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Puppies await adoption at the Milo Foundation adoption store on Solano Avenue last week. The foundation is currently awaiting a use permit approval from ZAB that will allow it to continue operations at its 1575 Solano Ave. location. Photograph by Riya Bhattacharjee.
Puppies await adoption at the Milo Foundation adoption store on Solano Avenue last week. The foundation is currently awaiting a use permit approval from ZAB that will allow it to continue operations at its 1575 Solano Ave. location. Photograph by Riya Bhattacharjee.
 

News

Flash: Man Shot at Oregon Street House

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday October 17, 2006

 

A 19-year-old Berkeley man was shot Tuesday morning in the backyard of a controversial Oregon Street home that has been the subject of repeated public nuisance suits by neighbors and identified by Berkeley Police as a hot spot for drug dealers. 

The victim was struck in the back yard of the house owned by Lenora Moore at 1610 Oregon St. The owner was not home at the time. 

“The victim’s injuries were reported to be non-life threatening,” reported Berkeley Police spokesperson Officer Ed Galvan in a written statement. 

The injured man was taken by paramedics to a local hospital, the officer said. 

Police received a report of a single gunshot at 10:29 a.m. and responded to the scene. 

As some officers searched the neighborhood, at least one armed with an assault rifle, others worked the crime scene and talked to the injured man and neighbors. 

Homeowner Moore, 76, arrived several minutes after the shooting. 

She has been sued repeatedly by neighbors who have contended that she allowed the home to be used by drug dealers, claims supported by police testimony. 

Neighbors won the actions, most recently in January, when Alameda County Court Commissioner Jon Rantzman awarded 14 neighbors $5,000 a piece—a total of $70,000. 

One of the plaintiffs who was present on the sidewalk across form the house Tuesday morning said Moore had paid off the judgments.


Flash: Compromise Reached for Harrison/San Pablo Project

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday October 17, 2006

It took a week of intense negotiations, with Councilmember Laurie Capitelli moving back and forth between developer Jim Hart and neighbors of his proposed five-story mixed-use project at Harrison Street and San Pablo Avenue, for the two sides to come to what appears will be a compromise agreement.  

“It’s a good project the neighbors want to see it built,” said Prakash Pinto, project neighbor and architect, speaking to the Daily Planet after a special meeting of the Berkeley City Council on Monday. 

Neighbors had appealed the zoning board’s approval of the project, saying it was too high and too dense for the neighborhood. 

The agreement will be formalized only after neighbors sign off on the final drawings of Hart’s development. The project will be discussed again at next Tuesday’s regular council meeting. 

Hart compromised with the Harrison and San Pablo appellants by reducing the building by three units to 27 and increasing parking by 9 spaces. He also rescinded a letter whose conditions would have made it very difficult for the council to deny the project.  

Neighbors had wanted to tie traffic control measures to their approval of the project, but City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque said traffic control measures had to be considered separately. 

“State law says we have to do an environmental review,” Albuquerque said, arguing that the city and not the developer is charged with traffic control.  

“I can make the case that the diverters are related (to the project); the two issues are combined,” Pinto said. 

Hart’s attorney, Rena Rickles, called for the council to take a half-hour break so that Hart’s architect and the appellants could go over the new sketches.  

“Every time we walk away from the table, we get multiple changes,” Rickles argued. 

But Pinto said he wanted to see the formal plans so that there would be “no misinterpretation.” 

All finally agreed that final plans will be ready by Friday and all the 13 neighbors who signed the appeal would sign off on the plans before the next council meeting. 

“We have to put it on the fastest track we can put it on,” Councilmember Max Anderson said. 

 


No Deal Yet in Milo Foundation Uproar

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday October 17, 2006

The Milo Foundation returned to the Zoning Adjustments Board on Thursday with a set of proposed use permit conditions for approval which included: a maximum number of four dogs overnight, no boarding or kennel use and changes in its driveway usage.  

The board decided that since most of Milo’s immediate neighbors on Solano and Capistrano avenues hadn’t had a chance to review these last-minute conditions, the matter would be continued until the next ZAB meeting on Oct. 25. 

At a Sept. 14 ZAB meeting, board members had reached a consensus that the adoption service might be deemed acceptable with limits on the number of dogs, soundproofing, and installation of a sanitary sewer connection and had asked Milo to come back with a plan that reflected this. 

City Staff later came across a section of the Berkeley Municipal Code that states that no more than four dogs over the age of six months may be kept within 25 feet of residential property. 

As a result, Milo had to limit the maximum number of overnight dogs to 4 in its current proposal. 

Solano Avenue residents—who want ZAB to shut the adoption service down because of noise, odor, hygiene and traffic problems—accused Milo of putting on a “cute face” in front of the public while being unmindful of the problems of its neighbors. 

“You know they [Milo] are wrong, and yet you go on ignoring them. You are like the Bush administration,” Melissa Penn, a Milo neighbor, told the board members. 

Dorothy Alridge, a volunteer at Milo, spoke in defense of the adoption service. 

“The place may be chaotic at times, but it’s definitely not out of control,” she said. “If neighbors have indeed been having problems with Milo’s operations then why haven’t we received any complaints on the private number that had been handed out after the September 14 ZAB meeting. All we get are crank calls on it.” 

Milo’s director Lynn Tingle outlined the changes the adoption service was ready to implement in order to get the use permit.  

She said that a maximum of four dogs and 12 puppies (under 6 months of age) would be allowed to stay at the Milo Pet Adoption Store overnight for the purpose of adoption for up to of 14 days.  

A maximum of seven adult cats and 25 kittens would be kept overnight at the store. The store would also keep a daily log of animals who were overnighting, which would be available for inspection. 

Board member Gene Poschman asked Tingle how she had arrived at the duration of 14 days, to which Tingle said that it had been random. 

The adoption service also agreed not to board privately owned animals for compensation or to “intake” new animals.  

“We will only accept delivery of animals that have been registered, observed for an appropriate period and assessed for adoptibility at an appropriate off-site facility. We may accept direct ‘owner surrenders’ from the local area, but will be transferring the animal to an off-site location for observation within 24 hours,” Tingle said. 

According to the new conditions, the adoption store driveway would not be used to contain any dogs until it was improved to provide appropriate physical separation and drainage to the sanitary sewer. Then no more than three dogs would be allowed simultaneously and would be supervised. The driveway would be washed with an “environmentally friendly” cleanser and the outdoor area would be “power washed” at least three times per week. 

Referring to the use of water spray bottles on dogs as noise control measures for continued barking, board member Rick Judd asked Milo to come up with a better alternative. 

Board member Jesse Anthony urged neighbors to read the new conditions put forward by Milo on Thursday for the Oct. 25 public hearing. 

Other matters 

An appeal of East Bay Iceland’s temporary administrative use permit to install a temporary outdoor refrigeration system on the southern side of its property at 2727 Milvia St. for the existing ice skating rink was continued to the Oct. 26 hearing.  

City staff have received numerous noise complaints from neighbors about the temporary outdoor refrigeration system. 

The board granted the use permit but denied a variance to demolish an existing single-family dwelling with a non-confirming front setback and construct a new dwelling with front yard on 1628 Carleton St. 

The board approved the use permit for 1645 Fourth St. and 725 Virginia St. to legalize changes in a non-conforming use.  

A use permit and variance to demolish three existing one-story mini-storage buildings totaling 28,070 square feet on 1120 Second St. and replacing them with a new four-story 95,771-square-foot mini-storage building was also approved.


Spring vs. Wilson: Two Views of District 4

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday October 17, 2006

A steady stream of latte drinkers and Internet users moved in and out of the Royal Ground Café on Shattuck Avenue and Channing Way last week, creating a backdrop hum for a lunch-hour interview with Raudel Wilson, the District 4 City Council candidate, challenging 14-year incumbent Councilmember Dona Spring. 

Spring, the only Green Party member on the Berkeley council, was interviewed mid-afternoon on the tranquil tree-lined deck of her home, some eight blocks west of the downtown buzz. 

The locations chosen by candidates for their interviews reflect two distinct parts of District 4: a business area noted for its restaurants and cafes, but lacking a solid retail mix; and a nearby residential district of single-family homes and low-rise apartments whose community fiercely guards itself against incursions from a downtown that includes businesses, a growing number of UC Berkeley facilities, and the city and schools administrative buildings. 

The district runs roughly from Dwight Way on the south to University Avenue on the north below Grant Street, and extends north to Vine Street above Grant; it runs more or less between Sacramento Street on the west and Oxford Street on the east. 

 

Downtown 

Downtown is key to the city’s revitalization, said Wilson, who manages the Berkeley branch of Mechanics Bank, was former president of the Downtown Berkeley Association (DBA) and has the endorsement of the Chamber of Commerce. A healthy downtown will boost Berkeley’s sales tax base and pay for the social services and low-income housing that people want. 

“We don’t have to go back and ask (residents) for more taxes,” he said. 

“Right now, downtown Berkeley is the lowest generator of tax revenue in the entire city. I think it’s embarrassing and unacceptable. Downtown should be the driving engine of the entire city,” Wilson said. 

Economic realities bear some of the blame for the lagging downtown: both Eddie Bauer and Gateway Computers gave up brick and mortar stores for internet sales, Wilson said. Also, the university pays neither property nor sales taxes. 

As he’s gone door to door campaigning, Wilson said people ask him: “What’s the point of going downtown?” Downtown revitalization would take an aggressive business retention and attraction program, he said, placing some of the blame on the city’s two-person Economic Development Division: “Maybe it’s four (people needed); maybe it’s five. It can’t be one or two,” he said. 

Spring says Wilson ought to have been more proactive when he was head of the DBA.  

As councilmember she said she encouraged the DBA to create the Business Improvement District. She also obtained funding for a downtown façade improvement program.  

To promote a better mix of businesses, Spring spearheaded a moratorium on fast-food restaurants downtown.  

The councilmember, endorsed by the Sierra Club, further says she’s been a long-time advocate of the UC hotel-conference center downtown, now in the planning stages. She said she attended meetings on the concept over a decade ago with environmentalists Richard Register and Sylvia McLaughlin, as well as university representatives. 

“So the seeds for that were planted over a decade ago and that’s coming to fruition,” Spring said. 

 

Spring addresses health issues 

Spring, who is disabled and uses a motorized wheelchair, has frequently attended council meetings via telephone in the recent past. 

Spring said she discussed the issue of her health with others when weighing whether to run again, and they told her: “It’s what you do and say that matters.”  

“I’m participating in community events as much as ever, at least two each week,” Spring said. “By not overdoing it on Tuesday nights, I have the energy to get out into the community.” 

Spring pointed out that the council chambers are poorly set up for people with disabilities. It’s difficult to manipulate a wheelchair through the crowd that gathers outside the council chambers; she injured her hand one day when someone opened a bathroom door that swings out as she passed; the dais where the council meets is narrow and difficult to maneuver in a large electric wheelchair and, worst of all, there is no heat control. Spring said she has gotten ill going from the extreme heat of the council chambers to the chill of the evening.  

Still, Spring says, “When there’s an important district issue, I’ll go to the meeting to talk to (the people) and guide them through the council process.” 

 

Police issues 

Making sure the police have an adequate compensation package is high on his priority list, said Wilson, who is endorsed by the Berkeley Police Officers Association. 

Comparing Berkeley to other cities its size, Wilson said the city does not spend enough money on its police, explaining that the concerns came from the police union. Wilson was unable to elaborate, but promised: “If I get the job, I’ll do that kind of research.” 

(A quick Internet search reveals: starting Berkeley police officers compensation is $76,248 to $94,896; in Richmond, a city of 103,000, about the size of Berkeley, starting police officers receive $68,556 to $79,104 and in Hayward, population about 145,000, the starting salary range is $72,672 to $87,708.) 

Among her public safety accomplishments, Spring points to added bike patrols on Shattuck, won as part of last year’s budget process. With all the attention going to the Telegraph area after Cody’s Books on Telegraph closed, Spring said she pushed for a funding package where Shattuck Avenue, like Telegraph, would get two more bicycle police officers as well as more outreach by social services to homeless people and the use of a new sidewalk-cleaning green machine. 

 

Measure J 

Spring and Wilson are on opposite sides of the Landmarks Preservation Measure that will appear on the ballot as Measure J. 

“The current landmarks ordinance needs to be reviewed. If we vote for Measure J, we won’t get that chance to look at the ordinance,” said Wilson. 

Spring said the importance of Measure J is the structure of merit designation. The designation does not guarantee preservation of these structures, Spring said. Its significance is that “there is an educational process that happens.” It buys time for discussion, she said. 

 

Candidates’ charges 

Calling himself a “consensus builder,” Wilson, endorsed by Councilmember Gordon Wozniak, claims Spring is ineffective, often voting in the minority. 

“If you’re bringing items to the table that are always being shot down, or if you’re always voting ‘no’ when others are voting ‘yes,’ it seems like you’re on the wrong side, you’re not in touch with the City Council or the residents who elected you,” he charged. 

Spring, who counts Councilmembers Darryl Moore, Max Anderson and Kriss Worthington among her endorsers, points to projects that have taken years to catch on. She was alone in 1993 when she first introduced Instant Runoff Voting (IRV), the process by which voters rank their choices. The citizens approved IRV in 2004 by 72 percent. 

Spring notes her work on the Oxford Plaza housing development. “I started working on the Oxford lot in 1999,” she said. Developers wanted to purchase the site, but Spring said she lobbied and got the city-owned site reserved for the public use of low-income housing. 

Wilson also supports the project. 

Spring points to funding she got for the traffic island at California and Dwight. “That’s another one that took over a decade,” she said. 

Spring accuses Wilson of misleading voters in the voters handbook saying he has “worked and lived in the fourth district for nine years.” 

Wilson acknowledges he moved to Berkeley two years ago, but said he wrote the statement in that way to conserve words, since candidates are allowed only 150 word statements.


District 4 Candidates Take in Modest Contributions

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday October 17, 2006

With incumbent Councilmember Dona Spring raising $13,000 and challenger Raudel Wilson raising just under $12,000 as of Sept. 30, the District 4 candidates have more modest and more equal campaign war chests than candidates in the Districts 7 and 8 races, where funds raised by challenger George Beier mount to $44,000 and funds raised by Councilmember George Wozniak are at $34,000. Their challengers Kriss Worthington and Jason Overman, according to the Oct. 5 reporting, raised about $19,00 and $14,000 respectively. 

Spring raised about $4,000 during the reporting period of July 1 to Sept. 30. Wilson raised about $7,000 during the same period. Wilson raised 20 of 42 contributions in donations of $200 to $250 and Spring raised more of hers in the lower figures—13 of 24 contributions were $1 to $99. 

Berkeley has a $250 contribution limit. 

A bank manager, Wilson underscores that his contributions from realtors and developers are not as significant as his neighborhood and non-profit support. Contributions from realtors and those listing their occupations as property owners each contributed $250. They include: William McNab, self-employed property owner; James Mitchell of Gordon Commercial; Miriam Ng, Roman Fan and Robert Richardson of Korman & Ng real estate, and Richard Robbins of the Warsham Property Group. 

Downtown developer Patrick Kennedy contributed $250. 

Residents of District 4 who contributed to the campaign include Jon Vicars, a property manager, Edward Peters, a construction manager, Stephen Lakatos, a pilot and Sherry Markwort, owner of Paperworks. 

Persons working in non-profits include Robert Dixon, administrative director of the YMCA, Phyllis Montz, database manager at the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, and Gina Moreland, executive director of the Habitot Children’s Museum. 

Spring’s contributions include two organizations: the East Bay Auto Machinist Local No. 1546 and the Progressive Democrats of the East Bay.  

Among the District 4 residents contributing to the campaign are: Transportation Commissioner Wendy Alfsen, writer Marianne Robinson, journalist Jean Tepperman, retiree Anna Marie Taylor and Landmarks Preservation Commissioner Jill Korte. 

Contributors working at the university include Alan Gould, a UC educator and Carol Jan David, a UC benefits counselor.  

Spring’s endorsers include the Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, the National Women’s Political Caucus, the Green Party of Alameda, Supervisor Keith Carson, Assemblymember Wilma Chan, Berkeley Unified School District directors Joaquin Rivera and John Selawsky and District 4 residents Chloe Choudry, Jill Peale, Claire Bove and Stephen Wollmer. 

Wilson’s endorsers include the Berkeley Democratic Club, and the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee. District 4 residents supporting Wilson include Michael Cappon, owner of Kitchen on Fire, Peter Levitt, owner of Saul’s Restaurant and Deli, Molly Gales, owner of Classroom Matters, Bruce Tanaka, mechanic and Jane Jansen, restaurant manager. 

 

 


New Cleanup Orders Issued for UC Field Station, Campus Bay

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday October 17, 2006

State officials have ordered UC Regents and two chemical manufacturing multinationals to clean up toxic wastes at UC Berkeley’s Richmond Field Station (RFS). 

Barbara J. Cook, chief of Northern California cleanup operations for the state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), announced the order at a Thursday night meeting of the Richmond Southeast Shoreline Area Community Advisory Group, which is advising her agency on cleanups along the southeast Richmond shoreline. 

The 45-page document cites the danger of “actual and threatened release of hazardous substances” as the basis for mandating the cleanup of the university research site located on the San Francisco Bay shoreline. 

The notice was served to the Regents of the University of California, Zeneca, Inc. and Bayer CropScience and calls for the creation and execution of plan designed to clean up at least 13 hazardous metals and compounds at the 152-acre site owned by the university for the past 56 years. 

The two chemical firms are the corporate successors to the operators of plants at the adjoining Campus Bay site, where sulfuric acid plants dumped toxic-laden cinders on the site now owned by the university. 

The order, signed Sept. 15, calls on the university and the corporations to identify all immediate and potential health threats at the site and to create and execute a plan that renders the site safe or places restrictions on its use. 

A similar order was issued that same day for Campus Bay and issued to Cherokee Simeon Venture 1, current owners of the property, as well as to the Regents and the two chemical firms. 

Contamination levels at the 86-acre Campus Bay site have been recorded in soil and groundwater at levels far higher than at RFS. Plans for a 1,330-unit high-rise condominium and apartment complex at Campus Bay have been placed on hold pending the outcome of cleanup operations. 

 

RFS contaminants 

Before the university acquired the RFS in 1950, the site itself had housed plants that manufacturing explosives and blasting caps using mercury-based compounds now known to be lethal in large doses and capable of causing birth defects and nervous system and other ailments in smaller quantities. 

Mercury soil levels have been detected measuring up to 13 times the maximum allowable limits, with groundwater levels nearly twice the maximum. 

Compounds on the site are known to cause cancer and many diseases, with the most serious cases leading to death.  

Besides endangering RFS workers, the order states that others “who could potentially come into contact with contamination at the site include recreational users of the San Francisco Bay Trail and adjacent residents of the Marina Bay complex,” a residential community that begins 200 feet southwest of the RFS property. 

 

Regulatory change 

The presence of contamination at RFS had been known for years, and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board had been allowing the university to conduct its own cleanup operations. 

But the state Environmental Protection Agency ordered oversight transferred to the DTSC in May 2005. 

UC officials vigorously opposed the oversight change, a move demanded by campus unions and a coalition of activists who had organized to protest the board’s handling of cleanup operations at the adjacent Campus Bay site. Cherokee Simeon had resisted that takeover as well. 

While most of the site is used to house university-based research, part of the research facility is leased to private corporations and to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

Two years ago, the university released plans to transform much of the site into a corporate and academic research park, but those plans were derailed with the regulatory handover. 

The Sept. 15 order cites documents prepared by the water board during its oversight, but says that DTSC “does not intend to imply that it is in agreement with the contents or conclusions set forth in these reports or otherwise approves of them.” 

While the university performed some remediation under the water board regime, other work remains, the order notes, and there has not been a comprehensive report looking at the whole site. 

The order requires the preparation of a new survey that identifies and fills in gaps in previous surveys, as well as the preparation of a baseline health and environmental risk assessment that looks at possible risks to all segments of the populace and to the area ecology. 

The resulting information will be used to prepare a work plan to clean up the site, including a revised plan for public participation.  

DTSC cleanup chief Cook told the community advisory group members Thursday that the agency would be reporting back to them on the cleanup plans. 

“This doesn’t change our overall cleanup plans, but it does allow us to move ahead,” said Greg Haet, UC Berkeley’s associate director of environmental protection. Haet said the university’s cleanup efforts had been “basically on hold since the regulatory change” from the water board to DTSC.


Richmond Soil Radiation Levels Debated at Advisory Meeting

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday October 17, 2006

Just how much radiation is there in southern Richmond, and how dangerous is it to residents and folks who work there? 

Members of a state advisory panel heard two conflicting versions Thursday night—and while both sides seemed to agree on the numbers, the interpretations provoked stark conflict. 

At issue was the meaning of levels of Radium 226 found in the soils adjacent to Campus Bay, the site of a century of chemical manufacturing, and at nearby Booker T. Anderson Park. 

Michael J. Esposito, a retired scientist from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, charged that the numbers were alarming, averaging 40 times higher than federally recommended standards for cleanups at the site of residential developments. 

But Robert Daveny, an engineer for the consulting firm hired by the site’s owners to evaluate the data, said that the numbers were in fact well within averages for soils found throughout the country. 

Daveny said at least one other federal cleanup guideline was well above typical levels of contaminants found in naturally occurring soils. 

But the Emeryville consultant probably didn’t help his case with the two comparative examples he first used. 

“I called colleagues from sites nearby,” said Daveny, one in the Berkeley hills and the other in the Altamont hills. 

“The Berkeley hills site wouldn’t happen to be Lawrence Berkeley Lab, would it?” asked Eric Blum, a business owner whose firm is located near the sites. 

“Yes,” acknowledged Daveny, adding that the radiation levels recorded there “are actually at the low end of the national range” for so-called “background radiation” from radium naturally occurring in soils, water and air. 

Those data were collected by a lab at UC Davis primarily from farmlands across the country, he said. 

The Altamont hills site was, in fact, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory—which, like LBNL, has a long history as a center of research dealing with highly radioactive compounds. 

But the levels at both sites, Daveny said, were “very typical for exposures for any other location in the U.S.” 

Daveny was addressing the Community Advisory Group (CAG) appointed to advise the state Department of Toxic Substances Control about hazardous waste sites in southeast Richmond. 

Radiation has long been the concern of community activists—and now CAG members—like Sherry Padgett and Ethel Dotson, both current members of the CAG. 

Both had attributed their battles with cancer to exposure to hazardous compounds at the site. Padgett works at a firm immediately adjacent to Campus Bay and Dotson grew up in a long-vanished housing complex near the site. 

The issue of radiation was raised at Thursday night’s CAG meeting because of Esposito’s comments on a report Daveny’s firm produced about the Campus Bay in which the park was used as a comparative “control” for evaluating radiation readings from Campus Bay. 

Padgett and CAG Toxic Committee Chair Jean Rabovsky, herself a retired state toxicologist, question the use of the park as a control because it is downwind from Campus Bay and thus potentially shares the same contaminants. 

Daveny said the data from the park argued against contamination because levels were consistent down to 10 feet below the surface, while windblown contaminants would accumulate on the surface and thus should be higher closer to the surface if radiation-laced dust had blown onto the site. 

Presence of radionuclides—isotopes created by the decay of radioactive material—was suspected in part because of some experiments with radioactive materials known to have been conducted at the Campus Bay site and because chemical plants there produced phosphate fertilizers, made from ores that typically contain higher than normal amounts of radioactive elements. 

Barbara J. Cook, the DTSC’s chief of Northern California cleanup operations, said her agency will look more closely at the data when results of a second survey now in progress have been submitted. 

“I don’t gain a lot of confidence when I hear we’re on a par with the Lawrence Livermore lab,” said Blum. 

Following the meeting, Steven J. Levitas, an attorney from Raleigh, NC, who represents Cherokee Investment Partners—codevelopers of Campus Bay with Bay Area developer Simeon Properties—buttonholed Esposito, asking “Are you aware that the radium levels are one-third of the national average?”


