Local News and Opinion from The Berkeley Daily Planet

News

Day of the Dead reaches beyond

By Brian Kluepfel

Saturday November 02, 2002

Rather than fearing death, Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) winks at it, seeing it simply as part of the natural cycle of life. Throughout Latin America and other places where the tradition is honored, the first two days of November are a time to remember deceased friends and relatives with altars, visits to their graves and offerings of music and food. -more-

Mass mailing misleading?

Eric Gilmore

Saturday November 02, 2002

To the Editor: -more-

Rows of early 20th century homes line early streetcar lines

By Susan Cerny

Saturday November 02, 2002

After the electric streetcar was introduced in 1891, and then consolidated and expanded in 1903, the streets along the routes, and within walking distance of a streetcar stop, were subdivided for homes. Martin Luther King, Jr. Way (formerly Grove Street) was the location of the earliest electric street car, and today is lined with 2 to 3 story houses called “Classic Boxes.” -more-

Run-DMC’s acclaimed DJ an unlikely target

By Larry McShane

Saturday November 02, 2002

NEW YORK — As one of the forefathers of rap, with a history of social activism, Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay was an unlikely target for the kind of violence that killed rappers Tupac Shakur or the Notorious B.I.G. -more-

Berkeley defense dominates showdown with Spartans

By Jared Green

Saturday November 02, 2002

The Berkeley Yellowjackets had a 7-0 record heading into Friday night’s showdown with Pinole Valley High, built mostly on overwhelming wins over underwhelming opponents. Berkeley had surrendered just 55 points all season and had the second-rated defense in the Bay Area. The question was, were the Jackets ready to take down a quality opponent and beat the Spartans for the first time in seven years? -more-

Candidates spend half a million in Berkeley races

By David Scharfenberg

Saturday November 02, 2002

Berkeley candidates for public office will raise and borrow nearly $500,000 this year, according to campaign finance records. -more-

Negative campaign bad for election

Carole Bennett-Simmons

Saturday November 02, 2002

To the Editor: -more-

Exhibit draws eerie parallels

By Chaka Ferguson

Saturday November 02, 2002

NEW YORK — In this shooting gallery within an art gallery, a pellet gun and a bull’s-eye over a human target evoke images of the recent sniper shootings. -more-

Sports Shorts

Saturday November 02, 2002

Berkeley loses playoff berth -more-

Neighbors try to wipe out blight

By Matthew Artz

Saturday November 02, 2002

A group of south Berkeley neighbors wants to meet the first African American to officiate a professional football game. But they’re not asking for his autograph. They want to tell him to fix up his run-down property on the corner of Sacramento and Julia streets. -more-

To the undecided

Eric Goedken Eric Goedken Eric Goedken

Saturday November 02, 2002

To the Editor: -more-

Feel-good tales from the American Midwest

By Jane Yin

Saturday November 02, 2002

The famed radio host, author, and critic Garrison Keillor, known for his feel-good anecdotes and humorous food-for-thought, has recently delivered “Good Poems” to bookstands. The collection is just that – an all-embracing compilation of straightforward, graceful poems, some of which he will be reading next Tuesday at the First Congregational Church in Berkeley. -more-

Mayoral candidates not far apart

By Judith Scherr

Saturday November 02, 2002

Tuesday voters will choose between two seasoned politicians vying for mayor. Both incumbent Mayor Shirley Dean and former state Assemblymember Tom Bates are Democrats and claim many of the same goals: the creation of housing for all income levels built along transit corridors; standing up to UC Berkeley to make it pay costs the city incurs on the university’s behalf; creating a sustainable city, including support for solar power and reduction of the use of fossil fuels. Both candidates want to address the gap in health and education between flatlanders and hills residents. -more-

Politically correct free speech?

Justin Azadivar

Saturday November 02, 2002

To the Editor: -more-

Vietnamese outraged by actor’s punishment

By Ian Stewart

Saturday November 02, 2002

SAN FRANCISCO — Celebrated Vietnamese actor Don Duong has played an army commander, a refugee and a pedicab driver from post-war Saigon. Now he’s been cast as an outlaw by the nation’s communist leaders, forbidden to leave Vietnam and banned from acting for five years. -more-

Sharon meets former prime minister Netanyahu for talks on possible alliance

By Steve Weizman

Saturday November 02, 2002

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met Friday with former premier Benjamin Netanyahu, a sometimes ally and sometimes rival, and offered him the job of foreign minister in the fragile minority government. -more-

Election Day Preview: Tom Bates

Compiled by Judith Scherr

Saturday November 02, 2002

State Briefs

Saturday November 02, 2002

Teen delays plea in Oakland shooting

Daily Planet Wire Service

Saturday November 02, 2002

East Bay park district to dedicate bird preserve

Daily Planet Wire Service

Saturday November 02, 2002

Police want help with investigation

Daily Planet Wire Service

Saturday November 02, 2002

Body of Phoenix stuntman found

The Associated Press

Saturday November 02, 2002

Tentative deal in port labor talks

By Justin Pritchard

Saturday November 02, 2002

Stocks end fourth straight winning week

By Amy Baldwin

Saturday November 02, 2002

Edison International swings towards profit

By Gary Gentile

Saturday November 02, 2002

From school vouchers to seat belts, races could alter state agendas

By Sharon Cohen

Saturday November 02, 2002

Walkout cancels classes in West Fresno schools

By Brian Melley

Saturday November 02, 2002

Handgun found near site of Alabama shooting linked to sniper case

By Bob Johnson

Saturday November 02, 2002

Publishers will give award to Winfrey

The Associated Press

Saturday November 02, 2002

Davis, Simon make final weekend pushes for votes

By Erica Werner

Saturday November 02, 2002

News of the Weird

Saturday November 02, 2002

Marijuana measure gets $1.2 million in donations

The Associated Press

Saturday November 02, 2002

Sen. Feinstein blames Sierra Club for blocking wildfire bill

By Scott Sonner

Saturday November 02, 2002

LA police probe past tips on faith healers

By Laura Wides

Saturday November 02, 2002

Special to the Daily Planet Elizabeth Addison, an award-winning printmaker who lives in Berkeley, observes the Day of the Dead. She has made an altar dedicated to her friend of more than 20 years, who died of breast cancer.