Jakob Schiller 
              
              Mike Brown, left, and Alvin Bledsoe kid around as the Drop In Center gets ready to close for the afternoon on Thursday. J
Jakob Schiller Mike Brown, left, and Alvin Bledsoe kid around as the Drop In Center gets ready to close for the afternoon on Thursday. J

Page One

Candidates Debate Center’s Future: By MATTHEW ARTZ

By MATTHEW ARTZ
Friday October 15, 2004

For three straight weeks in June a group of mental health patients pleaded with the City Council to save the beleaguered center where they spend their days. -more-



Incumbents Face Stiff Challenge In School Board Race: By J. DOUGLAS ALLAN-TAYLOR

J. DOUGLAS ALLAN-TAYLOR
Friday October 15, 2004

One of the most closely-contested local election races next month is expected to be in the Berkeley Unified School District, where three challengers are opposing incumbent board members Joaquín Rivera and John Selawsky. -more-



Looking For a Flu Shot This Season? Get Out of Town:By MATTHEW ARTZ

MATTHEW ARTZ
Friday October 15, 2004

Berkeley residents who don’t want to wait for a flu shot will have to leave city limits to find an available vaccine. -more-



Council Seeks to Tame Growth on University Ave.: By MATTHEW ARTZ

MATTHEW ARTZ
Friday October 15, 2004

The City Council voted Tuesday to shrink the size of new buildings along University Avenue, ending an eight-year fight for clearer zoning guidelines on the city’s major east-west traffic corridor. -more-



Planners Look at Density Bonus, Landmarks Law :By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Friday October 15, 2004

Berkeley Planning Commissioners got their first look Wednesday at new state legislation that increases density bonuses on affordable units in apartment and condominium projects from 20 to 35 percent starting Jan. 1. -more-



Features

UC Workers Plan Protest Over Expired Contracts: By JAKOB SCHILLER

JAKOB SCHILLER
Friday October 15, 2004

University of California service workers from all nine campuses plan to converge at UC Berkeley today (Friday) to protest stalled union contract negotiations with the university. -more-


Police Blotter: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Friday October 15, 2004

CORRECTIONS

Friday October 15, 2004

A page 10 article in the Oct. 12 issue mistakenly reported where Neal Blumenfeld earned his M.D. It was from UCSF, not San Francisco State. -more-


Under the Radar: U.S. to Double Troops In Colombia: By BILL WEINBERG Pacific News Service

By BILL WEINBERG Pacific News Service
Friday October 15, 2004

Colombia makes few headlines in the United States these days. But Washington’s involvement in the Western Hemisphere’s longest, bloodiest war is rapidly escalating, as the world’s attention is elsewhere. The latest signal of increased U.S. embroilment comes just as a vocal civil movement is emerging in Colombia to demand an end to the war. -more-


Smith Charged With Election Law Violation: By MATTHEW ARTZ

By MATTHEW ARTZ
Friday October 15, 2004

A veteran candidate for city council made a rookie mistake last month that has been brought to the attention of the city’s election monitors. -more-


In Maze of Voting Districts Polling Stations Can Vanish: By MATTHEW ARTZ

By MATTHEW ARTZ
Friday October 15, 2004

Editor’s Note: A portion of this article ran in the Oct. 8 issue. It is rerun here in its entirety: -more-


U.S Blocks Phase Out of Lindane in North America

Friday October 15, 2004

Last week, U.S. representatives parted company with Canada and Mexico and announced plans to allow continued use of the pesticide lindane that persists in air and water and has been found at high levels in the Arctic. -more-


The Duty to Fund the General Welfare: By Ann Fagan Ginger

By Ann Fagan Ginger
Friday October 15, 2004

24. To Release Political Prisoners; To Stop Capital Punishment -more-


Applying Theory of Relativity to Oakland’s Murder Rate: J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR
Friday October 15, 2004

It was Albert Einstein who advanced the thought that all comparisons—among other things—are meaningless unless taken in context. Standing on the earth, you look up at the moon across a vast tract of space. Standing on the moon, you look up at the earth, along that same vast tract. Which one is up, which one is down...earth or moon? Depends on your point of view. -more-


Letters to the Editor

Friday October 15, 2004

CREEK CONTROVERSY -more-


Reality Gap Separates Republicans From Democrats: By BOB BURNETT

By BOB BURNETT
Friday October 15, 2004

When you take the time to interview Republican voters, as I did over the past two weeks, you quickly come to the realization that there is more than an ideological divide between the two parties; there are two wildly divergent views of reality. -more-


Berkeley Lags in Creek Plans: By EVA BANSNER

By EVA BANSNER
Friday October 15, 2004

It is obviously long past time to think constructively about what the City should be doing to restore creeks and remove crumbling culverts. But it is obviously wrong to stampede into quick changes to the 15 year old creek ordinance under the cover of the most important national election in our lifetimes. -more-


