The Week

Christopher Krohn
          Medea Benjamin was ousted from the Democratic National Convention for protesting the Iraq war during Teresa Heinz Kerry’s Wednesday night speech.?
Christopher Krohn Medea Benjamin was ousted from the Democratic National Convention for protesting the Iraq war during Teresa Heinz Kerry’s Wednesday night speech.?
 

News

No Room For Bay Area Activist In Democratic Party’s Big Tent

By CHRISTOPHER KROHN Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

BOSTON—Global Exchange executive director and Code Pink activist Medea Benjamin was forcibly removed from the floor of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) Tuesday night after unfurling a “Code Pink, End the Occupation of Iraq” banner right within several feet of the 502-member California delegation. In the end, it took three Boston police officers and eight plain-clothes security people to remove Benjamin. Three reporters with notebooks and a television camera were near her when the incident occurred a few minutes after 10 p.m. Tuesday. -more-


Dispute Heats Up Between KPFA Board and Staff

By JAKOB SCHILLER
Friday July 30, 2004

Only months after electing a new Local Station Board, Berkeley’s KPFA radio station is again facing heated internal debate reminiscent of that which consumed the station back in 1999. -more-


UC Sued Over Albany Village Development

By ZELDA BRONSTEIN Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

On Thursday morning the Committee for Affordable Student Family Housing (CASFH) filed suit against the University of California in Alameda County Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges that the university has acted illegally by approving plans that call for the demolition of 564 units of student family housing in Albany Village without having considered the environmental impacts that will result from the displacement of low-income residents. -more-


Neighbors Share Concerns at Police ‘Murder Meeting’

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Friday July 30, 2004

Nearly 50 anxious South Berkeley residents crowded into a room at the Young Adult Project on Oregon Street Tuesday night to hear a police update on the city’s first murder of the year and share their concerns with police, city officials and each other. -more-


Commission Passes University Avenue Zoning Amendments

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Friday July 30, 2004

Eight years in the making, the Zoning Ordinance amendments which implement the University Avenue Strategic Plan sailed through their penultimate hurdle Wednesday night when the Berkeley Planning Commission voted 6-1 to approve a draft and send it on to the City Council. -more-


Local Residents Remember Port Chicago Mutiny

By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR
Friday July 30, 2004

Sixty years ago, at 10:18 on the night of July 17, 1944, a massive munitions explosion rocked the wartime naval loading dock at Port Chicago, on Suisun Bay just north of Martinez. The blast was felt throughout the Bay Area, shaking the ground like an earthquake in cities like Berkeley and Oakland. -more-


Oakland Girl Stars at Democratic Convention

Christopher Krohn
Friday July 30, 2004

Rockridge resident Ilana Wexler, 12, the founder of Kids for Kerry, gave a rousing prime time speech Tuesday at the Democratic National Convention. Her website, www.kidsforkerry.org, is for “anyone who wants to learn and discuss issues important to kids.”” -more-


Filmmaker Michael Moore Draws Big Crowds in Boston

By CHRISTOPHER KROHN Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

BOSTON—He holds no elected office. He is not a party official nor is he even a delegate, but filmmaker Michael Moore is as hot here in Boston as only an east coast searing summer day can be. How hot? In the first two days of this convention he arguably competes with traditional Democratic all-stars Bill and Hillary Clinton and Illinois Senate candidate and rising Democratic star, Barak Obama, for most attention garnered by a single individual at this 2004 Democratic National Convention. -more-


An Interview with Barbara Lee: A Woman on a Mission

By CHRISTOPHER KROHN Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

The Democratic National Convention is much more than just who becomes the presidential and vice-presidential candidates. Almost 5,000 Democratic Party delegates descended upon Boston for a week of conventioneering, yes, but there were also seminars on organizing, forums on getting out the vote, seemingly endless discussions on best strategies to follow in order to beat Bush, regional and national dialogues on potentially divisive issues, and information sharing—all part of this convention scene. At such gatherings political junkies got together and hashed out differences, drink to similarities, and re-focus and re-energize for the 93 days between the end of this convention and Election Day. It was at just such a gathering that the Daily Planet caught up with 9th District Congressional Representative Barbara Lee. -more-


Searching for the Democrats: New Faces of 2004

By BOB BURNETT Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

This is the second of three articles questioning whether the 2004 Democratic Party stands as a real alternative to the Bush regime. In the first column I looked at the current party platform—its words; here I examine the party as it is revealed in its voice—the new Democratic faces of 2004. -more-


‘The Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party’

