Berkeley City Manager Weldon Rucker stunned city workers and councilmembers Thursday when he announced his retirement—saying he wanted more time to manage himself than his “24-hour, seven-day-a-week job” could offer. 

While Rucker’s announcement sparked concerns about his health—he suffered a heart attack in 1994 and almost rejected the city manager job in 2000 to get away from the grind of City Hall—the well-liked official insisted he’s in good shape. 

“My health is OK, I just think it’s time” said Rucker, 62, a Los Angeles native who has lived in Berkeley for forty years. 

His 32-year career at City Hall will end officially Nov. 1. 

Colleagues described Rucker as the perfect fit for Berkeley. In a city fraught with disparate political divisions and entangled constituencies, Rucker won the respect of nearly every faction and steered clear of personal and political rivalries. 

“People were crying today,” said Councilmember Kriss Worthington. “It’s hard to find someone who was so loved and had so many people committed to him.” 

Rucker worked his way up the ranks from the Young Adult Project to the head of the Department of Health and Human Services, and finally to the city manager’s office as a deputy in 1987. He served as Interim City Manager from 1993-1996 and took over the job permanently in 2000. 

Rucker assumed the role after his predecessor Jim Keene left amid council grumbling. He was picked for the post partly because, as a Berkeley veteran who understood the city’s idiosyncrasies, the council hoped he could soothe tensions and build morale in City Hall. 

“Berkeley is a unique place,” he said. “People here are committed to the democratic process, and that involves a great deal of dialogue and competing interests.” 

In dealing with City Council—which until this past year was beset by partisan bickering—Rucker’s people skills were put to the ultimate test. Instead of getting caught in the crossfire, Rucker stayed above the fray.  

“I never felt that tension,” he said. “I don’t know how to explain it, it’s weird. I just tried to stay out of their politics and keep an objective perspective.” 

His straightforward problem solving style won him friends across the Council divide. 

Councilmember Linda Maio said Rucker was “like a dad.” 

Betty Olds, who often tangled with Maio and her City Council allies also praised Rucker’s style. “Weldon knew the tone of the city,” she said. “He knew how to keep it on an even keel.” 

As city manager, Rucker focused on customer service, improving efficiency so that city agencies could better serve the public. He also tried to get city officials—many of whom live outside Berkeley—face-to-face with residents. He transformed National Night Out from a purely police activity to a city-wide event in which department heads and other employees toured neighborhods to meet residents. 

“What we’ve attempted to do is energize the city,” he said. “We don’t want that stereotypic view that we’re just government workers. We want to instill a real concern about solving problems and issues.” 

Rucker acknowledged Berkeley still had problems to solve. Staff turnover remains high and the planning process is often combative. 

“Some people have a difficult time functioning here,” Rucker said. “In Berkeley fit is the X-factor. If you don’t understand how to deal with commissions and residents and Council and a union environment, it doesn’t work.” 

In the Planning Department, Rucker hopes he has found his man in Dan Marks, after a revolving door of Planning Directors left the city under fire. Rucker said he is working on bridging the divide between planners and residents to get citizen input at the beginning of the planning process instead of having the sides battle it out before City Council. 

City officials say they are not worried about life after Rucker. Like most cities in the region, Berkeley is staring at a big budget deficit next year—which Rucker estimates will be about $8-10 million—but Berkeley remains in better fiscal shape than many of its neighbors and retains a high bond rating. 

“It’s a testament to Weldon that the city can function without him,” said Worthington. “When he came in there were gaping holes that required immediate attention He brought staff together and built a much better structure.” 

City officials expect an interim city manager to be named while a nationwide search is conducted. Some Councilmembers expressed preference for another Berkeley veteran to get the post. Worthington already declared his preference for Deputy City Manager Phil Kamlarz, if he is interested.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 

Twilite Basketball All-Star Weekend, with games starting at 7 p.m. on Fri., and 3 p.m. on Sat. Come support Berkeley youth at the Martin Luther King Youth Services Center, 1730 Oregon St. There is no cost. 981-6678.  

International Literacy Day from 1 to 2 p.m. at the West Branch Library. Learn about programs for lifelong learning. Sponsored by the Berkeley Adult Literacy Coalition. For information call 981-6270. TDD 548-1240. www.berkeley-public.org 

Chairs That Care Twelve, one-of-a-kind celebrity decorated child-size upholstered chairs will be auctioned to benefit Habitot’s Family Outreach Program. At 7 p.m. at Casa de la Vista, Treasure Island. Cost is $100. 647-1111. www.habitot.org/oldsite_chairs1 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 496-6000, ext. 135. www.bpf.org 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 

No on Recall/No on Prop 54 precinct walk, sponsored by the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club meets at 10 a.m. at the Washington School basketball court, MLK, Jr., Way and Bancroft. 548-7645. 

Free Emergency Preparedness Class on Basic Personal Preparedness for anyone who lives or works in Berkeley, from 9 to 11 a.m. at 997 Cedar St., between 8th and 9th Sts. Register on-line at www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/fire/oes or call 981-5506. 

Watershed Environmental Poetry Festival, hosted by Robert Hass, US Poet Laureate 1995-97. Poetry, music, environmental speakers, and hands-on arts & environmental activities. Co-sponsored by Ecology Center/Berkeley Farmers' Market, Poetry Flash, and Ecocity Builders. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Saturday Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Center St. at MLK, Jr. Way. 548-3333.  

Water Education for Teachers, a workshop on aquatic ecosystems, water conservation, groundwater, water pollution prevention, and wastewater treatment. Includes an Activity and Curriculm Guide. Held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. Cost is $45 resident, $51 non-resident. For information and registration call 636-1684. 

Solar Electricity for Your Home Now you can produce your own electricity and “sell” the excess back to PG&E, running your meter backwards! Plus you can receive thousands of rebate dollars from the State at the same time. Learn how to size, specify and design your own solar electrical generator. A short field trip to a functioning house/system in Berkeley and current catalog of available equipment are also included. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $75. 525-7610.  

Carpentry Basics for Women An introduction to basic carpentry tools and skills for women with little or no previous hands-on experience. After a morning lecture and demonstration, you will build your own bookshelf unit. Students are asked to bring their own hand tools. From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $195, and includes materials. 525-7610. www.bldgeductr.org 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 

Community Meeting on New UC Plans at 5 p.m. at 2180 Milvia St. Help us create an effective response to UC’s new Long Range Development Plan. For information call Councilmember Kriss Worthington at 981-7170. 

Native Bees and Pollination Ecology An introduction to the basics of pollination, different bees and their life cycles and to simple things you can do to encourage these essential beings to visit your garden. At 11 a.m. at the South Berkeley Community Garden, MLK Jr. Way and Russell. 913-8097.  

Beekeeping for the Intrepid Come hear an introduction to honey bees and low-cost beekeeping. Please wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and closed shoes (the idea is to cover as much of your skin as possible). Bees associate dark colors with bear intruders, so wear light colors if you can. Also, if you have them, bring a pair of leather work gloves that cover your wrists and a mosquito net hat. From 1 to 3 p.m. at the South Berkeley Community Garden, MLK Jr. Way and Russell. 843-6683.  

Berkeley Rep School of Theatre open house from 1 to 4 p.m. with free workshops, including Hip Hop, Improv and Audition Techniques. This event is free; no reservations are necessary. For more information call 647-2972. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Accessible Tools for the Internet, at 2 p.m. and Accessible Tools for Email at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd Floor Electronic Classroom, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6121. TDD: 548-1240. www.infopeople.org/bpl 

Hands-on Bicycle Repair Clinic from 11 a.m. to noon, at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Tibetan Buddhism, Jack Petranker on “Preserving Ancient Wisdom: Buddhist Texts for World Peace,” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Eckhart Tolle Talks on Video Free gathering at 7:30 p.m. to hear the words of the author of “The Power of Now” at the Feldenkrais Ctr., 830 Bancroft Way. 547-2024.  

Rabbi Michael Melchoir, former Deputy Foreign Minister and member of the Israeli Knesset speaks at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, Arch and Vine Sts. $10 donation suggested. Sponsored by Bridges to Israel-Berkeley, providing a pro-Israel voice in the East Bay. www.bridgestoisrael-berkeley.org 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8  

Walking in the Twenty-First Century: Health, Equity and Environment panel workshop, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Berkeley Main Public Library, Third Floor, Shattuck and Kittredge. For information call 883-9725. 

Friends of Five Creeks meets at 7 p.m. and features speaker Paul Maheu of the East Bay Conservation Corps, who will talk about recycling urban trees. Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin. www.fivecreeks.org 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 6 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

Women’s Cancer Resource Center, volunteer training, every second Monday of the month, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 5741 Telegraph Ave. To sign up call Emily at 601-4040, ext. 109. emily@wcrc.org 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 

“Four Decades of Saving the Bay,” with Sylvia McLaughlin, Co-Founder of Save the Bay, at 5:30 p.m. at 105 North Gate Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Water Resources Center Archives. 642-2666. waterarc@library.berkeley.edu 

Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club meets to discuss the Recall and Prop. 54 at 7 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 733-0996. 

Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters meets at 7 p.m. at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave., near Rockridge BART. 835-6303.  

Tuesday Tilden Walkers We are a few slowpoke Seniors who walk between a mile or two each Tuesday meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Little Farm parking lot. To join us, call 215-7672 for information or check our web page, http://home.comcast.net/~teachme99/tildenwalkers or email teachme99@comcast.net 

“Aftermath: Unanswered Questions From 911” A film produced by the Depleted Uranium Education Project, at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, Community Room, 2090 Kittredge. www.geocities. 

com/vigil4peace/vigil 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 525-3565. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

Morris Dancing Workshop Learn the basics of an English ritual dance form that predates Shakespeare. Free. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. www.talamasca.com/berkmorris 

“Holocaust and Genocide: Entanglement of Master Concepts” with Prof. Dirk Moses, Dept. of History, University of Sydney, Australia, at 4 p.m. in 201 Moses Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Institute of European Studies. 643-2115. hsutton@uclink.berkeley.edu 

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10 

Circles of Hope: Pre-Emptive Peacemaking, participate in the nationwide Circles of Hope called for by Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. There will be art activities and music followed by a program of remembrance and a candlelight vigil. Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th & Broadway, Oakland (12th St/City Center BART). Sponsored by Peoples NonViolent Coalition. 839-5877. www.pnvrc.net 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Sta- 

tion, corner of Shattuck and Center. Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

South Berkeley Mural Project Community members in South Berkeley are coming together to create a neighborhood mural on the side of the Grove Liquor Store on the corner of Ashby Ave. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Meetings are held every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts Studios at 1923 Ashby Ave. For further information on ways to get involved please call 644-2204. 

Community Dances, traditional English and American dances, 8 p.m. every Wednesday, $9. 7 p.m. first Sunday, $10. Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. 233-5065. www.bacds.org 

Free Feldenkrais ATM Classes for adults 55 and older at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut at Rose. For information call 848-0237.  

Berkeley CopWatch open office hours 7 to 9 p.m. Drop in to file complaints, assistance available. For information call 548-0425. 

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11 

Joining Voices: Community Singing for Peace and Healing at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar and Bonita Donation $8-$15, no one turned away for lack of funds. 525-7082.  

St. John's Prime Timers Tap Dancing class meets on Thursday mornings at 9:15 a.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church at 2717 Garber St. Gil Chun, well-known Berkeley dance teacher is the instructor. Class is free and open to anyone over 50. 527-0167. 

Grizzly Peak Flyfishers meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Ave, for “Fish Story Night.” Grizzly Peak’s flyfishers will share thrilling tales of their summer adventures (and misadventures). 547-8629. rorlando@uclink4.berkeley.edu  

Lawyers in the Library, at 6 p.m. in the South Branch, Russell at MLK Jr. Way, 981-6260. 

ONGOING  

Vista Community College Program for Adult Education (PACE) Enrollment through Sept. 6. PACE is a college alternative for adults with job and family responsibilities. For information call 981-2864 or 981-2800 or email mclausen@peralta.cc.ca.us  

Free Smoke Detectors UC Berkeley and First Alert, Inc. have donated smoke detectors to be made available to City residents and UC Berkeley students who live off-campus. Applications for smoke detectors are available from the Environment, Health & Safety office of UC Berkeley, at any Berkeley Fire Station, or at the Fire Administration Office located at 2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. 981-5585.  

Free Energy Bill Payment Assistance The City of Berkeley has money to help low-income households pay their gas and electric bills. For applications contact the Energy Office at 644-8544. TDD: 981-6903. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/energy 

Prose Writers Workshop We're a serious but lively bunch whose focus is on issues of craft. Drop in to see if we can work together. Novices welcome. Experienced facilitator. Community sponsored - no fee. Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut, at Rose. For information call 524-3034. 

Lifexpressions Workshops, Free Your Innate Creativity Through Visual Journaling with facilitator Elizabeth Forrest. Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m. beginning Sept. 11. Cost is $150, includes materials. For reservations and location, call 526-0148.  

Berkeley Youth Orchestra will hold auditions during the first week in September. To schedule an audition appointment or to request an application form please call Marion Atherton to 525-8484 or email manager@byoweb.org 

Soli Deo Gloria, a 40-voice concert choir which regularly performs throughout the Bay Area, will hold auditions on Sept. 6, or by appointment. The choir rehearses weekly in Alameda. Call 650-424-1242 or visit www.sdgloria.org 

The East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus is auditioning for new members on Sept. 8 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison Street, at 27th St. Please call 800-706-2389 or email info@oebgmc.org to schedule an audition. 

Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra rehearsals for December performances of Handel’s “Messiah” begin Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at First Congrega- 

tional Church, Dana St., between Channing and Durant. All are welcome, no experience necessary. For more information call 964-0665. www.bcco.org 

Folk Dancing, a new eight week class begins Sept. 9 and meets every Tues., 7:45 - 9:45 p.m. in Live Oak Park, 1301 Shattuck at Berryman. Cost is $20. For information call 525-1980. www.berkeleyfolkdancers.org 

Bella Musica Chorus and Orchestra rehearsals for Fall Season begin Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. and Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. at Walnut. For audition information please call 525-5393 or email info@bellamusica.org 

Acting and Storytelling Classes for Seniors, offered by Stagebridge. Wednesdays and Fridays, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., beginning Sept. 10, and may be joined anytime. Held at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., close to BART and AC Transit. For information, call 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

Alameda County Hazardous Waste Drop-Off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 11- 13, at Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste, 2100 E. 7th St., Oakland. Take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of paints, auto products such as old fuel, motor oil, oil filters and batteries; household batteries, cleaners and sprays; garden products, including pesticides and fertilizers. Please do NOT bring asbestos, explosives, medical waste, computer monitors, CRTs and TVs, computers & electronic equipment. Call 1-877-STOPWASTE or visit stopwaste.org/fsrecycle. For information on what to do with other items, call 800-606-6606, email HHW@co.alameda.ca.us or visit http://householdhazwaste.org/oakland 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., Sept. 8, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

City Council meets Tues., Sept. 9, at at 7 p.m. in City Council hambers, Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., Sept. 8, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/peaceandjustice 

Youth Commission meets Mon., Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. Philip Harper-Cotton, 981-6670. www.ci.ber- 

keley.ca.us/commissions/youth  

Commission on Disability meets Wed., Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Paul Church, 981-6342. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/disability 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Sept. 10, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jane Micallef, 981-5426. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/homeless 

Library Board of Trustees meets Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue Ave. Jackie Y. Griffin, 981-6195. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/library 

Planning Commission meets Wed., Sept. 10, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Ruth Grimes, 981-7481. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Barbara Attard, 981-4950. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/policereview 

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Marianne Graham, 981-5416. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/earlychildhoodeducation  

Community Health Commission meets Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6:45 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/health

News, as of the morning of press day, is that Berkeley’s City Manager ( Weldon Rucker, known to almost everyone as Weldon) plans to retire in the very near future. This is not unexpected, since he admits to being in his early sixties, and is known to have had a few health problems in the past. It is, however, sure to be distressing news to Berkeley citizens who care about the health of the body politic.  

Weldon succeeded one of the least beloved city managers in Berkeley’s recent past, a gum-chewing goateed whippersnapper from the Sun Belt who tried to shove through a general plan draft which, if he’d gotten away with it, would have caused Berkeley to look a lot more like Tucson. Weldon, on the other hand, is a real Berkeley kind of guy. He still lives on Dohr Street, historic home of Berkeley’s African American elite. He’s come up through the ranks in city government, making friends at every step because of his genuine and frequently expressed desire to understand all points of view and to do his best to turn problems into solutions. As Deputy City Manager, he usually handled the hard cases, when mouthy citizens were mad at the bureaucracy and not shy about expressing it. As City Manager, he answers his own office number a good part of the time, and he always returns email messages promptly. Last time I checked, even his home phone number was listed in the telephone book. A cordial personal style and unfailing good manners are not the only requirements for success as City Manager, but they go a long way toward making things work as well as possible when times are tough. 

From now on, it looks like times in Berkeley are going to be even tougher. The city barely scraped through without a deficit in the last fiscal year, but current projections are looking at a potential deficit in the $4.7 million range. The new city manager will be saying “no” more often than “yes” to petitioners, it seems, and that won’t be much fun. He or she will certainly need brains, charm, patience and a thick skin, all of which Weldon has demonstrated in his tenure in the job. What else is needed might turn out to be Aladdin’s lamp, since it looks like more than one genie might be required to balance the budget next year. And the year after will probably be even worse. 

Many callers among the sizable number who called the Daily Planet to tell us about Weldon’s retirement expressed the earnest hope that his replacement would be someone who knows and understands the city as well as he does. They were decidedly unenthusiastic about the traditional national search for someone who wants to leave some other city somewhere for some reason, a methodology which had some notable failures in the nineties, both for the city of Berkeley and for the Berkeley Unified School District. The Chamber of Commerce is about to launch a “Shop Local” campaign. We should take their advice, and shop Berkeley first in the search for a new city manager. 

Becky O’Malley is executive editor of the Daily Planet.

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Hass brings his talents to the cause of liberating Berkeley’s Strawberry Creek—the city’s premier living stream—at the Eighth Annual Watershed Poetry Festival, to be held Saturday, Sept. 6 at Civic Center Park at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Center Street. 

This unique event features a Strawberry Creek Walk, readings, dancing, music, acting, exhibits and interactive events for the entire family. 

Admission is free. 

Starting with the creek walk, participants will meet at the corner of Oxford and Center streets at 10 a.m. The public is invited to join in for a short hike up Strawberry Creek, through the UC Campus and back through downtown Berkeley, tracing the route of the creek as it tunnels beneath the heart of the city to the site of the festival. 

Berkeley’s premier watershed, Strawberry Creek flows openly from the hills through the UC campus but disappears in a culvert under most of the city as it makes its way to the Bay. The walk will focus on “daylighting” the creek, restoring the stream to the open air. 

At several points throughout the tour, featured readers will offer their insights, local poets will read from their work, and restoration advocates will discuss efforts to expose parts of the creek. At the Watershed Festival site, the creek—which runs directly beneath Civic Center Park—will be “miked,” enabling listeners to hear the stream making its own music as it meanders westward toward the Bay. 

A collaboration between Hass, Poetry Flash, the Ecology Center/Berkeley Farmers’ Market, EcoCity Builders and Save the Bay, the Watershed Festival focuses on the connection between the American literary imagination and our landscape, natural history and sense of environmental urgency—a tradition embodied in the works of such writers as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir, and Wallace Stegner and in the works of more contemporary scribes. 

Readings will be given by Robert Hass, Sherman Alexie, B.H. Fairchild, Sharon Doubiago, Maya Khosla, and Gray Brechin. Hass will also introduce students from River of Words and California Poets in the Schools, who will present their nature poetry. An open mike reading will take place at 12:20 p.m., and those interested in offering their own works should sign up at the Festival before noon. 

Kathryn Roszak’s Anima Mundi Dance Company will present a dance theater adaptation of Gary Snyder’s “Mountains and Rivers Without End,” combining Christopher Castle’s music and visuals with Roszak’s choreography. Roszak and Terese Hoibye will dance and actor and Oakland native Earll Kingston will perform in the role of poet Gary Snyder. Robert Hass will present student poets from River of Words and California Poets in the Schools, who will read their nature poetry. 

Off the main stage will be the “River Village,” an area set aside for interactive arts, all-ages nature activities, and literary and grassroots environmental organizations. 

Berkeley resident Mark Baldridge, chair of Poetry Flash and Watershed Festival’s volunteer director since its inception in 1996, encourages residents to come and join in the festivities. “It’s a full day of music, poetry, dance and advocacy dedicated to the nature around us and particularly to the daylighting of Strawberry Creek, a natural resource that needs to be set free,” he said. 

For more information, contact Baldridge at 526-9105 or check the Poetry Flash website: www.poetryflash.org.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 

ACCI Gallery, “Space, Time, and Temperature” Opening Reception from 6 to 8 p.m. 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. www.accigallery.com 

CHILDREN 

Teddy Bear Picnic at 10:30 a.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

FILM 

Rainer Werner Fassbinder: “The Marriage of Maria Braun” at 7 p.m. and “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant” at 9:20 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Gray Brechin on “At Work: The Art of California Labor,” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Race Relations in America: A Candid Evening of Music and Poetry, with comics Andy Bumatai, Monica Palacios and singer Lalo Guerrero, at 8 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for Arts. Cost is $8 adults, $5 children, available from 925-798-1300. 

