It’s official. Parents and children at Willard Park need a Pied Piper. And fast. 

Wendee Taylor, who works nearby and visits the park on most days, first saw rats coming out by the dozen from the bushes surrounding the Willard Park Tot Lot almost two years ago. 

“Every time I bring out a cookie or a ham and cheese cracker to feed my daughter, they suddenly appear,” she said. “They come out from the trash cans, from under the ramp and from around the bushes.” 

Wendee is not the only one to have sighted rats in the Willlard Park Tot Lot.  

David Soloff has being going to Willard Park for the last seven years, and he noticed a dramatic increase in rats since last summer. 

“It was really bad last October,” he said. “I was walking my 19-month-old son in the Tot Lot one evening, and these huge rats just raced across. I had to beat them with a stick, and only then did they leave us and disappear down the ramp. We stopped going there after that.” 

According to Soloff the large quantities of food and human waste in the park are an open invitation to the rats. 

“I have seen people smoking pot, cooking, and sometimes even defecating and urinating in the park,” he said. “The city needs to police these activities in order to control the rat infestation.”  

Doreyne Douglas said she has stopped taking her children to the park in the evening. 

“It’s a great park except for the rats,” she said. “As soon as the sun goes down we see the little heads popping out. I am scared of letting my children play there now.” 

George Beier, president of the Willard Neighborhood Association who lives on Derby Street, told the Daily Planet that he has heard of several sightings from neighbors. 

“It’s an endemic problem,” he said. “The population comes and goes. A lot of parents feed their kids in the Tot Lot and sometimes picnics are held. Rats by nature are attracted to leftovers and bio-degradable things like orange peels and banana skins which we often don’t think of as food. But it’s food for rodents, all right. As a result they keep coming back for more.” 

The Willard Neighborhood Association has been working with Jim Hynes, assistant to the city manager, to eradicate the menace, Beier said. 

Rats have also been sighted in the tennis courts next to the Tot Lot. 

Students of Willard School, located adjacent to the park, have also reported seeing rats in the school grounds in the past. However the school staff was successful in controlling the problem when it occurred in 2003, according to a few eighth-graders. 

Hynes said that rat infestation is a common problem in most urban areas.  

“Since fall 2005 there has been a slight increase in the rat population in the Willard Park Tot Lot,” he said. “As a result the baiting or trapping of rats has also increased. We have plans to remove the planks in the raised platform in the Tot Lot and bait the rats.” 

Baiting is a way of killing rats by poisoning them. Hynes also said that the homeless population camping out at the park often left food crumbs behind which attracted the rodents. 

Manuel Ramirez, manager of environmental health at the city’s Department of Health and Human Services, said that Berkeley faces rodent issues similar to those in other cities. 

“Most metropolitan areas struggle to keep rat and mice populations under control,” he said. “Rats and mice are communal rodents by nature, which means that they have a relationship with people who provide their food source. As a result they need to live among humans to sustain their needs.” 

Ramirez added that inspections have been carried out around the Willard Park neighborhood for several years now and they are yet to find any particular explanation for rats in the park. 

“We have found no violation of the Berkeley Municipal Code that could contribute to this problem,” he said. “Parks are good settings for picnics. We inadvertently provide rodents with water, food and shelter.” 

Although the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) has been sighted most often in Willard Park, the roof rat (Rattus rattus) and the house mouse (Mus musculus) are also common. 

“Rat infestation is a community issue,” Ramirez said. “We need to practice good sanitation. Trash dumpsters must be monitored, garbage needs to be kept in sealed bags, and public areas need to be routinely cleaned. Leaking pipes and standing water also need to be controlled. Thinning out vegetation also makes planter areas less inviting.” 

Ramirez also said that according to the integrated pest control management policy, the city is first required to look at the least toxic way of controlling rats. 

“We need to look into environmental issues before we start using poison to kill the rats,” he said. “The least toxic alternative is always the best.”  

An Oakland City Councilmember said Saturday that the Chief of the Oakland Police Department has a plan to almost triple the number of police officers on Oakland streets at peak crime periods, but said that implementation of the plan is being delayed by Mayor Jerry Brown and City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente because of opposition from the Oakland Police Officers Association labor union. 

The proposed plan would raise the number of available, on-call police officers from 35 to 84 at times when crime in the city is the highest, including weekend nights and early mornings. 

District 6 Councilmember Desley Brooks said that Brown, who is running for California Attorney General in the June primary, and De La Fuente, who is running to succeed Brown as mayor, “think that it is more important to get the police officers’ endorsement in their political races than to get more police officers on the streets. Shame on them. I am always amazed at the self-dealing going on at City Hall. But this has reached a new low.” 

Both Brown and De La Fuente are in difficult races, with Brown pitted against Los Angeles District Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and De La Fuente with two major opponents, City Councilmember Nancy Nadel and former Oakland-Berkeley Congressmember Ron Dellums. 

Neither Brown, De La Fuente, nor Oakland Police Officers Association President Bob Valladon responded to calls requesting a comment on Councilmember Brooks’ charges. 

Brooks said that the police officers’ union opposes the chief’s proposed deployment plan because it would virtually eliminate police overtime payments, which have become a staple in Oakland police paychecks. 

“But that’s $12 million in overtime costs out of our budget that we could use for other needs in the city,” Brooks said. 

The councilmember, who represents one of the areas hit hardest by the city’s recent spike in violent crime, made the charges at Frick Middle School in East Oakland during a police-community meeting sponsored by the People United For a Better Oakland community organization (PUEBLO). 

She said she expects to raise the issue again at the next Oakland City Council meeting, scheduled for tonight (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. at Oakland City Hall on the corner of 14th Street and Broadway. 

Police Chief Wayne Tucker, who also spoke at the PUEBLO meeting, confirmed the existence of the deployment plan and blamed its delay on the OPOA. 

“I have the power to implement the plan on my own authority,” Tucker said, “but under the ‘meet and confer’ provisions of the union contract, I have to get the approval of the union. I’m pushing for it. It would not take us long to implement.” 

Tucker was not asked if Brown or De La Fuente had a hand in delaying the implementation of the patrol deployment plan. 

Police overtime is an enormous budget and political issue in Oakland. Last June, the San Jose Mercury News reported that police overtime was running at $6 million in fiscal year 2004-05, 50 percent over budget, with the city auditor asking the grand jury to investigate the problem and, according to the article, “to look specifically into whether top officials of the city’s powerful police union are driving overtime costs and blocking reforms to reduce them.” 

The Mercury News reported that public access to Oakland employee records showed that two top police union officials had taken home more than $300,000 in overtime pay since 2000. That included $71,470 in overtime for police union president Valladon. 

“We are paying huge amounts of overtime and it’s killing us,” the paper quoted Council President De La Fuente as saying at the time. De La Fuente had earlier called for an outside audit of Oakland police overtime costs. 

At the same time, Oakland has been hit by a spike in violent crime in recent months—including 33 murders in the last three months of 2005, 19 in the first two months of 2006, and five more in the first week of March—and residents have complained of long delays in police patrol responses to 911 calls. 

Tucker said Saturday that “the measure of violent crime is not homicides but street robberies and assaults with firearms. Those types of violent crimes are increasing, and way off the charts from this time last year.” Tucker told meeting participants “the emerging violence in Oakland is of grave concern to us.” 

But Tucker blamed the delays in police response to reported crimes not on the number of Oakland police officers, but on the way patrols have been organized. 

“We presently have 803 sworn OPD officers,” Tucker said, “that’s pretty rich staffing for a city of this size. I won’t stand up here today and say that we are understaffed. We’re not. The problem is in the way our police are being deployed.” 

That was a radical change from the assertions by police and city officials during the Measure Y violence abatement bond campaign in 2004, when Oakland voters were told repeatedly that the Oakland Police Department was severely understaffed, and the police-to-citizen ratio was significantly lower than other comparable cities. Tucker was not a member of the Oakland Police Department in 2004. 

Under the City of Oakland’s current police deployment, Oakland police patrol officers work in standard eight-hour, five-day-per-week shifts, with equal staffing for all hours throughout the week. 

But according to Chief Tucker’s proposed “Patrol Division Deployment Plan,” prepared by Lt. P. Sarna, current deployment leads to periods—such as midnight, when the shifts change—when the numbers of crimes are rising while the numbers of police on the streets are not. Tucker’s report notes that “this places the department in a catch-up mode for a significant period of each time each shift.” 

The report called such an across-the-board even deployment, regardless of the crime rate at any given hour, “inefficient,” and said that it left “beat officers ... severely overburdened during the period of the highest crime workload. ... Present deployment clearly violates the simple rule of ‘being there when the need is greatest.’” 

By contrast, Tucker proposes to divide police patrols into three overlapping shifts—five days a week for eight hours a day, four days a week for 10 hours a day, and three days a week for 12 hours a day—so that patrols could be increased at peak crime rates and decreased at other times, with no overtime costs. 

“We need to get as many blue suits out on the streets as we can,” Tucker told participants at Saturday’s meeting. “We’re working on that.”›

The West Berkeley Bowl marketplace will usher in significant and unavoidable traffic, a new report says. 

An updated draft environmental impact report concludes that while most foreseeable car jams around the proposed Heinz Avenue-Ninth Street site can be mitigated, the nearby intersection of San Pablo Avenue at Ashby Avenue will suffer unavoidable congestion during weekend peak hours. 

A report issued Oct. 7, dismissing traffic surrounding the 90,060-square-foot project as “less than significant,” failed to account for the Saturday peak-hour traffic, a flub that former Planning Commission Chair Zelda Bronstein called “amusing.”  

West Berkeley Bowl would include an 83,990-square-foot marketplace replete with low-priced fresh produce and natural foods, a 7,070-square-foot prepared food service building and 211 parking spaces. Roughly half would lie underground. 

Customers would gain access to the store predominantly via Ashby from Ninth, an intersection expected to withstand heavier traffic, the report says. 

But further east, where Ashby hits San Pablo, traffic from grocery shoppers would only be alleviated with an additional northbound left-turn lane, the report says. Limited right-of-way availability at the intersection thwarts that prospect, however. Thus, delays at San Pablo and Ashby would increase by more than three seconds. 

The report details several other congestion problems that can be relieved with extra signage, lights or other features.  

Four land use alternatives to the proposed plan would generate lighter traffic, the report says. They are:  

• Alternative A: No new development at the site. 

• Alternative B1: Offices only. 

• Alternative B2: Light industrial/ manufacturing building only. 

• Alternative C: Reduced marketplace, 65,815 square feet total. 

• Alternative D: Reduced marketplace, 72,758 square feet total. 

Many project critics support building a smaller store, claiming it will minimize traffic in the neighborhood. 

“What the developer initially proposed was a neighborhood-friendly store,” Bronstein said. “What he’s now proposing is a regional superstore.” 

She added that a marketplace similar in scope to other grocery stores, like the existing Berkeley Bowl on Oregon Street, will ease traffic and better suit the neighborhood.  

Berkeley Bowl owner Glen Yasuda was quoted in the Daily Planet last year saying he would rather move the project elsewhere than downsize. 

“We feel compromising the size is not an option,” he said last January. Neither he nor project architect Kava Massih could be reached for comment by press time. 

For many, the proposed store warrants an unqualified stamp of approval. The original Berkeley Bowl is wildly popular, and West Berkeley residents have complained for years that they lack a high-quality grocery store nearby. 

According to an informal report resident Natalie Studer presented to the Planning Commission in November, West and southwest Berkeley shoulder the city’s greatest number of low-income, minority residents, who don’t have access to fresh fruits, vegetables and natural food. West Berkeley Bowl would alleviate that, supporters say. 

Most critics agree a grocery store in West Berkeley is necessary, but some say problems with the current project run too deep—deeper than size and traffic, even.  

To move forward with the market, officials must revise the city’s General Plan and zoning ordinance to allow for commercial properties. Some fear this will give other businesses the green light to swoop in, drive up rent, drive out residents and permanently alter the character of the neighborhood. 

“I’m very concerned with the rezoning,” Bronstein said. “It this site is rezoned, it sends a major signal to landowners that the city is not committed to preserving affordability for Berkeley manufacturing and industrial artists.” 

Instead of seeking rezoning, Yasuda could apply for a variance, which would grant him an exception to develop commercial property. Variances are generally difficult to obtain. 

Planning commissioners will hold a public hearing on the revised draft environmental review Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.  

›

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) wants to get rolling on a rapid bus route through Berkeley, Oakland and San Leandro. 

But to do so, it must shelve other projects, including an enhanced bus service in Oakland.  

MTC’s planning committee said Friday that it will prioritize plans to develop an 18-mile AC transit Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line running from downtown Berkeley BART along Telegraph Avenue and to International Boulevard in Oakland and East 14th Street in San Leandro. 

The commission is pursuing a new source of funding to move forward with the $175 million project, already two years behind schedule. 

Alix Bockelman, MTC director of programming and allocations, said the commission will lobby Washington for an additional $75 million from the competitive Small Starts program, which encourages small, low-cost transit projects.  

AC Transit initially expected to fund the project through sales tax, regional transportation improvement funds and Federal Transit Administration dollars. 

“We’re proposing to move AC Transit from a less secure funding source to a more secure funding source,” said MTC Executive Director Steve Heminger.  

The line will speed commuters through Berkeley, Oakland and San Leandro in 12 minutes or less. Slated for completion by 2010, it will designate 33 new bus stations and replace car lanes with dedicated bus lanes along some stretches of road. 

The latter feature has been a bone of contention for Telegraph businesses and residents who say the dedicated bus lanes will make traffic unbearable and negatively affect commerce along the street.  

But Josh Weisman, representing the Transportation Land Use Coalition, said he’s pleased to see the project moving forward. 

“There is common support for it, I see that it is needed,” he said.  

Honing in on the Bus Rapid Transit line was part of the commission’s larger attempt to streamline regional transit projects. According to a resolution approved by the planning committee Friday, MTC also plans to work on a $180 million ferry project that will designate new services in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and elsewhere. 

Other points of focus in the East Bay include an elevated transit line from the Oakland Coliseum BART station to the Oakland Airport, and improvements to the Capitol Corridor train between Oakland and San Jose. 

But in order to get the work done—and to offset a $2.3 billion shortfall—commission officials say they have to table other projects. An enhanced bus service project along Hesperian, Foothill and MacArthur boulevards in Oakland will be put off.  

AC Transit said that does not eliminate the possibility of developing the line in the future. 

AC Transit Representative Mary King said, “AC Transit remains committed to the enhanced bus route.” 



The City Council will begin its session tonight (Tuesday) at 5 p.m. with a workshop looking at what it might mean for Berkeley to join other cities to replace PG&E with a locally owned energy supplier. 

After a rally for Instant Runoff Voting outside City Hall scheduled for 6:30 p.m., the council will hold its action meeting at 7 p.m., addressing a new landmarks law, instant runoff voting, sewers and more. 

Although preservationists say Mayor Tom Bates’ latest iteration of his proposal to change the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance—under review for several years—continues to present problems, the mayor is pushing forward. 

While the mayor’s new version would retain the controversial “structure of merit” category for historic buildings, he also calls for buildings in the category to meet the same criteria of structural “integrity” required of other landmarks. 

The mayor’s proposal still includes the creation of a city historic preservation officer, a position he said he would be withdrawing after the council’s earlier workshop on the ordinance on Feb. 14. 

Of the two competing ordinances—one prepared by the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the other by the Planning Commission—the mayor’s proposal hews more closely to the Planning Commission version, which is strongly backed by developers, who claim the existing law delays their projects. 

Whatever emerges from the council meeting will go to the staff for drafting, and the proposal will then be circulated back to the commissions for comments, followed by a public hearing on the ordinance July 11. 

IRV 

When Berkeley voters approved Instant Runoff Voting two years ago, details of its implementation were not spelled out. Councilmember Gordon Wozniak has placed a resolution on the council agenda calling for “full preference voting.” 

That is, voters rank their preference for every candidate running. In the San Francisco elections which used instant runoff voting, voters were able to rank only their first three choices. Wozniak argues that limiting the vote to ranking the first three candidates deprives some voters of having their votes counted.  

Jesse Townley and other IRV activists have called for a pro-IRV rally on the steps of City Hall a half-hour before the council meeting. 

Townley said Wozniak’s resolution would delay IRV in Berkeley. 

“While the rhetoric of Councilmember Wozniak’s alternate proposal sounds positive, it actually alters what the voters passed and what the (Alameda County) Registrar and the vendor (are) planning to provide,” Townley wrote to Councilmember Dona Spring. 

Sewers 

A public hearing will address costs to property owners of inspecting the city’s sewer laterals. These are the smaller sewers that connect private property to the city sewer that runs down the middle of the streets. 

Repair of the laterals is necessary to prevent storm runoff from getting into the city’s sanitary sewer system, resulting in higher treatment costs and claims for damages due to sewer blockages and overflow, according to a staff report. 

If the city adopts the proposed resolution, laterals will be inspected when homes are sold or remodeled. Certificates for the inspections will cost $185; repairs are estimated at $3,000 to $4,500. 

Lab groundwater 

The Lawrence Berkeley Labs and the city agree that contaminated groundwater and soil at the labs must be cleaned up. At issue, however, is the degree to which cleanup must be carried out. 

City staff say the groundwater can be cleaned up to drinking water standards, but scientists at the lab argue that it is not technically feasible. If the council approves an item on the consent calendar, where councilmembers vote on questions without discussion, the city manager will write letters to the lab, the president of the University of California, which operates the lab for the Department of Energy, the Department of Energy and the Regional Water Quality Control Board to ask for clarification regarding the groundwater cleanup. 

Energy choice 

Before the council meeting, the city will hold a 5 p.m. workshop on “Community Choice Aggregation.” 

Four years ago, the state Legislature passed a bill permitting cities and counties to get together to provide electricity to constituents; the possible risks and benefits will be discussed at the workshop.  

Advocates say that community choice opens the door for better use of renewable resources such as solar and wind energy, but others say aggregation can be costly. Councilmembers will vote at the meeting whether to devote further resources to the study of local Community Choice Aggregation. 

›

Richmond City Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin announced Sunday that she will run for mayor in the November elections. 

A member of the Richmond Progressive Alliance and the third-place finisher of 15 council candidates in November 2004, McLaughlin told supporters she won’t take any corporate contributions. 

McLaughlin’s opponent is likely to be current Mayor Irma Anderson, who is one of four councilmembers whose seats are up for grabs in the coming election. 

While Anderson—who was elected in 2000—hasn’t formally announced, she “has not made any bones about the fact that she’s running again,” said a source close to the mayor who would comment only on background. 

“She will probably hold off on announcing until after the June primary,” the source added. 

McLaughlin’s announcement included a call to end the utility tax exemption granted the city’s ChevronTexaco refinery 20 years ago in order to create a Richmond Community Youth Corps to provide “1,000 part-time year-round jobs that employ youth from the areas of our city hardest hit by street crime.” 

Her call for increased taxation on the refinery comes just as the oil giant is trying to get its property tax assessment reduced. The refinery is Richmond’s largest employer. 

She also called for the creation of community-based after-school programs designed to cut the high school drop out rate in half by 2010. 

Other planks of McLaughlin’s candidacy include: 

• Opposition to any increases in sales and utility taxes. 

• Reopening the closed West Side and Bayview branches of the Richmond Public Library. 

• Stronger city support for solar and other alternative power generation proposals, including support for the goals of Solar Richmond, a citizen group that calls for the generation of five megawatts of solar power in the city by 2010. 

• Enacting just-cause eviction and fair rent laws, as well as city support for land trust and cooperative efforts that would allow more Richmond residents to own their residences in a city with more than 50 percent of its citizens in rental units. 

• Creation of new housing for the city’s homeless population. 

• Support for infill housing and commercial development in the city center. 

McLaughlin’s announcement also included a reference to an issue that occupied her initial months on the council, her ultimately successful effort to call for new regulatory oversight at Campus Bay, a contaminated site in southern Richmond where a housing complex had been proposed. 

After initial resistance from Anderson and others on the council, McLaughlin was able to hammer out a compromise measure that called on the state to hand control of the site over to the state Department of Toxic Substances Control. 

“I’m not running just to oppose the old ‘Richmond Way’ that allows irresponsible development on toxic properties, rubber-stamping plans with no consideration for the health and well-being of families, children, the vulnerable and the elderly,” McLaughlin said. 

She said that before the city rushes “to allow the elimination of our open shorelines for a quick return,” the city should concentrate on improving existing neighborhoods. 

In 2003, McLaughlin out-polled two sitting councilmembers, Mindell Penn and Nathaniel Bates. Andres Soto, another Richmond Progressive Alliance member, placed sixth. 

McLaughlin told supporters that her eventual goal is to see a solidly progressive slate in control of the City Council in the years to come. 

A provision in the No Child Left Behind Act could threaten the jobs of as many as 76 Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) para-professionals. 

According to the federal mandate, instructional assistants, technicians, specialists and interpreters for the deaf working in Title I-funded school districts must meet a higher level of education by June 30 or risk losing their jobs.  

They must complete at least two years of education at an institute of higher learning, obtain an associate’s degree or take a test demonstrating an instructor’s knowledge of reading, writing and math. 

The law applies only to those hired before Jan. 8, 2002, when college level education was not a job requirement. Newer employees have already met No Child Left Behind standards. 

So far, 110 para-professionals in Berkeley schools have complied; 76 have not. 

The district will vote to issue pink slips on April 5, giving employees a necessary 45-days notice of termination. This is a legal formality, however; at-risk para-professionals will have until the end of June to come into compliance. 

Ann Graybeal of the Berkeley Council of Classified Employees, which represents the district’s para-professionals, said she “absolutely” believes many employees will not be able to meet the deadline. 

“Of course we are very concerned about that because the federal and state mandates state that if you can’t comply that you’re subject to layoffs,” she said.  

The school district claims it has monitored the progress of employees, sent out myriad warning letters and scheduled paid classes in math and English writing and test-taking skills to help para-professionals meet the requirements. 

Those efforts, which are paid for by Title II federal funds, have fallen short, Graybeal said.  

The council tried to negotiate an additional evaluation-based option for coming into compliance that would keep in mind the special circumstances of veteran employees, but the district rejected that option, Graybeal said. 

A district administrator said the options are set by the No Child Left Behind legislation, and the district has no jurisdiction to grant such concessions. 

Hosanna Kitzenberger, a reading resources specialist for Malcom X and John Muir elementary schools, has worked in the Berkeley school district for 12 years. With just three to four years to go until retirement, she said she refuses to go back to school or take a test. She thinks the district should look at her annual evaluations—which are practically perfect, she said—if it wants to get a feel for her qualifications.  

“I’m not taking any test,” she said. “I know how good I am.” 

The Berkeley Board of Education will hear a presentation on the No Child Left Behind requirements at its regularly scheduled meeting tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers at 2314 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.  

›

The message of this year’s annual Muslim Awareness Week was even more urgent than in previous years. 

On Friday, more than 200 Muslims, a few non-Muslims, and some media came to UC Berkeley’s Pauley Ballroom for Jum’uah—prayers that mark the end of the week. It was the final event of Muslim Awareness Week, which had included lectures on Malcolm X, women in Islam and Palestine. 

“There’s a negative image (of Muslims) in the media with the issue of the Danish cartoons,” said Bushra Ahmed, as she waited with friends for the prayer service to begin. “They were hateful, violent images.” 

Still, the violent reactions to printing the cartoons cannot be excused, said Rami Bailowy. They were “over the top.” 

The community gathering was also a time for the diverse group of Muslims at UC Berkeley to come together—they were bearded and clean shaven, veiled and not (though all women wear veils during prayers). Those who stood with hands open in prayer and then bowed their foreheads to the ground were people reflecting many races and countries of origin, from the Middle East, to the Far East and including the United States. 

UC Berkeley lecturer Hatem Bazian led the prayers and delivered a sermon that seemed directed more to the visitors and media than to those in prayer. He called for greater understanding and urged people not to collapse the notion of Muslims, Islam and the prophet Mohammed. He said: “Muslims are humans, afflicted with all kinds of spiritual diseases.”  

Bazian said he could write books critical of Muslims, but those would not reflect on Islam, but on human frailty. 

“Look at us as humans,” he said. “Don’t think you are better than us, or that we are better than you—we are struggling like you.” 

And he talked about the Prophet Mohammed. 

Islam “is not a cult of personality,” he said. “(Mohammed) is a human being and a prophet, a perfect human being.”  

Despite reports that the Albany Waterfront Coalition (AWC) plans a counter-intitiative to oppose a ballot measure being circulated by environmentalists to block a proposed shopping mall at Golden Gate Fields, no such proposal is in the works, says the group’s spokesperson. 

Architect Howard McNenny, a former member of the city’s Waterfront Committee and a 33-year Albany resident, said there are no plans to offer a counter-measure to the Albany Shoreline Protection Initiative that a group of environmentalists plans to start circulation next week.  

Albany City Attorney Robert J. Zweben told the Daily Planet last week that he had heard the McNenny and his group were planning a counter-proposal for voters. 

The environmentalists’ November ballot initiative would impose a moratorium on development at the track’s northern waterfront parking lot where Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso and Magna Entertainment are proposing to build an upscale, open-air shopping mall. 

Citizens for the Albany Shoreline (CAS) filed notice of their intent to circulate the petition last week in hopes of qualifying the measure for the November ballot. 

The CAS proposal would impact all proposed waterfront developments on land not owned by the city—and the sole private landowner is Golden Gate Fields, which is owned by Magna Entertainment, a Canadian firm. 

›

Simulated gun, real heist 

A young fellow professing to be carrying a piece in his pocket robbed a 24-year-old Berkeley woman of the laptop computer she was carrying as she walked along the 2500 block of Telegraph Avenue early last Wednesday. 

The victim was approached as she neared the corner of Dwight Way just before 6:30 a.m., and rather than find out if that really was a pistol in his pocket, she decided to hand over the black bag containing her computer.  

Strange robbery 

A 17-year-old Berkeley man was robbed of his car keys in a strange robbery that occurred in the 1400 block of Oregon Street shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday.  

Berkeley police spokesperson Officer Ed Galvan said the young man was approached by a gunman who was the oldest of a trio of occupants in a red car. 

The man pointed a pistol at him and demanded his car keys. When the youth complied, the gunman warned him that if he called police, they would come back and steal his car. 

The young man called police, but the trio—which consisted of a gunman in his thirties who was accompanied by two other men a decade or so younger—was gone when police arrived. 

Dumb robbery 

Despite the ski mask, the puffy jacket and the baggy jeans, the 21-year-old resident of a home in the 2600 block of Piedmont Avenue was still able to identify the fellow who robbed him of his wallet and $5 in cash as his former roomie. 

Partner abuse 

An early Thursday morning call to a home in the 1600 block of Fairview Street ended in the arrest of a 52-year-old man on suspicion of spousal abuse, false imprisonment, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Police were called to the home at 2:35 a.m. and arrived to find the front door locked. After the suspect refused them entry, officers forced their way in, subdued the suspect and took him away to the county jail at Santa Rita. 

After an examination by paramedics, the man’s partner—a 30-year-old woman he had attempted to choke—declined further medical aid. 

Golden Gate felons 

Police recovered two stolen cars from Golden Gate Fields early Thursday morning, the first being a BMW stolen from the 2100 block of McKinley Avenue in Berkeley and the second a Toyota Camry stolen in Oakland. 

Guns stolen 

Police suspect a former tenant was the culprit who stole two handguns and a straight razor from a residence in the 2900 block of Harper Street. 

Officer Galvan said the crime, which apparently took place on Feb. 28, was reported to police two days later. 

Entry was apparently effected by means of a key, which is what led to suspicions about the former tenant, who apparently knew where the weapons were kept. 

Close call 

The sounds of someone jiggling the lock of her front door alarmed a South Berkeley woman late Thursday evening, and when she went to look, she saw a previously unknown bald man in a black coat trying to unlock her door. 

Catching sight of the resident within, the would-be intruder bolted, then headed toward a neighbor’s house where he leapt the fence and landed out of sight.  

A prompt response by police ended with the apprehension of a 32-year-old suspect who turned out to be in possession of keys belonging to the woman’s daughter, who had lost them a week earlier. 

The suspect was booked on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property (the keys), resisting arrest, vandalism and loitering. 

Smash and carry 

A window-smashing car clouter hit at least four vehicles in the south-of-campus area Friday afternoon. 

The first call came at 5:19 p.m., when officers were summoned to the 2400 block of Haste Street by a caller who said that a “gypsy trader” had made off with a bag of clothes after smashing a car window. 

Nine minutes later, officers were summoned to the 2500 block of Dwight Way, when a car window smash had resulted in the theft of a radio. 

Another 12 minutes and officers were called back to the 2400 block of Haste, where a window smash had resulted in a harvest of CDs. 

The next call came 22 minutes later, when officers were called to the 2300 block of Harper Street, where the window-smasher had collected a briefcase with checks and some luggage. 

The suspect remains at large. 

Despite the patrician heritage and the family fortune, Otis Chandler liked to come off as an ordinary guy. But he wasn’t, and that’s why he’ll be missed. 

He died a cruel death. The Lewy body disease that killed him combines the worst features of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, combined with vivid visual hallucinations. 

When I met Chandler, I was a 31-year-old reporter for the Santa Monica Evening Outlook, a great little daily newspaper that has since gone the way of so many suburban dailies—swallowed up by a chain and then killed off, leaving a community without a vital voice and watchdog. 

Chandler, a robust and craggily handsome 50, was publisher of the Los Angeles Times, a paper which then boasted 1,045,000 subscribers (cracking the million mark had been his long-time dream). He was also launching a San Diego edition that was central to another dream—to make the Times the paper of record for all of Southern California. 

The story that brought me to his office was a look at the newspaper war then shaping up, and at the key players—the editors and publishers of the three metropolitan Los Angeles dailies. 

The long-moribund Valley News and Greensheet, a free “throwaway” based in the San Fernando Valley, had recently been sold and was being retooled as the subscription-based Los Angeles Daily News, mounting a challenge to Chandler’s Times and the Hearst Corporation’s Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. 

The Daily News was a Tribune Co. newspaper, named after their flagship, the Chicago Tribune, and the firm had brought in as publisher Scott Schmidt, a former Tribune managing editor, along with a too-genial editor, former Baltimore Sun West Coast Bureau Chief Bruce Winters, to run the rechristened ship. 

The Her-Ex, as newsies called the Hearst paper, was dying, though the family-owned corporation had imported publisher Francis Dale, the Bible-quoting former head of CREEP—the Committee to Re-Elect the President which had run Tricky Dick’s second term run six years earlier—and a legendary editor, Jim Bellows, a former Times editor who had been hired away from the dying Washington Star. 

Bill Thomas was editing the Times, a skilled but somewhat unimpressive administrator. 

But it was Chandler who fascinated me. 

Of the three publishers, he was the only owner, the heir of a family dynasty with a checkered and sometimes bloody past. 

The Otis-Chandler dynasty had enriched itself by lies, deception and union-busting, and had planned and conducted with the California Chamber of Commerce the infamous program of false stories, deceitful movie theater ads and other propaganda—hailed as the birth of the modern media campaign—which defeated Upton Sinclair’s 1934 run for the California governorship. 

The Otis era 

The paper was a reactionary mess when a young Otis Chandler took the helm in 1960, languishing from the 16-year reign of his father, Norman, whose reactionary politics and their impact on the news pages had ensured that the paper gained little respect in media circles. 

