining SAT-9 and ELA results, now reflect reality more accurately. 

“It’s much sounder,” said Chris Lim, associate superintendent for instruction. 

But Fike said the addition of the ELA test marks only a small improvement. “It could be considered a step forward, in a sense, but it’s a baby step forward,” he said, arguing that the inclusion of more tests will only eat up more valuable instruction time in the classroom. 

California plans to add several other tests into the API equation in the next two years, including math, history and social science tests in line with the state standards, and the high school exit exam. 

Starting in 2004, students will have to pass the high school exit exam in order to graduate.

The following letter was addressed to the mayor and City Council: 

There was another accident tonight, Jan. 15, at Benvenue and Ashby avenues at approximately 5:30 p.m. One car was crossing Ashby, going south on Benvenue, when it collided with another car that was going east up Ashby in the parking lane. 

The resulting accident had such force that one of the cars wound up on the southeast corner of the sidewalk and crashed into the street light. Fortunately, no one was standing on the corner at that moment. There was considerable damage to both cars which were towed away. 

The lady who wound up on the sidewalk stayed in her smoking car until the paramedics arrived. The paramedics also looked over the toddler son of the other driver. Everyone seemed OK. 

This is the second accident this year at Benvenue and Ashby that I know of. There were 18 last year. There now have been four accidents here in less than one month (12/19/01, 12/20/01, 1/6/02, 1/15/02). Two of the four were exactly alike. One car is southbound on Benvenue, crossing Ashby when it gets hit by an eastbound car on Ashby driving up the parking lane between 4 and 6 p.m. 

Our fifth Traffic Task Force meeting was held yesterday at the Claremont Library. 

Traffic engineer Reh-Lin says the temporary traffic calming devices have been ordered. They will now be put in sometime in the beginning of March 2002. Reh-Lin also said that he now has to go to the City Council to get its approval to remove the 4-6 p.m. Tow-Away parking signs on the eastbound side of Ashby between Hillegass and College. This would then allow cars to park in the metered spots and stop cars from zooming up the parking lane between 4-6 pm, like they can now. 

Jed will be sending out an email highlighting this fifth Task Force meeting. 

One lady who was at the corner after the accident was upset with drivers on Ashby. She said she was trying to cross Ashby at Benvenue with her child in a stroller, and the cars were ignoring her in the cross walk. 

The next Traffic Task Force meeting is scheduled for Feb. 11, 6:30 p.m., at the Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 

Paul Tuleja 

Berkeley 

Charles Smith insists he has nothing against trees. But when the long-time Berkeley resident pointed toward a set of towering eucalyptus at Indian Rock Park while sitting in his Berkeley hills home, he described the trees’ impending disasters. 

“People coming up the Indian Rock are all in danger,” Smith, a retired traffic engineer, said, citing a host of concerns about the trees. “That’s why I’m urging the State of California to have hazardous tree laws.” 

Smith said recent reports of several trees falling and hitting cars confirmed his growing fears that Berkeley is not doing enough to prevent tree tragedies. His proposed solution includes a new hazardous tree ordinance for the city, which he said should require removal of dangerous trees, better monitoring of “tall trees that could be hazardous,” and more education for land owners trying to decide which trees to plant on their properties. 

“Some of us believe all those eucs should be taken down,” Smith said.  

Despite Smith’s active lobbying, city employees have said they have no plans to pass any hazardous tree ordinance. And Jerry Koch, forestry supervisor for the city, said city staff don’t intend to remove any of the Indian Rock Park eucalyptus trees, nor do they want to tell people which trees to plant on private property. 

“We already manage our trees,” Koch said, adding that the city already has three ordinances that deals with trees. “If we knew of something that was going to fall and we were really concerned about it, we would contact the owner. But this often happens during storms, without advance warning.” 

Koch said he feels the existing tree-related ordinances, which regulate street trees, manage solar access and view disputes between neighbors, and regulate removal of coast live oaks, sufficiently handle Berkeley’s urban forestry issues. He added that while there has been a “little damage to some vehicles” this year, tree troubles have been mild compared to other years. For example, one storm during October, 2000, caused 400 “incidents,” according to the city forestry department. 

Koch said the city recently hired a consulting arborist to do an evaluation of one of the Indian Rock eucalyptus trees, due to complaints from Smith, and found no problems with it. 

Unlike Berkeley, Oakland does have a specific hazardous tree ordinance much like the one Smith is proposing, in addition to several other tree-related laws. Dan Gallagher, Oakland tree supervisor, said the hazardous tree ordinance has given those concerned about trees important legal rights, even if the perennial is on someone else’s property 

“You can’t prevent trees from falling,” Gallagher said. “But the hazardous tree ordinance was adopted to allow property owners to have a legal means to have hazardous trees removed.” 

He said this has helped those living near hazardous trees get them removed before they can fall and cause injury or damage. But Gallagher said city tree section employees does not serve as “free landscape architects” or tell people which trees to plant. Like Berkeley, they provide a list of suggestions including native and non-native species. 

Berkeley and Oakland employees and other tree specialists said experts sometimes have trouble predicting which trees are going to fall, mainly because many different factors can cause a tree to topple. 

“Trees are so designed that they don’t fall, but when we don’t grow them under natural conditions, they have problems with wind, excessively wet soil and poor pruning,” said Bob Raabe, a retired plant pathologist who still works at the University of California at Berkeley. “It’s very difficult to pinpoint what causes a tree to fall. Sometimes a tree has just snapped. We don’t know why.” 