Manager Supports New Berkeley Taxes: By WELDON RUCKER

By WELDON RUCKER
Friday October 15, 2004

In my years as Berkeley’s City Manager, it was my job to carefully manage the City’s budget. I am proud that our city was able to continue in its history of innovation and excellent service while maintaining a sterling bond rating on Wall Street. -more-


Election Section

Measure CC Taxes Urbanites, Gives Suburbs Free Ride

Friday October 15, 2004

Editors, Daily Planet: -more-


Mentally Ill Need 33: By MICHAEL MARCHANT

By MICHAEL MARCHANT
Friday October 15, 2004

On Nov. 2nd, Californians will have an opportunity to dramatically change the communities in which they live, for better or for worse, by casting a vote on Prop 63. Voting No on Prop 63 will increase the likelihood that some of the most vulnerable and troubled members of our communities continue to flounder in local jails, overcrowded shelters, and in doorways and on park benches, while much of the resources and wealth in our communities remain in the hands of the privileged few. Voting Yes on 63, on the other hand, will help ensure that those who have plenty reach out to those in the greatest need, so that they might be able to access the support and resources they need to get back on their feet. To be specific, Prop 63, also known as the Mental Health Initiative, will guarantee that care is available to the hundreds of thousands of people in California who are disabled by mental illness by initiating a 1 percent tax increase on incomes over $1 million (the first million dollars is not subject to the increase), thereby addressing the problem of economic inequality in our communities while lending a helping hand to those whose most basic needs have been severely neglected by our federal and state governments during the past several decades. -more-


Taxpayers Should Fund Campaigns: By JOHN DENVIR

By JOHN DENVIR
Friday October 15, 2004

Measure H on this November’s ballot provides for publicly funded elections for mayor and other city offices. Everyone seems to favor it in principle, but opponents say that they fear it is just too expensive in these days of fiscal stringency. -more-


Realtor Gordon Predicts Bright Future for Downtown: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

By RICHARD BRENNEMAN
Friday October 15, 2004

John Gordon is downtown Berkeley’s biggest booster. -more-


Woman’s Will Brings Lord of the Flies to 8th St.: By KEN BULLOCK Special to the Planet

By KEN BULLOCK Special to the Planet
Friday October 15, 2004

“I would’ve thought a pack of British boys would’ve put on a better show than this—you are all British boys, aren’t you?” -more-


ReOrient’s Short Plays Explore Middle East: By KEN BULLOCK Special to the Planet

By KEN BULLOCK Special to the Planet
Friday October 15, 2004

ReOrient, in its sixth year of “exploring Middle Eastern culture and identity as represented throughout the globe,” is a festival of short plays staged by Golden Thread Productions that’s opening this weekend at the Ashby Stage after a run at SF’s Noh Space. -more-


Rockin’ In the Free World With Springsteen: By NANCY GRIMLEY CARLETON Special to the Planet

By NANCY GRIMLEY CARLETON Special to the Planet
Friday October 15, 2004

It’s amazing what you can talk yourself into doing based on an email. It was as if MoveOn knew just what sort of a Springsteen fanatic they were dealing with. A concert benefiting America Coming Together (ACT), a 527 that sends volunteers to swing states to get out the vote? Sure! (Well, they had me from “MoveOn members get first crack at Springsteen tickets.”) -more-


Calendar: Berkeley This Week

Friday October 15, 2004

FRIDAY, OCT. 15 -more-


Arts Calendar

Friday October 15, 2004

FRIDAY, OCT. 15 -more-


Finding an Oasis at the Berkeley Art Museum:

By BEA TAMWORTH Special to the Planet
Friday October 15, 2004

In politically disturbed times such as ours, museums can provide welcome distraction. Berkeley Art Museum is located on Bancroft Way across the street from the university campus, a short walk from the city center, making it easy for town as well as gown to refresh themselves therein. -more-


Editorial

Editorial: Checking the Facts and Figures: BECKY O'MALLEY

BECKY O'MALLEY
Friday October 15, 2004

The email this week brought a letter from a 17-year-old young man in Alabama listing all the reasons he’s supporting Kerry, and unselfconsciously confessing that he sent the letter via a form on the Kerry website. We’ve gotten a bunch of these letters lately, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Zack Exley, formerly a strategist with MoveOn.org, is now the Kerry campaign's director of online communications and organizing, and he’s clearly transferred what he learned in the slick MoveOn operation to his new job. As a result, Kerry supporters seem to be easily able to write, at one fell swoop, to hundreds of media outlets around the country to support their man. Some letters, like the one from our Alabama correspondent, are personal and heartfelt, while others have more of a canned flavor. In the interest of saving our printed pages for controversial local issues that don’t get aired anywhere else, we’ve relegated most of these letters to the web version of the paper, but that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate them. Any undecided Planet readers (there must be a few of you out there) should check the website for some excellent arguments. We haven’t gotten many for Bush, though. -more-


Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

Editorial: Checking the Facts and Figures: BECKY O'MALLEY 10-15-2004

Sending a Message to Officialdom:By BECKY O'MALLEY 10-12-2004

News

Candidates Debate Center’s Future: By MATTHEW ARTZ By MATTHEW ARTZ 10-15-2004

Incumbents Face Stiff Challenge In School Board Race: By J. DOUGLAS ALLAN-TAYLOR J. DOUGLAS ALLAN-TAYLOR 10-15-2004

Looking For a Flu Shot This Season? Get Out of Town:By MATTHEW ARTZ MATTHEW ARTZ 10-15-2004

Council Seeks to Tame Growth on University Ave.: By MATTHEW ARTZ MATTHEW ARTZ 10-15-2004

Planners Look at Density Bonus, Landmarks Law :By RICHARD BRENNEMAN RICHARD BRENNEMAN 10-15-2004

UC Workers Plan Protest Over Expired Contracts: By JAKOB SCHILLER JAKOB SCHILLER 10-15-2004

Police Blotter: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 10-15-2004

CORRECTIONS 10-15-2004

Under the Radar: U.S. to Double Troops In Colombia: By BILL WEINBERG Pacific News Service By BILL WEINBERG Pacific News Service 10-15-2004

Smith Charged With Election Law Violation: By MATTHEW ARTZ By MATTHEW ARTZ 10-15-2004

In Maze of Voting Districts Polling Stations Can Vanish: By MATTHEW ARTZ By MATTHEW ARTZ 10-15-2004

U.S Blocks Phase Out of Lindane in North America 10-15-2004

The Duty to Fund the General Welfare: By Ann Fagan Ginger By Ann Fagan Ginger 10-15-2004

Applying Theory of Relativity to Oakland’s Murder Rate: J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 10-15-2004

Letters to the Editor 10-15-2004

Reality Gap Separates Republicans From Democrats: By BOB BURNETT By BOB BURNETT 10-15-2004

Berkeley Lags in Creek Plans: By EVA BANSNER By EVA BANSNER 10-15-2004

Manager Supports New Berkeley Taxes: By WELDON RUCKER By WELDON RUCKER 10-15-2004

Measure CC Taxes Urbanites, Gives Suburbs Free Ride 10-15-2004

Mentally Ill Need 33: By MICHAEL MARCHANT By MICHAEL MARCHANT 10-15-2004

Taxpayers Should Fund Campaigns: By JOHN DENVIR By JOHN DENVIR 10-15-2004

Realtor Gordon Predicts Bright Future for Downtown: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 10-15-2004

Woman’s Will Brings Lord of the Flies to 8th St.: By KEN BULLOCK Special to the Planet By KEN BULLOCK Special to the Planet 10-15-2004

ReOrient’s Short Plays Explore Middle East: By KEN BULLOCK Special to the Planet By KEN BULLOCK Special to the Planet 10-15-2004

Rockin’ In the Free World With Springsteen: By NANCY GRIMLEY CARLETON Special to the Planet By NANCY GRIMLEY CARLETON Special to the Planet 10-15-2004

Calendar: Berkeley This Week 10-15-2004

Arts Calendar 10-15-2004

Finding an Oasis at the Berkeley Art Museum: By BEA TAMWORTH Special to the Planet 10-15-2004

FSM Meets Again at Sproul: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 10-12-2004

University Ave. Plan Tops Council Agenda:By MATTHEW ARTZ 10-12-2004

Measure I Serves Many Agendas: By MATTHEW ARTZ 10-12-2004

Nabolom Bakery Gets Support to Survive Through ‘05:By JAKOB SCHILLER 10-12-2004

BUSD Wins Food Award For Improving Child Health: By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 10-12-2004

Firefighter Union Finally Agrees to Talks With City: By MATTHEW ARTZ 10-12-2004

A Guide to East Bay Counties’ Ballot Measures:By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 10-12-2004

Letters to the Editor 10-12-2004

Election Letters to the Editor 10-12-2004

District 3 City Council Candidate Statements, Max Anderson 10-12-2004

District 3 City Council Candidate Statements, Laura Menard 10-12-2004

The New Trickle Down Economics: By TOM BATES COMMENTARY 10-12-2004

Measure B Provides Much Needed School Funding: By SHIRLEY ISSEL COMMENTARY 10-12-2004

Does the Berkeley Public Library Deserve Another Tax Increase? Probably Not: By DEAN METZGER and DAVID WILSON COMMENTARY 10-12-2004

Psychiatrist’s Encounter With FSM Shaped Life: By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 10-12-2004

Wide Array of Voices at Video and Film Festival: By BRIAN KLUEPFEL Special to the Planet 10-12-2004

The Right to Protect Workers and Unions: By ANN FAGAN GINGER CHALLENGING RIGHTS VIOLATIONS 10-12-2004

Going to Jersey Without an Alligator: By SUSAN PARKER 10-12-2004

Arts Calendar 10-12-2004

Olive Trees, From Ancient Athens to Berkeley: By RON SULLIVAN Special to the Planet 10-12-2004

Berkeley This Week 10-12-2004