Otis himself was regarded as a joke by many in the newsroom when he took the helm after a brief apprenticeship. (One Times reporter told me that during Chandler’s term as apprentice reporter, the heir had invited him to lunch. Expecting white linen and heavy plate at someplace like Perrino’s or the Brown Derby, the hapless scribe was taken instead to Tommy’s, a hamburger joint with seating on battered outside picnic tables.) Chandler was also noted for taking time off whenever the surf was up. 

But installed at the helm, Chandler took his job seriously, and he set out to make his paper a respected national institution. He took a big step two years later when he teamed up with the Washington Post to form a news syndicate, and he opened bureaus across the globe. 

He declared his independence two years later by approving a devastating series on the John Birch Society, a Paleolithic conspiracy-minded group that thought Ike was a commie and which had been favored under the Norman Chandler regime (his sister-in-law was a member).  

While Chandler remained a Republican, he opened the editorial pages to starkly contrasting views, embodied in the hiring of Pulitzer-winning Paul Conrad as editorial cartoonist. 

He was also legendary for flying reporters first class in those days when the curtain separating the front of the plane from the back was a basic class barrier. His theory: That reporters would find sources in their seat-mates, the sort of folk they otherwise might not get to corner for the long hours it took to make a cross-country or trans-oceanic flight. 

Close encounter 

When Chandler received me in his office, he’d been running the paper for 18 years. 

The scene was impressive, and carefully staged. 

His desk was a massive oak plane mounted on a spayed chrome pedestal. A visitor who sat before him was treated to three walls of photos of Chandlers, Otises and Buffums (his wife’s family), with most of the contemporary shots taken on safaris and other hunting trips. 

Behind him and to his right were shots of his Montana hunting lodge, including a well-lit photo that displayed the stuffed and rearing polar bear that stood watch over the fireplace and the countless glass-eyed mounted animal heads that sprouted from the walls. 

But all that was for visitors to see, so I angled my chair to get a look at what he beheld from behind that majestic desk. 

There were only two things. Atop a credenza behind me was an angled row of framed photos of magnificently restored antique cars, his second greatest passion after surfing—I recognized a Duesenberg and a Pierce Arrow in my quick survey. 

And on the far wall, directly facing him, was an incongruously utilitarian map of Southern California, the realm he was intent on conquering. 

I asked the obvious questions I needed for my story, but there was another one I just had to ask. . . 

Candid revelation 

“You’re obviously a man of great wealth and power, and you were born into it. Do you ever worry that you might be out of touch with the great majority of your readers who have to worry about things like whether their next paycheck is going to cover their bills?” 

He stopped, furrowed his brow and stared at me for a moment before the brows relaxed again. “That’s a really good question.” He was silent for another few seconds, then nodded. 

“It’s fairly simple to explain. I have the kind of personality such that I may associate with the important, the wealthy and the notorious, but also others. 

“I have divided my schedule between the business, family and social commitments—and then there is the other side, my hobbies. 

“I enjoy and like to get out with the masses and associate with them. I have some good friends who are in the middle class, including small businessmen. 

“Also, I am a hunter and a fisher, and I have Porsches which I like to race, and I like to ride my dirt bike in the desert and I like to surf. Most of the time when I’m doing these things, people don’t know who I am. 

“I have the kind of personality that lets me go back and forth between several worlds. For example, when I go dirt-bike riding in the desert with my son and at the end of the day we go into a bar with 20 or 30 other bikers and we are all dirty, hot and want a beer. They don’t know I’m Otis Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Times.” 

I quoted it all, and the day after my article came out, the quotes went up on newspaper bulletin boards all over L.A. 

Warts and all 

Yes, he was painfully naive. The middle class doesn’t race Porsches or go on safari to hunt elands and gemsbok. 

But Chandler tried, and what’s more, he did it well. 

Yes, his Times was flawed. There was a lot in L.A. they ignored, including many issues confronting the poor and the isolated. 

The paper also ignored organized crime in Southern California, which was one of my own beats at the time. 

According to what an old Times editor told me, mob lawyer Sidney Korshak had arranged with Chandler’s old man to raise the funds to build the Los Angeles Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion—named for Otis’s mother—if he’d keep the names of Korshak and his pals out of the news pages. 

The mob lawyer’s pals had the wherewithal to raise the bucks. 

The only place Korshak’s name appeared was in the society pages, because the man’s parties were the most legendary in Hollywood. Times columnist Joyce Haber even coined a phrase to describe the attendees, a term that has since passed into everyday usage—the A-List. 

Chandler’s San Diego edition failed, and the paper never became the regional giant he’d hoped. Helen Copley’s reactionary papers in San Diego easily weathered the assault, and the even-more-reactionary Santa Ana (later Orange County) Register thrived despite Chandler’s launching of an Orange County edition of the Times.  

But under Chandler’s regime, the Times became as great a paper as the West Coast has ever seen or is ever likely to see. He had, after all, a real conscience, and with it a sense of noblesse oblige. 

He had transformed the Times from a regional joke into a national force. 

He stepped down in 1980, two years after our conversation, and the paper passed into the hands of professional managers who began downsizing and cost-cutting. 

The Herald-Examiner died nine years later, and the Daily News remained basically a San Fernando Valley paper, leaving the Times as the only metro daily in a region where many suburban dailies were dead or dying. 

The worst came after 1995, when the board brought in former General Mills chairman Mark Willes to run things. 

Dubbed “the cereal killer,” Willes radically downsized the newsroom and ultimately disgraced the paper in 1997 when he struck a deal with the Staples Center that breached the Chinese Wall between advertising and editorial. 

Chandler, then 69, emerged from retirement to issue a scathing indictment of Willes and the damage he’d done to the paper’s reputation. 

It was then he famously told Editor & Publisher’s Lucia Moses, “You can’t run a company based on Wall Street.” 

But he was wrong. 

Soon afterwards, a divided family put the paper up for sale. The buyer, in 2000, was the Tribune Company, a company that slavishly dances to Wall Street’s tune. 

Chandler died last week, and already I miss him.w

Hills home fire 

A suspicious fire caused more than $80,000 in structural damage to a home at 1154 Keeler Ave. in the Berkeley hills Saturday night. 

Deputy Fire Chief David P. Orth declined to comment on the specifics of what has led investigators to suspect an arsonist caused the blaze. 

“It’s still under active investigation,” he said. 

Fortunately for the homeowner, Berkeley Fire Department Station 7 is located just a few hundred feet away, allowing engines to respond within moments of the 9:24 p.m. calls, said Orth. 

“They had it under control within 10 minutes,” he said. The blaze apparently began in a storage area under the carport. 

In addition to the structural damage, the flames also did about $5,000 in damage to the home’s contents, Orth said.

BANGKOK—Catherine Deneuve, grand dame of world cinema, sat serenely on stage at the International Bangkok Film Festival recently and declared her admiration for Asian films thusly: “I think Brokeback Mountain is something special.”  

Though she also mentioned several Asian films actually made in Asia like Shohei Imamura’s The Eel, what I liked about her declaration was the cross cultural ease with which she imagined what would constitute an Asian movie. The movie about American gay cowboys directed by a Taiwanese-American director—Oscar winner Ang Lee—is somehow as much part of the Asian sphere these days as, say, a Japanese movie from Japan.  

Indeed something as facile as Deneuve’s open-ended definition is happening here, too, in Asia as the various forms of Asian popular cultures are crossing borders as easily as the bird flu. Pan-Asianism, that is to say, is on the rise. Once more. 

Let me explain: Pan-Asia was first a dream of 19th century Japan after the defeat of Russia in the Russo-Japanese war. It imagined Asia as one, a continuous land, its people interconnected. That idea was resuscitated by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore a century later, during the rise of Asian economic powers in the post-Cold War era. While Lee spurred the phrase “Asian Values,” nearby Malaysia’s leader, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, came up with a similar “Look East Policy.”  

But those ideas had been more or less top down and largely ideological—a regional chauvinistic reaction to its colonial past and a need to assert its new-found prowess against Western influences.  

What is happening now a generation later, however, is much more organic, and solidly on the cultural ground—and hardly anti-West.  

American cultural influences remain strong here, but so increasingly do Korean soap operas, pop singers and movies, Japanese mangas and cuisines, and as has been traditionally, Hong Kong kung fu films. And collaboration between the various entertainment nodes in Asia and Hollywood is happening at a faster pace.  

Nowhere is that more self-evident than in the world of cinema. “Today,” notes Christina Klein, writing for Yale Global, “the notion of a distinctly American or Chinese or Indian cinema is breaking down, as film industries around the world become increasingly integrated with one another in ways that make them simultaneously more global and more local.”  

Memoirs of a Geisha, for instance, is an American production but with an all-Asian cast. The same for Ang Lee’s Mandarin-speaking martial arts film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. 

Invisible Waves, a Thai production which opened the Bangkok International Film Festival, on the other hand, is as Pan-Asian as it can be. A movie which takes place in Macau, Thailand, and Hong Kong, with a cast and crew from Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and Korea, it deals with the question of Karma. Directed by Thai director Pen-ek Ratanaruang, and starring Japanese actor Asano Tadanobu, it eludes any national identity. Instead, as its famous cinematographer, Australian-born Christopher Doyle, whose string of well-known movies include Happy Together and Chungking Express, giddily declared, “despite my skin, I am Asian.”  

Indeed, if this region was a couple of decades ago separated from each other by the Cold War’s bamboo curtains, these days collaboration across the borders and oceans has become the norm. We are witnessing Chinese movies being filmed in United States, Vietnamese films made in Thailand, and American movies made in China, Vietnam and everywhere else. Crossing-over is not only the norm for many local films, but the aim of many aspiring film makers.  

Pan-Asianism was originally the vision of the unified East as separate from the West, but it must now be redefined in its full global implications, which, in terms of movies, includes Hollywood. 

“A handful of Hollywood executives are scouring in this region [East Asia] for film ideas,” said Monica Edwards, a Hollywood film producer and the author of the book I Liked It, Didn’t Love It, on how to pitch a film script. “The Korean market has produced great films made into English language films.” 

Bollywood inspires American films like The Guru and infuse Moulin Rouge. Japanese movies prompt remakes like The Ring or Shall We Dance?, and Japanese manga inspired The Matrix, just to cite a few examples.  

As local Asian films have become more sophisticated and popular, Hollywood too is propping up local studios in Asia, creating special divisions to produce and distribute in-language films to local audiences.  

Even that ground-breaking filmmaker Quentin Tarantino is very much part of the Pan-Asia sphere. While his previous movies like Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill I & II may pay homage to Chinese kung fu movies, now he’s gone one step further: he’s making a kung fu movie entirely in ancient Mandarin to be filmed in China.  

A decade or so ago, Singaporean pop star Dick Poon prophesied the new phenomenon of Pan-Asianism in his song: “Our separate lands are one from now on/ We are Asians/ We sing in one voice, and we sing in one song.” In the new Pan-Asia the song may have to be revised a bit: “We are Asians. We sing in many voices. And we sing in many songs.”  

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Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez declares that his country is in the forefront of a new “Bolivarian revolution” sweeping Latin America. 

Just what defines a “Bolivarian revolution” is debatable. The Venezuelan leader and his counterparts elected in recent years in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay are called “leftists,” “socialists” and/or “populists.” Nationalist rhetoric against the policies of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank is commonly heard. But the amount of action to back up the words varies widely, and the recently elected “socialist” president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, announced even before taking office that she is in accord with the Bush plan for a hemisphere trade pact. 

President Chavez’s invocation of Simon Bolivar suggests the nature of the Latin movement. Bolivar was a Venezuelan intellectual imbued with the 1789 French spirit of “liberty, equality, and fraternity,” who returned to Venezuela from living in Paris to lead the army of liberation from Spanish colonial rule. 

Across Latin America, the independence wars of the 1810-1830 era were fought in opposition to king and aristocracy and in favor of bourgeois republican institutions. Latin revolutionaries abolished royal monopolies and other economic restrictions while taxing to fund schools, roads, ports, and other props for commerce, such as public mule corrals. 

After Mexican independence the sleepy fishing villages of Tampico, Manzanillo and Mazatlan were dredged to become ports, and a road fit for carriages was finally constructed through the mountains from Veracruz to the capital. 

Today’s radicals tackle the issue of “economic infrastructure” through Chavez’s new program, ALBA, “Alternative Bolivariana para las Americas,” which promotes new public economic ventures while acting to protect from privatization entities which in many cases date back to the original Bolivarians. 

The Chavez revolution involves a political restructuring. His election ended a near century of presidential musical chairs between two parties beholden to the traditional Venezuelan elite; and new president Tabare Vazquez of Uruguay ended a similar dual party monopoly that had lasted 180 years. 

Fierce internal opposition to both Bolivarian revolutions has come from agents of the old inbred, sheltered European-looking elite of the mansions and great haciendas. When the independence era revolutionary, Lorenzo de Zavala, wrote that the class divide in his Mexico was more sharp and bitter than in Europe, he could have been writing from any number of Latin American countries. Outside the tall mansion doors, then and now, is an enormous mostly colored majority. 

Bolivarians are militants from those outside who have seen that a 51 percent vote meant political power. Hugo Chavez, the son of school teachers, calls himself Venezuela’s first “African President,” and first “Indigenous President.” One parent was a “zambo” (African-Indigenous), the other a “mestizo” (Spanish-Indigenous). 

The other new leaders include, President Nestor Kirchner of Argentina—his father was a postal worker in impoverished Patagonia; President Evo Morales of Bolivia, an Ayamra Indigenous coca farmer raised in poverty dire enough for the family to be migrant workers in Argentina; Luis Lula da Silva of Brazil was born of modest means in Pernambuco, one of the nation’s most poverty-stricken and most African states. 

Nicanor Duarte Frutos of Paraguay has mostly Indigenous heritage and came “from a humble peasant background.” He campaigned against the IMF privatization plans for his country, but analysts expected him to follow the Washington line because he was from the decades-old Colorado Party. However, once in office he broke Paraguay’s tradition of voting in the U.N. with the United States on Cuba resolutions, and he added insult to injury by inviting in Cuban doctors to help the struggling Paraguayan medical system. Two presidents of middle-class background are oncologist Vazquez of Uruguay and pediatrician Bachelet of Chile. 

The non-elite roots in the current Latin leadership echoes that of the revolutionaries against Spain. Mexico’s three independence army leaders presently honored with states in their name are mule driver Vicente Guerrero (African-Indigenous), the mule driver-turned priest, Jose Maria Morelos (African-Indigenous), and the smalltown priest Miguel Hidalgo (basically European, but from a family of farmers). 

Ironically, the 1810 national leader closest to the elite was Bolivar, whose family owned much land. But then census records show he had a mulatto grandmother. During the liberation wars he strove to be a man of the people, as in sleeping in hammocks rather than beds. 

Another European-traveled, French revolution-inspired South American independence fighter with African heritage was Argentina’s first president, the medical doctor Bernadino Rivadavia. His political enemies called him “Dr. Chocolate.” The founding father of Uruguay was the “gaucho” Jose Artigas. The elite considered gauchos low and disreputable. The first two presidents of Paraguay had African ancestry, Carlos Antonio Lopez and his son Francisco Solano Lopez. 

Education was and is again a “Bolivarian” issue. Hugo Chavez has arranged the creation of over three thousand public schools in his country; and President Evo Morales halved his salary upon taking office so he could employ more teachers. 

Among original “Bolivarians” to promote public education was Carlos Antonio Lopez, who is credited with land reform and launching public education in Paraguay. Argentina’s Dr. Rivadavia was a strong advocate of public schooling. 

In 1829 the Guatemalan radical, Jose del Valle, published a series of articles on the value of national funding of education, noting that throughout central Europe it was when the armies of Napoleon passed through that the country began public schooling. 

Del Valle declared that the example from Europe showed that “a successful nation cannot leave its citizens deaf and dumb, without value or aptitude to acquire a useful trade, and it is education that provides the aptitude to acquire skills and social value.” 

Two of Del Valle’s articles were on the need for women’s education. 

Del Valle wanted his country to follow through on bright promises made a few years earlier. In 1824 the Central American Federation declared that the nations of the federation should institute a system of public schooling. 

By the 1830s Central American nations and Mexico had adopted from England the “Lancaster” system of mass education, which was also adopted in parts of the United States at this time under pressure of “Jacksonian democrats.” 

The independence era was noted for the revolutionary innovation of the public hospital. Now, Hugo Chavez greatly expands medical coverage for his people. An important assist comes from a few hundred Cuban doctors who administer to people of the barrios who previously had virtually no medical care.  

Chavez talks of the need for racial equality in the new Venezuela, as does Lula da Silva for Brazil, who has made a number of trips to Africa to further cultural and economic ties with his country. Politics in the independence era were laced with declarations of equality between the races. 

“All inhabitants ... without distinction to their being Europeans, Africans or Indians are citizens with the option to seek all employment according to their merits and virtues,” read a clause in Mexico’s 1821 independence war peace plan. 

The French Revolution vision of equality permeated the Americas. One French Revolution poster was a painting depicting mother liberty suckling a baby on each breast, one black, one white (she was white). 

Although French militants called for the abolition of slavery, implementation in French colonies was lacking. Abolition in Haiti required the black troops of Toussaint L’Ouverture charging out of the mountains singing “La Marseillaise.” Historians write of French troops being angry and demoralized over the black slave enemy using their song of freedom. 

Simon Bolivar sought refuge in free Haiti in 1816 after a setback in Venezuela in his fight with the Spaniards. Haitian president Alejandre Petion promised Bolivar support in cash and arms if Bolivar promised in return to abolish slavery in Venezuela. 

A few years later Bolivar followed through on the promise, but after his revolution was crushed in Venezuela in 1830, slavery was temporarily reinstituted in that country. Other nations successfully seized the independence spirit to abolish the heinous institution for good: Chile in 1812, Argentina in 1813, Central America in 1824, Mexico in 1829, Bolivia in 1831. 

Making peasants into land owners was a feature of the revolution in France. In Latin America, informal seizure by peasants of land abandoned by fleeing Spaniards was common. However, over the following century conservative governments saw to it that the peasants lost far more land than they had expropriated. Now new “Bolivarians” arise. 

The government of Hugo Chavez is distributing land to rural peasantry, and in a move watched throughout Latin America, the government has empowered the residents of the sprawling barrios of shacks and shanties of Caracas and other cities to legally draw up deeds of individual family ownership. 

Legal possession is declared upon display of proof that the old owner has not, in a reasonable time, made an effort to use the land. Neighborhood barrio organizations take testimony about the owner’s land use or lack thereof. Poor people by the thousands have become homeowners. Complaints from old owners are few for the plots on steep hillsides or in ravines, but friction has been noted in land title switches in some better located barrios. 

The Bolivarian experiment in Venezuela is more talk than substance in the opinion of a few Marxist analysts. The journal El Militante laments that Venezuelans seem to lack the will to expropriate factories and the oil industry and thus directly challenge capitalist power.  

Critics to the left of Hugo Chavez wonder what he has in mind when he speaks of a socialism for the new millennium. He himself is probably not sure what it means, other than updating and consummating the short-circuited original “Bolivarian revolution.” 

Can the second Bolivarian movement succeed? The first one suffered from assorted economic reprisals against the new governments. Mexico’s profitable silver production, for instance, was cut to a trickle by a European boycott of sale to Mexico of mercury, an element essential to silver smelting. 

Today, economic reprisals from Washington are a well-known threat. Assassination was a problem for the first Bolivarians. Guerrero was a victim, and Bolivar withdrew from politics after an attempt on his life, which came while factionalism was ending his dream of a continent-wide republic. 

John Perkins, author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, explained from his knowledge as an undercover U.S. agent that political assassinations of Latin American leaders has been a feature of the political landscape in recent years, although often reported as accidents, such as airplane crashes. 

Interviewed on KPFA, Perkins explained the “fear factor” with the example of ex-President Lucio Gutierrez of Ecuador. In 2003 Gutierrez was an army officer assigned to crush a mass demonstration of Indigenous who were angry at IMF policies. Gutierrez refused his orders, became a folk hero, and was elected president.  

Perkins states that Gutierrez was then “visited” and, essentially, given two choices: tow the line or experience bad things for him and his family. Within a few months the Ecuadorian poor were calling Gutierrez the “Bush puppet.” Riots forced him out of office last year. 

From Panama comes President Martin Torrijos, a new Bolivarian who apparently will not be intimidated, although he could be excused if he was. Martin’s father, Omar, was Panama’s leader who bucked Washington in the 1970s and died in a plane crash caused by a bomb on board, according to Perkins and others. 

Nevertheless, Torrijos declared in his inaugural address this past year that his first acts would include reestablishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba,and moves to strengthen relations with “the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.” 

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Students Organizing for Justice in the Americas (SOJA) staged a rally on the UC Berkeley campus Wednesday clad in “Sweat-free UC” signs—and little else.  

On the brisk late-winter afternoon, roughly two dozen students stripped down to their skivvies—or poster board equivalents—to protest the sale of university-logo merchandise that they say is produced in sweatshops. 

Hordes of passers-by stopped to gawk at the chanting demonstrators, who donned signs like “You didn’t fix it, so we got naked,” and “Support the skinny Asian boys making your clothes.”  

Onlookers snapped photos with camera phones, grinned sheepishly and summoned their friends. 

“Dude, are you watching the naked people now?” one student said on his cell phone. 

The demonstration was part of a systemwide campaign to press the UC to ratify the Designated Suppliers Program (DSP), a policy that mandates the production of collegiate apparel in “sweat-free” factories. 

UC Berkeley, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Davis and Riverside participated.  

Colleges nationwide also held protests urging their administrators to take up the Designated Suppliers Program. 

United Students Against Sweatshops, an international network of student labor activists, drafted the program, which emphasizes living wages and democratic employee representation. 

Duke University, Indiana University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Georgetown University, Santa Clara University and the University of Maine-Farmington have already adopted the program. SOJA claims it has mounted pressure on UC officials for five months to follow suit.  

During the protest Wednesday, SOJA representative Lexa Grayner called out to the crowd: 

“You might think it’s a little extreme that we’re here naked,” she said, layers of saran wrap strategically shrouding her torso. “But the administration is ignoring us, they are not listening to our demands … and that’s the naked truth.” 

UC Berkeley representative Maria Rubinshteyn said that’s not the case.  

The Designated Suppliers Program is under consideration, but it requires further investigation, she said. 

“The university abhors sweatshops,” she said. “We don’t want to have any sweatshop producing UC Berkeley merchandise.” 

She added that the university is dedicated to “making positive changes, but it takes time.” 

UC Berkeley generates about $500,000 a year in royalties from the sale of logo merchandise. Whether the university would lose money if it adopted the Designated Suppliers Program is not an issue, Rubinshteyn said. 

In 2000, in response to student protests, the UC approved a systemwide anti-sweatshop policy requiring suppliers of school logo wares to adhere to a code of conduct. Later that year a report jointly funded by several major universities, including the UC, revealed that numerous collegiate apparel manufacturers were still operating under inhumane working conditions. 

The report prompted critics to question whether the UC could enforce the code, an issue that remains today. 

Rubinshteyn said the UC currently works with the Worker Rights Consortium and the Fair Labor Association to ensure compliance, but that it is an ongoing process. 

Some students aren’t satisfied. By not adopting the Designated Suppliers Program, Nina Rizzo, a senior at Berkeley, said, the university is shamed.  

“We’re supposed to be leaders in human rights,” she said. “We want to be proud of wearing a Berkeley sweatshirt.” 

Spectators at Wednesday’s rally generally agreed with the message. However, not everyone agreed the protest was effective. 

“The whole naked thing is bringing people out,” said Salil Chitnis, a junior at UC Berkeley. “But I don’t know if it’s just because they’re naked or because of the real reason for the protest.” 

Freshman Arielle Bosch said she thought the rally would have made a bigger splash if more people got naked. Nonetheless, she hopes it will force the UC to change its policy. 

As for her own policy, she said, “I’m definitely not going to buy anymore Cal stuff, but I will continue to wear what I own.” 

A UC committee to address university sweatshop issues is scheduled for March 10. 

›

It was with a small nod to irony that Willi Paul, a professional community builder, admitted he made a name for himself in Berkeley by splitting a community group in two. 

After moving to Berkeley about a year ago, Paul, 46, joined a neighborhood watchdog group to protest Pacific Steel Casting, a West Berkeley steel foundry accused of generating noxious emissions. And now, he says, he is so fed up with the city’s inaction on the matter that he is considering challenging Linda Maio for her City Council seat. 

But when a Jan. 31 meeting between the West Berkeley Alliance for Clean Air and Safe Jobs and a local air quality agency failed to sufficiently address pollution abatement, Paul said he formed a splinter group that would get the job done.  

Cleanaircoalition.net has one mandate, Paul said: “clean air. It is up to PSC to find a way to accomplish this critical task.” 

It was a departure for Paul, who has been involved in community planning projects for businesses and non-profits all across the country, but never spearheaded his own group.  

“I started out to be a team player in the neighborhood organization, and got frustrated with the lack of strategy, so I took the logical next step,” he said. 

He threatened to file a lawsuit. 

On Feb. 2, with the help of nonprofit mediators Neighborhood Solutions, Paul submitted a letter to Pacific Steel, demanding a complete emissions abatement plan by March 2—or risk a small claims suit. 

Pacific Steel General Manager Joe Emmerichs responded to the coalition’s ultimatum Wednesday.  

The Daily Planet obtained a copy of the plan, which delineates action already set in motion by a settlement forged between the steel company and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) in December. The settlement mandates that Pacific Steel implement a $2 million odor abatement system by October in addition to interim measures. 

“The company is going to move forward and do what it said it was going to do in the settlement,” said Elisabeth Jewel, a spokesperson for Pacific Steel. “We’re asking the community to give us a chance to make that work.” 

Jewel is a principal of Aroner, Jewel and Ellis Partners, the lobbying and public relations group which also includes former East Bay State Assemblymember Dion Aroner. The firm’s website explains that it “provides consultation on government and public affairs for public and non-profit agencies, associations and private sector clients.” 

The BAAQMD settlement has commanded extensive criticism from the coalition and other groups. 

Paul did not have the chance to review Emmerichs’ correspondence by press time. 

On Tuesday, Paul said if the lawsuit moves forward, he hopes to enlist 200 residents, each eligible to win up to $7,500. That means the steel company could be liable for as much as $1.5 million. 

In his letter, Emmerichs reproved the possible suit, saying litigation will only divert cleanup efforts. 

The foundry isn’t the only critic of legal action. 

The suit could force Pacific Steel into financial ruin, others say, taking away 600 West Berkeley jobs of which 575 are unionized. 

District 1 Councilmember Maio does not support the lawsuit. 

“She thinks it’s premature and not productive,” said Brad Smith, administrative aide for Maio. The councilmember was out of the office Thursday. 

Paul returned the criticism, arguing that Maio has been too slow to take action against Pacific Steel. 

“I’m very disappointed with Linda Maio’s performance,” he said. “Her record on Pacific Steel Casting is pathetic. She hasn’t cleaned up the air, she’s allowed the factory to stall and play games.” 

In fact, Paul is so unimpressed he said he wants to challenge Maio for her District 1 seat. Maio has been a Berkeley councilmember since 1992. 

Paul is a self-proclaimed “jack of all-trades, small business development guy.” He has worked as a business consultant, project manager and research assistant helping to develop communities for numerous businesses and non-profits, including GrowingPlanet.org, EcoRangers.com and the National Japanese American Historical Society. 

As a master’s student in urban and regional studies at Mankato State University in Minnesota, he developed “electronic charrettes,” or online planning communities, that were used to assist in the reuse of the city’s National Guard Armory and city library. 

He is in the process of completing a Ph.D. in environmental design and planning from Virginia Tech. 

Paul will hold an information meeting on cleanaircoalition.net on March 30. Details of the meeting are available on the organization’s website. 

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Foes of a proposed shopping mall at Albany’s Golden Gate Fields race track filed notice Monday that they’ll begin circulating an initiative that would temporarily halt waterfront development. 

If successful, the measure would appear on the November ballot. 

“Albany residents have consistently said they don’t want a lot of development on the waterfront,” said Norman La Force, an environmental activist and attorney who helped draft the ordinance. 

Former Albany Mayor Robert Cheasty, one of the measure’s sponsors, said the proposal would establish a setback banning new development within 500 feet of the waterfront. 

The measure is a direct challenge to Los Angeles shopping mall developer Rick Caruso, who is partnering with race track owner Magna Entertainment on the project. 

“We want to protect the shoreline and he (Caruso) wants to put a mall on it. That’s about it,” said Cheasty. 

The proposal specifically targets the 102 acres that encompass the track and its parking lots and stables—including the 45-acre plot at the base of the Albany Bulb targeted by the Caruso project. 

The ordinance also calls for creation of the Shoreline Protection Planning Process, and the implementation of a citizen task force to prepare a specific plan that would allow limited development outside the 500-foot limit. 

The limited development permitted by the plan would help provide additional revenue for schools and city government, Cheasty said.  

Albany City Attorney Robert J. Zweben said earlier this week that he expects a counter-initiative will be filed by the Albany Waterfront Coalition, a group more favorably disposed to development at the track. 

While group spokesperson Howard McNenny was not available for comment, the coalition’s website portrays the initiative as “an effort to deprive you of your right to decide what happens at the waterfront ... based on the idea that you can’t be trusted to decide whether there should be any changes at the waterfront.” 

Magna Entertainment, the Canadian corporation that owns Golden Gate Fields and other tracks around the country, has been hemorrhaging money in recent years and one response has been to partner with developers to building shopping centers and casinos at their tracks. 

Caruso has managed to overcome political opposition before, and has been willing to shell out massive funds to do it—as was the case in Glendale, where seven-figure sums were spent by both sides in an election Caruso won to build the Americana at Brand project. 

Caruso’s projects feature open air upscale theme shopping malls with housing built over the commercial spaces. 

Matt Middlebrook, the former Los Angeles Deputy Mayor who is Caruso’s local representative on the project, called the initiative “a sham” that masquerades as an open planning process but is designed to reach a foregone conclusion. 

“The city is facing a $12 million deficit, and this initiative is trying to drive the city’s largest revenue-generator (the track) out of town,” he said. 

Middlebrook also asked how the city could afford to pay for an environmental review that would be required by the initiative—which he said would cost at least $1 million—without sacrificing crucial services. 

Initiative proponents say the measure would allow limited development that would still generate revenue for the city.

Egrets, coots, cyclists, Frisbee players, rowers, bat rays, leopard sharks, rats, squirrels—Aquatic Park offers something for the many species who live or hang out there.  

These human, animal and bird occupants of the nearly 100-acre park sometimes compete for space. At the same time they must confront pollution from the freeway, which borders the park to the west, the trains that rumble along the tracks to the east and the airplanes and helicopters that roar overhead. 

A $2 million grant from the Coastal Conservancy aims to protecting the park by improving water quality and natural habitat. 

But the city doesn’t have the $2 million in hand just yet, cautions Deborah Chernin, senior parks planner. The Coastal Conservancy, a state agency whose aim is to preserve California’s coasts and wetlands, has written the city a “letter of intent,” saying that it will get the grant money once it details the ways in which funds will be spent. 

The parks department is working with consultants to write detailed plans. 