Current research led by specialists like Dr. Larry Costello and others at the UC Cooperative Extension program may help demystify falling trees. Costello organizes an annual California Tree Failure Report Program, a group of arborists and scientists who analyze why trees fall or become hazardous. The group met last Thursday. 

Each year the program examines case studies of tree failures, with hopes of understanding why some trees topple or break apart while others retain a strong structure. Costello said his group has a database detailing more than 33,000 failures, and may be the largest urban tree failure database in the world. 

“We use that information to analyze and ask questions,” Costello said. “It’s too difficult to generalize about the genera. You have to evaluate trees on a case-by-case basis.” 

For example, Costello said it isn’t fair to make sweeping generalizations about all eucalyptus being dangerous or having a “high-failure potential.” 

Still, Charles Smith has a stack of documents detailing the problems with eucalyptus trees and other examples of hazardous trees. And as a “newspaper junkie,” bibliographer, and pamphleteer, he is determined to gather information and continue distributing it to his neighbors and others in the community.  

He also sends all of the information he gathers about the potential hazards of planting the wrong tree in the wrong place to a legislative analyst in Sacramento, in case legislators decide to make hazardous tree ordinances a statewide issue. Currently, few cities have a hazardous tree ordinance. But Smith said cities like Berkeley need better guidelines than following the whims of “tree-huggers.” 

“I consider him (Jerry Koch) to be a tree-hugger,” Smith said, adding. “There are a lot of people that worship trees.” 

Editor: 

Killing human beings is not a good idea. In fact, it is even against one of the ten commandments. 

Jane Stillwater 

Berkeley 

On Tuesday, the City Council reworked a five-year-old notice aimed at helping people with multiple chemical sensitivities attend public meetings. 

The notice is placed at the bottom of the agenda of every city-sponsored meeting and allows those with chemical sensitivities to attend the meetings without being exposed to undue amounts of chemical perfumes. 

The wording the city has used for five years says simply that “attendees may be sensitive to various odors, whether natural or manufactured, in products or materials.” 

With guidelines that broad, one might imagine that the Landmark Preservation Commission’s field trip to the Berkeley Rose Garden today could be considered in violation of the policy. 

The new language, drafted by the city manager’s office, is more direct. 

“The City Council requests that people refrain from wearing scented products to meetings,” it reads. 

Councilmember Dona Spring, who spearheaded the effort to reform the language, said she was satisfied by the action.  

“What we’ve got is certainly better than the confusing language we had,” she said.  

Spring said she was disappointed, though, that the stronger version of the notice drafted by the Commission on Disability several months ago, was not given more serious consideration. 

The commission’s version gives examples of various scented products – perfume, cologne, after-shave – and states that some people may be “seriously harmed” by exposure to them.  

“I don’t think (the city manager’s version) goes far enough in educating the public about the fact that some people are so allergic to chemical products that they can be sick for days by exposure to scents,” Spring said on Wednesday.  

Jon Kaufman, executive vice-president of Solem and Associates, disputed that claim, and excoriated the City Council’s new version of the notice. 

“I don’t know that there’s any other city in the country that has language that’s more objectionable,” said Kaufman, whose firm represents the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. 

Kaufman said there was no proof that moderate amounts of scented products causes physical damage to others. 

“There is really no medical basis for thinking that perfume causes these problems,” he said. 

Kaufman said his firm had not opposed the city’s original version of the notice because “scented products” were not mentioned by name. 

He added that he opposed the very principle of chemical sensitivity notices on governmental meeting notices. 

“While individuals are sometimes affected by someone else’s perfume, people usually work it out on a person-by-person basis,” he said. “We just think it’s better that way.” 

Spring disputed the notion, saying that multiple chemical sensitivity has been recognized as an illness in the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

“There is so much discrimination against these people, because the medical establishment, until recently, thought of it as a mental illness,” she said. 

The city manager’s office notes that notices similar to the one passed by the City Council are used by the city of Oakland and BART trustees.

Editor: 

National and state legislative bodies will soon discuss human cloning. Many safe methods are already open to those wanting a child, while informed reason and the animal clones born to date warn of grave dangers – physical, psychological, and societal – all but certain to attend the birth and consequent life of a cloned human baby. Conversely, animal research with stem cells garnered from clones but a few days old offers promise of cures in humans for diabetes, Parkinsonism, neural destruction, etc. – without tissue rejection, if stem cells from a patient’s own early-stage clone are used. 

Therefore, compassionate and socially responsible legislators (the overwhelming majority, I hope) should speedily support legislation strictly banning reproductive human cloning, at least for the foreseeable future, while permitting therapeutic human cloning research to be unrestricted, save for required destruction of all but stem cells by at most little more than 14 days after inception. 

Judith Segard Hunt 

Berkeley

SANTA CLARA — A judge declared on Wednesday that Cathline Repunte, the San Jose school bus driver accused of killing a co-worker and injuring three others, is mentally incompetent to stand trial. 

Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Lane Liroff believes that with proper therapeutic medication in a state mental hospital Repunte will be found fit for trial within three to six months. 

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Hugh Mullin made his ruling based on the reports of two doctors. 

“(The ruling) is not a final finding,” Liroff said. “The proceedings have been suspended until her competency is restored. Properly medicated, she will be restored to competency and we will able to continue with the prosecution.” 