Supervisors Accept Voting System Assessment

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Tuesday October 17, 2006

What is the definition of a “test”? 

Alameda County voting activists put that issue to its own test last week at the regular meeting of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, telling supervisors that the vulnerability assessment produced on the new Sequoia Voting Systems earlier this month was not the “test” called for in the supervisors’ resolution authorizing the Sequoia contract last June. 

Only one supervisor—Board President Keith Carson—agreed with them, however, with the remaining four supervisors voting that the Sequoia test was adequate to meet their security concerns. 

Berkeley Peace and Justice Commissioner and voting rights activist Phoebe Anne Thomas Sorgen said that activists were “disappointed” by the decision, but Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker said that “the consultants did what we asked them to do” and says that the Alameda County Registrar of Voters has established an “excellent protocol” for establishing the safety of the November vote. 

The non-profit Voter Action organization has already filed a lawsuit in California Superior Court in Oakland against the county and the registrar of voters office, claiming that independent security testing had not been done on the new Sequoia voting machines as required by county supervisors. 

Last June, supervisors approved a $13 million contract with Oakland-based Sequoia Voting Systems to provide scanners and touchscreen voting machines for Alameda County elections. 

Until last June’s primary, elections in Alameda County had been conducted for several years on Diebold touchscreen voting machines. Changes in state law and changes in community attitudes caused Alameda County to adopt a different system this year, with most voters beginning in November voting on paper ballots, with computerized touchscreen voting machines available at each voting place for disabled individuals who need to use them and any other voters who wish to use them. 

The Alameda County Registrar of Voters office is estimating that the cost to the county for the new system will end up being virtually nothing, between reimbursements from the federal government and selling back the Diebold machines—which cannot be used in California because of the state’s paper audit requirements but can still be used in several other states. 

Under the new system, voters using paper ballots at the polling place will be able to feed their paper ballot themselves into a scanning machine on-site, which will count the votes. At the end of the voting day, counters holding the vote totals from each precinct will be brought to county election headquarters in Oakland to be totaled by computer. 

Last June, at the insistence of local voting activists, supervisors approved the Sequoia contract only with the provision that county staff would “conduct independent security vulnerability testing prior to paying for the electronic voting system.” 

“I think that the voting advocates wanted us to open up the machines and see what was in there,” Supervisor Lai-Bitker said in a telephone interview this week. 

But Lai-Bitker said that “what we wanted was to ensure that there could be no manipulation of the vote or fraudulent vote as we have seen with the use of electronic voting machines in other states. I believe that with the protocols established, it is very unlikely that someone could open these machines and mess up the vote.” 

Lai-Bitker said the Pacific Design Engineering assessment was ‘what I had in my mind” when she voted last June to require testing on the system. 

Lai-Bitker represents the cities of Alameda, San Leandro, and a portion of Oakland on the Board of Supervisors. 

But voting activist Sorgen called the Pacific Design Engineering report “a whitewash” and only an assessment of Sequoia and Alameda County’s security provisions, rather than an independent test of the machines themselves. 

“Last June, we succeeded in having them include security and hack-testing, and that’s not what was ultimately done” by the consultants. The problem, Sorgen said, remains with the electronic touchscreen voting machines which are part of the system, which are required by the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) for the use of disabled persons, and which Sorgen calls “hackable.” 

“There will only be one hackable machine per precinct,” she said, “but that could be enough to throw an election. We are all in favor of giving disabled persons private access to the vote, but that shouldn’t be on a machine that is hackable.” 

Sorgen said that voting activists in the county will be urging citizens not to use the touchscreen machines “unless they have to for disability reasons.” 

In its Oct. 4 report, Pleasanton-based Pacific Design Engineering said that “no practical, realizable vulnerabilities were uncovered” during its assessment of the Sequoia voting system, and concluded that the system “along with the processes and countermeasures planned by Alameda County for Election Day can be considered secure.” 

 


Impeachment, Greenhouse Gas Decisions Face Berkeley Voters

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday October 17, 2006

While condo conversions and the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance represent the bread and butter issues of municipal politics, Berkeley voters will also get to weigh in on matters of national and global significance when they cast votes on two ballot measures. 

One of those is purely symbolic, while the other could end up incurring potentially significant costs—though just how much and when is a matter for conjecture.  

Two other measures are more tightly focused and strictly pragmatic—one endorsing a park and the other authorizing an alternative to costly elections to fill unexpected vacancies on the city’s Rent Stabilization Board. 

Each of the four measures landed on the ballot after receiving a unanimous vote from the City Council. 

 

Impeachment, gas 

Measure H, titled “Impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney,” asks Berkeley voters to decide whether to call for the figurative heads of the nation’s top elected officials on the grounds they “have committed High Crimes and Misdemeanors” meriting impeachment. 

Signing the ballot argument in favor were Berkeley’s own First Political Family, Mayor Tom Bates and spouse and Assemblymember Loni Hancock, along with Peace and Justice Commission Chair Steve Friedkin, Constitution Summer President and Co-founder Geoffrey King and Rabbi Jane R. Litman. 

The measure also won the endorsements of Berkeley’s two most famous anti-war activists, Cindy Sheehan and Daniel Ellsberg. 

The opponents, most of whom identify themselves as victims of or witnesses to crimes, counter that Berkeley officials should abandon symbolic gestures and concentrate on solving the city’s own problems, starting with crime and schools. 

Measure G is titled simply “Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” and calls on voters to set a municipal goal of reducing the city’s output of planet-heating gases by 80 percent by 2050 and adopting a plan that spells out the steps to achieving that goal. 

As the city attorney’s analysis notes, “Actions to implement the plan will have a cost, which are [sic] unknown at this time and will depend on the nature of the plan developed by the mayor, in concert with the community, and adopted by the council.” 

The measure attracted only one foe willing to author opposition arguments, Fred Foldvary, co-director of the Civil Society Institute, a libertarian think tank based at Santa Clara University. 

Foldvary says the best solution is to replace income and sales taxes and taxes on improvements with taxes on pollution, congestion and land value and leave the details to the invisible hand of the market. 

 

Fields, vacancies 

Measure F, “Gilman Street Playing Fields,” essentially asks voters to rubber stamp a fait accompli, the creation of five sports fields on East Bay Regional Parks land west of Interstate 80 at the foot of Gilman Street. 

The measure locks in the new use and carries no costs. No one submitted an opposing argument.  

Measure E, “Rent Board Vacancy,” similarly attracted no opposition, and would change the way vacant seats are filled on the city’s Rent Stabilization Board. 

Under the current regime, a costly special election would be needed to fill an unexpected vacancy on the board. Measure E allows other board members to elect a replacement who would serve until the next November general election. 

In addition to a unanimous council vote, the proposal also won a unanimous endorsement from the rent board.


Candidate Events

Tuesday October 17, 2006

6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17: 

Willard Neighborhood Association Candidates Forum featuring the candidates for the mayoral, District 7 and District 8 City Council races at the Willard Middle School Auditorium, 2425 Stuart St. 

 

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18: 

South Berkeley mayoral debate at B-Tech Academy auditorium, 2701 Martin Luther King Jr. Way at Derby. 849-4319. 

 

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19: 

Mayoral candidate debate Between Tom Bates and Zelda Bronstein in the Le Conte School cafeteria (Russell Street entrance). Sponsored by the LeConte Neighborhood Association. All are welcome. www.neighborhoodlink.com 


University Approves People’s Park ‘Concept Planning’ Study Finding

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday October 17, 2006

UC Berkeley officials have issued a call for a consultant to lead the process that could end with major changes for the most hotly contested piece of real estate in Berkeley history, People’s Park. 

The university posted a Request for Qualifications on its website to conduct a study of the park, assess community needs and “provide concept planning for the park.” 

UCB Director of Community Relations Irene Hegarty said the recommendation came from the park’s Community Advisory Board in June and won approval from campus officials last month. 

The university posted a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) last week seeking a planning consultant to work with the community on a needs assessment and plan for the park. That document is posted at the UCB website at www.cp.berkeley.edu/RFQ.html. 

While the RFQ includes one phrase that should offer some comfort to park activists—“UC Berkeley’s 2020 Long Range Development Plan confirms the park’s continue use as recreational open space”—the following sentence offers a qualification: “Specific site functions, however, must take into account a wide range of stakeholders from both campus and community.”  

Hegarty said the proposal to hire the consultant came from an advisory board subcommittee that includes school board member John Selawsky, UCB faculty member Sam Davis, neighbor Joseph Halperin and UCB student Ionas Porges-Kiriakou. 

“It came as a recommendation to engage in a comprehensive needs assessment and community planning process to engage the wider community,” Hegarty said. 

The RFQ contains words that alarm long-time People’s Park activists, who see the university as an imperial force with malevolent designs on the last remaining symbol of Berkeley’s 1960’s activism. 

The university has owned the site since June 22, 1957. It has been the scene of dramatic confrontations between police and activists, including the May 15, 1969, shootings by Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies that left one bystander dead and another blinded. 

“People’s Park should be given to the people who have been taking care of it for the last 37 years,” said Danny McMullan, a veteran park activist. “It’s unique; it’s a landmark created by the Berkeley community. It’s the only open space in the entire area.” 

While McMullan and others say that say the main problem with the park is the university’s ongoing efforts to develop it, the RFQ states that the park “although, at times, successful as a recreational resource, is also plagued by urban problems. The Advisory Board’s goal is to mark the park safer and more widely used by a broad range of community members.” 

One member of the board that supports the RFQ is George Beier, who is running for the City Council seat that represents the district—a seat now held by Kriss Worthington, who is seeking re-election. 

Worthington and McMullan both declare that the park’s alleged lack of safety has a lot more to do with the university’s constant admonitions to students than with reality. 

McMullan insists the park is safe—“My kids play there, and I would never put them in harm’s way.” 

“I think it would be far more productive for the university to work with the city and the community and the park users, but that hasn’t been the pattern unfortunately,” said Worthington. 

The deadline for applications is Nov. 6, with the goal of creation of the study itself by next April 30. 

Hegarty isn’t saying how much the university plans to spend on the study, but when told Worthington had heard an estimate of $100,000, she acknowledged, “That would be the upper limit.”


DAPAC, Design Review Meetings Focus on Housing, Projects

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday October 17, 2006

A five-person panel will present their views Wednesday night about the role of social services, homelessness and new housing in a new plan for downtown Berkeley. 

The following evening, the Design Review Committee will examine plans for a series of projects that will make major changes in the Berkeley streetscape. 

The Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC) meets Wednesday to hear from Berkeley YMCA Executive Director Peter Chong; Chris Hess, director of resident services for affordable housing developer RCD; Boona Cheema, executive director of Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency; and Steve Barton and Jane Micallef of the city Housing Department. 

DAPAC was created by the settlement of the city’s lawsuit challenging UC Berkeley’s Long Range Development Plan 2020 and must create a new plan for an expanded downtown area. 

Following a discussion about the panel presentation, DAPAC’s Center Street Subcommittee will present a report focusing on their discussions of planned developments on the downtown street with the heaviest pedestrian traffic. 

That thoroughfare is the site of two major UCB-backed developments—a hotel and convention center complex at the northeast corner of the Shattuck Avenue intersection and a university museum and film complex at the northwestern end of the block. 

Developer Patrick Kennedy also plans a project across the street to the west, where he is acquiring the old Act I and Act II Theater. 

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

 

Design Review Committee 

Developers will present their designs for several new projects when the Design Review Committee meets at the same center starting at 6 p.m. Thursday. 

Among projects to be examined are plans for: 

• The new Freight & Salvage showroom at 2020 Addison St. 

• Developer John Gordon’s plans for transforming an 18,195-square-foot garage at 2929 Ashby Ave. into a retail, office and restaurant complex. 

• Plans for a 44,080-square-foot housing and retail complex at 2701 Shattuck Ave. at the site of a used-car lot. 

• Developers Chris Hudson and Evan McDonald’s plans for a controversial five-floor, 148-unit residential complex at 1885 University Ave., which the developers say will house a ground floor Trader Joe’s market. 

• Plans for a five-story, two-building, block-square housing-over-commercial complex at 700 University Ave. featuring 173 dwelling units and 212 parking spaces.


Outside Students Become School Board Issue

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday October 17, 2006

The question of how to deal with out-of-district students in the Berkeley public schools has become a major issue for school board candidates in this election. 

Although re-registering students when they enter high school level was a solution that had initially been suggested by school board candidate David Baggins, it has been taken up by some of the other candidates as well. 

Three of the five school board candidates who are running for election this year told the Planet that re-enrolling students when they enter Berkeley High School could help enforce the residency requirement for registration in Berkeley public schools. 

“I like to believe that a convergence of factors as well as my candidacy caused many people who already understood that the schools were suffering from the consequences of false registration a chance to speak out,” said Baggins. 

School board director Shirley Issel who is running for re-election this year and supports re-registration, said the school district has taken steps over the last five years to strengthen its Office of Admissions and Attendance. 

Currently, eighth-grade students go directly to Berkeley High from the middle schools without requiring an updated proof of residency. 

Karen Hemphill, a school board candidate who supports re-registration, said the unknown number of falsely registered students made the issue complicated. She cautioned against taking extreme measures to root out out-of-district students. 

“It’s important to find out just what the impact of falsely registered students may be on our schools’ resources before we take extreme measures,” she said. “Random bed checks could harm a child in a lot of ways, including invading his privacy.” 

Baggins, however, feels that if information technology didn’t help the school district to come up with the false addresses, it was important to use home inspection. 

School Board candidate Norma Harrison blamed the district’s problem on the “dysfunctional school system” rather than registration. 

“The alienation of people using school causes disruption and dismay; not the actual home address of the student,” she said.  

School board director Nancy Riddle, running for re-election, did not return repeated calls for comment. 

According to Baggins, issues such as the achievement gap, Measure A and the recent Pacific Legal Foundation lawsuit against the school district were among the factors that made the community take notice of the problem of students in the schools who didn’t belong in the district. 

“Critics of the schools were vocally focused on the achievement gap,” he said. “This seemingly unfixable problem caused many to wonder how BUSD achieved so much more at-risk population than its general public exhibits. Measure A caused many to wonder why the priority of spending in the district is to service out-of-district students and whether passage of long-term extra funding would be interpreted by the schools as an acceptance that BUSD did not intend to fix the broken registration system. The suit against quotas in the schools causes a broad realization that the district is discriminating against residents and taxpayers for the benefit of a substantially falsely registered population.” 

Issel said that although some families registered their children under false pretenses at Berkeley schools, this was becoming more difficult with the tightening of the admission process. 

“New positions have been added to support a more careful registration process, including home visits when necessary to contact parents or verify residence,” Issel said. 

School superintendent Michele Lawrence told the Planet that if the school board voted for re-registration, the issue could be brought up at the board meeting as early as spring. 

“Currently, if we find that a student is studying illegally at a Berkeley school, we put him on a legitimate permit and watch his behavior carefully,” she said. “It’s not a good practice to yank a child away in the middle of the semester. They are returned back to their own school district at what we think is an appropriate time to make that move.”


Police Blotter

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday October 17, 2006

Butter knife bandits 

A pair of teenage bandits, one armed with a butter knife, robbed an Oakland youth at Thousand Oaks School shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 7, school officials told police the next day. 

 

Chemical attack, salsa style 

What’s listed on the Berkeley Police Department website as an aggravated Assault-Chemical wasn’t a case of WMD, but instead was your basic run-of-the-mill salsa attack. 

Officer Galvan said the incident took place at Via Taqueria in the 2900 block of Russell Street just before 4:30 Wednesday afternoon, when an unknown assailant hurled the hot sauce in the eyes of a 23-year-old Alameda man who was dining at the eatery. 

The saucy assailant fled in a silver compact car, possibly a Honda, while the victim was busy washing out his eyes. He declined medical aid. 

 

Bandit team 

Two robberies that occurred less than 15 minutes apart and within blocks of each other on Oct. 7 may have been perpetrated by the same team of bandits, said Officer Galvan. 

The first unsuccessful heist occurred just before 11:40 p.m. in the 2200 block of Dwight Way, when a 30-year-old Berkeley man reported he was approached by a pair of men in their 20s who made an unsuccessful attempt to force him to part with his valuables. 

The second try 18 minutes later and a block to the east proved successful when a pair of the same description, now accompanied by a third man, robbed a 23-year-old Los Angeles woman of her diamond earrings. 

 

Late report 

A 58-year-old San Pablo man told police Monday, Oct. 9, that he’d been robbed the night before on Shattuck Avenue near the corner of Prince Street. A fellow armed with a small-caliber pistol relieved him of his wallet, keys and check book, said Officer Galvan. 

 

Kick attack 

Police arrested a 27-year-old homeless man at 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, after he allegedly kicked a Berkeley woman repeatedly in the 2300 block of Blake Street. 

The suspect was booked on suspicion of aggravated assault. 

 

Hoodie hoods 

A pair of young bandits, both wearing hoodies and one packing a silver-colored pistol, robbed an Albany man of his wallet near the corner of Los Angeles Street and The Alameda just after 9 p.m. Oct. 9. 

 

Flee in SUV 

A bandit with a pony tail and driving a Ford Explorer robbed a 22-year-old Berkeley man as he was walking along Milvia Street near Allston Way Monday, Oct. 9. 

After the victim handed over a small amount of cash, the bandit sped off and was last seen heading south on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, said Officer Galvan. 

 


El Cerrito City Council Candidate Statements: David Boisvert

By David Boisvert
Tuesday October 17, 2006

Fourteen former El Cerrito mayors have endorsed me, since I will bring fresh ideas to the city council and I understand to prioritize how we spend our city’s limited funds.  

Record high property values, retail sales, and utility bills have increased city revenues by 38 percent over the past three years and city spending unfortunately kept pace. It is in 2008, when the city will have to comply with state laws in regards to generous retirement benefits that the chickens will come home to roost.  

I have the experience we need to protect our community, invest in our city infrastructure, and promote development projects that are harmonious with neighborhoods. I serve on the El Cerrito Financial Advisory Board where I help review the budget and other fiscal matters of the city. I consistently question and probe the economic issues to protect taxpayer monies. I am also a homeowner, and I am a graduate of public schools. I have an MBA in management, and I am a scientist with a Ph.D. from Yale. Two years ago I helped start a local business with $32 million in venture capital funding that is developing treatments for cystic fibrosis, asthma, and eczema.  

The unprecedented rise in tax revenues should have been used to: (1) Fix our failing streets before spending money on pet projects; (2) Reduce our alarming crime rate; (3) Protect our public spaces, and; (4) Finalize a plan to build and fund a new library and senior center. 

 

An accessible and cooperative government 

The goal of the city council should be to make sure that basic services are provided and to encourage individuals and businesses to invest in our city. I would be the representative of the people of El Cerrito and a representative of our existing businesses. I would facilitate decisions that are harmonious with our community and neighboring communities. I would avoid creating parking problems, blocking views, and building high-density housing on or nearby environmentally sensitive areas.  

 

An honest budget  

El Cerrito should be a city that residents and businesses can trust. I want to lift the fog and let the people know how their money is being spent and how any new taxes would be spent. The residents recently rejected a new Lighting and Landscaping tax (LLAD tax) because many recognized the city’s shell game of saying the tax was for public spaces, although the tax would not be used to provide additional lighting and landscaping services. This year the council voted to cut funding to the LLAD. I understand that residents want to see the parks maintained, and they want adequate lighting for their safety. 

I believe the city should maintain a budget that provides a pay-as-you-go approach. The current plan of deficit spending through bond measures saddles the city with future interest payments, doubles the cost of every project, and potentially limits future services.  

 

Safety 

We need to reduce the crime rate. El Cerrito, neighboring communities, the state parole board, and the school district should be encouraged to work together to reduce crime as well as providing more opportunities. I would balance policing with community development and education. It is a well-known fact that a city that does little to reduce petty crimes becomes a haven for serious offenses.  

The city should make it a priority to provide paramedic services at all fire stations, including the station on San Pablo Avenue. Fast response times save lives when a life-threatening emergency. Unfortunately, during the last four years 17 of the 32 firefighters left El Cerrito, which is the highest attrition rate in California.  

In the event of an emergency such as a chemical leak, a crime spree, or a fire, the city should maintain a voluntary emergency contact list to notify residents of eminent dangers. An automated notification system would be a cost-effective solution to prevent loss of life and reduce crime. 

 

Improving efficiency 

By working together we can prioritize our projects, control our spending, and increase city revenues through continuous community improvement. For many residents and businesses electronic notification and online forms will makes El Cerrito an easier place to live and do business at a lower cost. I would also encourage a better use of our boards and commissions. When appropriate, boards and commissions should offer their recommendations as part of the staff report to the council. For example, the Economic Development Board was not consulted on the Cerrito Theater that cost the city $7.4 million to build and at least $150,000 annually to pay for the debt.  

I would also work to improve the El Cerrito recycling program. The council recently voted to increase taxes to pay for recycling to levels higher than the rate of inflation. Currently, residents pay double for curbside recycling, once for an unused sorting facility in Richmond and once for sorting at the drop-off center. Potential savings could be used to fund a new drop-off center.  

 

Natural resources 

El Cerrito parks, creeks, trees and exceptional bay views are resources that add value to our community. I would work to improve the safety and restore the natural splendor to our open spaces by guiding the city towards a plan to replace Monterey pines and eucalyptus trees in our parks with native species. The city should not obstruct views with industrial-sized streetlights in residential areas, 

 

Honoring the El Cerrito tradition 

I promise to comply with El Cerrito’s time honored traditions and relinquish office after two terms. For decades every El Cerrito Mayor and Councilmember has voluntarily stepped down after two terms. Term limits cultivate new ideas and spawn fresh perspectives, so I will make it my duty to train potential successors to run for local office.  

 

Closing remarks 

I have a track record of working cooperatively with dedicated staff, council members, and the residents. I have been participating in developing a ten-year plan for infrastructure catch-up. I want to continue planning for a new library and senior center and find ways to fund these projects. I know these can be done with current revenues if expenditures are properly managed. I will continue to ensure high quality services consistent with responsible spending.  

Visit ForElCerrito.com for additional information.


El Cerrito City Council Candidate Statements: Janet Abelson

By Janet Abelson
Tuesday October 17, 2006

My name is Janet Abelson. I’m the mayor of El Cerrito and I appreciate this opportunity to tell you about my background, my accomplishments on the El Cerrito City Council and my plans for the future. 

I have an MBA in Management from San Francisco State University and I worked for many years at UC Berkeley as a systems analyst.  

My husband and I have been homeowners in El Cerrito for over 30 years. Our children all attended El Cerrito public schools. The youngest now attends El Cerrito High School.  

I’ve been active in the schools and local community groups for many years. I am the long-time chair of El Cerrito’s Earthday Event. I was a member of the planning commission that developed the current general plan.  

I’ve also been active in the transportation field. I’ve served on advisory committees at BART, AC Transit, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission where I helped to formulate the successful Transportation for Livable Communities Program now known as TLC.  

I received a state transportation award known as a “Tranny” for my advocacy efforts. I currently represent West County on the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. Last year I served as chair. 

Earlier this year I was honored by the State Assembly in Sacramento when Assembly Member Loni Hancock selected me as Woman of the Year for my work in education, transportation and the environment. 

I became a council member so I could make El Cerrito a better place to live. My goal was to make El Cerrito a destination - a place where people wanted to live, work, shop, and play. 

This was not an easy task. When I joined the council, El Cerrito, along with most other cities in California, was coming out of a long period of financial stress. We have worked hard to turn things around, and we’ve accomplished a lot. 

I appreciate the cooperation of the many community members and city staff who have worked with the city council to make El Cerrito what it is today. They are contributing to its future. Our success is attributable to the strength of our team effort.  

El Cerrito is a diverse community with many needs. All are important. In fact, our city has the oldest population in the county. That’s why I supported adding paramedics to all of our fire stations, reducing response time and saving lives. 

We have a high crime rate. That’s why I voted to increase police department staffing by 23 percent over the last five years. I supported the addition of two motorcycle officers to aid in traffic enforcement and speed reduction, as well as two school resource officers for the high school. 