One of the projects being studied is improving the water flow between the bay and the three lagoons. Water flows into the lagoon bringing nutrients and it flows out removing pollutants, says a study written by Oakland-based consultants, Laurel Marcus & Associates. 

“Stagnant water is not oxygenated,” Chernin noted. 

Part of the grant money will likely be dedicated to the removal of invasive plants. “The non-native plants choke out natives,” said Mark Lilios of the Environmental Greening, Restoration, and Education Team (EGRET), a group of citizens who advocate for Aquatic Park. The invasive plants support the rats, but not the birds, he said. 

“We try to balance recreational uses of the park with habitat,” Chernin said. “It is beloved and well-used among a certain group of people.” 

Among the human users are frisky golf enthusiasts, rowing teams, water-skiers, joggers, dog walkers and picnickers.  

“The park is getting greater and greater use,” Chernin said, noting that since the completion of the pedestrian bridge that crosses the freeway, linking the marina with Aquatic Park, the park has enjoyed more access. 

More families come to the area with children since the completion of the play area, known as “Dream Land for Kids,” and there are plans to improve the connection between the Fourth Street shopping area and Addison Street which connects to Aquatic Park.  

The park, Berkeley’s largest, was built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, along with the construction of the Bayshore Highway. Tubes bringing Bay water to the park’s three lagoons run under the freeway. 

If you’ve been out recently for a walk beside the large lagoon at Aquatic Park —especially around the little wharf that extends into the water on the east side— you may have been struck by a very distinct, very bad odor. 

It was likely the stench of dead fish—about nine dead bat rays and a couple of leopard sharks have been reported, according to Mark Liolios, whose organization, the Environmental Greening, Restoration, and Education Team (EGRET), supports the park. 

Waterfront Manager Cliff Marchetti says he isn’t able to know with absolute certainty what’s caused the death of the fish until he’s able to find a dead one and turn it over to the California Department of Fish and Game for analysis.  

But he says he’s quite sure the fish didn’t die as a result of any toxic substance in the lagoons. Rather, he thinks it’s a change in the ponds’ salinity. 

When there is a lot of rain, the salt water level gets very low, he said. The sharks and the rays need a high level of salt water to survive. The striped bass in the lagoons, which are more adaptable, apparently have not suffered, he said.  

The deaths “are kind of a natural occurrence,” he added. 

In what is quickly becoming a running political soap opera, the ouster of Alameda County Medical Center trustee Gwen Sykes took a new turn this week when Sykes participated in this week’s trustee meeting, insisting that she was still one of the 11 board members. 

Apparently, she is. 

Earlier this month, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson informed medical center trustees by mail that Sykes “will no longer serve on the Alameda County Medical Center Board of Trustees.” 

Carson nominated Sykes to the board in 2004, but said in an interview that he removed her because of complaints from “a majority of her colleagues” on the board that they were “having a difficult time conducting business” because of Sykes. As a result, Sykes’ picture was removed from the medical center trustee board webpage. 

Sykes had earlier announced that she had retained an attorney and was considering legal action to keep her position on the board. 

But on Tuesday night, supported by a published statement by Alameda County Counsel Richard Winnie that a medical center trustee could only be removed by a majority of the Board of Supervisors, Sykes arrived just before the beginning of the public session of the trustee meeting and took her place at the trustee table. 

After a quiet but animated discussion with Board President J. Bennett Tate and board clerk Barbara Miller-Elegbede, in which Elegbede could be heard saying repeatedly “but you’re no longer on the board,” Sykes remained at the trustees table, participating as a trustee in both discussions and voting throughout the meeting. 

By Thursday, Sykes’ photograph had been returned to the medical center trustee board webpage. 

No public announcement was made at Tuesday’s trustee meeting about Sykes’ status on the board. When asked following the meeting, Board President Tate would only say “no comment.” 

Sykes said that she was “still on the board, unless something else happens. Keith [Carson] did not have the authority to remove me on his own.” 

Carson could not be reached for comment. 

At the meeting itself, trustees received depressing news on the condition of the medical center’s finances, with board Finance Committee Chair Tom Pico saying that the center’s cash flow “has become critical,” with a projected $11.5 million projected deficit this year “if we continue at the budgeted levels.” 

Pico said that the $11.5 million deficit was “the best possible case. A more realistic assessment is that we will have a deficit of another $2.5 to $5 million above that unless we get a handle on expenses.” 

Board member Daniel Boggan agreed, saying that “there are major structural problems with this budget. Revenue is increasing, but there are still problems with balancing the budget.” 

During her two years on the board, Sykes has been critical of the medical center’s hiring and budgeting policies, and in his comments, Boggan said that many of the medical center’s financial problems are “things that Dr. Sykes has been concerned about.” 

In addition to a structural budget deficit, medical center officials also reported a cash-flow problem, with the finance department now holding vendor payments 10 days later in order to have enough money on hand to meet payroll. Medical Center CEO Wright Lassiter called the situation “rather acute,” and said that center administration officials have made a “significant amount of effort with state officials in addressing issues related to our cash flow problems.” 

Lassiter said that as a result of those efforts, the medical center has received a commitment from California Department of Health officials to release $31.4 million in payments owed to the center. 

“We’re expecting that money in two to three weeks,” Lassiter said. 

In other news, Lassiter said that the center is expecting a “positive compliance” designation on the center’s pending accreditation report within a week. 

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Some members of the Berkeley Fire Department may be operating with expired paramedic certification. 

Berkeley Fire Department Chief Debra Pryor said Tuesday that the department is conducting a probe into the possible expiration of “some companion certificates” that are required of paramedics to perform emergency medicine in Alameda County.  

In addition to standard state licensing and county accreditation requirements, Alameda County paramedics must maintain certification in advanced cardiac life support, advanced pediatric life support and prehospital trauma. The former two are renewable after two years; the latter after four years. 

Those with expired certificates cannot work in the county as paramedics until they come into compliance, according to the Alameda County Emergency Services Agency. 

Pryor refused to comment on how many employees are involved or if they have been suspended from duty. 

“It’s a confidential personnel matter to be handled on a case-by-case basis,” she said. 

Assistant Fire Chief Rod Foster, who oversees the department’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division, would not comment on whether employees have worked in ambulances with expired certificates, but said, “When someone is found not to have certification, they will not be found to be working in an ambulance.” 

Recertification involves an eight- to 16-hour course. Classes are available in multiple locations throughout the county. 

The Berkeley Fire Department receives 12,000 calls a year of which 60 percent are for emergency medical care. There are 40 paramedics, including firefighters, apparatus operators and officers, in the department, Foster said. 

Both Pryor and Foster say employees—not the department’s administration—are responsible for keeping records up-to-date. 

Until last week, the EMS division did not have a system in place for keeping tabs on certification and licensing. But as a result of the investigation, Foster said the division set up a database that will help employees stay abreast of certification deadlines.  

“It’s my policy that we’ll monitor (certification) months in advance and we will send out notifications” when renewal deadlines approach, he said. “I think it would be in the best interest of the department to monitor certifications.” 

In his 20 years at the Berkeley Fire Department, Foster said he has never encountered a similar incident. But he pointed out that the additional Alameda County requirements have only been in existence for about five years.  

“That’s one of the reasons why we’re seeing this,” he said. “It’s something that’s being dealt with and we don’t expect it to be a recurring issue.” 

Think “transportation” and you’ll probably imagine trains, buses, cars and such. But the city’s Pedestrian Master Plan is focused on a more elemental method of travel. 

“We need to get walking recognized as a mode of transportation,” said Wendy Alfsen, who heads the Transportation Commission’s Pedestrian Subcommittee. 

About 50 residents gathered at the North Berkeley Senior Center Wednesday night to talk about making walking safer and easier in Berkeley. 

Despite a reputation for a large number of pedestrian accidents, “Berkeley is the safest place for walking in California” with a population of more than 60,000 people, transportation planner Heath Maddox told the group. 

Maddox explained the paradox: Given the large volume of walkers in Berkeley—including the 15 percent who walk to work—the accident rate is low, he said. “We do have a high per capita rate of pedestrian collisions,” he further explained in an e-mail on Thursday. “But we have an extremely low “per walker” rate (of collisions), and from the perspective of assessing risk (and therefore danger), it’s the latter that counts, not the former.” 

The citizen planners divided into five groups at the meeting, each focusing on a specific area of the city. They discussed the various impediments they found to safe walking in the city. 

Wide, dangerous and inhospitable streets make people resort to cars, even for short trips, said Matt Nichols, planner with the city’s transportation division. 

The intersection of Adeline Street and Ashby Avenue is wide and dangerous, said people in the group looking at South Berkeley streets. 

Lack of lighting and cracked sidewalks makes walking on Alcatraz Avenue difficult, added Richie Smith, of the Alcatraz Avenue Neighborhood Organization. “Alcatraz is a speed zone,” she said, advocating for a solar speed monitor on the street. 

People in the group examining central Berkeley discussed ways to encourage walkers. While high volumes of people walk along Shattuck Avenue, businesses on University Avenue suffer from limited pedestrian traffic.  

“We’d like it to be vibrant,” said Connie Woods, noting that something as simple as extending the city’s seasonal Christmas decoration program down University Avenue would help bring foot traffic to that sometimes deserted area. 

Others suggested instituting “pedestrian days,” where merchants give discounts to people who come to shop without their cars. 

“We could close a couple of streets and have a pedestrian fair,” offered Susan Scheller. 

A car-free zone was suggested near the train station and another was suggested at the Fourth Street shopping corridor. 

The volume of pedestrians downtown also brings its own set of problems. Some workshop participants suggested prohibiting turns on red downtown—or perhaps all over Berkeley. 

Improving Berkeley’s paths will encourage walking, said Lori Kohlstaedt of the Path Wanderer’s Association. Many of the paths are in disrepair, said Kohlstaedt, who walks down the Indian Rock path daily to catch the bus to work. 

“The city owns the land, it’s a matter of the will to do it,” she said. 

People also looked at reducing the traffic volume. One thought was instituting a shuttle, similar to the Emery-go-round, that would circle Berkeley, targeting people who work downtown and those who work at or are students at the university. 

City planners will take the workshop participants’ comments into consideration when they draft their plan to facilitate walking in Berkeley. Those not attending the workshop can e-mail comments to hmaddox@ci.berkeley.ca.us or mail them to 1947 Center Street, 3rd Floor, Berkeley, 94704. 

Planners will come back to citizens in the fall for input on the plan, then go to the City Council to ask for approval of specific projects early next year. Funding will come from a number of sources, including funds for sidewalk repair and county transportation funds. 

The Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a massive $390 million construction bond measure Tuesday night, voting to place the issue before area voters on the June ballot. 

Peralta Communications Director Jeff Heyman said by telephone that “because the last bond measure passed by 80 percent, we feel confident that this one will pass as well.” 

But immediately, district officials had to fend off concerns over whether staff, students, and the community at large would have continuing say on how the money is eventually spent, and that promised construction will be carried out. 

District Academic Senate President Joseph Belinksi and Peralta Federation of Teachers President Michael Mills both announced support at Tuesday’s trustee meeting for the bond measure, but only so long as the trustee’s motion included an amendment, added by trustee Bill Withrow, that the bond measure set up advisory committees on each campus through the existing facilities committees. Those committees include faculty and student representatives. 

“We want to make sure that there are provisions in place so that the people in the trenches—the actual stakeholders—are being heard,” Mills said. “We need your assurance that [Withrow’s] amendment will do that.” 

While voting to put the bond measure on the ballot, trustee Nicky Gonzalez Yuen said that he was “uncomfortable with the rush to put this through. We haven’t had time to get the input that I’d like to have.” 

Yuen also said he was “uncomfortable that we are going to end up with a $390 million slush fund.” 

Yuen is one of several trustees who have sharply criticized bond measure spending and reporting in the past. 

But speaking just before the vote, Chancellor Elihu Harris told trustees that “our intent is to not repeat the mistakes of the past. We know that plans have not always gone forward as promised. And we want to make sure the oversight is there.”  

The proposed bond would finance 10 years of construction and renovation projects spread throughout the district’s four colleges, with the bulk of the money—$213.2 million—going to the district’s oldest facility, Oakland’s Laney College, and the least of it —$3.2 million—going to the newest facility, Berkeley City College. Merritt College in Oakland and College of Alameda would get $128.3 million and $76.8 million of the construction money respectively, with another $9 million going to the College of Alameda’s Aviation Maintenance Technology Program at the college’s Alameda Air Facility. 

Construction of the new Berkeley City College campus (recently renamed from Vista College), took up the bulk of district construction bond measures passed in 1992, 1996, and 2000. 

If passed by district voters, the bonds would add slightly under $25 in taxes per $100,000 in valuation to propertyholders within the district’s boundaries. 

Oversight difficulties plagued the last Peralta construction bond measure, the $153 million Measure E passed in 2000 under former Chancellor Ron Templeton. 

Last year, some trustees complained that there was no running list of projected construction projects, so that the board was approving new projects without knowing what alternate projects those decisions might affect. In response, General Services Director Sadiq Ikharo published a comprehensive report on completed and projected Measure E construction projects last October. 

And while the new bond measure would require annual expenditure review by “an independent citizens’ oversight committee,” the district has been lax in following through with that commitment in the past. 

A November 2001 Vista College newsletter reported that a community advisory committee had been set up to oversee Vista Measure E construction projects, including then-Assemblymember Tom Bates, then-mayor Shirley Dean, Berkeley’s director of Community and Economic Development, and representatives of the UC Berkeley Office of Capital Projects, the League of Women Voters, the Berkeley YMCA, and the Berkeley Repertory Theater. 

A year later, a “report on status of colleges’ Measure E Advisory Committees” to the district trustees only indicated a statement from Chancellor Temple that “the Measure E Committees are the vehicles that include the community in the process to weigh the appropriateness of projects.” 

But SEIU Local 790 Chief Steward Greg Marro told trustees Tuesday night that he understood that the Measure E committee “met infrequently and then it was abandoned.” 

No Measure E Advisory Committee reports have been made to Peralta trustees in the past year. 



The quasi-political operatives in the Berkeley mayor’s office placed their final salvo against Berkeley’s Landmarks Preservation Ordinance on the Internet on Friday night. For those who are interested, it can be found in the quaintly named Bates Update Update section of the city’s website. With attachments and appendixes, it’s much too long for citizens to read and comment on before the City Council votes tonight (Tuesday) to adopt it in principle; and anyway, rumor has it that Bates has the votes to do whatever he wants. City Hall insiders say that Capitelli, Anderson, Wozniak, Moore and Maio are in the bag. Doughty veteran Betty Olds is a long-time environmentalist and her own woman, so she might cast an independent vote at the last minute. Kriss Worthington and Dona Spring are the conscience of the council, though he sometimes votes with the majority if he knows his side is going down anyhow. She’s a tiger who votes her principles to the end.  

Why, exactly, do the six probable yes-voters want to gut the LPO? For those who have only the public record on which to base an analysis, it’s hard to understand. In an immortal tactic favored by politicians from Sacramento to Washington, the mayoral memo led off with five “areas of general consensus,” at least two of which are no such thing, if you rely only on what was said at the recent public hearing on the proposal to change the ordinance. And it gets worse after that. The big question: How does the Bates staff know what the consensus is?  

At the hearing, 41 of 47 speakers spoke in favor of retaining the protections in the current ordinance. The remaining speakers all had oars in the water of one kind or other—one was the attorney who fronts for most builders at the Zoning Adjustments Board. Thinking that perhaps “the other side” had submitted their opinions in written form, since they didn’t show up at the hearings, the Daily Planet made a California Public Records Act request for written materials relating to the proposed LPO revisions. We received a pitiful handful of documents, almost all communications from opponents of the changes, along with a letter saying that more documents had been withheld because of the “deliberative process exemption”—the California version of Nixonian executive privilege.  

This piqued the interest of the California First Amendment Coalition, an organization which believes that there is no such privilege: that deliberations of state and local government must be conducted in public, not behind closed doors. They put in their own request. This yielded a somewhat larger handful of papers: the same lengthy and intelligent arguments from opponents, along with just a couple of cryptic communications from the same two or three advocates for change who spoke at the public hearing.  

A cover letter to the CFAC, from Francisco DeVries, the mayor’s chief of staff, said that  

…upon learning what had been withheld, the Mayor reviewed the documents and e-mails received and determined that most of the individuals have publicly disclosed their opinions regarding the proposed Landmarks Preservations Ordinance. Thus the mayor then decided to exercise his discretion to release all communications he received from the public. 

This seems to mean that in written communications as well as in the public hearing citizen sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of preserving the provisions of the current LPO. So why are the six prepared to vote for the mayor’s changes? The DeVries letter contains the key, for those who are able to read between the lines: 

We are … withholding four e-mails between the mayor and/or his staff and the personal handwritten notes by the mayor’s staff. These documents are exempt from disclosure … because they reflect the mayor’s deliberative process and the public interest in encouraging public officials to speak frankly and openly with their staff regarding pending matters outweighs the public interest in disclosure. 

You don’t have to have seen a recent re-run of All the President’s Men to realize that if the big-time condo builders want to lobby the mayor to get the LPO off their backs, they don’t need to write letters or show their faces at public hearings. Those “personal handwritten notes” might be records of the kind of face-to-face backroom deal-making that Bates brought with him from Sacramento—no paper trail, very clean. If we had the time and the budget, which we don’t, it might be interesting to ask for the mayor’s “sign-in sign-out” sheets (which are supposed to be public) and cross-reference them with the list of his campaign contributors and some of the major developers who have Berkeley in their sights. Of course, we still wouldn’t know for sure what they talked about.  

But let’s just take Cisco at his word: what’s been released is “all the communications” from the public. Like the speakers at the public hearing, the letter writers are overwhelmingly against the changes to the LPO. So why are the six councilmembers voting the other way? Why are they voting in clear opposition to all of the neighborhood organizations in their own districts who spoke?  

Here’s a little clue: In September of 2004 this space noted an invitation to a fundraising party for then council candidate Laurie Capitelli, which was mailed to us with an anonymous note calling it “the Developer’s Ball.” We said at the time: 

The venue was the office of former legislator and now lobbyist and consultant Dion Aroner, with co-hosts Mayor Bates and Assemblywoman Hancock. The other co-hosts were key players in Berkeley’s fat and sassy development industry: Norheim and Yost, commercial real estate brokers; Memar Properties, the new commercial vehicle for former non-profit developer Ali Kashani; Trachtenberg & Associates, architects; Hudson McDonald LLC, the new favored recipient of funding from powerhouse financier David Teece, also a funder of Patrick Kennedy; Miriam Ng, another real estate broker, and David Early, decision-maker for the Livable Berkeley pro-development lobbying organization. Mm-hmm. Looks like Berkeley’s headed for the soup for sure. 

And now, exactly as predicted, soup’s on. The Landmark Ordinance is being dismembered and tossed into the pot. Capitelli, now ensconced in a comfortable council seat, will probably vote against his neighborhood constituents and in favor of his contributors. Developers Hudson and McDonald have gotten their teeth into a horrendous project on University which will destroy adjacent neighborhoods. Early’s Livable Berkeley, right on cue, submitted one of only three letters pushing for LPO changes. The co-hosts at the Developer’s Ball are calling in their chits, and the public be damned. 

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Several of our valued correspondents, some in this very issue, have written in to complain that the Daily Planet is taking ads from the Church of Scientology. One asks why we’re supporting that organization. Well, first of all, we’re not supporting them, they’re supporting us, in relatively minuscule proportions compared to our costs, it’s true, but still, they’re paying. Another refers to what he considers the harm Scientology might have done, and makes a comparison to cigarette ads, which he assumes we would turn down. We’ve never actually been offered cigarette ads, but yes, we’d probably turn them down. 

What’s the difference? It’s one of grandma’s laws: sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you. We don’t know much about the Church of Scientology, shying away as we do from anything with “Church of” in its name, but we think it operates in the realm of ideas and beliefs for the most part. If papers barred from their pages any advertisers who advocated ideas that some might consider foolish or harmful, there would be many fewer papers.  

One more grandma’s law (apologies to the ACLU for any plagiarism): The best remedy for speech you disagree with is more speech. Anyone out there who objects to ideas advanced by any of our advertisers is free—no, is exhorted—to write in and tell our readers why. We’ve been proud of the spirited debate in these pages about the Berkeley Honda strike. Berkeley Honda might once have been an advertiser; they may or may not still be, but we will always appreciate a variety of points of view on the topic. Cigarette advertising, on the other hand, is trying to convince readers to do something that has been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt to cause them physical harm, unlike scientology or even labor practices. It crosses some invisible line which we see clearly, though some might not. 

While we’re on the subject of religion: We got a press release from something called the Minuteman Project, which quotes its founder Jim Gilchrist complaining about comments made by Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahoney on immigration. 

The release says that “Gilchrist strongly objected to the Cardinal’s threat to ignore laws passed by Congress with which he disagrees: ‘It discredits the church and brings shame to parishioners to say we are not going to follow the laws of the United States—the most accepting nation on earth. What would happen if every church decided to only follow the laws with which they agreed?’” 

Well, let’s just turn that one on its head. What if every church decided not to follow laws with which they disagreed? We might, for example, have avoided the worst aspects of the Holocaust, since a substantial number of Catholic and Protestant church leaders spoke out, though not nearly vigorously enough, against the laws of Nazi Germany with which they disagreed. What if all U.S. Catholic archbishops, not just Roger Mahoney, counseled their flock not to participate in anything which supported capital punishment, with which the international Catholic Church strongly disagrees? When it comes to abortion and other reproductive rights situations, of course, some might see difficulties with such a practice. But on balance, if Catholics were taught with equal vigor to succor immigrants, to stay clear of capital punishment, and not to take part in abortions, it might add up to a net win for justice.  

In a poignant bit of irony, the most sympathetic and lengthy discussion of Cardinal Mahoney’s stance to be found on the Internet at the time of this writing was in the People’s Weekly World, which says of itself, “We enjoy a special relationship with the Communist Party USA, founded in 1919, and publish its news and views.” Time was when the Catholic Church and especially its American hierarchy was at the forefront of those who were trying to suppress the views of the CPUSA, and now the two are at the same place at the same point in history.  

Is there a lesson to be learned from this? Both groups in our lifetime have had many bad ideas and a few really good ones, and in so far as they managed to put all their beliefs out there for public debate, the weakest ideas have mostly failed and the fittest ones have mostly survived. That’s why it benefits society to keep the public forum for ideas, including news, columns, opinion sections and advertising space in publications like ours, as open as we can make it.  

We find that we are lately getting a truly incredible number of interesting well-written letters on all topics, including Scientology. We’ve finally reached the point that we’re going to have to do something about it. Starting with today’s issue, we’re going to put all the letters we don’t have room for in the print edition into our web edition. The number of print pages we can afford to print is limited by the number of ads we’ve been able to sell for each issue, but it doesn’t cost us much to put extra letters on the web as bonus pages.  

By the way, if you haven’t seen the Daily Planet on the Internet lately, take a look. We can now put images of the entire print paper—photos, cartoons, ads and all—on the website in very readable Acrobat format. This means that, if you want, you can enjoy the whole Daily Planet experience from the comfort of your home. Just go to www.berkeleydailyplanet.com and click on the button that says “The Full Paper PDF” on the left side of the home page.  

An article in the March 3 issue listed the wrong actor playing the role of King Lear in UC Berkeley’s Seven Lears. Joshua Forcum plays the role.

The photograph of Charles and Joseph Robinson in the Feb. 28 issue was mistakenly attributed. It was taken by Charles Robinson, even though he is also in the photo.

CASINOS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The Feb. 28 article on the release of the Sugar Bowl Casino environmental impact statement (EIS) was absurdly pro-casino developer. You neglected to mention the fact that the report was commissioned and paid for by the Florida developers bankrolling the casino.  

There are gaping holes hidden in the several hundred pages of the report; notably absent is the economic impact of crime and gambling addition on surrounding communities. The upcoming federal hearing on the EIS report is a chance for the often-ignored community members affected by the casino to be heard. It will take place on March 15 at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium from 6-9 p.m. Three large community groups opposing to the casino will be present with many concerned local residents. The current plan calls for a 2,000-slot-machine and 225,000-square-foot casino, one of three Vegas-style casinos proposed for the East Bay, so your voice is critical.  

Casino San Pablo, located only a few miles from the Sugar Bowl site, already has 820 slot machines, with plans to expand to 2,500. Facts on the ground paint a dark picture. According to the city and county records, police calls from Casino San Pablo increased almost 500 percent since the installation of slot machines in July, while the number of ambulance trips increased by more than 200 percent. Imagine the problems that would affect the East Bay if all three giant casinos were built. 

East Bay residents who don’t want the crime, traffic and social problems brought by urban casinos, should take a stand for their community and attend the March 15 hearing. Even if you live in Berkeley, your voice is important: call 465-8230, or e-mail info@stopurbancasinos.org for more information or to join the fight. 

Dean Marshall 

East Bay Coalition Against Urban Casinos 

• 

GHOST RIDER SPACES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I missed the article on motorcycle parking in your Feb. 24 issue, but was alerted to this by Evelyn Giardina’s subsequent letter. Let me add my $0.08 (adjusted for inflation), based on empirical experience. 

Until last year, I owned a small business on Telegraph near Ashby which had two parking spaces in front. Imagine my surprise when I went to visit the new owners and found that both spaces had been converted to motorcycle-only slots, as well as several others up and down the block. 

When I owned the shop, I don’t ever remember seeing a motorcycle parked anywhere near my business. (Nor do I remember seeing any motorcycles circling the block looking for a place to park.) The current owner told me he has seen maybe one or two bikes parking there since the change was made. 

To whoever dreamt up this new policy, I want to say this directly to you: you’re an idiot. You give plenty of ammunition to those who hate government and bureaucracy, who characterize them as being slow, inefficient, incompetent and generally out of touch with reality. (I’m not saying I believe this, but I’m starting to wonder). You ought to do the honorable thing and just resign. 

David Nebenzahl 

North Oakland 

• 

RAVENS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Two things wrong with your headline “California Ravens: A Unique and Complex Species.” The first is that the California raven is not a species, but a population, as the article itself makes clear. The second is the redundancy of “unique species.” Each and every species is unique; that is what makes it a species. 

Ken Brower  

• 

MORE ON RAVENS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I was delighted to read Joel Eaton’s piece on California ravens. Most of the year, I live in Maine, Bernd Heinrich territory, and our ravens are, indeed, wary and unapproachable. I think of them as being very shy; it takes forever for one of them to learn to trust us enough to hop onto the deck and sample the dog kibble we put out for him. 

Joe Eaton talks about ravens modifying their behavior as they learn about their environment, but he says that as far as he knows, there is no evidence of tool use by ravens. 

I don’t know whether you would call an automobile a tool or not, but a year or so ago, I read about some ravens in Japan who line up on the curb of a busy intersection, and wait for the light to turn red. They then hop out into the street and line up nuts they have collected off a local tree. Returning to the curb, they wait patiently. After the light has turned green, and cars have run over the nuts, the ravens wait for the next red light, and retrieve their dinner.  

(Only a seasoned raven observer would give any credence to such an outlandish tale, but personally, I believe every word of it.) 

Anne Folsom 

• 

KEEP IT BRIEF 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Maybe you would have room for more letters if your correspondents learned the virtue of being succinct. As I learned long ago from a prominent editor: The first and last paragraph should be enough to state the case and sum it up. So I read the first and last paragraph of most Planet letters that interest me and then I have time for living life.  

Constance Wiggins  

• 

CARTOON CONTROVERSY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Before Osha Neumann (Feb 24) continues blaming the new left because “the inability of the secular democratic movements to deliver on their promises opened the door to fundamentalism,” he might remember there were other forces that wiped out the left parties and only dealt with right-wing religious groups—the United States and the Brits.  

As to the cartoons, Neumann might read the well-documented journalistic explanation how the cartoons managed to be published and why in “The Caricatures in Middle East Politics” by James Petras and Robin Eastman (the article, from Abaya, Feb. 19, can be read online). 

The editor of the paper that published the cartoons is a Ukrainian Jew who was forced to resign and he left for Miami Beach, not Ukraine. The whole story is most intriguing and important. When in doubt about the “smoking gun” or “the facts,” I ask the question: Who benefits from the event (or the cartoons)? Which country or group of people wants to create a hateful response to Islam and pit the western capitalist Judeo-Christian countries against he Moslem-Arab countries? 

R.G.Davis. 

• 

NAKED PROTESTORS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I was cheered by seeing the UC Berkeley students on your front page! And it is such an excellent cause—protesting sweatshop labor practices. 

Ardys De Lu 

• 

MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I’d like to draw your attention to an error in your recent front-page article, “Albany Mall Foes Generate Ballot Initiative.” Despite what Robert Cheasty keeps on saying, it’s not a mall. It’s a mixed-use development, containing a new park at the waterfront, restored beach and pier, new park at Fleming Point, upscale retail and restaurants, a new YMCA building, public gathering spaces, restored and expanded wetlands, a farmer’s market, and housing.  

In a democracy, it’s important for your readers to be fully informed; so please refer to it for what it is, a mixed-use development containing many desirable features for the enjoyment of the waterfront. 

Trevor Grayling 

Albany  

• 

SCIENTOLOGY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As an advocate of free speech, I understand your decision to accept ads from Scientology. But if you think Scientology is harmless, think again. 

You say Scientology operates in the realm of ideas and beliefs because you are unaware that they sometimes hold individuals against their will, like Lisa McPherson; that participants must sign waivers permitting Scientology to do so; that dozens of Scientologists have met suspicious deaths; that many members are dissuaded from seeking medical care, despite Scientology’s public claim of a “firm policy of sending sick parishioners to medical doctors to handle the physical aspect of any illness or injury”; and that their bogus drug detox program, Narconon, involves toxic levels of niacin and is based on such pseudoscientific nonsense that its drug “education” program was kicked out of California schools. You’re probably also unaware of cases of Scientologists raping children, and church executives in those cases illegally directing the distraught parents not to report the crimes to authorities. 

Scientology’s practices affect all of us, not only Scientologists. Scientology’s CCHR (whose Los Angeles gala was recently attended by Mayor Newsom) lobbies against mental health parity bills. Scientology has vowed to completely eradicate psychiatry. Scientologists want to impose their beliefs on your medical choices. Scientology’s coercive push into the workplace thrusts Scientology practices on reluctant employees. 

Scientology answers your question, “What if every church decided not to follow laws with which they disagreed?” Eleven top Scientology executives went to prison in the United States for breaking into government offices and stealing documents ; the church itself is criminally convicted in Canada for similar crimes. Scientology operatives have infiltrated police departments, the Coast Guard, the Justice Department, the California attorney general’s office and newspapers—and those are just the cases we know about. Members carried out orders to steal documents from doctors’ and lawyers’ offices and the Ontario Medical Association. 

Unlike your paper, unlike me, Scientology does not embrace free speech. Journalist Paulette Cooper wrote a book about Scientology. Scientology framed her by sending bomb threats to themselves—FBI raids uncovered the written, step-by-step programs to frame, harass, and terrorize Cooper. Those raids also found the documents directing Scientology’s attempt to frame a Florida mayor for hit-and-run. These are implementations of “Fair Game,” a policy the church claims was canceled in the ‘60s; yet in two 1980s court cases, Scientology attorneys claimed it was a core belief and deserved First Amendment protection . 