Last May, Repunte, 36, pleaded innocent to charges of murder and attempted murder at the Laidlaw bus yard in San Jose. The shooting took place on April 23. 

Mullin is expected to select the facility where Repunte will be relocated on Feb. 6.  

She now is being held at the Santa Clara County jail.

LOS ANGELES — A tight state budget will likely limit raises for faculty and staff members in the University of California system and could lead to tuition increases to fund more competitive salaries, UC officials said Wednesday. 

At the start of a two-day Board of Regents meeting at UCLA, system President Richard C. Atkinson said the budget proposed by Gov. Gray Davis keeps merit increases modest. 

“The biggest disappointment ... is that we have not received funding for the kind of salary increases we would like to provide,” Atkinson said. 

Board Chairwoman S. Sue Johnson said that will make it difficult to recruit top professors, and the solution may be raising student fees to increase revenue. 

“We can’t jettison the quality of the institution,” she told the board. 

The regents took no action but directed staff to press legislators to allocate as much funding as possible while considering the budget proposed by Davis. 

In November, the regents approved a 2002-03 state-funded operating budget of $3.65 billion — an increase of 8.7 percent from last year. Included in the proposal was $125 million for merit raises and cost of living and parity adjustments. 

The budget Davis submitted to the Legislature last week included $3.4 billion for the UC system, with $44.8 million for merit raises and no money for other wage increases. 

The funding would provide an average merit increase of 1.5 percent for qualified faculty and staff members, according to figures provided by Larry Hershman, UC vice president for budget. 

“For a few years, we’ll be facing some very tight budgets,” he said. 

Though Davis slashed money requested for raises, he did pencil in nearly $64 million to fund enrollment growth of 7,100 full-time students. That amounts to a 4.3 percent increase over the 2001-02 allocation and was nearly equal to the amount requested by the board. 

Davis asked the board to hold the line on tuition increases, as did several regents on Wednesday. 

“If we can do without an increase in tuition, I would go for that,” said David S. Lee. 

The regents meeting is scheduled to continue Thursday with a discussion and vote on a proposal that would allow undocumented immigrants and others who have graduated from a California high school after three years of attendance to pay in-state tuition. 

Undocumented immigrants would have to file for legalized status to qualify. 

Davis and the Legislature approved a bill last year implementing the plan at the California State University and community college systems. 

Atkinson supports the measure as a way to align UC policies with those of other state systems, said Brad Hayward, a UC spokesman. However, the Board of Regents has yet to take a position. 

On Wednesday, 300 students staged a boisterous demonstration in favor of the measure. 

Waving signs reading “Knowledge not discrimination” and “Education is a human right,” they rallied for an hour outside the building while the regents ate lunch. 

“The people most affected are the people who contribute the most because they are competitive and at the top of their class,’ said Vanessa Sifuentes, a member of MEChA, a Chicano student group that participated in the rally.

Indian making its own engines 

GILROY — The Indian Motorcycle Company has begun producing its own engine. 

The company was criticized for using engines made by a separate company which closely resemble the engines in Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Indian has been working to produce its own engine almost since it began making bikes. 

Indian was a major American motorcycle manufacturer during the first half of the 20th century before ceasing production in 1953. The company was reborn in 1998. 

The new 100-cubic-inch V-Twin will be used in the company’s 2002 Indian Chief model. 

According to a statement, the company’s sales figures rose 77 percent from 2000 to 2001. 

Indian Motorcycle currently designs, manufactures and markets three premium heavy weight motorcycles and a broad range of related products, parts and accessories, riding gear and lifestyle apparel. 

Activists want to block importation of  

elephants to Marine World 

VALLEJO — An animal rights group wants a federal agency to block the import of two Asian elephants by the Six Flags Marine World theme park in Vallejo. 

The Marine World Foundation is asking permission to bring the two young pachyderms into the country for research. The foundations says the research will help protect the survival of the species — and the animals won’t be used to make money at the park. 

But in a letter sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday, the Performing Animal Welfare Society said the foundation is located at the theme park where elephant rides are conducted and elephants are on display. 

PAWS indicates research should not be conducted at a noisy theme park and argues Marine World’s facilities are not adequate for the animals housed there. 

PAWS opposed a similar case two years ago, when Marine World imported an elephant for breeding purposes. PAWS says the elephant died at the facility later that year.

ALAMEDA — Marine safety officials have eliminated raw crude escaping from fissures in the sea floor as a possible source of a mysterious oil spill that is contaminating birds from Monterey up to Point Reyes. 

“(We) are concentrating on historical shipwrecks as a possible source,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kara Satra of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Office in Alameda. 

The affected birds are mostly common murres, flightless birds that live at sea. 

The latest count of oiled birds put the total at 1,210. The majority were dead when found on the beaches or dead on arrival at the Oiled Wildlife Care and Education Center near Fairfield. 

Of the 505 found alive, 284 died, 90 are receiving care — cleaning, feeding and rehydrating — and 113 have been returned to the wild, including 18 that were released Friday at Crissy Field. 

According to Lt. j.g. Tim Callister, a Marine Safety Office spokesman, the oil on the birds seems to have the characteristics of bunker fuel or heavy fuel oil. 

“If it’s a ship that’s down 1,200 feet or whatever, it’s pretty cold down there,” Callister said. “That fuel normally has to be heated to a high temperature to flow and burn. So that’s another confusing issue.” 

All the agencies involved have been searching historical records for clues about wrecks lying on the sea bottom, Callister said. 