El Cerrito needed more recreation facilities. We now have a new swim center, a new playfield at Canyon Trail Park, and new playgrounds at Cerrito Vista, Canyon Trail, Arlington, Central, Tassajara, and Castro parks. We have new recreation programs for all ages. We even have a robust program for preschoolers, our fastest growing population. 

I’ve worked hard to protect our environment and I appreciate having the endorsement of the Sierra Club. I supported and promoted the recently completed creek restoration projects at Cerrito Creek and Baxter Creek. As mayor I asked the council to support the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to reduce global warming. I also voted in favor of using green building practices in new city buildings.  

There are major improvements in our city infrastructure. We are building a new city hall with no new taxes. Fairmount Avenue has had a major face lift. The Cerrito Theater is about to open. We also spent over five million dollars on street repaving and sidewalks. El Cerrito Plaza has been successfully rebuilt. Working together as a team, our city successfully recruited Trader Joe’s.  

Our financial house is in order. During my time on the council, we implemented new computer and financial systems and earned several awards for our financial reports. We built a very healthy reserve. 

I have worked hard within El Cerrito and at a regional level to make this happen. My experience and ability to work with others in the region has helped us be successful in obtaining grants to fund the projects we want to improve our community. 

Now it’s time to build for the future and there is more work to be done. I have the knowledge and background to move forward on critical city issues.  

I decided to run for re-election because I want to build on my experience, knowledge, and regional position to make El Cerrito an even better place to live. The learning curve is steep. I have the experience. I will continue to work to attract funding and resources to El Cerrito so we can tackle our toughest challenges—street repair and facilities maintenance. 

Some of the projects I want to see to fruition include the new city hall, a new senior center and library, and continued improvements to our parks. We are about to begin a 6.7 million dollar facelift on San Pablo Avenue, from the north end of town to the south end.  

For me, it’s all about building a better community. And that’s why I ask for your support on Nov. 7th. 


El Cerrito City Council Candidate Statements: Sandi Potter

By Sandi Potter
Tuesday October 17, 2006

I was elected to the City Council in El Cerrito in 2002 and I’m now running for my second term. I have been serving my community for 10 years, first as a member of the Redevelopment Advisory Committee, than as a Planning Commissioner, and for four years on the City Council. I proudly served as Mayor in 2004-2005, representing our City on the West County Mayors and Supervisors board; on the Contra Costa Conference of Mayors; and on regional boards, such as the Association of Bay Area Governments. I also have extensive experience volunteering in our public schools. I have lived in El Cerrito with my husband—Phil Martien— raising our two daughters who have attended Madera Elementary, Portola Middle School and El Cerrito High School. I served on school site councils at Madera and Portola and currently represent El Cerrito on the West Contra Costa Unified School District Citizen Bond Oversight Committee. 

A few weeks ago as I was driving along San Pablo Avenue I caught my first sight of the Cerrito Theater sign. It was an amazing feeling. To see the sign, so new and shiny, and in beautiful shades of blue. Our dream has finally become a reality. We’ve succeeded in restoring our historic theater and an El Cerrito landmark. The word “CERRITO” in neon is the physical manifestation of this community working together for a common goal. Our path was not without challenges or sacrifice. Together we raised money, pulled weeds, solved design problems, negotiated lease agreements, and restored the theater. We can all be proud, knowing that so many El Cerrito residents have contributed to the city’s success that our families are able to enjoy. 

While we may not always agree, we always work together and this City Council has worked hard to build a sense of community. This Council has been able to achieve many successes that in prior years had seemed unattainable. Together we have consistently approved a balanced annual city budget with appropriate reserve funds; rebuilt infrastructure such as parks, roads, and city buildings; hired new police officers—including two dedicated school resource officers at El Cerrito High School; and supported economic development and enhancements on San Pablo and Fairmont Avenues. 

As a Councilmember and Mayor, it was my personal goal to create a more accessible, responsive, and open government. I work collaboratively with our excellent staff and treat my fellow council members, the public, and guests in our community with respect.  

Four years ago I campaigned to make improvements to San Pablo Avenue. Since then we have made great progress, established an unprecedented level of cooperation from both Caltrans and the City of Richmond, planted many new trees on Fairmont and San Pablo, improved businesses, added banners, and are working to install new gateway and destination signs. I led the efforts, with my fellow volunteers on the Arts and Culture Commission, to require developers to contribute 1 percent of their project costs to public art. 

We’ve worked with the state, received grant funds and support form the Costal Conservancy and restored Cerrito and Baxter creeks. My long career as an environmental geologist and my record in El Cerrito shows my commitment to environmental stewardship, parks, the Ohlone Greenway and to preservation of our hillside and creek natural resources 

I would like to continue on the City Council to see construction of our new civic center and city hall building. As a member of the design subcommittee, I have worked to make sure that the project incorporated “green elements” to help protect the environment. The civic center, like the theater project, will be a culmination of over a decade of community vision, past and current City Council funding, and our effort towards creating a city center, a landmark where people can gather and where visitors will know—this is El Cerrito—you have arrived! 

I would also like to continue to explore funding and development of a new library, with expanded hours, and a renovated senior center to the diverse needs of our community.  

In many communities we see political battles that stymie constructive dialogue and forward progress. We don’t have that in El Cerrito. We have a Council with people of various backgrounds, different ages, and of different political parties but we all work together to get things done. The Council’s work is an extension of our volunteer efforts and together with community members and volunteers equally as dedicated, we will get things done in El Cerrito. 

I am honored to have the support and endorsement of Senator Tom Torlakson, Assembly Member Loni Hancock, and Supervisor John Gioia, my fellow council members, several School Board Members, and many respected members of the community. In addition I am endorsed by the United Professional Fire Fighters Local 1230, El Cerrito Democratic Club, Sierra Club, Central Labor Council of Contra Costa County, West County Business & Professional Association, and Planned Parenthood. 

I ask for your vote so together we can achieve our goals for El Cerrito’s future. Thank you. 

 


El Cerrito City Council Candidate Statements: Andrew Ting

By Andrew Ting
Tuesday October 17, 2006

I, Andrew W. Ting, have lived in El Cerrito since 1987. I graduated from El Cerrito High in 1991. I earned my bachelor degrees in Music and Economics from U.C. Berkeley in 1995. Go Bears!!! From 1995–1997, I went to University of Minnesota to pursue my masters of music with an emphasis in Orchestral Conducting. After coming back to El Cerrito, I realized that my passion has always been in education. I began teaching in the public schools under West Contra Unified School District in 2000 while attending California State University, Hayward to obtain my teaching credential. 

In the five years I have been with the school district, I taught band, orchestra, math and ELD. I have also served as the varsity coach in football and track & field for El Cerrito High from 2001-2003. Currently I am teaching math and music at De Jean Middle School in Richmond.  

In the spring of 2005, I started my own business, Pacer Sport Inc. (www.pacersport.com) in El Cerrito. I understand the difficulty and frustration of starting a new business. I am in support of promoting our local businesses. Positive growth in local businesses will certainly help our city to achieve economic stability. I am currently a member of the El Cerrito Chamber of Commerce. I am quite honored to join this group of business owners in serving our greater El Cerrito community.  

Having gone through and benefited personally from the public school system throughout my entire educational career, I wanted to give back and devote my time to my community especially to our children so they too can realize their dreams. I want to encourage our city to promote arts and music for our youths. We need to focus our attention in educating our youths for they are our future.  

As an elected council member, I will listen to the public voice. Your concerns are my priority. While dealing with taxpayers’ hard earned money, I want our city to make sensible financial decisions. As we are faced with an increasing amount of crime rate in our city, I demand that our public safety be improved. Furthermore, instead of spending our limited budget on unnecessary projects, let’s shift our attention on fixing our damaged roads and other deteriorating public works that have been neglected for some time now. Lastly, let’s not put any more financial burden on our residents by raising sales tax and property tax in order to generate more funding for our city. Instead, let’s make our city more business friendly so we can attract more healthy businesses to invest and operate in El Cerrito. Once our local businesses began to prosper and flourish, more funding will naturally be generated for our city via sales tax.  

As a long time El Cerrito resident, I believe our city hall needs a fresh voice. Let’s work together to make El Cerrito a better place for all of us to live in. We deserve the best people to work for El Cerrito. Therefore, I sincerely ask and seek for your support for my candidacy. Please elect Andrew Ting for El Cerrito City Council.  

For more information, please visit www.andrewting.org or write to me at support@andrewting.org. Remember to vote on Nov. 7. 

 


Firefighters Rescue Woman From Blaze

By Richard Brenneman
Friday October 13, 2006

After Berkeley firefighters rescued her from her burning home Monday night, a Berkeley woman took out a cigarette lighter and tried to set herself ablaze. 

Deputy Fire Chief David P. Orth said firefighters responded to a 7:37 p.m. call to 1431 67th St., where they arrived to find flames shooting from the second floor windows of the two-story duplex. 

“The resident had set multiple fires throughout the interior of her unit,” said Orth. 

Firefighters rescued the woman from the burning building, and were looking after her on the sidewalk outside “when she tried to set herself on fire,” Orth said. 

The woman, who Orth said was in her 40s, was taken into custody because the fire was determined to be a case of arson. 

The flames did an estimated $70,000 in damage to the structure and destroyed contents valued at $15,000, as well as displacing the residents of the downstairs unit, Orth said. 

“There was no connection to the arson fires in Oakland that same night,” said the deputy chief. 

 


Chamber PAC Amassing War Chest for Berkeley Race

By Richard Brenneman and Judith Scherr
Friday October 13, 2006

While the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce is raking in thousands of dollars to battle for candidates and oppose ballot measures, there’s no record on file anywhere to show who’s giving or getting the money—and there probably won’t be until right before or after the Nov. 7 election. 

Meanwhile, the likely targets and beneficiaries of the chamber’s largess have all filed extensive statements tracking every dollar they’ve raised and spent. 

Why the disparity? The simple reason is that the chamber is raising its funds through a PAC, a Political Action Committee, which has yet to make any endorsements—even though its parent, the chamber, has already taken stands on local candidates and ballot measures. 

“It’s outrageous. The citizens of Berkeley have a right to know” said former mayor Shirley Dean. “It appears that someone is trying to hide something.” 

The Chamber of Commerce’s political campaign financing arm is not likely violating city election laws, although it has in the past.  

But ambiguities and differences in two regulatory regimes—the city and county—may have reduced any potential infraction to a violation of the spirit rather than letter. 

The PAC—Business for Better Government (BBG)—held a $250-a-head fundraiser Sept. 21, attended by 37 or so chamber members and invitees to an event described in the invitation as “one of the most important fundraising events for the future of Berkeley.” 

Mayor Tom Bates and two City Council candidates attended at least part of the meeting—Raudel Wilson, who is opposing incumbent Dona Spring, and George Beier, who is challenging incumbent Kriss Worthington. 

In part, discussion focused on how much of the funds raised were to be used to oppose Measure J, the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance initiative, according to event organizer Jonathan DeYoe and others. DeYoe is listed in the Chamber’s fall newsletter as the incoming Chairman of its Governmental Affairs Committee, and organized the event for BBG. 

It took place at 720 Channing Way, property owned by Michael Golden, an outspoken foe of Measure J, the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance initiative opposed by Mayor Bates. 

While DeYoe, a self-employed wealth management consultant, said BBG hadn’t decided on candidates or measures it would support, the chamber itself has already come out in opposition to Measure J and in support of Bates, Wilson, Beier and Gordon Wozniak for the mayoralty and city council. 

“We’re opposing Measure J,” confirmed chamber President Roland Peterson.  

One of those in attendance for the September event was Oakland Attorney Rena Rickles, a land use attorney frequently hired by developers working on projects in Berkeley. Rickles said she contributed because she opposes Measure J. “It’s a good government question,” said Rickles, whose daughter runs the Beier and Wozniak campaigns. 

Rickles said she didn’t know what comments were made about council race endorsements because “as soon as they started talking about the council races, I went out of the room.” 

Bates, the leading opponent of Measure J, said he attended to support the fight against the measure. If they talked about candidates, Bates said, it wasn’t in his presence. “It would have been inappropriate to be there,” he said. 

Wilson said he attended the event briefly, but during that time they were not discussing candidates, he said. The mayor confirmed Beier’s presence. Beier did not return Daily Planet calls. 

Miriam Ng, the realtor who chairs the Business for Better Government PAC, said she couldn’t comment about the event because she’d been out of the country at the time. She said the members of the PAC get together to decide which candidates or measures they will fund. 

 

Know nothings? 

But by not stating who it plans to support, the chamber’s PAC appears to have skirted the city’s campaign reporting requirements, which are more focused on donations to candidates and issues rather than on PACs. 

One thing is certain: BBG filed no campaign report with City Clerk Sherry M. Kelly by Oct. 5, by which time Measure J. Proponents had filed two detailed reports listing all of their contributors and expenditures. 

Nor has BBG filed any reports with the city since 2002. Instead, the reports the group filed were lodged with the Alameda County Registrar of Voters. The reason? “We may want to support assembly candidates,” said DeYoe.  

Lowell Finley, a Berkeley attorney who specializes in campaign finance, said it is appropriate for the PAC to file in Alameda County if BBG does, in fact, fund measures or candidates outside the city. But if it funds only city measures, it should register in Berkeley, he said. 

DeYoe, whose name appears on the invitation of the event, said he didn’t know which candidates or ballot measures the group might support, nor who runs BBG. 

“I’m sure I know all of them, but I don’t know who is on the board,” he said. 

The chamber itself issued endorsements earlier this week, and those originated in the Government Affairs Committee which DeYoe chairs. 

Asked if BBG had ever supported anyone the chamber hadn’t, DeYoe responded, “I don’t know.” 

DeYoe also said he didn’t know anything about the filing requirements, beyond his understanding that BBG had made the appropriate filings. He referred the Daily Planet to Stacy Owens, the PAC’s accountant. 

“My understanding is that there are appropriate windows in which activity reports are filed, but I don’t know what those windows are,” he said. “But the requirements are there for a reason, and we believe in” following the requirements. “We’re following the requirements as they are set up.” 

But a search for who has to file what, where and when can resemble a stroll through a convoluted wilderness of legislative and regulatory mirrors. 

Different rules require different filings with different agencies. 

Anyone can walk into the Berkeley City Clerk’s office or sign onto the clerk’s website to see who is funding Measure J and where the campaign is spending its money. 

But the Measure J opposition is shrouded in mystery. That’s because BBG has been filing with Alameda County, rather than with the city. Under the county’s looser requirements, BBG doesn’t have to disclose the money it takes in until it spends it—even though it has been raising big bucks for the defeat of Measure J. 

In races for city offices and for city ballot measures “if an organization is a committee and is raising money and making expenditures of more than $500, they are obligated to make a disclosure,” said Deputy City Attorney Kristy van Herick, who serves as secretary to the city’s Fair Campaign Practices Commission (FCPC). 

But the county requirements set the trigger at $1,000, twice the city level. 

DeYoe and PAC accountant Stacy Owens said they would file candidate and ballot measure expenditures of more than $500 on Oct. 26 with Alameda County and with Berkeley. They file regular twice-yearly reports with the county if no expenditures on candidates or committees are made. 

Their latest county semi-annual report listed an $800 in-kind contribution by Owens, the value of accounting services donated to the PAC. No similar filing was made with the city. 

One question still to be answered is the cost of the September event. 

DeYoe said he didn’t know how much the fundraiser had cost, but the invitations were printed in color—a not inexpensive process, though BBG cut their costs by using a non-union printer, evidenced by the lack of a union bug on the invitation, normally considered a faux pas in Bay Area politics. 

Campaigns typically list donated space as an in-kind contribution, and the invitation also announced that cocktails and light refreshments were served, another potentially significant expense. 

 

When to report?  

One issue further complicating reporting requirements in the Berkeley code is that BERA doesn’t apply the same standards to PACs as to candidate and initiative committees. 

Under BERA, rigorous reporting requirements kick in only when a PAC gives to a candidate or a ballot measure committee, and not when the committee takes in money. 

In the Nov. 7, 2000, general election, BBG clearly ran afoul of BERA. 

Meeting on Nov. 16, 2000, the city’s Fair Campaign Practices Commission heard from staff that BBG had breached regulations twice in that year’s elections, failing to meet deadlines of Oct. 5 and Oct. 26 in an election when BBG had already made donations during the reporting period. 

The required documents were eventually submitted Nov. 3, four days before the election, though the commission had sent a mailing to all committees reminding them of their filing obligations, according to the minutes of the FCPC’s Nov. 16, 2000 meeting. 

Rachel Rupert, then as now BBG’s legal agent, appeared at a Dec. 14 FCPC meeting, saying she hadn’t realized the group had to file pre-election campaign disclosure statements. 

In the 2002 election—the last recorded BBG filing with the city—the group did file on time, recording an $8,500 contribution to Coalition for a Livable Berkeley, the group that led the successful fight to defeat Measure P, which would have limited building heights outside the core downtown. 

That donation was recorded on Oct. 24, the day after the coalition logged the donation on its books, as required by city statute, but the organization made no filings disclosing the source of the contributions. 

No donations were reported to the city during the 2004 election cycle. 

According to records on file with the California Secretary of State, BBG filed its incorporation papers on Jan. 19, 1998 with offices at 1834 University Ave.—the chamber’s address. 


A Closer Look At State Bond Measures

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday October 13, 2006

During the past legislative session, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic legislative leaders (primarily Sen. Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez) reached an agreement to put four bond measures on the ballot to fund various projects in California. 

Three of them (Propositions 1B, 1C, and 1D) are reviewed below. The fourth, Proposition 1E, will be reviewed in a later issue along with Proposition 84, which was put on the ballot by citizen initiative. Prop. 84 has the governor’s support, and both 84 and 1E deal with issues of water supply and flood control. 

 

Proposition 1B:  

Transportation Bonds 

This proposition would allow the State of California to issue $19.9 million in bonds in order to fund various transportation improvements and repairs. 

By far, the bulk of the money—$11.3 billion—would go to highway and road improvements. $4 billion would go to public transportation, $3 billion to improving the movement of goods within the state (including reduction of emissions), and $1.5 billion for transportation safety and security. Most of this money is for ground transportation, with a small portion of the safety and security money ($100 million) going towards ports, harbors, and ferry facilities. 

To vote yes on this measure, a California voter would have to answer a series of questions: 1) Are the transportation improvement needs in California great enough to justify almost $20 billion in new spending? 2) Does Measure IB provide the best mix of projects for that spending? 3) Is a bond measure the best way to finance these projects, and, if not, are there reasonable alternatives? 

The first question seems easy enough to answer. California’s transportation system was once the envy of the nation, whether it was the red-car light-rail trolleys, wide streets that took advantage of the enormous spaces available in the west, or a well-built highway system. That world of easy transportation in California has clearly been long over, caught in a pincer between exploding population and imploding finances. Given the critical relationship of transportation to our lives—everything we want or need has to get to us by some means, or we have to get to it—spending $20 billion to break the logjams and open the chokepoints and ensure a smooth flow seems more than justified. 

But is the mix in Measure 1B (56.4 percent of the money going to roads and highways, 20.1 percent going to public transportation) the best way to address that problem? Does building more roads and highways only encourage more driving and, therefore, should we encourage the use of public transportation by putting more money into it? Or should transportation tax dollars reflect the marketplace, where citizens have shown that they would rather use cars than buses and BART? If you haven’t already made up your own mind, there’s more than enough literature floating around on the internet and in the library to help you make a decision. 

Finally, is a bond measure the best way to finance these transportation projects? The cost of a bond is steep, with the state Legislative Analyst estimating that you can add $19 billion in interest payments to the actual $19.9 billion bond principal, making the real cost of Measure 1B $38.9 billion over the 30 year repayment period. Opponents of Measure 1B say that this is a bad way to finance government, doubling the cost and tying up money for years into the future because the legislature doesn’t want to either raise taxes or free up the necessary money out of existing revenue to pay for the improvements out of the regular budget. 

If that assertion is true—and it’s hard to argue against it—would the legislature bite the bullet (either on its own or under pressure from voters) and move the necessary money around in the regular budget to buck up the state’s transportation system if Measure 1B doesn’t pass? And if that doesn’t happen and California’s transportation system continues to deteriorate, would such a deterioration do severe and ireedemable harm to California’s economy and its citizens? 

You be the judge. 

 

Proposition 1C: Housing And Emergency Shelter Trust Fund 

In a perfect world, voters would be able to go down the list of projects in a bond measure, pick out the ones they want, toss out the ones they don’t. Until we reach that perfect world, voters will be faced with bond measures like Proposition 1C, which tries to increase chances of passage by mixing two different types of housing programs that may be popular with two somewhat different voting constituencies. 

In addition, there is a sort of “truth in advertising” issue in Proposition 1C. While the measure bills itself as being a “Housing and Emergency Shelter” proposition, more than a third of the money does not specifically go for housing, but for grants to cities for the building of parks and infrastructure, as well as for environmental cleanup to facilitate urban infill. While it can be argued that you can’t have housing without those other projects, it’s difficult to argue why Prop. 1C include “emergency shelter” in its title when only $50 million out of its $2.85 billion goes for the development of homeless shelters. 

The details: $625 million (or 21.9 percent) of Prop. 1C’s $2.85 billion goes to existing state homeownership programs, providing loans and downpayment assistance to low-income and moderate-income homebuyers, as well as grants to organizations or local governments which provide assistance to such low-income and moderate-income homebuyers. 

An additional $775 million (or 27.2 percent) goes to existing programs to help in the building of housing for “in need” communities, with the bulk ($345 million) going to housing developments for low-income renters, the rest spread between homeless shelters, housing for farmworkers, and housing targeted specifically to homeless youth. 

But almost half of the money ($1.35 billion, or 47.5 percent of the total bond) goes to new projects. Among them is $850 million for grants to develop urban infill development (the parks, water and sewer systems, and transportation projects mentioned above), $200 million in grants for parks, and another $300 million in grants and loans to local governments and developers to encourage development near public transportation. 

Encouraging development near public transportation is the new mantra for many public officials in California, perhaps making up for years of the disintegration of public transportation in areas where the people already are. 

In the East Bay, that means lots of public money for transit villages around the various BART stations, which are sometimes in convenient locations, but sometimes aren’t. There are those who like the idea of BART transit village, arguing that it’s the way to encourage the use of public transit; there are others who dislike the BART transit villages, thinking the Fruitvale Transit Village is a bust, or that the Ashby or North Berkeley BART transit village are simply bad ideas. In either case, because of the low amount of such money in the bond measure (only 10.5 percent of the total), this may not be enough to tip the balance either way. 

 

Proposition 1D: Public Education Construction and Modernization Bond 

This is another one of those bond measures that hopes to gain voter approval for new programs and projects by slipping them in alongside items that voters have already approved in the past. 

The $10.416 billion in construction and building modernization bond money would be split between higher education and K-12 facilities, with vastly different rules for how the money would be allocated for each. 

For the $3.1 billion going to the higher education facilities ($1.5 billion to community colleges, $690 million to the California State University system, and $890 million to the University of California system), no specific programs or building projects are listed in the bond. Instead, the Legislative Analyst’s Office only notes that “the Governor and Legislature would select the specific projects to be funded by the bond monies. 

The $7.3 billion in Prop. 1D money going to K-12 facilities, however, are divided between seven specific projects. Four of them—money for modernization, new construction, charter school facilities, and joint-use projects—are already in existence (joint-use projects are typically such things as gymnasiums, libraries, and child care facilities that are located on school campuses but are used for both school and non-school activities). School districts or charter schools receiving these funds through the state School Facilities Program (SFP) normally have to put up between 40 percent and 50 percent in local matching funds. 

Without these state funds, facilities modernization and new construction would be virtually out of the reach of most school districts in the state. 

Meanwhile, Proposition 1D allocates state money for three new categories of SFP funding: overcrowded schools ($1 billion), career technical facilities ($500 million), and environment-friendly projects ($100 million). 