Mark Morris Dance Group “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$64 available from 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Lost Weekend at 9 p.m., with a Western swing dance lesson with David Yearsley at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $18. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

South Austin Jug Band, The Boy’ Oh’ Boys at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Cutumba, members of Santiago de Cuba’s Ballet Folklórico Cutumba in their first West Coast tour at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $16 in advance, $18 at the door. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Stung, Meat Plow at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Rebecca Riots, fresh radical folk, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $16.50 advance, $17.50 at the door. 548-1761.  

www.freightandsalvage.org 

Gail Dobson at 9 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

Chantdown Sounds at 8 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. 848-8277. 

Phenomenauts, La Plebé, Third Grade Teacher, Them Apples, Here Kitty Kitty at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Seventy, original pop, at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. beckettsirishpub.com 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 

A New Leaf Gallery/Sculpture 

site Opening Reception for “Focus on the Figure,” an exhibition of sculpture interpretations of the human form, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1286 Gilman St. 525-7621. www.sculpturesite.com 

CHILDREN 

Labor of Love, Family Sing-Along with Hali Hammer and Pat Wynne at 10:30 a.m. in the Com- 

munity Meeting Room, Third Floor, Berkeley Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6121. 

FILM 

Rainer Werner Fassbinder: “Love is Colder Than Death” at 5 and 9 p.m. and “Katzelmacher” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students; $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth; $8 adults. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Antero Ali: “Hysteria” and “Under a Shipwrecked Moon” Vertical Pool Productions presents this double feature with the filmmaker, voted "Best Cult Filmmaker, 2002", SF Weekly, in person, at 7:30 p.m. at the Jazzhouse. Cost is $7-$12 sliding scale, per screening. 415-846-9432. www.verticalpool.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Watershed Poetry Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at Civic Center Park. There will be a pre-festival walk along Strawberry Creek with featured poets and restoration advocates beginning at 10 a.m. at Oxford and Center Sts. 526-9105. www.poetryflash.org 

The Bay Area Poets Coalition holds an open reading, 3 to 5 p.m., West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. Free. For information, call 527-9905. poetalk@aol.com 

Improvised Comedy, at 8 p.m. at Cafe Eclectica 1309 Solano Ave., Albany. Cost is $5. 964-0571. www.eastbayimprov.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Trinity Chamber Concerts, with Diane Grubbe, flute, Rhonda C. Smith, clarinet, and Daniel Reiter, ‘cello at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Admission by donation, $12 general, $8 students, senoirs, disabled. No one turned away. 549-3864. 

Mark Morris Dance Group “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$64 available from 642-9988.  

www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

African Drum Workshop with Wade Peterson. Beginners from 10 to 11:30 a.m., experienced from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Jazz House. Cost is $15-$25, and advance registration is encouraged. 533-5111. 

Jahi and The Life, Organic Flavor at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. The documentary “Redefinitions: The Roots and Future of Hip Hop” will be premiered. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Famous Last Words performs in a benefit for the Center for Infant Deaf at 7 p.m. at Pyramid Alehouse, 901 Gilman St. 528-9880. 

Lalo Guerrero, legendary godfather of Chicano at 2 p.m. and Téada, from Ireland, at 5 p.m. at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 525-2129. www.downhomemusic.com 

Blaktroniks at 8 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $11. 848-8277. 

Yellow Wall Dub Squad, featuring Mabrak and Iworld, performs reggae, at 9:30 p.m., at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Po’Girl and Christina Kiefer at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Ned Boynton and Friends at 9 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

House Jacks, a cappella quintet at 5 and 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $17.50 advance, $18.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freight- 

andsalvage.org 

The People and Awesome Cool Dude at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $5. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Benumb, Blown to Bits, All Shall Perish, Doppelganger, Brutal Death, A Sleeping Irony at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Niclole McRory at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. beckettsirishpub.com 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 

CHILDREN 

Café Rumba, Afro-Cuban folkloric drums at 3:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568.  

www.lapena.org 

FILM 

Rainer Werner Fassbinder: “Katzelmacher” at 5:30 p.m. and “Gods of the Plague” at 7:20 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Gallery Talk: Japanese Figure Style with Lynne Kimura, Aca- 

demic Liaison, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, on the creative explosion of figure styles in Edo painting, at 3 p.m. in Gallery C, Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Cost is $8, free to UC staff, faculty and students. 643-6494.  

Guided Tour: Gene(sis): Contemporary Art Explores Human Genomics, at 2 p.m., Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Michael Castleman reads from his new novel, “The Lost Gold of San Francisco,” at 2 p.m. at Dark Carnival, 3086 Claremont Ave. 654-7323. 

Poetry at Cody’s with Martha Ronk and Jean Day at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Lawrence R. Smith reads from his new novel, “Annie’s Soup Kitchen” at 7:30 p.m. Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Mark Morris Dance Group “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato” at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$64 available from 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Julian White, pianist, performs sonatas by Beethoven, Prokofieff, and Rachmaninoff at 4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Admission is $20 general, $15 seniors and students, available from jmwstudio@ 

earthlink.net 

Shashamani Sound System and Jah Light Music at 10 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Duvo Band, Hungarian folk music, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $16.50 in advance, $17.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The Crooked Jades at 4 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $11. 848-8277. 

EarRotator CD release party at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568.  

www.lapena.org 

Music from Scotland, England and Beyond with Allan Taylor at 7:30 p.m. Donation of $12 in advance, $15 at the door. For reservations and location email sally@greenberg.org 

The Cannons at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $5. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Fun with Finnoula at 7 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. beckettsirishpub.com 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

The Last Word poetry reading, featuring Jesse Beagle and Lenore Weiss, author of “Public and Other Places,” at 7 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Wendy Knight talks about “Making Connections: Mother-Daughter Travel Adventures” a new anthology, at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave, at Rose. 843-3533. 

Chuck Palahniuk continues to reinvent the horror genre in “Choke” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Gabriel Spera, whose “The Standing Wave,” won the National Poetry Series, reads at 7:30 p.m. Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Poetry Express, open mic featuring Allison Seevak, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 

FILM 

“Aftermath: Unanswered Questions From 911,” a documentary by Guerrilla News Network at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. Sponsored by Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil.html 

Alternative Visions: “In the Mirror of Maya Deren,” at 7:10 p.m. Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults. 642-0808.  

www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Minds on Fire: Conversations with UC Press Authors with art historian Sidra Stich, at 7 p.m. at 2120 Berkeley Way. 642-9828. camille.crittenden@ucpress.edu 

Louise Murphy, a Berkeley author, reads from her novel, “The True Story of Hansel and Gretel: A Novel of War and Survival,” set in Eastern Poland during the Nazi occupation, at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Writers Workshop on promotion and publicity at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861.  

Peggy Vincent reads from her memoir, “Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife,” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Courtableu performs classic Cajun dance-hall music at 8:30 p.m., with a dance lesson with Patti Whitehurst at 8 p.m., at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Dayna Stephens House Jam at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation $5. 649-8744. www.thejazzhouse.com 

Mimi Fox, solo guitar, at 8 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10 

FILM 

“We Are Salvadorans,” a documentary by Susan Figueroa about three Salvadorans who fled the civil war, at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Donation of $5-$10 requested. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Rainer Werner Fassbinder: “The American Soldier” at 5:30 and 9:10 p.m. and “Gods of the Plague” at 7:10 p.m. Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults. 642-0808.  

www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Tom Barbash introduces his novel of smalltown politics, “The Last Good Chance,” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Café Poetry and open mic, hosted by Kira Allen at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Jennifer and Erik Niemann will show slides and read from their book, “Chasing Summer: Exploring the World on an 18-Month Honeymoon” at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave at Rose. 843-3533. 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7, $5 with student i.d. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Rabbi Alan Lew, of Congregation Beth Sholom in San Francisco, discusses “This is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation,” at 7:30 p.m. Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert Songs of Devotion from the Medieval Mediterranean, Chev- 

ron Auditorium at International House, corner of Bancroft and Piedmont Aves. Admission is free. 642-4864. 

Carlos Oliveira and Brazilian Origins, acoustic Brazilian folkloric jazz, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Othello Molineaux, Trinidad’s steel drum master, at 8 p.m. p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Jules Broussard, Bing Nathan and Ned Boynton at 8 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

Nicole McRory at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. beckettsirishpub.com 

Schoolhouse Rock at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11 

FILM 

“The Truth and Lies of 9-11,” presented by The Robber Barons at 7 p.m., at Ashkenaz. Free. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Genetic Screenings: The Secret Adventures of Tom Thumb” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Airplane,” the spoof, at 8 p.m. at the Long Haul, a reading room, library and community center in South Berkeley located at 3124 Shattuck Ave. Wheelchair accessible. 540-0751.  

www.thelonghaul.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Melody Ermachild Chavis will discuss “Meena, Heroine of Afghanistan: The Martyr Who Founded RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan,” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

www.blackoakbooks.com 

Aiden Hartley, reads from his novel about a father and son, both casualties of imperialism, “The Zanzibar Chest: A Story of Life, Love, and Death in Foreign Lands,” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Mystery Night with authors Bruce Balfour, James Clader and Cara Black at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

Guided Tour: Gene(sis): Contemporary Art Explores Human Genomics, at 12:15 and 5:30 p.m., Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Word Beat Reading Series at 7 p.m. with featured readers Susan Birkel and Lucy Day, followed by an open mic, at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave., near Dwight Way. For information call 526-5985 or 205-1749.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Septiembre en la Memoria, a celebration of 30 years of the Chilean 9/11 and tribute to Orlando Letelier at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Téada, Irish traditionalists, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761.  

www.freightandsalvage.org 

Newal, Afro-Arabic singer/songwriter from the Comoros Islands at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation $6-$15 sliding scale. 649-8744. www.thejazzhouse.com 

Keni El Lebrijano, flamenco guitar, at 8 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

The Skindivers, funky blues rock, at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

We used to be pretty smug about our species’ ability to use tools—the dividing line, some thought, that separated humanity from the rest of the animal kingdom. But naturalists’ observations have laid that notion to rest. 

We now know about tool use by chimpanzees and orangutans, and the sea otters that crack abalone shells with rocks, and, unlikely as it might seem, a variety of birds. 

Egyptian vultures and Australian black-breasted kites use stones to crack the eggs of, respectively, ostriches and emus. The woodpecker finch of the Galapagos Islands employs a small pointed stick to extract insects from crevices. In the southeastern United States, brown-headed nuthatches use fragments of pine bark as wedges to remove more bark, under which insects are hiding. 

So, forget tool use. But surely tool making—intentionally shaping an object for some purpose—is exclusive to us and our great-ape kin? 

Sorry. 

On the South Pacific island of New Caledonia, a species of crow—a perfectly ordinary-looking black bird—has developed the ability to craft insect-probes from the leaves of pandanus trees. 

Gavin Hunt, who has spent years studying these remarkable crows, says the tools are made to a pre-set pattern, and that different populations seem to have distinctive tool traditions. Hunt isn’t prepared to say whether the crows’ tool-making behavior is learned or innate. Either way, it’s hard not to be impressed. 

It figures that if any bird had the cognitive wherewithal to make its own tools, it would be some kind of crow. Crows, ravens, and their relatives are famous for their adaptability, resourcefulness, sociality, and curiosity. As a group, they have the highest encephalization quotient—ratio of brain size to body size—among birds. (The relationship of this measurement to intelligence of some kind is indicated by the its range in mammals, from Homo sapiens and a couple of dolphin species at the high end to the opossum at the very bottom.) 

But is the New Caledonian crow uniquely gifted? According to Carolee Caffrey, a zoologist at Oklahoma State University, maybe not. Caffrey, whose primary concern now is the impact of West Nile disease on crow populations, is a keen observer of the American crow’s behavior. A few years ago she watched a crow investigating a hole in a fencepost. Unable to get its bill very far into the hole, the crow pried off a triangular piece of wood from the post. It held the wood fragment down with its feet and hammered at the tapered end with its beak, then picked the object up by the wide end and poked around in the hole with the pointed end. Caffrey says the crow was distracted by a flockmate and flew away before retrieving anything, leaving the tool behind. Comparing the fragment with the wood from which it had been removed, she saw that the tapered end had been narrowed. Later she found a sizable spider in the hole. 

Okay, it’s not a graduated socket-wrench set. But the crow’s improvised spider-pick is a remarkable enough achievement. (I keep wanting to use the word “manufacture,” which is not really appropriate for a creature that works with its beak). 

Caffrey also says she has seen American crows engaging in another behavior that could be called tool use by proxy. And it’s one that I suspect I’ve also seen among the crows that begin to gather in Hitchcockian numbers in my neighborhood around this time of year. I once saw one swoop down from its utility wire perch after a car had passed, pick up what appeared to be a cracked walnut from the street, and fly off with it. Caffrey has watched crows in Encino “land on wires above a road, drop pecans onto the pavement, and not fly down to inspect or retrieve them until a car had passed.” The inference is that the crows know what will happen to a nut when a car runs over it, and take advantage of traffic to get at the tasty contents.  

This is a topic of some controversy among students of corvids. It appears to have been first reported in 1974, by Terry Maple of the UC Davis psychology department (with walnuts as the food item), and in 1978 by two biologists apparently visiting Long Beach (palm fruit). Some years later, a team of researchers at Davis, headed by Daniel Cristol and Paul Switzer, set out to systematically study whether the local crows were using cars as nutcrackers. They logged over 25 hours of observer time in a neighborhood with walnut trees and a crow roost that housed up to 10,000 birds. Cristol and Switzer concluded that the crows were no more likely to bring walnuts to the study site or to drop nuts on the road when a car was approaching than when the road was empty. (They also noted that none of the walnuts dropped by crows were hit by any of some 200 passing cars). 

What was really going on, Cristol and Switzer decided, was that the crows were trying to crack the nuts by dropping them on the roadbed, and that the presence of the cars was just coincidental. That doesn’t require all that much cognitive flexibility. Even a seagull knows what will happen if you drop a clam onto pavement. (The Greek tragedian Aeschylus is said to have been killed when a passing vulture, mistaking his bald head for a rock, dropped a tortoise on it.) 

But I suspect Caffrey may be right. These birds are not just smart. Read, say, Bernd Heinrich on ravens, and you begin to believe they may have a twisted sense of humor. It would be just like a crow to decide to thwart the researchers: “Okay, now, just lay off the walnuts until those guys with the binoculars are gone.”

Berkeley residents sitting down for dinner Thursday had an unexpected and unnerving guest—a magnitude 3.9 earthquake centered just three miles southeast of town, eight miles directly below Cochrane Avenue in Rockridge. 

Though some anxious residents called the Berkeley Police Department, officers received no reports of injuries or damage from the temblor, which the UC Berkeley Seismological Laboratory and the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park recorded at 6:39 p.m.

ADULT SCHOOL MOVE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) has callously decided to ram through their move of the Berkeley Adult School (BAS) to the Franklin Elementary School Site. They have unilaterally decided to pave over the existing green playing Field in a primitive sacrifice to the God of automobiles; to add 1,700 students, with cars, to the quiet surrounding neighborhoods; to remove this campus as an elementary school forever.  

So to the BUSD I say: Keep your BAS off my Grass! 

Saul Grabia 

Member, Friends of Franklin 

• 

ANNUAL WHINING  

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Your recent front page story, “Stadium Neighbors Oppose TV Lighting” and the inside story, “Memorial Stadium Controversial From the Start” (Daily Planet, Sept. 2-4) were both very interesting.  

It seems to be part and parcel of the fall UC Football season in Berkeley: the annual autumn whining about traffic, noise and light by a few local residents living near the Memorial Stadium on the UC campus, which hosts several home college football games. 

The UC Memorial Stadium was completed in 1923, some eighty years ago. Any local neighborhood bitching about traffic and congestion on Fall Football Saturday from anyone younger than 105 years of age is ridiculous: Foot traffic and car traffic were there long before any of the current local residents were even born, let alone old enough to bitch about it.  

It would seem that some of the hillside neighbors living above Memorial Stadium want to have fantastic views of the Bay Area, which is home to several million people, without having any local lights visible in the dusk or evening hours. We all have our selfish demented dreams, I suppose. However, many thousands of Cal football fans across the country will enjoy lighted night games broadcast from UC Memorial Stadium. If you don’t want to live next to a vibrant college campus, perhaps you should consider moving a few miles north to quieter digs in Albany, El Cerrito or El Sobrante. 

James K. Sayre 

Oakland 

• 

STUPID AND IMMORAL  

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Is there no prominent Democrat or responsible media commentator who condemns the monumental hypocrisy of ultraconservative Republicans like David Dreier? 

Dreier is the strongest advocate of Arnold Schwarznegger for governor of California—a former muscle man and second rate actor, who had volunteered such disgusting aspects of his past as gang-banging a woman! Aside from the moral aspect of his voluntary disclosure, it reveals that Arnold is as stupid as the night for revealing this matter during an interview with a friendly reporter. He may be financially Reganesque (for which Mr. Dreier values him) but he has a bird brain that makes him unsuitable for the position to which he aspires. Democrats should not let this matter go by without taking a stand on it! 

Max Alfert 

Albany 

• 

A LETTER TO BUSH 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I received a “Tax Relief For America” check in the mail a few weeks ago. Like many working people in this country, I am not thrilled about paying taxes. I am especially not thrilled when my hard-earned tax dollars fund war, prisons and repression of people in the U.S. and around the globe. What would bring “relief” is if our taxes funded domestic programs that would help alleviate the many social problems that plague our country. Relief would be to see tax dollars spent on finding solutions and prevention for poverty, substance abuse, violence and acts of hate, fear and ignorance. I, like many others, could find countless ways to spend the unplanned cash that came in the mail from the U.S. government. 

But I want you to know that I have found a way to bring some actual relief. I am turning over my child tax credit to Berkeley Schools Now! Berkeley Schools Now! is an organization that was founded this spring. We are parents of current Berkeley public school students and alumni as well as concerned citizens who are committed to raising money to support our school district in a time of budget cuts and funding shortfalls. We want to raise money as a community for all our schools and allocate funds based on student enrollment to ensure a more equitable distribution. Our goal is to support the many wonderful programs and teachers in our district and ensure their survival and growth. Each school site will determine how to best use the money they receive. Berkeley has a history of supporting schools, public libraries and many other such programs that can benefit everyone who lives here. 

I am urging people in Berkeley to donate their tax rebate to Berkeley Schools Now! so the money goes where it should have been directed in the first place: to our schools. I believe that people in this country want to see positive social programs funded by our tax dollars. As our top national leadership clearly cannot prioritize appropriately and direct resources where they are most needed, we are taking it up on ourselves to do a piece of that work. I am asking everyone who receives a “Tax Relief for America” check to share the relief with Berkeley public schools and donate their rebate to Berkeley Schools Now! We are fortunate to have the technical expertise and fiscal sponsorship of the Berkeley Public Education Foundation which has been supporting our local schools for several decades. For those not receiving a rebate, I’m urging that they donate whatever they can. Our children deserve better. 

Rebecca Herman 

Berkeley Public School parent 

Berkeley activists will take to the streets Saturday to mobilize support to defeat the recall of Governor Gray Davis following a 10 a.m. rally at Washington School, 2300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way (across from Berkeley High School). 

After the rally, volunteers will divide up and hit the pavement, walking the city’s precincts to recruit voters to their cause. 

Among those scheduled to speak are Mayor Tom Bates, 14th District Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and Steve Phillips No on 54 Coalition.  

The organizations behind the rally were brought together by Andy Katz, 14th Assembly District Democratic Party chair, even before the election date had been set. Katz said he brought the groups together because he foresaw problems and knew the community had to start organizing.  

Katz, who is also working with Alameda County Against the Recall (ACAR), a county-wide coalition helping with the logistics for the rally, said that one of his principal concerns is that the election is going to cost California counties $70 million—funds better spent on much needed services such as health care and education.  

“We had a democratically elected governor that won fair and square,” said Katz. “This is the Republican party trying to reverse an election they couldn’t win on their own.”  

Another participant, Matthew Hallinan from the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, a progressive Democratic club in Berkeley, says that many people support the recall until they learn more about it. 

“There’s a shift,” explains Hallinan. “They’re finding out that this is a Republican trick.” 

Many of the groups involved aren’t enamored with Davis, but still think that the recall is undemocratic. 

“Davis at least stole the election fair and square,” explains Mal Burnstein, another member of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club. 

There are differences of opinion among those organizing to support the Democrats. The Wellstone Club, for example was originally formed by a group of progressives who decided to work within the Democratic Party because they felt it was the only viable option. While strongly committed to shifting the Democrat’s agenda to the left of Davis’ positions, the club remains devoted to defeating the recall. 

Several groups in the coalition were organizing around the 2004 Presidential election when they suddenly found themselves working on the recall. 

Rally organizers also have another target: Proposition 54, initiated by University of California Regent Ward Connerly, which aims to bar state agencies from gathering racial data on Californians. 

Organizers say the measure will have devastating effects on a number of issues relating to race, and will exacerbate racial conflicts in the state. 