SAN FRANCISCO— Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and California power regulators vented their frustration with one another before a federal bankruptcy judge Wednesday, as the state sought permission to develop an alternative plan under which PG&E would emerge from bankruptcy. 

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali allowed PG&E to continue as the sole designer of a plan to emerge from its $13.2 billion bankruptcy and pay its thousands of creditors. 

However, Montali decided to give the state Public Utilities Commission nearly a month to prove they have a “sensible” plan worthy of competing with PG&E’s. 

Montali’s decision came after more than two hours of debate, during which PG&E complained that the state, disenchanted with PG&E’s reorganization plan, only wants to stall the bankruptcy process. 

“What the PUC is doing today, your honor, is opening another front in the war against PG&E,” said Jim Lopes, an attorney representing the utility. “They are attempting to manipulate the bankruptcy court to their end to defeat our plan on any basis.” 

Lopes said PG&E should retain “exclusivity” in designing a reorganization plan because of how far it has progressed since filing for federal bankruptcy protection last April. Competing plans only would confuse creditors and slow PG&E’s return to financial stability, he said. 

Alan Kornberg, an attorney representing the PUC, said the state’s goal is to prevent PG&E from transferring its transmission lines, power plants and other assets from state to federal regulation and pay creditors. The PUC believes it can accomplish this without overly delaying the bankruptcy process, Kornberg said. 

At Montali’s order, the PUC will provide an outline of an alternate plan by Feb. 13. Kornberg lacked details of the state’s proposal, but said some creditors would be paid using millions of dollars in cash PG&E already has on hand. 

“Progress is in the eye of the beholder,” Kornberg said of PG&E’s claims to expediency. “I don’t believe we are whizzing along.” 

PG&E says switching its assets from state to federal regulation would allow the utility to raise enough money to pay its creditors in full. 

The state argues the plan is PG&E’s gambit to free itself from PUC control and charge more for electricity from its hydroelectric and nuclear power plants. 

“The reason we’re here is the problems were not solved by the state and PUC before we had to file for bankruptcy,” Lopes countered. 

Both sides admit they have done little to build consensus between them. Montali ordered the two sides to come prepared Jan. 25 to argue why he shouldn’t appoint a mediator to try and resolve some of their myriad issues. 

“I’ve thought about the perfect person, and that person would be knowlegable in bankruptcy law, constitutional law, energy law and mediation skills. Unfortunately, I’m not available,” Montali joked. 

Regardless of the merits of PG&E’s plan, its feasibility rests on whether Montali decides next week to ignore precedent in federal bankruptcy code and allow PG&E to override state law to put its plan in motion. Even with Montali’s blessing, Kornberg argued creditors could have to wait months to get paid as the case languishes in appellate court, at the expense of millions of dollars to PG&E’s estate in legal fees. 

“We have a vested interest in seeing PG&E emerge from bankruptcy as soon as possible,” Kornberg said, referring to the billions of dollars the state has spent buying electricity for PG&E’s customers over the past year. 

Robert Moore, an attorney representing the official creditors committee, said creditors are backing PG&E’s plan because the utility has promised to resolve the bankruptcy quickly. Alternate plans would delay the process, he said. 

Creditors, Montali, federal regulators and possibly state regulators would have to approve PG&E’s plan before it can go into effect. 

California’s largest utility filed for federal bankruptcy protection nine months ago after its inability to collect the full cost of spiking power prices from its customers drove it into debt. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.cpuc.ca.gov 

http://www.pge.com 

http://www.canb.uscourts.gov 

NEW YORK — A murky forecast from Intel sent stocks sharply lower Wednesday on worries that a recovery would take longer than expected and that the market had risen too high, too fast. 

The Dow Jones industrials tumbled more than 200 points to their weakest finish in 1 1/2 months with selling that spread across the market and intensified late in the session. Analysts said investors were collecting profits rather than risk a loss if an economic turnaround is delayed. 

“It’s the combination of an uncertain outlook and the relatively high stock valuations out there right now,” said Matt Brown, head of equity management at Wilmington Trust. “If the market were dirt cheap, investors might be more comfortable taking risks.” 

The Dow closed down 211.88, or 2.1 percent, at 9,712.27, its lowest close since Nov. 28, when the index was at 9,711.86. The loss was the biggest point drop since Oct. 29, when the index fell 275. 

The decline was more severe for the technology-focused Nasdaq composite index, which slid 56.47, or 2.8 percent, to 1,944.44. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index lost 18.62, or 1.6 percent, to 1,127.57. 

The selloff extended what has been a frustrating string of sessions for Wall Street this month as investors try to gauge the direction of the economy and the market. Stocks advanced rapidly during the last quarter of 2001 on a rebound from the post-terror attacks selloff and on rising expectations that business was improving. 

With the onset of fourth-quarter earnings season, investors have become cautious again, reluctant to extend themselves too much in a market that many analysts say reflects expensive, rather than realistic, short-term expectations. 

Wednesday’s downturn was prompted by Intel, which reported fourth-quarter results better than estimates but which also indicated it’s too early to tell if an economic recovery has started. 

The news upset investors who had sent the sector higher on anticipation that it was about to turn around and would resume the strong growth of the late 1990s. The hope was that Intel would be the first of many tech companies to indicate business was improving. 