By CHRISTOPHER KROHN Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

If Paul Wellstone were alive today he might say that Wednesday night was the night of the ‘democratic wing of the Democratic Party.’ Rev. Jesse Jackson, presidential candidate and U.S. Representative Dennis Kucinich, and presidential candidate Rev. Al Sharpton all still cling to the progressive values of the Democratic Party: a party, they say, that is pro-labor, pro-women, pro-minorities, pro-jobs, pro-environment, pro-education, and pro-civil rights. All spoke within the same 90-minute period during prime time Wednesday night between 7:15 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. -more-


Timely Alarm Limits Arson Damage

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Friday July 30, 2004

The timely screech of a neighbor’s smoke alarm early Thursday morning saved the vacant house at 1720 Vine St. from major damage, said Deputy Fire Marshal Wayne Inouye of the Berkeley Fire Department. -more-


July 16, 1944

By BETTY REID SOSKIN Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

It was another of those extraordinary ordinary evenings in a time in history when change governed everything and when lifetimes were measured in hours and sometimes minutes. This was war time and we were caught up in the rhythm of it. We were the twenty-somethings living in the uncertainty of the times. -more-


Police Blotter

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Friday July 30, 2004

Police Warn Shattuck Purse Toters -more-


Letters to the Editor

Friday July 30, 2004

SOVEREIGNTY -more-


REAL ESTATE BUBBLE

Friday July 30, 2004

Women’s Groups Speak on Middle East Conflict

Friday July 30, 2004

As organizations committed to international disarmament and to the rights of all people to live unhindered by oppression, we believe in the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to self-representation and collective sovereignty. We further advocate the following conditions for a just peace: -more-


UnderCurrents: Bro’ Brown Unsticks From the Tarzaghibaby

J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR
Friday July 30, 2004

Me, I always did like those Tricky-the-Rabbit tales, which originated in African villages in the Anansi Spider stories and then grew ears and fur as they made the Middle Passage and settled themselves around the fires in the slavery-time cabins. In these stories, the smallest creature in the field or forest uses his cunning to outwit his enemies and connive his way out of impossible jams. Bro’ Rabbit getting out of the boiling pot by convincing Bro’ Fox and Bro’ Bear to throw him into the thornbriars. The Signifying Monkey escaping Cousin Lion’s teeth by goading the lion into a fight with Cousin Elephant. You might remember them from the Joel Chandler Harris or Walt Disney versions. Anyway, I guess I was partial to these stories because I was always the smallest kid on the block. -more-


Music Library Opens Its Doors

By JANOS GEREBEN Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

Up to 1,000 Sicilian opera libretti! That’s just one category of surprises in the “Case X” inner sanctum of UC Berkeley’s new Jean Gray Hargrove Music Library. How can there be so many operas from Sicily? John H. Roberts has a simple answer: “Naples, in the old days.” Aha! -more-


Mozart Festival Promises Intimate Treat

By IRA STEINGROOT Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

As if being music director of the San Jose Symphony for two decades were not enough, world-renowned conductor George Wolfgang Cleve decided to found the San Francisco Bay Area’s Midsummer Mozart Festival back in 1975. Every summer since then, Cleve has regaled Mozart fans with exquisite performances that range from old warhorses like the late symphonies to more obscure works like the German dances or the chamber works for basset horns. This year promises to be equally rewarding and surprising. -more-


Central Works Bares Shakespeare Controversy

By BETSY M. HUNTON Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

All right, so it’s a specialized subject, but it’s presented in so delightful a way and the acting is so terrific, that you ought to be able to generate much more interest in Central Works’ production of The Mysterious Mr. Looney (at the Berkeley City Club) than you may at first anticipate. -more-


More Than Your Money’s Worth at Zion National Park

By MARTA YAMAMOTO Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

WANTED: Vacation destination within the U.S. with spectacular scenery and a recreational source of water; activity-oriented and informative; suitable for singles, couples, groups, families; driver friendly; meet new people; low cost. -more-


Patrons Can Now See Multimedia Show Without Guilt

By JAKOB SCHILLER
Friday July 30, 2004

For those who love horses but won’t cross a picket line there is no need to worry. After a rough start, Cavalia, the horse and multimedia extravaganza, and the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) signed a contract late Monday night that resolved a heated labor dispute, shutting shut down the picket line that surrounded the production’s tent. -more-


Point Reyes Provides a True Coastal Adventure

By MARTA YAMAMOTO Special to the Planet
Friday July 30, 2004

Does your soul yearn for the Scottish Highlands? Or perhaps to walk the wind-swept moors, or along rugged coastal trails, expansive sky above and endless ocean at your side? If these pictures are not in your immediate future, a more than satisfactory substitute is just an hour away—the Point of Kings. -more-