Other groups participating in the rally include labor unions and the East Bay Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club, whose members fear that a recall and election of a Republican Governor could derail landmark civil union legislation Davis has pledged to sign. 

Sharon Cornu from the Alameda Central Labor Council says labor is opposed to the recall because under Davis California has made strong gains, such as initiating the first paid family medical leave policy in the country. 

“We fought hard for these wins and we’re not going to go back to the stone age,” said Cornu. 

For more information on the rally, call Andy Katz at 540-5921. 

To many voting Californians, the gubernatorial recall election is being taken as a joke—an unexpected and entertaining twist to the usually boring political scene. But for me and my community, this recall is very important.  

This recall is about me, even if I can’t even register. As a 20-year-old immigrant from El Salvador who is now living in San Jose, this recall is as real as it gets. Many people are losing their jobs, students have to pay ridiculous tuition to get an education even at community college and youth-serving organizations all across California are losing funding.  

I am not a citizen of the United States, so I can’t vote. It’s frustrating to have lived in San Jose for more than 14 years, and yet I can’t play my part in electing the officials who affect my community.  

Even though I can’t vote, I am politically involved. Most of my time is spent working with my community to help out youth that come from the East Side San Jose streets where I was raised. I work with “high-risk” students, mostly Latino and Asians, at the high schools in East San Jose. These are the same schools that are going to be facing even harder times this fall given the budget cuts. In some ways I feel like I’m playing a bigger role in my community than elected officials themselves.  

That’s why this recall is my issue. All of my community work, the well-being of myself and my family, can be affected by the next governor. So I am watching the candidates and the race as more than entertainment.  

Although Arnold Schwarzenegger is an immigrant from Austria, we Latino immigrants can’t trust him. When I listen to him, he doesn’t seem to say anything that is relevant. He seems more Republican than anything else, and my people have had some bad experiences with Republican governors. Pete Wilson was our last one, and he proposed Proposition 187—the initiative which would have made it illegal for some immigrants to have access to health care and education. I was 10 years old at the time, and I can remember my dad telling me I may not be able to go to school anymore.  

Given today’s bad economic times, immigrants may again be the target if someone is looking for a scapegoat.  

If I could vote, I would vote against the recall. Even though he hasn’t done a great job, I would rather have Gray Davis as governor while there is a budget crisis than have a Republican handling the situation. Gray Davis is considering driver’s licenses for undocumented workers. Although this proposal was made to him long ago, for a Republican to bring up the issue would be virtually impossible.  

If someone must replace Davis, it should be Bustamante. He is already getting support from Latinos across California. Many Latino immigrants can relate to him because he used to work in the fields of the Central Valley. I just hope Latinos don’t vote for him simply because of his Mexican name. Here in San Jose, we learned that strategy doesn’t always work out.  

Back in 1998, Ron Gonzalez, a Mexican-American, was voted in as mayor of San Jose. I remember Latinos voting for him because he was “one of us.” Five years later, many Latinos in San Jose still work less than minimum wage jobs with no benefits, go to the worst schools in the city and are facing police brutality that got worse on Gonzalez’s watch. While Latinos hoped that we would have the support from the mayor, instead we had just another politician who did nothing to help or support the Latino people. I hope the state learns that getting a Latino politician into office does not necessarily mean a victory for the Latino people.  

Whether it be Bustamante, Gray, or even Gary Coleman, all I can do on Oct. 7 is hope that the next governor will be someone who cares about immigrants, jobs and education.  

Hector Gonzales, 20, writes for Silicon Valley De-Bug (www.siliconvalleydebug.com), a Pacific News Service publication by young workers, writers and artists in Silicon Valley.  

With her soft brown hair that falls neatly to the sides of her unblemished 19-year-old face, Monique Desindes looks so wholesomely apple pie that it’s hard to believe she is homeless. Yet there she was on Tuesday evening, squatting outside Cody’s Bookstore on Telegraph Avenue, half-eaten food and torn garbage bags strewn to her right. To her left sat Trek, an 18-year-old from Utah, wearing a spiked collar and sporting unkempt blond curls. 

Monique and Trek both arrived on Telegraph about six months ago, part of a mini-migration of nomadic youth to Berkeley—especially the Telegraph area—that has swelled the number of homeless kids in town to roughly 200, according to social service workers. 

Their presence has not gone unnoticed. Telegraph merchants and residents say more homeless kids equals lower quality of life: trash tossed on sidewalks, passerbys blocked from storefronts and harassed for spare change, increased prevalence of illegal drugs and excessive noise and rowdy behavior late into the night. 

“It has never been this bad,” said Doris Willingham, president of the Telegraph Area Association (TAA) and a 28-year neighborhood resident. “They are a deterrent for visiting the avenue. Shoppers are weirded out by these people.” 

Another neighbor who refused to give his name said that walking back to his home at Telegraph and Dwight Way has become like running a gauntlet as he is forced to weave in and out of bodies sprawled out on the street. 

When he called police about 8 p.m. one recent evening to report that youths were shooting bottle rockets, he said officers didn’t respond until three hours later. “There is a general disregard for the community here,” he said. 

To combat what some community members see as Telegraph’s slide into lawlessness, shop owners and residents are pressuring politicians and police for stepped-up enforcement. The TAA met twice with Mayor Bates last month and has urged police to beef up patrols and ticket trespassers. 

Monique and Trek don’t seem like troublemakers. They speak barely above a whisper, their words coming drawn out and slowly. They said they hadn’t witnessed many fights or rowdiness, and that, except for some police harassment, they’ve felt welcomed. 

“I like it here—the vendors, the shops. It’s way better than living with my dad,” said Monique, who makes hemp bracelets she sells from a box on the sidewalk. “We were in Fresno County and came here because we thought we might be able to get a job and there are way more shelters.” 

Berkeley has long been a prime spot on the nomadic youth trail. Along with San Francisco, the city serves as a layover for youth heading from Seattle in summer towards the Southwest for winter. While some hang out on Shattuck Avenue, Telegraph draws the biggest crowds, the kids say, because it’s closer to homeless services and the steady supply of tourists offers better panhandling opportunities. 

Berkeley’s homeless youth population has always been cyclical. The last boom was in 1999, a time merchants say was characterized by increased lawlessness. Homeless advocates and merchants acknowledge that the population has swelled again. 

“We’ve practically doubled the number of people we’re giving service to,” said Ron Kunisawa, who works at the Chaplancy Homeless Youth Drop-in Center in the basement of the University Lutheran Church at Dwight and College Avenue. 

He said the center has been servicing up to 60 youths a day this year, double last year’s numbers. He estimates that about 25 of those kids are just passing through, but the rest are sticking around. 

Homeless advocate Natalie Leimkuhler also commented on the changing face of local homeless youth. “Sometimes, masses of kids are just passing through,” she said, acknowledging that in the past some of their ranks were filled with better-off kids from the other side of the Hills “slumming it” for the summer. “But now we’re seeing more of a hard-core homeless youth population and a lot see Berkeley as their home,” she said. 

Leimkuhler works as a volunteer for Youth Emergency Assistant Hostels (YEAH), a non-profit that opened two winter shelters in Berkeley last year, one for women and the other co-ed. YEAH is part of a burgeoning non-profit effort to help the youth, but she said that despite city financial support, Berkeley still shortchanges the kids. 

“In Seattle if you’re seventeen and gay, there’s a shelter for you. If you’re 19 with a baby, there’s a shelter for you.” Berkeley offers fewer services and is only now coordinating agencies to better help youth, she said. 

In Berkeley, the drop-in center offers homeless kids a meal, a toothbrush, socks, soap and sanctuary from the streets three days a week. They partner with other agencies to provide free medical and dental care, job training, and transitional housing for eight youths at a center in West Berkeley. 

Housing is available only to those who can keep a job and stay off drugs, and Kunisawa said most balk at the offer, not realizing that when they hit 25 the special services will vanish. 

City funds for the drop-in center and the shelters weren’t harmed by budget cuts this year, but homeless advocates say the population surge has stretched resources. 

Lack of funds led Rev. Doug Merritt, executive director of the drop-in center, to cancel plans to operate a booth on Telegraph for homeless kids to sell their crafts, though he said a grant from the Berkeley Community Fund will pay for an evening program at the church this winter that he hopes will lure kids off the streets. 

A money shortage last year closed the women’s shelter after ten weeks and the co-ed shelter after five. The city contributes $15,000 to the project Leimkuhler said, but $60,000 is needed to operate both shelters for the entire winter. 

Separate shelters for youth are essential to protect them from the regular homeless population, Kunisawa said. “Kids are very scared of those guys. In a shelter, they’re like prey.”  

Several street kids acknowledged tension between homeless groups.  

Robert Publik, a relatively clean-cut panhandler in his early 20’s, said that the street youth—who call themselves “gutter punks”—are banding together to push out crack users who had been hassling them to buy their drugs. 

“The crackheads are trying to roll us,” he said. “There comes a time when gutter punks and hippie kids don’t tolerate it anymore.” 

Publik said he’s noticed more crack users on Telegraph recently and that many have come from outside Berkeley because they hear Berkeley crack is more potent.  

Berkeley Police reports don’t support Publik’s claim. Department spokesperson Mary Kusmiss refused to discount that harder drugs might be gaining a foothold on Telegraph, but said recent drug bust operations have not found crack- or cocaine dealing in the area. 

Residents associate any increase in drugs with the surge in youths on the streets. 

Willingham insists that homeless youth have exacerbated the economic slowdown on Telegraph by scaring off some customers. Andy Ross of Cody’s Books wouldn’t go that far, but he wondered if falling evening sales might be related to the youths who squat outside his shop.  

Merchants also blame the police, who they say have cut back patrols and refuse to crack down on anti-social behavior.  

An eight-officer joint city and UC Berkeley bike patrol founded in 1969 was slashed in December 2001 due to staffing shortages. Both forces suffered losses from early retirements and the need to reassign officers to more pressing beats. BPD now supplies two bike officers to complement 12 patrol officers on Telegraph. UC has one officer assigned, but she is injured and not expected back until next month. 

Neither force expects to supplement the three-officer bike patrol anytime soon. 

TAA officials say the decline of the bike control has led to the influx of nomadic youth and have asked the BPD to rigorously enforce the city’s trespassing ordinance and ticket youth who sleep on private property around Telegraph. 

The latest arrest figures show police have upped enforcement. Of the 466 arrests made on Telegraph this year, 87 were made in the past two weeks. Thirty-four of those arrests were for trespassing, according to BPD figures. 

Homeless people arrested for trespassing go to Santa Rita jail—where most spend a night and are then released for time served—but homeless advocates worry for the youth’s safety. Earlier this year, Kevin Freeman, a Telegraph Area regular, was murdered at Santa Rita by his cellmate after he was arrested on a charge of public drunkenness. 

Leimkuhler said police often hassle homeless youth, rousting them awake throughout the night. “Kids are regularly cycled out to Santa Rita,” she said. “Some go to jail pretty regularly.” 

Soda D. Spanger, 36, with his Mohawk haircut and missing tooth, seemed like the kind of guy merchants are complaining about, but he says after three years on Telegraph he hasn’t been arrested once. He refers to beat officers by their nicknames and said he wasn’t rousted as long as he followed their orders and kept his area clean. Still, as he lay sprawled out in front of La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant taking bites from a can of cat food, he didn’t give pedestrians much space. 

“People want to see punk rockers here,” he said. “They love us.” 

About a minute later he yelled at a middle age woman passing by: “Give me all your money or I’ll blow your brains out.” 

The woman shot him a stare of disgust and kept walking past. 

“Guess she didn’t think that was funny,” he said.

President Bush may not face much opposition in Congress to his plan for perpetual preemptive war, but he better watch out for the women.  

Angry over the swagger of violence coming out of the White House, disgusted by the bring-them-on itch for a fight as the solution to political problems, women around the globe are organizing in new ways.  

These gender activists are on the Internet, in the streets, packed into rooms forming more groups and pushing resolutions through the United Nations. Some are setting up an Occupation Watch Center in Baghdad, and others are building a transnational movement. They even have their first martyr in Rachel Corrie, the young American who was killed trying to stop an Israeli bulldozer from destroying Palestinian homes.  

The surge of women’s activism is happening now partly as a response to Sept. 11. That event accelerated the growth of new groups like England’s Global Women’s Strike and Central Asia’s Worldwide Sisterhood Against Terrorism and War.  

Explaining her own reaction to that trauma and the macho strut of both bin Laden and Bush, Code Pink founder Medea Benjamin says, “I had feelings and fears I never had in all my years of organizing. The male aggressive voice was so very dominant. We needed to strengthen the voices opposed to that. Mobilizing women was one way to do it.” Her reaction to violent solutions is shared by Indian writer Arundhati Roy who calls bin Laden Bush’s “dark doppelganger.”  

The new organizing is more than an attack on personalities. As Jasmina Tesanovic, a member of Women in Black in Serbia, says, “My enemy is no longer a bad hero, or a politician, or a person in power, but the culture that makes such primitive people possible and empowers them.” The organizing is part of a culture war to end the love of military glory, power, dominance and hierarchy often taught as part of male traditions. New Profile, a women’s group in Israel, demands a complete reevaluation of its country’s “military consciousness.”  

To counter a male habit of imposing power and dominance in postwar periods women diplomats and non-government organizations pressured the United Nations to pass Resolution 1325, calling for women’s full participation in nation building. Now, Iraqi women are organizing to stop Bush from running their country as a Boy’s Club. They are being supported and advised by the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Network of Kosovo Women, Women to Women International, PeaceWomen, and a deluge of visiting groups.  

This international alliance is aiding Iraqi women’s own efforts to protest violent rapes, honor killings and the rise of fanatics. “We fear the threat of fundamentalist religious movements which an occupying army inspires,” the Iraqi Women’s League said in a recent statement.  

The activists count on women in postwar and prewar situations to argue for political solutions to macho face-offs. They encourage them to use their social training in settling issues with words, cooperation, and even empathy for enemies.  

There are no illusions about ovaries making all women good and peaceful. Instead, Ann Snitow of the Network of East-West Women urges women to acknowledge their past complicity with men’s wars. Few expect Bush National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice to give up her allegiance to traditional male stomp-and-rule values. But men who share their alternate vision are welcome in the movement.  

The women may be waging a culture war, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do down-and-dirty politics with Bush. In an incident that’s an early warning about the 2004 elections, a group of women greeted a fundraising George W. Bush in Los Angeles recently with a 40-foot pink rejection slip that read: “You’re Fired!”  

More significant is the change in young women who haven’t been voting. In a recent article in a weekly magazine on youth voting, 23-year-old Chantel Azadeh said, “The last two years have done a number on a lot of people’s minds. This election I plan on getting involved. I think it’s crucial that we get Bush out of the White House.” An MTV survey showed only 41 percent of the young are planning to vote for Bush.  

The president’s ominous mutterings about nuclear weapons in Iran and North Korea are enough to keep gender activism going. Ditto the economic attack on women’s domestic needs in America and in countries that are its once and future allies. Niki Adams of London’s Global Women’s Strike is helping to organize a demand for a Women’s Budget in 24 countries where her group has members including, the United States.  

“Our slogan is ‘Invest in caring, not in killing,’” she says. Even Madonna has joined the post-9/11 resistance with her new music video “American Life” which satirizes the military superhero. Driven by dread, the women activists will continue to multiply. They are haunted by nightmare images of where the punch and counterpunch of superpower and terrorist, occupier and occupied, will lead.  

“This is a desperate moment in our history,” says playwright Karen Malpede, who only half-jokingly adds, “I guess women will have to save the world.”  

Marlene Nadle is a journalist and Associate of the Transregional Center for Democratic Studies at the New School for Social Research in New York.

The upcoming celebration planned for a local arts icon has Berkeley city officials scrambling to avoid a potentially embarrassing free speech controversy. 

Late last month, Acting Manager of Economic Development Thomas Myers turned down a request from the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra to hang 30 banners in the downtown area commemorating the 25th anniversary of Kent Nagano as symphony conductor. The request was made in conjunction with the Downtown Berkeley Association, and would have temporarily replaced banners currently hung by the association. 

The anniversary celebration concert is scheduled for Sept. 29. The banners would read “Berkeley thanks Kent Nagano for 25 years,” and would include a picture of Nagano and a small replica of the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra logo. The symphony’s name would not appear on the banners. 

Regardless, Myers said that “an effect of the [Nagano] banner[s] [would be] to market and promote the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra and Mr. Nagano,” which he said was contrary to a Berkeley city policy that “prohibits [the hanging of banners in public places] to promote private activities or organizations.” 

That brought a quick proposal from Councilmember Dona Spring to change city banner policy to allow the Nagano banners to be hung, along with a pointed note that “the City of San Francisco has a much more liberal policy with regard to banners in the public right-of-way. … [P]erhaps the City Attorney’s office can check with the City of San Francisco regarding this matter.” 

Spring did not return calls requesting a comment for this story. 

At the Sept. 2 Council Agenda Committee meeting, Mayoral Chief of Staff Cisco De Vries tried to get Spring to pull the item from the Sept. 9 agenda, saying that he had worked out an arrangement in which the banners could be hung without changing existing city policy. But Spring, who participated in the Agenda Committee meeting by telephone conference call, said she preferred to hold the issue on the agenda until an agreement had actually been reached, and the executive director of the symphony said later that while he was hopeful an arrangement could be worked out, he was not aware of the details. By mid-week, the issue had been moved to the Sept. 16 Council agenda. 

De Vries insists that a compromise is close at hand. 

“City policy says that banners can only be hung to advertise city-sponsored districts or events,” De Vries said, explaining that there is a distinct difference between an event that the city “sponsors” and one that it merely “endorses.” “The Symphony is a private organization; it’s not the city,” he continued. “But if the city were to hold an event for Nagano in conjunction with the Symphony’s celebration—say, a reception where we present a proclamation—that would constitute an official city event, and the banners could be hung.” 

Symphony Executive Director Gary Ginstling said it’s up to the city to decide what compromise would be acceptable in order to hang the banners. “If sponsoring an event is what they think is suitable, then we’ll support it. If they want to have musicians to play, we’ll provide musicians to play. If that’s what it takes for them to give permission to put the banners up, I just hope it happens sooner rather than later.” 

De Vries said that he was cautious about writing loopholes into the banner policy for specific events or organizations, warning that the practice could lead to unintended consequences. 

Such a consequence was suffered last year by the California Department of Transportation. When the department allowed American flags to be hung from freeway overpasses as a statement of patriotism following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, two Santa Cruz women hung an antiwar banner reading “War. At What Cost? $200 billion. 10,000 dead.” When police had the banner removed, the two women sued in federal court where and a federal judge ruled—and the 9th Circuit concurred—that the Department of Transportation could not selectively decide which political sentiments could be hung from overpasses and which could be not. The Department of Transportation eventually had all flags and banners removed from freeway overpasses. 

A quick survey of city banner ordinances around the state showed that Berkeley’s was among the more restrictive. San Francisco allows banners for “any non-profit, cultural, promotional or civic organization located in San Francisco,” and allows logos on the banners. San Jose only requires that banners be non-political, with no private or commercial advertising. San Diego allows street banners “to promote cultural or civic events, or activities of general public interest,” and only prohibits banners that are “political or religious in subject matter” or those “used for advertising a specific product or corporate entity.” 

Los Angeles has perhaps the most liberal of all of the state’s city banner policies. Revamped in 1999, the policy allows banners for community events, charitable events, non-profit events, city events, and “public service or civic announcements or recognition of the existence of the diverse neighborhoods throughout the City of Los Angeles.”

Shannon Williams, the 37-year-old former Berkeley High School employee busted by Oakland police, plead not guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor count of soliciting prostitution. 

Williams, who was the activity coordinator for the school’s independent studies program, was arrested in Oakland Aug. 13 after police said she accepted $250 from an undercover police officer.  

She will appear in the Alameda County Superior Court again on Oct. 1 for a pretrial hearing. 

In the meantime, Williams’ lawyer, Katya Komisaruk of the Just Cause Law Collective, told the Daily Planet she is working on a defense that will challenge the credibility of one of the arresting officers and is gathering information on the other officers present at the arrest. She has asked the community to come forward with any information they might have concerning any past inappropriate behavior on the part of the lead officer. 

During her appearance Williams had support from protesters outside the courthouse who called for legalization of prostitution. Several wore leopard print negligees similar to what Williams had been wearing at the time of the arrest. 

After her hearing last week, Williams also came out in support of legalization. According to Komisaruk, Williams spoke out “because she feels she owes it to other women who are being prosecuted for this type of activity.” 

—Jakob Schiller

The parent of a Berkeley High School student died of apparent natural causes in his van parked in front of the school on Allston Way Thursday afternoon while waiting to pick up his son. The African-American man, appearing to be in his late 30s to mid-40s, was not identified to press by the Berkeley Police pending notification of next of kin. 

While police waited for Alameda County Coroner’s deputies to arrive on the scene, Berkeley High School personnel spent an anxious hour trying to locate the victim’s son before he walked up on the scene. Armed with photocopied pictures of the student, counselors, administrators, and security personnel blocked the area around Allston Way and searched the schoolgrounds. 

