Opinion

Editorials

A Miracle Reborn at the Freight and Salvage By GAR SMITH

Friday December 24, 2004

Last December, songwriter John McCutcheon (the man the Oakland Tribune calls “the Bruce Springsteen of folk music”) slowly approached a microphone at Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage and announced a special song. Those who knew the song grew silent. Those who heard it for the first time were soon nodding their heads in quiet affirmation. Some wept. -more-


Seasonal Cheer at the Berkeley Flea By BECKY O'MALLEY

Editorial
Tuesday December 21, 2004

Right about now things are starting to slow down a bit for some people (especially public employees who are taking advantage of optional holiday days off) and speed up for others (Santa Claus and the harried folks who help him out, especially mothers and fathers who have jobs they can’t escape even during the holidays). Last weekend was the countdown weekend for busy people who like to give gifts but don’t have much time to shop. And it was also the only pre-Christmas weekend for parties and such, given that the holidays are on Saturdays this year. There are those, of course, who pride themselves on using the solstice period as an opportunity to demonstrate that they can even be self-absorbed in the midst of the frenetic efforts to connect that motivate others at this time of year. While those about them are wrapping presents and singing carols, such people are taking long solitary walks on the beach. -more-


Public Comment

Promoting Children’s Rights in Uzbekistan By DIANA CABCABIN

Friday December 24, 2004

As a program officer with UNICEF Uzbekistan, I contributed to UNICEF’s work on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I was responsible for developing a child protection program that encompassed disabled children, the issue of education, juvenile justice, youth development, and disaster preparedness. -more-


AMTRAK in the Spring By MAYA ELMER

Friday December 24, 2004

When the winds blow from the south, when my bedroom curtains billow inward over the open window, I hear the train whistles bouncing their way east from the bay shores, from way down below in the flatlands of Berkeley. I hear the whistles of Thomas Wolfe’s train in You Can’t Go Home Again. I see him looking out his window in the dark of night, I see myself looking out at the prairies and watching the lights of the farmers’ houses flash by. -more-


Aviary Ambassadors of Attitude By B(CYBERSPOOK) BURKE

Friday December 24, 2004

I live near strawberry creek and one of my favorite events is the daily comedy show put on by the resident crows that descend upon the giant eucalyptus and evergreens there. As I sat lazily watching them from my office recently land on branches one at a time at first, then almost on top of each other, yelling, and provoking each other I couldn’t help but recognize the correlation between those aviary ambassadors of attitude and the human variety of black suits. -more-


This Heart Needs a Home By PATRICIA LESLIE

Friday December 24, 2004

Kokoro’s name means “heart,” and indeed her loving heart is continually opening and unfolding like a lotus blossom. But she has not been easy to place in the perfect “forever” home. She needs someone to be her patient “pack leader,” cherishing her courageous heart and soul, taking joy in her high spirits, respecting her sensitive emotional nature, and delighting in helping her reach her full potential. -more-


Cunning Linguist Dubya to Give Inaugrowl Address in Tougues By ARMIN A. LEGDON

Friday December 24, 2004

A most millennial and controversial gift of the holiday season was a software called Glossolalia. And some say it may also explain the bulge in Dubya’s back in that second debate. -more-


The Furry Ghost of Christmas Present By IRENE SARDANIS

Friday December 24, 2004

There’s a ghost in my house. It’s not the Ebenezer Scrooge or Bela Lugosi scary type; it’s my cat, Zeke. He died last Christmas when he thought he could outrun a car up on Sunnyhills Road. -more-


Walking Through Time By MARTHA E. BOSWORTH

Friday December 24, 2004

I walk old trails this morning, bittersweet -more-


Mottles By HAL BOSWORTH

Friday December 24, 2004

Gentle waif, stalker of the urban jungle— -more-


Arts Calendar

Friday December 24, 2004

FRIDAY, DEC. 24 -more-


Berkeley This Week

Friday December 24, 2004

FRIDAY, DEC. 24 -more-