The relatively small amount for “special incentive grants” for environment-friendly projects appears to be part of a compromise just to get the provision in. Considering that this provision promotes construction practices the maximize the efficient use of energy and water that would eventually lowering the overall financial needs of the district, “green construction” supporters of this provisionappear to be hoping that support for such environment-friendly building practices will catch on, and so this eventual part of the state school building bond money as well.  

Meanwhile, an estimated 20 percent of schools in the state would be eligible for the overcrowded facilities funds, which aims at replacing the number of portable classrooms with permanent facilities. 

And the career technical facility portion of the bond grants monies for construction of or modernization at existing career technical programs within school districts. Roughly 50 percent of the districts in the state have such career technical programs, and so would be eligible to apply for the grant money. 

As with other bonds, the cost for this program is steep as opposed to paying for school construction out of the yearly state budget. The Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates that paying off the principal and interest on Proposition 1D over a 30-year period virtually doubles the cost of the bond, adding $9.9 billion to the original $10.4 billion allocation. 


Council Postpones Decision on San Pablo/Harrison Project

By Judith Scherr
Friday October 13, 2006

A law intended to increase construction of affordable housing units was invoked at Tuesday’s Berkeley City Council meeting by attorney Rena Rickles, in an attempt to push the council to approve a controversial mixed-use housing and commercial development at San Pablo Avenue and Harrison Street. 

The council put off a decision on the project and will hold a special meeting to discuss it on Monday. 

Also, at Tuesday’s meeting, the council approved construction of nine traffic circles to slow circulation in southwest Berkeley and called for a hearing on a proposed sunshine ordinance, the intent of which would be to open the processes of city government to the community beyond what state law mandates. The council also put off deliberation on cultural uses at the Allston Way Gaia Building. 

The five-story San Pablo and Harrison development proposes 30 condominium units, of which six would be affordable as defined by state law. The plan is to build the condos above retail space. 

In an Oct. 10 letter written by Rickles to Mayor Tom Bates and the council on behalf of project developer Jim Hart and delivered on the day of the meeting, Hart rescinded recent project modifications, concessions he had given neighbors who said the project was too dense.  

Concessions that would be off the table included reducing about 500 square feet of the project’s upper two floors, pulling them farther away from neighboring residences and adding 18 parking spaces, Rickles said.  

Rickles’ letter said Hart now would offer the affordable units to people earning 80 percent of the area median income ($67,040 for a family of four) rather than to those earning 120 percent of the area median ($99,600 for a family of four), which had been written into the earlier project. 

The new offer triggers a state law which mandates that only health and safety issues can be considered for the council to deny the project, according to Planning Director Dan Marks. 

“The [Rickles] letter narrows our ability to deny the project,” Albuquerque said.  

Calling Rickles’ move a “brilliant legal maneuver,” Councilmember Max Anderson contended: “This is obviously intended to put us in a box.”  

But Councilmember Betty Olds argued for the project, saying she did not see how the council could refuse to accept the benefit of the low-income housing.  

To the applause of about a dozen of the proposed project’s neighbors who had come to the meeting to oppose it, Councilmember Dona Spring called for modifying the project. “There are other options,” she said. “We don’t have to accept the project the developers are giving us.” 

And Councilmember Linda Maio, participating in the meeting via telephone from Hawaii, argued that it was inappropriate for the developer and his attorney to place “an 11th hour letter” before the council.  

Maio called on the council to reject the letter and Hart’s newest proposal. The council was about to vote on that option when Mayor Tom Bates called on the body to put off a decision for a week, allowing the developer to meet one more time with neighbors and come to a mutual agreement. 

The council will continue to discuss the project at a special meeting, for that purpose only, at 7 p.m. Monday in the 6th floor conference room at 2180 Milvia St. 

At the Tuesday meeting the council briefly discussed a proposed sunshine ordinance and a number of enhancements and decided to hold a workshop/public hearing on provisions that might become part of the ordinance. The workshop date has not been set. 


Oakland Auditor Faces Stiff Challenge in Run-Off

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday October 13, 2006

In this internet-dependent age, when less than a month before a runoff election an incumbent officeholder’s website [www.roland4auditor.com/] has no photo, no qualifications, no campaign platform, no endorsement information, no contact number, and reads only “Site under construction—check back for more information”—well, then, you know that incumbent is in some political trouble. 

Two-term Oakland auditor Roland E. Smith is in some political trouble. 

Last June, four people chose to challenge him for the auditor’s position, including one of his former deputies. Smith came in second, with 31 percent of the vote, to East Bay Conservation Corps Chief Financial Officer Courtney Ruby’s 39 percent. 

Ruby’s endorsement list manages to bring together groups or individuals who are often at odds with each other—Oakland City councilmembers Desley Brooks, Jane Brunner, Pat Kernighan, Nancy Nadel, and Larry Reid, for example, as well as the Oakland Tribune and the San Francisco Bay Guardian and the pro-business OAKPAC and SEIU Local 790, which represents many of the city’s workers. 

In addition, she’s run the table of the local Democratic club endorsements—John George East Oakland Democratic Club, the Metropolitan-Greater Oakland, East Bay LGBTQ Democratic Club, Wellstone, and the East Bay Young Democrats, as well as the politically powerful Black Women Organized for Political Action. Ruby has also nabbed the grand prize of local endorsements—Congressmember Barbara Lee—while managing so far to keep Oakland mayor-elect Ron Dellums neutral in the race. 

For his part, we could find no listed endorsements for Mr. Smith, since his website is not up. There don’t seem to be many major ones left, in any event. 

Does all this mean that the challenger, Ms. Ruby, is the best candidate for the auditor’s post over the incumbent Mr. Smith? Hard to say, because the auditor’s position naturally brings on political enemies, if it’s properly done. 

Among other things, the city auditor audits the books and bank accounts of all of Oakland’s departments and agencies, reviews the soundness of financial transactions and financial internal controls, and makes public reports on these matters. That can mean stepping on some powerful toes, if the job is done right. 

Last year, for example, Smith released a scathing report on what he called the poor management of credit cards by city employees. Shortly after that report was released, the City Council and the Oakland City Administrator essentially shut down the audit department by defunding six of the nine audit department employees, transferring them to other departments. Smith said it was retaliation for his criticism of the city’s fiscal management; councilmembers said it was to protect staff members who had complained of harassment by the auditor. Smith sued, but before the lawsuit could be heard the council restored his staff. 

As for their qualifications, the 69-year-old Smith is a certified public accountant with 30 years experience in auditing. He promises to continue issuing performance audits targeting the quality levels of city services, as well as establish Citizen Investigation Study Groups “for studies addressing vital community needs.” 

The 39-year-old Ruby is also a CPA, who promises to reform the auditor’s office to “establish higher standards of professionalism and accountability” as well as promising to “protect Oakland from waste, fraud and mismanagement through effective financial and performance audits.” 

The DellumsWatch blog [http://dellums.blogspot.com], which bills itself as “eager supporters of Ms. Ruby,” described a recent Smith-Ruby debate by saying “Ruby convincingly made her case for change in the auditor's office from her opening statement. I found her emphasis on benchmarks and copying successful practices in other cities (such as San Jose) very persuasive. She also suggested that the auditor place more of an emphasis on performance evaluation of city programs and grants, rather than double-checking parking tickets. Roland Smith pointed to clear improvements in the city auditor's office since he took over in 1999, including migration to a sophisticated Oracle payroll system and an overall increase in the number of audits. He defended his work to refund parking tickets to citizens and increase revenue from city-owned parking lots, and blamed the council for not supporting him. (Ruby responded that San Jose found that business and sales taxes are better targets of city revenue audits than parking lots.)” 

Meanwhile, the Oakland Post, which is supporting Smith, wrote recently that “Smith, unable to reduce a backlog of reports after staff reductions by the City Council and the mayor’s staff, said he wants to see more fiscal transparency at City Hall when Mayor-Elect Ronald V. Dellums takes office in January. ‘My office can advise him on what changes need to occur for more transparency in city agencies,’ said Smith. ‘The city should also issue monthly financial reports and put them online. The city’s Finance Agency can do that. They pay the bills and handle the transactions. It’s the accountant for the city.’”  

 

Assembly, AC Transit 

Two other local races in the November election should get brief mention, only because they are not expected to be very competitive. 

Incumbent Loni Hancock (former mayor of Berkeley) is running for her second and final term, (under term limits) as 14th District assemblymember from Berkeley, Richmond, Albany, El Cerrito, Emeryville, a portion of North Oakland, and a few other cites. 

Her Republican opponent is Leigh N. Wolf, a computer technician who says that California “needs young blood and fresh ideas to break the log jam in Sacramento. Career politicians have done nothing but pander to special interests and spend your money in irresponsible ways. With your vote I can go to Sacramento and lay waste to the bureaucracy and begin to mold a more efficient, honest and open government.” 

Running in a district that is 59 percent registered Democrat and only 18 percent registered Republican, however, Mr. Wolf may be going to Sacramento next month, but most likely still as a private citizen. 

Incumbent Rebecca Kaplan is running for re-election to one of the two at-large seats on the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District Board of Directors. A Green Party member, Ms. Kaplan lost six years ago to incumbent Henry Chang in a run-off for the Oakland City Council at-large seat. Kaplan’s opponent, paralegal James Muhammad of Oakland, lost to H.E. Christian Peeples in 2004 for the other at-large AC Transit seat, winning less than 10 percent of the vote. 

 

 

 


Planners Decide to Wait on Creeks Ordinance Decision

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday October 13, 2006

What started off as a discussion differentiating creeks and culverts at the Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday went on to become a heated debate about the ambiguities and inaccuracies of the proposed amendments to the Creeks Ordinance. 

A majority of the residents at the meeting were in favor of a culvert-free creeks ordinance and said that culverts should be regulated separately.  

The commission decided that they had a problem with the wording of the ordinance revisions and asked the staff to come back with an updated version at the next planning meeting. 

“Ever since culverts have been included in its creeks ordinance, thousands of property owners have faced an impenetrable prohibition against the enjoyment of their right to remodel their homes or add an extra bathroom to accommodate their growing families,” said Eric Wasserman, a Berkeley resident. 

“The current revised ordinance should not regulate development near culverts and ought to unambiguously state this. To do less again will again lead to property owners rights being unfairly curtailed, injuring them and their families, and provoking another firestorm of controversy and public discord such as we are experiencing now,” Wasserman said. 

No other city includes culverts in its creeks ordinance, a fact that the city Creeks Task Force acknowledged. 

“We had been promised at the May 30 City Council meeting that culverts would be taken out of the creeks ordinance,” said Terry Mandel, a Berkeley resident. “It is unfortunate that even after that promise, residents are here today making that same request over and over again.” 

Creeks Task Force Chair Helen Burke said that although other cities did not have culverts in their creeks ordinance, Berkeley, being an older city, was different. 

Planning Chair David Stoloff said that culverts were legally required to be in the city’s creeks ordinance. 

Residents at the meeting also complained about the inaccuracy of the city system to map and measure the groundwater. 

Joan Bajsarowicz, a resident of Del Mar Avenue, said that she had received several notices from the Planning Department informing them that their property fell within the Berkeley Creeks Zoning Ordinance, but that was not the case. 

“When we informed them about their mistake, we received from the City Deputy Planning Director verification that indeed their were no creeks on our property,” Bajsarowicz said. “But the creek buffer was mapped to show properties within 40 feet of a mapped creek, and the city map buffers were extended to 40 feet to reflect ‘a level of uncertainty in our GIS mapping.’ In other words, the city maps are not accurate, or at best, they are vague approximations.” 

She added that since it was almost impossible to accurately map and measure all the groundwater that flows under our feet, unmappable groundwater should be excluded from the Berkeley Creeks Ordinance. 

Burke said getting a 100 percent accurate mapping system was difficult and would be a very expensive process. 

Former mayor Shirley Dean recommended changes to the revised creeks ordinance and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance on behalf of Neighbors on Urban Creeks. 

Besides advocating for the removal of culverted creeks from the Creeks Ordinance, NUC recommendations included asking the commission to adopt an unconditional use permit instead of a variance with respect to setbacks required for new construction. NUC also said that there was no reason not to allow owners to rebuild without a public hearing whether their property was destroyed by fire, earthquake, flood or dry rot, as long as the structure was rebuilt in its original footprint, height, and mass, and complied with current applicable building codes. 

 

Telegraph zoning 

The board voted 6-3 to approve the staff changes recommended on the Telegraph Avenue economic development assistance package, that a vendor parking fee be removed and the hours of operation allowed on the avenue be till 12 a.m. without a use permit and till 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday with a use permit. 

The majority of the board members recognized the need for businesses on Telegraph to stay open late to increase foot traffic in the area and to cater to students late at night.


Playing Field Construction Begins at East Campus

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday October 13, 2006

After years of grappling, construction on the long-awaited multi-use playing field at Derby Street and Martin Luther King finally started on Oct. 1. 

The Berkeley school district will be spending $800,000 from construction bonds on the playing-field that will be used by students from Berkeley High, Longfellow and B-Tech (formerly Berkeley Alternative High School) next spring. 

The BUSD-owned East Campus/ Derby Street field has been the subject of debate over whether to close Derby to allow enough space to build a regulation high school baseball field or to renovate the East Campus lot for general playing fields. Some community members have urged the city not to close Derby Streeet and allow the baseball field on the site, saying they do not want the neighborhood disruption which would be caused by closing the street, relocating the Tuesday farmers’ market and allowing high school baseball games on the field. 

“We don’t have the funds to build anything else on the land at the moment, so we will be sticking with the interim plan of having a temporary athletic field,” said BUSD spokesperson Mark Coplan. “Leveling and drainage work will require a lot of time because we don’t want the field to turn muddy every time it rains. Hopefully construction will be completed in the next few months.” 

School board director John Selawsky said at Wednesday’s ceremony marking the start of construction he was glad the process has begun no matter the final decision on the baseball field. 

“The new playing field will not only be an athletic field but also a community one,” he said. “Future plans include an EIR and more community meetings about what neighbors want. Nothing has been set in stone yet and we urge you to keep giving your input. No matter what your thoughts are about construction in the field, please don’t forget to vote for Measure A. Measure A funds go directly to our classroom-- it has nothing to do with the fields.” 

In June, members of the East Campus Neighborhood Association (ECNA) drafted a plan that allows a regulation-sized baseball field to coexist with an open Derby Street. The plan, named “Curvy Derby,” because it would bend a portion of the street to accommodate the field, has not yet been viewed by the district. 

Councilmember Max Anderson said at the celebration that he was happy that this “hallowed” ground was going to be home to things that would edify and build the community. “I hope the Curvy Derby solution will be one that will keep the street open, maintain the farmers’ market and also host a full-sized baseball field,” he sad. 

Susi Marzuola, the designer behind the Curvy Derby plan, said that it was important to have more B-Tech parents involved in the plans. “There are so many other needs of the children that this field could fulfill. Baseball is one, but there are others,” she said. 

Linda Lagan, Farmers’ Market program manager, said that they were excited about the Curvy Derby plan and hoped that the market would continue to serve the community from its current location on Derby Street. 

 

 


Berkeley High Beat: A Fond Farewell to BHS Student Activities Director

By Rio Bauce
Friday October 13, 2006

Last Friday, Ivery McKnight-Johnson left behind her legacy as Berkeley High School’s (BHS) Student Activities Director to go work as a middle school counselor in the Central Valley. 

“My experiences at Berkeley High were life-changing,” said McKnight-Johnson, who has worked at BHS since 1996. “It was a wonderful learning experience for me.” 

McKnight-Johnson is a member of the 1990 graduating class at Berkeley High School (BHS). After graduating from college and teaching in Maryland for one year, she came back to BHS. 

When asked why she came back, she responded, “I came back to give back to the community. The students really are the best. It is so wonderful to see the impact that I was having in their lives.” 

Primarily, the job of the Student Activities Director is to coordinate school activities, plan special events, track school clubs, and run student government. 

“We would not have a student activities program if it were not for Ivery,” said BHS Principal Jim Slemp, referring to McKnight-Johnson. “She had the charisma and the creativity to make activities successful. For me, this is a huge loss.” 

Slemp isn’t the only one who misses McKnight-Johnson. Many students echoed his thoughts. 

“We are sad to see her go, since she was such a wonderful person,” said Senior Class Deputy Kenny Watts, who has served on student government for four years. “She was great working with students. As far as leadership goes, it will be hard to work without her. Despite that, events and performances will still go on, but we will miss her.” 

Pasquale Scuderi, vice principal at BHS and McKnight’s former boss, says that they are in the process of finding someone to fill Ms. McKnight’s position as Student Activities Director. 

“The job was posted last week,” said Scuderi. “We are looking at a couple of candidates. The problem of finding someone new is that Spirit Week is next week (October 16-20). Given the deadlines with Spirit Week, I feel that it would be better for me to take over the responsibilities that Ms. McKnight-Johnson had until the week is over.” 

McKnight-Johnson wanted to give advice to her replacement at BHS, so that they can make the activities successful for students. 

“You need to be prepared for anything and be able to adapt to change,” commented McKnight-Johnson.” You also should make sure to develop great relationships with students, the administration, the custodians, etc. But most importantly, be prepared for anything.” 

Scuderi assured students that they will hire a student activities director as soon as they can, but that he doesn’t want to rush the process. 

“I think that it is important to have the right person, rather than just trying to fill the position,” said Scuderi. “I would say with certainty that we will have someone before Thanksgiving vacation is over.” 

 


City to Go Forward with Challenge to Berkeley Police Union Lawsuit

By Judith Scherr
Friday October 13, 2006

A hearing on a four-year-old police union suit against the city is slated for Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. in Alameda County Superior Court Dept. 31. 

City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque reported out a unanimous decision to go forward with contesting the suit at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, following a closed joint meeting of the council and the city’s Police Review Commission. 

The suit alleges that PRC hearings “violate the statutory and contractual rights of the officers” who are compelled to appear publicly at the inquiries. The Berkeley Police Officers Association says these hearings involve personnel matters, which should be confidential. 

The city will argue that, since the city manager and police chief are responsible for disciplining officers, the BPOA complaint is invalid. Only the disciplinary measures are confidential, Albuquerque says. 

Police Review Commission hearings on complaints against officers were suspended last month in response to a California Supreme Court decision, Copley Press vs. San Diego County, which, Albuquerque says is similar to the BPOA case. Albuquerque says in both cases mandatory confidentiality in personnel matters applies only to the discipline an officer receives, not to the review of the complaint against an officer which the PRC does. 

If the city’s challenge to the suit is successful on Nov. 14, hearings on complaints against police officers will resume after that date.  

Meanwhile PRC Chair Sharon Kidd underscores that the public should continue to submit its complaints and they will be investigated. 

However they will be heard by the PRC Board of Inquiry only after resolution of the BPOA case. 

“We’re willing to wait until Nov. 14 to see exactly what will come out of this,” Kidd said in an interview Wednesday.  

The PRC will also continue its regular meetings and is holding a public hearing on Oct. 25 jointly with the police oversight advocacy group, Copwatch. The Oct. 25 hearing will give the public a chance to express itself on the suspension of the PRC police complaint hearings. 

Meanwhile, a PRC workshop to look closely at the Cary Kent case—the Berkeley police sergeant who pleaded guilty to stealing drugs from the police evidence room—has been delayed, while the PRC addresses the suspension of its hearings, Kidd said. 


Fire Department Log

By Richard Brenneman
Friday October 13, 2006

Gas fire 

A residential fire was reported at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday at 740 Euclid Ave., where firefighters discovered a small blaze in a kitchen wall triggered by a leaking gas line. 

The flames were quickly quenched, limiting damages to $2,000 to the building and $1,000 to contents, said Berkeley Deputy Fire Chief David P. Orth. 

 

Caught on camera 

After smelling smoke for four hours, a Berkeley resident finally called for help at 7:19 Thursday morning. 

Arriving firefighters couldn’t find any flames at first, but like the resident of the home at 1401 Scenic Ave., they also smelled smoke. 

To located the source, firefighters deployed one of their latest high-tech tools, a thermal imaging camera that detects hot spots inside walls otherwise invisible to the human eye. 

The camera found the source, a slowly smoldering fire that was burning inside the wall, apparently ignited by a torch being used to heat roofing materials during work on a deck at the home. 

“We found the fire and we had it quickly extinguished,” said Orth. “The camera really came in handy.” 

The department has two of the devices, he said.


Every Would-Be Crosser Is a Terror Threat On the Texas Border

By Mary Jo McConahay, New America Media
Friday October 13, 2006

This is part one of a two-part series 

 

EL PASO, Tex.—The terror attacks of Sept. 11 are widely blamed on the failure of American intelligence to detect and apprehend potential terrorists entering the country. Today, the language of fighting terrorism has replaced the language of immigration enforcement, border policy and even drug interdiction. The effects are visible all along the 2,100-mile border with Mexico, and obvious here in West Texas. 

The Border Patrol, variously housed over 80 years in the Departments of Labor, Treasury, or Justice, now operates under Homeland Security. A Border Patrol spokesman in El Paso says, “Our primary objective now is preventing terrorists and instruments of terrorism from entering.” 

Last May, President Bush sent 6,000 National Guard, many recently returned from Iraq or on their way there, to support the Border Patrol along the border in what he called Operation Jump Start. Today, soldiers in camouflage look for would-be border crossers from windowless camera rooms, or in armed skyboxes that rise on hydraulic legs. 

“I was doing basically the same thing in Iraq, looking for suspicious activity,” said a 33-year-old Texas National Guard soldier back from Tikrit as he scanned multiple screens in a windowless room. “There they were penetrating the wall around our base. This is like they’re penetrating our home. We don’t want terrorists to come in.” 

The post-9/11 shift from policing the border to considering it a frontline in the terror war has influenced local law enforcement. In late 2005, Gov. Rick Perry authorized Operation Linebacker, distributing $10 million to 16 border sheriff’s departments to improve public safety and “national security.” “Al-Qaeda leadership plans to use criminal alien smuggling organizations to bring terrorist operatives across the border into the U.S.,” said Perry’s security overview. Rick Glancey, spokesman for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Department, now says its job is the “same as the Border Patrol, preventing terrorism.” 

In his downtown office, Sheriff Leo Samaniego looks like a courtly grandfather, tall, 70-ish, smiling, at ease with his reputation as master of one of the best-regarded departments in the country. Between January and June, his deputies detained over 800 persons, some with deep roots in local communities, and turned them over to the Border Patrol. For many it was an ominous use of Linebacker, jumping the firewall between local policing and federal law enforcement in the name of anti-terrorism. Rights groups say it undermines public safety because the tactics make locals fearful of approaching local law enforcement for any reason. Samaniego said he halted his “traffic stops” only temporarily, to “cool off” rights groups and citizens’ complaints. The fact is that 9/11 has “definitely” changed his job, the sheriff said. “I’d rather be accused of overstepping my authority than sitting on my butt and doing nothing while we’re in war.” 

Department spokesman Glancey puts it this way: “Every day you have drugs coming in duffel bags. Today narcotics, tomorrow weapons of mass destruction. Since Sept. 11 we’ve seen the border is perfect for someone to take advantage of the United States. We will not let this happen on our watch, Mr. and Mrs. America, you can be sure of that.” 

West Texas looks a lot like Iraq, making it ideal for training soldiers in desert warfare. Units have arrived to assist the Border Patrol before going to the Middle East. “You can bet it can be beneficial to them,” said Border Patrol spokesman Douglas Mosier. “They’re getting used to a desert environment you can’t get at a base in the East or the Midwest.” Troops bring advanced military technology. “Equipment such as that tried and tested in the Middle East can be beneficial in this kind of topography,” Mosier said. “If that technology is applicable and feasible (there is) no reason to think it won’t be considered for future use” here, on the border. 

For Mosier, having soldiers on the border is not militarization, but “homeland security in support of a very real and vital mission.” He points out that soldiers in Operation Jump Start have no direct law enforcement duties. They are here to provide force protection, free up Border Patrol agents until more can be trained, and to be “more eyes and ears.” 