The student was located after the body had been removed, and was whisked away to an undisclosed location on the schoolgrounds by a protective group of school personnel. 

Witnesses said that the victim parked his van near Berkeley High’s Allston Way gate about 2 o’clock, and slumped over at the wheel shortly afterwards. A pair of young men on bicycles flagged down a passing police officer after noticing the man was not moving. 

The Alameda County Coroners Office had not issued a cause of death at press time, but a police spokesperson said there was no indication of anything other than natural causes. There were unconfirmed reports that the man was wearing a diabetes medallion around his neck at the time of his death. 

Students gathered in crowds in Civic Center Park across from the school, but school security officers kept them from congregating near the van. A Berkeley police officer covered the body with a sheet, and the victim was not visible to students exiting the school.

Where some just see an old pair of glasses, Raymond Ascher, the 59-year-old owner of Phoenix Optical, sees both beauty and opportunity.  

“I very much enjoy what I do,” Ascher said. “I get a kick out of selling frames. I love the vintage market and I love frames. I never get tired of looking at them. I’ve 14,000 pieces [in stock at his store in Berkeley] and I hungrily went through every single piece and I just look at them and compare. I just drool over a beautiful style. I say, ‘I’ll reproduce that’ or ‘I love that’ or ‘This one’s going to sell.’” 

Ascher’s first job in the family business was helping his mother assemble combination metal and plastic eyeglass frames over 54 years ago in Detroit, Michigan. His uncle, who originally opened the store in 1931, had died, leaving Ascher’s mother and aunt in charge. 

After graduating from college with a degree in chemical engineering, Ascher moved to Europe and worked as a consulting engineer and professor in the Middle East and in Eastern Europe.  

“I didn’t come back to the business until my mother passed away in 1984,” Ascher said. “I thought I’d sell the company and then go back to Europe. But I couldn’t sell it. The company was basically out of business. We were still in downtown Detroit in the same building from 1931 to 1984. It was antiquated and downtown Detroit was decimated. Then I started going through our warehouses.  

“We had warehouses in Europe, in Munich and in Oyonnax, France, and we had warehouses in Detroit. There were frames sitting in the warehouses from years and years and years back. My mother had started throwing away frames in our Detroit warehouse. There were barrels waiting to be thrown in the trash. I came in and stopped all that. We must have had somewhere between a million and two million frames between all of the locations. At that point I figured I was going to save everything, and anything else I could find to buy I’m going to buy it and keep it and put it away.” 

Hoping to keep the family business alive, Ascher opened a series of shops to sell his family’s vast collection of frames, first in the Detroit area and eventually across the country from New York to Hollywood. 

Then, in 1994, he purchased Phoenix Optical in downtown Berkeley and moved his family to Berkeley.  

“I started putting these frames out, original pieces,” Ascher recalled. “We had frames from the turn of the century up to present. Every time I put the frames out, they were gone. So I figured it was a great idea. I don’t know why I saved them before, I didn’t save them for that reason, but it kept going.  

“Any time I saw an old factory going out of business, or that someone had an old warehouse of things, they’d closed up in the ‘60s, I bought the whole thing. I bought everything they had. In Oyonnax I bought everything they had. Oyonnax is the area in France where they manufacture frames. And in Cadore in Italy which is where they manufacture frames. My friend Herbert Kerzenberger had the same idea 20 years earlier, he started buying frames. [Five years ago] we combined efforts and we had, collectively, four million frames. The combination is working very, very well between the two of us.” 

Today the Ascher family only owns two stores, Phoenix Optical in Berkeley where Ray works with his daughter Monica, 20 and his son Julian 25, and the Spectacle Shop in San Francisco, run by daughter Lori, 29. 

But the bulk of the Ascher’s business is not in selling to either Berkeley’s or San Francisco’s near- and far-sighted citizenry. He wholesales approximately 40,000 pairs of frames a year to retailers around the world, both brand new, never-used vintage frames and Ray’s own line of limited edition eyeglass frames manufactured in Europe under the name Eight Below Zero. 

In their local shops, the Aschers only sell frames from their own collection, encompassing everything from original frames from the 1890s to the now much-loved but discontinued stylings of the 1990s. 

“I have never gotten over my passion for the love of frames which started as a young child. My sister was the same way. We were raised that way. I’ll never lose that passion. No matter what happens I’ll stay involved.”

Prostitution Busts 

A team of Berkeley patrol officers conducted an undercover prostitution sting early Wednesday morning, arresting four women along San Pablo Avenue. Two male officers posing as “johns” scoped San Pablo south of Dwight Way between 5 and 6 a.m., arresting Roberta Leflow, 40, of Oakland, Carolyn Wilson, 40, of Berkeley, Mary Hamilton, 20, of Oakland, and Sheila Nuzzo, 45, of Berkeley, on prostitution changes. The sting came in response to complaints by neighbors of rampant prostitution in the area. 

Robbery in the Park 

Four youths jumped a UC student riding his bike through Cedar Rose Park Tuesday around 9 p.m. According to police, a man and a woman materialized “out of nowhere” and blocked his path. When he tried to skirt them, two other males emerged behind him, one grabbing his waist and pulling him off his bike. One of the men told him that they’d hurt him if he didn’t surrender his wallet, and the women demanded his cell phone. Told that he didn’t have one, she searched his pockets and took his keys and wallet. They grabbed the cash from the wallet and raced from the park laughing.  

Hot Prowl Burglary 

Police arrested a Berkeley man on charges of burglarizing three homes. According to police, a resident of the 2600 block of Russell Street came home Tuesday afternoon to find the pins removed from the hinges of his basement door, which had fallen into a storage area. When the homeowner went to investigate, the burglar lunged from a crouching position and raced past him out the door with the homeowner in hot pursuit. The chase went east on Russell and then north on College Avenue, where the homoeowner borrowed a cell phone from a pedestrian and called police. BPD officers arrested Daniel Kiehn, 21, who they found hiding behind the house at 2819 Benvenue Ave. with the two hinge pins in his pocket as well as items reported stolen from two other Berkeley homes that morning.

Proposition 54, the ballot measure proponents claim would lead to a colorblind society, poses serious dangers to the physical and social health of Californians, contend local opponents of the controversial ballot proposition. 

Initiated by University of California Regent Ward Connerly, Prop. 54 would bar “state [and] local governments from using race, ethnicity, color or national origin to classify current or prospective students, contractors, or employees in public education, contracting or employment operations.” 

While Connerly and his supporters say they hope the measure will help solve some of America’s racial tensions, Berkeley opponents—including students, community groups, environmental groups, and health officials, among others—say that it is only going to make things worse. 

They note with particular alarm that Proposition 54 prohibits collection of data health officials use to track information on diseases that affect certain ethnic groups in varying ways. 

Nunu Kidani, a member of the Oakland-based African-American State of Emergency HIV-AIDS Task Force, points out that while only seven percent of Alameda County’s population is African-American, a whopping 44 percent of the people living with HIV and dying of AIDS belong to the African-American community. 

“[Proposition 54] defies complete logic,” said Kidani. “The most marginalized communities are not getting the help they need now and the proposition is only going to continue to impact those communities that are most vulnerable.” 

Without racial data, Kidani explains, nobody would see that a disproportionate number of African-Americans are being infected, eliminating the possibility of special programs targeted at those most in need of help. 

Kidani says AIDS programs in Alameda county receive $14 million, with $11 million of that total coming from the federal government. Without the relevant ethnic data, Kidani wonders how long the programs can survive. 

Proposition 54 also threatens a wide range of education programs, said Peter Gee, a UC Berkeley student and a senator for UC Berkeley’s student government. The ballot measure would prevent collection of data used to monitor disparities in admissions and student enrollment and to monitor things like hate crimes on campus, he said 

Gee, who helped form the Stop Prop. 54 Coalition, has joined with other students to campaign against the measure on campus. 

“We’re organizing because we’re going to be the ones who have to deal with it,” said Gee. 

The Berkeley Unified School District’s Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to oppose Proposition 54. Board Student Director Bradley Johnson said passage of the initiative would “hide both the horrors and the wonders of what we're doing in regard to race.” Other board members expressed concern that the initiative would cripple the district's ability to measure the educational progress of students of various races.  

The Sierra Club has signed on to the fight because the ballot measure could wipe out data that is used to fight environmental racism and to expose the targeting of communities of color for dangerous environmental projects. 

“Communities of Color [in the Bay Area] are constantly being unfairly burdened by freeways and power plants,” said Mike Daley, the Chapter Conservancy Director for the Bay Area Sierra Club. 

Daley says that minority communities in West Oakland were devastated during the installation of the freeways in the East Bay.  

“They certainly didn’t build the freeway through the hills where the rich white people live,” said Daley. 

Groups fighting the proposition are supporting a rally and precinct walk this Saturday in Berkeley, starting in front of the Washington School on Martin Luther King Avenue. The event also addresses the recall election and a number of Berkeley elected officials have promised to attend. 

Other racial initiatives that have started in California, such as Connerly’s anti-Affirmative Action measure, have spread to other states, causing organizers to worry that the same will happen with Proposition 54. 

“California has often been a testing ground. If it works, they export it,” said Frances Beale, an Oakland resident who belongs to the Black Radical Congress, a national coalition that organizes around issues in the African-American community. 

Beale says that in addition to negative effects Connerly’s proposition will have on health and education, negative political implications abound. 

“By wiping out the collection of data, it’s saying we don’t want to know if racism exists,” said Beale. “We don’t want to know about it and we don’t want to deal with it.” 

Jesse Douglas Allen-Taylor contributed to this report.

Morrill Folsom’s a survivor. Just ask any shopowner on Telegraph Avenue, where he’s been doing business longer than anyone else he knows. Specializing in Asian and Renaissance art, antiques and jewelry, Folsom’s House of Kuan Yin on Telegraph Avenue has been around for 45 years. 

On a street where businesses come and go as quickly as passing fads, he has done an amazing job of maintaining his shop’s unique character. It’s a pillar of regularity; what one customer recently described as “the last bastion of civilization on Telegraph.” 

Like his shop, the 83-year-old proprietor is an anomaly of sorts. 

A customer walking into the store steps into a time machine, a setting more in tune with the slower pace of the 1950’s than the 21st Century’s warp-speed techno furor. Classical music hums in the background, the light is dim, and the nose catches that old vaguely dusty scent of an antique shop. 

It’s easy to forget the hustle of Telegraph outside as you browse the eclectic collection of art and antique pieces, some dating back to the late 17th century.  

When Folsom started working at the store as a graduate student, the inventory consisted mainly of limited editions, out of print books and fine graphics. When he bought it soon afterwards, he began importing more art, mostly Italian prints. He also started mounting the prints, slowly phasing out the books. Because of the high demand, Folsom branched out into Asian art, importing the pieces directly. 

The result is a unique blend, where statuettes of the Virgin Mary repose alongside figurines of the Buddha inside the sparkling display cases. 

Folsom named the shop because he specializes in statues of Kuan Yin, revered by Buddhists as a female Bodhisattva, a Buddha in the making. Often compared to the Virgin Mary, she is revered as a spirit of compassion who has renounced Buddhahood until all suffering in the world has ended. 

A Denver native, Folsom developed his taste for foreign cultures during his three years overseas during World War II as a solider in the Army’s Mountain Artillery in Northern Italy and Southern France, the division known as the “Mule Skinners” because they used the animals to transport their equipment. 

He fell in love with the art and history of Italy, the country he describes “as culturally the richest in the world.” His original partner in the store came from Florence and their connection was the catalyst that helped him begin importing Italian prints. He estimates that he has traveled back and forth to Europe around 14 times. 

Young and vibrant in an old photo on display in the store, Folsom still has a youthful air about him. He is phasing himself out of the store—“retiring slowly” as he puts it—but he still makes regular appearances from his living quarters just upstairs. 

At the age of 83, he is full of kick, and while he now relies on a walker, he’s always smiling and given to bright pink shirts and a sun hat.  

He’s also full of stories. Two that stand out come from his war experiences. 

As the Third Reich collapsed, Folsom found himself in Southern Bavaria where he became one of the first Allied soldiers to enter Hitler’s inner sanctum, the Berghof, overlooking Salzburg. He still has two small plates that he took from the house in his private collection. 

His military career also brought him to Paris, where the Army selected him to attend the Sorbornne University in Paris for a semester—giving him the chance to rub elbows with famous artists such as Pablo Picasso and revered intellectuals including Gertrude Stein. 

You could also call him a historian of sorts. After nearly half a century on Telegraph, he has witnessed a lot of changes. He remembers when the street was traversed by a trolley car, and the feverish days of the 1960s when police shot out his windows during the era of the Free Speech Movement. 

Most shop owners on his block were sympathetic to the movement, Folsom said. “We all realized how important these issues were to that generation. Most everyone on this block was supportive.” 

In many ways though, Folsom says that Telegraph has always been the same, with bookstores, record stores and restaurants occupying most of the shop space. The names have changed, but the products have remained the same. 

Like the shop’s collection, the crowd that wanders in from Telegraph is diverse. Folsom and David Murray, a shop employee, say many customers are drawn to the store because they have a specific interest in Asian or Renaissance art. 

Unfortunately there is also a sense that things are changing, evident in the store’s shrine to Folsom’s old partner, who recently passed away. It’s the same picture where Folsom himself looks so youthful. 

Time has taken its toll and it feels like the rest of Telegraph is just waiting to pounce on the open space, and bring it up to speed, make it more conventional. Until then however, the shop will remain a refuge. A taste of the past and a place to escape from the present.

Last week’s column about my less than stellar experiences as a new graduate student at San Francisco State prompted e-mails from people recalling their own frustrations. 

It turns out that long lines, lack of seats and closed classes is just the beginning. 

Julie Lindow wrote, “I hate to tell you this but your tragic story about SF State is old news to ye alumni. Budget cuts or budget blooms, it’s State’s usual mode of operation. I spent seven years dealing with that level of Kafka insanity.”  

Someone else said, “Be patient. State schools seem to hire the same people who get jobs at welfare offices and DMVs. Their goal is not to educate you, but to survive each day, and the way they do that easiest is to ignore you, especially when you need them the most.” 

Doug Konecky had this to say: “Welcome to my sort of ex-Alma Mater. I went to State as a student in International Relations, specializing in Avoiding the Draft. They only gave us one year grad school deferment back then, so when the deferment ran out, I ran out. It was 1968 and I remember the Panthers with their chains and baseball bats and my professor throwing battery acid on typewriters in the admissions’ office and how we all got As even though we never went to class because there never was any class because classes were always suspended while they cleaned up the piles of rubble caused by the radical professors.” 

Well, with the way things are going, like Doug, I may never attend class. And I won’t be getting As unless they suspend school and start throwing battery acid around. That’s because I can’t get into the workshops I’m required to take in order to get a grade of any kind. 

It seems ridiculous that State would accept thirty new MFA students into the program and not have enough class space, but the truth is there are new students who have not gotten into a single graduate course. I am one of the lucky ones. I’m in three classes, none of them my first or second choice, but at least I’ll be receiving the proper credits and I didn’t quit a job or move here from somewhere far away like some of my less fortunate comrades. 

Last week I attended a Graduate School Creative Writing Department orientation where we were welcomed into the program and told what to expect. 

In a room that was bursting with new, enthusiastic students, there was once again not enough places in which to sit down. 

Each professor introduced him or herself and then most proceeded to apologize for the lack of space in their classes. They recommended that we talk to the instructors of undergraduate courses to see if they would allow us into their classrooms and help us develop extra credit projects that we could count toward graduate school. They suggested independent studies and believe it or not, enrolling in another school and transferring those credits to State. 

Too bad we would have to pay for those credits in addition to tuition for State but at least we would be moving forward. 

“Don’t worry,” they said. “It will get easier next semester after people drop out and you get the hang of what you have to do in order to get classes.” 

Then one of the professors added, “We want you to know that you are very special. Over 475 people applied for this program and, as you can see, most of them were turned away. You were accepted because we thought you were the best.” 

He could have added that he was sorry that even though we were special he couldn’t provide some of us with a chair, but maybe that was just too obvious. 

Actually, I felt kind of exceptional leaning against the wall, holding up the back corner of the room. 

Maybe, I thought, that’s why State so eagerly took my tuition check and cashed it. Somehow they knew I’d be extraordinarily good at propping up the building.  

Saddled with $410 million in state cuts this year, the University of California took an unprecedented cost-cutting measure Tuesday, rejecting out-of-hand transfer applications from about 1,600 students for the winter semester. 

“We have tried to find other ways of coping with the budget cuts, but we have reached a point where the educational experience at the University of California will be severely compromised if we continue to grow without funding to support new students,” said UC President Richard C. Atkinson in a statement. “We know our applicants have worked very hard to be eligible to attend UC, and they deserve to attend UC. We deeply regret having to delay their plans.” 

Nearly all of the students affected attend state community colleges which have traditionally served as a pipeline to four-year campuses. 

This fall UC admitted a record 14,665 community college students, 7.6 percent more than in 2002—marking the fifth straight year UC schools have bumped up the number of junior college transfers. Since the state budget did not designate money for scheduled enrollment growth next year, UC decided to sacrifice the transfers in order to preserve academic quality. 

About 500 students with transfer guarantees authorized by their junior colleges and a UC School were not affected by the move. UC will refund the rest their $40 application fee. They have not been granted first access for fall enrollment. 

Several university centers refunded hundreds of applications, but UC Berkeley—which accepted all of its 322 transfers in the fall—was not affected. 

Hardest hit were UC Riverside, which refunded 848 applicants; UC Irvine, 710; UC Santa Cruz, 687 and UC Santa Barbara, 574. 

Manuel Alcala, Transfer Director at Laney College in Oakland, said he hadn’t gauged the fallout from Tuesday’s decision, but he was sure several Laney students were affected and will now be in academic limbo until the fall.  

“People aren’t yelling yet, but they will be,” he said. He said the college has seen a growing number of students transfer to private schools or state schools outside California as UC schools cut enrollment growth and raise fees. 

UC officials warned that Tuesday’s move could be a harbinger of more cuts to come. The Board of Regents will discuss freezing 2004-2005 enrollments at this year’s level, effectively stalling its mandate to increase enrollment by 60,000 by the end of the decade. 

UC Berkeley was slated to add 4,000 students as part of Tidal Wave II, enacted in 1997 to reflect the state’s growing population. University officials said they have already absorbed 3,000 students and that given budgetary concerns, the final thousand wouldn’t be admitted until later in the decade. 

“Given the present indication we are looking at very limited or no growth for the next few years,” said UC Berkeley Assistant Vice Chancellor for Admissions Richard Black.

Berkeley Police have released sketches of one of two men sought in the attempted rape of a woman on Aug. 9 in the 1900 block of Addision Street. 

The two grabbed the woman shortly before 10 p.m. as she was walking to meet friends at a nearby cafe. Threatening violence, the two attempted to rape the woman, who successfully fought off her assailants and fled. 

The first suspect is identified as a pale white male aged 22 to 25, about 5’8” tall and weighing approximately 110 pounds. Dressed all in black and wearing heavy “goth” makeup, he sported an earring. Police have released sketches of the man as he might appear with makeup and without.  

The second suspect was a heavily built, deep-voiced male of indeterminate race who stands about 6’2” tall. 

Anyone recognizing one of the suspects is requested to call Detective Keith DeBlasi of the Berkeley Police Sex Crimes Detail at 981-5735.

Opposition to Ward Connerly’s Proposition 54—the “color conscious” initiative—has centered around what opponents call its “hidden agenda.” Prop 54, they say, is the unholy companion to Proposition 209, the 1996 initiative that gutted California’s affirmative action programs. Prop 209 made it more difficult to operate programs in California to counter discrimination against African-Americans and Latinos. In preventing the government from collecting race-based data, the argument continues, Prop 54 would cover up the effects of continuing anti-black and anti-brown discrimination. First the stab in the neck by the assassin’s stiletto. Then the assistant comes to sop up the blood and destroy any evidence of a crime.  

All of that may be true. But actually, it’s the unhidden agenda of Prop. 54 that worries me the most.  

“We are a multi-racial society that defies box-checking,” Mr. Connerly said two years ago in announcing the beginning of the Prop 54 petition campaign, the “boxes” referring to those little squares on forms we fill out, now and then, to designate our race or ethnicity. “The goal of [Prop 54] is to move us beyond the box and closer to a colorblind society. The government should respect our privacy and not collect such personal information, especially since our state constitution no longer allows discrimination or preferences based on an arbitrary social construct such as ‘race.’ Race classifications have never helped anyone. … It’s time California learned this history lesson, and became truly colorblind.” 

The problem is, I don’t think it’s possible for human beings to be colorblind. And if some great god came by offering that as a “gift” to humanity, for myself, I’d pass up the opportunity.  

As far as I can tell from my limited studies and readings, from the very beginnings of our existence it has been in the nature of humans to gather ourselves into small, distinct groups. At first, in the days when we first walked the African savannahs, you couldn’t make out an overall physical difference between these little bands of survivors. If you scrambled the bones of various groups from those early days, an anthropologist would find it impossible to put them all back beside the right campfire. This was before our wanderings into new environments colored our skins, broadened or narrowed our noses, retextured our hair, and generally shaped our bodies into the broad categories we call “race.” And yet, early on, with no physical distinction yet formed, we seem to have developed the habit of creating group distinctions among ourselves.  

