Richard Brenneman:
               
              A backhoe loaded up caustic lime at the Campus Bay site in Richmond Wednesday so that the material could be mixed with marsh muck to neutralize the sulfuric acid produced by iron pyrite ash. Site neighbors complained of burning eyes and running noses after clouds of lime and steam burst into the air.
Richard Brenneman: A backhoe loaded up caustic lime at the Campus Bay site in Richmond Wednesday so that the material could be mixed with marsh muck to neutralize the sulfuric acid produced by iron pyrite ash. Site neighbors complained of burning eyes and running noses after clouds of lime and steam burst into the air.

Page One

Controversy Over Development of Toxic Richmond Site Continues Into New Year By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Monday January 03, 2005

To Richmond officials, it looked like a much-needed boost to an ailing city and a major source of new city revenues. -more-



New Landmarks, More Building Battles Marked 2004 By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Monday January 03, 2005

The year just ending added some stellar landmarks to the city’s architectural pantheon, while triggering some feisty showdowns before the Berkeley Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). -more-



Measure R Proponents Contest Vote Recount By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

Monday January 03, 2005

Proponents of Berkeley’s medical marijuana Measure R have filed a state lawsuit contesting the recount of the proposition. -more-



The Bell Tolls for Berkeley Nonprofits By MATTHEW ARTZ

Monday January 03, 2005

In Berkeley, a new year will mean the clock has struck midnight for more than a dozen community agencies dependent on city funds. -more-



Too Many Tax Measures Spells Defeat at the Polls By ROB WRENN

Special to the Planet
Monday January 03, 2005

In November’s election, Berkeley voters decisively rejected four City of Berkeley tax measures, while giving solid support to Measure B, a parcel tax for the schools. -more-



Features

Berkeley’s Best: Nomad Cafe By MICHAEL KATZ

Monday January 03, 2005

Nomad Café -more-


Ohio GOP Election Officials Ducking Subpoenas By BOB FITRAKIS, STEVE ROSENFELD and HARVEY WASSERMAN

The Columbus (Ohio) Free Press
Monday January 03, 2005

Ohio Republican Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell refused to appear at a deposition on Monday, Dec. 27. The deposition was part of an election challenge lawsuit filed at the Ohio Supreme Court. Meanwhile John Kerry is reported to have filed a federal legal action aimed at preserving crucial recount evidence, which has been under GOP assault throughout the state. -more-


Local Activists Back Plan to Challenge Presidential Vote By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

Monday January 03, 2005

Bay Area social and political activists have scheduled two actions in the next few days in support of a pending Jan. 6 Congressional challenge of the Nov. 2 presidential election. -more-


Letters to the Editor

Monday January 03, 2005

MARIN AVENUE -more-



A Longer-Range View of Oakland’s Homicides By J.DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR

UNDERCURRENTS OF THE EAST BAY AND BEYOND
Monday January 03, 2005

Most Oaklanders—crossing racial, ethnic, age, community, and class differences—want a significant end to the murders in their city. Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown—deep in his run for California attorney general in the election two years away—needs for it to appear that Oakland murders are ending. There is, you can guess, a significant difference between the two positions. -more-


In Defense of Oakland School for the Arts By By MARIAN O’BRIEN and KEITH WHITAKER Commentary

Monday January 03, 2005

We are parents of a current Oakland School for the Arts junior. She is a member of the first class to begin the school. Not only will we sign our letter, so as not to be speaking out anonymously, we can provide you with any number of parents you choose, who would like to be interviewed regarding specific information about the benefits their child has received from being at the school, and our hopes for other children who will benefit from the school in the future. -more-


KPFA Board Election Challenge Enters Unclear Territory By CAROL SPOONER Commentary

Monday January 03, 2005

While I share Brian Edwards-Tiekert’s frustration at KPFA’s messed-up elections (“Democracy Derailed at KPFA,” Daily Planet, Dec. 28-30), he has mischaracterized the issue as factional. I believe the real question is: What should the Local Station Board do under Pacifica’s bylaws in the case of an elections challenge to insure that the election is legally certified and the proper winners are legally seated? -more-


Police Blotter By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Monday January 03, 2005

BHS Rat Pack Robbers -more-


Fire Department Log By RICHARD BRENNEMAN

Monday January 03, 2005

Alerted by the smell of burning clothes and plastic, residents of a home at 813 Addison St. called the Berkeley Fire Department after discovered their dryer ablaze. -more-


Arts Calendar

Monday January 03, 2005

FRIDAY, DEC. 31 -more-


Marin Headlands Whispers Stories of Bygone Days By MARTA YAMAMOTO

Special to the Planet
Monday January 03, 2005

High on a bluff in the Marin Headlands, breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean surround me in panoramic splendor. Fog drifts through the Golden Gate, the foghorn sounding its mournful call, and the wind blows through my hair and the trees. I breathe in the sea-scented air as I watch the play of light on the currents below. -more-