How effective these efforts are in staunching the flow of undocumented immigrants, let alone illegal drugs, is less clear. Nearly half the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States entered legally and overstayed visas. Most illegal drugs enter in otherwise legitimate cargo and traffic. Meanwhile, the poor of Mexico and Central America continue to cross any way they can. “It’s like two tsunamis, one coming up from the south, and increased militarization coming from the north, set to clash at the border,” says University of Texas at El Paso political scientist and border researcher Tony Payan. “There is a need for a way to accommodate the flow.” 

In a new study, “The Three U.S.-Mexico Border Wars: Drugs, Immigration, and Homeland Security,” Payan suggests that the focus on militarization and anti-terrorism puts not only crossers but those who live in the area, mostly Mexican Americans, at risk. What has changed toward undocumented workers since 9/11, as Payan puts it, is “the perception of intentionality,” that “this is not someone coming to take a job, but someone who will harm America.” 

 

NAM Contributing Editor Mary Jo McConahay reports on the border for The Texas Observer.


Opinion

Editorials

Editorial: Deconstructing the Campaign Mailers

By Becky O’Malley
Tuesday October 17, 2006

In the mail this week, a flood of glossy brochures, soliciting votes for the upcoming election. If you’re confused by them, you’re not alone. 

Case in point: the one mailed with “Issel for School Board” as its return address. On the front: a photo of candidates Issel, Riddle and Hemphill, wearing yellow “Yes on A” t-shirts, accompanied by (and wearing a matching t-shirt) Tom Bates. Maybe you didn’t know that Tom was running for school board? Or that the mayor of Berkeley in general couldn’t control school spending? Or maybe you thought that the other two school board candidates also supported Measure A? 

Inside, toothy photos of all four plus cute pictures of kids. 

And on the back, on a big yellow square:  

 

On Nov. 7, vote for our children’s future!  

3YES on A.  

3 Mayor Tom Bates.  

BERKELEY SCHOOL BOARD: 3Karen Hemphill 

3Shirley Issel 

3Nancy Riddle. 

 

You might be excused for thinking that the supporters of Measure A have also endorsed Bates for mayor and are backing the three other candidates listed.  

This does no good for Measure A. The obverse conclusion is that if you don’t like Bates, you should vote against A. Tying what should be a non-partisan vote on a tax measure to partisan city government politics, or for that matter to selected school board candidates in a contested race, does immeasurable harm to the measure’s chance of passing.  

Bates’s opponent Zelda Bronstein is also a strong supporter of Measure A. Since it needs a two-thirds majority the measure will need her voters as well as his, and there’s just no reason to alienate them.  

And in fact, it looks like those chickens are coming home to roost. The board of the North East Berkeley Association has just come out against Measure A, as have the neighborhood association umbrella groups BANA and CNA. Others who have some reason to dislike Bates (or the three School Board candidates) will be tempted to vote no on A too. 

You can’t really tell who manufactured this particular dirty little piece. It lists the addresses of all four candidates in microprint on the bottom of the back page, but also has, in large print, www.BerkeleyMeasureA.org. But this website says nothing about Measure A supporters’ endorsements for mayor or school board, though it does list some of the politicians who endorse A, among them Bates and ex-Mayor Shirley Dean, but not (significantly or oversight) Bronstein.  

This technique is one we’ll see more of in the next few weeks. My guess, if I were forced to guess, would be that if we could trace the funding for this mailer, the link would go back to Tom Bates’ campaign war chest. It’s traditional in California politics, particularly with the Sacramento crowd where he and his friends have been hanging out, to try to grab the coattails of the person or program that’s likely to be a winner. In Berkeley, school taxes are more popular than motherhood or apple pie, both of which have many local detractors.  

But we’ll never be able to trace it, of course. Last week we learned that the much vaunted Berkeley Election Reform Act is not worth the yellowing paper it was written on back in the idealistic early seventies. In the course of trying to track the nefarious activities of the Chamber of Commerce political action committee Business for Better Berkeley and the various hats it hides under, we discovered that BERA is full of loopholes ready to be exploited by old pros like Bates. A 1976 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Buckley v. Valeo, severely limited government ability to control campaign spending, as did subsequent cases following it. The Berkeley city attorney panicked and excised from BERA any provisions she thought might not follow Buckley, and as a result it’s as full of holes as a hunk of Swiss cheese.  

It’s likely that in the next couple of weeks, and especially in the last week before the election, we’ll be seeing a lot of last minute hit pieces with murky provenance like this one. Even if sponsors might eventually claim authorship, it now won’t have to be until after the election, since the first reporting period has come and gone. The second one isn’t over until October 26, and there are plenty of chances for late filing with few penalties. Business for Better Berkeley PAC had its hand very lightly slapped by Berkeley’s Fair Campaign Practices Commission for transgressions in the 2000 election. In the 2002 election BBG turned $8500 of its proceeds over to the organization which was the precursor of Livable Berkeley, the pro-development lobbying group, with no need to account for the source of the funds. They paid for some effective last-minute hit pieces against Measure P, a height limitation measure opposed by the development industry. The thousands of dollars collected at BBG’s Sept. 21 fundraiser this year have yet to be reported, but it’s a sure bet that this kind of money is destined to be funneled into some kind of last minute propaganda piece released under shadowy auspices. Measure J, re-enacting the Landmark Preservation Ordinance, is one likely target. 

Here’s what the Planet can do to help with this problem: Anyone who gets any kind of suspect hit piece in the waning days of the campaigns should send it immediately to us by mail to 3023A Shattuck Ave. (or if it’s in the last couple of days before the election, bring it by our offices). We’ll scan it and put it on the web as a PDF file, and we’ll give the “hittee” a chance to respond either on our website or in our print edition if time allows. If everyone in Berkeley who cares about good government functions as a collective truth squad, we might let a little sunshine into this election.  

 

THE DAILY PLANET  

ENDORSES: 

 

Mayor: Zelda Bronstein 

District 1: No endorsement 

District 4: Dona Spring 

District 7: Kriss Worthington 

District 8: Jason Overman 

Measure A: Yes 

Measure I: No 

Measure J: Yes 

More to come... 


Editorial: Voting Sensibly on Ballot Measures

By Becky O’Malley
Friday October 13, 2006

THE DAILY PLANET ENDORSES: 

 

Mayor: Zelda Bronstein 

District 1: No endorsement 

District 4: Dona Spring 

District 6: Kriss Worthington 

District 8: Jason Overman 

Measure A: Yes 

Measure I: No 

Measure J: Yes 

More to come... 

 

A lot of requests have come in from people on both sides of two hotly contested Berkeley ballot measures, Measure A and Measure I, for the Planet to endorse one side or other. Proponents and opponents of ballot measures are traditionally offered many column inches of space in this publication to put forward facts and figures supporting their points of view. We also provide an impartial review of most ballot measures in our news columns, so there’s really no excuse for going to the polls (or marking your paper vote-at-home ballot) uninformed.  

But even with the best factual information, making a decision can be hard for the voter who isn’t really involved with the issue at hand. Measure I, for example, is about allowing rental properties to be sold as condominiums. For the voter who already owns a personal home but is not a landlord, the decision has to be mostly a matter of principle, an academic decision on which vote would be better for someone else. Similarly, voters who have no kids to send to the Berkeley public schools and whose share of property taxes is disguised as rent might think that Measure A is really not their problem. But both of these measures should be analyzed at a higher level by everyone who’s eligible to vote. We should all try to figure out what kind of decision would be best for the social fabric and mark our ballots accordingly, even if we have no personal stake in the outcome. A few simple points should help most voters make up their minds on measures which don’t directly affect them.  

First, let’s tackle the question of school taxes. We’ve had a lot of letters and comments over the years from well-meaning public-spirited people who think that voting against school tax measures is the right way to express your opinion on how well the local public schools are performing. That’s just plain wrong, bad reasoning.  

There’s no need to once again recount the statistics which are well known to most Berkeley voters: California schools spend much too little per pupil as compared to other states. Mississipi? Alabama? Which impoverished and benighted state spends less? It doesn’t matter, California spends too little. Period. Few would disagree.  

Some argue that Berkeley has raised more extra money to supplement the meager state allowance than some other cities. So? Is it more than is needed? Few would argue that Berkeley public schools students are frolicking in luxurious environments unknown to the poor wretches in, for example, Palo Alto. If you think that, visit a local school site some day. Overall, no one can seriously argue that per pupil spending in Berkeley is excessive. 

But maybe the priorities are wrong? Administrators paid too much, teachers too little…high school baseball instead of elementary school soccer…gourmet meals instead of basic nutrition…too many computers, too few pencils…too little toilet paper in the bathrooms. Lots of points to argue here, all irrelevant. The way to address school management or mismanagement questions is not cutting funds by voting against ballot measures. Measure A simply continues past funding levels—it doesn’t even increase them.  

The school directors, popularly called the school board, are supposed to make sure that the always inadequate pie is divided up as well as possible, and if they don’t do their job right they should be replaced. If it looks like no one is in charge at BUSD, that means you are. If you don’t like any of the candidates, you should be running yourself, not voting to cut revenues.  

And what about Measure I? Measure I would just make it easier for rental property owners to cash out, but it wouldn’t be good for everyone else. This is a city that needs more affordable rental housing, not less, particularly since the University of California continues to underpay its service workers to a shocking degree. Most of them have to commute long distances to their jobs because they can’t afford to live here, adding to the automobile traffic burden on our city streets. Condominiums as “investments” are out of the reach of the working poor, and they’re bad investments for most people in that their re-sale value is dicey. Many disabled and elderly tenants who couldn’t afford to purchase their own units would face eviction if Measure I passes. The Berkeley City Council has just passed a condo conversion ordinance which isn’t perfect, but which solves a number of problems and protects many vulnerable tenants. Further refinements are possible. All of the council has come out against Measure I except Olds and Wozniak, the two most conservative council members, and Wozniak’s progressive opponent Jason Overman has also come out again the measure. We too think you should vote no. 

Endorsements by elected officials aren’t the only basis for making decisions on measures, however. In the last analysis voters have to make up their own minds. But it is worth noting nevertheless that absolutely no local officials or organizations have come out against Measure A. Even the uber-con chamber of commerce, which takes no position on Measure I and opposes Measure J, endorses Measure A. As do we.  

 


Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday October 17, 2006

IN SUPPORT OF MAYOR BATES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Local Berkeley politicos are speculating about why the Berkeley Democratic Club overwhelmingly endorsed Tom Bates for mayor this year. After several discussions with members, the following themes emerged as most important.  

First, Tom Bates has done a good job of creating a civil and cooperative atmosphere on the Berkeley City Council. Tom worked hard to heal the wounds between the various factions on the City Council and to hammer out consensus solutions. Many of us feel strongly that Tom’s re-election is an opportunity to turn the page on the divisiveness of years past and establish a civic dialogue based on mutual respect.  

Second, Tom’s ability to work across the old political divisions has helped the city deal with a number of challenges. Perhaps the most important and impressive was his leadership in working with the council and the community in balancing four straight city budgets during the state’s budget crisis. Similar results are evident in his work to support children, the schools, the environment and other issues. 

Third, Tom is a positive thinker. He wants a healthy Berkeley, with a vital downtown and a strong economic base. The BDC shares Toms’ concerns and agrees that something needs to be done now!  

Lastly, club members were impressed with the mayor’s ability to work effectively with our neighboring cities. For example, in 2004 he and Mayor Gavin Newsom founded a Bay Area-wide regional homeless task force. Last year, as president of the Alameda County Conference of Mayors, Bates led the creation of a countywide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that includes 10 cities and the county itself.  

So, if anyone out there is still thinking about it, let’s accept the fact that there is a new day in Berkeley. Bates is doing a good job and The Berkeley Democratic Club thinks that he deserves another two years to actually get some more things accomplished! 

Susan Wengraf 

President, Berkeley Democratic club 

 

• 

BATES’ TRANSGRESSIONS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Tom Bates breaks the rules as he sees fit. Always remember: 

Tom Bates first act as mayor was to steal copies of the Daily Cal college newspaper because they endorsed an opponent. 

Tom Bates personally was involved in stealing and destroying the yard signs and other literature of his opponents, including City Council members or candidates, with whom he disagreed. 

Tom Bates has created a massive public eyesore throughout the City of Berkeley by placing his campaign signs on street lamps and utility poles throughout the city. This is a brazen violation of a city ordinance, which is not being prosecuted. 

Tom Bates campaign should be fined and sanctioned, and he must be ordered to remove the offending matter immediately. 

This is consistent with the actions of a career politician, who never responds to constituent correspondence. As mayor, Bates has run the office in an imperial manner that is totally unresponsive to citizen concerns and complaints. Indeed, his chief of staff spoke to me like a bad dog or juvenile delinquent, when I followed up on a series of e-mails, to which the mayor had failed to respond. 

By the way: Tom Bates embraces local organizations that engage in brazen union busting, such as the Berkeley YMCA.  

Tom Bates’ imperial tendencies do not reconcile with Berkeley’s liberalism. 

My endorsement: anybody but Bates.  

H. Scott Prosterman 

 

• 

DONE THAT, WHAT’S NEW? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

After reading Gregory Murphy’s and Faith Fuller’s letters (Oct. 6) about District 7 City Council candidate George Beier’s detailed platform, I picked up George’s handout, which lays out his positions on Telegraph Avenue, student issues, crime, affordable housing, and homelessness. 

The handout contains a lot of worthy-sounding ideas and goals: more housing, better outreach, studies, councils, commissions, collaboration, cooperation, enforcement, compassion. But many are essentially “motherhood” goals that no one would oppose and aren’t possible to implement, and most of the rest have an odd ring of familiarity, because they’re things that our Councilmember Kriss Worthington either accomplished long before George started his campaign, or has been working hard on for years. 

Our district’s problems are complex, and they can’t be solved by a wave of a wand. Issues like teenage runaways and Internet competition for Telegraph retailers originate far outside District 7 and Berkeley. 

We all want solutions. But “appoint a commission” is neither a bold new idea nor a rallying cry of leadership. I don’t see why we’d want to swap an effective and responsive Councilmember like Worthington for someone like Beier, who’s playing me-too and catch-up. 

Patti Dacey 

 

• 

BAD IDEAS AND FEAR TACTICS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Greg Murphy disapproves of my letter pointing out that George Beier is running a campaign of bad ideas and fear tactics, by claiming George is running a “positive campaign.” Not so positive that his campaign office doesn’t resort to name-calling on the window signs.  

I happen to really love this neighborhood that I live in. It is creative and interesting. I don’t want a representative who thinks it is horrible here, that calls People’s Park “gross,” and that wants to sterilize our vibrant community. George was involved in shutting down the best student co-op because it was in his neighborhood. He wants to destroy the trees and gardens in People’s Park. He is working against improving the bus system. George is harming our businesses and community by exaggerating the crime and problems which scares away shoppers and visitors.  

Let’s keep Kriss Worthington as our representative, he actually likes our neighborhood.  

Cyndi Johnson 

 

• 

TOBEY’S COHERENCE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I would like to commend you for Alan Tobey’s Oct. 13 opinion piece on Measure J. It’s the only coherent description I have read of the current controversy over architectural preservation in Berkeley.  

Sandy McCoy 

 

• 

A LITTLE TRUTH PLEASE? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I’ll address only a couple of the numerous inaccuracies and untruths in Alan Tobey’s Oct. 13 commentary about “Preservation and Democracy.” 

The six-year process Mr. Tobey refers to was not a “community-wide effort” by any means. It was an effort to gut our landmarks ordinance led by Deputy City Attorney Zach Cowan. Also involved was our city Planning Department, which receives its funding, not from the general fund, but largely from developer fees (no conflict of interest there!). 

For much of the last year Mayor Tom Bates, who never met a big building he didn’t love, had his staff working on the revised ordinance. The goal was the same as the earlier versions, to weaken our time-honored preservation laws in order to pave the way for more development. 

At the Feb. 14 City Council meeting, 41 members of the Berkeley community, many representing neighborhood associations, spoke against the mayor’s version of the ordinance. Six developers or employees of developers, most of whom live outside of Berkeley, spoke for the mayor’s version.  

The final draft of the mayor’s revisions came before the City Council only a few minutes before they voted on it, hardly an example of an ordinance based on “consensus of the whole community.” Yet Mr. Tobey refers to this extremely unpopular set of revisions as the “community-compromise” ordinance—not once, but nine times in one article. Repetition does not make a lie true; it simply makes it more outrageous.  

We are waiting to see the campaign against Measure J, which apparently will be funded in part by the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce. I think we can count on it to be very slick, and utterly truth-free. Vote yes on Measure J. 

Gale Garcia 

 

• 

MEASURE A 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Measure A is one of the most important school tax measures to be on the ballot this November. 

It is the renewal of a tax which Berkeley taxpayers have already been paying, it is a continuation of that tax and has not increased the percentage to heighten the burden on the people of Berkeley. I don’t like taxes anymore than my neighbors around me! 

The North East Berkeley Association (NEBA), a once influential political group from the hills, has bee persuaded by a woman who entertains herself by trying to destroy the school district. 

She needs to have her history investigated so that her motives can be assessed and evaluated. 

Until that happens, I feel a desperate need to inform voters to support Measure A. It is a vital agent to encourage young people to enjoy a full education which can not be provided to them because of a limited general purpose budget to fund things such as a vital art, music and choral program, this is only part of the monetary provisions. Lives are enriched thus keeping youngsters from elementary schools to high school in class to learn math, science and history. These things are important to me and to children who blossom while participating in the art world. I have a grandson who has discovered drama, choral singing and dance production in the fourth grade just because voters in the past have supported raising these dollars. He thinks of being a director as a profession. 

The fund has been guarded by parents and was formerly chaired by a brilliant woman who is now on the School Board, Nancy Riddle. The committee doing this supervision is open to the public and anyone may attend its meetings to observe its devotion and ethical correctness to the children of Berkeley. Those of you who know me, know my devotion to the school children of Berkeley and I continue in this support by letting you know that Measure A is fully worthwhile and needs your positive understanding and support. 

Barbara Wittstock 

 

• 

NEBA NOT NEIGHBORLY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The North East Berkeley Association does not represent me or many other North Berkeley residents I know. 

I am embarrassed to say that I fell under the delusion that joining NEBA would give me the opportunity to at least state my views on issues addressed by the group. NEBA had no trouble cashing my dues check. It seems however that the NEBA board feels free to stake out positions on issues of important public policy in the name of NEBA without actually seeking membership input. For example, the board put itself on record against Measure A, the renewal of the parcel tax for Berkeley public schools on next month’s ballot, but it never raised the issue for membership consideration.  

While I would think Measure A deserves support just on the basis of supporting our children and society, I am especially surprised that a homeowners group would go out of its way to stake a position that, if it were to prevail, would certainly depress property values. Loss of the programs that would be maintained through Measure A would put a major dent in the quality of Berkeley public schools by decimating such important programs as music, libraries and class size reduction. I am surprised the NEBA boardmembers do not see the connection between maintaining quality public schools and maintaining the property values of their houses. Many Berkeley residents paid a premium to live in Berkeley over similar houses in less costly neighboring cities on the basis of public school reputations. How can a group, which purports to promote neighborhood welfare oppose Measure A? Indeed, how can an organization with such unneighborly process and views be called a neighborhood group? NEBA’s anti-tax-at-all-costs action belies such a purpose. 

Robin E. Miller 

 

• 

BESMAART NOT SMAART 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Yolanda Huang argues that because Berkeley schools are not performing at a level that meets some poorly-defined standards, we should thus oppose Measure A and seek a “better” measure in March.  

Ms. Huang provides no sense of what this better measure would be, but implies she is for smaller class sizes and a more effective system. This, she argues means opposing Measure A.  

Ms. Huang’s premise is that the school board and administration will misspend the tax revenues and we the people will have no recourse for the next 10 years (the term of Measure A). 

Ms. Huang’s group, BeSmaart, simply opposes taxes. She avoids the real issue—Berkeley schools need money. Her issues regarding the district’s performance are addressed almost daily in meetings by such varied bodies as the board of education, school and distict PTA, school site councils and numerous other volunteer groups in the city too numerous to mention. The solutions that these varied groups are trying to apply in Berkeley need money. 

Ms. Huang’s group is not Smaart—they oppose taxes without insight or offering alternatives. A March measure is a false hope—now is the time to show you care about young people in our city and support Measure A. 

Paul Lecky 

 

• 

HUANG’S ANALYSIS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

It’s interesting that Yolanda Huang included the table “Dropouts by Ethnicity” in her recent commentary piece opposing Measure A. It’s the data on which she based her earlier letter to the Planet expressing great alarm about the “whopping 33 percent dropout rate” of Pacific Islanders at Berkeley High School—and the data in this table show she’s talking about a total of ONE student dropout. Why didn’t she report the zero percent dropout rate among Berkeley’s Native American students and Filipino students? Are those numbers somehow less significant than the data she does quote, or do they just not fit her agenda of casting our Berkeley schools in the worst possible light? 

The use of this data is typical of the campaign to defeat Measure A by misinforming the public. You don’t have to study the data or even to read the actual measure’s precise specifications for the use and oversight of its funds (although you should) to realize that this opposition group has an enormous credibility deficit. If our schools are as bad as they would like us to think, why do so many students from other districts want to attend them? If out-of-district students are a problem, defeating Measure A would certainly remove their incentive to come here, but would it be rational to ruin the schools for our own children, just to get rid of someone else’s? 

Do opponents of Measure A really think their Voter Information Pamphlet claim that “average BUSD teacher compensation” is “$87,000” will fool anybody? Average teacher salary is obviously much less than that, in fact, it’s about $57,000 a year. The $87,000 figure is even more than the district’s cost per teacher, including health and retirement benefits, workers compensation, and payroll taxes, which is about $80,000 a year. Isn’t it equally absurd for them to claim (also in the Voter Information Pamphlet) that we could replace the 20 percent of our district’s budget that would be lost if Measure A fails to pass by the savings from things like “enforcing attendance” and “stopping cafeteria food overproduction?” 

Could any reasonable person buy their argument that devastating cuts to school funding would actually result in improved student achievement? Increasing class sizes and eliminating school libraries, parent outreach, and elementary and middle school music programs would remedy the achievement gap? 

After all this, do they have any credibility at all when they say they “support children” and “support public school education?” Please vote yes on Measure A to renew existing school funding. Don’t be fooled into a “no” vote, which would drastically cut funding for our Berkeley public schools. Remember, Measure A must pass by a two-thirds majority, so opponents only need to win more than 33.3 percent of the vote to defeat this well-written, essential measure for the continued support of our public schools. 

Julie Holcomb 

 

• 

INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am very happy that Measure O, which would bring instant runoff voting (IRV) to Oakland, is on the ballot. This is a needed election reform. By eliminating a runoff election, Oakland could move its local elections to November, when turnout is nearly 60 percent higher, on average. A ranked choice ballot would also encourage people to vote sincerely, instead of having to worry about “wasted votes” or “spoilers.”  

I did take issue with statements made by the opposition to Measure O in the Oct. 6 Daily Planet article. The article states: “Opponents say that it is unfair to ask voters to make a second or third choice of candidates, when all they want is to pick their top choice.” This is simply false. Under Measure O, voters have the option of ranking as many candidates as they want or can choose to only vote for one candidate. Opponents also claim that IRV will confuse voters, but offer no evidence to back up this claim. Two exit polls conducted after San Francisco and Burlington (VT) held their first IRV elections found that around 90 percent of voters reported understanding IRV. 

Nicolas Heidorn 

Oakland 

 

• 

OAKLAND SCHOOLS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Mr. J. Douglas Allen-Taylor’s Oct. 13 column (“Oakland Wants to Win Back Control of its Schools”) column shows that there is no logic in keeping the Oakland School District under state administration. However, I doubt if State Superintendent Jack O’Connell will pay attention. 

And, Mr. Allen-Taylor’s comments pointing to the dismal record of Oakland State Administrator Randolph Ward at financial recovery will also, most likely, be ignored by State Superintendent O’Connell as Dr. Ward has left. 