Excursions Calendar

Friday July 30, 2004

JULY 31-AUGUST 1 -more-


Arts Calendar

Friday July 30, 2004

FRIDAY, JULY 30 -more-


Berkeley This Week

Friday July 30, 2004

FRIDAY, JULY 30 -more-


30th Annual Midsummer Mozart Festival

Friday July 30, 2004

Program One -more-


Boston’s Low Protest Turnout Reveals Left’s Hunger for ‘Anybody But Bush’

By CHRISTOPHER KROHN Special to the Planet
Tuesday July 27, 2004

BOSTON — Was it the Boston Common or the Boston Morgue this past Sunday? Only about 1,500 protesters showed up at what was to be the marquee protest event during this Democratic National Convention (DNC). The absence of many protesters at the march may be the greatest indication yet that the American left, if not embracing John Kerry for President, simply does not want to get into any political food fights this year and possibly end up with another four years of George W. Bush. -more-


Union Locals Challenge Production’s Use of Non-Union Work Force

By JAKOB SCHILLER
Tuesday July 27, 2004

Although sure to entertain, Berkeley’s upcoming Cavalia multimedia horse show has some union members pointing to the drudgery behind the dazzle. -more-


Retired Official’s Memories Support Baptist Seminary Neighbors’ Claims

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Tuesday July 27, 2004

As the long-running dispute between the American Baptist Seminary of the West and its neighbors threatens to boil over once again, the city Planning Department sought advice from Robert Humphrey, a long-retired city zoning officer. -more-


Berkeley Judge Shakes Up Prison Guards, Governor

By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR
Tuesday July 27, 2004

The first public official to pose a serious public challenge to Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger lives—where else?—in the City of Berkeley. -more-


Democrats Losing Majority Among Bay Area Voters

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Tuesday July 27, 2004

The newest addition to the Berkeley political scene, the non-partisan, non-profit Bay Area Center for Voting Research, warns that the Democratic Party is within a hair’s breadth of losing its majority hold on Bay Area voters. -more-


Police Blotter

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Tuesday July 27, 2004

Bullet Holes Discovered, Twice -more-


Fire Department Log

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Tuesday July 27, 2004

Charcoal Ashes Ignite Deck -more-


Middle-Aged Women Enjoy A Night Out With Pinter and Martinis

From Susan Parker
Tuesday July 27, 2004

At Scrabble last week Rose was telling us about the play she had just seen, Betrayal by Harold Pinter. “It was terrific. I highly recommend it. In fact, I went to see it twice.” -more-


Letters to the Editor

Tuesday July 27, 2004

ACTORS ENSEMBLE -more-


Readers Continue Middle East Dialogue

Tuesday July 27, 2004

NO CLUE -more-


Searching For The Democrats

By BOB BURNETT
Tuesday July 27, 2004

Many readers will ask why anyone in their right mind would go to either the Democratic or Republican convention, why I would willingly submit to endless queues for security checks, only to spend even more hours enduring formulaic political harangues. The answer is that I’m here because at age 63, after forty plus years of voting for Democratic candidates, I still nourish the hope that my party will emerge as the DEMOCRATS—as the unmistakable champions of human dignity, peace and justice, and saving the planet. From my experience at the 2000 convention, held in Los Angles, I know that I will not be alone in nurturing these hopes, that for every professional politician, lobbyist, or celebrity groupie, there will be several participants that want to take back our country, who continue to believe that America can be a beacon of democracy. -more-


Commentary: Cooperation, not Conflict? In Berkeley?

By SHARON HUDSON Special to the Planet
Tuesday July 27, 2004

In this era of university expansion and controversies over damaging encroachments on residential neighborhoods, Berkeleyans might look to how the current illegal use of the campus of the American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW) will be resolved to see how Berkeley will protect its neighborhoods. On July 12, the City of Berkeley’s legal and planning staff declared the ABSW to be clearly in violation of both “the intent [and] the letter of [its] existing use permit,” which is solely to educate up to 250 graduate ministry students. The University of California is the other major participant in this violation, which is surely not in keeping with UC’s stated intent to respect municipal codes and enhance community livability. -more-


James Carter Joins Django Reinhardt Project at Yoshi’s

By IRA STEINGROOT Special to the Planet
Tuesday July 27, 2004

When I first heard James Carter, then 26 years old, at the old Yoshi’s on Claremont in 1995, it felt like what I imagine it would have been like to hear Charlie Parker in 1945 or Ornette Coleman in 1960. I was too young to have experienced the halcyon days of bop or free jazz and did not start listening consciously to jazz until 1962, but I did see Roland Kirk in 1965, Archie Shepp in 1966 and John Coltrane in 1967. Carter had that same kind of energy, as if you were present at the birth of something new and exciting, something that could make you begin all over again. My notes from that first Bay Area appearance by Carter include these words: beautiful, remarkable, phenomenal freedom, weird, experimental, totally accessible, unending stream of ideas, incredible, passionate. This was heady stuff. -more-


