This year marks the 50th anniversary of the landmark publication of Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man.” With its jazzy rhythms and unadulterated views of racism, the 581-page opus won the 1953 National Book Award, and today it continues to challenge readers to enter the dark corners of the American psyche. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Theater -more-

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Thursday, August 15

Three seniors are competing for final
spot alongside Klotsche and Nixon -more-

The city is prepared to take control of a student boarding house owned by a landlord notorious for substandard housing. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

OAKLAND – Billy Koch needed just 12 pitches to redeem himself after a shaky outing. -more-

New Department of Conservation maps show that a significant portion of Alameda County could experience landslides and unstable ground conditions during a major earthquake. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

“When I’m in the air on a clear day, I don’t want it to end. When I’m on the ground I can’t wait to be back up in the sky,” wrote Barbara Cushman Rowell for her forthcoming memoir, “Flying South: A Pilot’s Inner Journey,” from Berkeley-based Ten Speed Press. “The cascading sensations of feeling vulnerable and exhilarated at the same time are much like falling in love.” -more-

Slowest police pursuit ever -more-

UC Berkeley’s student-run newspaper, which was recently faced with the threat of eviction, will retain its campus office. However, the Daily Californian may be forced to cede some of its space to other student groups. -more-

The virus is not known to exist in California -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Just outside San Francisco Bay, about 17 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, teams of divers are braving frigid, murky water to pump thick oil from a ship that sank nearly 50 years ago. -more-

Shark sighting prompts
closing of Stinson Beach -more-

ANGELS CAMP — An animal rights group has declared the famed Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee and similar contests around the country cruel and inhumane, saying frogs should not be taken from their native habitat for human entertainment. -more-

SANTA ANA — Lawmakers called for repairs to California’s sweeping school performance system after a newspaper reported it was so flawed that one in five students aren’t tested and millions of dollars were awarded based on unreliable scores. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – The Federal Transit Administration's top official was in San Francisco on Wednesday to welcome about 100 transportation and security officials to a two-day forum on terrorism response coordination. -more-

Suit says U.S. Justice Dept.
official hid information -more-

Today’s Highlight in History: -more-