Scientology lies and defrauds every day, and gets away with it; in fact, Scientologists are rewarded with a tax exemption no other U.S. citizens get. As journalists, at least you could take the time to learn a little about the advertisers you defend. 

Kristi Wachter 

San Francisco 

u

I would like to thank the Daily Planet for two recent articles that included one of my favorite places in Berkeley—Berkeley Iceland. While I have no financial connection to Iceland or its owners, I do feel a strong connection with this uniquely Berkeley asset. As the father of one of those “...young girls laughing and skating...” that Marta Yamamoto wrote about in her South Berkeley exploration, I often tell people that Iceland is my second home—one that needs repair, but worth saving. 

The second article (“Berkeley Iceland Up for Sale,” Feb. 28) I think gives an overly pessimistic view of the rink’s situation. The sale of the rink is just as much an opportunity for the future as it is the possible loss of a historic cultural asset. 

In addition to being part of Berkeley since 1940, some of the things that make Berkeley Iceland unique are: 

• It was used in the past by U.S. Olympic skaters, including Brian Boitano, for training. 

• It is home to nationally competitive youth synchronized skating teams—the Ice Mystique—made up of girls from around the area. 

• Iceland employs young people from around the neighborhood to work in a variety of on and off-ice jobs. 

• Classes and programs are aimed at everyone, from the tiny tots and beginning adults to the more advanced Wednesday Blades clinic to midday Coffee Club time for adults—and that doesn’t include all the hockey programs. 

• It is just a fun place to hang out and see the full swath of the Berkeley community together having fun—something rare these days. 

Much of the coverage has focused on ammonia used in Iceland’s ice making equipment. The primary concern of the City of Berkeley (and everyone concerned with the rink) is with safety of the facility, not the specific refrigerant used. Ammonia is a commonly used refrigerant in large cooling systems and in many ways is better than the freon replacements. Ammonia can and is being used safely with appropriate controls as in the temporary unit currently in use at Iceland (which was certified by the Fire Department as part of the temporary permit) and another large site in Berkeley. Age and maintenance of the old freezer is a legitimate concern—especially for first responders. 

The freezing unit needs upgrading but that is only part of the story. Anyone who visits the rink knows that there are other improvements needed that affect both the ice itself and the off-ice amenities. The current owners—a group that includes people who were part of the original construction—have used Berkeley Iceland as a source of cash. This type of investing does not encourage capital spending for long term projects. As they looked at the costs of a more generalized improvement package it became clear that it did not meet their investment goal. 

This does not mean that it cannot fit into the goals of another group with a longer term outlook and a commitment to Berkeley Iceland as both a sports facility and community asset. 

The first step in a transformation of Berkeley Iceland is to gain approval of the extension of the use permit for the temporary refrigeration unit. It should be obvious that finding investors is much easier for an existing, working facility than for a closed shell of a huge building. The current managers of programs in Iceland believe that given time and the right conditions a group might be put together which would invest in the facility to make the improvements to sustain this community asset for the next 20 years and beyond. 

The long-term survival of Berkeley Iceland can be ensured with the support of the entire community. Unlike the rinks in Oakland and San Francisco, Berkeley Iceland receives no financial support from the city government. I don’t believe they are looking for such support (though it probably would be welcome). But there are other things the city, businesses, and everyone can do to help make our community asset remain economically viable: 

• Create after school programs at Iceland in conjunction with Parks and Recreation Department and BUSD. 

• Incorporate the Iceland facility into a larger recreation center proposed for the adjacent Derby Street property. 

• Create programs in conjunction with other sports organizations, such as the YMCA. 

• Cross-advertise with other local businesses. 

• Have your next party or organization event at Iceland. 

• Go out and join your friends and neighbors on the ice. 

The sale and change in ownership of this unique and very Berkeley place does not have to be a loss. It is an opportunity to keep and strengthen a 66-year-old tradition so that it remains vital for the future. Too often we forget what these institutions mean to the community until they are gone. We have a chance to help save this one for us all. 

Tom Killilea is a Berkeley resident.›

On March 8, the Planning Commission takes up the proposed Berkeley Bowl project again. More traffic versus better access to groceries; loss of scarce industrial land versus jobs and tax revenue—these are the some of the tradeoffs under consideration.  

Although West Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation supports the project, all of us could be much more strategic about it. We have the example of the first Bayer development agreement. Over 10 years Bayer channeled several million dollars into programs for low-income seniors, youth, and families, into Rosa Parks School, a shuttle bus for workers, training and jobs for dozens of Berkeley High School students, not to mention street improvements. Berkeley Bowl is not a wealthy multi-national, but the principles of a good community benefits agreement remain the same. 

It would be a great step forward if stakeholders and public decision-makers were actively negotiating the gray areas to improve the quality of life for the people who live and work here. The neighborhoods surrounding Ashby Avenue in South and West Berkeley include the city’s highest concentrations of youth, youth in poverty, households paying more than 50 percent of their income in rent, the highest high school drop out rates, lowest incomes, and widespread lack of health insurance, with dire consequences for family stability and longevity. 

Here are six ways to make a new Berkeley Bowl a better deal all around. 

1. The Bowl could actively motivate customers to use Pedal Express or other delivery service and to arrive by bus, bicycle, or foot. An example might be a frequent buyer discount for deliveries, or for presenting a valid bus transfer or bicycle parking voucher. 

2. In addition to existing local hiring guarantees, the Bowl could fill a certain number of part-time positions with youth referred through the city’s Youth Works program. Worker benefits could include introductions/vouchers to local urban farming, culinary arts, and self-employment and financial training programs already operating in Berkeley to help them build careers out of their experience. 

3. The Bowl should minimize the amount of space that is nonconforming to MULI standards. The proposed 3,000-square-foot “community room” proposed in the café/food preparation building, could be more economically productive if it were instead rented as light industrial space. Licensed kitchens for full-time or hourly rental are in high demand by small East Bay caterers and specialty food manufacturers. Such businesses could benefit from the connection to the Bowl’s food sales. There are several non-profit business development and micro-enterprise training agencies who could partner on this. 

4. The Bowl should actively sell and promote products made by companies licensed in Berkeley. Whole Foods has a Berkeley section, for example. We need more places to showcase the “Made in Berkeley” brand, for both local and regional shoppers. 

5. The city and the Bowl’s ownership could agree to set aside a portion of new revenues to increase funding for economic development and affordable housing projects with priority for the residents and workers of West and South Berkeley.  

6. To minimize the amount of square footage out of conformance with MULI standards, the Bowl should be asked to forgo any further subdivision of interior space or expansion of the non-grocery, non-industrial uses of the site in the future. Once the walls go up, so do the costs of space for other users in the future. No further upscaling of retail use should be permitted without further review, and capital gains on resale of the property should be recaptured all or in part by the city. 

Some of these are easy and low-cost, others will require planning and expense. But I encourage all stakeholders to do more to fulfill the spirit of economic equity in the West Berkeley Area Plan, and take the practical steps toward long-term health of our West Berkeley community. 

Betsy Morris is president of the West Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation.›

Hitler managed the Holocaust. He managed it so that in Germany everyone knew and no one knew. There would be worse news tomorrow. The wastes were picked up; the busses ran. Everyone knew, and didn’t know. It was happening. It happened. In his introduction to The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, Shirer comments that Hitler was able to commit his high crimes and misdemeanors because the Germans were too torpid, too stupid, and too blind. 

That is America, now. We are habituated to a state that supports and protects us, yes, most of us, and in many ways. For the last six years those who tap in to the remaining relatively objective records and reports learn more every day about the Bush administration’s systematic violation of the support, protection, decency and trust between people and their government, between people and each other, which is the social compact. And nothing happens. 

It was patiently and laboriously proved within two years that Bush stole the presidency in 2000. Nothing happened. 

It was patiently and laboriously proved within one year that he again stole the presidency in 2004, and a report requesting hearings was submitted to Congress by the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. Nothing happened. 

As each successive reason for the war evaporated it has become clear that the motivation for the war is war itself. We know these things; a fluctuating, unorganized plurality has known them, expected them for many years. Now that Bush has been able to appoint two doctrinaire Republicans to the Supreme Court, he controls all three branches of the government—the executive, by theft, the legislative through his lobbyist allies, and the judicial, by luck: the immense, powerful apparatus of the federal government as a network of lies that includes the party in control and the divided, timorous party of the “opposition.” The state, its powers and privileges, is taken, private property, no trespass. 

What is left? The people are left: California, the Bay Area, Berkeley. Four years ago a million Americans, on the street and in public assemblies, and millions more across the planet, gathered to protest the planned invasion of Iraq. Two years ago millions of Americans supported for president a candidate who said “We want our country back.” Who said, clearly and unequivocally, the nation’s wealth should be spent for the common good, for education, medical care, care for the environment—not to destroy life, not to enrich further the already very rich. 

How? By again taking to the street. By walking with strangers, who become not strangers, but comrades. By showing that we are, already, a community. Key leaders in this community must be the people who directly represent us: Barbara Lee, our representative in Congress. She is already heroic —the only member of Congress to vote against the Bush Blank Check for Invasion, and Undefined, Unending War. She is on the Committee to Impeach Bush. She is a leader in the effort to get a timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq. We need the voices of Tom Bates, our mayor, and Loni Hancock, our representative in Sacramento, too. We need their support for town meetings, their counsel and help to draft and prepare material for distribution. And then we need teach-ins, here in Berkeley, and in other areas—Stockton, Fresno, Chico, Monterey, Modesto. Lee has already held several town meetings (in each case, the announcements, unfortunately, were extremely late). Bates and Hancock are skilled and excellent in many ways. On the spreading blight of jingoist imperialism, spreading from our doorsteps across the planet, they have been austerely silent. The savagery, the greed, the blight is unified, a handful of directors and their beneficiaries situated on the power points of control. We too must be unified. We are potentially the incalculably greater force. And we shall win. 

We are the community that initiated and by example spread public opposition to the Vietnam War. We pulled down a freeway. We started up recycling of waste resources. We protected free speech on the UC Berkeley campus, and the movement spread. Our citizens turned on other citizens who turned on others to insist through legislation to keep San Francisco Bay a bay and not a river. 

Think globally, act locally is often a good rule. There are times when thinking and acting must be the same. We are caught in, and we must respond to what Martin Luther King called (on the night before his murder) the “fateful urgency of now.” 

Ariel Parkinson is a Berkeley artist and poet. 

INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

In 2004, Berkeley’s citizens voted overwhemingly—by a 72 percent landslide—to mandate instant runoff voting (IRV), also known as “ranked choice voting,” for all future Berkeley candidate elections. 

On Tuesday, March 7 the Berkeley City Council is scheduled to discuss and act upon this Berkeley voter mandate. A rally in support of IRV will be held on the steps of the City Council Chambers at 6 p.m. (before the council meeting at 7 p.m.). 

It is imperative that the City Council move forward immediately to implement an IRV voting process for the upcoming November 2006 general election.  

If necessary, the Berkeley City Council must consider the option of hand counting IRV ballots. Hand counting of IRV ballots was used successfully in San Francisco during the city’s November 2004 election for Board of Supervisor candidates. This process took about three hours to complete without any glitches or problems. 

San Francisco’s successful 2004 IRV voting process serves as a model for Berkeley and other California cities scheduled to transition to IRV voting. San Francisco’s IRV process is permanent and will be used again during the 2006 elections.  

Ballot hand counting is also used in countries around the world, including Ireland which uses an IRV voting process to elect that nation’s president. Ireland hand counts over a million ballots within 24 hours. 

I urge the Berkeley City Council to act with all deliberate speed and implement an IRV voting process for the November, 2006 election. Berkeley’s voter mandate—72 percent “yes”—for IRV must be acted upon and established without delay. Berkeley’s voters deserve no less. 

Chris Kavanagh 

• 

MONEY AND INFLUENCE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am puzzled by Becky O’Malley’s editorial of excessive salaries. First, she tries to address the issue of high (albeit often excessive) salaries in the private sector. Then takes strange potshots at fellow journalists to highlight the excessiveness. Wake up, Becky! If you ask most of us, we’ll tell you how we struggled for years on very low salaries, hand-outs (serious thanks to my parents and relatives), and how landing that first, real, regular gig was the hardest time on Earth.  

What’s to point out here is that in a city like Berkeley, which has so much local media, we don’t know if the Planet even pays a living wage to its writers and contributors—or if its freelancers can survive on just the work they’re getting published. Most, if not all managers in newspapers, television and radio earn high salaries because they deserve them. Many having likely worked in their formative years on not much at all. Then again, for the interest of the public and fellow journalists, Becky O’Malley is the editor of the Planet and her husband is the publisher. She told the Daily Californian in 2003 that she could run the newspaper with a monetary loss for up to two years. The couple bought the paper and invested in it using revenue from the 1996 sale of their software company, Berkeley Speech Technologies, for $15.5 million. Being independently wealthy is never a qualification to be the editor of a newspaper. The public and my fellow journalists should also be aware of the fact that of all the family-owned newspapers in California, only the Planet has a family member on its editorial board. Money can buy influence, Becky, but it can’t cover up stupidity. 

John Parman 

• 

EASTSHORE STATE PARK 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I’m writing in regard to Eastshore State Park at the Berkeley Marina. As some of you may know the land was originally the Berkeley dump and then became a kind of wilderness where quite a few nature-lovers would enjoy exploring, some like myself often painting plein air. True, there was a dog problem, but this could have been solved while keeping it open to the public and making it welcome to shorebirds as well. 

Instead the park system, with considerable cost to taxpayers, has transformed it by clear-cut into what is essentially their private property, and the public is excluded except for an ugly path between wire fences where no one has yet to walk. 

This was planned by a commission of people in Sacramento who neither live in Berkeley nor will visit the area, and yet they have taken over the land and built a kind of zoo for geese and ducks. 

I love birds as much as anyone. I especially loved the flocks of blackbirds and finches that are now gone from the area, as well as all the snakes and rabbits and who knew what else, plus of course all the wild plants. 

Like many others, I’m all for welcoming migratory birds and offering space for those who would like to stay, but this could have been done without such draconian measures. Instead a group of people who care nothing for Berkeley residents have created an abomination of desolation where even bird watchers will have to do their watching through an ugly fence. 

In a society where so much of the land is private property, many of us are grateful for parks where we can enjoy what only the rich could otherwise afford, but those who control these parks are not always mindful of other concerns beside their own. The wild place that had grown from what had been a dump was a place of natural anarchy that such people tend to abhor, since they are the people of fences and locks and a kind of development that has become rampant across the planet. This new park is not a wetland restoration project, but one that was born from a computer many miles away. 

No doubt many of your readers support such a move. It is not enough for them to have the Doubletree motel cover the rest of the area, no, they must control it all and exert their will over it. In the meantime the fence will remain, the ugly black fence with the signs that say, “Keep Out. Restricted Area.” It breaks my heart every time I pass by and remember how open and lush the land was before. 

P. Najarian 

• 

CHECHNYA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am a college student in Berkeley. Recently, a troubling subject has come to my attention, and although it has been going on for most of the last decade, I personally have been wrapped up in an environment that places little importance on what happens outside of the immediate community. Now in Berkeley, I hear news all the time, and the only thing that’s been circling my brain for the last several months is the Chechen situation. 

A UCB student says it best in a recent article: 

In the case of Chechnya, we have a population of people that have historically been physically fragmented by deportation and war. Chechnya itself currently exists as a federal subject of Russia despite having declared independence in 1991. To date, no other state has recognized them as independent from Russia. Given their struggle with Russia how the “rest of the world” identifies them is not irrelevant but in fact inextricably tied to their destiny. Without being recognized as a sovereign state by the world, any conflict it experiences with Russia remains, technically, a civil war. 

Essentially, because the rest of the world only sees Chechnya only as a part of Russia instead of an independent country under constant attack, no one thinks twice about the atrocities that go on there year after year. If we were to view Chechnya as its own country, then perhaps powers like the United Nations would become involved, and the Chechen people could make progress toward the societal stability they so desperately need to establish. 

I think that there are many people in this community and other surrounding communities who, like me, have heard little to nothing on this subject. What I get from news sources has a decidedly Russian slant, referring to them as “separatist Chechen guerrillas,” and the fact that the “Russians have dealt with the separatist republic of Chechnya.” 

With all that I’ve learned about Chechnya and its struggles, I’m left with one question: What can I do (as an individual)? Perhaps the answer to that question is to rattle a few cages and become a catalyst to challenge the public’s perception. If there is more public interest, perhaps the powers that be will step in to regulate the situation so that it is not so violently one-sided. 

Diana Sanders 

• 

RELIGION AND ADVERTISING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Ask your recent letter-writer how many people have died after receiving psychartric treatment or drugs? 

Should they be banned from advertising? 

What is the source of the writer’s information and did they investigate the circumstances related to the events they claim or was that merely hearsay? 

I’m glad they have the ability to espouse their opinion and they should defend the rights of Scientologists to do the same. A little investigation will show that Scientologists are very careful about what they claim, and by the same token what others may claim about their religion. 

Patrick Luefan 

• 

DISAPPOINTED 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I wonder if others are as disappointed in the sound system at City Council as I am. Ever since Mayor Bates has become mayor, attendance at City Council meetings has been an exercise in futility. If you want to know what the mayor is saying, you have to strain to read his words on a monitor. You can hear him mumbling, but not what he is saying. 

I wonder if the mayor even wants to be heard by the public. I am positive he makes sure he is heard by those he makes deals with behind the scenes. 

I am especially concerned because there are national issues of privacy at stake in our own local area now. Homeland Security is cultivating positions on a computer server hooking into our city computers. At the Feb. 21 City Council meeting there was a consent item No. 9 passed asking the city manager to report what has happened and what is planned. Unfortunately, there is no deadline for him to get back to the council. This is an urgent matter. Our privacy and our democracy may be at stake. Councilmembers Spring and Wozniak authored the request for the report. City Council may not know what is going on, but I find it hard to believe that the mayor doesn’t know. 

We need our City Council, and our mayor, to protect our privacy. We need them to keep us clearly informed about how Homeland Security is hooked in to our local connections and city networks. We need town hall meetings to discuss what has been done and what is being planned regarding this involvement. 

How about it, Mayor Bates? Can’t you improve your ability to speak up so we can hear you? We need to hear you at council meetings, and we need to hear you are protecting our privacy and our right to know...by holding town hall meetings in several parts of town that are well publicized in advance. 

The assault on our privacy at the library is now being compounded by further erosions of our democracy in our city networks. Will you please speak up so we can hear you?  

Nancy Delaney 

• 

DENSITY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Downtown planners embrace density. Sure, togetherness is a wonderful thing but why sit so close to someone else’s table in a restaurant that you can hear all about your neighbor’s latest medical procedure? Berkeley is not New York. 

Planners advocate maximizing space by cutting it up into little spaces. I wonder if density advocates live in little apartments above restaurants, or if they have plenty of space to lay out their plans. How much space can be created by treating our downtown like a California Closet System? 

An apartment with tiny rooms is OK if you don’t want to make noise, have hobbies, play music or let the kids run around. At some point, an apartment becomes a pod. Many people live in their heads already, with electronic equipment to create private space. 

I think that windows should open to let in air and light. Every room should have one. You may think this is not only unrealistic, but insane. After all, cubicles are the norm for office workers, why not for apartment dwellers? 

Packing people together ever more closely doesn’t bring out the best in individuals, or to downtown life. Many Berkeley houses already have new units where the miniature back yards used to be. How much space do people need or deserve? Enough to put on a shirt without scraping one’s knuckles? 

Finer minds than mine debate urban planning. I simply urge the planners to consider maintenance over redevelopment where it is feasible. I realize it’s more glamorous to dedicate an new building than it is to dedicate an upgraded storm drain to the hardworking people who build our town. It’s easier to knock a building down (although some of them are pretty sturdy) that it is to build new ones. The new ones take a staggering amount of resources, so let’s build them sparingly and upgrade some of what we have. 

Many density advocates believe that increased urban density saves farmland from being developed. Even if residents are stacked like cordwood in downtown Berkeley apartments, developers will still build large single family homes in outlying areas. 

I am a citizen for more transparency, air and light. I know I’m already dense enough, I don’t know about you. I may sit eighteen inches away from you in a downtown restaurant and find out. 

Jean Hooker 

• 

BEREKELY HONDA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

First, congratulations to those who said all along that Berkeley Honda doesn’t want to settle with the union. You were right! On Feb. 15, the eight-month anniversary of this labor conflict, Berkeley Honda got a hearing with the National Labor Relations Board, where they sought permission to hold a decertification election to dissolve the union. The shop’s strike-breaking workers signed the petition for decertification, but does anyone doubt that management was behind this action? Especially since the petition was delivered by the Assistant Service Manager? The NLRB will issue a decision within the next month. 

Second, congratulations to Berkeley Honda for taking another giant step towards your real goal of breaking the union, while solemnly swearing for the entire eight months of this strike that you truly want to settle with the union. And thank you for your relentless efforts in the service of lower wages, poorer health care, the displacement of long-time workers, and an insecure, pension-free old age—the fruits of union-busting.  

Third, should the NLRB rule in management’s favor (a strong possibility since the Board is headed by Bush appointees) be assured that nothing will change for the Berkeley Honda Labor and Community Coalition. The shop’s anti-worker agenda is immoral, and we will continue to respond to that, whatever the ruling. So just in case management has forgotten our pledge to them, we now reiterate it yet again: “Berkeley Honda, we will be here one day longer than you.”  

Nat Courtney 

Garry Horrocks 

Jon Rodney 

Harry Brill 

Judy Shelton 

• 

MIDDLE EAST 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The erudite virtuoso, Dan Spitzer of Kensington, writing down on KPFA, frames these exquisite words in the Feb. 17 Daily Planets: “Speaking of which [the “ideological simpletons” at KPFA], Hamas spokespeople’s dressing in suits…underscores that attempting democracy in a Palestinian society..is..comparable to attempting cosmetic surface alternations on a sow.” Read that over carefully and I won’t need to say anything more about it. 

To further enhance Mr. Spitzer’s brilliant elaboration of the Zionist position on Palestine, Palestinians, and democracy, (as well as his egalitarianism) we ought compel him to view Steven Spielberg’s film Munich alternating with John Pilger’s film Palestine is Still the Issue for 40 days and 40 nights. A ridiculous proposal, of course, since the problem is mainly that of the U.S. journalism corp which, under scrupulous guidance, knows just about everything (inflect that as nothing) about Palestinian actualities but everything (and really everything) about what ideological frame they get paid to buttress.  

Small facts for the record: Hamas has fairly well upheld a year of suspension of attacks within Israel, while the daily targeted killings by Israel with weekly dozens of innocent Palestinian victims—many of them children—continues unabated. Today, the Israeli cabinet voted to put destitute, homeless Palestine “on a diet” (Israel’s jocular terminology not mine) up to the point of starvation of the general population, cutting off 50 million a month much of it the Palestinian’s own money Israel collects in taxes. The Israelis have never, ever in 50 years suggested they would withdraw from the giant cities they have erected after seizing Palestinian west bank lands (which all sounds amazingly like the Afrikaner Nationalist Party of old).  

This week our U.S. government raised Israel’s poker bet by also withdrawing 50 million of aid per month of its own. This game is called “be subjugated, or die.” They excoriated Arafat; they ridiculed Abbas; they hate Hamas; they hate Palestine, they deny it exists, and wonder why many Palestinians—Hamas in particular--deny Israel’s right to exist. And this is the new American way. Like Iraq, this is the national legacy our children will have to live with: war on the defenseless to take their lives and resources, then call them terror.  

Marc Sapir  

• 

OUT OF TOUCH 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Those critics of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who say that the board is out of touch with the average American for passing their impeachment resolution should take a look at the Zogby International poll that was conducted from Jan. 9-12. 

The poll found that 52 percent of those surveyed agreed with the statement: “If President Bush wiretapped American citizens without the approval of a judge, do you agree or disagree that Congress should consider holding him accountable through impeachment.” Since Bush has admitted bypassing the courts to run his surveillance program the Board is in line with the views of the majority of Americans. 

If we also add in all of Bush’s other misdeeds, such as his illegal wars, the deaths of Katrina victims, the condoning of torture, etc. it is clear we can not afford another three years of the Bush regime. 

In addition to the immorality and illegality of Bush’s actions we also have unconscionable monetary costs. The National Priorities Project recently concluded that the war in Iraq has translated into a $40 billion dollar cost to the people of California. The war has cost Berkeley residents $115 million. 

The money being used to kill and maim people in Iraq could be used for health care, housing, education, and so many other priorities. 

I hope that the Berkeley City Council and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will soon follow the lead of San Francisco by passing similar resolutions. 

For more information on how to oust the Bush regime before it is too late, see worldcantwait.net. 

Kenneth J. Theisen 

Oakland 

EDITOR’S NOTE: We have recently received more than letters than we can possible print. Therefore the following letters appear only on our website. 

Out of Context at  

Berkeley High 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

With all the hoopla and hand-wringing over Muslim response to the Danish cartoons, I wonder if it would bother the Berkeley High School faculty and administration if their students were being encouraged to take Mohammad and the Quran out of context. My guess is that the educators at Berkeley High are very concerned that their students learn NOT to take anything Islamic out of context (as well they should). Yet literally carved into the very building of Berkeley High School is a statement taken greatly out of context and this is, I assume, perfectly OK with the faculty and staff.  

Emblazoned on one of Berkeley High School’s main buildings is the statement: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” It might interest the educators there to know that this statement is originally found in the Bible on the lips of Jesus Christ. And if any of them bothered to check the context of this statement by Jesus, I doubt they would want the statement on their building any longer. The proper context is thus: “Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ‘If you remain in My word, then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free…If therefore the Son (i.e., Jesus Christ) shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:32, 36). I wonder if Berkeley High School students are taught that the “truth” being referred to in the statement carved into their building is the truth of Jesus Christ’s words in the Bible, not general sociological, anthropological, psychological, chemical, or any other truth? The context makes this clear. I’m sure students are NOT being taught this. So, I guess the Bible can be quoted out of context for whatever educational purpose Berkeley High wants, and who cares if the students don’t know, right? But can anyone imagine a school having a Quranic verse carved into it’s building so blatantly distorted and out of context? I think not. That’s all right, Christians will ‘take it,’ right? So what’s the lesson being taught to Berkeley High students? Precisely this: You may take the Bible and Jesus Christ, who is worshipped by billions of people on this planet, out of context, but don’t dare take other writings (Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, you name it) out of context. Bad example, Berkeley High School!  

Michael Duenes 

Berkeley and Beyond Institute 

• 

WATCH OUT PROFESSOR 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Theodore Roszak got his only laugh at a January reading from this book at Cody’s when he referred to a New Yorker cartoon in which one bearded hippy assures another that he speaks for the whole human race. Roszak knows that he speaks for a very small number of people and it is no laughing matter. What makes him angry is not just any one of the policies or activities of the Bush administration but their underlying thrust: the extension of an American empire into global dominance that he calls Triumphalism. 

While loaded with wit and topical references what sets this book apart from most other critiques of the Bush administration is the author’s penetration into the underlying presuppositions, policies and people that give that viewpoint such force. Roszak sees three factors that combine for a “perfect storm” historically: Corporations, Neo-con intellectuals and Religious fundamentalists. He shows how they developed, gained power and continue in control of American politics through money and guns and belief.  

There is no easy way out of this storm and Roszak does not forecast any lessening of its force any time soon. But all is not lost. There are soft spots in the Imperial movement and tough resources in its small but growing opposition. Roszak appeals to an international audience to limit and correct American policy through intellectual, diplomatic and economic means. This same appeal is made to Americans with the addition of stress on the religious element in which progressive churches are urged to mount a full-scale critique to the fundamentalist right wing and its politics. While not itself a program the book offers the basis for a systematic alternative. 

Roszak’s work reminds me of Augustine amid the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. Both have an historical sense that allows them to participate in their own time and to some extent transcend it while giving directions to it. Augustine wrote from the perspective of faith that saw the City of God enduring even as the City of Man declined. Having Augustine, we need not require Roszak to pass some doctrinal test. We only need him to keep telling the truth as he sees it. However, the fact that he closes the book by quoting Jesus and sees connections between the Jesus People and the Counter Culture that has relevance today should hearten religious leaders. The same week in which he read from his book at Cody‚s the Pacific School of Religion launched a progressive Christian website to www.progressivechristianwitness.org add to the existing www.faithvoices.org. 

In the Doonesbury cartoon of Sunday Jan. 29 Garry Trudeau pictures a small group of soldiers in Iraq questioning those who put them there. One replies that the neo-con architects of this war—Perle, Rice, Wolfowitz—can’t ignore the consequences of their action and in time some will become tragic figures haunted by the bloody history they helped author. He concludes, “Every outfit has someone like me. We’re usually called ‘professor.’” In our case, that includes Professor Roszak. 

David Randolph 

• 

A SIMPLE WAY OUT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

There is a simple way out of our current national nightmare of being ruled by the illegitimate Bush-Cheney regime. Instead of going through the inevitable coming impeachment, trial, conviction and removal of Cheney and Bush, with all its partisan unpleasantries, it would be much better for all, if they simply resigned and allowed Al Gore and John Edwards to replace them. These changes would restore legitimacy to our federal government.  

First, Bush would pardon himself, Cheney and their administration staff members for all of their thousands of felonies, high crimes and misdemeanors that they have committed since stealing the presidential election in 2000 with the connivance of five partisan Supreme Court justices.  

Second, Bush would ask Vice President Dick Cheney to resign and he would do so. Then Bush would appoint Al Gore as the new vice president and the Senate would then confirm him. Next Bush would resign and return to his horseless and cattleless ranch in Crawford, Texas and resume cutting brush. Then President Al Gore would appoint John Edwards as vice president and he would be confirmed by the Senate. This transition will allow Bush, Cheney, et al to avoid serving long prison terms for their many criminal acts. Letting them all off the legal hook for their crimes is the tradeoff necessary for us to get our democracy back. 

With our American democracy restored, we, the people, and the new Gore-Edwards administration could get on with the enormous task of cleaning up the messes, quagmires, morasses and other assorted problems created over the past five years of the illegitimate, corrupt and incompetent Bush regime.  

First, we will immediately and unconditionally withdraw all of our troops, mercenaries and officials out of Iraq and Afghanistan. We need to let the Iraqis and Afghanis determine their own destinies without any further American interference. We need to end our war on the poor people of the third world and let them live their own lives without American interference. 

Second, we will rescind all of the absurd tax cuts for the rich enacted by the GOP and Bush in the last five years. We need to get a grip on our federal budget deficits and reduce them to zero as President Clinton did in the 1990s.  

Third, we will create a single-payer federal universal health insurance system that will cover all Americans. It will include health care, dental care, vision care, nursing home care and pharmaceutical drugs for all Americans. This bold and long overdue step will probably immediately cut health care costs by about a third and will also greatly slow down future health care cost increases.  

Fourth, we will immediately return to time-tested traditional hand-counted paper ballots in all of our elections. We will dump all of the electronic computerized voting machines and electronic computerized vote tabulating machines into the nearest bodies of water. Actually, a few of them should be saved as exhibits in Museums of Corporate Greed, which will be established in towns and cities across this great land, to educate present and future generations. These actions will end the practice of the GOP electronically hacking, rigging and stealing of computerized elections in 2002, 2004 and 2005. 

