News

Mayor Set to Tackle City’s ‘Ex Parte’ Rule

By MATTHEW ARTZ
Tuesday April 06, 2004
Mayor Tom Bates has taken the first step in implementing the “most pressing” recommendation of his Task Force on Permits and Development—amending Berkeley’s obscure “ex parte” communications rule. The rule, adopted by the City Council in 1985 and strictly interpreted by City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque, places restrictions on communications with city councilmembers on pending construction developments. Presently, it bans all but written communication outside of a public hearing with councilmembers who are presently deciding—or might possibly decide in the future—on an application or appeal on a pending city development project. -more-

BHS Jazz Band Wins Monterey

By JAKOB SCHILLER
Tuesday April 06, 2004
For the second year in a row, the Berkeley High Jazz Band came away as winners of the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Annual National High School Jazz Competition. The event, held last weekend in Monterey, is the premier jazz band competition nation-wide and featured jazz band from across the country. -more-

Good News for Berkeley Renters: Rates Are Falling

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Tuesday April 06, 2004
The stumbling economy has brought good news to Berkeley apartment dwellers. Although hard numbers are difficult to find, it appears that rental rates are dropping in the city at the same time home prices have been tracking upward. -more-

Staff
Tuesday April 06, 2004
Jakob Schiller

Berkeley This Week

Tuesday April 06, 2004
TUESDAY, APRIL 6 -more-

Berkeley Rides the Cutting Edge of Bio-Diesel

By JAKOB SCHILLER
Tuesday April 06, 2004

Toshiba Proposes Alaskan ‘Micro-Nuke’ Plant

By ERIC MACK Pacific News Service
Tuesday April 06, 2004

Bat Mitzvah and Hunters Point Party Show Common Spirit of Love for Kids

From Susan Parker
Tuesday April 06, 2004

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday April 06, 2004

Bullying Article Was a One-Sided Attack on MLK Middle School

Tuesday April 06, 2004

Now You See Art, Now You Don’t

By CAROL DENNEY
Tuesday April 06, 2004

Area’s Inventive Spirit Highlights Libby Labs

By ZELDA BRONSTEIN Special to the Planet
Tuesday April 06, 2004

Local Watering Hole Celebrates Forty Years

By JAKOB SCHILLER
Tuesday April 06, 2004

Arts Calendar

Tuesday April 06, 2004

Rabbits: From the Ohlone to the Easter Bunny

By JOE EATON Special to the Planet
Tuesday April 06, 2004

Montery Jazz Festival Director Charles Hamilton (center) and BHS Jazz Band members celebrate their victory.?
Montery Jazz Festival Director Charles Hamilton (center) and BHS Jazz Band members celebrate their victory.?

Editorials

Editorial: Stopping Bullies In the Schoolyard

Becky O'Malley
Tuesday April 06, 2004
No other article in the Daily Planet has produced as much response from readers as our recent article on a child who experiences bullying in a Berkeley public school. Many of the letters were heartfelt reminiscences about the writer’s own childhood struggles with bullies, or were from parents whose children have been bullied. Our piece was written primarily from the perspective of the victim and her anguished parents. Today’s commentary page includes a letter from a Berkeley Unified School District teacher and administrator who is trying to work on ways to solve on-going problems. -more-

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