Part of this human drive for distinction is of the “us against them” category—the “my clan must survive by controlling the water hole and driving every other clan away” category—that type of visceral, antagonistic, hate-filled distinction from which all religious and racial intolerance has flowed: the Holocaust, the Maafa (the displacement of Africans through the slave trade), the tribal butcherings that have swept every continent, the witch hunts, the Inquisition, and all the world’s holy wars. It is a fear of difference.  

But part of the human drive to divide ourselves into smaller categories comes not because we seek to deny the humanity of those outside our group, but because we can only begin to grasp the enormity of our human connection in small doses. How many people live in the world today? Six billion? Try spending a second—a pitifully inadequate period of time—just looking at the face of each person on earth. If you did that your entire life, and that’s all you did, and your life took up 80 years, at the end of it you’d have only looked at two-and-a-half-billion faces.  

Or take a more horrific example.  

Without looking it up on the Internet, I couldn’t tell you the number of people who died in the attack on the World Trade Towers on Sept. 11. The number wouldn’t mean anything to me, if I could remember it. What is most painful to me about that day—what resonates most in my mind—is the picture of a single individual jumping out of one of the topmost floors, arms flailing, endlessly descending to a certain death. He knew he was going to die in the jump, yet he preferred to jump rather than burn to death in his office. Understanding that single moment of horror allows me a small inroad into the overwhelming, unimaginable horror of that day.  

And that was only one day in thousands and thousands of days of horror on this planet.  

We understand humanity, first, in small doses, and from that which is closest to us. Something strikes a baby, and he experiences pain. At some point, he learns that if he strikes or scratches someone else, their experience will be similar. It is the beginning of empathic consciousness, the understanding that makes all human society possible.  

Consciousness of ourselves, consciousness of our family, consciousness of our clan and tribe, consciousness of our race—these are all paths along the way towards consciousness of our common humanity. The problem is not in the path, I think, but how far we walk it, and what we do along the way.  

To make ourselves colorblind, I think, would be to do away with what allows us to see. I think you’re wrong on this one, Mr. Connerly.

Heaven forfend! UC Berkeley beaten by the California Community Colleges? And for activism, no less! 

Mother Jones Magazine, that bastion of Leftist print, ranked the University of California in ninth place in its annual listing of the most activist college campuses, seven places behind the California Community Colleges. 

First place honors went to the University of Tehran, honored by the magazine for “unflinching dissent in a nation where speaking out can lead to imprisonment or worse.” 

The Iranian students staged massive protests after a popular history professor was sentenced to death for challenging the exclusive right of sanctioned clerics to interpret Islamic scripture—forcing the state to commute the sentence to 74 lashes and an eight-year prison term. 

California community colleges were honored for marching 10,000-strong on Sacramento and 4,000-strong on Los Angeles last March following massive budget cuts and tuition hikes. 

While Berkeley ranked next-to-last in the top ten—honored for the protest of 1,500 students after the outbreak of the war on Iraq—it was the school’s fourth appearance on the list, topped only by the University of Michigan, whose fifth-place ranking (for pro-Affirmative Action protests and demonstrations against Attorney General John Ashcroft’s war on online bong sales) heralded the school’s fifth appearance on the MoJo honor roll. 

The full list appears in the magazine’s September/October issue and online at: http://motherjones.com/news/outfront/2003/36/ma_508_01.html

The first step in a proposed plan to shift half of Berkeley High students into small school programs came Wednesday as the city school board unanimously bestowed formal small school designation on the already existing Communication Arts and Sciences program at the high school. 

Matt Huxley, the newly appointed Vice Principal in charge of overseeing the small school program, said the new school “models the process and serves as an example so that other schools can be established,” said Huxley. 

The school board originally approved the plan to shift Berkeley High students into small schools in June of this year, mandating the shift of at least 50 percent of students by the 2005-2006 school year. 

Currently Berkeley High has a number of small learning communities that model the same ideas as a small school. 

Coming off a period where Berkeley High saw several top administrators come and go, Huxley is excited about moving forward on the small schools program. 

“Small schools aren’t for everyone,” said Huxley. “But they do create a more personal learning environment.” 

Huxley said the programs offer a unique ability to meet student’s needs outside of academics, something that sometimes isn’t addressed at larger schools. He says that beyond academics, small schools can address the students’ social and emotional needs through more personal attention from teachers and more personal interaction among the students in each school. 

Communications Arts and Sciences was initially developed in 1997—so for those working on the project, the school board’s vote means a large step in the shift towards these new learning programs. 

No definitive plans are laid out for the development of other small schools but Huxley says that those involved are planning a retreat sometime during the fall to address the future of the program. For now, Huxley, Ayers and everyone else involved will be working to develop the administrative structure for the first small school.

Continuing labor troubles at a non-profit Berkeley program that provides housing, health care, education and legal aid for the homeless reached a new level of intensity this week after the agency notified staff that their paychecks would be delayed up to five days because of cash flow problems. 

According to Lisa Stephens, union shop steward at Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), members of California Professional Employees Local 2345 received letters Tuesday announcing the pay delay—the second such delay in recent months, she said. 

Christopher Graeber, union business representative for BOSS workers, said that as a result, the union will file a formal complaint with the California Division of Labor Standards. 

In July Stephens’ union filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, charging that BOSS breached their contact by unilaterally imposing a wage freeze and increasing worker copayments under their health care plan. 

Approximately 100 workers are covered under the contract, according to Graeber.

Employees of Berkeley Bowl—still without a union contract to celebrate this Labor Day—rallied in front of the store Sunday as part of their four-month-long organizing drive. 

More than 150 people came out to support the workers during the rally which was held in honor of the holiday and to give greater public exposure to the drive, increasing community involvement and sending a message to management that the employees are ready to unionize. 

“The time to begin negotiating is now,” said Kevin Meyer, one of the workers who spoke at the rally. 

Meyer said that even though Berkeley Bowl has agreed to legally recognize an election through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), workers want the company to recognize the union right away through a card check agreement. 

A card check agreement would officially validate the union after a neutral third party was brought in to verify that a majority of the workers had signed union authorization cards—which the union says an overwhelming majority has already done. 

Store management contends that an election is more democratic and more accurately reflects the interests of workers. Organizers and workers disagree, declaring that there are a number of ways that an election can be delayed in ways that favor the company. 

The rally drew strong community support, including speeches by Berkeley City Councilmembers Kriss Worthington and Donna Spring, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, former 14th District Assemblywoman Dion Aroner, and Rebecca Kaplan, a member of the AC Transit Board of Directors. 

“As a community institution we are asking you to share your wealth. It’s not just the workers but the community who wants fairness,” said Supervisor Carson.  

Several of the other elected officials said that while they regularly shop at Berkeley Bowl, they have been discouraged by the company’s unwillingness to negotiate. 

“I love the food but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth knowing that they don’t have a union,” said Worthington from the City Council. 

During the rally, a delegation of workers and a union representative approached the Berkeley Bowl management to deliver a statement proposing terms for how to move toward officially recognizing a card check agreement. Store Manager Larry Evans received the delegation but refused to touch the statement, citing legal reasons. He declined to comment about the statement or the rally. 

“I wasn’t surprised that they didn’t accept it,” said Lilian Flores, one of the main organizers with the Oakland-based United Food and Commerical Workers Butchers’ Union Local 120.  

Flores and David Rosenfeld, UFCW Local 120’s lawyer, both explained that the management was avoiding the statement as a way to avoid negotiations. 

Several shoppers sported pro-union buttons and balloons as they shopped and many of the community supporters who showed up were long-time shoppers at the Bowl. One of the supporters, Leonore Veltfort, 84, has shopped at the store for years because it’s the only place she can walk to. 

“I always shop there, but I feel guilty shopping at a non-union shop,” said Veltfort. “It’s ridiculous to not let them have a union.” 

Also coming out in support of the Berkeley Bowl workers were members of Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union Local 2850. Judy Goff, the Executive Secretary Treasurer for Central Labor Council in Alameda County attended, expressing her and the council’s support for the union drive. 

“I represent 135 unions and 125,600 working families in Alameda County and we stand with you. We will not rest until you get a contract that gives you the respect and dignity you deserve,” said Goff. 

Workers involved in the campaign were encouraged by the support and say that they will pursue the drive until they receive a contract.  

“It helps keep us going when you see people come out and support you, it gives us a boost,” said Matthew Beavers, one of the workers participating in the drive. 

Flores was also encouraged especially by the community support. “It was great. What better place to organize than Berkeley?”

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers We are a few slowpoke Seniors who walk between a mile or two each Tuesday, meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Little Farm parking lot. To join us, call 215-7672 for information or check our web page, http://home.comcast.net/~teachme99/tildenwalkers.html or email teachme99@comcast.net 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 525-3565. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727  

College Ave. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

Morris Dancing Workshop Learn the basics of an English ritual dance form that predates Shakespeare. Free and open to all. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. at Oxford. www.talamasca.com/berkmorris 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 

“Of Civil Rights and Wrongs: The Fred Korematsu Story,”  

a documentary, with Fred Korematsu in person, at 5:30 p.m. in Room 2060 of the Valley Life Sciences Building on the UC Campus. Admission is free. Sponsored by the Berkeley Chapter of the ACLU. For information contact ayah@berkeleyaclu.com 

MeetUp for Howard Dean at 7 p.m. at two locations: Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St, and Au Coquelet, 2000 University Ave. at Milvia. Free Wheelchair accessible. 843-8724. 

Berkeley Stop the War Coalition, organizing meeting at 7 p.m. at 210 Wheeler Hall, UC Campus. For information call 928-1503 or email info@berkeleystopthewar.org  

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, 

corner of Shattuck and Center. Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:15 a.m. at Hide-A-Way Café, 6430 Telegraph Ave. For information call Fred Garvey, 925-682-1111, ext. 164. 

Amnesty International Berkeley Community Group meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1606 Bonita Ave., at Cedar St. 872-0768. 

South Berkeley Mural Project Community members in South Berkeley are coming together to create a neighborhood mural on the side of the Grove Liquor Store on the corner of Ashby Ave. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts Studios at 1923 Ashby Ave. For further information on ways to get involved please call 644-2204. 

Free Feldenkrais ATM Classes for adults 55 and older at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut at Rose. For information call 848-5143. 

Berkeley CopWatch open office hours 7 to 9 p.m. Drop  

in to file complaints, assistance available. For information call 548-0425. 

Community Dances, traditional English and American dances, 8 p.m. every Wednesday, $9. 7 p.m. first Sunday, $10. Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. 233-5065. www.bacds.org 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 

Berkeley Liberation Radio 104.1 FM holds public meetings for all interested people first and third Thursdays, 7 p.m. at the Long Haul Info Shop, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 595-0190.  

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 

Twilite Basketball All-Star Weekend, with games starting at 7 p.m. on Fri., and 3 p.m. on Sat. Come support Berkeley youth at the Martin Luther King Youth Services Center, 1730 Oregon St. There is no cost. 981-6678.  

International Literacy Day from 1 to 2 p.m. at the West Branch Library. Learn about programs for lifelong learning. Sponsored by the Berkeley Adult Literacy Coalition. For information call 981-6270. TDD 548-1240. www.berkeley-public.org 

Chairs That Care Twelve, one-of-a-kind celebrity decorated child-size upholstered chairs will be auctioned to benefit Habitot’s Family Outreach Program. At 7 p.m. at Casa de la Vista, Treasure Island. Cost is $100. 647-1111. www.habitot.org/oldsite_chairs1 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 496-6000, ext. 135. www.bpf.org 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 

No on Recall/No on Prop 54 precinct walk, sponsored by the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club meets at 10 a.m. at the Washington School basketball court, MLK, Jr., Way and Bancroft.  

Free Emergency Preparedness Class on Basic Personal Preparedness for anyone who lives or works in Berkeley, from 9 to 11 a.m. at 997 Cedar St., between 8th and 9th Sts. Register on-line at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes or by calling 981-5506. 

Watershed Environmental Poetry Festival, hosted by Robert Hass, US Poet Laureate 1995-97. Poetry, music, environmental speakers, and hands-on arts & environmental activities. Co-sponsored by Ecology Center/Berkeley Farmers' Market, Poetry Flash, and Ecocity Builders. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Saturday Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Center St. at MLK, Jr. Way. 548-3333.  

Water Education for Teachers, a workshop on aquatic ecosystems, water conservation, groundwater, water pollution prevention, and wastewater treatment. Includes an Activity and Curriculm Guide. Held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. Cost is $45 resident, $51 non-resident. For information and registration call 636-1684. 

Solar Electricity for Your Home Now you can produce your own electricity and “sell” the excess back to PG&E, running your meter backwards! Plus you can receive thousands of rebate dollars from the State at the same time. Learn how to size, specify and design your own solar electrical generator. A short field trip to a functioning house/system in Berkeley and current catalog of available equipment are also included. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $75. 525-7610.  

Carpentry Basics for Women A two-day introduction to basic carpentry tools and skills for women with little or no previous hands-on experience. After a morning lecture and demonstration, you will build your own bookshelf unit. Students are asked to bring their own hand tools. From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $195, and includes materials. 525-7610. www.bldgeductr.org 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 

Native Bees and Pollination Ecology An introduction to the basics of pollination, different bees and their life cycles and to simple things you can do to encourage these essential beings to visit your garden. At 11 a.m. at the South Berkeley Community Garden, MLK Jr. Way and Russell. 913-8097.  

Beekeeping for the Intrepid Come hear an introduction to honey bees and low-cost beekeeping. Please wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and closed shoes (the idea is to cover as much of your skin as possible). Bees associate dark colors with bear intruders, so wear light colors if you can. Also, if you have them, bring a pair of leather work gloves that cover your wrists and a mosquito net hat. From 1 to 3 p.m. at the South Berkeley Community Garden, MLK Jr. Way and Russell. 843-6683.  

Berkeley Rep School of Theatre open house from 1 to 4 p.m. with free workshops, including Hip Hop, Improv and Audition Techniques. This event is free; no reservations are necessary. For more information call 647-2972. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Accessible Tools for the Internet, at 2 p.m. and Accessible Tools for Email at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd Floor Electronic Classroom, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6121. TDD: 548-1240. www.infopeople.org/bpl 

Hands-on Bicycle Repair Clinic from 11 a.m. to noon, at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Tibetan Buddhism, Jack Petranker on “Preserving Ancient Wisdom: Buddhist Texts for World Peace,” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Eckhart Tolle Talks on Video Free gathering at 7:30 p.m. to hear the words of the author of “The Power of Now” at the Feldenkrais Ctr., 830 Bancroft Way. 547-2024. EdShorelin@aol.com 

Rabbi Michael Melchoir, former Deputy Foreign Minister and member of the Israeli Knesset speaks at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, Arch and Vine Sts. $10 donation suggested. Sponsored by Bridges to Israel-Berkeley, providing a pro-Isreal voice in the East Bay. www.bridgestoisrael-berkeley.org 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8  

Walking in the Twenty-First Century: Health, Equity and Environment panel workshop, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Berkeley Main Public Library, Third Floor, Shattuck and Kittredge. For information call 883-9725. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 6 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

Women’s Cancer Resource Center, volunteer training, every second Monday of the month, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 5741 Telegraph Ave. To sign up call Emily at 601-4040, ext. 109. emily@wcrc.org 

ONGOING  

Vista Community College Program for Adult Education (PACE) Enrollment through Sept. 6. PACE is a college alternative for adults with job and family responsibilities. For information call 981-2864 or 981-2800 or email mclausen@peralta.cc.ca.us  

Free Smoke Detectors UC Berkeley and First Alert, Inc. have donated smoke detectors to be made available to City residents and UC Berkeley students who live off-campus. Applications for smoke detectors are available from the Environment, Health & Safety office of UC Berkeley, at any Berkeley Fire Station, or at the Fire Administration Office located at 2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. 981-5585.  

Free Energy Bill Payment Assistance The City of Berkeley has money to help low-income households pay their gas and electric bills. For applications contact the Energy Office at 644-8544. TDD: 981-6903. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/energy 

Ceramics Class begins Sept. 2. learn handbuilding techniques, the use of molds and decorating techniques. Class is free, there is a materials and firing charge. Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave., enter on Garber St. just east of College Ave. This class is offered by the Berkeley Adult School Older Adults Program. For information contact Diana Bohn, teacher, at 525-5497. 

Writers’ Room First training session begins Sept. 3. Help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills. Become a Writers’ Room Coach at Berkeley HS, King, Longfellow, or Willard. For information about Sept. 3rd and other fall training sessions, please email Volunteer Coordinator with your contact information: name, address, phone, email at Writersroom@ 

comcast.net 527-7486.  

Café Literario will begin again on Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. at the West Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. This free, bilingual reading and discussion series focuses on Latin American and Latino literature, and consists of five meetings moderated by Alvaro Sanabria. The first book will be “El jardín de Neruda: una antología de odas.” For more information call 981-6270 or 981-6140.  

Prose Writers Workshop We're a serious but lively bunch whose focus is on issues of craft. Drop in to see if we can work together. Novices welcome. Experienced facilitator. Community sponsored - no fee. Wednesdays, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut, at Rose. For more information call 524-3034. 

Lifexpressions Workshops, Free Your Innate Creativity Through Visual Journaling with facilitator Elizabeth Forrest. Thursdays, 7 to 9 p.m. beginning Sept. 11. Cost is $150, includes materials. For reservations and location, call 526-0148.  

Berkeley Youth Orchestra will hold auditions during the first week in September. To schedule an audition appointment or to request an application form please call Marion Atherton to 525-8484 or email manager@byoweb.org 

Soli Deo Gloria, a 40-voice concert choir which regularly performs throughout the Bay Area, will hold auditions on Sept. 6, or by appointment. The choir rehearses weekly in Alameda. Call 650-424-1242 or visit www.sdgloria.org 

Folk Dancing, a new eight week class begins Sept. 9 and meets every Tues., 7:45 - 9:45 p.m. in Live Oak Park, 1301 Shattuck at Berryman. Cost is $20. For information call 525-1980. www.berkeleyfolkdancers.org 

Acting and Storytelling Classes for Seniors, offered by Stagebridge. Wednesdays and Fridays, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., beginning Sept. 10, and may be joined anytime. Held at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., close to BART and AC Transit. For information, call 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

Alameda County Hazardous Waste Drop-Off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 11- 13, at Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste, 2100 E. 7th St., Oakland.Take advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of paint, stain, varnish, thinner and adhesives; auto products such as old fuel, motor oil, oil filters and batteries; household batteries, cleaners and sprays; garden products, including pesticides and fertilizers. Please do NOT bring asbestos, explosives, railroad ties, radioactive materials, medical waste, most compressed gasses, computer monitors, CRTs and TVs, computers & electronic equipment. Call 1-877-STOPWASTE or visit stopwaste.org/fsrecycle. For information on what to do with other items, call 800-606-6606, email HHW@co.alameda.ca.us or visit http://householdhazwaste.org/oakland 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Tues., Sept. 2, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

School Board meets Wed. Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. Queen Graham 644-6147 or Mark Coplan 644-6320. 

City Council meets Tues., Sept. 9, at at 7 p.m. in City Council hambers, Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., Sept. 3, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Ruby Primus, 981-5106. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/women 

Fire Safety Commission meets Wed., Sept. 3. at 7:30 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. David Orth, 981-5502. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/firesafety 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Sept. 4, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7461. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/environmentaladvisory 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/housing 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., Sept. 4, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworks 

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., Sept. 8, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/peaceandjustice 

Youth Commission meets Mon., Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. Philip Harper-Cotton, 981-6670. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/youth

THINGS UNCHANGED 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I smiled in recognition as I read Susan Parker’s account of registration at San Francisco State: long lines, bureaucratic foul-ups, lack of information. Ah, yes, totally familiar, I recalled from my own experience. But!—that experience was in 1950 (BA)—when the old Market Street “campus” had a total of about 3000 students—and 1964 (MA)—when the new campus held perhaps triple that number. Very little of this current problem, I said to myself, could be due to budget cuts. It was ever thus. 

One of the things you tell yourself as you age is “things change: deal with it.” It's harder to deal with the fact that some things—inexcusably—don’t. 

Dorothy Bryant 

• 

DROP THE STRIKE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As a bus rider and transit advocate, I think the proposed one day strike by bus drivers is a very poor idea. 

ATU President Zook is right to be concerned about the bus service cuts. It’s not just jobs; we need good bus service if we ever expect to do anything about congestion and pollution from cars. Berkeley still has not implemented the recommendations of the Traffic Demand Management (TDM) study. 

I don’t agree with Zook’s claim that AC Transit has targeted poor neighborhoods for the cuts. She’s right that Berkeley has not been hit too hard, perhaps thanks to local transportation activists. Actually, AC Transit planning has done a pretty good job reallocating service, as on the 9 and 65 lines. 

The ATU strike will only anger people. It will make life hard for those of us who regularly ride buses, including Cal students. It will discourage those who might be considering shifting to bus riding from driving. 

The strike won’t change anything at AC Transit. They must balance their budget. If ATU wants to help, they could go to Sacramento and lobby for more State funds, as they did in the 90s. 