Fifth, all elections will be 100 percent publicly funded. There will be plenty of time for extended debates and discussions made available on our publicly owned airwaves (television and radio). All in person lobbying by special interest groups with campaign donations and gifts will be outlawed. They can write letters to government representatives, just like the rest of us. 

Sixth, we will end all illegal spying and wiretapping and eavesdropping by the NSA, the CIA, the Pentagon and other government organizations. All such wiretaps and surveillance will need to be approved by the FISA court or other courts before being undertaken.  

Seventh, we will break the monopoly grip of a few major corporations on our public airwaves (radio and television) and return the public airwaves to broadcasting by non-profit public interest groups. 

Eighth, we will rewrite our NAFTA, WTO and other international trade agreements to protect our traditional American manufacturing jobs and our new technology jobs from being exported around the world. We will take our manufacturing jobs back from China and we will take our technology jobs back from India. The label, “Made in the USA” used to a point of pride. We can make American shoes for American feet in factories located here in the USA. 

Ninth, we can raise federal corporate tax levels to the traditional rates imposed back in the 1950s. Corporations need to pay their fair share of taxes since they greatly benefit from the sound and secure functioning of our complicated infrastructure. Multinational corporations that sell products to us need to pay taxes that they are currently evading and avoiding by offshoring their headquarters in little Caribbean island nations. Oil companies, pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, HMOs and credit card banks are all making obscene and growing profits. Credit cards need to have an interest ceiling equal to the current prime interest rate, about 6 percent, not at 12 percent, 18 percent or 27 percent interest rates now being charged. Traditional Muslim culture does not permit the charging of any interest on loans; this may help explain some of the Bush-Cheney Administration’s extreme hostility to Muslim cultures. 

Tenth, we need to establish a federal minimum wage of ten dollars per hour plus an annual four week paid vacation for all workers. This will help allow all Americans to enjoy the American dream. 

James K. Sayre 

Oakland 

I believe that the real disease, the root causes for the imbalance around the Ashby BART station are two-fold—both due to the design of BART done 50 years ago. The first is the six-lane section of Adeline, like a freeway in the heart of a residential area with the disastrous angled intersection of Adeline and Ashby, which has plagued us for a long time, long before BART, and is all the more intractable because Ashby is a state highway, necessarily involving the State of California. Adeline and this inters ection contribute, more than anything else, to the unfriendly feeling of the area, particularly to pedestrians. The second is the damage incurred when healthy neighborhoods were destroyed for BART parking. There has been no attempt to repair any of that damage.  

Because neighborhood destruction without any mitigation is at the heart of this issue, I feel it is appropriate—actually, necessary—that we create a neighborhood, both to replace the erased neighborhood, and to knit the city fabric back together where it was cut apart. Of course, we must also acknowledge the 40 years of evolving cityscape that is now in place here, and look ahead so what we will build can both evolve with and guide future growth.  

I feel the planning grant gives us a golden, or at least underwritten, opportunity, as a community, to talk about this. In fact, the planning grant is already working, already driving communication around these issues involving all of us. For without some actual money on the table there would never hav e been anything to rally opposition! I have great hope for the process on which we are embarking. What each of us has to say, this is the time and place to say it. We are all the hammers, we need all our fire to forge something worthwhile! 

The planning g rant proposal outlines a mixed-use project of 50 units per acre, with spaces for retail use and performing arts, and other things that are needed to support a neighborhood community. 

Looking at the neighborhoods that surround BART right now, I wondered w hat their density was- and what does 50 living units per acre actually look like? The current acceptable lot size in Berkeley is 5,000 square feet. One house on that lot gets 9 units per acre. In Berkeley this is known as R1 zoning, and is almost non-exis tent. Last year I did a study of my R4 neighborhood, which is Otis Street, and Russell Street between MLK and Milvia. My neighborhood has 25 units per acre, but it feels like less; even long-time residents think it is a neighborhood of single-family home s. One interesting thing about the Otis-Russell Neighborhood is that it is the same physical size as the BART parking lot under discussion! That is, you could make a copy of it and plop it down, streets and all, and it would just fit- you’d have 25 units per acre and a fine working neighborhood. But this would fall short in some ways. 

One important shortcoming is that it would not contribute much to the spaces, especially the Ashby and Adeline streetscapes, that surround the BART parking lot. Those wide wide spaces need buildings with some height to help define them. The best nearby example is the Hudson Antique Building, or Webb Block, the big reddish curved building right across Ashby from the BART parking lot. During its initiation as a Berkeley Land mark, it was often remarked that this building really “held” the corner with its mass and form. The Ashby streetscape sorely needs something of equally striking character on the other side, for balance. The same thing is true for both sides of Adeline. 

T he Webb Block also makes a good study of housing density and mixed use development. All together it has 14 units: 10 apartments and 4 commercial spaces. This works out to 100 units per acre, or if only the apartments are considered, about 72 units per acr e. So if mixed-use buildings were built using this Berkeley landmark as a model, they would be way over the study level of 50 units per acre. 

Another interesting example of mixed use development is the Berkeley Zen Center on Russell Street, which is comp rised of 10 units and a Zendo. Here there are about 48 units per acre, with room for the Zendo and landscaping. This is very close to the 50 units per acre study level. 

A third instructive example is the apartment building at 2923 Otis St., which provides 52 units per acre, as well as parking for 78 cars per acre, perhaps the cars missing from the first two examples. This is also a good example of what drove the formation of the Berkeley Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance in the mid-‘70s, in opposition of development that destroyed existing houses. Here is an opportunity to learn from our mistakes also.  

We do know what makes good neighborhoods. There are tons of studies, and better, there are actual good neighborhoods, right here. There are also good neighborhoods recently built new, from scratch, for us to look at for both their shortcomings and successes.  

Ultimately we have to work with what is here, right in front of us, and what it will take to make it work. For example, if we consider somethin g like the Webb Block, a strong edge of buildings to hold the frontages of Ashby and Adeline Streets, that line of buildings could also contain most of the housing needed on this site, and the third side of the triangle, across Martin Luther King Junior W ay, could mostly be left open. That would make a nice area for recreation, being open to the South and West for lots of sunshine. 

I think MLK is the easiest street to get across of the three that border the BART lot, and would be the most easily modified by controlled crosswalks to encourage free interchange, so that a new recreation area might be used by neighbors on both sides of the street. In this way the existing row of houses on MLK and the new buildings on Ashby and Adeline would surround a park as well as the portion of MLK Way that went through alongside the park. 

The Adeline Corridor and the Ashby/Adeline intersection is a difficult problem; there is a history of failed attempts to tame it. I believe this is an issue that must be met squarely, and that solving it is crucial to the whole area and the BART development in particular. A six or seven lane freeway is grossly out of character in a residential area and in a commercial area. Its presence fosters driving habits and attitudes that are extremely dangerous, as any pedestrian knows, sometimes, unfortunately, to their peril! I hope the City of Berkeley will see the importance of integrating Ashby and Adeline streets into this study.  

So, I say, let’s get to work! 

David Soffa is a Berkeley resident.w

Now that Assemblymember Hancock’s “Fair Elections and Clean Money” legislation (AB 583) has passed the Assembly and is on its way to the Senate, it’s time to get beyond the supporters’ slogans and hype and discuss the actual contents of this bill. 

Up until two weeks before it passed the Assembly, AB 583 had two major components, each with profound impacts on how politics in Sacramento would be financed. 

The first major component of AB 583 was a simple but extremely effective change in the current law. It classified campaign contributions in excess of $500 as “income” for purposed of the Political Reform Act of 1974. As a result of this change, legislators could not vote on and the governor could not veto legislation that would affect their large contributors (i.e. their sources of income), eliminating any influence these donors might have on the legislative process. It cost the taxpayer nothing and I did not oppose it. However, one week before AB 583 was passed by the Assembly, it was amended and this component was deleted. It was independent and separable from this bill’s other provisions, and the only truly effective way of ending the “pay to play” politics in Sacramento that supporters of AB 583 oppose. 

The rest of this legislation establishes and elaborate and expensive taxpayer financed political campaign framework. Hancock estimates its administrative costs alone to be about $3 million a year. 

When fully funded, this framework could cost taxpayers dozens of millions of dollars each election for political propaganda generated by candidates qualifying for and accepting public financing. It is not clear why, when candidates for public office can create websites for only hundreds of dollars, campaign managers should be given the keys to the State Treasury and access to millions of dollars of taxpayer’s money to pay for political advertisements that may be misleading, deceptive, or completely false. 

Contrary to some of their supporters’ claims, AB 583 will not ensure a “level playing field” in political races. Nor will it limit political campaign spending in the aggregate. This is because it does not limit spending by candidates who choose to rely on private voluntary donations, as they do now, instead of publicly financed campaign funds. 

This bill creates the possibility of taxation without representation. For example, if none of the candidates running for Assemblymember Hancock’s seat take tax-subsidies, for their campaigns, taxpayers in her district could end up paying for the campaigns of Assembly candidates in other districts they may oppose but can’t vote against. 

The taxpayer financing provisions of Assemblymember Hancock’s legislation are in direct conflict with provisions of the Political Reform Act of 1974. That law prohibits a candidate from accepting public funds for the purpose of seeking elective office. Because of this conflict, with law enacted by initiative, AB 583 as presently worded, must ultimately be approved or rejected by the voters if it passes the Legislature and the Governor. 

Assemblymember Hancock’s legislation is also in direct conflict with her constituents’ preferences. In the 2004 general election, voters in Berkeley resoundingly rejected public financing of political campaigns at the municipal level. We felt that out taxes were better spent on teachers, public safety, and public works instead of on more politicians. 

There is a simple amendment to Assemblymember Hancock’s legislation that would eliminate any costs to the taxpayer, and prevent the politicians in Sacramento from tapping our wallets for their financial gain. AB 583 establishes a “Clean Money Fund” to finance its implementation. Revenues to this fund may come from voluntary donations and fines levied for breaches to campaign laws and regulations. However, as passed by the Assembly, this bill also allows the legislature to appropriate money collected form taxes, (i.e. from eh General Fund) to this special fund. By simply prohibiting the appropriation of tax-generated revenues to this “Clean Money” fund, Assemblymember Hancock could guarantee us that her proposal would indeed use only “clean” money. 

But don’t take my word on any of this. See for yourself by visiting Assemblymember Hancock’s website for a copy of her legislation and analyses by Assembly committee consultants. If you agree with me, please let Assemblymember Hancock know, before this political gravy train goes much further. 

Keith Winnard is a Berkeley resident. 

This year I watch the 78th Academy Awards from the ninth floor, east wing of Oakland’s Kaiser Permanente Hospital. I sit in an ergonomically incorrect chair and crane my neck upward toward a small TV hanging from the ceiling. 

In a hospital bed beside me, my husband Ralph goes in and out of consciousness, an infection coursing through his body, multiple IVs attached to various parts of his body. 

I try to distract myself from the immediate situation by thinking about other things, such as the last time I watched the Academy Awards. It had been in 2003 with my 81-year-old friend Leroy Liggons. 

Leroy told me he hadn’t been to a movie theater in 20 years. The last film he’d seen on the big screen was E.T. Before that it had been 16 years since he’d been inside a theater. He’d seen James Dean in Giant. 

“One helluva good movie,” Leroy reported. 

But going to the movies twice in 36 years didn’t stop Leroy from having an opinion on everything that was happening at the 75th Academy Awards. He gave me a running commentary on who was who and what was what. 

“I don’t need to go to the movies,” said Leroy. “I can find out everything I need to know on TV.” 

He mentioned that he used to drink with Whoopi Goldberg at Nick’s Bar down on 63rd and Adeline in Berkeley. Leroy said that if you thought Whoopi ugly now, you shoulda seen her then. 

“Back in the day,” said Leroy, “Whoopi was you-glee. You know what that means?” 

Before I could make a guess, Leroy answered his own question. 

“That means uglier than ugly. But that Halle Berry, now she is some kinda good lookin’ woman.” 

Leroy sat real close to the TV screen and squinted. Despite his cataracts, he showed an extraordinary interest in what was under Halle’s dress. 

Leroy said that in 1957 he’d tried out for a part in Porgy and Bess. In 1937, while growing up in Omaha, he’d followed Barbara Stanwyck around during the filming of Union Pacific. 

“Barbara had pockmarks all over her face,” said Leroy. “I couldn’t understand how she could be a movie star. But you know, when she showed up on the screen, those holes were all filled in. They can do anything in Hollywood. Make a blind man see. Make a movie star outta Whoopi. Hell, they could even make a guy like me look good, if they’d only given it a try.” 

Leroy paused for a moment and then asked, “How much does it cost to go to the movies these days?” 

“Between eight and 11 dollars,” I answered. “Plus $5 for popcorn and another three for a soda. But you could get in for a little cheaper since you’re a senior citizen.” 

“Damn,” said Leroy. He spread out the fingers of his left hand and counted off the digits one by one. “Twenty dollars for dinner, 10 dollars for drinks, another 16 for the movie and 30 bucks for a motel room.” 

He threw both hands in the air and then brought them down hard, slapping his thighs. “You can’t hardly afford to go out no more, can you?” 

I stared at my octogenarian friend. It hadn’t occurred to me that Leroy could get a date, let alone persuade someone of the opposite sex to go with him to a movie and then to a motel room. 

“I guess I got better things to do with my time,” Leroy continued. “But you know, I wouldn’t mind seeing E.T. again. It came back around last year, did you know that? Ain’t that the damnedest thing? You live long enough and everything comes around again. Hell, I betcha Whoopi’ll be back at Nick’s one of these days. And when she shows up, we’ll all be glad to see her. She’ll be a damn sight easier on the eyes this time, that’s for sure. And who knows, maybe she’ll bring along Halle. Now that would be worth sticking around for.” 

A nurse comes into room 921, distracting me from the current Academy Awards ceremony and my thoughts of Leroy. He didn’t have a chance to stick around for Whoopi or Halle. By the end of April 2003 he was dead from years of cigarette smoke and hard living. 

I look over at my husband, see his pained expression, hear his labored breath. I turn my thoughts to Hollywood, to Reese Witherspoon, George Clooney and the rest of them. Then I click off the television and pay attention to the here and now. Like Leroy, I’ve got better things to do with my time. 

›

We get just enough sun in between the rains to keep us hoping, this time of year; just enough life showing in the trees and plants, wild and tame, to make us believe that there’s more to the world than cold and mud. The plums have blossomed and are starting to get down to summer’s business, unfurling their leaves to catch the sun of longer days. The buckeyes—just look at the bunch in the center strip on Sacramento south of University!—are spreading translucent green hands out to the plenty flowing from the sky. The sun itself, as the world turns our side to face it straight-on, begins to touch us with palpable energy. 

That energy is light and heat together, and plants have the trick of using it, in particular the light. That’s the part that’s least palpable to us, only visible, and we have enough of it to see by all year in daytime and artificial means of making it by night, so we rarely appreciate its influence. Trees, though, reach for it with every fiber of their aboveground being, and use it to run the biggest manufacturing operation on the planet, photosynthesis, as they build themselves out of air and the water and minerals they stand rooted in.  

At eight photons a pop, a plant sorts out a carbon dioxide molecule in the air to make a carbon compound, a sugar, for its own use, and just by the way drops a molecule of oxygen back out into the air around it. As waste goes, this is rather environmentally benign, especially to those of us who need to breathe it. It does this trick using pigments, usually green, that get excited and start tossing electrons around when they see light.  

After that beginning, a chain of chemical reactions follows; some of those can happen in the dark. Plants don’t actually sleep at night; they just perform another set of metabolic chores. But some of them, the deciduous perennials including lots of our trees, seem to sleep in winter.  

In some climates, this is a drought adaptation of sorts. Water that’s frozen in the soil is just as unavailable to tree roots as water on the other side of a rainshadowing mountain range. So deciduous trees in cold climates drop all their leaves at once to save water, and even some trees here where there’s more water in the soil in winter than in summer have retained that habit. Some of them, like those buckeyes, strip bare when the year’s water reserves in their particular bit of soil are tapped out, even if this is just late summer. Others like bigleaf maples and creek willows have inherited the deciduous habit, apparently, as they share it with their northern relatives.  

Even in thoroughly deciduous species, there’s more than timing going on. I know a few people whose own trees—apple, ash—never did lose all their leaves this past winter, for the first time, and they’re poking new ones out now anyway. The consensus about global warming gets solidified by close-to-home instances like this as well as the news about glaciers and Arctic thawing. 

What, besides the availability of water, drives deciduous trees’ “decisions” to grow or drop leaves is still less well understood than arborfolk would like. We know at the molecular level something about how trees do it—but the why, the triggers that set the process in motion, are as far as I can tell still just a bit mysterious. We know they use photopigments, chemical compounds that sense light levels and changes. Soil temperature drives the process too, especially the temperature in the top soil layer; so does air temperature. We can see a lot of raggedly-timed, out-of-step leaf-drops in introduced landscape trees here; look at the sweetgums along MLK Way. (Some of that syncopation depends on what cultivar the individual tree is.)  

Whatever drives the spring budding and unfurling, you can almost feel it if you have your hands on enough trees. If you’re pruning them, they’re starting to bleed all over you; but just touching, you can feel the leaf buds firm up, swell, and loosen as cells multiply and embryonic leaves stretch themselves out and the tree stirs itself to greet the sun. 

Infant leaf and leafbud of Corylus cornuta, our native hazelnut.  

Photo by  

Ron Sullivan 

When two U.S. Marine helicopters recently went down off Djibouti, a tiny slice of desert at the entrance to the Red Sea, they exposed a low-profile program that has poured money and troops into a broad swath of northern Africa from the Indian to the Atlantic oceans, which encompasses some nine nations in the region. 

The Bush administration claims the target of this program, called the Trans-Sahara Counter-Terrorism Initiative, is the growing presence of al Qaeda-influenced organizations in the region. Critics, however, charge that the enterprise has more to do with oil than with Osama bin Laden, and that stepped-up military aid to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia will most likely end up being used against internal opposition groups in those countries, not “terrorists” hiding out in the desert. 

“As we pursue the global war on terrorism,” says Marine General James L. Jones of European Command, “we’re going to have to go where the terrorists are. And we’re seeing evidence, at least preliminarily, that more and more of these large uncontrolled areas are going to be potential havens for that kind of activity.” 

As part of the initiative, the United States has re-routed satellites and aircraft to monitor “terrorist” groups in the region. “These are groups that are similar to al Qaeda, but not as sophisticated or with the same reach, but the same objectives,” says Air Force General Charles Wald. “They’re bad people, and we need to keep an eye on that.” 

But according to the Brussels-based international Crisis Group, the Sahara is “not a hotbed of terrorism,” and North African governments are only going along with the Initiative because it gives them training and weapons they can use on their own people. 

A case in point is the southern Algerian Salafist Group for Fighting and Preaching, which kidnapped 31 tourists in 2003. Algerian authorities say the group, led by a former Algerian paratrooper, is associated with al Qaeda, and on the basis of this claim, U.S. Special Forces helped track down organization members in neighboring Chad, killing and capturing 43 of them. 

However, according to Jeremy Kennan, a Sahara specialist at Britain’s East Anglia University, the Salafist Group has no links to al Qaeda and was simply after ransom money. And if it wasn’t for the tourist kidnapping—which Kennan argues was hardly cooked up in the caves of Tora Bora—U.S. and Algerian authorities can’t point to “a single act of alleged terrorism in the Sahara.” 

North Africa certainly has terrorists as a 2002 attack on a Tunisian synagogue, and a 2003 bombing attack in Casablanca demonstrated. The 2004 Madrid bombers were associated with the Moroccan Islamic Combat Group, the same organization that carried out the Casablanca attack. But none of the groups have ever been tied to al Qaeda, or do they originate in the Sahara, the main focus of the Initiative. 

Indeed, rather than tamping down terrorism, Kennan says the initiative will instead “generate terrorism, by which I mean to the overall U.S. presence and strategy.” 

There may not be a terrorism problem in the Sahara, but there is plenty of gas and oil. According to a 2002 report by the National Energy Policy Development Group, by 2015 up to a quarter of the United States’ oil will be supplied from West and North Africa. Algeria has nine billion barrels in its reserves, and offshore fields in Mauritania may make that country Africa’s fourth largest oil supplier by 2007. 

The Trans-Sahara Initiative covers not only traditional North African nations like Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, but Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Chad as well. It also parallels a series of basing agreements that go considerably beyond the reach of the great desert, including ones in Uganda, Ghana, Gabon, Namibia and Zambia. . 

While some of these bases are little more than airfields, the United States is seeking to build major facilities as well. According to General Jones, the military is looking for bases than that could host up to a full brigade of 5,000 troops, “ Something that could be robustly used for a significant military presence.” 

So far, the $500 million program has mainly underwritten training, radios, and pickup trucks for local forces. But Special Forces units and the Army’s 173 Airborne Brigade are carrying out joint maneuvers with the Moroccan army. 

The 10 U.S. solders that perished off Djibouti were part of a 1,800 strong task force supposedly controlling “terrorism” in the Horn of Africa. The helicopters flew out of Camp Lemonier, a French military base. 

An operation scheduled for later this year will bring together 5,100 troops from nine Saharan nations, and 700 U.S. Special Forces units—Delta Force, Navy SEALs, Rangers, and Green Berets— for joint maneuvers. 

The Initiative was behind Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s recent visit to Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. When Rumsfeld met with Algerian President Abelaziz Bouteflika, arms sales were on the agenda. The secretary was coy about the specific weapon systems discussed—“They have things they desire, and we have things we can be helpful with,” he said—but according to the New York Times, night-vision equipment and helicopters are on Algeria’s wish list. 

Rumsfeld cast the visit and sales as part of the Bush administration’s worldwide war on terrorism. “It is instructive for us to realize,” he said, “that the struggle we’re in is not unlike the struggle the people of Algeria went through.” 

But the Algerian civil war, a brutal conflict that took up to 200,000 lives, had nothing to do with organizations like al Qaeda. The conflict was touched off in 1992 when the Algerian government canceled elections it would have lost to the Islamic Salvation Front. During the war, both sides engaged in the horrific massacre of civilians. The military still dominates the national government and its opponents are routinely imprisoned and tortured.  

Tunisia also has a poor human rights record, as does the Moroccan monarchy. Following the 2003 Casablanca bombing, Morocco passed a host of draconian security laws making the country even more repressive. 

One worry is that Morocco will use weapons and training from the Initiative to try to resolve its long-running dispute with the Polisario Front over sovereignty for Western Sahara. Morocco seized Western Sahara after Spain withdrew in 1975, and has systemically derailed efforts by the United Nations to hold a referendum of the area’s people. 

The “terrorists” the Trans-Sahara Initiative seems aimed at are domestic opposition groups, albeit some of them strongly Islamic in character. Besides those in Algeria and Morocco, similar groups in Chad, Mali and other countries in the region may soon find themselves labeled “terrorists” and the target of U.S. Special Forces. 

According to the International Crisis Group, many Mauritanians oppose the Initiative because former president Maaoya Sid’Ahmed Ould Taya used the supposed threat of the Salafist Group to harass and jail political opponents. 

“Terrorism” in North Africa is, at most, marginal, and, in the “Trans-Sahara,” largely a phantom. But the gas and oil that lies under the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of Mauritania, and under the blistering rock pans of the deep desert are anything but a mirage.  

That is what the 10 Americans in Djibouti died for Feb. 17. They are unlikely to be the last.

Extremis malis extrema remedia—from the Latin: literally “extreme remedies for extreme ills,” or the more familiar “desperate times call for desperate measures.” 

Whether or not we need to adopt desperate measures, there is no doubt that Oakland is going through some desperate times, at least in the area of street violence. 

On Sunday afternoon, 17-year-old Brian Champaco of San Leandro was shot and killed while riding with his friends in a van near the corner of 77th Avenue and Rudsdale, a location that, if you were familiar with East Oakland, you would know immediately as one of the city’s longstanding sidewalk drug markets, one of the ones that the Oakland Police Department don’t seem to be able to shut down. Don’t know why Mr. Champaco and his friends were riding around in that particular area, but whatever the case, Mr. Champaco became the 19th person murdered in the city of Oakland in the first two months of the year. 

If one adds that 19 in two months to the 33 murders that occurred in the city during the last three months of 2005, you would end up with 125 murders in a year if such a monthly rate continued for 12 months. That would not be quite as high as the ghastly days of the early ‘90s, when the city was averaging a little over 150 murders. But 125 murders—if that trend held—would be the highest rate in Oakland in 10 years, an indication that the situation on many of our streets is getting worse and in danger of spiraling out of control again. 

In 2004, in part because city and police officials insisted that the Oakland Police Department was understaffed and could not stem the rising homicide and violent crime rate, Oakland voters passed Measure Y. Among other things, that measure authorized the funding of 63 new police officer positions for specific violence-prevention activities. Given what we were told by city and police officials during the Measure Y campaign, Oakland citizens expected that after a reasonable time the new police officers would be hired, trained, and put out on the streets, with an immediate impact on violent crime. 

It hasn’t exactly worked out that way. 

In an online report on implementation of Measure Y, the “we need more police on the street” citizens group called the Oakland Residents For Peaceful Neighborhoods (www.orpn.org) says that the city actually has significantly fewer police officers than when the measure was passed more than a year ago. According to ORFPN’s report, Oakland had 734 police officers at the time Measure Y was written, but that number had dropped to 703 by the end of February, even though the city has been collecting Measure Y taxes for a year. This drop in the police rolls comes despite the fact, according to the San Francisco Chronicle this week, that rookies entering the Oakland Police Department “earn $62,000 a year, a figure that rises to $89,000 after being on the force three years.” In addition, a generous union contract allows officers to retire at age 50 at 3 percent of their highest base salary for each year they work (meaning that a police officer who works for 25 years, for example, gets 75 percent of his or her best paycheck, every month, as a retirement check). You can’t beat that with a stick. 

So why is Oakland police staffing down when there is more money to pay for new police, and salaries and retirement perks are so generous?  

The Chronicle suggests in its article this week that it’s “not a shortage of money, but a shortage of applicants that is keeping Oakland from hiring more police officers under Measure Y,” and that while police departments across the country are having problems recruiting new police officers, “the problem is exacerbated in Oakland by steep housing prices and intense competition from rival law enforcement agencies and the military.” Oakland City Manager Deborah Edgerly’s recently released 55-page report on the Status of Measure Y also blames the police shortage on the combination of a high failure rate of Oakland recruits at the police academy as well as a high percentage of retirements by current police officers. 

It’s also understood that with its high violent crime rate and tough neighborhoods, Oakland is not as attractive a place for new police officers to work in as, say, Walnut Creek or Palo Alto. 

Ms. Edgerly gives several pages of suggestions as to how to increase the number of Oakland police recruits. She includes what would appear to be the standard thowaway line of “recruitment of minorities and women.” How such recruitment would be different from the present is not spelled out in the 55 pages, but we’ll get to that, in a moment. 

One of Ms. Edgerly’s more detailed suggestions is that the city begin “expansion of the geographical [Oakland Police Department] recruiting area outside of the nine Bay Area counties” to include Southern California, Nevada, Oregon, and Arizona. And the San Francisco Chronicle article reports that “another avenue Oakland is considering is loosening the guidelines dictating where applicants live. Right now, applicants must reside within about a five-mile radius of the city limits. Expanding that zone would enable officers to live in, say, Antioch, where homes are cheaper.” 

“I lift up mine eyes unto the hills,” my pastor used to intone, quoting from Psalm 121:1, “from whence cometh my help.” 

Perhaps we might turn our eyes in a different direction for a path out of these difficulties. Oakland is packed with young people—many of them African-American or Latino—who would dearly like to walk in the door of a new job at $62,000 a year and who would have no trouble meeting the five-mile radius residency clause because, after all, they already live within the city limits. 

But tapping that black and Latino labor pool resource inside Oakland would require more imagination, commitment, and courage than the one-line “recruitment of minorities and women” included in the city manager’s Measure Y report. 

In her report, Ms. Edgerly quotes a December, 2005 New York Times article as saying that “in a generation’s time, the job of an American police officer, previously among the most sought-after by people with little college background, has become one that in many communities now goes begging.” The Times article adds that “those who might be attracted to [police work] are frequently lured instead by aggressive counteroffers from the military.” 

We know, in fact, that the military is frantically seeking out recruits these days in the inner cities—Oakland included, maybe Oakland especially—trolling schools and parks and shopping centers and other locations where young people congregate. You literally have to fight the military recruiters off in some locations. To put a 2006 spin on an old 1960s rhetorical question: If we can trust a kid with a rifle in his hand to patrol Mosul in the uniform of the United States Marine Corp, why can’t that same kid be trusted to carry a handgun and patrol Market Street in the uniform of the Oakland Police Department? But when was the last time you saw a similar aggressive recruitment activity by the Oakland Police Department in the neighborhoods where the kids sag and spit rhymes and tag the walls? 

To recruit in Oakland’s hardcore neighborhoods would require a significant change in the character of the Oakland Police Department. A police-community partnership would have to develop that would have to go beyond the setting up of a few neighborhood watch groups among the folks of my generation (fifties and above). The Oakland Police Department would have to cease giving the appearance of a peacekeeping force in a tropical country, outsiders who mostly roll through our streets in their patrol cars for several hours fighting crime, and then return to their homes beyond the hills when their shifts are over, with little or no contact with our community other than their law-enforcement activities. The Oakland Police Department would have to become something that is more of Oakland rather than merely in Oakland, the truest definition of “community policing.” To many, such a suggested solution to Oakland’s police staffing problem—and Oakland’s violent crime problem—will seem extreme. 

Extremis malis. Extrema remedia. So it is said. 

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Who’s ready to try something new? Want to track wildlife, plant heirloom potatoes, cast your line in that perfect loop, team up with your favorite llama or discover the culture of the Tuibun Ohlone? Sound compelling? Read on. 

Our East Bay Regional Park District is an amazing resource. On offer are over 95,000-acres encompassing 65 regional parks, recreation areas, wilderness, shorelines and preserves and 1,150 miles of hiking trails. Within is habitat for a wealth of wildlife, a native botanic garden, 235 family campsites and 2,082 picnic tables. Eleven freshwater lakes for water sports and nine interpretive centers. Isn’t this enough? Apparently not. 

With spring weather beginning to tease our senses, the urge to spend time outdoors beckons. We can revisit our favorites and even venture somewhere new. Add to that the opportunity to learn—a new activity, more about our natural surroundings, a new craft—all through the sponsorship of the East Bay Regional Park District. Across all ability levels and all ages, there’s something for everyone. 

Water and fishing have universal appeal. Trout or bass? At Del Valle the Basics of Trout Fishing is offered while at Shadow Cliffs you can hone your fly-casting skills. Bass Basics instructs from rigging to fish behaviors. For aquatics without fish try kayaking, from beginning skills and a full moon kayak to a kayaking tour of Brooks Island. 

Ready to hit the trails? You can join a llama day hike at Redwood Park or a backpacker’s trek in Sunol. Those with appendages other than arms and legs, namely young ones in strollers, can get in shape with Stroller Strides at Temescal Park. If you’re connected by leash to your best friend, a vigorous hike awaits in Peak Meanderings with a Buddy at Mission Peak Park. 

Often the desire exists but needs a little push. Being part of a group hike can be your motivation. Wednesday Walks meets weekly, exploring a new East Bay Park on each hike of two to six miles. Hiking in a wonderful environment among like-minded individuals with the knowledge of an accompanying naturalist is too much to pass up. For women hesitant to hike alone, Women On Common Ground, is a series of multi-park adventures, chasing moonbeams, investigating wildflower lures and discovering dramatic rock-studded terrain. 