“The Street has been hoping it would get something like, ’The worst is behind us,’ from Intel. Instead, the company said it doesn’t see that business is really improving a whole lot,” said Todd Clark, head of listed equity trading at Wells Fargo Securities. “That spooked a lot of people, and that’s why you’re seeing a lot of this selling.” 

Intel, which had advanced considerably in anticipation of a more upbeat forecast, fell 97 cents to $33.71. Other tech stocks also suffered, including Advanced Micro Devices, which reported a smaller quarterly loss than expected after the market closed. The stock rose $1.23 in extended trading, or 6.8 percent, regaining some of its $1.24 loss during the regular session. 

EBay, which beat Wall Street’s fourth-quarter estimates and forecast a profitable 2002, dropped $4.09 to $59.94 in the regular session. 

Among broader issues, J.P. Morgan Chase slid $1.67 to $36.20 after missing fourth-quarter estimates and reporting a fourth-quarter decline of $332 million because of losses attributable to the Enron bankruptcy, Argentina’s debt default and other equity investment losses. 

And Kmart tumbled 89 cents to $1.56 on news it would be removed from the Standard & Poor’s 500 index at the end of the session. The discounter, which many fear is headed for bankruptcy, was being dropped because of its low stock price and financial problems. 

A Federal Reserve report released during the session offered little incentive to buy. The report, known as the Beige Book, indicated that although there are some signs a recovery will begin by mid-year, its “timing and strength are uncertain.” 

Also Wednesday, the Labor Department reported consumer prices edged down 0.2 percent in December. A dramatic drop in energy prices — reflecting weak demand amid a worldwide economic slump — was a key reason. 

Declining issues led advancers more than 3 to 2 on the New York Stock Exchange. Consolidated volume came to 1.81 billion shares, compared with 1.68 billion Tuesday. 

The Russell 2000 index slid 8.58 to 476.42. 

Overseas, Japan’s Nikkei stock average lost 0.3 percent. In Europe, Germany’s DAX index dropped 1.5 percent, Britain’s FT-SE 100 fell 0.7 percent, and France’s CAC-40 slipped 2.1 percent. 

——— 

On the Net: 

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com 

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com 

SAN JOSE — Fourth-quarter losses narrowed considerably at Yahoo! Inc. and beat Wall Street expectations, and the Internet bellwether said Wednesday it is on track to see its fortunes rebound in 2002. 

Separately, president and chief operating officer Jeff Mallett, who joined Yahoo in 1995 as employee No. 12, said he is stepping down in April to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters and to pursue outside business opportunities. 

Yahoo reported its fifth consecutive quarter in the red, losing $8.7 million, or 2 cents per share, on revenue of $188.9 million in the three months ending Dec. 31. In the comparable period in 2000, Yahoo lost $97.8 million, or 17 cents per share, on sales of $310.9 million. 

Excluding restructuring charges and other one-time events, Yahoo said it would have earned $16.7 million, or 3 cents per share. Analysts had been expecting 1 cent per share, on revenue of $170.7 million, according to Thomson Financial/First Call. 

Yahoo shares sank $1.60, or 8 percent, to $17.87 on the Nasdaq Stock Market before the earnings report, but jumped to $18.83 in after-hours trading. 

The quarter capped an eventful year at the company, which moved into new headquarters in Sunnyvale; saw Internet advertising plummet with the economy; staged two rounds of layoffs; dealt with the departures of several key executives; realigned its business structure under new CEO Terry Semel, and pulled off a last-minute, $436 million bid for HotJobs.com. 

For all of 2001, Yahoo lost $92.8 million, or 16 cents per share, on revenue of $717.4 million. Those marks were well off the company’s record showing in 2001, when it earned $70.8 million, or 12 cents per share, on revenue of $1.1 billion. 

But Yahoo raised its targets for this year. Executives predicted Yahoo would earn 1 or 2 cents per share in the current quarter, excluding charges, on revenue between $160 million and $180 million. Analysts had been predicting 1 cent per share and sales of $163.8 million, according to First Call. 

The company also predicted that 2002 revenue would rise to between $750 million and $800 million, with earnings excluding charges of 7 to 10 cents per share. Those estimates, which exclude potential increases from the addition of HotJobs, surpass the current consensus forecast of 9 cents per share and sales of $735 million. 

Semel said he has a “quiet confidence” about Yahoo’s position and is seeing signs the advertising market may have stabilized. 

But even without an economic turnaround, Semel expects Yahoo’s results to improve as the company offers new packages of subscription services to its 219 million registered users, ramps up sales of listings on its search pages and reaps the benefits of improved relationships with ad agencies. 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.yahoo.com 

HOUSTON — Compaq Computer Corp. easily topped Wall Street’s fourth-quarter 2001 earnings expectations, announcing Wednesday that it earned $92 million for the period. 

The Houston-based computer maker, which informed investors last week it likely would make money, turned a profit of 5 cents per share, beating the 1-cent consensus of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial/First Call. 

The earnings figure includes a charge of $36 million, or 1 cent per share, related to Compaq’s pending merger with Palo Alto, Calif.-based Hewlett-Packard Co. 

Compaq’s earnings were down 82 percent from the $515 million, or 30 cents a share, it made in the final quarter of 2000, not including a $1.8 million writedown because of devaluation of its large stake in CMGI Inc. 

Chairman and chief executive Michael Capellas also predicted Compaq would bring in about $7.6 billion in revenue and earn a penny a share in the current quarter.  

Analysts anticipated a break-even period. 

