Photograph by Riya Bhattacharjee:
              Hundreds of protesters marched from UC Berkeley toward downtown as part of the May Day action protesting proposed immigration reform.
Photograph by Riya Bhattacharjee: Hundreds of protesters marched from UC Berkeley toward downtown as part of the May Day action protesting proposed immigration reform.

Page One

A Day of Immigrant Action

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday May 02, 2006

The conch shells resounding and the flags raised in unison on the Sproul Hall steps at noon Monday signaled a day of action for a new civil rights movement. -more-



Public Mixed Over Trader Joe’s Project

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday May 02, 2006

A parade of speakers marched to the podium at Thursday’s Zoning Adjustments Board, 22 praising a proposed development, and a dozen speaking in opposition. -more-



Seeking a New Look For Downtown BART

By Suzanne La Barre
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Plans to redesign the downtown BART station drew a range of reactions at an open house presentation over the weekend. -more-



Local Impact of Preschool Initiative Is Unclear

By Suzanne La Barre
Tuesday May 02, 2006

An initiative to grant preschool to all California 4-year-olds is on the ballot this June, but how it would operate locally, if approved, remains unclear. -more-



Student Achievement at Small Schools Is Mixed

By Suzanne La Barre
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Academic performance at Berkeley High School’s first two small schools is a mixed bag, new data show. -more-



Features

County Gets Late Start On Measure A Oversight

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Two years after voters gave Alameda County the authority to impose a half-cent sales tax to augment medical and health care spending, the county is just beginning the process of monitoring how a major percentage of Measure A money has been spent. -more-


Peralta Steps Back from Extending Hand to Compton

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Recent developments surrounding Compton Community College makes it less likely—but not impossible—that the Peralta Community College District may step in to help bail out the troubled Southern California district. -more-


New, Hip Identity Proposed for Berkeley Alternative High

By Suzanne La Barre
Tuesday May 02, 2006

The Berkeley Alternative High School is in for a new model—and a hip new name. -more-


Berkeley Schools, Businesses Affected by May 1 Boycott

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday May 02, 2006

A few weeks ago, most felt invisible. -more-


Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Immigration Bill

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Calling for “real, comprehensive immigration reform,” Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) blasted legislation now stalled in the House of Representatives that would criminalize undocumented immigrants and those who help them. -more-


Asian Media Report Conflicts Over Economic Boycott

By Carolyn Goossen, New American Media
Tuesday May 02, 2006

The national economic boycott for immigrant rights on May 1 elicited mixed feelings among Asian communities, according to a survey of Asian media. -more-


Police Blotter

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Two heisters -more-


Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday May 02, 2006

FCMAT -more-


Commentary: ZAB Holds Trader Joe’s Pep Rally

By Regan Richardson
Tuesday May 02, 2006

After attending the April 28 Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) meeting and witnessing the sickening and suspiciously euphoric response to the behemoth project proposed at 1950 MLK Way, and after reading the post-meeting “Livable Berkeley” (they may soon want to consider a name-change) blog page, I am compelled to respond. In theory this was supposed to be a substantive ZAB meeting to discuss the mass and height of this project. Thanks to the developer, Hudson McDonald, it actually just turned out to be a pep rally for supporters of Trader Joe’s, alternative transit and even denser housing, staged on public time in a public venue. -more-


Commentary: Latini Omnes Sunt

By Thomas Gangale
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Last summer, when California Democratic Party chair Art Torres quipped from the podium, “I’ve been a Latino for most of my life,” he received the laughter his remark was intended to garner. But afterward, I got to thinking—he’s on to something here. Who are the Latinos? -more-


Editorial

Editorial: Singing About America in Many Tongues

By Becky O’Malley
Tuesday May 02, 2006

A couple of weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, I attended a concert which was a benefit for African-American college students. It was organized by Hope Briggs, then just another struggling soprano, though she’s now a featured artist with the San Francisco Opera and other major companies. She had put together a bouquet of young classical singers who contributed their performances, many but not all of them African-Americans like herself. -more-


Columns

Column: New From the Home Page Of the Fallen Warriors

By Susan Parker
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Two weeks ago I wrote a column about receiving a solicitation in the mail to join the United States Navy. In the letter the Navy promised me training on the world’s most advanced equipment, a debt-free education, full benefits, outstanding medical coverage, a competitive edge in the civilian job market, and no “money hassles.” -more-


The Not-So-Sweet Life of the Lemon Tree

By Ron Sullivan Special to the Planet
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Lemon tree very pretty -more-


Arts Listings

Arts Calendar

Tuesday May 02, 2006

Arts: Benny Golson Headlines At Yoshi’s This Weekend

By Ira Steingroot Special to the Planet
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Arts: A Tale of Genocide Unfolds in TheatreFIRST’s ‘World Music’