Listening, talking, sharing, you’ll take away more than visual memories of the trails you pass. You’ll have fun while learning about California’s native plants, spotting peregrine falcon, improving your nature photography skills, investigating wood-duck habitats or learning to make rope—the choices are rich. 

At our own Tilden Regional Park, 18 activities are scheduled during the next two months. Ilana Peterson, Senior Office Assistant in the Environmental Education Center, spoke of the popularity of Tilden Tots and Tilden Explorers, both outdoor adventure programs for kids. Sushi Basics, where preparation and sampling of seven types of sushi shares the stage with the cultural and natural history of this ancient treat, plays to a full house.  

Most activities here focus on the Little Farm, where the cow barn is nearing completion, and Jewel Lake, home to waterfowl, turtles and amphibians. While some classes are age specific, like Weather Whizzes, where kids make their own weather tools, others are open to all ages. Entire families can enjoy pond collection and identification and morning chores at the farm. 

From the hills to the bay. At Alameda’s Crab Cove, Bethany Facedini, park naturalist, has a mission reflected in the bilingual activities on offer. Her goal is to attract non-traditional groups to the park, starting with the young. School children, sent home with fun, ecological experiences and information bookmarks, often return with their multigenerational families. Only by making use of a natural resource can one learn to value its worth. Vengan a explorar la vida del estuario! 

By exploring animal habitats in mudflats and rocky shore; joining Sea Siblings, Sea Squirts and Sea Explorers; turning over rocks at low tide; and learning about watersheds, the future of our natural environment takes another positive step. 

Sunol Regional Park, south of Pleasanton, is off the beaten track, but well worth the trek. Weekends bring many visitors to this remote wilderness, home to Little Yosemite and high-rising escarpments, and many join drop-in activities. 

While strenuous hikes are on offer, other activities focus on the park’s animal inhabitants like newts, snakes and birds as well as Indian Joe Creek and Cave Rocks. 

Worth planning ahead for is Sunol’s Third Annual Wildflower Festival, set for Saturday, April 8. The Old Green Barn Visitor Center’s Jo Frisch numbered last year’s event at over three hundred participants. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., naturalists and volunteers lead wildflower hikes of varying lengths and present slide shows highlighting the area’s flora and butterflies. Planned crafts like pressed flower bookmarks and painted faces offer take home mementos. A day worthy of a mark on the calendar. 

Resources shouldn’t be wasted, by over-use or under-use. Sample what’s on offer by the East Bay Parks. Take a page from Bethany Facendini’s book—participate and become a steward of nature. 

Regional In Nature Activity Guides are published every two months. Copies can be picked at all park Interpretive Centers. Information is also available on line at www.ebparks.org. Some classes require registration and a fee.  

Rounding the bend from La Loma Avenue onto Le Conte Avenue on Berkeley’s Northside, the eye can’t miss a large brown-shingle structure in mid-block. Crowned by cascades of steep overlapping gables, this quintessentially Arts & Crafts building sports a curious appendage on its southeast corner: an octagonal turret with a domed roof previously covered with mosaics but now bare. 

The story of the house at 2667–69 Le Conte Ave. is full of twists and turns, as is the case with so many other historic houses in the Daley’s Scenic Park tract just north of the UC campus. Built 95 years ago, the house’s fortunes have faithfully mirrored those of the near-century of its existence. 

The house was designed in 1911 as a duplex by the eclectic architect John Hudson Thom as. A student of John Galen Howard’s and Bernard Maybeck’s, Thomas drew inspiration for his idiosyncratic style from early 20th-century European and American avant-garde architecture, and especially from the Glasgow School (Charles Rennie Mackintosh), the Viennese Secession (Otto Wagner), and the Prairie School (Frank Lloyd Wright). 

Thomas’ client was Laura Belle Marsh Kluegel, a widow who had lived in the neighborhood since 1904 and had close ties to the Maybeck-Keeler circle. With Maybeck as their guru and Charles Keeler as their spokesman, the residents of Daley’s Scenic Park were determined to build their homes in harmony with nature. They founded the Hillside Club in 1898 “to protect the hills of Berkeley from unsightly grading and the building of u nsuitable and disfiguring houses; to do all in our power to beautify these hills and above all to create and encourage a decided public opinion on these subjects.” 

The new houses that went up in this district were clad in unpainted shingles, and their steep roofs echoed the contours of the surrounding hills and trees. The style that evolved here is known as the First Bay Region Tradition and is widely considered to be Berkeley’s most significant contribution to architecture. 

The Hillside Club also took charge of surveying and laying out the neighborhood streets with “an artistic treatment of grades and retaining walls, which would take into consideration the preservation of the live-oaks and involve as little alteration as possible of the present topogr aphy.” At the time, several large Coast Live Oaks grew in the center of Le Conte Avenue. When city workers removed one of these oaks in 1919, the neighbors dispatched a stern letter to the City Council, decrying this “high-handed measure” and stressing th at the native trees are “the most prized asset of [the] district and are absolutely invaluable, in that they can never be replaced.” 

Mrs. Kluegel owned an art furnishing and interior design store on Telegraph Avenue and was a longtime member of the Coope r Ornithological Club. The preference for a shingled home was probably hers, since John Hudson Thomas designed primarily in stucco. Of all the original commissions Thomas designed during his solo career (1911–1945), the Kluegel house appears to be the onl y fully shingled one. 

Around 1919, Mrs. Kluegel moved to Carmel, where she was one of the founding members of the Carmel Art Association. A few years later, the great Berkeley Fire of 1923 ravaged Daley’s Scenic Park. The Kluegel house has the distinctio n of being the westernmost house on its block to have survived the fire, which passed between it and the adjacent house. 

Subsequent resident-owners of the duplex rented some of their rooms to students, and during WWII even shipyard workers are reported t o have roomed there. After the war, the two dwellings were owned and occupied by the families of two young professors—Charles Richard Grau and Sigurd Burckhardt—the former a future world expert in avian science and the latter a distinguished literary crit ic. 

From 1950 to 1976, the Kluegel house was a rooming house serving UC co-eds. In 1976, at a time when many American were looking toward East Asia for spiritual renewal, the house was purchased by the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation of Sikh Dharma. For the next twenty years, it was a Sikh ashram, Kundalini yoga center, and residential commune. The Sikhs needed a place to house their religious shrine, and that’s how the domed turret came into being. 

Happily, the building is large enough so that this peculi ar addition (also shingled) does not significantly affect its overall appearance. Sufficient historic fabric and character-defining features remain to convey its historic significance.

Writing this column is going to be harder than usual. It’s no fun. I like talking about how people screw things up and sometimes it’s funny and sometimes it’s just exasperating but what I have to talk about today is genuinely tragic. Please bear with me because it’s extremely important. 

Kids are getting sick. Lots of them, and it’s something that’s preventable. Lead poisoning has affected over 4,000 kids in Alameda county in the last 14 years and that’s just the ones we know about. In 2004, only 42 percent of the Medi-Cal enrolled children in Alameda County had been screened for lead. That means that there are probably a lot more kids who are being affected than we know about. 

These figures came to me from Julie Twichell of the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, based in Oakland. Before I go on let me give you their website, www.aclppp.org, because she and her compatriots are here for you. Check out the website. It’s very useful and simple and direct. 

I ended up talking to Julie because of Berkeley’s own Lynda Daily, who coordinates Berkeley’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. She too is available at ldailey@ci.berkeley.ca.us and can help to answer questions and direct you to what can be done. 

Let’s look briefly at what is happening and then we can talk a little about what can be done. 

First, children 6 and under are at the greatest risk. It’s hard to find hard numbers on exactly which sources of lead are greatest for children but it looks like the remnants of lead paint is the primary culprit. We’ll talk later about some other sources you should know about. 

When people prepare to paint and don’t know any better they often scrape and (here the worst one) sand old surfaces that are almost sure to contain lead paint if they are from before 1978. That’s almost every house I see in Berkeley. Yes, we have a few newer homes but 80 percent of the housing in Alameda County fits this description and I think the numbers for Berkeley must be over 90 percent. Many people don’t realize this and when they sand and scrape the old paint off in preparation for painting, they release lead particles that come to rest in the environment. 

Small children are very oral and very manual/oral. In other words, they explore the world with their hands and their mouths and if the house has lead dust and chips (which themselves get broken down to dust), they ingest lead. This may sound hard to achieve but apparently it’s very common.  

There are at least two different ways in which this problem is exacerbated. The first is that lead is sweet and infants who gnaw on lead woodwork, which is another common means of ingestion, may be getting an extra incentive to continue since it tastes good. The Romans apparently used to put lead ethanoate (also called ‘lead acetate’ or ‘sugar of lead’) into their drinks as a sweetener. Holy moley, that sure seems like a bad idea. The madness of Caligula is thought to have been the result of lead poisoning and it may be that much of Rome’s downfall can be linked to this tragic misjudgment. 

There is also what is called Pica behavior, which involves the eating of a range of inappropriate materials including clay for reasons that are generally not obvious. Some scientists believe that this is a confused attempt to obtain some needed nutrient. Clay eating has long been observed and is sanctioned in some cultures. Pica behavior may be the result of malnutrition or possibly an undetected dietary need that the subject may be trying to fill.  

Whatever the reason, children are eating lead. They may not be aware that they are doing it but the consequences are extremely dire. At the low end of the spectrum is attention deficit and other learning and behavioral failings. At the further end is mental retardation, kidney illness and death. Some signs to look for in lead poisoning include: headaches, irritability, vomiting, weight loss, slowed speech and hyperactivity. 

If you live in a house built prior to 1978 and have a child 6 or under and especially if it’s a house from before 1950 please have your child tested for lead. It’s a simple blood test your pediatrician can perform. 

If you’re thinking about painting, just wash the wall and paint over on the inside. If you want a more thorough job, and many of us do, please have a professional do the job and make sure they protect your home and their workers in the process. Ask questions before you start and bring up the L-word. Make sure they know the rules. Make sure that the house is clean of all lead dust when they get done. Talk to the ACLPPP to be sure what you need to know. 

If you own a home in Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville or Oakland, there are some impressive services that the ACLPPP have available to you including free site visits, lead testing of the site and classes for homeowners on how to safely remodel (paint, etc.).  

There are lead testing kits one can obtain and even a special HEPA vacuum for rental if you choose to do some work on your own home. There are also free classes for professionals at various levels of complexity and there are even special services available to landlords. It seems that the community is responding to a serious need in a serious way … so we can have hope. 

A few other things to be aware of that have little to do with construction but may help to prevent a tragedy. Lead is found in Kohl, a popular black eye makeup from Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia (as well as other countries in the region). Kohl samples have been found to sometimes contain up to 50 percent lead and this makeup is sometimes used on small children. Vinyl mini-blinds may contain lead as well as some vinyl toys. Apparently, lead is used in the making of vinyl and it can remain accessible to a chewing child. 

Turmeric can contain lead, depending on where it comes as well as the glazes on some ceramics. 

Clearly it’s important to get informed. 

The primary concern is clearly for those things that are in the child’s field of access. What they can grab and chew on, where they play and crawl. 

There are so many things to fear that it’s easy to get freaked out by something like this. It’s also easy for us to feel like we don’t do enough as parents. Here’s my message. Don’t sand the surfaces inside your house and if you have a small child, have them get a blood test for lead. The rest is small stuff and you’re not supposed to sweat that. 



Some of us like plants from all over the world in out gardens. Some of us like native Californians. (Some of us, like me, mix them.) Some of us take that native thing to apparent extremes, and people like that have the perfect place in Berkeley: Native Here Nursery.  

There’s good reason to take the “extreme” road. Many of our native plants are unique, having very small ranges and surviving under peculiar conditions like drought and serpentine soils. They nurture the rest of the native flora and the fauna, and you won’t find anything quite like those systems anywhere else on earth. As much as we might love our ecological surroundings, we don’t know everything about them, and sometimes the gaps in our knowledge turn out to be bigger than we thought.  

Genetic studies keep turning up surprises, like two species we used to think were one because they—to us—look “alike.” A few years ago, studies on two extremely similar waterbirds, Western grebe and Clark’s grebe, showed enough genetic differences to make them basically reproductively isolated from each other, even though they share territories. Evidently they can tell each other apart. Plants can be even more subtle. 

One good mechanism for speciation is geography. Ernst Mayr wrote whole libraries about this, and we can trace fascinating tales of, say, Hawai’ian silverswords and their Californian tarweed ancestors. But it doesn’t take half the Pacific to set up a place for a plant to evolve into something new; California has more microhabitats than most places, and more species.  

So, nature’s doing something here, and we don’t know exactly what. But we do know that when we restore places as best we can, interesting things happen. Animals return, plants buoy each other up; we can stand back and watch in wonder. Locals are adapted to their sites, and they do well and nurture the local butterflies, birds, and other wildlife we’ve elbowed out of the way.  

If you live near wildlands, it’s something between duty and magic to plant natives from your place. So people like Charli Danielsen, Native Here’s founder, take care to know where their plants came from. In the nursery, you don’t just find California natives; you find Wildcat Regional Park, El Cerrito, Albany Hill and such specific natives. Charli and her volunteers go forth and gather seed, track it as they grow it out, and supply plants for home gardens and habitat restoration. 

Native Here also does custom growing, for which you need to plan well ahead: two or three years’ notice is best. Plants set seed at specific times, once a year or even less often, and must be mapped, gathered, and grown out to prosper. Is it worth it? You bet. Plants native to your site will do best with the least fuss, and usually spread and fill in well on their own – or with the help of the wildlife they grew up with, like scrub jays who’ve been planting oaks and ceanothus for millenia. As we replace the lost pieces of our world, magic happens. 

Native Here Nursery 

101 Golf Course Road  

across from the entrance to the Tilden Golf Course. 

(South Park Drive is still closed for the newts’ migration; approach from the Shasta Gate.) 

549-0211 

Fridays: 9 a.m.–noon, Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

Michelle Echenique “New Work: Mixed Media Collage” opens at North Berkeley Frame and Gallery, 1744 Shattuck Ave. Runs through April 29. 549-0428. 

FILM 

Vantage Points: New Documentaries by Women at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Works In Progress” Women’s Open Mic with Jan Steckel at 7:30 p.m. at Montclair Women’s Cultural Center, 1650 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 276-0379. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Gerard Landry & The Lariats at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

Ellen Hoffman and Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Barbrara Linn at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 

EXHIBITIONS 

Berkeley Youth Arts Festival celebrating the works of Berkeley High School students. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893.  

FILM 

Film 50: History of Cinema “ Victims of Sin” at 3 p.m. and Vidoe: Recent and Strange at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Café Poetry hosted by Kira Allen at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Donation $2. 849-2568.  

Cara Black reads from her mystery “Murder in Monmartre” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Music for the Spirit with Ron McKean on organ at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

Julio Bocca’s Ballet Argentino & Octango at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Zabava! Izvorno and Late Clift at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Balkan dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Berkeley High Jazz Ensembles at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Ned Boynton’s North Beach Django Band at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Julio Bravo & Salsabor at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Kurt Riabak Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Grada at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Still Present Pasts” A collaborative exhibition on Korean Americans and the “Forgotten War” Reception at 6 p.m. at Pro Arts, 550 Second St., Oakland. 763-4361. 

“The Magic Flute” Buon Affresco by Francesca Giorgi, installation and reception at 5 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228. 

FILM 

The Wide Angle Cinema of Michael Brault “Of Whales, the Moon and Men” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Exploring The Adirondacks: An Architectural Tour of A Great Rustic Tradition” with Steven Engelhart, Executive Director, Adirondack Architectural Heritage, at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $8-$12. 843-8982.  

“Art and War at the Achaemenid Persian Court” with Dr. Michael Roaf, Prof. of Near Eastern Archeology at Munich Univ. at 7:30 p.m. at the Archeological Research Facility, 2251 College Building, UC Campus. 415-338-1537. 

Beshara Doumani, Judith Butler Joel Beinin adn Kathleen Frydl look at “Academic Freedom After 9/11” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

Word Beat Reading Series with Ronda Lawson and Cynthia Bryant at 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave., near Dwight Way. 526-5985. 

Nomad Spoken Word Night at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Julio Bocca’s Ballet Argentino & Octango at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988.  

Hespérion XXI, “La Capella Reial de Catalunya” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $52. 642-9988.  

Erike Luckett at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Steve Gannon’s Blue Monday Blues at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.  

Isaac Peña, CD release party at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $16-$8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Jeremy Cohen Duo at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Triskela, harp, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

FRIDAY, MARCH 10 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “The Master Builder” Wed. through Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through March 12. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Central Works “Shadow Crossing” Thurs. - Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through March 26. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1381. www.centralworks.org 

Impact Theatre, “Hamlet” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through March 18. Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468.  

Traveling Jewish Theater “Family Alchemy” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through March 12. Tickets are $12-$35. 415-522-0786.  

UCB Dept. of Theater, “Seven Lears” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun at 2 p.m. at the Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus. TIckets are $8-$14. 642-9925. http://theater.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Three Figure Painters” works by Prabin Badhia, Steve Skaar, and Inna Jane Ray. Reception at 6 p.m. at Nexus Gallery, 2707 Eighth St. 655-7374. 

FILM 

The Wide Angle Cinema of Michael Brault “Orders” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

New Orleans Zine Reading A benefit and book release event for “Stories Care Forgot,” at 7 p.m. at Rock Paper Scissors Collective, 2278 Telegraph Ave. 238-9171. 

Anthony Hawley & Tanya Brolaski, poets at 8 p.m. at Pegasus Books, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Leo Kottke in a solo concert at 8 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Tickets are $30. 642-9988.  

“Pacific Arts Trio” at 8 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington, Kensington. Tickets are $15 at the door. 843-7745. 

“KITKA: Stories From Chernobyl,” A Celebration of Survival at 8 p.m. at Bishop O’Dowd High School, 9500 Stearns Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. www.bishopodowd.org 

Rafael Manriquez in a musical tribute to women songwriters and poets from the Americas at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568.  

The Jazz Express Quintet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Native Elements and Razorblade at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Jill Knight, singer-songwriter, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

The Waybacks at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Bobbe Norris with the Larry Dunlap Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

DJ & Brook at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Steve Taylor, songwriter for Cowpokes for Peace, at 7 p.m. at A Cuppa Tea, 3202 College Ave. Oakland. 420-0196.  

Whiskey Sunday, Love Songs, Pink Black at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Swoop Unit at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 11 

FILM 

The Wide Angle Cinema of Michael Brault “Drifting Upstream” at 6:30 p.m. and “Good Riddance” at 9:05 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Youth of Colored Ink, in coordination with Berkeley Art Center's Youth Arts Festival, open mic at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893.  

“Still Present Pasts” A collaborative exhibition on Korean Americans and the “Forgotten War” Artists’ talk at 1 p.m. at Pro Arts, 550 Second St., Oakland. 763-4361. 

Chris Hedges and Hamza Yusuf discuss “Does God Love War? The Fine Line Between Faith and Fanatacism” at 7 p.m. at Martin Luther King Middle School Auditorium, 1781 Rose St. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Recorder Performances at 11 a.m. at A Cheerfull Noyse, 1228 Solano Ave., Albany. 524-0411. 

Maria del Mar & Monica Salmaso at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$40. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Jewish Music Festival with Septeto Rodrigues and Irving Fields at 8 p.m. at the First Congregational Church Oakland. Tickets are $22-$26. 415-276-1511. 

Mexican Mariachi Fest featuring Juanita Ulloa, at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org  

Gaucho, gypsy jazz, at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Babtunde Lea Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Waybacks at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

David Rovics with Attila the Stockbrocker, Ryan Harvey and Folk This, in a benefit for the Common Ground Collective in New Orleans at 7:30 p.m. at AK Press, 674-A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. 

Stephen Swiss & Peter Frankel, Latin jazz funk fusion, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7 per family. 558-0881. 

Chase Michaels at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Sila & The Afrofunk Experience at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Bobbe Norris with the Larry Dunlap Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Jared Karol and Cas Lucas at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Plan 9, Monster Squad, Static Thought, Cell Block 5 at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $3. 525-9926. 

Will Bernard & Motherbug at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 12 

FILM 

Irish Film Festival at 3 and 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

The Wide Angle Cinema of Michael Brault “Chronicle of a Summer” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Ken Foster offers a memoir and guidebook “The Dogs Who Found Me” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Poetry Flash with Kate Braverman and Diane di Prima at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Elaine Taylor will speak on the feminist aspects in the suspense novel “Final Betrayal” at 2 p.m. at Change Makers, 6536 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 655-2405.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Songs Against the War: Voices of Anti-warriors” with Barbara Dane and the San Francisco Mime Troupe Band, in honor of the Veterans and Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and Veterans for Peace at 1 p.m. at the Florence Schwimley Little Theater, Berkeley High School, 1980 Allston Way. Reception follows. Tickets are $35. 582-7699. www.alba-valb.org 

Organ Recital by Jonathan Dimmock at 6:10 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Donations accepted. 845-0888.  

Sounds New Contemporary American classic music at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Donation $10-$15. 524-2912.  

Takács Quartet, chamber music, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Pre-concert talk at 2 p.m. Tickets are $42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Masters of Persian Classical Music at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Jewish Music Festival with Cantors Alberto Mizrahi and Jack Mendelson at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. Tickets are $22-$26. 415-276-1511. 

Chamber Music, featuring Karla Donehew, violin, and Miles Graber, piano, at 4 p.m. at the Crowden Music Center Rose at Sacramento. Tickets are $12, children free. 559-2941. www.crowdenmusiccenter.org 

College of Alameda Jazz Band at 2 p.m. at Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. Free, families welcome. 748-2213. 

All-request Beatles Sing-a-Long Fundraiser at 6 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. All proceeds will go to benefit The Future Leaders Institute. Donation $10, with $10 donation per song. 649-9878. www. 

thefutureleadersinstitute.org  

Carlos Oliveira and Brazilian Origins, featuring Harvey Wainapel, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Steve Erquiga & Brian Pardo at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Vintage Tea Dance with Frederick Hodges at 2 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Gift Horse at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Shook Ones, Legit at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, MARCH 13 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Lost and Found” Wearble art made from found or recycled materials, by NIAD students with disablities and Piedmont High students, opens at the NIAD Art Center, 551 23rd St., Richmond. www.niadart.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mark Anthony Thomas will read from “The Poetic Repercussion: A Poetic & Musical Narrative” at 3 p.m. at MLK Student Union, #4504, UC Campus. 642-9000. 

“Painting on Location in Italy and Mexico” A slide lecture with Anthony Holdsworth at 6:30 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $8, includes reception. 843-2527. www.accigallery.org 

Poetry Express with Mary Milton at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Adama Purim Party at 6:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Zilber-Muscarella Quartet & Invitational at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Parlor Tango at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

TUESDAY, MARCH 14 

FILM 

Vantage Points: New Documentaries by Women “States of UnBelonging” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“The Issue of Icons Once Again” with Prof. Constantine Scouteris, University of Athens, at 7:30 p.m. at Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute, 2311 Hearst Ave. 649-3450. 

Lola Vollen talks about “Surviving Justice: America’s Wrongly Convicted and Exonerated” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Orpheus Supertones with Walt Koken, Claire Milliner, Pete Peterson, and Kellie Allen at 8 p.m. in Berkeley near College and Ashby. Donation to performers $10-$20 sliding scale. For reservations and directions, please send an email to Cleoma@aol.com 

Creole Belles with Andrew Carriere at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Singer’s Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Debbie Poryes & Friends at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277.ª

The following is an excerpt from Richard Schwartz’s Earthquake Exodus, 1906: Berkeley Responds to the San Francisco Refugees. The Daily Planet will run three more excerpts in the coming weeks. 

Berkeley was a peaceful small town before the 1906 earthquake. But as soon as the massive earthquake struck on April 18, that reality would change forever. Berkeley’s own newspaper, the Berkeley Daily Gazette, reported only a small portion of the total damage wrought upon the town. 

All neighborhoods were struck, though some suffered more damage than others. Stunned residents and horrified merchants soon discovered the town’s fate for themselves. A 13-year-old newspaper boy named Harold Yost, who lived with his mother at 2201 Hearst Ave., was an eyewittness to the events. 

News would be passed from one neighbor to another as all communications were knocked out of service, save for East Bay newspapers. No one was sure as to the extent of the disaster and a deep uneasiness blanketed the jumbled town. Let us join Harold as he begins his paper route just over an hour after the earthquake struck on that warm, fogless morning. 

Viewing the damage 

Despite the earthquake, Harold decided to deliver his papers. As he started his route around 6:30 a.m., Berkeley seemed about the same as always, except that people were outside their houses, milling around and talking. They were unaware of the damage beyond their neighborhood, yet deep down were worried.  

Harold passed his own house and saw his mother out on the porch. 

“I guess the house is all right,” she yelled to him, “but I’m going to stay out here for a while.” She promised him breakfast when he was done with his route. 

He continued up the hill to Le Conte Avenue. There he saw “the first of the great quake’s calling cards: bricks that had once been outside chimneys scattered across a front lawn, with people clustered around looking dazed and worried, chatting in subdued tones.” 

As he went up Euclid, he was sobered to discover much more of the same. From this point, he had a view across the bay. He was taken aback by what he saw—a growing cloud of black smoke rising over San Francisco. He didn’t connect the smoke with the earthquake and scurried home for breakfast. 

Afterward, he changed into his school clothes, picked up his report on Mt. Vesuvius, stuffed it into his bag, and headed to school. He was unaware that the water main from the nearby North Berkeley reservoir had broken, sending a huge geyser of water into the air. Many people living along his paper route had fled to the hills. 

School didn’t start until 9 a.m., but Harold always went earlier to play games in the schoolyard. By 8:30 he was on his way up Oxford Street, not far from his house, when he spotted a schoolmate running toward him, waving his arms and yelling “No school!”  

“They have got to see if the building’s safe before we go back,” Harold’s friend told him. “But they say somethin’s happened to Berkeley High. Let’s go down and see.” 

The high school at Allston Way and Grove Street (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Way) was Berkeley’s pride and joy. Built five years earlier at a cost of $87,000, it was an impressive, two-story brick structure, with two tall brick chimneys rising above the handsome slate roof. Harold and his buddy ran down Milvia Street, then stopped abruptly when they saw that the chimneys were gone. 

In their place were two great gaping holes in the roof. Two matching piles of brick rubble lay on the ground directly below them. 

“Plaster was broken from the walls of nearly every room,” the evening Oakland Tribune of April 18 reported, “and the great flues in the attic were torn down by falling bricks.” A huge structural crack marred the northwest wing. The boys were stunned. 

As it turned out, Berkeley schools—including Whittier, McKinley, Hillside, and San Pablo—suffered disproportionately to other buildings in the city. Hazel Skaggs, a student at the time, remembered, “Our brand new Washington School [Grove Street and Bancroft Way], a red brick building, toppled that morning. It had been completed only the day before.”  

Police officer W. H. McCoy, working his beat in the Oceanview, was standing at San Pablo and University avenues when the earthquake struck. The stone walls of the elegant West Berkeley Bank on the northwest corner shattered, the building shifted off its foundation, and the masonry cornices fell to the ground. One section weighing thousands of pounds flew past McCoy’s face and crashed at his feet. Dust blanketed his cup of coffee as he stood frozen and stunned. 

The bank, whose president was Berkeley’s Acting Mayor Francis Ferrier, had been a symbol of the financial importance of Oceanview. At the same time McCoy saw the walls of the D. H. Bruns General Merchandising store across the street buckle. His attention was suddenly drawn to an explosion at El Dorado Oil Works laboratory, at the northwest corner of University Avenue and Second Street. McCoy rushed to the nearest fire alarm box and then promptly pulled the alarm on a second box. 

Firemen from two stations arrived and extinguished the oil works fire, which could have quickly engulfed the entire west end of town. Sadly for the workingmen of Oceanview, Charles Hadlen’s and Dennis Landregren’s saloons, popular watering holes, displayed significant damage. Several blocks away, a large crack in the roadbed of University Avenue ran west all the way until the street ended. 

Downtown Berkeley, centered at Shattuck Avenue and Dwight Way, was especially hard-hit. The Barker Block, on the northwest corner, had just been completed, and its owner, J. L. Barker, was about to place advertisements seeking tenants. The masonry cornice, shaken loose by the earthquake, lay shattered on the sidewalk. The building’s awning hung limply. Damage to the interior was particularly extensive. 

“The building still stands,” the April 18 Oakland Tribune reported, “but the upper story is little more than a pile of bricks. It is simply rent through and through.” 

Across the street on the northeast corner, all the structures behind the Foy Block building were destroyed, and their collapse crushed other sheds attached to the rear of the building. The owner feared that the cost of repairs would reach $5,000. 

An Oakland Tribune reporter wrote in the April 18 paper that downtown Berkeley was an “indescribable scene of confusion.” At stores and pharmacies such as Rolla Fuller’s on Dwight and Bowman’s on Center Street, merchants stood knee-deep in glass containers shattered on the floor and merchandise thrown off shelves. Downed electrical wires ignited a fire at Pond’s Pharmacy on Shattuck near Center. 

The proprietor of Sorenson’s crockery shop on Center arrived to find the store filled with the shards of once expensive merchandise. The French Laundry at 2241 Shattuck collapsed, and cracks opened up in the walls of the Carnegie Library at the southwest corner of Shattuck and Kittredge. 

Construction workers who could reach downtown showed up to assess the damage. Steel girders had recently been erected for the new Masonic Temple at Shattuck and Bancroft Way. When the quake hit, the girders had slowly toppled, two of them falling through the roof of the neighboring University Laundry and then striking the telephone company building at 2239 Shattuck Ave., just beyond the laundry. 

The two frightened switchboard operators on duty, Miss McGreer and Miss Young, remained at their stations, even though plaster was thrown from the bulging walls. Telephone service immediately went dead. An estimated 40 percent of the lines were down, and telephone poles all over town were toppled. 

The Lorin District, south of downtown, also sustained heavy damage. The Loughhead and Armstrong Hardware building at 3226 Adeline St. was “way out of plumb” and the walls “cracked and shattered.” 

›

We get just enough sun in between the rains to keep us hoping, this time of year; just enough life showing in the trees and plants, wild and tame, to make us believe that there’s more to the world than cold and mud. The plums have blossomed and are starting to get down to summer’s business, unfurling their leaves to catch the sun of longer days. The buckeyes—just look at the bunch in the center strip on Sacramento south of University!—are spreading translucent green hands out to the plenty flowing from the sky. The sun itself, as the world turns our side to face it straight-on, begins to touch us with palpable energy. 

That energy is light and heat together, and plants have the trick of using it, in particular the light. That’s the part that’s least palpable to us, only visible, and we have enough of it to see by all year in daytime and artificial means of making it by night, so we rarely appreciate its influence. Trees, though, reach for it with every fiber of their aboveground being, and use it to run the biggest manufacturing operation on the planet, photosynthesis, as they build themselves out of air and the water and minerals they stand rooted in.  

At eight photons a pop, a plant sorts out a carbon dioxide molecule in the air to make a carbon compound, a sugar, for its own use, and just by the way drops a molecule of oxygen back out into the air around it. As waste goes, this is rather environmentally benign, especially to those of us who need to breathe it. It does this trick using pigments, usually green, that get excited and start tossing electrons around when they see light.  

