The University of California has offered to curtail mandatory overtime for its nurses and shift from a merit pay system to one based on seniority, marking a major shift in the contract squabble between the two sides. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
xIf you think Elvis Costello, the once kingpin of Punk and New Wave angst, has stifled his sharp tongue and rocking sensibilities in favor of just collaborating with the likes of Burt Bachrach and Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter only, think again. Costello proved beyond a doubt where his musical roots lay at a recent show at the Berkeley Community Theater. He showed the crowd that though his musical styles have expanded beyond the fast-paced, witty lyrics of his early career, his origins of being a great rock 'n' roll songwriter and a captivating performer are still perfectly intact. -more-
The Berkeley Unified School District revealed new budget figures and Superintendent Michele Lawrence warned that the district may carry a deficit into next year at the Board of Education meeting Wednesday night. -more-
Solano Avenue sidewalks will explode with chocolate and colorful chalk artwork for three days during the Memorial Day holiday weekend at the Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival running May 25- 27. -more-
City Council considers new regulations as well -more-
LOS ANGELES — If you want to be among the first to own “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” you need to get to the store at an appropriate hour: midnight. -more-
All three Bay Area airports are expecting an especially heavy flow of travelers to pass through their terminals this Memorial Day weekend, perhaps the highest numbers since the Sept. 11 attacks traumatized American air travel. -more-
DETROIT — The Detroit Electronic Music Festival drew more than 1 million people in each of its first two years. -more-
A high pressure system along the mid-Atlantic coast brought sunny skies to much of the East on Thursday afternoon. -more-
Female genital mutilation is not usually the subject of stand-up comedy. But for African-born Sia Amma, humor has proved powerful and healing. Subjected to a clitorodectomy in her native Liberia when she was just nine years old, Amma has made the problem of female circumcision the central subject of a one-woman show. -more-
FBI agent allegedly switched allegiance to gangsters -more-
xSAN JOSE — Attorneys for former motel handyman Cary Stayner, who has admitted in grotesque detail how he killed three Yosemite National Park tourists in 1999, will try to save his life by arguing to a jury he is mentally ill. -more-
xSAN BERNARDINO — A judge said Thursday that a board that has repeatedly denied Leslie Van Houten parole in two Manson Family murders has failed to give her any guidance on what she could do to make herself suitable for release. -more-
LONDON — Some types of rubber bullets used by police to restrain unruly protesters kill and maim too often to be considered a safe method of crowd control, new research concludes. -more-
Online company’s shares skyrocket by almost 12 percent after initial IPO -more-
WASHINGTON – A federal agency set up an “Enron Information Link” for people to report suspicious activities involving Enron or other companies that may have affected West Coast energy prices. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – Online travel service Orbitz will target footloose gays and lesbians under a marketing partnership announced Wednesday with Web portal Gay.com. -more-
SACRAMENTO – Budget negotiators will consider boosting logging fees to help trim the state’s projected $23.6 billion budget shortfall, lawmakers decided Wednesday evening. -more-
SAN JOSE — Yahoo! Inc. said Thursday it plans to pull most of its online auction initiatives in Europe and instead promote eBay’s market-leading auction site there. -more-
TRUCHAS, N.M. — Hundreds of people left their homes Thursday as a fast-moving 6,000-acre wildfire threatened a small northern New Mexico town. -more-
xLandmark cases brought by individual smokers against the tobacco industry, listing date, location, award, parties and status: -more-
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Two men who forced a bank manager to rob her own bank while they held her family hostage were convicted Thursday of armed bank robbery by extortion. -more-
Hahn, Riordan speak out against plan to separate San Fernando Valley from second-biggest U.S. city -more-
SACRAMENTO – More than a third of California’s single women live in poverty, according to a report released Wednesday by the San Francisco-based Women’s Foundation. -more-
Justice Department considering giving cops power to enforce immigration laws; Florida the first state to agree to idea -more-
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – John Walker Lindh pleaded “please don’t kill me” as U.S. troops took the captured Taliban soldier to a U.S. military camp in Afghanistan, his defense lawyers said Thursday. -more-
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – John Walker Lindh pleaded “please don’t kill me” as U.S. troops took the captured Taliban soldier to a U.S. military camp in Afghanistan, his defense lawyers said Thursday. -more-
SACRAMENTO – Pharmacies could sell hypodermic needles to adults without a doctor’s prescription under a bill approved Thursday by the state Senate. -more-
WASHINGTON – Police and forensic experts worked Thursday to solve the mystery of how Chandra Levy died, with investigators saying most evidence points to murder. -more-
