Jakob Schiller
              Teacher Amanda Ibarra reads to a group of youngsters at the Vera Casey Center, a program that provides services for teenage mothers and their children. ›
Jakob Schiller Teacher Amanda Ibarra reads to a group of youngsters at the Vera Casey Center, a program that provides services for teenage mothers and their children. ›

Page One

Mayor Seals Victory For New Sprint Antennas

By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR
Friday February 20, 2004

The Berkeley City Council went into extra innings on the Sprint cellular facility appeal last Tuesday night, using up four separate ballots before finally upholding Sprint’s application to put three antennas on the roof of a commercial building at 1600 Shattuck Ave. After all of that voting, it was actually a single non-vote—an abstention by Mayor Tom Bates—that was the deciding factor. -more-



Berkeley This Week

Friday February 20, 2004

FRIDAY, FEB. 20 -more-



Arts Calendar

Friday February 20, 2004

FRIDAY, FEB. 20 -more-



BUSD Kills Program For Teen Mothers

By MATTHEW ARTZ
Friday February 20, 2004

Tears were shed Wednesday after the Berkeley School Board approved a fiscal emergency plan that slashed $3.2 million from its general fund and killed a 31-year-old program serving teenage mothers and their children. -more-



UC Bars Student Governments From State Political Campaigns

By MATTHEW ARTZ
Friday February 20, 2004

The University of California has drafted a policy explicitly forbidding student governments from lobbying on state ballot initiatives, setting the university on a collision course with UC Berkeley student government leaders. -more-



The University of California has drafted a policy explicitly forbidding student governments from lobbying on state ballot initiatives, setting the university on a collision course with UC Berkeley student government leaders. In a second revised draft o

By JAKOB SCHILLER
Friday February 20, 2004

On Wednesday a California Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Berkeley attorney that aimed to increase security measures on electronic voting systems before the March 2 primary. -more-



Hotel Task Force Moves Forward Despite Controversy

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday February 20, 2004

The controversy over who will represent Berkeley’s interests in the early stages of development of the proposed downtown UC hotel complex—the Planning Commission, the city council, or the mayor alone—continued to simmer even as the Planning Commission’s Hotel Task Force moved forward with the stated blessing of the UC hotel’s project manager. The mayor, a city councilmember, and representatives of both the task force and UC all weighed in on the representation issue at this week’s task force meeting in exchanges that ranged from the testy to the “let’s all get along.” -more-



Features

Suspended Claremont Workers Reinstated

Jakob Schiller
Friday February 20, 2004

The three Claremont Resort and Spa workers suspended last week had their suspensions changed to verbal warnings and are back at work with back pay. -more-


Court Rejects Vehicle License Fee Lawsuit

—Matthew Artz
Friday February 20, 2004

A student group lost a bid before the California Supreme Court Thursday to invalidate Gov. Schwarzenegger’s reduction in the vehicle license fee and corresponding cuts to education and other programs. -more-


Police Blotter

By MATTHEW ARTZ
Friday February 20, 2004

Robbery Suspect Caught -more-


From Sheep to Socks: A Knitter’s Paradise in Oakland

By ANNE WAGLEY
Friday February 20, 2004

The Stitches West Knitters Convention is only a few miles from my home, but in truth it is worlds away. Held annually in the large Oakland Marriott City Center, it features three days of knitting workshops and seminars covering everything from beginner’s basics to Russian lace, to color theory and designing your own socks. -more-


UnderCurrents: Tyranny Seen in the Oakland School Takeover

J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR
Friday February 20, 2004

Tyranny, our conservative friends remind us, is like hot tar poured from a limitless source. To describe it as greedy misses the point, as even the largest stomach eventually gets filled. Tyranny is more insatiable. Its own weight compels it on, overwhelming even the part of it that first comes through the breech, and it never stops of its own accord. Either it chokes off all the available space, or you have to walk over and turn off the spigot. Our conservative friends are wrong about a number of things. But not about this. -more-


ABAG Loans: Boon or Boondoggle?

Friday February 20, 2004

MISLEADING CONCLUSIONS -more-


Daily Planet Response

Friday February 20, 2004

Mr. Haggerty writes that “[c]ontrary to Mr. Allen-Taylor’s statements, ABAG’s Finance Authority regularly monitors borrowers, and enforces strict compliance with Federal and State regulations for tax-exempt bond financed multifamily housing project. Ther e are no exemptions to these requirements as stated in the article.” -more-


Letters to the Editor

Friday February 20, 2004

THE CONNECTION -more-


UC Women’s Basketball Team Bristling with Foreign Talent

By ALTA GERREY Special to the Planet
Friday February 20, 2004

It’s a good thing Cal has some outstanding undergraduate players, because the last home game of the season is Saturday, and the seniors will be moving on. American players, including the talented La Tasha O’Keith, will presumably stay in the United States, but three of Cal’s best are from other countries, and two are due to graduate. Guard Nihan Anaz plans to return to her native Turkey, where she is on the roster to play for the Turkish National team. Basketball in Turkey? NBA player Hidavet Turkogla told a reporter, “you should see the young players in Turkey! They are amazing.” -more-


Napoleon Meets His Match in G.B. Shaw’s ‘Man of Destiny’