After that beginning, a chain of chemical reactions follows; some of those can happen in the dark. Plants don’t actually sleep at night; they just perform another set of metabolic chores. But some of them, the deciduous perennials including lots of our trees, seem to sleep in winter.  

In some climates, this is a drought adaptation of sorts. Water that’s frozen in the soil is just as unavailable to tree roots as water on the other side of a rainshadowing mountain range. So deciduous trees in cold climates drop all their leaves at once to save water, and even some trees here where there’s more water in the soil in winter than in summer have retained that habit. Some of them, like those buckeyes, strip bare when the year’s water reserves in their particular bit of soil are tapped out, even if this is just late summer. Others like bigleaf maples and creek willows have inherited the deciduous habit, apparently, as they share it with their northern relatives.  

Even in thoroughly deciduous species, there’s more than timing going on. I know a few people whose own trees—apple, ash—never did lose all their leaves this past winter, for the first time, and they’re poking new ones out now anyway. The consensus about global warming gets solidified by close-to-home instances like this as well as the news about glaciers and Arctic thawing. 

What, besides the availability of water, drives deciduous trees’ “decisions” to grow or drop leaves is still less well understood than arborfolk would like. We know at the molecular level something about how trees do it—but the why, the triggers that set the process in motion, are as far as I can tell still just a bit mysterious. We know they use photopigments, chemical compounds that sense light levels and changes. Soil temperature drives the process too, especially the temperature in the top soil layer; so does air temperature. We can see a lot of raggedly-timed, out-of-step leaf-drops in introduced landscape trees here; look at the sweetgums along MLK Way. (Some of that syncopation depends on what cultivar the individual tree is.)  

Whatever drives the spring budding and unfurling, you can almost feel it if you have your hands on enough trees. If you’re pruning them, they’re starting to bleed all over you; but just touching, you can feel the leaf buds firm up, swell, and loosen as cells multiply and embryonic leaves stretch themselves out and the tree stirs itself to greet the sun. 

Infant leaf and leafbud of Corylus cornuta, our native hazelnut.  

Photo by  

Ron Sullivan 

TUESDAY, MARCH 7 

Rally in Support of IRV Voting at 6 p.m. on th esteps of Old City Hall, before the City Council meeting. www.irv4berkeley.org 

“The Right to Culture as a Human Right: Law in a Multi-cultural World” with Alison Dundes Renteln at 6 p.m. at the Great Hall, International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Cost for dinner is $15. Call for reservations. 642-4128. 

“Quest for the Seven Summits” A slide presentation with mountain climber John Christiana at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

National Nutrition Month Cooking Demonstration with Mary Vance from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Farmers’ Market, Derby St. at MLK. 548-3333.  

Public Hearing on Sewer Laterals which would establish a fee for certificates of satisfactory condition of homeowners’ sewer laterals upon sale or remodel, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6901.  

Free Quit Smoking Class from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center., 2939 Ellis St. Also on the 21st. Free hypnosis also available. To register call 981-5330. 

Stress Less Seminar at 6:30 p.m. at New Moon Opportunities, 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland Free, but registration required. 465-2524. 

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss “Living Poor with Style” from 7 to 9 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 601-6690. 

“Wild Alaska: Whales, Glaciers and Bears of Wilderness Southeast Alaska” with travel photographer Ronn Patterson at 7 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland.  

Raging Grannies of the East Bay invites new folks to come join us the 2nd and 4th Tues, of each month, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. to sing(any voice will do), help plan our next gig, or write outrageously political lyrics to old familiar tunes, and have fun at Berkeley Gray Panthers office, 1403 Addison St., in Andronico’s mall. 548-9696. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Magic Show with Alex Gonzales at 6:30 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Naturopathic Cancer Support A talk with Marianne Marchese at 7:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Family Story Time at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Branch Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Free, all ages welcome. 524-3043. 

Compassion in Action A practical 4-week Buddhist meditation course with ordained nun, Kelsang Choyang, Tues. at 7 p.m. at Dzalandhara Buddhist Center, Berkeley. Cost is $7-$10 per class. Call to register 559-8183. www.meditationinberkeley.org 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Free Handbuilding Ceramics Class 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Materials and firing charges not included. 525-5497.  

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991.  

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 

“Fashion Resistance to Militarism” a documentary in honor of International Women’s Day, follwed by a discussion with Aimee Alison and Tina Garnanez at 6:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. Tickets are $5-$10 sliding scale. Sponsored by Women of Color Resource Center. 444-2700. 

International Women’s Day March and Rally at 4 p.m. at the Downtown Berkeley BART Station. 384-1816. 

Great Decisions Foreign Policy Association Lecture “The U.S. and Iran” with Dariush Zahedi, at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Cost is $40 for the eight lecture series. 526-2925. 

Berkeley Holocaust Remembrance Day Planning Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Redbud Room, 2180 Milvia St. 981-7170. 

East Bay Genealogical Society with Susan Snyder of Bancroft Library on the availability of materials during the remodeling process, at 10 a.m. in the Library Conference Room of the Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. Guests are always welcome. 635-6692.  

Choosing Infant Care at 10 a.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Babies welcome. To register call 658-7853.  

“Microcurrent Therapy for Pain Relief” at 9:30 a.m. at Alta Bates Summit, Cafeteria Annex B and C, 350 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5, free for Health Access members. Registration required. 869-6737. 

Poetry Writing Workshop, led by Alison Seevak, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library ,1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

“Struggles with Homo- 

sexuality in the Orthodox Jewish Community,” with a screening of the documentary “Keep Not Silent” at noon at the Gender Equity Resources Center, 202 Cesar Chavez Student Center, UC Campus. 

Breema Open House with sample exercise class at 6 p.m. at 6210 Florio St., Oakland. 428-1234.  

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes and a warm hat. 548-9840. 

Sing your Way Home A free sing-a-long at 4:30 p.m. every Wed. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720.  

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704.  

Meditation and Discussion Sessions Wed. evenings at 7 p.m. near the El Cerrito Plaza BART station. No commitment to a particular religious or philosophical viewpoint is required. Free. www.heartawake.com 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 

“Exploring The Adirondacks: An Architectural Tour of A Great Rustic Tradition” with Steven Engelhart, Executive Director, Adirondack Architectural Heritage, at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $8-$12. 843-8982.  

Forum on Teen Drinking at 7:30 p.m. at Albany High School multipurpose room, 603 Key Route Blvd. albanyhighjournalism@yahoo.com 

“Refugee Cultures in Transition: From Southeast Asian Mountains and Plains to the Central Valley” at 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200.  

“Rising Tides of White and Christian Supremacy: A Cross Atlantic Comparison of 9/11 and 7/7 with Jaideep Singh at 7 p.m. at the Bade Museum, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. 849-8225. 

“Paradise Now” The Oscar-nominated Palestinian film at 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave. Discussion to follow the film. Suggested donation $10. Benefit for the Middle East Children's Alliance. 548-0542. www.mecaforpeace.org 

“Corporate Responsibility in the Global South” at 7:30 p.m. at the Home Room, International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Sponsored by the Association for India’s Development. Cost is $5. 642-9460. 

“The Union Busting Epidemic and How to Fight It” with a screening of “Lockout 484” and “Solidarity Has No Borders” at 7 p.m. at Fellowship of Humainity Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation of $3 requested. 415-867-0628. 

“Bilateral Trade Agreements in the Asia-Pacific” Panel discussion at 5 p.m. in the IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th floor. http://ieas.berkeley.edu/events/2006.03.09.html 

Choosing Infant Care at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Babies welcome. To register call 658-7853.  

Grizzly Peak Flyfishers with Bill Carnazzo, a guide who specializes in the Upper Sacramento River, on winter fishing, at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 547-8629. 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Metro Center Auditorium, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE.  

Historical & Current Times Book Group meets on Thurs. at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1249 Marin Ave. 548-4517. 

East Bay Mac Users Group meets at 6 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. Netopia will present Timbuktu 8.5. http://ebmug.org 

FRIDAY, MARCH 10 

Tibetan March for Freedom beginning at 9 a.m. at Berkeley City Hall and ending at 12:30 p.m. at the Chinese Consulate, Laguna and Geary, SF. www.tanc.org, www.friends-of-tibet.org 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Kevin Tellis, engineer, on “The Delta Levies.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020.  

Piedmont Choirs’ 2006 Gala Celebration at 6 p.m. at the Oakland Rotunda. Tickets are $135. 547-4441. www.piedmontchoirs.org 

Womansong Circle Participa- 

tory singing for women at 6:45 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Donation $15-$20. 525-7082. 

Trinity Poets, a poetry writing group, meets at 11 a.m. at Trinity Church, 2362 Bancroft Way. southberkeleypoet@yahoo.com  

Berkeley Critical Mass Bike Ride meets at the Berkeley BART the second Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m.  

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave., room 17. 843-0150. 

Berkeley Chess Club at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. Players at all levels are welcome. 845-1041. 

Kol Hadash Family Purim Potluck and Shabbat at 6 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. RSVP with food choice to info@kolhadash.org 

SATURDAY, MARCH 11 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Stream Bioengineering Workshop Learn how to use natural materials and non-structural techniques to combat soil erosion and restore creeks, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Codornices Creek Restoration Site, 5th and Harrison. Cost is $25. To register call 452-0901.  

Free Worm Composting Workshop Find out how to compost kitchen scraps into free, nutritious fertilizer using red wiggler worms, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Mt. Wanda Wildflower Walk in the hills where John Muir took his daughters. Meet at 9 a.m. in the Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Ave. and Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez. Wear walking shoes and bring water. 925-228-8860. 

“Does God Love War?” Does religion offer a way toward reconciliation? Or has it instead become part of the problem? Discussion with Pulitzer Prize-winner Chris Hedges and American-Muslim Hamza Yusuf at 6:15 p.m. at Martin Luther King Middle School, 1781 Rose St. 582-1979. www.zaytuna.org 

Burma Human Rights Day with a screening of “Our Cause,” speeches by former political prisoners and a Burmese dinner at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Proceeds benefit Burmese American Democratic Alliance. 220-1323.  

Repainting Willard Community Peace Labyrinth from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart, Berkeley. Rain date March 18. Volunteers needed. 526-7377. 

Progressive Democrats of the East Bay with Stefanie L. Faucher from Death Penalty Focus, at 2 p.m. at Temescal Library, 5205 Telegraph, Oakland. All welcome. 524-4424.  

“Current Land Struggles in Brazil” with Andreia Ferreira of the Landless Worker’s Movement at 4 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Used Book Sale to benefit the scholarships fund from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The College Preparatory School, Buttner Auditorium, 6100 Broadway, Oakland. 528-7070. 

School Readiness Fun Fair Learn about quality child care and pre-school programs, register your children for kindergarten. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Beebe Memorial Cathedral, 3900 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. The event is free and everyone is invited to attend. 272-6686. 

East Bay “Birth” Day with information, resources, food and entertainment on pregnancy and birth, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Performance of “Birth” at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $20-$40, sliding scale. Child care is available during performance. 540-7210. 

Heart Truth: What Women with Different Abilities Need to Know A workshop for women with mobility limitations at 2:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 326-8718. 

American Red Cross Free CPR and Preparedness classes at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and in Spanish at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Patten University, 2433 Coolidge Ave., Oakland. 1-888-686-3600.  

Alameda’s Altarena Playhouse 68th Anniversary at 6 p.m. at the Grandview Pavillion, Alameda, with dinner and music. For reservations call 523-1553.  

“Puttin’ on the Ritz” Benefit for California Shakespeare Theater at 6 p.m. at the Rotunda Building, 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Tickets are $185. www.calshakes.org 

“Jewish Literature - Identity and Imagination” Discussion led by Dr. Naomi Seidman of the Graduate Theological Union at 2 p.m. at Kensignton Library, 61 Arlington Ave. Registration is recommended. 524-3043. 

Preschool Storytime for 3-5 year olds at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 12 

Weather Whizzes Make your own tools to measure the wild weather and test them outside, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Frog Chorus Learn about their life cycle and where they live and thrive, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“Songs Against the War: Voices of Anti-warriors” with Barbara Dane and the San Francisco Mime Troupe Band, in honor of the Veterans and Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and Veterans for Peace at 1 p.m. at the Florence Schwimley Little Theater, Berkeley High School, 1980 Allston Way. Reception follows. Tickets are $35. 582-7699.  

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk to rededicate the Willard Community Peace Labyrinth at 3 p.m. at Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Guided by Margie Adam. Rain reschedules to March 19. 526-7377. 

African/African Diaspora Film Society presents “Le Silence de la Foret” at 2 p.m. at Parkway Theater, 1834 Park Blvd. Tickets are $5. OurFilms@aol.com 

Oakland Voters Meet the Candidates, hosted by The MGO Democratic Club from 4 to 7 p.m. at 170 Roble Rd., Oakland. Tickets are $25. 834-9198. www.mgoclub.org  

“Confronting Anti-Semitism” Town Hall Forum at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito High School, 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. 839-2900, ext. 217. 

Music for Babies at 9 a.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Donation of $4 suggested. To register call 658-7853.  

Creating a Family for LGBT Parents at 3 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. To register call 658-7853.  

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

Tibetan Buddhism with Lee Nichol on “Dialog of Being” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, MARCH 13 

Parenting Class in Spanish at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. To register call 658-7853. www.bananasinc.org  

Introduction to Meditation with Diane Eshin Rizzetto at 6:45 p.m. at Bay Zen Center, 315 Alcatraz Ave. Suggested donation $10. Registration required. 596-3087. www.bayzen.org 

“Timbrels and Torahs: A Celebration of Wisdom” with local filmmaker Miriam Chaya at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043.  

Yoga and Meditation Every Sun. in March from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Natural Solutions for Depression & Insomnia at 7:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

World Affairs Discussion Group for seniors at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center. Cost is $2.50.  

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

ONGOING 

Free Tax Help—United Way’s Earn it! Keep It! Save It! program provides free filing assistance to households that earned less than $38,000 in 2005. To find a free tax site near you, call 800-358-8832 or visit www.EarnitKeepitSaveit.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Mar. 7, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Commission on Disability meets Wed., Mar. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6346. TDD: 981-6345.  

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Mar. 8, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Mar. 8, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Mar. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Mar. 8, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6740.  

School Board meets Wed. Mar. 8, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. 644-6320. 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 9, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5400.  

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Tues. Mar. 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5428.  

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 9, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7520.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Mar. 9, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410. ?

FRIDAY, MARCH 3 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “The Master Builder” Wed. through Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through March 12. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Rep “9 Parts of Desire” about women in war-torn Iraq, at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through March 5. Tickets are $30-$59. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Shadow Crossing” Thurs. - Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through March 26. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1381. www.centralworks.org 

Impact Theatre, “Hamlet” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through March 18. Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468. www.impacttheatre.com 

The Marsh Berkeley “Strange Travel Suggestions” monologue by Jeff Greenwald, Thurs. and Fri. at 7 p.m. through March 3, at 2118 Allston Way. Tickets are $15-$22. 800-838-3006. www.themarsh.org 

Traveling Jewish Theater “Family Alchemy” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through March 12. Tickets are $12-$35. 415-522-0786. www.atjt.com 

UCB Dept. of Theater, “Seven Lears” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun at 2 p.m. at the Zellerchach Playhouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $8-$14. 642-9925. http://theater.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Edward Weston: Masterworks from the Collection” Curator’s talk with Drew Johnson, Curator of Photography, at 7 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Horizon: Uniting Earth and Sky” a group exhibition at ACCI Gallery, 1562 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

“Holgalicious” photography exhibition by Looking Glass co-workers and photographers. Reception at 7 p.m. at Cafe Nefeli, Euclid at Hearst. 548-6888. 

“Overhung 2: Hungover,” Works by over 100 Bay Area artists. Reception at 7 p.m. at Boontling Gallery, 4224 Telegraph Ave., Oakland.  

“Everyday People - Extraordinary Dreams” opens with a reception at 7 p.m. at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St. Alameda. 523-6957. 

Motorcycle Art and Artwork Reception at 5 p.m. at the Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St., Oakland. 444-7411. www.estebansabar.com 

FILM 

Women of Color Film Festival Workshop with Christine Choy at 1 p.m. and “Long Story Short” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam Semi-Finals #1 & #2, for youth aged 13-19, Fri. and Sat. at 7 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 210 Broadway, Oakland. Cost is $4 for youth under 20, $10 general. 415-255-9035, ext. 22. www.youthspeaks.org  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall , UC Campus, through March 5. Tickets are $32-$54. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Dance Is 2006 at 8 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are $5-$10. 925-798-1300. www.berkeleyopera.org 

The Pacific Boychoir “American Spirituals” at 7:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 27th and Broadway, Oakland. 452-4722. www.pacificboychoir.org 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $3-$12. 642-9988.  

Good Word at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Flip Tha Script with Kiwi, Golda Supanova, Feenix Solite at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Eddie Marshall’s “No Money Band” at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Radiohead Project with Adam Theis, Joe Cohen and Pat Korte at 8 p.m. at the Jazz- 

school. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Bucho and Soul at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $7-$10. 548-1159.  

Gail Dobson Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Moodswing Orchestra at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Houston Jones at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Frank Wakefield Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Linh Nguyen and Jamie Jenkins at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

XBXRX, Battleship, Mika Miko, Saboteurs at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

Du Uy Quintet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Cas Lucas with Home at Last & Zak Hexum at 8 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 644-2204.  

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 

CHILDREN 

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Germar the Magician at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

The Art of Living Black 2006 with the works of over 50 artists on display Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richmond Convention Center Memorial Auditorium. Sponsored by the Richmond Art Center. 620-6772. 

“Inforestation” an exhibition of drawings, sound, light, and organic materials is being shown at the Addison Street Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison St. Opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Exhibition runs to April 24. 981-7546. 

THEATER 

“Dust Storm: Art and Survival in a Time of Paranoia” on the Internement of Japanese Americans during WWII, at 2 and 7 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $1-$10. 800-838-3006. 

FILM 

Women of Color Film Festival “Who Killed Vincent Chin” at 5:30 p.m. and “Confronting What Was” at 8 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Joseph Campana and D.A. Powell at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Bay Area Poets Coalition holds an open reading from 3 to 5 p.m., at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street, not in Lodge parking lot. 527-9905. poetalk@aol.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 2 and 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall , UC Campus, through March 5. Tickets are $32-$54. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Dance Is 2006 at 8 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are $5-$10. 925-798-1300. www.berkeleyopera.org 

The Real Vocal String Quartet, synthesis of world and roots music with jazz, classical and pop, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St., bet. Durant and Bancroft. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. http://trinitychamberconcerts.com  

Jewish Music Festival with the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars at 8 p.m. at the First Congregational Church Oakland. Tickets are $22-$26. 415-276-1511. 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $3-$12. 642-9988.  

Emily Bezar, jazz, at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $10 at the door. 

The K.T.O. Project at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Tickets are $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org  

Rhonda Benin and Soulful Strut at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Mal Sharpe’s Big Money in Gumbo Band, featuring Lady Memfis, vocals, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Rhiannon at 8 p.m. at the Jazz- 

school. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Marley’s Ghost at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Sotaque Baiano, Brazilian music, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10-$12. 548-1159.  

Sister I-Live and the Remix Band at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Dale Miller and Friends at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Betsy Stern Trio and TC at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Green & Root with Eileen Hazel at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Bryan Girard’s Soul/Jazz Quartet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Lights Out, Hostile Takeover, Set it Straight at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 5 

FILM 

Women of Color Film Festival “I Have Seen...” at 1 p.m. and “Teach Our Children: Works by Christine Choy” at 3:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

Photography of Brian Hastings Opening reception at 4 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

A Tribute to Zahra Kazemi & Dr. Hammed Shahidian with the Kavosh Iranian Women’s Group at 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Soli Deo Gloria, with guest conductor Chad Runyon, will present Latin Elegance, an a cappella choral concert at 3:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran, 5201 Park Blvd., Piedmont. Tickets at the door are $15-$20. www.sdgloria.org 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus, through March 5. Tickets are $32-$54. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

“Alarm Will Sound” works by John Adams at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32, available from 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Chamber Music Sundaes, with members of the San Francisco Symphony and friends at 3:15 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $9-$21. 415-584-5946. 

Kemo Sabe, The Pickin’ Trix, Val Esway & El Mirage and others in a benefit for Kirk Rundstrom from 2 to 10 p.m at The Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph, Oakland. Tickets are $5-$15. 444-6174. 

Terry Rodriguez Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Art Lande Trio “unstandards” at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazz- 

school. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Youthquake Performances, school-age band competition, at 6 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Suzy Thompson, Evie Ladin, and Allegra Yellin, old-time country songs at 11 a.m. at the Temescal Cafe, 4920 Telegraph Ave., near 50th. 595-4102. 

Twang Cafe with Dave Gleason’s Wasted Days at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. All ages show. Cost is $5-$10. 644-2204.  

Balafo at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Elana Fremerman & Her Hot Hot Trio at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MONDAY, MARCH 6 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Express with Nance Wogan at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Zilber-Muscarella Quartet & Invitational at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Trovatore, traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble and Combos at at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s, Jack London Square. Tickets are $15. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, MARCH 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

Michelle Echenique “New Work: Mixed Media Collage” opens at North Berkeley Frame and Gallery, 1744 Shattuck Ave. Runs through April 29. 549-0428. 

FILM 

Vantage Points: New Documentaries by Women at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Works In Progress” Women’s Open Mic with Jan Steckel at 7:30 p.m. at Montclair Women’s Cultural Center, 1650 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 276-0379. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Gerard Landry & The Lariats at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

Ellen Hoffman and Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Barbrara Linn at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 

EXHIBITIONS 

Berkeley Youth Arts Festival celebrating the works of Berkeley High School students. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893.  

FILM 

Film 50: History of Cinema “ Victims of Sin” at 3 p.m. and Vidoe: Recent and Strange at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Café Poetry hosted by Kira Allen at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Donation $2. 849-2568.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Music for the Spirit with Ron McKean on organ at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

Julio Bocca’s Ballet Argentino & Octango at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Zabava! Izvorno and Late Clift at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Balkan dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Berkeley High Jazz Ensembles at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Ned Boynton’s North Beach Django Band at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Julio Bravo & Salsabor at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Kurt Riabak Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Grada at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Still Present Pasts” A collaborative exhibition on Korean Americans and the “Forgotten War” Reception at 6 p.m. at Pro Arts, 550 Second St., Oakland. 763-4361. 

FILM 

The Wide Angle Cinema of Michael Brault “Of Whales, the Moon and Men” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Exploring The Adirondacks: An Architectural Tour of A Great Rustic Tradition” with Steven Engelhart, Executive Director, Adirondack Architectural Heritage, at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $8-$12. 843-8982.  

“Art and War at the Achaemenid Persian Court” with Dr. Michael Roaf, Prof. of Near Eastern Archeology at Munich Univ. at 7:30 p.m. at the Archeological Research Facility, 2251 College Building, UC Campus. 415-338-1537. 

Beshara Doumani, Judith Butler Joel Beinin adn Kathleen Frydl look at “Academic Freedom After 9/11” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

Word Beat Reading Series with Ronda Lawson and Cynthia Bryant at 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave., near Dwight Way. 526-5985. 

Nomad Spoken Word Night at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Julio Bocca’s Ballet Argentino & Octango at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Hespérion XXI, “La Capella Reial de Catalunya” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Pre-concert talk at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $52. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Erike Luckett at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Steve Gannon’s Blue Monday Blues at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Isaac Peña, CD release party at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $16-$8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Jeremy Cohen Duo at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Triskela, harp, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198. ™

He may not look a day over 35 on the foil wrapper of the stale chocolate kugels that pay homage to the greatest musical genius the world has ever known, but Mozart turned 250 on Jan. 27 of this year. More to the point, although the wrapper his music comes in may seem hoary with age, the music wrapped inside has aged like fine wine, becoming fresher, younger and more delicious over the years. 

In his own time and all through the 19th and early 20th centuries, Mozart had a comparatively small, but growing, coterie of fans. Only in the last grand climacteric have we begun to reach an appreciation of his true greatness. 

No matter for, like Whitman, his music says, “I stop somewhere waiting for you.” 

Among the many ensembles honoring him with special programs this year, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s Amadé’s Anniversary stands out with its promise of technical excellence, passionate performance, superior guest artists and inspired programming. San Francisco’s PBO, under the direction of conductor Nicholas McGegan, will perform it at four Bay Area venues over the next two weekends before heading off later in the month to Tucson, Ariz., and Kansas City, Mo. for further concerts.  

One of the highlights of the program will be Symphony No. 40 in G minor, whose opening bars, along with those of Symphony No. 39 and his great, final, Jupiter Symphony, No. 41, Mozart entered into his Verzeichnis aller meiner Werke, his autograph thematic catalogue of his compositions, between June 26 and August 10 of 1788. 

In other words, during a six -week period, after the failure of Don Giovanni in Vienna, during the time that his infant daughter died, while composing half a dozen other pieces, he carried these three symphonies around in his head and then wrote them down one after the other in fully orchestrated versions. 

Eric Hoeprich joins the orchestra for the popular Clarinet Concerto in A major, from 1791, the year of Mozart’s death. Hoeprich is a world-famous performer, maker and historian of the clarinet, but for this performance he switches to an instrument he made in 1994. He based it on a 1794 engraving found in a program which featured Mozart’s friend, colleague and Masonic brother Anton Stadler playing on the basset clarinet, an instrument of his own invention. In fact, Mozart actually wrote this piece as well as his Clarinet Quintet for the virtuoso performer to play on the basset clarinet. 

Guest soprano Cyndia Sieden will be featured performing three stand-alone concert arias. The three concert arias were written independently of larger works for Mozart’s sister-in-law, Aloysia Weber.  

The Magic Flute aria was originally written for the oldest Weber sister, Josepha, who created the role of the Queen of the Night. These are demanding pieces, especially the flabbergasting “O zittre nicht,” and Sieden’s recent and highly acclaimed recordings indicate that she is more than a match for the original Weber sisters.  

For all the fascination of biography, gossip, history, speculation, interpretation and musical analysis, in the end we are left facing the music, not wondering what it means, but just being comfortable with the mystery of why this music is still beautiful and necessary to us. As Goethe said, “I beg of you, seek nothing behind the phenomena. They constitute their own lesson.” Few musical aggregations can present that lesson with more power, finesse and passion than the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.  

The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra conducted by Nicholas McGegan will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way and at 8 p.m. March 10 at the Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. On March 11, they will play at 8 p.m. at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette. For tickets call (415) 392-4400. For more information, call (415) 252-1288 or see www.philharmonia.org. 

Seven Lears which opens tonight on the campus at Zellerbach Playhouse will close after next weekend.  

For good solid academic reasons, the university’s Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies customarily limits plays to two week runs, completely irrespective of the production’s success.  

On the other hand, what they’re offering is quite often worth a lot more than they charge. Tickets for large, elaborately costumed productions—such as Seven Lears—run $14 for adults and $8 for seniors. And this play has 20 actors, a number of whom are playing multiple roles.  

Another plus is that the university is in an enviable position to stage some of the more challenging productions, plays that more commercially oriented companies don’t dare attempt. And thus we now have a rare chance to see a play from what the controversial British playwright Howard Barker has dubbed “the theater of catastrophe.”  

Barker, who has established an important name for himself in Europe, has been largely ignored in Great Britain—which might tell you something about the nature of his thought. He may, however, be finding a more accepting venue in the United States. Stanford just completed a production of Barker’s The Castle on Feb. 18, and their director, Daniel Sack, will come to Berkeley to take part in a panel discussion about the playwright on March 7 (free admission).  

In Seven Lears Barker is exploring—and answering—an important question that may not have been significantly addressed in Shakespearean criticism: What happened to King Lear’s daughters’ mother? As Barker says in his Introduction to the play:  

“The Mother is denied existence in King Lear. She is barely quoted even in the depths of rage or pity. She was therefore expunged from memory … She was therefore the subject of an unjust hatred…” 

While some of us might dispute Barker’s conclusion that the only logical explanation for the family’s behavior is “an unjust hatred” of their mother, it still remains an interesting possibility.  

And it does provide a fascinating basis for his own play.  

Barker goes on to provide a biography of Lear through seven stages—from childhood  

to where Shakespeare starts the story we all probably know. Lear, (admirably played by Nicholas Le Provost, who barely leaves the stage throughout the entire production) and his brothers are somehow convincing as children, although fully grown actors. That’s not easy. 

While Lear, of course, dominates the story, the women in his life—some of whom you’ve never met before—are given significant importance.   

Frankly, it’s rather satisfying.  

One of the significant innovations Barker has explored is in the use of language. He has made no effort to re-create an Elizabethan usage, but has developed some significant innovations that are remarkably successful in creating realistic spoken language as we hear it. In more than one instance he has, for example, given the actor abruptly incomplete sentences. They just stop in mid-flight, period.  

It’s startling to read, of course. But it turns out to be extraordinarily realistic when it is heard from an actor. That’s the way we talk: Those attractive so-called “incomplete”  

sentences that trail off so carefully on written pages need to be looked at more carefully.  

In one such detail Barker has challenged a major, commonly accepted, standard of writing.  

No wonder so many of the Brits don’t like him.  

UC Berkeley’s theater department presents Seven Lears at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays at the Zellerbach Playhouse on the UC campus though March 19. Tickets $8-$14. For more information, call 642-9925 or see http://theater.berkeley.edu.n

The Gem of the Ocean, the next-to-last play August Wilson wrote, is finishing a run at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater this coming weekend. 

The play is the first in his cycle of a century of black American life, completed with the premiere of Radio Golf shortly before Wilson died last fall at 60.  

Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who played in the Broadway production, a fine cast from both the co-producing McCarter Theatre at Princeton and ACT’s core troupe acts out a moment early in the last century, in Wilson’s hometown of Pittsburgh, when “you could walk around and find people who were slaves. I find that incredible.” 

Things in Pittsburgh aren’t so good. There’s unrest at the mill where many black people work. Accused of stealing a bucket of nails, a black worker denies it, fleeing into the river, where he dies. Later, at the climactic moment of the play, the mill will be set afire. 

The first half of this long play (Wilson once joked, as he lengthened an early play, “If it’s 90 minutes, no one’ll know it’s mine!”) meanders with the rhythms of old saws and Biblical homilies and pointed phrases. 

These recurring moments become eddies in the stream of dialogue that establishes plot and character, a texture of speech and meaning that give some credence to Wilson’s old claim that he’s first of all a poet. The second act is more ambitious, with the epiphantic ritual and further revelations and confrontations. Eager to teach the moral lessons of the past, Wilson ends up overdetermining the story and characters, constantly pinning down meaning schematically, to the exclusion of irony.  

Yet he leaves much of importance vague, fuzzy rather than ambiguous. 

Theater mimics the repetition of both sacred rituals and daily life, a dramatic action to re-enact origins, or recover personal and social history—in either case, for us to see the genesis of life’s situations in language and action, rather than in a pre-set scheme of things. 

As a late work, Gem of the Ocean shows a strain of resistance to the relentless linearity of plot, with the backwash of folk language and freestanding statement making a rhythm that syncopates the metronomic beat of a progressive history. Little repeated words and moments are more revelatory than monuments and murals; they sensitize an audience to what’s between the words, the paradox of poetry: what can’t be said. 