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Nathaniel Bar-Jonah, the man accused of butchering a 10-year-old boy here and feeding his remains to unsuspecting neighbors, was sentenced Thursday to 130 years in prison without parole for assaults on two other boys. -more-
Provisions to give teachers power over book and curriculum selection dropped -more-
Oceanside Unified School District to pay more than $140,000 -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – A California inmate has no right to mail his sperm from prison to impregnate his wife, a divided federal appeals court ruled Thursday. -more-
The Berkeley City Council unanimously voted to oppose the Racial Privacy Initiative Tuesday night, an initiative that would prohibit state and local governments from collecting or using information about race, ethnicity, color or national origin. -more-
Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2002. There are 222 days left in the year. -more-
The Berkeley Yellowjackets scored in each of the first five innings, including a five-run fourth, and cruised to a 12-6 win over Antioch High in the first round of the North Coast Section 3A East Bay playoffs on Wednesday at Cal’s Evans Diamond. -more-
Officials from the Berkeley Federation of Teachers and the Berkeley Unified School District say they hope to settle union claims of improper layoffs out of court, but a disagreement over seven “probationary status” teachers may get in the way. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
City leaders have fast-tracked safety plans for the neighborhood where a 72-year-old nun was struck and killed by a car on Addison Street earlier this month. But central Berkeley residents are concerned that bureaucratic roadblocks may delay the safety process. -more-
Approximately 100 Claremont food and beverage workers, spa workers and sympathizers braved the rain on Sunday to continue their fight against KSL Resorts Corporation, the spa’s parent company. -more-
STATELINE, Nev. — An 18-year-old Stockton, Calif. woman has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges she concealed the birth of her son, who was found dead at a Stateline casino. -more-
OAKLAND — Boarded up storefronts, corner liquor stores and rundown houses dominate west Oakland, where a gung-ho band of police officers known as “the Riders” were taken off the streets two years ago. -more-
It is not the artists’ fault that they live on a fault, but an expensive retrofitting job, to the co-operative gallery located in the 1700 block of Shattuck, will be their problem. -more-
LIVERMORE — Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory officials today launched a program to give public safety officials access to state-of-the-art technology to battle chemical and biological threats. -more-
TULSA, Okla. — Williams Cos. told energy regulators Wednesday that some of its California trades resembled those allegedly made by Enron Corp., but were not designed to manipulate the state’s power market. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Gap, Inc.’s shares plunged 15 percent Wednesday amid investor worries the unexpected retirement of Millard “Mickey” Drexler as chief executive will hobble the already limping retailer. -more-
After a two-and-a-half-day visit, a five-member team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges said Berkeley High School has made progress on communications and governance, but needs to improve on staff development and its approach to the “achievement gap” that separates white and Asian-American students from African-Americans and Latinos. -more-
Today is Wednesday, May 22, the 142nd day of 2002. There are 223 days left in the year. -more-
Souders gets the start against Antioch -more-
xGov. Gray Davis’s proposed education budget shouldn’t inflict much harm on the Berkeley Unified School District next year, according to one highly-placed district official. But concerns about health care costs, special education and mentoring programs at two Berkeley schools linger. -more-
STANFORD – Cal’s representatives in the NCAA Women’s Tennis singles championship were eliminated Tuesday, as sophomore Raquel Kops-Jones and junior Christina Fusano both lost in the first round. -more-
xIf Berkeley can’t readily muster space for new sports fields within its city limits, maybe the city of Oakland can pinch hit. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
To the Editor: -more-
To the Editor: -more-
BERKELEY — In a time of war, the University of California, Berkeley, is launching a center devoted to the study of inner peace. -more-
City Council
BERKELEY — A Berkeley group concerned about a recent rash of racially-motivated hate crimes in the city honored Mayor Shirley Dean Tuesday for her efforts to bring the crimes to a quick halt. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Developers who want a piece of a one-time military oasis may find themselves squeezed under a new plan for San Francisco’s last sprawl of prime real estate. -more-
SACRAMENTO — A constitutional amendment to bolster California’s open government requirements passed its first test Tuesday, but supporters said it was still only a “semi-work in progress” that would be reshaped as it moves through the Legislature. -more-
SACRAMENTO — California grid officials asked state energy traders to buy unnecessary power at above-market rates, which the state later had to sell at a loss, a senator investigating California’s energy market said Tuesday. -more-
SACRAMENTO — The legislative committee investigating a $95 million no-bid software contract asked for permission Tuesday to subpoena five top Oracle Corp. officials to testify. -more-