The state administration has been unable to meet the FCMAT team’s standard of fiscal management over the three years of the take-over. And, because the district’s financial records are unreliable and incomplete the state administration has been unable to pass an audits by the state’s office of controller. These facts support the view that the district’s budget has been out of control. 

I had experienced an Oakland school budget out of control for most of the 37 years I taught in Oakland. The lack of control over the budget was signified by the Oakland School District tradition of freezing its budgets in December. That action of course met that savvy school principals and teachers spent the maximum of their budgets by December. FCMAT reports have called for establishing internal audit process and position control to gain budget control. Position control concept means putting a system in place so that for every person hired there is a dedicated amount of the budget to pay that person’s salary. The position control concept was finally implemented this year but it will take time to see if it is working. Internal audit is another important FCMAT recommendation for gaining control over the district’s budget. An internal audit function seeks to halt spending more than is budgeted. The internal audit function is suppose to be put in place in this the fourth year of the take-over.  

Whether or not local control is returned to Oakland schools the issue of control over the district’s budget must be addressed. And, that is why it is disturbing that the FCMAT report states “The reforms undertaken by the district have not always been compatible with the goal of fiscal recovery and the return of local governance.”  

Because FCMAT report makes clear that under the Dr. Ward’s administration of the Oakland schools reform of the district’s administrative structure is in conflict with the goal of “fiscal recovery and the return of local governance,” the question becomes will the new State Administrator Kimberley Stratham change direction and make fiscal recovery, and the return of local governance, her priority?  

Jim Mordecai 

Oakland 

 

• 

CLEAN MONEY IN ALBANY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

It is gratifying to find that the City of Albany has, virtually, its own “clean money” ordinance in place. No City Council candidate may, under penalty of perjury, accept funding from organizations or groups; nor more than $100 from any individual. 

Candidate Caryl O’Keefe has geographically narrowed this rule to permit herself the acceptance of campaign money only from Albany voters. If her claim in her leaflet is accurate, then the other three candidates legally receive donations from within and beyond Albany, under the same frugal monetary specifications. Or does Ms. O’Keefe intend to say that she alone assumes any limitations at all? 

The “Shoreline” candidates, Marge Atkinson and Joanne Wile, have inherited the round-robin stigma of “outsiderism” from the days of the Shoreline Protection Initiative and the rigors of its lawsuit, when revolution was in the air and it seemed the skies were falling. In particular, certain correspondents in these pages seem to have imagined the Sierra Club as a malignant outsider octopus, gnarling and snarling, flexing its tentacles and spewing filthy lucre upon naive causes: surely an urban myth! 

Only the rankest xenophobe would scorn the pro bono accolades conferred on the Shoreline campaign through endorsements by the following outside individuals: Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, Supervisor Keith Carson, Nancy Skinner of the Board of the East Bay Regional Parks District, and Andy Katz, Board Member Elect of East Bay MUD. Or by organizations such as the Sierra Club, the California Democratic Party, the League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay, and the Green Party of Alameda County. 

These persons and groups for the most part do not vote within our borders; but we are within their (federal, state, county, regional) jurisdictions. In discouraging the erection of a kitschy “lifestyle center” a scant 200 feet away from the water’s edge, they may feel, as we do, that when Nature is being threatened anywhere, it is a concern for people everywhere. Or, to paraphrase a recent saying by Congresswoman Lee: we all live in Nature’s district. 

Anne Richardson 

Albany 

 

 


Commentary: What’s the Matter With Berkeley?

By Sharon Hudson
Tuesday October 17, 2006

Over the summer I read What’s the Matter with Kansas? by Thomas Frank. Kansas voters regularly vote to humiliate and destroy their state, enriching and empowering the privileged class, and weakening and impoverishing regular folk. We Berkeleyans are too smart to fall into that trap. Or are we? 

We will see when we vote on Measure J, the ballot initiative that will preserve our existing Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (LPO), a mainstay of citizen power in Berkeley since 1974. The alternative to Measure J is an LPO rewrite that weakens our landmarking procedures, orchestrated by Mayor Bates in alliance with frustrated developers. So a no vote on Measure J means a yes vote for Mayor Bates’ LPO revision.  

Our current LPO is a profoundly progressive law that has done its job for three decades. The LPO hasn’t prevented more than 1,400 units of new housing units from being approved and built in Berkeley in the past four years. Nobody ever went broke because their property was landmarked (landmarking increases property values). No “hysterical preservationists” ever landmarked anything that a majority of the council did not support. In fact, although it’s easy to trivialize unusual landmarkings, most Berkeleyans are quite happy with their landmarking protections, and even skeptics rarely disagree with landmarks once they know the facts. The LPO has never violated state law (as some opponents claim), but the state has suggested several minor improvements, which are incorporated into Measure J.  

If you aren’t interested in the details, when the glossy disinformation starts arriving, just ask yourself: Who has the motive and resources to champion and finance a campaign to weaken our LPO by defeating Measure J? Your neighbors? No. “Moderate” preservationists? No. It’s a small group of developers and realtors who stand to get much richer, much quicker, without it. Do they have your interests at heart? Hmmm, let’s see…  

The Bates revision substantially reduces the public’s opportunity to landmark properties and respond to developments. One damaging provision is called the “request for determination” (RFD). In this new process, developers can, without revealing that they intend to propose an unwelcome development, hire “experts” to argue that their existing property has no historical value to the community. If someone from the community fails to step forward to prove otherwise, which requires 40-plus hours of unpaid labor, nobody may landmark the property for two years. By the time the public realizes a demolition is intended, or understands how an existing building may contribute to the historical fabric of their neighborhood, they will be helpless to stop the wrecking ball. 

Preservationists oppose RFD, because they understand the difficulty of educating citizens about their neighborhoods, and motivating them to undertake landmarkings. No other city in America has such a provision, because the inevitable outcome is unexamined demolitions. But this seems to be exactly what the Bates revision intends, because staff first omitted, and then opposed, making sure the public would know about its impending loss of landmarking rights in time to exercise them—even in cases where there was no deadline, no project to delay, and no hurry. The council did not remedy this. Please ask yourself why.  

Who is to be trusted here? Who will administer the Bates revision and the RFD? It will be the same city staff that opposes, shrinks, and trivializes timely and comprehensive noticing. The same staff that regularly obstructs citizen efforts to protect historic properties. The same staff that once tried to enable an illegal demolition by keeping a landmarking secret from the Zoning Adjustments Board. The same staff that obstructed the Landmark Preservation Commission’s attempts to update the LPO. This staff has very little respect for citizens, and it has a zealous antagonism to historical preservation, which is partly institutional: the planning department is financed by fees for developments requiring demolitions. It would be foolish to give them new, tricky mechanisms to disarm the public. 

Some preservationists tried hard to make the Bates revision acceptable. Only when backed by the threat of referendum or initiative were preservationists able to make headway. But unfortunately, the improvements were inadequate and perhaps impermanent. The council’s unwillingness to remove or improve the RFD, which is incompatible with community-based landmarking, verified that their intent is not to “improve” landmarking, but to undermine it. Therefore, I decided to support Measure J. 

Initiatives occur when the public loses trust in government. Most citizen initiatives are written and publicized by amateurs, and most initiatives fail. And relying on the ballot in a city where most residents are too comfortable to pay much attention to activities across town is a huge gamble. So God help us. Let’s hope we’re smarter than the people in Kansas. 

Measure J was written by several experienced Berkeley preservationists, guided by the state’s suggestions. Some opponents criticize Measure J because it was drafted “privately,” while thousands of hours of “democratic” work went into the Bates revision. It is true that several commissions had their fingers in the Bates revision (one reason it was such a mess), but they were all preservation and development insiders. Almost nobody else in Berkeley knew that their LPO was being overhauled. Did you ever receive a public notice about it? When the public finally spoke, over 90 percent of them opposed the Bates revision, but the council approved it anyway. What’s “democratic” about that? On the other hand, initiatives are, in theory, as democratic as you can get, although in practice, underfunded citizen initiatives are often defeated by monied interests.  

It’s unfortunate that so many people wasted so much time on the Bates revision, but it’s entirely irrelevant to voters. While the petulant developers PAC their war chest, and the fissiparous preservationists argue about “integrity” (of both buildings and people), regular folk need to wake up and smell the brown shingles. They have two choices: 

Behind Door No. 1 is Measure J, an improved version of the current LPO, a perfectly fine law that empowers the public. A yes vote on Measure J guarantees that special interests cannot hack our LPO to death again without the consent of the governed.  

Behind Door No. 2 is the open-ended Bates revision, which reduces the public input and control that has helped keep Berkeley charming for 30 years. If Measure J is defeated, the development community and City Council will assume that most Berkeleyans want a handful of developers to redesign our historical cityscape. Development proposals will become even more arrogant. At any time the Bates LPO could be revised to weaken our landmarking rights even further. For Berkeley voters to disempower themselves this way would be insane. Kansas, anyone? 

Please vote yes on Measure J if you believe in historical and neighborhood preservation. Please vote yes on Measure J to maintain your current power over the cityscape of Berkeley. Please vote yes on Measure J if you believe in self-government and not government by insiders. Keep your power, or vote it away: that’s the choice.  

If Berkeleyans are foolish enough to diminish their own influence over the look, feel, and cultural assets of their community, in a few years someone may write a book called What’s the Matter with Berkeley? And there may be plenty to write about. 

 

Sharon Hudson is a Berkeley resident. 

 

Opinions expressed in Daily Planet commentary and letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Planet or its staff.


Commentary: NEBA President Explains Stand on Measure A

By Eleanor Pepples
Tuesday October 17, 2006

Lately there has been much discussion about how to help the Berkeley public schools thrive. 

The North East Berkeley Association’s board considered the Berkeley Unified School District tax and took a historic position voting against Measure A. Before the vote, the board discussed and debated many issues at the core of public education funding, accountability and asked if A would result in better instruction and smaller classrooms. Many different opinions were expressed. 

The first BSEP parcel tax created in 1986 passed three consecutive times—in 1986, 1990 and 1994—each time with a four-year renewal period, oversight including community input. Then the term increased to eight years. Last fiscal year BSEP, a $10 million tax, brought in an extra $970,000 because of high property values. Now the school district proposes combining BSEP and another “supplemental” tax while extending the renewal horizon to every 10 years for both taxes. Measure A’s oversight committees don’t require broad involvement from parents, staff students, residents and community since it uses “or” instead of “and” supporting exclusivity (5.B.i&ii). 

What’s interesting about the NEBA board’s decision is that the Council for Neighborhood Associations and the Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations quickly followed suit voting no on Measure A. Is it fair to label these citizen groups as elitist reactionaries? They’re saying that you have to draw a line in the sand when you see the schools asking for $200 million without explicitly guaranteeing that the majority of the money will be spent on smaller classrooms, books, music and art supplies and teacher education. 

Some neighborhood boards are troubled by what’s going on in Berkeley’s public school system. Even critics agree, we have the largest achievement gap in the county. Many children are denied access to the “academic choice” lottery which gives some families the opportunity to pick which school their children can attend. One parent told me only 25 percent get picked, while the lion’s share is locked out. The existence of the lottery suggests that parents know some of our public schools are much better than others. Many ask why hasn’t the school district let the city bond approved in 2000 to improve a warm water pool for students, teachers and the disabled? Others want to revise A while BUSD collects an extra 11 percent from the state about $8,244 per student this fiscal year (San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 1). 

These boards see the term of the measure increasing and the schools within the district not benefiting equally. They wonder whether the accountability and oversight will correct inefficiencies in they way the money is (or isn’t) being spent. Every student deserves to have the same materials from the day class starts until graduation day and strong core curriculum including music and art.  

Will Measure A support what it claims? Clearly administrators salaries are increasing while student achievement scores are below average; enrollment is declining along with other key indicators like low graduation rates.  

None of us have the all the answers, and school officials care too, but these neighborhood leaders are asking the right questions. There not questioning the efficacy of school taxes since 1986, but are instead concerned whether due diligence been performed to guarantee Measure A will go to the areas indicated.  

CNA, BANA and NEBA want a revised Measure in March 2007 to guarantee every student has equal access to the best education money can buy in a safe environment. They want stronger guarantees about where the money is going and a shorter horizon than 10 years. The fine print in the full text of Measure A uses the word “may” numerous times in relation to how the revenue of Measure A can be spent (3.A.iv, 3.B.i.a, 3Bib, 3Bid).  

NEBA, C.N.A. and BANA are not elitist reactionaries, but voices crying out citywide saying “wait, let’s do this right.” Students who could benefit from this money are not in a position to protect and guide where the money will go. Informed voters must make sure the money is well spent to guarantee smaller classrooms, materials, instruction and supplies. Is it wise to keep supporting a system and extend these taxes with loopholes if accountability for academic achievement is an issue? Perhaps the critics of NEBA will answer these questions for themselves and the rest of us.  

Please vote on Nov. 7 or by absentee ballot. Our children’s future depends on you.  

 

Eleanor Pepples is president of the North East Berkeley Association. 

 

Opinions expressed in Daily Planet commentary and letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Planet or its staff.  

 


Commentary: Not a NIMBY

By Robert Clear
Tuesday October 17, 2006

The administration is in denial. The “dumb” growth advocates are into defeatism: “... nothing we do in Berkeley’s land use will have any noticeable impact on climate change.” (Sharon Hudson, Daily Planet, Aug. 8). It is an easy type of excuse that is too sweeping in its scope. Why protest the war, when nothing you personally can do will stop it? Why not cheat on your taxes? Lots of people do it and your taxes are probably insignificant in the total budget. 

On the global stage, the effects of lifestyle changes of any one person, or city, are indeed insignificant. However, there are some changes which can be significant if done by enough people (or cities). It is the willful failure to act in this type of situation, in the absence of mitigating reasons, which gives Nimbyism its definition as a selfish, and potentially harmful, shirking of responsibility. 

Is Berkeley a special case? Although Ms. Hudson writes extensively on the problems growth can cause, she has not shown, nor attempted to show, that Berkeley is in any way special with regards to these problems, or any less fit to deal with them. Other cities have trees they want to keep, and problems with traffic and noise. There is a sign in Escalon (population 7,000) in the Central Valley that asks whether Escalon really needs 459 (I think that is the number I saw) new houses. Expansion in such areas eliminates part of their attraction in the first place. In Tucson I once overheard a lady complain that when she had moved into her new development a few years ago she had the last house on the block, but now a new development had been put in and now she no longer had immediate access to the desert. She seemed to have no sense of the irony implicit in her complaint. Yes, there are some older cities in Pennsylvania and other states that have lost population and would probably be better off gaining some of it back, but most cities in California are not in this situation.  

Would “smart” growth have an insignificant effect even if was widespread? Ms. Hudson does not even discuss why environmentalists think it has any effect. A main focus of “smart” growth is higher density and centralized growth. This slows down habitat loss, reduces water demand, and reduces energy demand. The reason for the first effects are obvious, while the last effect is mainly due to lower space heating and cooling use in multi-family residences (apartments) due to their lower surface to volume ratios, and less use of vehicular travel because destinations are closer together, and alternative options (transit, bike and walking) are more feasible. 

San Francisco data from 1990-1995 shows that in areas at the fifth percentile in density (three households/acre) personal vehicle use per capita (corrected for differences in income) was 40 percent higher than for areas at 95th percentile (10.5 households/acre). This is not a dramatic effect, but it is not insignificant either. Furthermore, there was no significant pressure in the 1990s to reduce vehicular traffic. In dense center city areas your chances of being able to car pool, ride transit, or even walk or bike, are much better than if you live in an outlying suburb or a sprawling city such as Houston or Los Angeles. It is therefore reasonable to expect that the potential density effect is much larger than the current effect. This holds for growth, as well existing households. 

Reducing emissions while our population is still growing is already a very difficult task, and “dumb” growth will make it even harder. Environmentalists have good reason to feel that promoting growth in the central valley, instead of the central cities, is irresponsible and self-centered. Nimbyism is not something to be proud of. But this does not mean one has to abandon all restraints on what goes into one’s back yard. “Smart” growth means a hierarchy of densities: dense urban centers, a buffer of medium rise buildings, and then less dense residential areas with yards. Berkeley does not have a dense downtown. If the building height to street width ratio was as high in Berkeley as it is in downtown San Francisco, the buildings on Shattuck near Center would be 150 stories high, and other downtown areas would have 30 to 50 story buildings. Berkeley is not the central city in the Bay Area, but the University is a major center. Twenty stories and perhaps more would seem to be reasonable given these circumstances. 

Berkeley’s current low limits (five stories plus limited bonus stories for low income housing) are counter-productive even for Nimbys. If developers can’t meet demand in the central core, then they try to expand into the lower density surrounding areas. If we block that, then we run the risk that the university will step in and build it anyway, and will remove tax dollars as an added insult to the injury. Higher core densities provide a safety valve for population growth in the city that can help preserve the residential neighborhoods. 

Ms. Hudson prints such a dire picture of life in high density areas that it is a wonder that anyone would voluntarily live in a big city. Planning for Berkeley’s future is serious task with long-term consequences. It deserves better than this type of commentary. 

 

Robert Clear is a Berkeley resident. 

 

Opinions expressed in Daily Planet commentary and letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Planet or its staff.  


Commentary: Do Benefits of Drug War Outweigh the Costs?

By Travis C. Ash
Tuesday October 17, 2006

Since the war on drugs began some $47 billion a year is reserved from federal, state, and local treasuries to combat the so-called menace that encompasses the trafficking, sales, and use of drugs directly affecting the citizens of the United States of America. This obviously reflects the government’s view on the subject of drug abuse and related activities as very grave indeed. It is apparently serious enough to lawmakers who deem it necessary to spend that insane amount of tax money, and commit entire agencies of human resources annually in an attempt to try and bring the problem to a halt. The trouble is that through all the searches and seizures, television campaign ads, and mandatory minimum sentencing there is no end in sight and it seems to have fueled a kind of evolution in the world of mind altering substances. 

Has the use and proliferation of drugs actually come anywhere near to being reduced one may ask? It seems that there is still a rampant desire to obtain these illicits among the public with no short supply of those who are more than willing to supply these people who have become victims of psychological addiction, possibly brought on by the need to self-medicate in a society that breeds depression and despair among many socioeconomic levels. Perhaps the resources that are available due to the taxes paid by many of these citizens should be applied to mental health outreach programs or even simply making information available on the root causes of unhappiness and depression in various degrees of life that we all go through. Instead it appears that a majority of people are left to the wolves and are sometimes “forced” to obtain what they perceive as medication from much easier sources than “appropriate” channels that are not accessible to the common public. 

So then there we are back to the arrest and incarceration of many users who have never been involved with any sort of violent crime, which one would think only fuels the fire of hopelessness and despondency that caused them to medicate in the first place due to the harsh conditions in the jails and prisons of the nation supposedly devoted to the “rehabilitation” of these lawbreakers. 

A recent article in USA Today offers the point of view that most television ads over the years have actually convinced the youth population that “taking drugs is normal” through information gathered from the Government Accountability Office. The GAO is sanctioned by Congress and their job is to research whether or not programs initiated by the legislature are accomplishing the goals that they were designed to do, or perhaps convalescing into colossal failures. One instance of failed policy seems to be the stubbornly coordinated “War on Drugs” that although has the best of intentions has missed the mark entirely.  

This most recent report covers the $1.4 billion spent on attempts to curb the rise in use of MDMA more popularly known as “ecstasy”. The GAO spent an additional $43 million on the investigation on the validity of the ads just to find that they were not useful tools in dissuading young people from taking these pills. 

The office of current drug czar, John Walters, has disputed these findings based on the fact that the ads were used almost two and a half years ago (which strangely seems to be the time it takes to gather information on the results). They also countered through a survey conducted by the University of Michigan in 2005, that there has been a 5 percent decline in 10th graders who reported having used illicit drugs in the last year compared to statistics from 1998. Wow, seven long years of work involved in dissuading high schoolers to say no to drugs have really paid off, haven’t they? 

I think that drugs are certainly responsible for a portion of society’s ills and we cannot let their black market run amok, unchecked by law enforcement officers on the beat, but how much evidence must we see in order to come to the conclusion that there needs to be a shift in strategy here? I don’t know what positive effects might have occurred as a result of the seizures of large amounts of various drugs over the years. I would imagine however that this pressure has caused steep increases in the value of said product and the higher stakes involved have brought forth more violent means of control of this lucrative market. It also goes to reason that there would be less armed robberies and burglaries to pay for the high prices placed on the backs of those already addicted to the menace of crack cocaine and heroin through the free black market.  

Perhaps the $600 per second that the federal government spends on its failing and unwavering strategy could be used more effectively when those in power no longer fear to admit that past reasonings on the issue were not perfect and should not be continued on the basis of ego issues that they most be the most proper simply because they were instigated by those who are in charge.  

 

Travis C. Ash is a Richmond resident. 

 

Opinions expressed in Daily Planet commentary and letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Planet or its staff.


Letters to the Editor

Friday October 13, 2006

FAILING OUR STUDENTS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

FCMAT’s recent findings that Oakland’s schools are still not being run well after three years of state control, should require an immediate takeover of Oakland’s schools by our voters and taxpayers. 

Since Jack O’Connell’s office has been running Oakland schools: 1) they have gone deeper into debt than under local control and are poised to dispose of precious assets that took Oakland taxpayers years to fund; 2) students and teachers are fleeing the district in much greater numbers than ever before; and 3) no clear financial plan has ever been posed to our elected officials nor to the electorate as a whole. It’s clear that the state is failing our students! 

Pamela A. Drake 

 

• 

EASTSHORE PARKS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Please permit me to comment on your two articles about Eastshore State Park. 

The part of the park that is in the Berkeley Marina is not open to the public. It is actually the private property of a few special interest groups who have gained control of the area and excluded the public from it, as you can see by the fence and the signs that read “Keep Out. Restricted Area.” True, there is a single fenced-in path but it is so unpleasant that no one has yet to walk on it since it was opened. 

This area as you know had been a kind of wilderness that many people had enjoyed for many years, especially those who live in Berkeley. It is a large area and there was no reason that people and nesting birds could not share it. If there was a problem with dogs it could have been solved without such draconian measures. 

I wrote to East Bay Regional Parks and to the Audubon Society and the Sierra Club asking them to explain why such measures were taken but have received no reply.  

I have spoken with many people who also oppose these measures, all of whom miss strolling through the wilderness that had been such a joy for so many years. It is heart breaking to go there now, and it is even a little shameful, don’t you think, to have it called a “park”? 

Peter Najarian 

 

• 

DECEIT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Deceit must be called for what it is. I do not know nor understand the motives of the NEBA steering committee, but I do know that they badly misrepresented the public school parcel tax Measure A to their members last week, did not allow that same membership to discuss nor vote on the recommendation from the steering committee, and according to one steering committee member who is a parent of a student at our high school, did not inform all members of the steering committee about the meeting where the recommendation was generated (including himself). Again, I do not know nor understand their motives, but deceit must be called for what it is. 

In the NEBA newsletter sent out to the NEBA membership, this same steering committee made several baldly deceptive statements, and seemingly made up others. Stating that the BUSD “has the longest horizon for renewal—10 years—of any school district tax in the area” is simply untrue. The NEBA steering committee argues for a four-year measure. A simple web search turns up these facts: Albany Unified, three parcel taxes, two of which have no sunset; Orinda, three parcel taxes, all with no sunset; Lafayette, three parcel taxes, all eight years. Many other districts have parcel taxes ranging in duration from six to eight years. Only one district, Piedmont, is listed as having a four-year measure. 

The NEBA steering committee states that BUSD the largest achievement gap in the county. Simply and utterly untrue. They further state “we refuse to support a measure that “may” or may not be used for smaller classrooms.” In fact Measure A is very exact and very clear on this point: 66 percent of the funds generated from Measure A will go directly to fund classroom teachers to ensure class-size reduction, no ifs, ands or buts. These funds are overseen by a citizen’s Planning and Oversight Committee, and are audited annually by an independent auditor and the county Office of Education. There is far more oversight over these funds than any city or county program or expenditure. 