It all makes Wilson’s untimely loss more sharply felt. He had spoken of going off in new directions, once his epic cycle was complete. Who knows what lyricism of character and dialogue might have been freed from the dense layers of epic? 

ACT Artistic Director Carey Perloff remembers August Wilson with the last words of Gem: “So live.” 

ACT presents Gem of the Ocean through March 12 at the Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco. For more information, call 415-749-2ACT or see www.act-sf.org.

Over the next few weeks, Pacific Film Archive is presenting two series dedicated to women. 

The 11th annual Women of Color Film Festival runs through Sunday and features a number of films, both long and short, by and about women. Several of the filmmakers will appear in person to discuss their work. 

One of the films showing is Christine Choy’s Academy Award-nominated documentary Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1988) The film examines an incident in 1982 Detroit in which Chinese-American Vincent Chin was mistaken for Japanese and beaten to death by white auto workers who had lost their jobs as demand for Japan’s more fuel-efficient cars caused mass layoffs in the American auto industry. The workers were given light sentences, sparking nationwide outrage among Asian Americans. Choy’s film documents the campaign by Vincent Chin’s mother to bring the murderers to justice. 

Christine Choy will discuss her career at 1 p.m. today (Friday); Who Killed Vincent Chin? plays at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.  

Vantage Points, a series of new documentaries by women starts at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday with a screening of Jennifer Montgomery’s Threads of Belonging (2003) and continues the following Tuesday with Lynne Sachs’ States of UnBelonging (2005). After a brief hiatus, the series continues April 4 with Adele Horne’s The Tailenders (2005) and runs through April 18, concluding with Jenni Olson’s The Joy of Life (2005).  

The Joy of Life depicts two forms of falling and their accompanying emotional states. The first is the feeling of falling in love, in which sensory perception seems to increase. The second is the experience of literally falling, in this case from the Golden Gate Bridge, as director Olson takes a look at the bridge’s history of suicides and makes the case for the construction of a suicide barrier. 

For complete schedules of the films in these series, go to www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

A spate of German-themed films has made and continues to make its way to Berkeley theaters, from last year’s Downfall, about the final days of Adolph Hitler, to current and upcoming releases such as Fateless, about the Nazi occupation of Hungary, Summer Storm, the story of a young German boy’s sexual awakening, and Before the Fall, a coming-of-age film set in one of Hitler’s schools for the elite. (Before the Fall will be reviewed in this space next week.) 

But this week’s offering stands apart from the others, if only because of its subject matter. 

Directed by Dani Levy, Go For Zucker! is the first German-Jewish comedy since World War II and among the first German films of any genre to depict German Jews outside a Holocaust context.  

The film stars Henry Hübchen as Jaecki Zucker (formerly Zuckermann), a man who abandoned his Jewish identity decades ago but must now reconcile with his estranged Orthodox brother in order to acquire an inheritance.  

Go For Zucker!, a huge hit in Germany, has played to Berkeley audiences before, anchoring the East Bay edition of last July’s San Francisco Jewish Film Festival. It opens today (Friday) at Landmark’s Act 1 & 2.  

Growing up in East Germany, Jaecki Zucker renounced his Jewish faith in his brash, leftist youth. Now in his fifties, his life of high-stakes billiards has drawn a string of creditors while pushing his family further and further away from him. But they are drawn back together when Zucker’s mother’s death brings with it the lure of a great sum of money.  

The will stipulates that Zucker must reconcile with his Orthodox brother and observe the lengthy traditional mourning rituals if he wants to get his inheritance. Zucker’s family, including his wife, played by German star Hannelore Elsner, must therefore struggle to pass as observant when the in-laws come to visit for nine days. The family rabbi is charged with monitoring the process to see that all the family members meet their obligations. 

What follows is a comedy of deceptions, transgressions and regressions as two cultures clash amid old family enmities and grudges.  

The film is essentially a glorified sitcom, full of broad humor and silliness. It is an entirely pleasant experience, though not an entirely satisfying one, for the film’s subject matter suggests such a rich source of both humor and pathos. The confllicts and gags are amusing if predictable, while the resolutions are a bit too facile to be fully convincing.  

It is a groundbreaking film in its treatment of German-Jewish life, but otherwise it is simply too slight to be truly relevant. Levy doesn’t seem to have decided exactly what the film should be; it is not pointed enough to be successful satire, yet it is not funny enough to be successful as mere comedy. 

Images courtesy of First Run Features 

Jaecki Zucker (Henry Hübchen) plays pool on the sly when his Orthodox brother and family come to visit..

Who’s ready to try something new? Want to track wildlife, plant heirloom potatoes, cast your line in that perfect loop, team up with your favorite llama or discover the culture of the Tuibun Ohlone? Sound compelling? Read on. 

Our East Bay Regional Park District is an amazing resource. On offer are over 95,000-acres encompassing 65 regional parks, recreation areas, wilderness, shorelines and preserves and 1,150 miles of hiking trails. Within is habitat for a wealth of wildlife, a native botanic garden, 235 family campsites and 2,082 picnic tables. Eleven freshwater lakes for water sports and nine interpretive centers. Isn’t this enough? Apparently not. 

With spring weather beginning to tease our senses, the urge to spend time outdoors beckons. We can revisit our favorites and even venture somewhere new. Add to that the opportunity to learn—a new activity, more about our natural surroundings, a new craft—all through the sponsorship of the East Bay Regional Park District. Across all ability levels and all ages, there’s something for everyone. 

Water and fishing have universal appeal. Trout or bass? At Del Valle the Basics of Trout Fishing is offered while at Shadow Cliffs you can hone your fly-casting skills. Bass Basics instructs from rigging to fish behaviors. For aquatics without fish try kayaking, from beginning skills and a full moon kayak to a kayaking tour of Brooks Island. 

Ready to hit the trails? You can join a llama day hike at Redwood Park or a backpacker’s trek in Sunol. Those with appendages other than arms and legs, namely young ones in strollers, can get in shape with Stroller Strides at Temescal Park. If you’re connected by leash to your best friend, a vigorous hike awaits in Peak Meanderings with a Buddy at Mission Peak Park. 

Often the desire exists but needs a little push. Being part of a group hike can be your motivation. Wednesday Walks meets weekly, exploring a new East Bay Park on each hike of two to six miles. Hiking in a wonderful environment among like-minded individuals with the knowledge of an accompanying naturalist is too much to pass up. For women hesitant to hike alone, Women On Common Ground, is a series of multi-park adventures, chasing moonbeams, investigating wildflower lures and discovering dramatic rock-studded terrain. 

Listening, talking, sharing, you’ll take away more than visual memories of the trails you pass. You’ll have fun while learning about California’s native plants, spotting peregrine falcon, improving your nature photography skills, investigating wood-duck habitats or learning to make rope—the choices are rich. 

At our own Tilden Regional Park, 18 activities are scheduled during the next two months. Ilana Peterson, Senior Office Assistant in the Environmental Education Center, spoke of the popularity of Tilden Tots and Tilden Explorers, both outdoor adventure programs for kids. Sushi Basics, where preparation and sampling of seven types of sushi shares the stage with the cultural and natural history of this ancient treat, plays to a full house.  

Most activities here focus on the Little Farm, where the cow barn is nearing completion, and Jewel Lake, home to waterfowl, turtles and amphibians. While some classes are age specific, like Weather Whizzes, where kids make their own weather tools, others are open to all ages. Entire families can enjoy pond collection and identification and morning chores at the farm. 

From the hills to the bay. At Alameda’s Crab Cove, Bethany Facedini, park naturalist, has a mission reflected in the bilingual activities on offer. Her goal is to attract non-traditional groups to the park, starting with the young. School children, sent home with fun, ecological experiences and information bookmarks, often return with their multigenerational families. Only by making use of a natural resource can one learn to value its worth. Vengan a explorar la vida del estuario! 

By exploring animal habitats in mudflats and rocky shore; joining Sea Siblings, Sea Squirts and Sea Explorers; turning over rocks at low tide; and learning about watersheds, the future of our natural environment takes another positive step. 

Sunol Regional Park, south of Pleasanton, is off the beaten track, but well worth the trek. Weekends bring many visitors to this remote wilderness, home to Little Yosemite and high-rising escarpments, and many join drop-in activities. 

While strenuous hikes are on offer, other activities focus on the park’s animal inhabitants like newts, snakes and birds as well as Indian Joe Creek and Cave Rocks. 

Worth planning ahead for is Sunol’s Third Annual Wildflower Festival, set for Saturday, April 8. The Old Green Barn Visitor Center’s Jo Frisch numbered last year’s event at over three hundred participants. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., naturalists and volunteers lead wildflower hikes of varying lengths and present slide shows highlighting the area’s flora and butterflies. Planned crafts like pressed flower bookmarks and painted faces offer take home mementos. A day worthy of a mark on the calendar. 

Resources shouldn’t be wasted, by over-use or under-use. Sample what’s on offer by the East Bay Parks. Take a page from Bethany Facendini’s book—participate and become a steward of nature. 

Regional In Nature Activity Guides are published every two months. Copies can be picked at all park Interpretive Centers. Information is also available on line at www.ebparks.org. Some classes require registration and a fee.  

Rounding the bend from La Loma Avenue onto Le Conte Avenue on Berkeley’s Northside, the eye can’t miss a large brown-shingle structure in mid-block. Crowned by cascades of steep overlapping gables, this quintessentially Arts & Crafts building sports a curious appendage on its southeast corner: an octagonal turret with a domed roof previously covered with mosaics but now bare. 

The story of the house at 2667–69 Le Conte Ave. is full of twists and turns, as is the case with so many other historic houses in the Daley’s Scenic Park tract just north of the UC campus. Built 95 years ago, the house’s fortunes have faithfully mirrored those of the near-century of its existence. 

The house was designed in 1911 as a duplex by the eclectic architect John Hudson Thom as. A student of John Galen Howard’s and Bernard Maybeck’s, Thomas drew inspiration for his idiosyncratic style from early 20th-century European and American avant-garde architecture, and especially from the Glasgow School (Charles Rennie Mackintosh), the Viennese Secession (Otto Wagner), and the Prairie School (Frank Lloyd Wright). 

Thomas’ client was Laura Belle Marsh Kluegel, a widow who had lived in the neighborhood since 1904 and had close ties to the Maybeck-Keeler circle. With Maybeck as their guru and Charles Keeler as their spokesman, the residents of Daley’s Scenic Park were determined to build their homes in harmony with nature. They founded the Hillside Club in 1898 “to protect the hills of Berkeley from unsightly grading and the building of u nsuitable and disfiguring houses; to do all in our power to beautify these hills and above all to create and encourage a decided public opinion on these subjects.” 

The new houses that went up in this district were clad in unpainted shingles, and their steep roofs echoed the contours of the surrounding hills and trees. The style that evolved here is known as the First Bay Region Tradition and is widely considered to be Berkeley’s most significant contribution to architecture. 

The Hillside Club also took charge of surveying and laying out the neighborhood streets with “an artistic treatment of grades and retaining walls, which would take into consideration the preservation of the live-oaks and involve as little alteration as possible of the present topogr aphy.” At the time, several large Coast Live Oaks grew in the center of Le Conte Avenue. When city workers removed one of these oaks in 1919, the neighbors dispatched a stern letter to the City Council, decrying this “high-handed measure” and stressing th at the native trees are “the most prized asset of [the] district and are absolutely invaluable, in that they can never be replaced.” 

Mrs. Kluegel owned an art furnishing and interior design store on Telegraph Avenue and was a longtime member of the Coope r Ornithological Club. The preference for a shingled home was probably hers, since John Hudson Thomas designed primarily in stucco. Of all the original commissions Thomas designed during his solo career (1911–1945), the Kluegel house appears to be the onl y fully shingled one. 

Around 1919, Mrs. Kluegel moved to Carmel, where she was one of the founding members of the Carmel Art Association. A few years later, the great Berkeley Fire of 1923 ravaged Daley’s Scenic Park. The Kluegel house has the distinctio n of being the westernmost house on its block to have survived the fire, which passed between it and the adjacent house. 

Subsequent resident-owners of the duplex rented some of their rooms to students, and during WWII even shipyard workers are reported t o have roomed there. After the war, the two dwellings were owned and occupied by the families of two young professors—Charles Richard Grau and Sigurd Burckhardt—the former a future world expert in avian science and the latter a distinguished literary crit ic. 

From 1950 to 1976, the Kluegel house was a rooming house serving UC co-eds. In 1976, at a time when many American were looking toward East Asia for spiritual renewal, the house was purchased by the Siri Singh Sahib Corporation of Sikh Dharma. For the next twenty years, it was a Sikh ashram, Kundalini yoga center, and residential commune. The Sikhs needed a place to house their religious shrine, and that’s how the domed turret came into being. 

Happily, the building is large enough so that this peculi ar addition (also shingled) does not significantly affect its overall appearance. Sufficient historic fabric and character-defining features remain to convey its historic significance.

Writing this column is going to be harder than usual. It’s no fun. I like talking about how people screw things up and sometimes it’s funny and sometimes it’s just exasperating but what I have to talk about today is genuinely tragic. Please bear with me because it’s extremely important. 

Kids are getting sick. Lots of them, and it’s something that’s preventable. Lead poisoning has affected over 4,000 kids in Alameda county in the last 14 years and that’s just the ones we know about. In 2004, only 42 percent of the Medi-Cal enrolled children in Alameda County had been screened for lead. That means that there are probably a lot more kids who are being affected than we know about. 

These figures came to me from Julie Twichell of the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, based in Oakland. Before I go on let me give you their website, www.aclppp.org, because she and her compatriots are here for you. Check out the website. It’s very useful and simple and direct. 

I ended up talking to Julie because of Berkeley’s own Lynda Daily, who coordinates Berkeley’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. She too is available at ldailey@ci.berkeley.ca.us and can help to answer questions and direct you to what can be done. 

Let’s look briefly at what is happening and then we can talk a little about what can be done. 

First, children 6 and under are at the greatest risk. It’s hard to find hard numbers on exactly which sources of lead are greatest for children but it looks like the remnants of lead paint is the primary culprit. We’ll talk later about some other sources you should know about. 

When people prepare to paint and don’t know any better they often scrape and (here the worst one) sand old surfaces that are almost sure to contain lead paint if they are from before 1978. That’s almost every house I see in Berkeley. Yes, we have a few newer homes but 80 percent of the housing in Alameda County fits this description and I think the numbers for Berkeley must be over 90 percent. Many people don’t realize this and when they sand and scrape the old paint off in preparation for painting, they release lead particles that come to rest in the environment. 

Small children are very oral and very manual/oral. In other words, they explore the world with their hands and their mouths and if the house has lead dust and chips (which themselves get broken down to dust), they ingest lead. This may sound hard to achieve but apparently it’s very common.  

There are at least two different ways in which this problem is exacerbated. The first is that lead is sweet and infants who gnaw on lead woodwork, which is another common means of ingestion, may be getting an extra incentive to continue since it tastes good. The Romans apparently used to put lead ethanoate (also called ‘lead acetate’ or ‘sugar of lead’) into their drinks as a sweetener. Holy moley, that sure seems like a bad idea. The madness of Caligula is thought to have been the result of lead poisoning and it may be that much of Rome’s downfall can be linked to this tragic misjudgment. 

There is also what is called Pica behavior, which involves the eating of a range of inappropriate materials including clay for reasons that are generally not obvious. Some scientists believe that this is a confused attempt to obtain some needed nutrient. Clay eating has long been observed and is sanctioned in some cultures. Pica behavior may be the result of malnutrition or possibly an undetected dietary need that the subject may be trying to fill.  

Whatever the reason, children are eating lead. They may not be aware that they are doing it but the consequences are extremely dire. At the low end of the spectrum is attention deficit and other learning and behavioral failings. At the further end is mental retardation, kidney illness and death. Some signs to look for in lead poisoning include: headaches, irritability, vomiting, weight loss, slowed speech and hyperactivity. 

If you live in a house built prior to 1978 and have a child 6 or under and especially if it’s a house from before 1950 please have your child tested for lead. It’s a simple blood test your pediatrician can perform. 

If you’re thinking about painting, just wash the wall and paint over on the inside. If you want a more thorough job, and many of us do, please have a professional do the job and make sure they protect your home and their workers in the process. Ask questions before you start and bring up the L-word. Make sure they know the rules. Make sure that the house is clean of all lead dust when they get done. Talk to the ACLPPP to be sure what you need to know. 

If you own a home in Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville or Oakland, there are some impressive services that the ACLPPP have available to you including free site visits, lead testing of the site and classes for homeowners on how to safely remodel (paint, etc.).  

There are lead testing kits one can obtain and even a special HEPA vacuum for rental if you choose to do some work on your own home. There are also free classes for professionals at various levels of complexity and there are even special services available to landlords. It seems that the community is responding to a serious need in a serious way … so we can have hope. 

A few other things to be aware of that have little to do with construction but may help to prevent a tragedy. Lead is found in Kohl, a popular black eye makeup from Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia (as well as other countries in the region). Kohl samples have been found to sometimes contain up to 50 percent lead and this makeup is sometimes used on small children. Vinyl mini-blinds may contain lead as well as some vinyl toys. Apparently, lead is used in the making of vinyl and it can remain accessible to a chewing child. 

Turmeric can contain lead, depending on where it comes as well as the glazes on some ceramics. 

Clearly it’s important to get informed. 

The primary concern is clearly for those things that are in the child’s field of access. What they can grab and chew on, where they play and crawl. 

There are so many things to fear that it’s easy to get freaked out by something like this. It’s also easy for us to feel like we don’t do enough as parents. Here’s my message. Don’t sand the surfaces inside your house and if you have a small child, have them get a blood test for lead. The rest is small stuff and you’re not supposed to sweat that. 



Some of us like plants from all over the world in out gardens. Some of us like native Californians. (Some of us, like me, mix them.) Some of us take that native thing to apparent extremes, and people like that have the perfect place in Berkeley: Native Here Nursery.  

There’s good reason to take the “extreme” road. Many of our native plants are unique, having very small ranges and surviving under peculiar conditions like drought and serpentine soils. They nurture the rest of the native flora and the fauna, and you won’t find anything quite like those systems anywhere else on earth. As much as we might love our ecological surroundings, we don’t know everything about them, and sometimes the gaps in our knowledge turn out to be bigger than we thought.  

Genetic studies keep turning up surprises, like two species we used to think were one because they—to us—look “alike.” A few years ago, studies on two extremely similar waterbirds, Western grebe and Clark’s grebe, showed enough genetic differences to make them basically reproductively isolated from each other, even though they share territories. Evidently they can tell each other apart. Plants can be even more subtle. 

One good mechanism for speciation is geography. Ernst Mayr wrote whole libraries about this, and we can trace fascinating tales of, say, Hawai’ian silverswords and their Californian tarweed ancestors. But it doesn’t take half the Pacific to set up a place for a plant to evolve into something new; California has more microhabitats than most places, and more species.  

So, nature’s doing something here, and we don’t know exactly what. But we do know that when we restore places as best we can, interesting things happen. Animals return, plants buoy each other up; we can stand back and watch in wonder. Locals are adapted to their sites, and they do well and nurture the local butterflies, birds, and other wildlife we’ve elbowed out of the way.  

If you live near wildlands, it’s something between duty and magic to plant natives from your place. So people like Charli Danielsen, Native Here’s founder, take care to know where their plants came from. In the nursery, you don’t just find California natives; you find Wildcat Regional Park, El Cerrito, Albany Hill and such specific natives. Charli and her volunteers go forth and gather seed, track it as they grow it out, and supply plants for home gardens and habitat restoration. 

Native Here also does custom growing, for which you need to plan well ahead: two or three years’ notice is best. Plants set seed at specific times, once a year or even less often, and must be mapped, gathered, and grown out to prosper. Is it worth it? You bet. Plants native to your site will do best with the least fuss, and usually spread and fill in well on their own – or with the help of the wildlife they grew up with, like scrub jays who’ve been planting oaks and ceanothus for millenia. As we replace the lost pieces of our world, magic happens. 

Native Here Nursery 

101 Golf Course Road  

across from the entrance to the Tilden Golf Course. 

(South Park Drive is still closed for the newts’ migration; approach from the Shasta Gate.) 

549-0211 

Fridays: 9 a.m.–noon, Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

FRIDAY, MARCH 3 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Jonathan Kolieb on “The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020. 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MLK Student Union, 5th Floor Tilden Room, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE.  

Three Beats for Nothing sings early music for fun and practice at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 655-8863. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. Players at all levels are welcome. 845-1041. 

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave., room 17. 843-0150. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

Shabbat Across America Shabbat dinner followed by service at 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. 848-3988. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 

“Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade” Panel discussion with Richard Bermack author of “Front Lines of Social Change,” and Milt Wolff, Commander of the Lincoln Brigade at 3:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 

“Empowering Women Of Color” conference including panel discussions, workshops and cultural performances in the Lippman Room, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 415-731-5627. http://ewocc.berkeley. 

edu/registration.php 

Kid’s Garden Club for ages 7-12 to explore the world of gardening, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

7th Annual Seed Swap Meet other local gardeners and trade seed. Bring seed, envelopes and pens or just show up and get seeds with a commitment to bring seed back to the Interchange Library. From 3 to 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233.  

Early Spring Color in the Garden with Aerin Moore at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Landscape Nursey, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

Sick Plant Clinic UC plant pathologist Dr. Robert Raabe, UC entomologist Dr. Nick Mills, and their team of experts will diagnose what ails your plants from 9 a.m. to noon at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755.  

Car Safety Seat Check, for infant and child car seats, with the Berkeley Police Dept. from 10 a.m. to noon at the UC Garage on Addison at Oxford in downtown Berkeley. 

“Heal a Woman, Heal a Child, Heal a Nation” Pampering for women, a 10 a.m. at 5272 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. Donation $8 and up. Benefit for Children’s Hospital. 536-5934. 

Honor the Abraham Lincoln Brigade on the 70th anniversary of its participation in the Spanish Civil War with a film and panel discussion at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6150. 

White Elephant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the Oakland Museum of California, at 333 Lancaster St. at Glascock, Oakland. Free shuttle from the Fruitvale BART Station. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Small Business Seminar on Financial Management at 9 a.m. at Vista College, 2075 Allston Way. Cost is $26. To register see www.peralta.cc.ca.us 

Puppet Theater Workshop, for children ages 8 to 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Free, no registration required. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Ayurveda & Optimal Wellness A talk with Marc Halpern at 10 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Protest Rally at Berkeley Honda Shattuck and Parker every Thurs. at 4:30 to 6 p.m. and Sat. from 1 to 2 p.m. until the labor dispute is settled.  

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

Spirit Walking Aqua Chi (TM) A gentle water exercise class at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley High Warm Pool. Cost is $3.50 per session. 526-0312. 

Preschool Storytime for 3-5 year olds at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 5 

“Fermenting Berkeley” Lecture and oral history project with Charles Wollenberg and Linda Rosen at 3 p.m. at Berkeley History Center, 1931 Center St. 848-0181. 

March Around the Lake Learn about Jewel Lake in spring and who lives there at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park.  

Introduction to Compost with Molly Nakahara from noon to 2 p.m. at 604 56th St. at Shattuck. A Free Skool class. www.barringtoncollective.org 

White Elephant Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the Oakland Museum of California, at 333 Lancaster St. at Glascock, Oakland. Free shuttle from the Fruitvale BART Station. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Fashion, Faith and Fantasy in the Modern Physical Theory” with Sir Roger Penrose, Prof. of Mathematics, Oxford Univ. at 3 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. 642-0143. www.msri.org 

“Are You Good Enough to be Published?” a workshop with Alan Rinzler at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

Diabetes Treatment with Natural Therapies A talk with Bonnie Levine at 11:30 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“Ritual Triggers” a demonstration of paratheatre techniques with Antero Alli, Nick Walker and Sylvi Alli at 7:30 p.m. at The Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut, off University Ave. Cost is $5. 464-4640.  

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

Yoga and Meditation Every Sun. in March from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“Tibetan Meditation Practices for Spiritual Awakening” Dharma talk by Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche at 7 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Robin Caton on “Why Meditate?” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com  

MONDAY, MARCH 6 

National Organization for Women, Oakland/East Bay Chapter meets at 6 p.m. at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St. Luci Tyndall will discuss The Clean Money Bill, a bill which if passed would give candidates for state offices a more level playing field. 287-8948. 

“Power of Progressive Religion” with Ron Buford of the Stillspeaking Initiative at 9 a.m. at PSR Chapel, 1798 Scenic Ave. 849-8298. 

Parenting Class in Spanish at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. To register call 658-7853. www.bananasinc.org  

“Castoffs” The Kensington Library Knitting Group meets at 7 p.m. at 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. All levels welcome. Meets the first Monday of the month. 524-3043. 

Sing-A-Long from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. 524-9122.  

Free Business Loan and Business Plan Writing Boot Camp Mon. and Fri. from 9 a.m. to noon at 519 17th St., 2nd Floor, Ste. 200, Oakland, through March 31. 395-6003. 

Beginning Bridge Lessons at 11:10 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Cost is $1. 524-9122. 

World Affairs Discussion Group for seniors at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center. Cost is $2.50.  

McGee Avenue Toastmasters meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at McGee Ave Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. 501-7005. 

Critical Viewing An ongoing group to examine the art/craft(iness) of short films and television productions and its effects on our daily lives, at 1 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Free. 848-0237. georgeporter@earthlink.net 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 7 

Rally in Support of IRV Voting at 6 p.m. on th esteps of Old City Hall, before the City Council meeting. www.irv4berkeley.org 

“The Right to Culture as a Human Right: Law in a Multi-cultural World” with Alison Dundes Renteln at 6 p.m. at the Great Hall, International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Cost for dinner is $15. Call for reservations. 642-4128. 

“Quest for the Seven Summits” A slide presentation with mountain climber John Christiana at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

National Nutrition Month Cooking Demonstration with Mary Vance from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Farmers’ Market, Derby St. at MLK. 548-3333.  

Public Hearing on Sewer Laterals which would establish a fee for certificates of satisfactory condition of homeowners’ sewer laterals upon sale or remodel, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6901.  

Free Quit Smoking Class from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center., 2939 Ellis St. Also on the 21st. Free hypnosis also available. To register call 981-5330. 

Stress Less Seminar at 6:30 p.m. at New Moon Opportunities, 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland Free, but registration required. 465-2524. 

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss “Unexpected Pleasures” from 7 to 9 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 601-6690. 

“Wild Alaska: Whales, Glaciers and Bears of Wilderness Southeast Alaska” with travel photographer Ronn Patterson at 7 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland.  

Raging Grannies of the East Bay invites new folks to come join us the 2nd and 4th Tues, of each month, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. to sing(any voice will do), help plan our next gig, or write outrageously political lyrics to old familiar tunes, and have fun at Berkeley Gray Panthers office, 1403 Addison St., in Andronico’s mall. 548-9696. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Magic Show with Alex Gonzales at 6:30 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Naturopathic Cancer Support A talk with Marianne Marchese at 7:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Family Story Time at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Branch Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Free, all ages welcome. 524-3043. 

Compassion in Action A practical 4-week Buddhist meditation course with ordained nun, Kelsang Choyang, Tues. at 7 p.m. at Dzalandhara Buddhist Center, Berkeley. Cost is $7-$10 per class. Call to register 559-8183. www.meditationinberkeley.org 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Free Handbuilding Ceramics Class 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Materials and firing charges not included. 525-5497.  

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991.  

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8 

“Fashion Resistance to Militarism” a documentary in honor of International Women’s Day, follwed by a discussion with Aimee Alison and Tina Garnanez at 6:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. Tickets are $5-$10 sliding scale. Sponsored by Women of Color Resource Center. 444-2700. 

Great Decisions Foreign Policy Association Lecture “The U.S. and Iran” with Dariush Zahedi, at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Cost is $40 for the eight lecture series. 526-2925. 

Berkeley Holocaust Remembrance Day Planning Meeting at 4 p.m. in the Redbud Room, 2180 Milvia St. 981-7170. 

East Bay Genealogical Society with Susan Snyder of Bancroft Library on the availability of materials during the remodeling process, at 10 a.m. in the Library Conference Room of the Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. Guests are always welcome. 635-6692.  

Choosing Infant Care at 10 a.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Babies welcome. To register call 658-7853.  

“Microcurrent Therapy for Pain Relief” at 9:30 a.m. at Alta Bates Summit, Cafeteria Annex B and C, 350 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5, free for Health Access members. Registration required. 869-6737. 

Poetry Writing Workshop, led by Alison Seevak, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library ,1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

“Struggles with Homo- 

sexuality in the Orthodox Jewish Community,” with a screening of the documentary “Keep Not Silent” at noon at the Gender Equity Resources Center, 202 Cesar Chavez Student Center, UC Campus. 

Breema Open House with sample exercise class at 6 p.m. at 6210 Florio St., Oakland. 428-1234.  

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes and a warm hat. 548-9840. 

Sing your Way Home A free sing-a-long at 4:30 p.m. every Wed. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720.  

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704.  

Meditation and Discussion Sessions Wed. evenings at 7 p.m. near the El Cerrito Plaza BART station. No commitment to a particular religious or philosophical viewpoint is required. Free. www.heartawake.com 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, MARCH 9 

“Exploring The Adirondacks: An Architectural Tour of A Great Rustic Tradition” with Steven Engelhart, Executive Director, Adirondack Architectural Heritage, at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $8-$12. 843-8982.  

“Refugee Cultures in Transition: From Southeast Asian Mountains and Plains to the Central Valley” at 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Rising Tides of White and Christian Supremacy: A Cross Atlantic Comparison of 9/11 and 7/7 with Jaideep Singh at 7 p.m. at the Bade Museum, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. 849-8225. 

“Paradise Now” The Oscar-nominated Palestinian film at 7:30 p.m. at the Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave. Discussion to follow the film. Suggested donation $10. Benefit for the Middle East Children's Alliance. 548-0542. www.mecaforpeace.org 

“Corporate Responsibility in the Global South” at 7:30 p.m. at the Home Room, International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Sponsored by the Association for India’s Development. Cost is $5. 642-9460. 

“The Union Busting Epidemic and How to Fight It” with a screening of “Lockout 484” and “Solidarity Has No Borders” at 7 p.m. at Fellowship of Humainity Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation of $3 requested. 415-867-0628. 

“Bilateral Trade Agreements in the Asia-Pacific” Panel discussion at 5 p.m. in the IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th floor. http://ieas.berkeley.edu/events/2006.03.09.html 

Choosing Infant Care at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Babies welcome. To register call 658-7853.  

Grizzly Peak Flyfishers with Bill Carnazzo, a guide who specializes in the Upper Sacramento River, on winter fishing, at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 547-8629. 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Metro Center Auditorium, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE.  

Historical & Current Times Book Group meets on Thurs. at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1249 Marin Ave. 548-4517. 

East Bay Mac Users Group meets at 6 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. Netopia will present Timbuktu 8.5. http://ebmug.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Creeks Task Force meets Mon. Mar. 6, at 7 p.m. the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7410.  

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., Mar. 6, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5510.  

City Council meets Tues., Mar. 7, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Commission on Disability meets Wed., Mar. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6346. TDD: 981-6345.  

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Mar. 8,, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Mar. 8, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Mar. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Mar. 8, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6740.  

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 9, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5400.  

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Tues. Mar. 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5428.  

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 9, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7520.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Mar. 9, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410. D