While Berkeley’s office vacancy rate is the lowest in the East Bay, the city is not so fortunate when it comes to retail space—those street-level locations so prized by merchandisers and restaurants. -more-

For students at Thousand Oaks Elementary School, the only thing worse than losing a game at recess was losing their ball in the polluted Blackberry Creek that runs through their schoolyard. -more-

While Berkeley Police are offering few details about the in-custody death of 45-year-old Tyrone Hughes Sr., the dead man’s son is talking lawsuit, and he’s already arranged for a private autopsy. -more-

FRIDAY, APRIL 2 -more-

Pedestrian tunnels, daylighted creeks, “green” construction, mass transit, a field trip to San Luis Obispo, street musicians, bus fumes and funding issues dominated the discussion last Wednesday night at the Planning Commission’s UC Hotel Task Force presentation. -more-

Kellie East-Bratt -more-

After 16 years, four aborted attempts to win city approval and $600,000 lost, the design of UC Berkeley’s proposed Foothill Bridge across Hearst Avenue has changed dramatically—but not the opposition from neighbors. -more-

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Ongoing stings aimed at Berkeley liquor stores selling booze to teenagers have left the state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) District Administrator Everest Robillard “very unhappy.” -more-

Berkeley’s Commission on the Status of Women (COSOW) honored fourteen Outstanding Berkeley Women at a public awards ceremony Wednesday evening at the North Berkeley Senior Center. The honorees were recognized before friends and family for their contributions to the Berkeley community in various fields of interest. -more-

Despite mounting pressure from parents for a November ballot measure that would add millions to the Berkeley Unified School District’s signature parcel tax, Superintendent Michele Lawrence urged community members Wednesday to consider a change in course that could delay the vote until 2005 or beyond. -more-

The Oakland Tribune informs us that the Oakland School For The Arts (which it helpfully identifies as “Mayor Jerry Brown’s performing arts charter school,” so we’ll remember to whom it belongs) is planning on moving out of its present location at the Alice Arts Center and into tents and portables on the parking lots surrounding the Fox Oakland, sometime thereafter to move into the Fox building itself. The proposal is for OSA to pay the city (meaning us) a thousand dollars a month in rent, which is a good deal for them if they can get it, since Oakland brings in considerably more a month for parking revenue for that space. Oakland’s civic leaders, we learn, are willing to make the sacrifice. “Anything we can do to provide additional educational opportunities in Oakland we have to do,” the Tribune quotes Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente. It’s a good sound byte for a man who would be Oakland’s mayor, if we’d let him, and Don Perata don’t run. But as in all such cases, context—and a little history lesson—is all important. -more-

CRYING ‘WOLF’ -more-

Compiled for Councilmember Dona Spring by Leuren Moret. -more-

I have been reviewing the proposed zoning code amendments to implement the University Avenue Strategic Plan, and I am disappointed that the balance of a citizen written plan promoting redevelopment along one of Berkeley’s most neglected Avenues has been lost and instead the Planning Commission is being presented with a blueprint for a four- and five-story University Avenue. This plan will burden Berkeley with a distorted development pattern of over-size buildings with little hope of realizing the avenue’s retail potential and severe and unmitigated privacy, shadowing, and traffic impacts to the residential streets that adjoin the avenue. The zoning code amendments that staff are proposing do a disservice to the entire planning process, they consistently ignore the purpose and the goals of the UASP plan, they emasculate and/or ignore the plan’s protections for the existing business and residential neighbors, and they open areas of ambiguity that will be fought over in the planning process and the courts for years to come. -more-

University Avenue is the main gateway to Berkeley and its appearance and function set the tone for our city. Currently, the avenue lacks the intensity of retail and pedestrian activities that characterize a vital urban street and support use of public transportation. This under-development creates an opportunity to build new housing, which will help provide housing for people who work here, revitalize existing commercial areas, and provide customers for new retail that can serve all Berkeleyans as well as our visitors. -more-

TAKE A STAND -more-

With the violence in the Middle East, the slumping economy, the controversy over gay marriage, and a do-or-die election quickly approaching, the Jewish holiday of Passover is especially meaningful for many this year. -more-

The sound of heaven is voices raised in song. With approximately 220 voices, Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra (BCCO) offers the East Bay community heaven on earth. Founded by Eugene Jones in 1966 as a Berkeley Adult Education Program class, BCCO offers all comers, without audition or judgment, the opportunity to rediscover the celestial song inside, despite any deficit in training or talent. -more-

Comparing loans is often the most difficult part of mortgage shopping. It is important to keep in mind that mortgage packages consist of more than interest rates. They consist of a variety of factors, including when and how the interest rate may change, points, and other fees. -more-

FRIDAY, APRIL 2 -more-

This may be the most exquisite weekend of the year to explore the rolling hills and small, funky, and beautiful little towns of western Marin and Sonoma counties. The grass is still green, the leaves on the trees are brightly new and clean, lambs are popping, and the fish are jumping in Bodega Bay. -more-