Please do not be deceived by people who distort the facts. Read the measure, talk to students, parents, and community members about the measure, read the independent analysis in the voter pamphlet and other sources: Please get the facts. A simple reading of the text of Measure A will put many of the claims of the NEBA steering committee members recommendation to rest. 

And remember: Measure A is not a new tax. Residents of Berkeley are already assessed this amount, and will not be paying anything additional. 

John Selawsky 

Director, Berkeley School Board 

 

• 

BAGGINS’ PLACEMENT SYSTEM 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In his statement published in the Oct. 10 Daily Planet, School Board candidate David Baggins writes: “There is no doubt, based on extensive research, that a leading factor determining whether at-risk kids succeed or fail is the accomplishment rate of surrounding students.” A few paragraphs later he argues for doing away with the lottery system currently used to place students in smaller learning communities within Berkeley High. Instead he proposes that “every eighth grade child in public school be allowed his or her first choice of schools in Berkeley High if all classes are passed with a grade of ‘C’ and if all state exams are passed with a score at least of ‘basic.’” Such a placement system would further isolate struggling students, as well as students new to the district, from those among their peers who have already learned how to succeed in our public school system. According to Baggins’s own argument, we ought to place at-risk students in classrooms where they will be surrounded by high achievers. His proposal to do otherwise is at odds with his purported concern for Berkeley’s “at-risk kids.” 

Carol S. Lashof 

 

• 

UNTRUE ASSERTIONS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I was shocked when I received Caryl O’Keefe’s latest campaign flyer. In it she states Albany faces budget deficits in 2007-2008. O’Keefe must know her assertion is not true. I watched the same council meeting that she and her husband Allen Riffer attended when the city updated their budget. The city reported increased revenues, no expected deficits and a balanced 2007-2008 budget. The Journal reported this on Oct. 6. 

O’Keefe also misrepresented the truth or didn’t understand what she was talking about when she stated during the League of Woman Voters candidates forum that Albany had only $185,000 in unrestricted budget reserves. 

She claimed the balance of the city’s $2.5 million in reserves was dedicated to Workers’ Compensation insurance and was off limits. That is simply wrong. At that same council meeting a $2.5 million unrestricted reserve was confirmed. 

Our city is doing quite well and I wonder why O’Keefe wants it to seem otherwise? 

It appears Carol O’Keefe is more interested in being elected to the Albany City Council then telling the truth. Fiscal responsibility starts with honesty. 

Caryl O’Keefe is running on a platform of “fiscal responsibility.” I think we deserve better than this type of election year fear mongering. 

Brian Parker 

Albany 

 

• 

MEASURE A 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

One assumes that it was not the intent of Margot Pepper (“Measure A Will Impact Property Values,” Oct. 12) which gave data showing that the voter-approved parcel tax made Berkeley property over $112,000 on average more expensive than similar properties in Oakland) to give an argument to those citizens with a serious interest in promoting more affordable housing in Berkeley (without development) for an easy, concrete thing to do, i.e. vote no on Measure A. 

Now it is obviously true that reducing an average Berkeley home’s selling price by $112K still leaves it far from being “affordable,” but there is no denying the direction which prices would tend if the researchers Moore quotes are correct. 

Further, for those involved citizens interested in reducing the number of Berkeley school students who actually do not live in the district and attend under false pretexts. one cannot help but wonder if this data also would not encourage them to cast a no vote. The logic would seem to run: no parcel tax implies lower housing prices which implies it would be easier to buy a home in Berkeley implying buyers could send their children to Berkeley schools legally. 

Additionally of course, one has this causation: no parcel tax implies Berkeley schools quality decreases implying less incentive to send children to Berkeley schools illegally. Which of course implies fewer students in schools and possibly student-teacher ratios could decline. This is, according to Moore, a major factor in parents’ decision-making of where to buy. 

The point is voting for Measure A may have consequences for other policy objectives (which may affect the objective of Measure A itself) and voters have to weigh carefully the costs and benefits, and causes and effects. 

D. Mayeron 

 

• 

WARM POOL ADVOCACY GROUP 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

It has recently come to our attention that some group(s) and/or individuals have included our group and/or used our name in their movement in opposition to Measure A. 

Please be advised that the One Warm Pool Advocacy Group has not and will not take a public position and/or endorse any political candidate or issue. Our main purpose for existing is to facilitate the securing of a warm pool for the children, seniors and disabled members of our community. It is toward this end that we will continue to focus our energy and activities. 

One Warm Pool Advocacy Group 

Jo Ann Cook, Co-Chair 

Juanita C. Kirby, Co-Chair 

Ronnie Spitzer, Secretary/Treasurer 

 

• 

GEORGE BEIER 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

George Beier made a point to reach out to me pursuant to my letter to the editor published in the Daily Planet a few weeks back about Telegraph Avenue. He came to my business and spent two hours chatting with my business partner and I about the challenges we see on Telegraph Avenue. We told him about the student specials, direct mail, WiFi Internet access, flyer deliveries, print and online advertising, special events—just to name a few—we’ve executed to drive traffic to our business. He took notes. He offered feedback and asked meaningful questions. I haven’t seen Kriss Worthington since our grand opening. 

David Howard 

Alameda 

 

• 

WORTHINGTON UNWORTHY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Elections are about holding elected officials accountable for their performance. After many years in office, Kriss Worthington simply has not performed. He’s promoted higher taxes, has been ineffectual at fighting crime and he’s been one of the problems in addressing Telegraph Avenue issues. Our neighborhood deserves fresh ideas and new leadership. I’ve been impressed with George Beier’s commitment to improving his own neighborhood and his energy in reaching out to other neighborhoods and those with diverse ideas throughout the district. I respectfully ask voters to seriously consider making a change, and supporting George Beier for City Council. 

David M. Fogarty 

Prince Street 

 

• 

WORTHINGTON SPEAKS FOR ME 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In the summer following my last year of middle school, I went to the San Francisco Mime Troupe to see their show at Willard Park. There, I met a maverick named Kriss Worthington. I was astounded by the knowledge and expertise that Kriss possessed. Over the next couple months, I saw Kriss at different events in Berkeley, where he talked to me about city issues and listened to my concerns. I was in complete and utter awe. Before this, I had never seen a politician talking in a serious manner to a high school student. 

Over the years, Kriss has inspired my political activism. When I was in ninth grade, I wanted to get involved in city politics. Kriss encouraged me to join the City of Berkeley’s Youth Commission and I was then appointed by School Board Director John Selawsky, which gave me a start in city politics. 

At the time, I thought that my time in politics would be short-lived, but I soon realized that politics will be part of my life forever. Kriss led me through the ropes of Berkeley politics, has become a mentor to me, and empowered me to participate in the democratic process. 

I have a greater understanding that young people have a means to get their issues heard, despite not having the right to vote. Kriss listens to the ideas of anyone who approaches him. When you call him, not only does he call you back but he does so with candor that no other politician can match. 

Kriss’s opponent claims to be as progressive as Kriss. There are 15 progressive organizations that have given endorsements and all fifteen have endorsed Kriss Worthington. How progressive can Kriss’ opponent be? His opponent’s only notable endorsements are the moderate Berkeley Democratic Club, Shirley Dean, Councilmembers Gordon Wozniak, Betty Olds, and Laurie Capitelli. 

In fact, the Berkeley Property Owners’ Association (BPOA), an organization campaigning for Measure I (the Condominium Conversion Ordinance), gave praise to Kriss’s opponent at their May 18th “Special Dinner Meeting". How can his opponent say that he is supportive of affordable housing, while having the support of the BPOA, which campaigns against affordable housing? 

Kriss’s opponent shares an office with GW (Gordon Wozniak), arguably the most conservative member of the City Council. Wozniak has proposed to raise rents on students seven times, while having the support of the head of the BPOA. In addition, Wozniak was the only member of the City Council to vote against a resolution opposing Gov. Schwarzenegger’s unpopular special election. 

If Kriss’s opponent is elected, our council is going to shift the agenda in the wrong direction. I urge anyone who wants Berkeley to head in a groundbreaking progressive direction to vote for Councilmember Kriss Worthington, from District 7, on Nov. 7. 

Rio Bauce 

 

• 

A DIFFERENT OPINION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In their “10 Reasons” commentary, Nancy Carlton and Susan Hunter describe their friend Kriss Worthington as being responsive to the urban woes of their own neighborhood, Halcyon. Indeed, Kriss even found time one morning to bring over their morning paper! 

It’s a lovely anecdote. But as a resident of another part of District 7, I have formed a rather different opinion. You see, Mr. Worthington is not my personal friend—he is simply my council representative. And what I observe around me leads me to doubt his ability to respond to the full district’s needs. 

I have lived on Telegraph Avenue for the last few years, close to the commercial core. This area’s crime rates are among the highest in the city (as I started experiencing as soon as I moved here). Telegraph itself is falling apart. Stores I once patronized are gone, and others are struggling. The street is not fun, or funky. It’s depressing. And it’s right outside my door. 

Worthington has had a full 10 years to leave his mark on District 7. And this is it? While other communities advance, ours declines. And Worthington and his vocal supporters offer rationalizations and excuses. Sorry, I don’t buy the spin. Either Worthington is not up to the job, or he has other priorities. 

Is “activism” his claim to distinction? Social commitment is good, of course. I too have volunteered to work with the homeless, and to provide educational opportunities to children in a distressed neighborhood. I have supported parks, historic preservation, the environment, the arts. I care about these issues, and many more. But I also care about my partner, my home, my surroundings. 

By being on City Council, a person accepts a fundamental obligation—to maintain and improve the essential quality of life in the district and the city. From my viewpoint, Worthington fails to meet that obligation. Ten years is long enough. 

Indeed, from where I sit, those 10 years may be 10 reasons not to support Kriss Worthington. 

Alan Selsor 

 

• 

ACTION, NOT INVECTIVE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

We’ve learned from the last two issues of the Planet that it’s easier for a leopard to change his spots than for Kriss Worthington to refrain from nasty ad hominem attacks on his political opponents. As usual, he leaves his dirty work to his favorite attack-chihuahua, Chris Kavanaugh. And, as usual, the chihuahua misses his mark. 

Kavanaugh/Worthington urges voters to ignore all of George Beier’s ideas for District 7. Instead, he says Beier should be judged (and condemned) for who his friends are. One of the friends Kavanaugh singles out is my husband. Kavanaugh says my husband is one of George’s biggest supporters, even though my husband has never publicly supported George’s candidacy. 

Well, I’ve got news for you, Kriss and Chris: women vote too. The person who supports George Beier in this household is me. I’m the person responsible for the check to George Beier that bears both my name and my husband’s. And the reason I’m supporting George in District 7 is because I’ve known him as a friend, and worked with him in business, for nearly eight years. 

I’m the one who goes running with George twice a week. That’s how I know what an incredibly understanding and supportive human being he is. From dropping anything to help a friend or employee, to donating countless hours to organizations and individuals in need, George is a compassionate, generous, ethical man. That’s how I know he’ll never, ever, stoop to the kinds of negative personal attacks that have already driven away so many of Worthington’s supporters---including the Mayor. 

I also consulted for George’s business for six years. So I know that George can read a balance sheet. And that he knows how to meet targets and grow a business. And that he understands what it takes to create and sustain real jobs in the City of Berkeley. And that he works absolutely ungodly hours when he commits to something. 

So Kriss and Chris: if you want the voters in District 7 to vote against George Beier because of who his friends are, then at least do it right. I’m the one you want to attack. Say something nasty about me—make it up if you have to. Do anything in your power to distract voters from the real issues. I can’t think of a greater sign of weakness. 

Laurel Leichter 

 

• 

DISTRICT 7 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Re Gregory S. Murphy’s statement that “District 7 residents deserve a councilmember who is willing to come out clearly on controversial issues and vote accordingly” (letters, Oct. 6), I hope voter will remember that George Beier, while substituting for Dean Metzger at the Zoning Adjustments Board, cast the crucial vote in favor of planning staff’s legally specious argument that no use permit was required for 3045 Shattuck (the infamous “flying bungalow"). In contrast, Kriss Worthington has been a consistent opponent of that project. He’s also been a consistent defender of the zoning code as written (rather than as creatively interpreted by staff), and is one of only three members of the City Council who doesn’t blindly go along with whatever staff or Mayor Bates want. 

Robert Lauriston 

 

• 

PROP. 83 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Not often does the inventor of a product vote against his or her own invention. But that is what I will be doing on Nov. 7. I participated with my twin brother in research at Harvard in the 1960s using the first electronic monitoring system with offenders (patent # 3,478,344). 

No one wants sex offenders preying on children. Unfortunately, the measures included in Proposition 83 are expensive, impractical, and ineffective in preventing the sex related crimes we want to prevent. Among other things, the proposition requires life-long electronic monitoring of some sex offenders. According to a 2000 report by the U.S. Department of Justice, only 7 percent of juvenile victims are assaulted by strangers. Dangerous sexual repeat offenders already face sentences of 15 or 25 years to life in prison. 

Even the most advanced monitoring systems (using GPS technology) are not up to the task of providing around-the-clock protection. There are numerous “dead spaces” (such as the inside of buildings) and “small spaces” (such as the distance between floors of an apartment building) where monitoring equipment does not function properly. The ankle bracelets can be cut off by the offender if he is really intent on committing a crime. Also, mounds of data will be generated, and a supervising officer will be required to sort through all this in order to verify an actual offense. 

I do like high-tech gadgets, but I have to suggest that some of the ex-offenders on lifetime monitoring--particularly those in wheelchairs--should be fairly easy to spot without the use of a satellite-linked transceiver. In my opinion, here are numerous practical and cost-effective uses of offender monitoring. Lifetime monitoring of sex offenders, at an estimated cost of tens of million of dollars, is not one of them. 

Robert Gable 

 

• 

NO ON MEASURE A 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

It seems that the only bright spot in Berkeley public schools news is the food program headed by Ann Cooper. Unfortunately, this bright spot has come about due primarily to the funding and efforts of Alice Waters (kudos to Alice!). The school district for many years had a Nutrition Advisory Committee that shook the world with its organic food policy. Yet, despite the fact that over six years ago, community volunteers Beebo Turman and Yolanda Huang, pioneered cooking from scratch with their soup and salad program at Oxford, BUSD’s administration was unable to do more than reheat transfat corn dogs and pizza. When the chorus of complaints got too loud, BUSD summarily dissolved this committee. 

Fortunately, Alice Waters, who is committed to high quality food, to nutrition, to children and maintaining high standards, was able to implement this program because she recruited a highly skilled and knowledgeable administrator, namely Ann cooper. and provided the second necessary ingredient, the funding. After the hire of Ann Cooper, in less than 6 months, the food at BUSD was transformed. 

Berkeley schools have had plenty of the second ingredient, funding. For 20 years we have paid for BSEP. And yet, our children’s education is not thriving. What is very clear is that BUSD does not have a commitment to high quality education and to maintaining high standards in educational programs. BUSD lacks at the top, a highly skilled and knowledgeable administrator who is committed to children, passionate about learning, and able to stir up the passion in children for learning. 

I am concerned when the current superintendent of BUSD’s trained is as an art teacher. Is she really able to address our students’ needs with math and English? How can it be that 75 percent of all African American students are not proficient in grade level English, when Toni Morrison, an African American writer has been selected by the New York Times poll as the most significant American writer of the second half of the 20th century (for the novel Beloved). The prior superintendent was interested in construction, and so BUSD constructed. Understanding that for the past decade and a half, we have not had a superintendent who had as his or her first priority, children and their education, explains why student achievement is declining, the achievement gap is increasing, and BHS’ drop out rate is 30 percent higher than the county average (including the drop out rate for white students). 

This is why I am voting no on Measure A, and asking the school board to rewrite Measure A. Measure A must include performance standards and independent performance evaluations for the district and its administrators, especially the superintendent. These performance standards must include student learning as a priority. The School Board needs to do more than just give raises. The school board needs to maintain high standards in all aspects of the district’s responsibilities, but especially in learning. Every student should receive a good education. Please join me in voting no on Measure A. 

J. Haven 

 

• 

IRAQ WAR 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The purpose of the Iraq war puzzles me; almost none of the reasons given ring true, seem credible. It’s been suggested that the party in power feels such intense emotion about (against) the federal government that they would do anything to bankrupt it. The mounting deficit level suggests that our government can be bankrupted by (irresponsible? deliberate?) over-spending, similar to current ongoing spending rates. 

Congress and the courts are systematically neutralized; the media almost neutered. Should we just go ahead and give up our present Constitution? We could quickly become a monarchy, with aristocracy powered mostly by wealth. If our (collective?) goal is simply to dominate the planet, and methodically strip it of its resources for our benefit and luxury, enslaving all others, then monarchy joined with theocracy may be the simplest, easiest way. Deep in our hearts, millions of (the richest) Americans may feel such is the proper (preordained?) path. 

Congress might simply vote itself out of existence, with benefits, or maintain itself as a façade, somewhat in the current mode. 

What would be best? It could be done so easily; we’re almost there. Just close your eyes, it won’t hurt a bit. 

Terry Cockrell 

 

• 

NO ON ARNOLD 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am just incredulous that during the governors’ debate Arnold Schwarzenegger said he has the “highest respect” for police officers, after all, he claimed his dad was a police officer. Lest the public forget the governor’s father was a member of the Nazi storm troopers also known as the brownshirts. A Nazi is who Arnold looks up to. Earlier this week he insulted the Mexican-American population. 

This man has no cultural sensitivity and does not deserve to represent us. Please California do not put this man back in office. 

Karen Green 

Alameda 

 

• 

MEASURE N 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

You wrote of Oakland’s Measure N, the $148 million bond issue, “The rest of the bond money not expended on the main library move would go to expansion and upgrades of several existing branch library facilities. Voters should check the actual ballot language to see which branch facilities will be upgraded.” 

Sorry, the “actual ballot language” is not binding. There is a list of projects appended, and it is bad enough, showing that the palace library would suck up two dollars for every dollar split among all the neighborhood libraries. But nothing commits the City to the precise breakdown shown. The palace project is almost sure to go over budget, at which time the council will “postpone” neighborhood items of its selection. Of all the state and local bond issues on the ballot for Oakland voters, Measure N is by far the most expensive per capita, the most wasteful, and the worst choice of priorities.  

For more information on Measure N, see www.orpn.org 

Charles Pine 

Oakland 

 

• 

CONFUSED BY U.S. ELECTIONS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I’m baffled by my experience of the U.S. electoral process: a strange homogenous breed of men I’ve never seen before dressed in expensive suits, some in toupees, and a smattering of women with cardboard hair begin to appear on the television and in the papers. These are the candidates, I’m told. 

Some belong to this party, some to the other. I’ve chosen to be a member of my party not because I agree with its policies, but because the other party’s policies are even worse or ineffective. I wonder why I’ve never been invited to attend a meeting of my party and whether such meetings exist, though everyone says all I have to be is interested. Well frankly, I was once, now I’m not so sure. 

I’m briefed on the candidates’ careers, after which they begin to argue, engage in name-calling, accuse each other of being cowards in wars, cheating on their spouses or swindling money from the government. I wonder where they get their millions for prime time TV exposure of such absurdities; whether my local school district might not have gone bankrupt had the gonorrhea debate been shorter. It turns out you have to be filthy rich to run or sell your soul to a corporation who will foot the bill. But time is up, now I must make my choice. 

There is a candidate who does represent many of my own views, but if I vote for that one, the one I fear most will be elected. I consider voting for the corporate middleman whose domestic and foreign policy is likely to result in less deaths per year than the competition. 

Disgusted, confused, indifferent or disenfranchised, two thirds of my compatriots decide to voice their opposition to the lack of choice by abstaining or can’t vote because they’re illiterate or homeless and therefore can’t register. The other third, which always seem to have more money than me, votes. In the end, the winners are chosen by a minority of the eligible voting population.  

Is my confusion unique? I can’t understand how the United States has proclaimed itself the international elections watch dog and model of democracy for the rest of the world. 

Margot Pepper 

 

• 

ARCTIC REFUGE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

When the majority of Americans go to the polls on Nov. 7, one of the issues that should be a concern for them is the fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. The refuge is home of the Gwich’in people who live their own way of life. They know how to preserve water and take care of the animals there. 

If the Republicans retain control of both branches of Congress on Election Day, they will try again to seek an amendment to any legislation that would allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. That would be a disaster for the Gwich’in people who would have to drink the water toxified by oil. I hope that the majority of voters in this country would think about the fate of the Gwich’in people when they go to the polls on Nov. 7. 

Billy Trice, Jr.  

Oakland 

 

• 

FOR GEORGE BEIER 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I expect those who represent me at all levels of government display leadership and a point of view. I might not always agree with them, but at least would want to know where they stand and that they have been diligent about researching the issues. Kriss Worthington has not done this. He has avoided several important votes on the council including the recent use permit for the Berkeley Bowl. He has not taken a position on Measure J (historic buildings issue). That is why I am supporting George Beier. I want someone who takes and articulates a position. 

Joseph Halperin 

 

• 

CONCERNED 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I’m really concerned about what’s been happening. I mean in Berkeley. For example, if Mayor Bates is re-elected, he will push hard to convert the west Ashby and Gilman corridors into Emeryville-style shopping centers, which would create disastrous traffic jams at the freeways, draw business away from our other shopping centers, and damage our light industrial and arts and crafts community. His reason for promoting this is his own failure to maintain the health of our existing commercial centers, resulting in decreased tax revenues. He wants to destroy a successful neighborhood to compensate for his own failures. This will hurt the city even further. Bates’ plan to promote upscale development in West Berkeley, our last affordable area, would set off rapid gentrification, pushing many of our long-term lower-income residents and businesses out of town, and diminishing our economic, ethnic, and racial diversity. The industrial zone acts as a protective umbrella for diversity. Dismantle the industrial zone block by block and the city would be well on its way to being just an upscale college bedroom community. 

Bates ran as a progressive candidate. But what does being a Berkeley progressive mean today? The city has been waving a green flag at almost any development, regardless of impacts. Folks look out, because the foxes are setting up for a big party in the hen house. If you consider yourself a progressive, I propose that you think about this, and consider leaving the mayor line of the ballot blank. Vote for one of the other candidates or Vote for Nobody. A low vote turnout can at least slow the developers down. For the sake of the future of a sustainable progressive community, we’ve got to stop this push of rapid gentrification. To protect the integrity of our community, we need to support neighborhood preservation, rent stabilization, and industrial retention. Consider not voting for Mayor Bates. Berkeley can do a lot better. 

John Curl 

 

• 

MEASURE O 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am very happy that Measure O, which would bring instant runoff voting (IRV) to Oakland, is on the ballot. This is a needed election reform. By eliminating a runoff election, Oakland could move its local elections to November, when turnout is nearly 60 percent higher, on average. A ranked choice ballot would also encourage people to vote sincerely, instead of having to worry about “wasted votes” or “spoilers.”  

I did take issue with statements made by the opposition to Measure O in the Oct. 6 Berkeley Daily Planet article. The article states: “Opponents say that it is unfair to ask voters to make a second or third choice of candidates, when all they want is to pick their top choice.” This is simply false. Under Measure O, voters have the option of ranking as many candidates as they want or can choose to only vote for one candidate. Opponents also claim that IRV will confuse voters, but offer no evidence to back up this claim. Two exit polls conducted after San Francisco and Burlington (VT) held their first IRV elections found that around 90 percent of voters reported understanding IRV. 

Nicolas Heidorn 

Oakland 

 

• 

THE PFA CROWD 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Berkeley’s Pacific Film Archive is one of the few venues where quality films, past and present, can be seen. 

Curiously, however, the reaction of the of the audience suggest that they would rather be more attuned to mainstream 2006 trivia as personified by Tom Cruise and the earlier efforts of the governor. 

The screening of the 1956 study of drug addiction Bigger Than Life ortles from some obviously immature members of the audience. 