University of California officials are concerned about Gov. Gray Davis’s proposal to slash $118 million in funding for the system, but acknowledge that the university fared relatively well in the context of a nearly $24 billion budget shortfall. -more-
Today is Tuesday, May 21, the 141st day of 2002. There are 224 days left in the year. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
“Playing Our Roots”
The Berkeley High Yellowjacket track & field team, traditionally a laggard in the distance running events, leaned heavily this season on an uncharacteristically strong distance team. Leading the pack: 17-year-old sophomore Alex Enscoe, 2002 ACCAL champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. -more-
A year-old spat that some say is as much about politics as it is about pain is scheduled to be heard in court this week. -more-
The core of the problem in the Middle East is in the cultural differences between the East and the West. The social rules that the West believes in are totally estranged to the Arab culture. With the introduction by the English department of a course to be taught by a fifth-year graduate student, Snehal Shingavi, and titled “The Politics and Poetics of Palestinian Resistance,” that very same problem may become the core of a major problem in UC Berkeley. -more-
FOXBORO, Mass. — The United States isn’t quite ready for the World Cup. The way the Americans look at it, they don’t have to be just yet. -more-
The largest housing development in recent Berkeley history, slated to include 174 units of residential development and necessitate the replacement of 350 parking spaces in central Berkeley, the Library Gardens project was mysteriously pulled from further consideration at last Tuesday’s City Council meeting. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
SACRAMENTO — Trying to put to rest a politically embarrassing contract controversy, Gov. Gray Davis issued an executive order Monday requiring competitive bidding on most state contracts worth at least $100,000. -more-
Environmentalists expected to ask city to support lawsuit -more-
The Berkeley High boys’ lacrosse team fell just short of their state championship dream on Saturday, falling 7-3 to St. Ignatius at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco in the Northern California championship game. -more-
The UC Theatre, at 2036 University Ave., was shut down last year and dismissed as a relic of the past. Now, though, it’s in high demand with several Berkeleyans wanting a refurbished theatre as part of their future. -more-
It is an old baseball axiom: Do not walk the leadoff man. The St. Mary’s High Panthers violated that cardinal rule one too many times Saturday afternoon and it cost them both the BSAL crown and a shot at the North Coast Section playoffs. -more-
Berkeley’s broadcast program Youth Radio has joined the ranks of “60 minutes” and CNN news, and last week, their kinship with the media giants was acknowledged by the state Assembly. -more-
Today is Monday, May 20, the 140th day of 2002. There are 225 days left in the year. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – Some 75,000 racers slogged through early morning mist and rains Sunday, but the wacky San Francisco spirit synonymous with the Bay to Breakers footrace shone bright in everything from a ‘trailer-trash’ float to a few runners sporting nothing but a smile. -more-
OAKLAND — Attorneys for FBI agents and Oakland police officers said the officers acted within reason and did not violate the constitutional rights of two Earth First! activists injured when a bomb went off in their car in 1990. -more-
RENO, Nev. — Don’t put away the winter jacket just yet. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – A Canadian company has called for an investigation into stock option trades in a brokerage account held by a Banc of America Securities analyst. -more-
REDWOOD CITY – Internet software maker BroadVision Inc. is wheezing like another high-tech company down to its last gasp after firing nearly three-fourths of its work force and losing $25 billion of its market value in two years. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – Security Pacific National Bank and Bank of America trust fund customers could end up receiving $40 million more for overcharges between 1975 and 1994, following a federal appeals court ruling. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Police Department is struggling to solve violent crimes and ranks last among the nation’s 20 largest city’s in doing so, according to a study of crime statistics. -more-
Construction was slated to start this week, but now officials say it may not start at all -more-
Newfound wealth in Silicon Valley contributing to big increase in car ownership -more-
Graduation ceremonies kicked off Friday at UC Berkeley's Greek Theatre with words of wisdom for the Class of 2002 from professors, alumni and an Olympic gold medalist. Thousands of parents, alumni, faculty and friends watched and cheered as a portion of the university's 6,000 graduating seniors donned caps and gowns and participated in the commencement convocation. -more-
In 1896 the first motion picture in the United States was presented to the public in a New York City music hall, and for the next decade most films were shown as fillers in travelling vaudeville shows. The films were short and the subjects — such as dancing girls and moving trains — were limited. Partially because of lawsuits over patent infringements, the U.S. film industry lagged behind France and England until there was a patent settlement in 1908. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Mexican singer Paulina Rubio has topped People en Espanol’s list of the ”25 Most Beautiful” Latin entertainers. -more-