“While we did see some strengthening of the (information technology) market in the fourth quarter, first half growth will be moderate and pent-up demand should drive a stronger recovery in the second half of the year,” Capellas said. 

The company, which entered the year struggling with slow computer sales, shed 8,500 jobs in a massive restructuring. On the year, the company lost $563 million, compared to a $595 million profit in 2000. 

Revenues for the October-December quarter of 2001 totaled $8.46 billion, down 26 percent from the $11.48 billion in sales it posted in the last three months of 2000. 

Full-year revenues totaled $33.55 billion, down 21 percent from the $42.22 billion that came in during 2000. 

The proposed $24 billion merger of Compaq and Hewlett-Packard faces opposition by the Hewlett and Packard families and a Packard foundation that control a combined 18 percent of HP shares. 

HP announced plans to buy Compaq on Sept. 3. The companies said they believe merging will make them a leader in key technology segments, improve their offerings for corporate customers and speed their pace of innovation. HP and Compaq are awaiting regulatory approval before setting a date for a shareholder vote. 

Compaq shares were down 30 cents to $11.10 on the New York Stock Exchange. The company’s results were released after the close of trading. 

——— 

On the Net: http://www.compaq.com 

SAN FRANCISCO — John Walker Lindh’s parents had the first word in the battle to shape his image, calling him a “good kid,” releasing cute family pictures and suggesting he was brainwashed by the Taliban. 

The government painted a far darker picture based on his interviews with the FBI in Afghanistan, where he was captured in November. Attorney General John Ashcroft suggested Lindh alone decided to take up arms with the Taliban against the United States. 

Some of the people who met the young American during his first trip to the Middle East suspect the government’s view of Lindh’s actions is closer to the mark — even then, he seemed solely responsible for the choices he was making. Now, they say, he is clearly a danger to society. 

Lindh, who turns 21 on Feb. 9, was charged last week with conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens, and could face life in prison if convicted. He was being moved Tuesday from an American warship to Virginia, where he will stand trial. 

Thomas White, who studied Arabic with Lindh at the Yemen Language Center in San‘a, Yemen’s capital, agrees it would be good to keep him off the streets of America. 

“He was well-cooked before he arrived” in the Middle East in 1998, said White. “There was not much critical thinking going on.” 

Other students in Yemen remember Lindh as a recluse who studied the Koran in his room and often left the secular school to meet more fundamentalist Muslims. They quickly learned that when it came to Islam, there was no reasoning with the student who called himself “Suleyman.” 

“He was like, ’I found the truth and I’m not going to think about it. What I stand on is right, and what you stand on is wrong,”’ White recalled during a phone interview from his home in the West Bank. 

Michael Kleinman, Lindh’s roommate at the school, said the teen-ager was serious, studious and immature. 

“There was a lack of restraint. He went from zero to fundamentalist in two minutes,” said Kleinman, now a law student in Massachusetts. “There was also a lack of awareness of what was going on.” 

Lindh seemed to get his ideas in part from a pile of small pamphlets that he kept in his room, White recalled. 

“He used to sit around with ... these 20-page little scrap pamphlets on why Jesus was wrong and why Muhammad was right,” White said. “He had a stack of these things, and he argued from that.” 

Haifa Covey, a Yemen native who worked as a recruiter and liaison in California for the school, remembers Lindh as a somewhat naive and impressionable teen-ager who was anxious to journey overseas. He asked her for advice on everything from hiking boots to blankets. 

“This boy, I feel bad for him. I want to cry for him,” Covey said. “God knows who washed his brain. He was a good Muslim, a good boy. He didn’t have any problems, but give him the freedom to choose and God knows who played with his mind.” 

Covey said Lindh’s mother had serious reservations about the teen’s safety in a country where the State Department recommends that Americans travel with armed guards outside the capital. 

“His mom was calling and calling. ’Oh they will kill him there. It’s not safe. How much money will he need?”’ Covey recalled. “She gave us a hard time, the mother — calling, calling, calling. She was saying she didn’t feel safe for him to study in my country.” 

Lindh came to Yemen in the summer of 1998. After less than a semester he vanished from the school, former students said. 

Lindh apparently never warned his family he was leaving, but complained to school officials about having to study with women and criticized other Muslims for not praying enough. Months later, Yemeni security forces caught him at an airport trying to leave without a visa, according to Sabri Saleem, the school’s owner. 

Saleem says he was happy to see Lindh go after taking anguished calls from his mother and dealing with the American’s attitude toward other Muslims. 

“I was not happy with his personality,” Saleem said. “He isolated himself by asking students to go and pray. He had no right to talk to any of the students about that.” 

Lindh returned home to Marin County, Calif., for about eight months in 1999, then went back to the Middle East. He told the FBI he met Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, received weapons training and was sent to fight the northern alliance, which became a U.S. ally in the fight against the Taliban. 

Lindh also allegedly told the FBI he had learned a full three months before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that bin Laden had dispatched suicide squads to the United States. 

Lindh’s parents, through their lawyer, declined comment for this story. After weeks of silence since their son was captured in Afghanistan, they issued a statement last week saying they still love and support him. 

Covey also remembers Lindh as “a very good person,” and said she’s withholding judgment until the trial. But she says he should be put to death if he had advanced warning of the Sept. 11 attacks, because it would make him a despicable Muslim and a bad American. 

“I don’t know what happened to him,” she said. “He met with the wrong people, with the wrong group.” 