Withholding bus service is no way to make the point that bus service shouldn’t be cut. I hope ATU will drop the idea of the strike. 

Steve Geller 

• 

THE DAILY LULLABY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I have noticed that your news paper has become another Leftist rag. What a shame. Your lead story about a grim Labor Day is a perfect example. Instead of a balanced and insightful look at a problem you take the “KPFA” approach and treat every lazy bum or criminal (especially if they are “of color”) as some righteous individual who, through no fault of their own become victims of a cruel and unjust society. 

Mario Flores used his extended unemployment benefits for a two year vacation and now he becomes desperate and wants help and pity. No able- bodied man should be out of work for two years. Every hard working man reading this knows the truth.  

There are reasons, however, that some “locals” may have a tough time finding high tech jobs. In Oakland, less than half of the students beginning the 9th grade this year will graduate. The reason that the state postponed the high school exit exam, which is written at a 9th grade level, is that 80 percent of those who did make it to the 12th grade were expected to fail the simple test. Quite a workforce the Leftist-dominated school system is producing. It is the Leftist-Socialist mentality which has bankrupted our state and destroyed our educational system and ruined many of our neighborhoods. The American Civil Liberties Union and liberal judges whose ideology makes it hard to control disruptive students in school or to keep violent criminals behind bars. A handful of hoodlums can prevent a whole class from learning and a handful of criminals can make a neighborhood a hell to live in. The Left is famous for saying that all problems are so complicated. Just inject a little truth and common sense and things will become much clearer and simpler. The rest of the country is waking up to reality. Berkeley, of course, is in a deep sleep and you are writing lullabies. 

Michael Larrick 

• 

VOTING PRINCIPLES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I read Sidney Steinberg’s “Republicans are stupid” rant with great curiosity. It’s pretty obvious that Steinberg did no actual research into the opinion, of course, as evidenced by the statement “Schwarzenegger would win if the other Republicans quit and endorsed him, but they are all too damned stupid.” The assumption Steinberg makes is that Republicans really, really want a person with an R next to his name in office. 

The requisite research to dispel this false assumption would include merely asking any Republican who won’t quit and endorse Arnie “Why not?” (One could ask any McClintock supporter, for example) She'd be happy to tell you that Arnie simply fails to stand for the ideals that Republicans support. For the same reason Greens frequently won’t vote Democrat, Republicans with ideals won’t vote for a RINO (Republican In Name Only). This willingness to stand by principle is called “stupid” by Steinberg, of course. 

More telling, besides Steinberg’s “People who disagree with me are stupid” comment, is the statement that block voters would “vote for Satan rather than any Republican.” That is to say, the Democratic party is supported by people who actually are willing to toss aside their ideals just to see someone with a D in office. Which makes the Democrats basically “smart people without principles.” Much like all those corporate leaders many of us hate. Are these the people we want in charge of our money and our lives? 

Justin Azadivar 

• 

NO NON-PROLIFERATION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

While fighting the Cold War with a policy called Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD), we developed and introduced to the world a comparably mad philosophy of non-proliferation. Nations (USSR, PRC) with nuclear weapons could keep them for defense purposes but other nations would not be allowed to develop or acquire them. Treaties were signed, the U.N. passed resolutions and over the years non-proliferation became gospel.  

But it is not holy writ. There are nine nuclear nations today and with the recent news from Iran and North Korea it is time to get real.  

The Roman Emperors tried to stop Christianity from proliferating but failed. The question of proliferation never came up when gunpowder made its appearance. It’s time to admit that this “it’s-alright-for-me-but-not-for-you” attitude is infantile; it hasn’t worked and it won’t. Don’t forget that the first nation that found a way (Alamagordo, July 16, 1945) was the first to show the way (Hiroshima, August 6, 1945). 

The possibility that nuclear war could blow the entire earth back into the cosmic dust from which it came leaves only two alternatives one of which is very unlikely and the other very scary. Either no nation has nuclear weapons or all nations have them. 

Marvin Chachere  

San Pablo 

• 

BERSERKELEY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Golly jump-ups! I’m so glad we have Barbara Hillman (“It’s Berkeley, Not Berserkeley, Says Tourism Boss,” Daily Planet, Aug. 26-28) to clean up our “dirty image” of dissent in this city. (Clean white socks, anyone?) 

Sarcasm aside, I appreciate Barbara’s hard work on Berkeley’s behalf and Ms. Bronstein’s very thorough article about the Visitors’ Bureau, but the fact is, when we are no longer called “Berserkeley” by the sleeping majority of Americans (the snoozers), we will be as dead to political machinations as they are.  

Pat Russell 

• 

LETTER CAMPAIGN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

To all Berkeley residents: We can still make the city and school district listen to our concerns regarding the Berkeley Adult School move to the Franklin site. This move will affect all of Berkeley because of the traffic issues on San Pablo Avenue.  

We can have a loud and clear voice about several things that would lessen the impact of this move. We all have a right to safe streets as well as parking availability. 

The main pedestrian entrance to the new BAS is to be located at the corner of Virginia and Kains and the only entrance to the parking area is to be on Virginia at the foot of Kains. There needs to be an entrance/exit on San Pablo Avenue. 

The City of Berkeley has to grant permission for a curb cut on Virginia. This is not safe. There is no traffic light at Virginia and San Pablo. This is not only dangerous but turns Kains into a main route to the parking lot. An exit on Francisco does not provide a safe left turn onto San Pablo Avenue. There is no traffic light at Francisco and San Pablo either. 

The main pedestrian entrance to the BAS should be facing San Pablo Avenue, in the middle, away from all the residential streets. 

Up until now a small group of people in the neighborhood have been working very hard to fight for the safety and integrity of our streets. It is now time for all of Berkeley to do something to have our voices heard. I am asking that you take the time to write one letter, make six copies and send them to City Manager Weldon Rucker, Mayor Tom Bates, Linda Maio, Superintendent of Schools Michele Lawrence, the Office of Transportation, and the School Board. State your concerns and make your return address loud and clear. Traffic and congestion can be avoided with proper planning and consideration. This is a way we can all take part to make sure this is done correctly. If it helps one neighborhood today it will help another tomorrow.  

Thank you all in advance. 

Joyce Barison 

Burning Man is the countercultural artfest held the week before Labor Day every summer on the floor of the Black Rock desert, about 120 miles north of Reno, NV. Launched in 1986 at San Francisco’s Baker Beach, the event and culminates in the burning of a wooden sculpture—which the SFPD banned four years later. Burning Man then moved to its present Black Rock desert location near the town of Gerlach, NV. Now, roughly 25,000 people attend from all over the world. Advance tickets for Burning Man are $225. If you just show up, it’s $300. Outside of portable toilets, not much is provided. You are expected to bring plenty of water, food, your own shelter (either camping equipment or an RV) and whatever else you think you might need for a week in the desert. Attendees are strongly urged to go as participants, i.e. to be part of a musical, dance, theater or art presentation. Showing up as simply a passive bystander is frowned upon. For one reason or another, this is the fourth consecutive year that Daily Planet correspondent Paul Kilduff has managed not to attend after first going in 1998.  

I didn’t make it to Burning Man this year for a variety of reasons. 

First off, my handmade papier mache mask of a mythical tribal warlord didn’t dry in time; it’s still dripping all over the garage floor, but should be ready for Halloween. 

Then the tattoo of a serpent entwined in barbed wire that I was having put on my lower back got only partially done when the tattoo parlor suffered a power outage mid-way through the process. It’s still half-finished and, besides, I couldn’t decide on the right piercing to go with it. 

The documentary film crew from Copenhagen that was going to follow me and my “team” around canceled at the last minute in order to cover the aftermath of the MTV video music awards. 

A few weeks ago I found out all the really good RVs—the one’s with satellite dishes, master bathrooms, king-size beds, convection ovens and pull-out sun canopies—were rented. In addition, the rooms at the nearby motel/bar/casino/café/laundry mat/carwash/gas station were booked.  

The art car I was going to take—a 1976 CHP Dodge Diplomat now painted day-glow orange and painstakingly covered bumper-to-bumper with aluminum beer cans, bottle caps and other symbols of reckless commercialism—got towed. Equipped with a full bar where the dash used to be and recently turned into a convertible, I was going to hitch it to the RV and drive it around Burning Man as a floating bar barge. I don’t know about the Dodge, but I’m still set for Albertson’s tequila and Hamm’s Lite. 

All seven members of my rock band, “Musical Bicycle,” were recently laid off and are too busy applying to various massage therapy schools. In another setback, the gas-powered electric generator our band normally uses for outdoor gigs was stolen and we didn’t feel we were ready to perform “unplugged.” 

I stripped a gear on my unicycle and the motorized barstool I was going to take instead landed in the shop. Thankfully, my gas-powered Margarita blender was not on the fritz so I lent it to a group of troubled teens who planned on tunneling into the event. 

An internship I thought I had lined up with one of the event’s alternative newspapers, “Piss Clear”—a not so subtle reference to the importance of drinking plenty of water at the event held on the desert floor—fell through. Apparently, they were looking for someone with a vegan background and found out about my passion for heirloom pork chops.  

My Burning Man outfit was another problem—usually I wear what’s left of my locks in a bun, complemented by a floral print sun dress and stilettos along with plenty of purple face paint, but that’s so 80s. 

Lastly, I didn’t get approved for a Burning Man MasterCard—something I needed dearly in order to slam roughly a grand or so in charges for travel, water, food, booze and admission. I was looking forward to using the Burning Man provided Porta-Potties though—one of the few amenities provided with your entrance fee. 

Not going this year didn’t mean I missed out on any of the action. Thanks to the Burning Man festival’s webcam, all the unrehearsed, unbridled enthusiasm that permeates the event is just a mouse click away. 

And click I did. Between watching naked people cavorting in the desert and the hijinks of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, there really wasn’t any reason to leave the house on the last weekend of summer.  

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 

FILM 

Luis Buñel: “L’Age d’or” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Norma Barzman reads from “The Red and the Blacklist: The Intimate Memoir of a Hollywood Expatriate” at 7:30 p.m. Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

www.blackoakbooks.com 

Jacob Needleman discusses his new book, “The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders,” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Berkeley Summer Poetry, with Bucky Sinister, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mediterranean Cafe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. Free, open mic, poetry, prose, short fiction, amateur and advanced artists welcome. 549-1128. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Mimi Fox, solo guitar, at 8 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

Edesssa performs folk dance music of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania and Greece at 8:30 p.m., with a Balkan dance lesson with Lise Liepman at 7:30 p.m., at Ashkenaz. at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Dayna Stephens House Jam at The Jazz House. Donation $5. 649-8744. www.thejazzhouse.com 

The East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus is auditioning for new members from 7 to 9:30 p.m., and also on Spet. 8. Auditions both nights will be held at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison Street, at 27th St. Please call 800-706-2389 or email info@oebgmc.org to schedule an audition. 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 

FILM 

Rainer Werner Fassbinder: “The Merchant of Four Seasons” at 7 p.m. and “Ali: Fear Eats Soul” at 8:50 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive, with Larry Cohen in person. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Angus Wright tells the story of Brazil’s poor in “To Inherit the Earth: The Landless Movement and the Struggle for a New Brazil,” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Joyce Thompson reads from her memoir “Sailing My Shoe to Timbuktu: A Woman’s Adventurous Search for Family, Spirit and Love” at 7:30 p.m. Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

www.blackoakbooks.com 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Nazelah Jamison and Karen Ladson, featuring DJ Tek Neek, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7, $5 with student i.d. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert Works by Brahms, Bolcom, Barber and Ravel, Chevron Auditorium at International House, at the corner of Bancroft and Piedmont Aves. Admission is free. 642-4864. 

The Mammals, a trad rad trio, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $15.50 advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Lost Bayou Ramblers, Cajun band, performs at 8:30 p.m., with a dance lesson with Cheryl McBride at 8 p.m., at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Jules Broussard, Bing Nathan and Ned Boynton at 8 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

Stiletta, Already Dead, Dot. Commies, and Live Ammo perform Punk Rock at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $6. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Triad with Dave Rocha at 8 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. 848-8277. 

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 

FILM 

“Viva Chile M...! A Tribute to the Life and Work of Fernando Alegría,” at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Genetic Screenings: “Island of Lost Souls,” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults. 642-0808.  

www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Milly Mogulof introduces her biography of the German Jewish athlete, “Foiled: Hitler’s Jewish Olympian - The Helene Mayer Story,” at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0327 ext. 112. www.brjcc.org 

Curator’s Talk in conjunction with Anna Von Mertens “Suggested North Points” by Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson, Phyllis Wattis MATRIX Curator, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, at 12:15 p.m. in Gallery 1, Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Cost $8, free to UC staff, faculty and students. 643-6494. tctorres@uclink.berkeley.edu 

Guided Tour: Gene(sis): Contemporary Art Explores Human Genomics, at 5:30 p.m., Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Lunch Poems at 12:10 p.m. in the Morrison Library in Doe Library, UC Campus. Former U.S. Poet Laureate, Robert Haas will introduce campus figures, from a variety of departments, who will read their favorite poems. Admission is free. 642-0137.  

Victoria Schlesinger introduces “Animals and Plants of the Ancient Maya: A Guide” at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave at Rose. 843-3533. 

Maria Sinskey introduces “The Vineyard Kitchen: Recipes Inspired by the Seasons,” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 1730 Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com 

Judi Hollis discusses “Fat is a Family Affair” at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

Sharon Salzberg, cofounder of the Center for Buddhist Stu- 

dies in Massachusetts, will discuss “Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience,” at 7:30 p.m. Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Mark Morris Dance Group “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$64 available from 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

The People’s Quintet at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Sliding scale donation $7-$15. 649-8744. www.thejazzhouse.com 

Animal Liberation Orchestra and Gnappy at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082.  

www.starryploughpub.com 

Shaman Trance Dance with Ouida Joi at 9 p.m., at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6-$10 sliding scale. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Rebecca Riots, fresh radical folk, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $16.50 advance, $17.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freight- 

andsalvage.org 

Keni El Lebrijano, flamenco guitar, at 8:30 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 

ACCI Gallery, “Space, Time, and Temperature” Opening Reception on Fri., Sept. 5th from 6 to 8 p.m. 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. www.accigallery.com 

CHILDREN 

Teddy Bear Picnic at 10:30 a.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

FILM 

Rainer Werner Fassbinder: “The Marriage of Maria Braun” at 7 p.m. and “The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant” at 9:20 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Gray Brechin on “At Work: The Art of California Labor,” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Race Relations in America: A Candid Evening of Music and Poetry, with comics Andy Bumatai, Monica Palacios and singer Lalo Guerrero, at 8 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for Arts. Cost is $8 adults, $5 children, available from 925-798-1300. 

Mark Morris Dance Group “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed itlModerato” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$64 available from 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Allman Brothers at 7 p.m. at the Greek Theatre, UC Campus. 642-0212.  

Lost Weekend at 9 p.m., with a Western swing dance lesson with David Yearsley at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $18. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

South Austin Jug Band, The Boy’ Oh’ Boys at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Cutumba, members of Santiago de Cuba’s Ballet Folklórico Cutumba in their first West Coast tour at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $16 in advance, $18 at the door. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Stung, Meat Plow at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Rebecca Riots, fresh radical folk, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $16.50 advance, $17.50 at the door. 548-1761.  

www.freightandsalvage.org 

Gail Dobson at 9 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

Chantdown Sounds at 8 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. 848-8277. 

Phenomenauts, La Plebé, third Grade Teacher, Them Apples, Here Kitty Kitty at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 

A New Leaf Gallery/Sculpture 

site Opening Reception for “Focus on the Figure,” an exhibition of sculpture interpretations of the human form, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 1286 Gilman St. 525-7621. www.sculpturesite.com 

CHILDREN 

Labor of Love, Family Sing-Along with Hali Hammer and Pat Wynne at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Meeting Room, Third Floor, Berkeley Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6121. 

FILM 

Rainer Werner Fassbinder: “Love is Colder Than Death” at 5 and 9 p.m. and “Katzelmacher” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students; $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth; $8 adults. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Antero Ali: “Hysteria” and “Under a Shipwrecked Moon” Vertical Pool Productions presents this double feature with the filmmaker, voted "Best Cult Filmmaker, 2002", SF Weekly, in person, at 7:30 p.m. at the Jazzhouse. Cost is $7-$12 sliding scale, per screening. 415-846-9432. www.verticalpool.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Watershed Poetry Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at Civic Center Park. There will be a pre-festival walk along Strawberry Creek with featured poets and restoration advocates beginning at 10 a.m. at Oxford and Center Sts. 526-9105. www.poetryflash.org 

The Bay Area Poets Coalition holds an open reading, 3 to 5 p.m., West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. Free. For information, call 527-9905. poetalk@aol.com 

Improvised Comedy, at 8 p.m. at Cafe Eclectica 1309 Solano Ave., Albany. Cost is $5. 964-0571. www.eastbayimprov.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Trinity Chamber Concerts, with Diane Grubbe, flute, Rhonda C. Smith, clarinet, and Daniel Reiter, ‘cello at 8 p.m. at Trininy Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Admission by donation, $12 general, $8 students, senoirs, disabled. No one turned away. 549-3864. 

Mark Morris Dance Group “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$64 available from 642-9988.  

www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

African Drum Workshop with Wade Peterson. Beginners from 10 to 11:30 a.m., experienced from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Jazz House. Cost is $15-$25, and advance registration is encouraged. 533-5111. 

Jahi and The Life, Organic Flavor at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. The documentary “Redefinitions: The Roots and Future of Hip Hop” will be premiered. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Lalo Guerrero, legendary godfather of Chicano at 2 p.m. and Téada, from Ireland, at 5 p.m. at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 525-2129. www.downhomemusic.com 

Blaktroniks at 8 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $11. 848-8277. 

Yellow Wall Dub Squad, featuring Mabrak and Iworld, performs reggae, at 9:30 p.m., at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Po’Girl and Christina Kiefer at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Ned Boynton and Friends at 9 p.m. at Downtown, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. 

House Jacks, a cappella quintet at 5 and 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $17.50 advance, $18.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The People and Awesome Cool Dude at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $5. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Benumb, Blown to Bits, All Shall Perish, Doppelganger, Brutal Death, A Sleeping Irony at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 

CHILDREN 

Café Rumba, Afro-Cuban folkloric drums at 3:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568.  

www.lapena.org 

FILM 

Rainer Werner Fassbinder: “Katzelmacher” at 5:30 p.m. and “Gods of the Plague” at 7:20 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4 members, UC students, $5 UC faculty, staff, seniors, disabled, youth, $8 adults. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Gallery Talk: Japanese Figure Style with Lynne Kimura, Aca- 

demic Liaison, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, on the creative explosion of figure styles in Edo painting, at 3 p.m. in Gallery C, Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Cost is $8, free to UC staff, faculty and students. 643-6494.  

Guided Tour: Gene(sis): Contemporary Art Explores Human Genomics, at 2 p.m., Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Michael Castleman reads from his new novel, “The Lost Gold of San Francisco,” at 2 p.m. at Dark Carnival, 3086 Claremenot Ave. 654-7323. 

Poetry at Cody’s with Martha Ronk and Jean Day at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Lawrence R. Smith reads from his new novel, “Annie’s Soup Kitchen” at 7:30 p.m. Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Mark Morris Dance Group “L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato” at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$64 available from 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Shashamani Sound System and Jah Light Music at 10 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Duvo Band, athentic Hungarian folk music, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $16.50 in advance, $17.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The Crooked Jades at 4 p.m. at Jupiter, 2181 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $11. 848-8277. 

EarRotator CD release party at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568.  

www.lapena.org 

Music from Scotland, England and Beyond with Allan Taylor at 7:30 p.m.. Donation of $12 in advance, $15 at the door. For reservations and location email sally@greenberg.org 

The Cannons at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $5. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

The Last Word poetry reading, featuring Jesse Beagle and Lenore Weiss, author of “Public and Other Places,” at 7 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Wendy Knight talks about “Making Connections: Mother-Daughter Travel Adventures” a new anthology, at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave, at Rose. 843-3533. 

Chuck Palahniuk continues to reinvent the horror genre in “Choke” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Gabriel Spera, whose “The Standing Wave,” won the National Poetry Series, reads at 7:30 p.m. Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Poetry Express, open mic featuring Allison Seevak, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com

The newest snag in the running battle over the relocation of the Berkeley Adult School comes from the state, which had turned thumbs down on school district plans to keep traffic out of residential streets surrounding the old Franklin School. 

The Berkeley Unified School District Plans had called for creating a new parking lot with an entrance on San Pablo Avenue, which would have kept traffic away from nearby streets. 

The only problem with the idea—which would keep the majority of traffic out of the immediate neighborhood—is that the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) has already shot it down. 

Because San Pablo is technically a state highway, CalTrans must approve any new parking lot that would access it. Despite the initial thumbs down from the state agency, Berkeley Adult School principal Margaret Kirkpatrick remains hopeful that a compromise will be worked out to permit it. 

Kirkpatrick says CalTrans’ refusal is only a preliminary letter stating that will not grant permission. “We hadn’t made an official request so I think that status is a little up in the air,” says Kirkpatrick.  