Berkeley This Week

Monday January 03, 2005

FRIDAY, DEC. 31 -more-


Editorial

Equal Opportunity Offender By BECKY O'MALLEY Editorial

Monday January 03, 2005

This week we got a voice mail message directed to the “editor-in-chief” from a woman asking us for a public apology for running a “Kwanzaa commentary” that was deeply offensive. She said that we should have known it would be offensive, and that the author “Mr. McGruder” should be fired. I couldn’t remember running any Kwanzaa commentary—for a moment I thought one could have slipped by me in the readers’ contribution issue we published on Christmas Eve. And we don’t have anyone named McGruder working for us. -more-


Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

Equal Opportunity Offender By BECKY O'MALLEY Editorial 01-03-2005

Global Disaster Plan Needed By BECKY O'MALLEY Editorial 12-28-2004

News

Controversy Over Development of Toxic Richmond Site Continues Into New Year By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 01-03-2005

New Landmarks, More Building Battles Marked 2004 By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 01-03-2005

Measure R Proponents Contest Vote Recount By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 01-03-2005

The Bell Tolls for Berkeley Nonprofits By MATTHEW ARTZ 01-03-2005

Too Many Tax Measures Spells Defeat at the Polls By ROB WRENN Special to the Planet 01-03-2005

Berkeley’s Best: Nomad Cafe By MICHAEL KATZ 01-03-2005

Ohio GOP Election Officials Ducking Subpoenas By BOB FITRAKIS, STEVE ROSENFELD and HARVEY WASSERMAN The Columbus (Ohio) Free Press 01-03-2005

Local Activists Back Plan to Challenge Presidential Vote By J. DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR 01-03-2005

Letters to the Editor 01-03-2005

Editorial Cartoons By JUSTIN DEFREITAS 01-03-2005

A Longer-Range View of Oakland’s Homicides By J.DOUGLAS ALLEN-TAYLOR UNDERCURRENTS OF THE EAST BAY AND BEYOND 01-03-2005

In Defense of Oakland School for the Arts By By MARIAN O’BRIEN and KEITH WHITAKER Commentary 01-03-2005

KPFA Board Election Challenge Enters Unclear Territory By CAROL SPOONER Commentary 01-03-2005

Police Blotter By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 01-03-2005

Fire Department Log By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 01-03-2005

Arts Calendar 01-03-2005

Marin Headlands Whispers Stories of Bygone Days By MARTA YAMAMOTO Special to the Planet 01-03-2005

Berkeley This Week 01-03-2005

Berkeley Skating Rink on Thin Ice By MATTHEW ARTZ 12-28-2004

For the East Bay, a Year Of Urban Casino Plans By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 12-28-2004

Major Berkeley Building Projects Dominated the Headlines in 2004 By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 12-28-2004

Looking for Night Life In A City That Likes to Sleep By MATTHEW ARTZ 12-28-2004

Looking Back on Cal Football’s Golden Season By STEVEN FINACOM Special to the Planet 12-28-2004

Thousand Oaks Strives to Make a Home for All Students By ARWEN CURRY Special to the Planet 12-28-2004

Local Supermarket Workers Keep Close Eye on Sacramento Agreement By JAKOB SCHILLER 12-28-2004

Letters to the Editor 12-28-2004

Editorial Cartoons By JUSTIN DEFREITAS 12-28-2004

At Christmas Dinner, a Baby Gives A Sense of Hope for the World By SUSAN PARKER Column 12-28-2004

Campaign 2008: Democrats Must Work Smart By BOB BURNETT News Analysis 12-28-2004

Police Blotter By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 12-28-2004

Democracy Derailed On KPFA Board By BRIAN EDWARDS-TIEKERT Commentary 12-28-2004

First of its Kind Egyptian Protest Signals Hope For Democracy By SHADI HAMID Commentary Pacific News Service 12-28-2004

Winter in California By STEVE KOPPMAN Commentary 12-28-2004

S.F. Chamber Orchestra Rings in the New Year With a Free Concert By IRA STEINGROOT Special to the Planet 12-28-2004

Fractal Video Adds Berkeley Touch to Unique Works for Unique Artists By RICHARD BRENNEMAN 12-28-2004

Beauty, Truth and Bibliomania By JUSTICE PUTNAM Special to the Planet 12-28-2004

Arts Calendar 12-28-2004

Pear Tree Blossoms of White And Red After Cold Nights By RON SULLIVAN Special to the Planet 12-28-2004

Berkeley This Week 12-28-2004