Kleinman says he’s unsure what punishment Lindh deserves, and he’s waiting to see what evidence surfaces during the trial. He does, however, believe Lindh is responsible for his actions. 

“I don’t think you can write this off as youthful indiscretion,” Kleinman said. 

White remains torn — he saw the Californian as a misguided youth blindly searching for faith, but he also saw the lengths to which Lindh was willing to go to remain true to his interpretation of Islam. 

“They wouldn’t haven’t given a hoot about the guy if Sept. 11 hadn’t happened, and he would have come back to the U.S. and started a mosque,” White said. “The real question is what to do with this guy? As an American, I couldn’t trust him to be out on the streets. But then again, I don’t think he’s guilty of all that much. Maybe you send him back to Afghanistan.” 

STANFORD — Nearly 34 years after black students stormed a stage at Stanford University, grabbing the microphone and demanding change, several are returning to the school this week to discuss whether their demands have been met. 

The group of about 70 students took over the stage on April 8, 1968, four days after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was gunned down at a Memphis motel. 

The students made 10 demands for change, then walked off the Memorial Auditorium stage without incident, returning the microphone to Provost Richard Lyman. They received a standing ovation. 

“When Lyman starts talking, we decided, we’re not going to hurt him — we’re not going to hurt anybody — but we are going to have our say,” said Keni Washington, a senior philosophy student at the time and co-chair of the Black Student Union. “We were tired of listening.” 

As part of a two-week celebration of King’s life and accomplishments, Washington and others who participated that day will return to their alma mater Wednesday to talk about positive changes on campus and what still needs work. 

The original demands included increasing Stanford’s minority enrollment, hiring more minority professors, offering minorities more financial aid and introducing more classes that deal with minority issues. 

“We felt the university had no one that could speak to the black experience at school,” said Charles Countee, who served as co-chair of the black organization with Washington. “Even if they were well-intentioned, they couldn’t understand the level of concern black students had.” 

The microphone incident led to the formation of African and African-American studies, Stanford’s first ethnic studies program, as well as the start of several campus minority groups, including the Committee on Black Performing Arts, Ujamaa House, Kuumba Dance Ensemble and the gospel choir. 

Prior to 1960, only two black students had enrolled at Stanford. By 1966, there were 35 and about 100 the following year. 

This year’s graduating class includes 166 blacks, and black students account for 9 percent of Stanford’s enrollment. In colleges nationwide, blacks make up 12 percent of enrollment. 

But some say it’s still not enough. 

“We do not have enough black faculty or women faculty, and when you combine the two, it’s dismal,” said Jan Barker Alexander, assistant dean of students and director of the Black Community Services Center. 

Black faculty increased at the university from 27 to 47 in the 1990s, but that represents only 3 percent of the total. 

“One thing Dr. King understood fervently was to not take action in the face of a wrong was a signal, in fact, a surrender,” Countee said.

SAN FRANCISCO – The state has until the end of the year to remove the additive MTBE from gasoline and replace it from ethanol, but officials worry that they won’t meet the deadline and that that could drive up gas prices. 

The delay could also prove troublesome for Gov. Gray Davis. 

In early 1999, Davis declared MTBE a threat because studies showed it was leaking into the state’s groundwater. 

He ordered the fuel additive that makes gasoline burn cleaner to be banned by Dec. 31, 2002, in favor of another federally mandated gasoline additive, ethanol, which is made from corn, primarily in the Midwest. 

But three years later, MTBE is still in use in the state’s reformulated gasoline and Davis’ options are narrowing. 

“This is a ticking bomb,” Bruce Cain, a political scientist at the University of California at Berkeley told the San Francisco Chronicle. Cain said the gasoline additive problem has parallels to last year’s energy crisis. 

Davis faces several infrastructure obstacles to getting ethanol-based fuel in California. 

Last year, U.S. ethanol production, located almost exclusively in the Midwest states such as Iowa, was more than 1.8 billion gallons. California will need nearly 950 million gallons a year, requiring a production increase. 

That increase would necessitate production and transportation upgrades for the ethanol plants, which are behind schedule in making those changes. It also requires an estimated $100 million in new equipment and refineries in California. 

A lack of rail transport could also contribute to supply problems, making gasoline prices rise as much as 50 cents a gallon. 

“California’s gasoline infrastructure is incredibly complicated, with so many different pieces that have to come together seamlessly for it to work,” said Scott Folwarkow, director of regulatory affairs for independent refiner Valero Energy Corp. “If one part isn’t ready, the price impacts can be huge.” 

Davis’ options include asking for the MTBE phase-out deadline to be pushed back further until infrastructure is ready for ethanol or sticking to the deadline and running the risk of offending California motorists and voters if gas prices soared. 

Or he can wait to see whether Congress passes a compromise measure that would let him waive an oxygenate requirement, allowing states some oversight on how much fuel additives they use. 

Under the measure, Congress would set a minimum amount of ethanol that refiners have to purchase each year. The compromise attached to an energy bill could satisfy the corn lobby and individual states.

OAKLAND — A Livermore man convicted of threatening to release anthrax into the federal building in Oakland was sentenced to five years in prison Friday. 

Charles Redden, 33, was indicted by a grand jury on April 20, 2000, for calling the clerk’s office for the U.S. District Court in January 1999 and saying anthrax had been released into the building’s air conditioning system. The threat was a hoax. 

Redden will begin the sentence after he finishes serving a sentence for a previous conviction in Hawaii. 