Under the district’s plan, a grass field would be removed to make way for the parking lot. To obscure neighbors’ views of the lot, tall trees and landscaping would be added along the site’s edges where currently there is an ivy-covered fence. A sound wall would also be added to protect residents in a housing development along the school’s south side from noise. A play structure may also be spared so that neighborhood children could use it. 

The lot, on the west side of the building, would accommodate 170 to 180 cars. The district would build another lot in the back of the building along Curtis Street that would fit another 20 to 30 cars. The school’s current University Avenue site has about 200 spaces.  

According to Kirkpatrick, alternative plans that CalTrans doesn’t have to approve call for an entrance into the west lot from Virginia Street to the north of campus and an exit onto Francisco to the south. Because Francisco is a narrow street, a third plan calls for an entrance and exit only onto Virginia. 

Neighbors who vehemently opposed the move and are still considering a lawsuit to stop it prefer that access to the lot be from San Pablo. “An entrance and exit on San Pablo would be better than not having one,” says Phyllis Orrick, who lives in the neighborhood and has lobbied the school board against the adult school’s move. 

But Dietmar Lorenz, an architect who works with DSA Architects across the street from the school on Virginia, says the district’s proposal was flawed from the start. 

“When we saw the plan alarm bells went off,” said Lorenz who has worked with neighborhood activists on alternative plans for the site. Lorenz says the district blew it by calling for only a San Pablo entrance and exit without the Francisco or Virginia street access points. Because 50 percent of the traffic would flow through the San Pablo opening, Lorenz feels that CalTrans had no choice but to say no because it would put too much traffic onto San Pablo.  

Whether the San Pablo entrance is realized or not, Kirkpatrick hopes to make the west side of the campus facing the busy thoroughfare the building’s main entrance. 

“We want the students to want to park in this lot,” says Kirkpatrick. “It will be easier for students to park in the lot and go into the rooms than it would be to park and walk a block.” 

The main entrance to the building is currently on the Virginia Street side of the building, and Kirkpatrick says the district wants to make it an exit from the building by fixing the doors so they only open from the inside out.  

The Franklin site, a former elementary school that’s been vacant for a year, will also have an elevator installed near the stairwell to provide access for disabled students—a requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act  

To address concerns of neighbors about increased traffic at the site, Kirkpatrick surveyed the commute habits of 764 of her students. She found that 40 percent took their own personal car, 22 percent took the bus, 14 percent walked, seven percent took BART, seven percent biked and four percent car-pooled or were dropped off by other drivers. One percent were unaccounted for. 

Kirkpatrick estimates 700 to 900 students attend the school. A district report indicates 1200 vehicular trips a day will be made to the Franklin site once it opens in time for the 2004-2005 school year.  

Kirkpatrick notes that even though weeknight classes run till 9:30 p.m. “our students don’t hang around. Within ten minutes of class the building is closed and all of the lots are empty,” says Kirkpatrick. “It’s not like there’s an ongoing night problem.”  

Still, Kirkpatrick acknowledges neighbors concerns about the new adult school campus are legitimate.  

“Change is difficult. The unknown is difficult,” says Kirkpatrick.

According to Berkeley labor contracts: 

“Salary reductions may be made as a result of an employee’s diminished service value or as part of a general plan to reduce salaries and wages as an economy measure or as part of a general curtailment program.” 

The City of Berkeley is facing a severe budget imbalance for the foreseeable future, with the all-budget deficit projected to rise from about $12 million in 2004-2005 to well over $25 million in 2008. Most of the projected deficits, perhaps 80 percent, are directly attributable to the city’s personnel costs. City residents, especially but not only real property owners, are already taxed far more than their neighbors in surrounding jurisdictions and far more that other Californians. Figures provided by the City Manager’s office indicate that the real property tax and fee burden for Berkeleyans is already more than 10 percent higher than Oakland, more than 36 percent higher than Hayward, and more than 41 percent higher than Emeryville. 

City of Berkeley employees, while they may not get rich on the job, enjoy most of the “cradle-to-grave” benefits that have been the hallmark of the Western European welfare states and, in the United States, that are mostly limited to public employees and tenured professors. This comprehensive employment package includes almost total job security, generous defined-benefit pension plans, regular CPI adjustments, employer-paid family health insurance that extends beyond retirement, liberal disability and workplace injury policies, liberal leave policies, and many other job-related benefits. Meanwhile, huge numbers of Americans, including not a few Berkeley residents, are coping with unemployment, job insecurity, loss of retirement assets, increasing health care costs, and all of the stress and ill effects of economic uncertainty and insecurity. 

There are about 1700 City of Berkeley employees, most of whom, in my opinion, do a reasonably good job. I, along with most other Berkeley residents, am particularly impressed by our policemen and firemen. However, I do feel compelled to note in the context of this article that most of our city employees, even among the highly paid, choose to live elsewhere than in our city.  

There are seven recently-negotiated city labor contracts plus a labor manual for unrepresented city employees, most of these agreements running through 2008. These contracts are extremely generous, so much so that they must have been negotiated in ignorance of the then-impending economic crisis. For one example, in a time of recession and possibly even deflation, there is no rational basis for large CPI upward adjustments. So, despite the fact that I and other residents value our city employees and the services they provide, we believe that these contracts must be changed. We also believe that it is fairest and in everyone’s best interest to have an across-the-board salary increase deferral and/or across-the-board de minimus work furlough rather than terminate any employees, limit employee benefits, further cut city services, or raise taxes to an ever-higher level. 

There has been a lot of loose talk about the city’s labor contracts and the respective powers of the city and the unions to change course at this point in time. I have been told that the city’s hands are tied unless the several city unions voluntarily renegotiate their contracts. I have been told that Berkeley’s well-being would be jeopardized if a harder line were taken with these unions, since the affected employees would either “slow down” or leave. I have been told that the only way to change things is to threaten layoffs. I have, however, seen that the most of our leaders are simply afraid to be viewed as anti-union and to alienate the so-called labor union power base (even though these union members are mostly not Berkeley residents and voters). Instead, our leaders are further jeopardizing the local economy. They are hoping that Berkeley taxpayers, already relatively overtaxed, will disappear the problem and continue to vote for more taxes and suffer more service cuts to pay for these unjustified and unjustifiable labor contracts. 

Based on my review of the plain language of the various labor contracts, I believe that the City Manager has substantial power to implement an across-the-board wage freeze, a general reduction in hours, and similar measures right now. I am not saying that it would be politically easy to do so, only that it is possible and necessary. Other jurisdictions, such as San Francisco, Oakland, Alameda County, and all around the country appear to have accomplished this without too much serious ill effect. I do not believe that our employees will or can pick up and leave, because by doing so they will lose several vesting benefits and there are, in fact, far fewer other employment choices available now that our neighboring jurisdictions have cut back on wages, hours, employees, etc. If some of our workers nevertheless find a better deal and choose to leave city employment, then so be it, we will have to manage. 

Let us take a good hard look at the real world: Japan has never recovered from its economic downturn, the welfare states of Western Europe are steadily crumbling, and the State of California is in a political and fiscal mess. It is truly possible that we are in a very serious long term economic crisis and that things will get worse for the foreseeable future. Given all the other employee benefits enjoyed by our city workers, an across-the-board wage increase deferral or minimal work furlough seems like a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of things. It is time for responsible Berkeley leaders to look at the big picture and say “I’m sorry” to a small special-interest group.  

I have obtained copies of the several city labor contracts and, as a template, have extensively reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Berkeley Police. While it was quite enlightening to look at all of the terms and conditions of the MOU, I was particularly interested in those relating to the role and responsibility of the City Manager and the provisions for salary reductions, furloughs, and layoffs. These provisions are mirrored in all of the labor contracts. In the plain language of the MOUs, the City Manager has extensive power to modify the contracts in a time of emergency. In particular, and despite the loose assertions to the contrary that I have heard, the City Manager appears to have the power not only to implement layoffs but also to implement salary reductions or to curtail salary increases. 

Article 1, Section 1.2.2 of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Berkeley Police Association states: 

“Responsibility for management of the city and direction of its work force is vested in city officials and the city Manager whose powers and duties are specified by law. In order to fulfill this responsibility, it is the exclusive right of city management…to exercise control and discretion over the city’s organization and operations. It is also the exclusive right of the city Manager to…implement a layoff pursuant to Section 57 of this Understanding, determine the method, means and personnel by which the city’s operations are to be conducted and to take all necessary actions to maintain uninterrupted service to the community…provided, however, the Association shall be notified of any proposed changes affecting wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment…” 

Article 2, Section 2.11.4 states: 

“Salary reductions may be made as a result of an employee’s diminished service value or as part of a general plan to reduce salaries and wages as an economy measure or as part of a general curtailment program.” 

Article 9, Section 9.57 states: 

“The city Council, city Manager, and the Chief of Police make every reasonable effort to manage and budget the city’s resources effectively and to plan for the delivery of city services in a manner which will avoid the necessity to layoff  

career city employees.” Then, a procedure is set up in the event “…a reduction in the work force for more than thirty (30) calendar days is necessitated by, but not limited to, a material change in duties and organization, adverse working conditions, return of employees from leaves of absence, or shortage of work or funds…” 

Barbara Gilbert, a longtime Berkeley resident and former mayoral aide, is a frequent Daily Planet contributor.

When Lorna De Sosa turned 90 last month, she did something special for herself: She published her first book, a volume of poems she’s been working on for the last four years. 

“Who Turned the Grass On?” contains 38 poems, reflecting on her experiences in pre-Castro Cuba, Paris, Manhattan, and, most recently, of her four decades in Berkeley. 

An actress, producer and director in theatrical companies and for radio networks in Ohio, Connecticut, Chicago and New York, Sosna traveled to Cuba in the 1940s, where she became a founder of that nation’s Academy of the Dramatic Arts in Havana and produced and directed national dramatic festivals for the Cuban government. 

She also taught in the drama departments of the Catholic University Santo Tomas de Villaneuva in Havana and Cal State-San Francisco. 

Her last teaching position were at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and the St. Albert’s Priory. She now lives at a retirement home in East Oakland. 

Copies of the book are available for $14 from the author at lornades@yahoo.com, P.O. Box 159, San Leandro 94557-0659.

Despite Cal football’s overwhelming defeat of SMU Saturday, several Cal fans—Janice Thomas among them—aren’t all that thrilled about the upcoming season. 

Thomas’ main concern isn’t about the team’s ability to win; instead, she and other members of the Panoramic Hill Neighborhood Association are worried about something else the upcoming season may hold in store for the community surrounding Cal’s Memorial Stadium: bright lights, and lots of them. 

A dedicated Cal football fan, Thomas is president of the neighborhood group, and has been working alongside her fellow residents to build a relationship between the community and the stadium. 

“I want Cal to be a part of the community, but it’s hard sometimes,” explains Thomas. 

Right now Thomas and the association are battling Cal over the proposed installation of lights at the stadium that Thomas says would produce high levels of light pollution. As of now, the stadium lacks any sort of permanent night lighting system and only brings lights in for afternoon and evening games. 

The issue first came up in June 1999 after the university announced it was going to install permanent television broadcast-quality lights that would allow Cal games to be aired on network television. Thomas and the Panoramic Hill Association then pressured the university to stop the installation, holding several meetings with the UC Administration and at one point filing a lawsuit. 

The university never made any definitive move but neighbors began organizing again as soon as the university announced its plans to seismically retrofit the stadium, which lies directly on top of the Hayward fault. According to the university, the installation of permanent lights could be part of the renovation. 

According to Athletic Department spokesperson Bob Rose, the university wants to install TV quality lights because several network stations air games in the afternoon and evening—which means right now Cal isn’t getting the coverage it could. 

“It produces tremendous exposure for the university and the athletes,” said Rose about television coverage. “Economically it’s also a boon.” 

For the games that do air on TV in the afternoon and evening, Cal brings in a rented lighting system. 

According to Rose, “there are not concrete plans to install permanent lights,” included in the renovation plans, “but it will definitely be discussed.” While there is no formal timeline for the renovation, the school has already started fundraising. 

Thomas is still uncomfortable because the university hasn’t given a definitive answer one way or another concerning the lights. 

“They are not saying whether they are going to install lights now, but what about in two years? People want to know before they donate money to retrofit the stadium. The issue needs to be put to rest,” said Thomas. 

Jeanne Allen and Marc Grant, who are also part of the Panoramic Hill Association, say that installing lights would make it almost impossible to live in the neighborhood. 

“You could read a newspaper [at night] in the house it’s so bright,” said Allen. 

Thomas said the lights would also affect other parts of Berkeley if they were installed. “Think about driving past Pack-Bell park. Then think about having something like that at the base of the Berkeley Hills,” said Thomas. “When the lights are on, people are going to see them throughout Berkeley.” 

Unlike other large sporting stadiums that are set away from the city, the Cal stadium sits right in the middle of town. 

Rose argues that new lighting systems now exist that keep much more of the light focused into the stadium, but Thomas, and her neighbors who live right next to the stadium argue the neighborhood would still be affected. 

“What we’re talking about is night lighting with lights that simulate daylight versus no lighting. This is going to affect the whole community,” said Thomas. 

The other concern for both sides is attendance. Game attendance has been down and network exposure would help. 

Thomas points out however, that even though the stadium is built to hold 70,000 people, the neighborhood isn’t. 

“The stadium is not on a freeway, its backed into a hill,” explains Thomas. “The only way to get out is on two-way streets through the neighborhood.” 

Cal buses in fans and many people take BART, but parking and traffic continually cause problems for neighborhood residents. 

Thomas compares her experience negotiating with the university to a David and Goliath scenario. Surrounded by UC Berkeley, the Panoramic Hill community has no choice but to work with the university. 

While both sides work out their differences, however, they have stayed cordial and for Saturday’s game the stadium officials reserved a special section for the Panoramic Hill neighborhood.  

“We’re trying to be good sports,” said Thomas. “We support Cal athletics, we love the team, but we hate extreme light.”

The assassination of Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Hakim in Najaf on Aug. 28 is the opening volley in the coming Iraqi Civil War. The United States will reap the whirlwind.  

One of the most consistent and ominous prewar warnings to the Bush administration by Middle East experts was that removal of Saddam Hussein without the most careful political and social engineering would result in the breaking apart of Iraq into warring factions that would battle each other for decades.  

The hawks in the White House would not listen. They were so wedded to the fantasy scenario that the removal of Saddam in an act of “creative destruction” would result in the automatic emergence of democracy. They brushed aside all warnings.  

Present-day Iraq was three provinces of the Ottoman Empire before World War I. It was cobbled together by the British for their own convenience after that conflict. The British installed a king, the Saudi Arabian son of the chief religious official of Mecca (Faisal, of Lawrence of Arabia Fame) and glued the whole mess together with the resident British Army.  

The three regions were incompatible in ethnicity, religious confession and interests. The Sunni Muslim Kurds occupied the north. The Sunni Arab Bedouins occupied the center and Southwest. The Shi’a Arab and Persian population occupied the South and Southeast. Of the three groups, the Shi’a were largest, with 60 percent of the population. With oil, an outlet to the Persian Gulf and good agricultural land, they would be the natural dominant force in the state the British created. The Kurds would be important, too, because they lived in the region of the country with the largest oil reserves.  

However, the British wanted the Sunni Arabs, the smallest faction of the population, to be dominant. They wanted this both to reward Saudi Arabians for helping them fight the Ottomans, and because they had existing clients in the sheikhs who ruled the Arab states of the Gulf.  

When the British were finally expelled, and their Saudi ruling family deposed in Iraq in a 1958 nationalist coup, the new Ba’athist Iraqi nationalist rulers had a supremely unruly nation on their hand. The only way to keep power in Sunni Arab hands, and away from the Shi’ites was through ruthless dictatorship and oppression. Saddam Hussein was the supreme master of this political strategy.  

Ayatollah al-Hakim’s family was victimized by this oppression. Virtually every one of the Ayatollah’s male relatives was executed by Saddam’s regime. He fled to Iran for years of exile, returning only after Saddam was deposed by the United States. He became one of the principal leaders of the Shi’a community, and a symbol of rising Shi’a power in post-War Iraq. His triumphant return to Iraq and the holy city of Najaf was one of the most celebrated events in recent Iraqi history.  

It is still not known who set off the explosion that killed him at the shrine of Ali, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. It could have been Sunni Arab factions who fear the rise of Shi’a dominance in Iraq, or it could have been his own Shi’a supporters, disappointed with him for cooperating with American policies in Iraq. Or it could have been someone else. What is clear is that his death will now forever be a rallying cry for the Shi’ite community against its enemies.  

It is notable that in Shi’ism virtually all significant leaders have been “martyred.” Of the 12 historical Imams of the Ithna ‘ashara branch of Shi’ism dominant in Iraq and Iran (Ithna ‘ashara means “twelve” in Arabic), ten are buried in shrines in Iraq. Their tombs are ever-present reminders of the oppression and struggle of the Shi’a. Now Ayatollah al-Hakim will join them, and with the power of a saint, will inspire generations of grimly dedicated young warriors, determined to wreak vengeance and assert the power of their community. They will be led by his own paramilitary group, the Badr brigade.  

Shi’a fury will be directed at the Sunnis to the north. It will also be directed toward United States as the occupying force who both did nothing to prevent this tragedy, and further continued the British doctrine of Sunni favoritism by insisting that the Shi’a religious leaders would never be allowed to come to power. In any case, the forces of retribution are about to be unleashed in a manner hitherto unseen in the region.  

Could the United States have done anything to have prevented this tragedy? Of course it could have. As the occupying power U.S. officials knew acutely about the danger to Ayatollah al-Hakim. Since Washington opposed the rise of Shi’a power in Iraq, charges of American indifference or even complicity in his death will soon be flying.  

The final question Washington must now face is how to stop this inevitable civil war? When the factional shooting starts, where does the U.S. army, caught in the crossfire, aim its own guns?  

William O. Beeman is the Director of Middle East Studies at Brown University and the author of the forthcoming book, “Iraq: State in Search of a Nation.”

A leading venture capital firm ended its 22-year partnership with the University of California Wednesday, a move university officials fear could snowball, costing billions to the university endowment and employee pension funds. 

Sequoia Capital—UC’s most lucrative investment partner—dumped the university one month after a judge ordered UC to disclose classified financial data from its investments with venture capital firms.  

The school had been sued by the San Jose Mercury News and the Council of University Employees (CUE), which claimed that the financial arrangements should be a matter of public record. 

Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Richman sided with the plaintiffs in a July ruling which held that the public’s interest in obtaining the data outweighed the university’s interest in keeping them secret. 

Attorneys for the plaintiffs said UC was exaggerating the loss of Sequoia. 

“The University of California’s claims that they will lose valuable investment opportunities are not correct,” said Karl Olson of Levy, Ram & Olson, which represented CUE. 

At issue are internal rates of return (IRRs), statistics which are used to determine the value of investments in individual companies within a broad fund. Sequoia and UC insist these are trade secrets that competing companies could exploit if the information became public. 

In an Aug. 27 letter to UC Treasurer David Russ, Sequoia said it would stop doing business with the school because it feared that UC—a public institution that must keep its books open to scrutiny—could no longer keep trade secrets private. 

“Discretion and privacy are the handmaidens of successful venture capital firms. Our portfolio companies are hurt when sensitive information about their activities becomes available to competitors,” wrote Sequoia Managing Member Michael Moritz. 

The university invests in 11 Sequoia funds, amounting to about an eighth of the university’s total venture capital portfolio. Sequoia asked the university to immediately divest from all funds and barred UC from joining new funds. 

UC Treasurer David Russ wrote in court papers that other firms would likely follow Sequoia’s lead, excluding the university from “billions” in investment deals that fund academic programs and the university’s $35 billion retirement fund that pays benefits to more than 35,000 retirees. 

“This makes it harder for public universities to pay retirement benefits and fund programs,” said UC Spokesperson Trey Davis. “Stanford I’m sure would be more than happy to invest with Sequoia.” 

UC invests about one percent of its $53 billion portfolio in venture capital firms, which operate funds that pour money into fledgling companies hoping for big rewards if the companies prosper. That total has dropped by nearly two-thirds in the past two years as a result of the stock market collapse.  

Davis said that UC investments with Sequoia have returned about $508 million on an investment of $110 million, and that without such attractive investment options to generate income, the university would have to rethink its investment strategy and take fewer risks. 

The case hit the courts after UC denied the Mercury News’ IRR request last October. CUE, which represents university clerical workers, joined the newspaper on the grounds that without full disclosure business leaders on the UC Board of Regents could funnel public money into bad investments that benefit their partners in high finance. 

UC had argued that releasing IRRs would cost them lucrative investment opportunities and that it addressed privacy concerns by releasing performance data for the funds as a whole. To release IRRs, the university claimed, the Mercury News needed to show that they had reason to suspect that keeping the trade secrets private concealed fraud. 

Judge Richman’s July ruling held that the public’s interest in obtaining IRRs outweighed the university’s interest in keeping them secret. In his decision the judge noted Sequoia had accepted an $8 million investment from the University of Michigan even though the university had recently disclosed IRRs upon request. 

However, on the day of the decision, Sequoia alerted Michigan that it was canceling the investment due to privacy concerns. Two days later, venture capital firm Three Arch Partners broke off negotiations with UC. 