By BETSY HUNTON Special to the Planet
Friday February 20, 2004

George Bernard Shaw was a very smart man. -more-


Spring Peas Provide a Versatile Addition to the Dinner Table

By SHIRLEY BARKER Special to the Planet
Friday February 20, 2004

Peas can be grown twice a year in Berkeley: in early spring and early fall. Seed germinates rapidly when conditions are right, sown either in six-packs or directly into the ground. It is best to pre-soak seed overnight, and sow in moderately damp, not soggy soil. It is crucial to refrain from watering until leaves appear, or seed will rot. Nurseries carry every conceivable variety of pea plants, too, and these will transplant easily and thrive. Just remember to loosen the roots gently before dropping them into holes four inches apart. Now is the time to water, regularly. Peas fix nitrogen from the air with adapted roots. Water is all they need for growth. -more-


Garden Pea Puree

Friday February 20, 2004

Soak peas overnight if dry. If they are still green, cook immediately or soak for a few hours. Simmer or pressure cook as little water as possible, adding peeled garlic and a couple of cloves. When the peas are soft, remove the cloves and blend the peas, adding salt sparingly. Stir in finely-chopped mint before serving piping hot. A ham steak or a thick slice of pate de campagne make fine accompaniments, as do crusty bread and cheese, or a green salad.› -more-


Straighten Up and Sell Right

By HEATHER SITTIG Special to the Planet
Friday February 20, 2004

If you are thinking of selling your home, there is no time like the present. Buyers are swarming Berkeley listings. Interest rates are still alluringly low, allowing buyers to offer more than they would otherwise be able to afford. -more-


Election Section

Court Rejects Voting Security Lawsuit

By JAKOB SCHILLER
Friday February 20, 2004

On Wednesday a California Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Berkeley attorney that aimed to increase security measures on electronic voting systems before the March 2 primary. -more-


Editorial

Editorial: Dean Led the Way

Friday February 20, 2004

“MILWAUKEE, Feb. 18 — Howard Dean ended his bid for the presidency on Wednesday, leaving John Kerry and John Edwards battling over free trade and jobs as the Democratic presidential contest veered into a more combative two-man struggle.” -more-


Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

Editorial: Dean Led the Way 02-20-2004

Editorial: Marriage: Good for Spouses, Kids and Community 02-17-2004

News

Mayor Seals Victory For New Sprint Antennas By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 02-20-2004

Berkeley This Week 02-20-2004

Arts Calendar 02-20-2004

BUSD Kills Program For Teen Mothers By MATTHEW ARTZ 02-20-2004

UC Bars Student Governments From State Political Campaigns By MATTHEW ARTZ 02-20-2004

The University of California has drafted a policy explicitly forbidding student governments from lobbying on state ballot initiatives, setting the university on a collision course with UC Berkeley student government leaders. In a second revised draft o By JAKOB SCHILLER 02-20-2004

Hotel Task Force Moves Forward Despite Controversy By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 02-20-2004

Suspended Claremont Workers Reinstated Jakob Schiller 02-20-2004

Court Rejects Vehicle License Fee Lawsuit —Matthew Artz 02-20-2004

Police Blotter By MATTHEW ARTZ 02-20-2004

From Sheep to Socks: A Knitter’s Paradise in Oakland By ANNE WAGLEY 02-20-2004

UnderCurrents: Tyranny Seen in the Oakland School Takeover J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 02-20-2004

ABAG Loans: Boon or Boondoggle? 02-20-2004

Daily Planet Response 02-20-2004

Letters to the Editor 02-20-2004

UC Women’s Basketball Team Bristling with Foreign Talent By ALTA GERREY Special to the Planet 02-20-2004

Napoleon Meets His Match in G.B. Shaw’s ‘Man of Destiny’ By BETSY HUNTON Special to the Planet 02-20-2004

Spring Peas Provide a Versatile Addition to the Dinner Table By SHIRLEY BARKER Special to the Planet 02-20-2004

Garden Pea Puree 02-20-2004

Straighten Up and Sell Right By HEATHER SITTIG Special to the Planet 02-20-2004

Court Rejects Voting Security Lawsuit By JAKOB SCHILLER 02-20-2004

City Attorney Advises Zoning Changes For University’s Benefit By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 02-17-2004

Berkeley This Week Staff 02-17-2004

Arts Calendar 02-17-2004

City Attorney Memo 02-17-2004

Vista College Faces More Hard Times By MATTHEW ARTZ 02-17-2004

Fired Berkeley Bowl Worker Vindicated, Gets Unemployment By JAKOB SCHILLER 02-17-2004

Zoning, Development Top Council Agenda By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 02-17-2004

City Manager Proposes $3.8 Million Tax Hike To Close Budget Gap By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 02-17-2004

Kerry Photo Altered, Used for Political Attack By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 02-17-2004

Women Call for Equal Representation in Iraq By ASHRAF KHALIL Featurewell 02-17-2004

Three Claremont Employees Suspended After Union Rally By JAKOB SCHILLER 02-17-2004

From Susan Parker: Anger and Alcohol Relieve ICU Stress 02-17-2004

Reports From the UC Hotel Site Tour 02-17-2004

AC Transit’s Redundant Bus Plan By MICHAEL KATZ 02-17-2004

Letters to the Editor 02-17-2004

Cops Just Want To Have Dogs By CAROL DENNEY 02-17-2004

Saving the Cerrito Theater: A Lazy Man’s Tale of Historic Preservation By Dave Weinstein Special to the Planet 02-17-2004

Remembering Some Great Times Back in the Day By Jakob Schiller 02-17-2004

Police Blotter By MATTHEW ARTZ 02-17-2004

Black Oystercatchers Colonizing San Francisco Bay By JOE EATON Special to the Planet 02-17-2004