By Ken Bullock Special to the Planet
Tuesday May 02, 2006

Events Listings

Berkeley This Week

Tuesday May 02, 2006

Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

Editorial: Singing About America in Many Tongues 05-02-2006

Sewers, Impeachment, Alcohol Policy on Council Agenda 04-28-2006

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor 05-02-2006

Commentary: ZAB Holds Trader Joe’s Pep Rally By Regan Richardson 05-02-2006

Commentary: Latini Omnes Sunt By Thomas Gangale 05-02-2006

Letters to the Editor 04-28-2006

Commentary: ‘Push Polls’ Not Part of Downtown Association’s Agenda By Mark McLeod 04-28-2006

Why I’m the Only Viable Candidate for Mayor By Zachary Running Wolf 04-28-2006

Commentary:How to Create a Lively ‘Green’ Oasis in Downtown By Kirstin Miller 04-28-2006

Commentary: 1610 Oregon Street: It’s Everyone’s Concern By Shirley Dean 04-28-2006

News

A Day of Immigrant Action By Riya Bhattacharjee 05-02-2006

Public Mixed Over Trader Joe’s Project By Richard Brenneman 05-02-2006

Seeking a New Look For Downtown BART By Suzanne La Barre 05-02-2006

Local Impact of Preschool Initiative Is Unclear By Suzanne La Barre 05-02-2006

Student Achievement at Small Schools Is Mixed By Suzanne La Barre 05-02-2006

County Gets Late Start On Measure A Oversight By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 05-02-2006

Peralta Steps Back from Extending Hand to Compton By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 05-02-2006

New, Hip Identity Proposed for Berkeley Alternative High By Suzanne La Barre 05-02-2006

Berkeley Schools, Businesses Affected by May 1 Boycott By Judith Scherr 05-02-2006

Barbara Lee Speaks Out Against Immigration Bill By Judith Scherr 05-02-2006

Asian Media Report Conflicts Over Economic Boycott By Carolyn Goossen, New American Media 05-02-2006

Police Blotter By Richard Brenneman 05-02-2006

Police Chief Details How Cop Stole Drugs By Judith Scherr 04-28-2006

Bitter Honda Strike Ends With Contract Agreement By Suzanne La Barre 04-28-2006

International Food Festival Lands in West Berkeley By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-28-2006

North Shattuck Plaza Planned for Gourmet Ghetto By Suzanne La Barre 04-28-2006

Council Jumps into the Gaia Building Culture War By Judith Scherr 04-28-2006

Contentious Lawn Parking Law Revision Delayed By Judith Scherr 04-28-2006

Oakland Teachers’ Contract Meets Mixed Reception By Suzanne La Barre 04-28-2006

Opt Out Bill Passes Committee By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 04-28-2006

David Beauvais: Defender of the First Amendment By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-28-2006

Commission Grills UC Officials On Campus Disaster Plans By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-28-2006

May Day Action Calls for Immigration Strike By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-28-2006

County Medical Center Settles Nurses’ Contract By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 04-28-2006

City College Completion Scheduled for Mid-July By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 04-28-2006

Police Blotter By Richard Brenneman 04-28-2006

Columns

Column: New From the Home Page Of the Fallen Warriors By Susan Parker 05-02-2006

The Not-So-Sweet Life of the Lemon Tree By Ron Sullivan Special to the Planet 05-02-2006

Column: Dispatches From the Edge: Rummy Shelled, Silvio Falls, Iran Strikes By Conn Hallinan 04-28-2006

Column: Undercurrents: Public Comment Lies at the Heart of Democracy By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 04-28-2006

She’s Got Your Goat at Caribbean Cove By B.J. Calurus Special to the Planet 04-28-2006

About the House: Neatness Saves Time, Even on a Job Site By Matt Cantor 04-28-2006

Garden Variety: Recycling For Garden Decor at Omega Too By Ron Sullivan 04-28-2006

Arts & Events

Arts Calendar 05-02-2006

Arts: Benny Golson Headlines At Yoshi’s This Weekend By Ira Steingroot Special to the Planet 05-02-2006

Arts: A Tale of Genocide Unfolds in TheatreFIRST’s ‘World Music’ By Ken Bullock Special to the Planet 05-02-2006

The Not-So-Sweet Life of the Lemon Tree By Ron Sullivan Special to the Planet 05-02-2006

Berkeley This Week 05-02-2006

Arts Calendar 04-28-2006

Aurora Theatre Presents a ‘Small Tragedy’ By Ken Bullock Special to the Planet 04-28-2006

Moving Pictures: The Not-So-Discreet Charms of the Bourgeoisie By Justin DeFreitas 04-28-2006

The International Reach of the Arts and Crafts Movement By Marta Yamamoto Special to the Planet 04-28-2006

She’s Got Your Goat at Caribbean Cove By B.J. Calurus Special to the Planet 04-28-2006

About the House: Neatness Saves Time, Even on a Job Site By Matt Cantor 04-28-2006

Garden Variety: Recycling For Garden Decor at Omega Too By Ron Sullivan 04-28-2006

Berkeley This Week 04-28-2006