In light of these events, UC asked Judge Richman to reconsider, but on Thursday he let his decision stand. 

“The University of California’s claims that they will lose valuable investment opportunities are not correct,” said Karl Olson of Levy, Ram & Olson, which represented CUE. 

The university invests with roughly 70 venture capital firms, but Davis said that when given the choice between taking money from UC or a private investor that could guarantee privacy, top-tier funds that generate the highest returns would exclude the university. 

The judge’s ruling will not affect individual employee pensions. UC is still required to pay the same benefits, but may have to reallocate money from other programs to cover the loss. 

Davis said the university will appeal Richman’s ruling to the First District Court of Appeals, but doubted that the university would challenge Sequoia’s decision to drop UC for fear that it would antagonize other venture capital firms. 

“We’re evaluating the legal details of the (venture capital) agreement, but we want to remain an attractive partner to other funds,” he said.

One of the first things that stand out about Jinsoo Terry is her smile: It’s constantly on the verge of an impish giggle or an outburst of laughter, always seeming to hint at the secret to happiness. 

“The most important thing is to have self-confidence,” said Terry, a Berkeley resident whose success story has earned her the U.S. Department of Commerce Western Region’s Minority Business Advocate of the Year award. “The second is being able to communicate effectively, to be able to sell yourself.” 

Such advice may sound like the standard “formula-for-success” fare churned out by motivational speakers everywhere. But Terry’s sparkle is not so much in her words. It’s in an infectious attitude that seems to say striving for success in business is just a game, and that the only reason to do so is for the sheer fun of it all. 

“I have a rap song. I’m a rapper,” she said gleefully, handing me a CD with a picture of her head atop a business-suited cartoon body with arms raised and flexed. “At first, I would just have the rappers perform when I was speaking to African American teenagers, but then I realized what they were saying had nothing to do with what I was trying to get across. So I decided, why not just make my own rap song.” 

One song puts her mantra to a catchy beat: “If Jinsoo can do it, you can do it too.” In another, Terry urges women to “come to me” so that she can share with them her secret to success. “We are the ladies, we are the girls,” she proclaims. “We are tough, we are strong, we make success, we make happiness!” 

Encouraging young women is especially important to Terry, who was discouraged from pursuing a master’s degree in engineering at a prestigious university in South Korea. “I was the only woman in the class. I had to fight,” she said. “People would say, you should stay home and have a baby. But I didn’t want that. I wanted to do engineering because it was challenging, and I wanted to prove that women could do it too.” 

Even after she earned the degree, she was locked out of the highest positions, still getting paid the same as men who were less educated. Partly due having an unusually independent mother who strongly encouraged her daughter to pursue her education and career goals, and partly due to her own inborn chutzpah, Terry eventually broke through the glass ceiling. At the age of 28—months away from obtaining a Ph.D.—she was promoted to the head of Research and Development at one of the country’s largest yarn-dyeing companies. 

Soon after that promotion, Terry set out with her new husband for the United States, where another uphill battle awaited her. She first took a job at a restaurant in Alameda, then as a factory worker at a medical equipment company in San Francisco. “I thought if I worked very hard on the assembly line, then I would be promoted, but that didn’t happen,” she said. 

Terry eventually learned enough English in order to land a job as a supervisor at a leather belt company, where she often worked six and seven days a week. But after seven years she was still not satisfied with the pace of her progress. “I wanted to be production manager,” she said. “When they didn’t promote me, I quit.” 

Terry said she set out to obtain an MBA, believing it was her lack of education that was holding her back. But, Terry says, the real breakthrough came when she joined Toastmasters International, an organization that gives members a chance to practice public speaking. 

“Before I connected with the people at Toastmasters, I was depressed. I thought I wasn’t getting ahead because I was Korean, or because I was a woman. I thought white folks were discriminating against me, African-American folks were discriminating against me,” she said. “But I started to realize the real problem was me. I needed to learn the language better, how to deliver my ideas, and how to be confident. I needed to be able to communicate with people of different backgrounds.” 

Terry soon founded her own Toastmasters Club—the Rhinoceros Business Club—which she says is devoted specifically to teaching immigrants and minorities communication skills and in providing opportunities for business networking. 

Terry is now vice-president of Cut Loose Clothing, a women’s apparel company located in the Bayshore neighborhood of San Francisco. On top of that, Terry co-owns a Berkeley-based mosquito net company with her husband Sam, writes a business advice column for the Korea Times, and is a paid motivational speaker. 

Being a professional speaker is particularly satisfying for Terry. “I see the young people and the teenagers in the Bayshore neighborhood, and they have a lot of creativity and they are really serious,” she said. “But a lot of them don’t know where the resources are, like the Small Business Association, or the Women’s Entrepreneur Center. And they don’t have the confidence. “That’s why I want to encourage them, to say if I can do it, if I can come to this country speaking no English and be a success, then you can too.” 

Williard Houston, business development specialist for the United States Chamber of Commerce, said Terry “is a dynamic personality and is very committed to helping people in the community. She has tons of awards to attest to that.” 

Her latest honor, the Minority Business Advocate award, was recently presented to her at a ceremony attended by Mayor Willie Brown, who two years ago declared July 10 Jinsoo Terry Day. 

Terry said being named minority business advocate will bolster her efforts to bring more minorities into the mainstream of business culture. “Many immigrants, even if they have their own business, will stay within their own communities,” she said. “But when they do that, they miss out on a lot of benefit. We have to come together and be open to each other.”

The hearing that will determine the fate of a Berkeley psychiatrist who has prescribed medical marijuana for 7,000 in the last seven years commences in an Oakland hearing room Wednesday. 

Tod Mikuriya, M.D., who began writing prescriptions for the drug after passage of Prop 215 in 1996, has rejected an offer to settle the Medical Board of California’s unprofessional conduct case against him, leading to the hearings before Administrative Law Judge Jonathan Lew in Oakland’s State Building, 1515 Clay St. 

The hearing is expected to take about a week as the judge hears a file-by-file review of Mikuriya’s treatment of the 17 patients named by the Board in its Accusation. 

None of the patients who allegedly received sub-standard care from Mikuriya has filed or expressed a complaint against him (not counting an undercover narcotics officer from Sonoma County, whose name was added to the complaint after Mikuriya nixed the settlement offer). 

All the patients named in the Board’s accusation had been self-medicating with cannabis before consulting Mikuriya. Many have reported that Mikuriya was the first and only doctor with whom they could discuss the fact that they’d been using marijuana medicinally. 

The complaints against Dr. Mikuriya have all come from rural county district attorneys and sheriffs who, according to attorney Bill Simpich, “resented Tod’s courage in issuing approvals under Health and Safety Code section 11362.5.”  

Mikuriya is charged with violating a “standard of care” that the Medical Board has never defined with respect to doctors who approve their patients’ cannabis use. Ironically, Mikuriya has been urging the Board to adopt specific standards with respect to cannabis approvals since 1996. The Board contends that such approvals are equivalent to prescriptions for “dangerous drugs.”  

The prosecution—the Attorney General’s office, on behalf of the Medical Board—will call an expert witness employed by the Board, Tracy Duskin, M.D., who has reviewed the 17 patients’ files (which were obtained by subpoena). Duskin will explain why, in her opinion, Mikuriya failed each of them. The defense will call its own expert, Phillip Denney, M.D., a family doctor from Loomis, to explain why Mikuriya was able to make a valid medical judgment in each case.  

All documents relevant to the case except the patients’ records can be found on Mikuriya.com, including the final settlement offer from the state Medical Board that Mikuriya rejected.

Two pipe bombs exploded at Chiron Corp’s Emeryville headquarters causing minor damage at the biotech firm’s sprawling campus early last Thursday morning. No one was hurt in the two explosions that occurred an hour after one another in separate buildings a little before 3 a.m. 

An animal rights group calling itself “Revolutionary Cells” claimed responsibility in a posting on the Web site of Biteback magazine, a journal for underground animal rights groups. 

Chiron began in Berkeley, later moving to its present location in Emeryville. 

Blasting Chiron as “animal-killing scum,” the bombers said they targeted the firm because it tests cancer and infectious disease medicines on animals using Huntingdon Life Sciences. Revolutionary Cells called the New Jersey-based Huntingdon one of the “most egregious animal killers in the industry.” 

Although a Chiron spokesman said that the company had no current dealings with Huntingdon, he said the company would not rule out working with them again in the future. Revolutionary Cells said the group would continue to target the biotech giant until it announces it has severed all ties with Huntingdon. Until then “we consider them fair game,” says the group’s leader, Kevin Jonas. 

The Food and Drug Administration requires biotech firms to test their drugs on animals. 

Both the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms the are investigating the attack, but have no suspects. Domestic terrorism is being considered as a motive, but “at this point we just don’t have enough information,” said FBI Special Agent LaRae Quy. 

—Paul Kilduff  

The Berkeley YMCA is looking for volunteers to serve as both academic and social mentors to high school students who would become the first in their families to attend college, as well as volunteers to provide vocational training for students with learning disabilities. 

Students selected for the mentoring program come mainly from low-income families and from groups underrepresented at university campuses, said Mangwi Atia, program coordinator. 

Mentors must be willing to devote two hours a week to the program, which is held both at the downtown Berkeley Y and at the high school. 

To volunteer, call 665-3272 or see http://www.baymca.org/index.php.d_scholars.html.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of two articles on the history of Memorial Stadium. 

Completed in November of 1923 in time for the Big Game between Stanford and Berkeley (which Cal won 9-0), Memorial Stadium in Strawberry Canyon was built amid intense controversy. 

When initially proposed and promoted in 1921, the stadium was planned for a two-block area located east of Oxford Street between Allston and Bancroft ways just south of Strawberry Creek, where today the Sports Facility Complex now stands. 

The front page of the Oakland Tribune for Sunday, Sept. 25, 1921, announced “U.C. Stadium Details are Given Public: Structure Will Be Erected Between Allston Way and Bancroft.”  

Robert Gordon Sproul, then-Assistant Comptroller and a future University president, and then-President David Barrows were enthusiastic about the location in a promotional brochure produced to raise funds for the undertaking. 

Barrows declared that this “Stadium, with dimensions that slightly exceed the great Coliseum of Rome...will represent the physical and moral basis which our education seeks to lay for the intellectual training that is superimposed...how great a spiritual significance it assumes...” 

Sproul described the proposed stadium “as a splendid addition to the Phoebe Hearst Plan” and “an architectural monument ranking with the greatest structures of all times,” hailing the project as “a prime necessity,” “a continuing source of income,” and “a memorial, dedicated to those Californians who died in the War of Nations that civilization should not perish.” 

Then plans changed and Strawberry Canyon was chosen instead, inspiring opposition from a group of architects and one landscape architect who had worked on the initial stadium plan. 

The four architects were prominent graduates of UC Berkeley’s School of Architecture and included: William G. Corlett (class of 1910), Henry H. Gutterson (class of 1905), Walter T. Steilberg (class of 1909) and Walter H. Ratcliff (class of 1903). The landscape architect was Bruce Porter. 

The group wrote an open letter, published in the form of a pamphlet, to the “Students, Faculty, Alumni and Friends of the University of California” asking them to write the Regents to “reconsider their decision... brought upon them an undue pressure of haste...” pointing out that they had donated funds for a stadium on the Allston/Bancroft site and not in Strawberry Canyon.  

Further objections included: 

1) “The location of the stadium in Strawberry Canyon would prevent its being the central unit of a large athletic establishment.”  

2) “Considerations of Transportation and Accessibility” pointed out the obvious that it was far from a steep climb from where there were already several transportation lines. 

3) “Architectural Considerations” included the size of the canyon in relationship to the size and scale of the stadium; the axis of the canyon is east and west while the stadium would need to be north and south to keep the “west sun out of the players eyes.” 

4) The development would forever destroy the natural beauty of the canyon and “the inspiration that nature has placed there.”  

They concluded, “Every architectural problem is one of location, design and construction. We believe that in this instance a grave error is being made.”  

Susan Cerny is the author of “Berkeley Landmarks” and writes this in conjunction with the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association.  

Spirits were high Monday at the fifth annual Berkeley Brunch—the city’s gay community gathering. Locals came to socialize and have a good time, but many who filled the upstairs ballroom of Hs Lordship’s Restaurant couldn’t help but reflect on a year of unprecedented legal triumphs. 

“I’m very optimistic for gay rights,” said Berkeley resident Aditya Advani. “We have the momentum, the stigma has been taken out.” 

Guests celebrated the landmark Supreme Court ruling in June that enshrined the right to sexual privacy, as well as last month’s California Supreme Court ruling upholding gay adoptions and Canada’s recent legalization of gay marriage. 

“We’re at an upbeat time. There have been some real advances,” said Johhny Symons. 

While everyone agreed the struggle for gay rights enjoyed a banner year, participants differed on how the victories would shape the community mindset. 

“I think the Texas case was a lesson to the community,” said Stan Stansbury. “People woke up and said, hey, politics can be important.” 

His partner had a different take. “I’m less political now,” Jaime Ballesteros said. “When the Texas case went down the bubble in my head of deep visceral fear of the Republican Right popped because my basic rights are now assured.” 

Not everyone at the brunch assumed future gains were inevitable. “I think we’re on the brink of a huge explosion of opposing forces,” said Tom Pyun who feared that conservatives were gearing up to block passage of domestic partnership laws. “I think in Berkeley we are so comfortable and so isolated from right wing money that we lose perspective and underestimate the power of the right.” 

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who received an award for her efforts to secure worldwide funding for AIDS treatment, pledged to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment to outlaw gay marriage backed by congressional Republicans and the Bush Administration.  

“We’re going to stop this thing dead in its tracks,” she told the audience. 

A poll conducted by the Associated Press last month showed 54 percent of respondents favored the amendment, 40 percent of whom identified themselves as Democrats. 

California is on the brink of passing a domestic partnership law that would put it on par with Vermont as the most extensive in the country. The law—awaiting Senate approval—would grant gay partners the same tax, property and health insurance rights as married couples. A constitutional amendment would nullify the law. 

Most people at the brunch discounted the constitutional amendment as a political ploy to rev up conservative voters, but said they didn’t need to stray far from home for evidence that their fight was far from over. 

Several people recalled the grisly murder of Edward “Gwen” Arroyo, a 17-year-old transgender student at Newark High School slain at a party last October. “As far as we have to go with gay rights, we have so much further to go with transgender issues,” said Travis Hottes, a recent UC Berkeley grad who said he fears for the safety of his friends at high schools in San Leandro and Hayward. 

Although most participants were quick to talk politics, health care was the theme for this year’s brunch. City Health Department Official William Rogers was honored for his management of a Berkeley program offering residents free HIV testing. The program tests abut 3,000 people annually and operates mobile testing vans in areas known as hot spots for public sex. 

City funding cuts imperiled the program, but Rogers said an influx of federal grants will keep the $1 million program operating at full strength this year. 

Rogers and his partner Symons, the fathers of two adopted sons, both cheered an August ruling by the California Supreme Court upholding unmarried couples’ right to adopt, effectively validating the roughly 20,000 adoptions by same-sex couples in the state. 

Symons said he looked forward to the day when he and Rogers could marry officially, and not have to rely on the courts. “After ten years with a partner, I would like to have the legal protections and social recognition,” he said. I’d like to be able to use a term like husband and have people respect that.”

Berkeley merchants, fighting tooth and nail to survive tough economic times, say it’s time for the city to give them a fair shake. 

“We have small businesses in Berkeley saying they can’t get city contracts,” said Lisa Bullwinkel, executive director of Solano Avenue Associates, a North Berkeley business alliance. 

Bullwinkel has teamed up with other city business districts to pressure the city to follow its own law that requires it to buy local when Berkeley businesses can do the job for less than five percent more than an outside vendor. 

The business districts first united to lobby Berkeley’s 10 biggest employers to buy from Berkeley merchants, but Bullwinkel said they decided they couldn’t urge private companies to buy local while the city continued to spurn its merchants. 

City officials acknowledge that the Buy Local Ordinance was not well known among the employees who actually make the purchases, and that most departments bought office items from national chains. 

Moreover, Berkeley participates in a regional purchasing consortium of cities that steers most office supplies sales to Office Depot and all computer sales to Dell. 

The consortium is a sore spot for local retailers because they never had a chance to compete for the business. Prices are fixed by Los Angeles County, which negotiated the Office Depot deal and then offered the same prices to other cities. Because L.A. officials demanded any contractor be able to deliver goods next day to Los Angeles, Berkeley merchants, like the office supply store Radston’s Office Plus, say they never had a chance. 

Buying local could have important consequences for local shops that sell books, office supplies and computers, said Dave Fogerty of the city’s Office of Economic Development, but the city benefits as well. 

One penny from every dollar of sales tax revenue collected by a Berkeley merchant goes into the city’s general fund. Sales tax revenues comprise about $13 million of the city’s roughly $200 budget—the city’s second biggest source of revenue after property taxes. Sales tax revenues have dropped steadily every fiscal quarter since the end of 2000, exacerbating the city’s budget shortfall. 

Cody’s Bookstore owner Andy Ross calculated the percentage of revenue his shop pumped back into Berkeley. He found that for every $10 spent, $4.97 went back into the Berkeley economy in the form of taxes, wages, purchases and charitable donations. 

Office Depot has a Berkeley branch, so the city does recoup sales tax on purchases with the chain, but online retailers such as Dell evade state sales tax—so not only do they have an advantage over local computer sellers who must charge 8.25 percent on every sale, but the city also gets no tax revenue back for its computer purchases. 

Berkeley officials have promised merchants they will seek out local bids, but caution that for many items the regional consortium offers “phenomenal” prices. 

Tom Myers, Acting Manager of Economic Development, said the city’s strategy would be to find items that the consortium doesn’t discount and offer those bids to local merchants. 

“We have to strike a balance between keeping costs down and making sure the city gets revenue from tax dollars,” he said. 

Local business leaders say they are pleased by the city’s response. They met twice with former city Purchasing Manager Andrew Carey, who assured them that he was getting the word out to individual departments to consider buying local. Carey’s sudden resignation this week after less than two months on the job could be a blow to the program, but merchants remained confident they finally had a shot at city business.  

“A door is open to us that has been slammed shut for 20 years,” said Diane Griffin, president of Radstons.

Arson At Apartment Complex 

Police arrested a man who they say set fire to his apartment in a 1275 University Ave. building late Friday night. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze and other tenants were unharmed.  

According to building manager D.J. Johnson a tenant found the suspected arsonist in the front lobby about 11:30 p.m. Friday standing over a recycling bin he had set ablaze. The tenant put out the fire with help from neighbors while the arsonist raced out of the building. Moments later the fire alarm rang. Police and firefighters went to the suspected arsonist’s room and finding the door hot, they opened the door to find the unit in flames. Ordered to evacuate the building, tenants huddled outside from about 11:30 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. while firefighters inspected the building. Police did not reply to messages seeking the identity of the arsonist. 

Video Store Armed Robbery 

Police are seeking the gunman who robbed a video store on the 2900 block of College Avenue Thursday afternoon. According to police the robber picked up a Snickers bar from the shelf, then looked around for a short time. He asked the clerk on which side of the counter he should stand, and after the clerk said he was fine where he was, the robber placed the chocolate bar on the counter, walked behind to where the clerk was standing and lifted up his shirt to show the grip of a pistol in his waistband. When he demanded money, the clerk handed him “a wad of one dollar bills and a handful of fives.” The robber took the cash and walked casually out of the store. He remains at-large. 

Hit and Runs 

An intoxicated 19-year old resident of the 3000 block of Stanton Street took his gold Toyota Camry on a hit-and-run rampage through several blocks of South Berkeley Tuesday afternoon, police said. 

The first car he hit was a 1990 Acura Integra on the 2000 block of Essex Street. Fleeing the scene, he slammed into two more cars—a maroon Datsun at the intersection of Ashby Avenue and Harper Street and a Toyota at Ashby and King Street. A pregnant woman who was sitting in the Toyota at the time of the impact was rushed to Alta Bates Memorial Hospital, where she was treated and released. 

At the intersection of Harper and Russell Street, a pedestrian reported nearly being “plowed down” by a gold Toyota. A witness got the license plate and police tracked it down to the Stanton Street address. The driver, who refused a breathalyzer test, was charged with several felony and misdemeanor drunk driving and hit and run charges. 

Armed robbery 

A gunman robbed a 68-year-old resident of the 1000 block of Overlook Drive at her house Thursday night. According to police the woman was driving home southbound on Marin Avenue and noticed a car following her. Arriving at her home, she had swung her purse over her arm when she saw a man walking toward her. He raised his left hand, brandished a dark-colored handgun and demanded her purse as he dragged her into her garage, the gun aimed at her face. Once inside the garage, he yanked the purse from her arm and proceeded to run south on Overlook. The purse contained approximately $400. Police have made no arrests in the case. 

North Oakland Murder 

A 26-year-old Oakland man was fatally shot at 3:50 a.m. Monday morning at 63rd and Baker streets in Oakland, just outside Berkeley city limits. According to police, the wounded victim drove his car two more blocks before striking a fence outside Golden Gate Elementary School at 63rd and Herzog streets. Police found James Mahoney Knox Sr. inside the car and pronounced him dead at the scene. Police have no suspects in the murder.