Books: EBMUD Advises on Bay Area Water-Wise Gardening

By SHIRLEY BARKERSpecial to the Planet
Tuesday July 27, 2004

There is a commodity in life that is more precious than gold, and that is water. In the Golden State of California water is more than precious, it is endangered, because we have but two seasons, wet and dry, and in some years the wet season is a dry one too. -more-


Avenue Books Reborn as Mrs. Dalloway’s

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Tuesday July 27, 2004

When Avenue Books, long a favorite on College Avenue in Elmwood, fell victim to the post-9/11 economic crunch, neighbors mourned the loss. -more-


Bookstores Can’t KeepGripping 9/11 Report On the Shelves

By CAROL POLSGROVESpecial to the Planet
Tuesday July 27, 2004

The number one seller on Amazon.com, The 9/11 Commission Report, is flying off the bookstore shelves across the country. A bookstore in my little Indiana town sold out its first 100 copies in two days. Barnes and Noble on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley is out, too. -more-


Pocket Bird Guide Informs Sierra Hikers

By JOE EATON Special to the Planet
Tuesday July 27, 2004

It’s my firm conviction that you can’t have too many field guides. They’re indispensable to anyone who’s intrigued by the names and relationships of living things: birds, trees, dragonflies, mushrooms, whatever. Although you can find guides for almost every group of organisms (with some gaps; I know a park ranger who was so frustrated by the absence of a guide to freshwater invertebrates that she wrote and published her own), the bird books far outnumber the rest. -more-


Handy and Inexpensive, Guidebook Helps ID Common Western Trees

By RON SULLIVAN Special to the Planet
Tuesday July 27, 2004

The National Arbor Day Foundation has issued a pocket-sized booklet titled What Tree Is That? that’s worth the modest investment if you order in bulk—$3 for one, $25.25 for 35, $189.00 for 270, plus $4.95 for shipping and handling of any quantity. It calls itself a guide to the more common trees found in the western United States, from the Rockies to the Pacific shore. It’s one of those dichotomous keys—“If A, go to 13BS”—that drive me nuts to use but are useful for things that sit still for examination. -more-


Arts Calendar

Tuesday July 27, 2004

TUESDAY, JULY 27 -more-


Swifts Hold Screaming Parties, Suffer Silent Dreads

By JOE EATON Special to the Planet
Tuesday July 27, 2004

You can hear it over the traffic on Shattuck Avenue: a high-pitched chittering, coming from somewhere overhead. Looking up, you may be able to spot a couple of small, torpedo-shaped black-and-white birds with an elegant Art Deco look, looping through the air above the downtown buildings. They’re white-throated swifts, foraging the urban canyons for airborne insects. -more-


Berkeley This Week

Tuesday July 27, 2004

TUESDAY, JULY 27 -more-


Opinion

Editorials

Editorial: New Ways to Spread the News

Becky O’Malley
Friday July 30, 2004

In olden times King Midas of Phrygia made the mistake of preferring the music made by the god Pan, playing reed pipes, to that of Apollo on the lyre. Big mistake. Apollo changed Midas’s ears to those of an ass (a comment on his taste, no doubt), so the king was forced to wear his hat pulled down over his ears, and no one knew except his barber, who was sworn to secrecy. After a while the secret got to be too much for the barber, so he went down to the river and whispered it into a hole in the bank to relieve himself. But reeds grew on the spot where the barber had deposited his secret, and as the wind blew through them they whispered the secret again and again: Midas has ass’s ears, Midas has ass’s ears, Midas has ass’s ears. -more-


Kucinich Can’t Stop Campaigning, Launches Progressive Dems of America

By CHRISTOPHER KROHN Special to the Planet
Tuesday July 27, 2004

BOSTON — The air inside St. Paul’s Church next to Boston Common was sultry on Monday, laden with east coast humidity and heat from national progressive politics. United States Rep. Dennis Kucinich from Ohio and several featured speakers including Reverend Jesse Jackson, James Zogby, President of the Arab-American Institute, Margaret Prescod of Pacifica’s KPFK and co-coordinator of the Global Women’s Strike and actors Mimi Kennedy and James Cromwell kicked off four days of political dialogue. -more-