Redden’s threat came before the tougher federal sentences for bioterrorism crimes. Under the new guidelines, someone convicted of sending a biological or chemical agent through the mail could face 30 years to life in prison. Before the new rules, the maximum sentence was 17 1/2 years. 

Sentencing guidelines also have been stiffened for those who threaten such crimes.

BERKELEY — The first question for many people after young American John Walker Lindh was found fighting with the Taliban in Afghanistan was: What was he doing there? But the next question was: Where were his parents in all of this? 

What were they thinking when they bankrolled their son’s travels in search of an Islamic ideal, first in Yemen as a 17-year-old and later in Pakistan and Afghanistan as a young adult? 

After practically every school shooting or other act of wrongdoing by a teen-ager, the sins of the children are visited on their fathers and mothers in sometimes fiercely critical post-mortems of their parenting. 

“People assume that there’s a very direct correspondence between what kids do and what their parents did for them or to them,” said James Garbarino, who talked with the parents of one of the Columbine High School gunmen for his recent book, “Parents Under Siege.” For his part, Garbarino says that parents are not necessarily to blame for what their children do. 

In recent weeks, the spotlight has been put on the parents of Charles Bishop, the 15-year-old who crashed a small plane into a Tampa, Fla., high-rise, leaving a suicide note expressing support for Osama bin Laden. Also in the news were the parents of Richard Reid, the 28-year-old accused of trying to detonate explosives in sneakers during a trans-Atlantic flight. 

The criticism of Marilyn Walker and Frank Lindh, Lindh’s estranged parents, has been scathing, and has been aimed at both their actions and their environment — liberal, wealthy Marin County just north of San Francisco. 

There has been speculation that Lindh lost his moorings amid the confusion of his parents’ separation and his mother’s own spiritual wanderings, which ultimately led her to convert to Buddhism. 

It didn’t help when his parents said immediately after their son’s arrest that he is a “good boy” and that they had supported his pilgrimage to world trouble spots. 

Lindh’s “road to treason and jihad didn’t begin in Afghanistan. It began in Marin County, with parents who never said, ‘no,”’ columnist Jeff Jacoby wrote in The Boston Globe. 

The 20-year-old Lindh, who was captured in November, was charged Tuesday with conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens and could get life in prison. The Bush administration decided against a military trial or charges that carry the death penalty. 

His parents, after weeks of silence, said through their lawyer that they still love and support their son. 

Lindh’s parents had paid for his solo trip to Yemen, one of the world’s most dangerous places for Westerners, despite misgivings that prompted Marilyn Walker to repeatedly call representatives of the Yemen Language School, seeking assurances that he would be OK. 

Lindh repeatedly got in trouble with authorities there. He considered himself a more pious Muslim than most Yemenis, and made illegal attempts to meet with militants, according to those who encountered him. 

During a second trip to the Middle East eight months later, he sent an e-mail from Pakistan asking for more money. His father wired him $1,200, and Lindh was off to meet bin Laden. Lindh’s parents did not see him again until he appeared on CNN, a wounded and disheveled prisoner. 

“Clueless,” is one of the milder epithets that has been aimed at Lindh’s parents. 

The parents of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the teen-agers who in 1999 killed 12 students and a teacher at Columbine High School and then committed suicide, were similarly criticized. In that case, the criticism was not that the parents were too tolerant, but that they were ignorant — they should have known about their boys’ dark fantasies and weapons cache. 

Phyllis York, co-founder of Toughlove International, which urges parents to set limits on unruly offspring, said she is not surprised at the criticism. “We live in a culture where parents don’t count, yet they’re blamed as scapegoats,” she said. 

Child psychiatrist Dr. Elizabeth Berger sees fear behind the outrage. 

“When a person in an unexpected way does something grotesque, it is terrifying,” she said. “Everyone says, ‘Lord, there but for the grace go I.’ Rather than tussling with that humbling and humanitarian idea, frequently they push that away by asserting — ‘This could not possibly be me.”’ 

Child experts agree: Teens are good at fooling their parents. 

Garbarino asked freshmen at Cornell University, presumably a group of high-achievers, if they had hidden anything scary from their parents.  

They had, everything from suicidal leanings to drug busts. 

Berger, author of “Raising Children With Character,” would not comment on the Lindh household and said no outsider can deliver a clinical analysis of what is surely a complex situation. 

She said she does not absolve parents from all responsibility, but in general, “one cannot work backward from a troubled offspring and assert that the parents zigged when they should have zagged.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

Toughlove: http://www.toughlove.org 

Berger’s site: http://www.parentingbyheart.com 

OAKLAND — A 5-year-old girl died Wednesday after she and four other children, along with two mothers, were struck by a speeding hit-and-run driver in a crosswalk on their way to school. 

The little girl died after being removed from life support, said nursing supervisor Valerie Tucker from Children’s Hospital in Oakland. 

The hit-and-run happened Tuesday morning when a green 1967 Ford Mustang sped through an Oakland intersection, mowing down the seven as they crossed the street, said Oakland Sgt. Arturo Bautista. 

Police found the car parked around a nearby corner but they did not immediately locate the driver. A $15,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. 

Three other children, ages 11, 10 and 7, remain hospitalized in fair and stable condition with broken bones and other injuries.  

A 1-year-old girl has been released, Tucker said. 

The mother of three of the children was in stable condition Wednesday at Highland Hospital where she’s being treated for a broken ankle and knee. The mother of the other two was struck but not injured.