Complicated tie-breakers keep Berkeley in suspense as NCS playoffs loom -more-
Berkeley is oft maligned by much of the nation for being divisive and living in a sort of time warp, but no more. A new monument is being developed in Cesar Chavez Park that will provide Berkeleyans not only with a sense of time but also of universal direction -- a solar calendar. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
What happens when catty people collide? -more-
FRESNO – The fifth-ranked Golden Bears (50-19 overall) won their 50th game of the season, only the third team to do so in Cal history, on junior Courtney Scott’s double to center in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat No. 2 seed Stanford, 1-0, in the second round of the NCAA West Regional at Bulldog Diamond. -more-
Five Berkeley High School students were among 140 East Bay girls at a young women’s health conference convened Friday afternoon by State Assemblywoman Dion Aroner, D-Berkeley, at Mills College in Oakland. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
Some news stories that may seem too small to thrive, actually grow to haunt a culture. In this country the Jon Benet Ramsey murder lives on in seemingly endless permutations, while the shame and scandal of Stephen Lawrence’s death plagues England nearly a decade after the bloody act. -more-
Today’s Bay Shore Athletic League baseball championship game has been moved from Washington Park in Alameda to Salesian High School in Richmond. -more-
Today is Sunday, May 19, the 139th day of 2002. There are 226 days left in the year. -more-
I recognize the scene of John Osborne’s dark and disturbing “The Entertainer,” now at Berkeley’s Aurora Theater, a play about the travails of a family of music hall performers in a declining British seaside resort. -more-
LOS ANGELES — “Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones” took in more money Thursday than any weekday release in movie history but failed to beat the best single-day box office take of all time, set this month by high-flying “Spider-Man.” -more-
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Computer security firm Network Associates restated its earnings from 1998 to 2000 on Friday, reducing reported profits by about $28 million, after completing an internal probe that uncovered accounting irregularities. -more-
Almost everywhere you turn, flats of seedlings are crying out to be bought — from drugstores, from supermarkets, from department stores, and, of course, from nurseries. -more-
Outdoor grills aren’t just for flame-broiled burgers and steaks anymore. -more-
Photography is history in the making. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Telephone clerks at the state’s largest HMO were given bonuses for keeping calls with patients brief and limiting the number of doctor appointments scheduled, a program some opponents argue was deceitful and harmful to patients with serious medical problems. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The family firm of millionaire Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon was fined and censured by securities regulators in the 1990s, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday. -more-
HOUSTON — Former Arthur Andersen partner David Duncan wrapped up a week of testimony in the firm’s obstruction of justice trial Friday by saying he never explicitly told his colleagues to “destroy” Enron documents. -more-
WASHINGTON — Two years before the Sept. 11 attacks, an analysis prepared for U.S. intelligence warned that Osama bin Laden’s terrorists could hijack an airliner and fly it into government buildings like the Pentagon. -more-
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A co-leader of an Internet software piracy group that authorities say was responsible for billions of dollars in lost sales was sentenced to nearly four years in prison Friday. -more-
HAVANA — Jimmy Carter ended a historic visit to Cuba Friday sharply at odds with the Bush administration over how to deal with Fidel Castro. The former president said limits on tourism and trade often hurt Americans more than Cubans. -more-
HYDERABAD, India — India baked in a heat wave Friday so intense that mud huts became as hot as ovens and birds in trees dropped dead, villagers said. This month’s heat has killed 638 people nationwide. -more-
AUSTIN, Texas — Lady Bird Johnson was released from an Austin hospital Thursday, three weeks after suffering a mild stroke. -more-
MODESTO — The parents of Chandra Levy tried to avoid watching television Wednesday after word broke that a body was found in a Washington, D.C., park not far from their daughter’s apartment. -more-
Berkeley’s urbanity, Palma Soriano’s agriculture, and thousands of miles may serve to separate these two cities, but as of last week they have joined an increasing sisterhood despite the estrangement. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis’s budget contains some hot-button proposals that require legislative approval, and his administration has launched an all-out public relations effort to try to sell them. -more-
Berkeley’s Star Grocery celebrated its 80th birthday yesterday, with balloons, friends, music and food for all. -more-
Last week, Verlon Bourd was shot and killed at 1001 Chester St. in Oakland, making him the sixth young black man to be murdered in Oakland this month and rounding out a recent spat or similar murders in the last month. -more-
SACRAMENTO – A former aide to Gov. Gray Davis says he was surprised when a computer company lobbyist gave him a $25,000 campaign contribution for the governor at a Sacramento bar. -more-