This was a well-made film by a reputable American director, Nicholas Ray. Even allowing for different attitudes and values in 2006, Bigger Than Life was never intended as humor. 

Ross Norton 

 

• 

PACIFIC STEEL 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Have you heard that our “good neighbor” Pacific Steel Casting has opted to delay the health risk assessment that was mandated by its backdoor “settlement” with Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD)? And that PSC has refused to comply with the Air District’s order to obtain another air pollution source test? Is PSC paying BAAQMD’s $10,000 per day fine as a result of their lawlessness? Who cares? 

We do. And we need to get to the Big Picture here quickly to turn the tide. There is a four-headed toxic spin machine spewing caustic air and ugly lies on Second Street. In cahoots are: PSC, for their decades of dirty profits and “careless” excuses; BAAQMD, for its closed-door/pro-industry/anti-community actions and stupid complaint tricks; AJE Partners, as PSC’s media relations mirror, for falsifying the facts and lying to us; Linda Maio, for her endless lack of courage and absolute failure to protect us. 

In an April 16 letter from Michael P. Wilson, researcher at the UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, to Dion Aroner, AJE Partners, Mr. Wilson writes: 

“A lack of trust has developed between Berkeley residents and PSC. During the last several years, over 50 articles and letters to the editor have appeared in Bay Area papers expressing criticism, and dismay, over PSC’s emissions of toxic air pollutants. This record appears to illustrate not simply a series of isolated events but rather a general pattern of neglect on the part of PSC with respect to its relations with the Berkeley community. It is important to recognize that a worsening public perception of the plant, and a gradual loss of the plant’s social license to operate, could occur over time as growing numbers of residents and workers in Berkeley and surrounding areas become aware of, and frustrated with, increasing emissions of toxic materials from the plant.” 

Social license? PSC-related phenols, benzene and other cancer causing chemicals are up 100 percent over the past three years. We want direct action! 

Shut down PSC until they prove that their manufacturing processes have no health impacts on the community. Support Merrilie Mitchell in her bid to defeat Maio for the District 1 City Council seat this November. Wake up Tom Bates at City Hall and tell him to stop taking money from these morons. And don’t believe any of the crap coming out of Dion Aroner’s mouth. 

Willi Paul 

 

• 

FASCIST STATES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

How will we know if fascism comes to the United States It could come well before mass roundups of Berkeley type people. As pointed out by Lenore Veltford in her Sept. 26 letter to the editor, during Hitler’s rule her town of Darmstadt in Germany had an “independent book store.” She believes that for people of her town the growth of the Nazi repression was incremental. It was four years into the Fueher’s rule when the Jewish owner of the Darmstadt book store had to sell. New owners kept it going through the war. There continued to be gatherings of book lovers in the store. Perhaps after state rule here there will continue to besignings and talks in our independent book stores. 

About six years into Hitler rule it became necessary in Darmstadt that the gatherings in the book store be in the back room. Will we have people gathering in the back room under fascism USA? Will those in the room voice their complaints as Lenore Veltford notes complaints against Hitler were voiced in the store in Darmstadt? 

It would seem that since it is difficult to define exactly when fascism has come, it would be best to lop off whatever tentacles we can identify. Who knows, we might have a fascist state that allows not only independent book stores, but peace vigils and Sunday meetings at the Unitarian Church. 

Ted Vincent 

 

• 

BOB’S BLANKETS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

My old Volkswagon square-back had the metal letters FORD across the back, so neatly placed that they looked natural unless you were someone like Bob Nichols, someone with an eye out for very subtle humor. That car could pack a lot of stuff, so one December Bob asked me to drive to the Army Surplus store in Oakland where he bought every wool blanket they had. 

We stacked the blankets like olive green and gray cordwood in the back of my car. He spent about two hundred dollars, and ended up with forty or fifty clean, warm, used blankets. Then he gave them away. He’d take one with him on the way to work and hand it to anyone who seemed to need it. He knew a lot of people who panhandled. He knew a lot of drunks, junkies, and crazy people. He wasn’t bothered by craziness, or incompetence, or repetitive, self-serving stories, or addiction. He knew people were cold. 

He gave away a lot of money in quarters and ones and fives. He bought people sandwiches and smokes. He knew it wasn’t enough, but he knew it mattered. 

Bob is gone now; he died in his sleep almost a year ago. The blankets are probably still out there, because the people are. Some of them died, but most of them have moved around, traded corners, found housing and lost it. They’ll be there come December, waiting for Bob and the blankets. Bob will be there, too, handing out cigarettes and trading jokes. If you see him, tell him hi. Tell him I miss him. And tell him thanks.  

Carol Denney 

 

• 

BATES AND THE  

FIRST AMENDMENT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In her editorial examining the Tom Bates years, editor Becky O’Malley lists three main examples of Bates screwing around with the First Amendment. 

The three vary greatly; their bona fides as attacks on the First Amendment are not at all equal. Moreover, they demonstrate the problems with taking “think globally, act locally” literally in every situation. First, I think it was a mistake to publish the famous anti-Semitic letter in the Planet, but it’s equally untenable to jump with such abandon all over the Planet, no matter how good that might make people feel or how much political capital there is to be had. The protest that Bates and others signed is not an attack on the First Amendment as much as opportunistic piling on, and that’s the real problem. 

To keep picking at this is just another Berkeley-style self-indulgence, and typically lazy. It avoids dealing with the anti-Semitism and anti-Palestinian racism and imperialism that are alive and well out there; that’s where the fight is, it’s not here, at least not now, not with this issue. We should just let this episode slink off into history. 

Ms. O’Malley is correct that the support of Bates and others for the awful N and O anti-homeless measures—besides simply being cruel and a cheap wedge issue—created a frontal attack on the First Amendment rights of the people asking for money. The First Amendment survived. But Ms. O’Malley led this section of her editorial with the shop-worn melodrama over Bates’ late-night trashing of copies of the Daily Californian when it endorsed his opponent in the last election. She says it was a “foolish temper tantrum ... (but) Berkeleyans who consider the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution to be their political gospel were well and truly shocked.” 

Oh, come on. Ms. O’Malley is right on her take on this, if not the prominence it’s given in the editorial. Tom Bates went silly when under pressure; everyone over the age of 5, raise your hand if you’ve never done the same. That’s all it was. Wishing for a Battle Grande over our Latte Grandes won’t make it so.  

We should always watch what’s happening around us. Even “progressive” politicians need watching—maybe especially them, since we can’t seem to believe they’d act like other pols. 

But if we really want to be righteous warriors, we really should get out more. 

James Day 

 


City Council Candidate Statements: George Beier

By George Beier
Friday October 13, 2006

My name is George Beier and I am running for City Council for Berkeley’s District 7, the district that includes Telegraph Avenue. I am grateful to the Planet for this opportunity to tell you about myself, why I am running and what I hope to do for this city. 

I came from humble beginnings. My father was the youngest of 16, from a farming family in Topeka. I grew up in Maryland, the youngest of 5 kids, and learned responsibility early as the family cook. My father was overseas much of the time and my mother traveled the Midwest selling farm equipment. 

When I was 14 my family moved to New Delhi, an incredible, mind-altering experience to a kid from outside Baltimore. In India, I developed a deep and abiding appreciation for other cultures and ways of life. I also learned the value of people over things, of communalism over commercialism, and of service to others above self. 

I came to Berkeley when I was 18, as a transfer student. I graduated Phi Beta Kappa in economics and then came back for an MBA in finance from the Haas School. I worked my way through school (not easy that last semester, when I took 25 units!). In 1989 I met my partner, John Caner, and we settled into our house on Derby Street. In 1993 we put our life savings into a software company I had started out of the back of our house, learning how to program this new thing called “windows” out of a book.  

And, ten years and a lot of hard work later, our dreams came true. We sold the company and entered into a life of public service. John runs Rebuilding Together Oakland (which used to be called “Christmas in April”) and spends his time rehabilitating homes for the disabled and the elderly. It’s a family affair. My sister is the treasurer and I’m pressed into service as a volunteer coordinator. I joined the Waterfront Commission, became the president of the Willard Neighborhood Association, joined the People’s Park board and also the board of Options Recovery Services, which provides an abstinence-based, drug and alcohol recovery program in downtown Berkeley.  

It quickly became clear that District 7 was headed in the wrong direction. We have the highest crime rates in the City, particularly property crime. Crime is also too high in our public schools. I spoke to a parent two weeks ago who told me that she buys a YMCA pass for her son at Berkeley High so that he has a safe place to go to the bathroom. 

Sales on Telegraph Avenue have fallen 30 percent over the last 13 years. I would like you all to take a walk with me up Telegraph. I would introduce you to the owner of a restaurant who has trouble hiring women because the last two were attacked on the way to their cars. We would pass by People’s Park, where we found 1,000 needles in the last eight months. We’d come to Cody’s Books, the once-proud, now-closed, heart and soul of Telegraph. And when we lose Cody’s (or Clif-Bar or Habitot), we lose more than just a store or a large taxpayer. We lose part of our identity, what it means to be a Berkeleyan itself. I must admit I shed a few tears that day. And finally I’d take you to the huge, fenced-off hole of the old Berkeley Inn, an open wound on the Avenue, which burned down in 1986. Twenty years ago. 

I am running because Telegraph breaks my heart. I am running because I love our funky, alternative, artistic, and progressive city. I am running to prove that we can be progressive and safe and prosperous at the same time.  

If I am elected to city council, I’ll start by creating a Telegraph Task Force, focused on revitalizing the Avenue. We’ll step up free drug and alcohol outreach, improve lighting, obtain more parking, and build affordable workforce housing on Telegraph to get more “eyes on the street.” 

We’ll rework the relationship with the University in an effort to build a long-lasting, trusting partnership. We’ll tighten existing ordinances for blighted properties, trash, graffiti, and sidewalk camping. We’ll take a hard look at the quota system, which required Peet’s (classified by the City as “fast food”) to get two variances (a high hurdle) before obtaining a permit. We’ll put the applications for new Telegraph businesses on the top of the pile. 

We’ll also continue the efforts to transform People’s Park. I’m convinced we can find a way to celebrate its history and make it a safe park for the entire community. Some early ideas: a commitment to open space, a small museum or café in the park, raising the creek, implementing a more open landscaping plan similar to Yerba Buena park in San Francisco. People often ask me “well, what about the homeless?” My answer is that if you are homeless and have no place to go, the park is as good a place as any. 

Berkeley needs to do what San Francisco is doing, build permanent housing for the homeless coupled with a multi-service center and give folks the keys. This is known as the “housing first” approach. It’s more humane, it works, and it is a lot less expensive then managing the homeless in our civic areas and parks. 

Four years from now, I hope to walk you down a very different Telegraph Avenue. It will be diverse and lively and fascinating. You’ll browse in its interesting mom and pop shops as you stroll with your children down to a performance at Zellerbach. Or you might spy one of Berkeley’s Nobel laureates at Café Med. Or play some ultimate Frisbee in People’s Park. Or you might simply sit and have a quiet cup of coffee and watch the world go by, on an Avenue proud of its past and looking towards its future.  

I hope to see you there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


City Council Candidate Statements: Kriss Worthington

By Kriss Worthington
Friday October 13, 2006

Diversity, creativity, and a commitment to promoting new ideas are what make Berkeley such a wonderful place to live and work. For the past ten years on the City Council I’ve been a progressive leader on a wide range of issues. I’ve had to walk a thin line between maintaining my sense of where Berkeley should be going while pragmatically getting things done in the here and now. Here are the areas I’ve focused on: 

 

The environment 

I was an environmental activist before I was elected to City Council, serving as Northern Alameda Chair and Executive Committee member of the Sierra Club, and the health of the environment remains my area of strongest activity. I’ve worked to put Berkeley back in the forefront of environmental policy by strengthening waterfront habitat protection, shepherding Zero Waste and the Precautionary Principle through the maze of City politics and bureaucracy (these groundbreaking eco-policies now serve as nationwide models for other cities), and saving and enhancing funding for parks. I’ve increased funding for transit, bicycle, and pedestrian uses, got City employees out of their cars with the Eco-Pass, and pushed to expand the program to include UC employees, BART, and Telegraph. (Please vote Yes on Measure G to reduce greenhouse gases.)  

I’ve defended biodiversity by protecting native plants, breeding areas for migratory birds, and habitat for the Coopers Hawk, and strengthened waterfront habitat protection. I’m Berkeley’s representative on the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency and the Waste Management Authority, where I strategize with environmentalists on how best to channel community organizing and grassroots lobbying into winnable campaigns. I’ve worked to get Campaign Finance Reform enacted on State and local levels to dilute the impact of the huge developer contributions which have led directly to environment-threatening policies. I’ve expanded biodiesel, solar, and composting in Berkeley, and encouraged the City to work with EGRET, the group restoring native habitat in Aquatic Park. 

 

Telegraph Avenue 

My greatest commercial responsibility, besides sharing with all other Councilmembers our desire to make our downtown vibrant and successful, is to maintain the viability and appeal of Telegraph. I’ve vigorously opposed cuts to police and social workers, led a successful charge to restore police, social workers, and parking on Telegraph. I wrote a proposal to fix the permit process to get vacant storefronts filled more quickly. I’ve pushed to implement a Buy Berkeley policy for City contracts and purchases, and to unbundle large City contracts so small business receive the cash flow they need to thrive, and I’m working to get the Planning Commission to expedite the permit process for neighborhood-friendly businesses, while keeping room for public input. Thanks to my efforts the City now issues quarterly reports on job creation, unemployment, and sales tax revenue by business district, as well as tracking office and retail vacancy rates. I got previously cut police positions restored, expanded neighborhood watch networks both south of campus and on the northside, got students involved in partnerships with businesses and long-term residents. I’ve led the charge for targeted drug enforcement not only on Telegraph but on nearby streets, so that problems aren’t just pushed from one place to another. I promote Berkeley and Telegraph as tourist attractions regionally and internationally, and encourage “Only in Berkeley” as an effective promotional theme for the great products and services offered by our unique businesses. 

 

Transportation and traffic 

I got city employees out of cars with the Eco-Pass and pushed to expand program to include UC employees and BART. I got truck and van traffic reduced on residential streets, and increased funding for accessibility, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian uses. I’ve supported traffic calming to reduce speed on neighborhood streets. 

 

Housing  

Dona Spring and I (and Max Anderson, who’s not up this election) are the city’s strongest supporters of rent control (as you can easily see by checking out the donation lists of our opponents). I have worked hard to defeat the Eviction by Condo ordinance on this ballot (Please vote no on I!); my opponent waited to oppose it until it was safe three weeks ago, after the major conservative organization in Berkeley, the Berkeley Democratic Club, voted to take no position on it, and just before he came before Berkeley’s two major progressive organizations seeking their endorsement. (Which I got.) I also worked to get millions directed to the Housing Trust Fund for affordable housing on transit corridors. 

 

Crime 

I support community policing, and I initiated the expansion of Neighborhood Watch near campus and citywide.  

 

Student issues 

I’ve appointed more students to city commissions than any councilmember in Berkeley history. I fought for more student housing close to campus, and got funding to improve disabled access to student housing. 

 

Peace and social justice 

I led the Council in opposing the Bush war in Iraq (and wherever else we’re going next) and his attacks on civil liberties. I initiated and coordinate the City’s Holocaust Remembrance Day program. 

 

Open government 

I sponsored Berkeley’s Sunshine Ordinance. I support campaign finance reform and Instant Run-off Voting (IRV). 

 

Constituent advocacy 

My persistence in helping constituents cut through red tape is, legendary. I get sidewalks repaired, potholes filled, and illegal trash removed. I’ve worked fiercely on my neighborhoods’ behalf to stand up to UC and Sutter Corporation executives. In my tenure District 7 has always gotten its fair share of resources for street and sidewalk repairs, lighting, and storm drain upgrades. 

 

Fiscal responsibility 

I’m a social progressive but a fiscal conservative. No one has fought harder than I have for proper stewardship of taxpayers’ dollars. 

I think I deserve my hard-won reputation as Berkeley’s hardest-working Councilmember. This election I’ve also had to become Berkeley’s hardest-fundraising Councilmember; as of September 30 my opponent has already spent $44,000 (more than I’ve ever spent on an entire campaign), a pace which will make his campaign the most intensive investment in a Council seat in Berkeley’s history. (See? I’m working at it right now!) I will continue and expand the work I’ve done over the last decade if the voters of District 7 see fit to return me to office. 

 

 

 


City Council Candidate Statements: Dona Spring

By Dona Spring
Friday October 13, 2006

The name of my campaign committee is Dona Spring for City Council. Residing in Berkeley for the past 34 years, I graduated from UC Berkeley with honors with a B.A. in Anthropology and Psychology. 

Before being elected to the City Council in 1993, I worked in nonprofit services to seniors, disabled, healthcare reform and on environmental and animal protection issues.  

I attended UC in the early 70s, a time when consciousness was being raised on the political, social, cultural, environmental and spiritual frontiers.  

My interest in local politics intensified in 1984 when I attended a council meeting to protest the deplorable conditions reported at the City of Berkeley’s animal shelter and the proposal to balance the budget by cutting the low-cost spay neuter clinic. In the next years I got involved in efforts to save the Berkeley waterfront as open space for wildlife habitat and for recreational uses. I helped write articles for the Council of Neighborhood Association and also for a community weekly newsletter called Grassroots. In addition, as a tenant, I connected to the tenant’s rights movement, which started in the early 80s with the advent of voter approved a rent control.  

In 1986-88 I was elected to the County Democratic Central Committee and to the Green Party County Council ‘90-’92. In 1994,  

I was elected in 1992 and have served as the Vice Mayor of Berkeley. I was appointed by the Council in 1996 to serve as the City of Berkeley’s representative on the Alameda County Solid Waste Authority and to the Alameda County Recycling Board and served as president on both boards. I also served as the county’s representative on the hazardous waste committee of All Bay Area Government (ABAG) where we set regional standards for green businesses and disposing of hazardous waste including electronic waste.  

While serving on the City Council for almost 14 years I have sponsored hundreds of pieces of legislation. For example, in 1994, I introduced legislation to require labeling of food products containing genetically modified organisms such as recombinant bovine growth hormone. My latest item on the Council agenda is to have the City of Berkeley waive the permit fees for insulation of solar panels. 

I am widely supported by progressive activists as well as neighborhood leaders. I can be counted on to support and sponsor progressive legislation on the environment, social justice issues and neighborhood issues such as public safety prevention and disaster preparedness. In this past term, I have provided leadership on voter approved Instant Run off Voting which I first introduced to the City Council in 1993. 

I am known to be one of the most accessible Councilmembers who champions progressive causes such as building housing affordable to those at the lower end of the economic ladder. During my time on the Council, I have worked for funding and approval of hundreds of units of affordable housing. Despite how real estate/prodevelopment opponents attempt to portray me as anti-development, that’s misleading since I have voted for the majority of development projects that come before the Council. I am one of the few Councilmembers who fights to get developers to fully provide the affordable housing that is required by inclusionary and state density bonus requirements but seems to get “value engineered” away. Also, I represent the community’s interest in pushing developers for building designs that are compatible with the adjacent residential neighborhood with setbacks. 

In this past term, I have successfully led the Council and commissions in an effort to reform the way the density bonus laws are interpreted by city staff in development projects. In 2003, many of the residents close to University Avenue were distressed at the massing and scale of new buildings going in on University. I got the Council to refer the decade old University Avenue Strategic Plan for codification in the zoning code. My excellent Planning Commissioner helped provide the analytical skills to get the job done. (In addition, he demonstrated that the city has already met its ABAG housing requirements and thus no longer had to approve all housing projects to comply with their interpretation of state code—unfortunately that was sidetracked.) It took a year, but eventually Zoning Commission and Councilmembers created a subcommittee to reform the way is the state density bonus requirements were implemented. Vote no on State Proposition 90 so that effort can be continued. 

In this election, I urge voters to vote yes on all the Berkeley ballot measures except for Measure I, the condo conversion ordinance. Measure I is a countermeasure to the condo conversion ordinance passed by the Council which allows up to 100 rental units to convert to condominiums with long-term Berkeley tenants exempt from paying a mitigation fee to help create more affordable housing opportunities. The Council condo conversion ordinance helps to protect sitting tenants from eviction. 

Measure I gives property owners an incentive to evict tenants so their rental units can become condos and thus profits doubled.  

Vote yes on Measure J to save our Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. Historic preservation advocates collected signatures to save the “structure of merit designation” which the mayor wanted to eliminate. This change would have wiped out almost all future protections for saving historic resources in Berkeley’s neighborhoods. It was only after the signatures had been submitted that the mayor tried to make a compromise which restored the structure of merit designation. But, once signatures have been submitted for a ballot measure, they cannot be withdrawn. Contrary to ballot arguments against Measures J, it was not a long public process leading to the Bates proposal. In fact, over 50 people living in all of Berkeley’s neighborhoods testified against the mayor’s proposal to gut the current ordinance. In addition, there have not been legal problems with the current ordinance. The State Historic Office has found that Berkeley’ s current Landmark Preservation Ordinance is compliant with all state laws. A vote for Measure J is a vote to preserve our affordable housing stock. Many rent control units are in older buildings and houses. If those buildings can be easily demolished instead of restored and expanded, then we lose rent-controlled housing and get expensive market rent housing in their place. Also, it is environmentally friendly to reuse the buildings instead of demolishing and land filling them. (One of the biggest portions of our landfill is going to construction and demolition debris.) Reusing buildings also helps conserve natural resources including trees. 

It’s a privilege to represent the people of Berkeley who are some of the most intelligent and socially conscious on the planet. This term I want to see our new animal shelter constructed with funding from a successful 2002 ballot measure and the Berkeley High School warm water pool saved (preferably rehabilitated in its current location as two thirds of Berkeley voted funding for in 2000). I also want to help more residents become prepared for a natural disaster. 

I urge people to support Kriss Worthington’s reelection to the City Council as well. He’s going up against a multimillionaire opponent who is spending big bucks against Kriss. Visit my web site at DonaSpring.com. My campaign telephone number is 644-3662. 

 


City Council Candidate Statements: Raudel Wilson

By Raudel Wilson
Friday October 13, 2006

My name is Raudel Wilson and I am running for City Council in District 4. I am proud to say I have been married to my wife, Grace, for the past nine years and I am the proud father of two young boys. My oldest son “Little” Raudel started Kindergarten this month at Washington Elementary School. My youngest son, Albert, is 2-years-old. He spends his day with my wife enjoying Habitot Children’s Museum and a wealth of local parks. My family and I live in the neighborhood just west of the Downtown. Each morning I have the privilege of walking my son to school on my way to work. 

I fell in love with Berkeley as soon as I began working on Shattuck Avenue in 1997. Berkeley has such a diverse community. I believe that much of our rich environment comes through Berkeley’s many non-profits. I have had an opportunity to serve as a board director for Options Recovery Services, a Downtown drug treatment program. I served as President of the Downtown Berkeley Association. I am an active member of the Berkeley Rotary Club and I currently serve as a board director for the Berkeley Albany YMCA.  

I have also been able to get a look at many of the issues concerning Berkeley through various civic duties. I currently serve as a commissioner for the Zoning Adjustments Board. I have served on this board since January 2005. As a zoning commissioner I voted to declare Dwight Way Liquors, The Berkeley Market, and Black & White Liquors as public nuisances. Each of these stores had their own story of why I felt they no longer properly served our neighbors. In the case of Dwight Way Liquors, the store was cited for numerous violations such as selling alcohol to minors, allowing drug dealing in front of their store, and allowing neighbor’s yards to become dumping grounds for drug paraphernalia and liquor bottles. I voted for their immediate closure. This helped end the living nightmare that the neighbors had been putting up with for years. This is the type of business Berkeley does not need. I am also serving as a commissioner for the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee. We are currently working on updating a development plan for our Downtown. We are dealing with issues that will shape the future of Downtown Berkeley. These commissions have given me a wealth of experience in planning and land use issues. I am proud to say I have worked vigilantly to protect our neighborhoods.  

As a parent I am very concerned about our public schools. All of our children deserve the very best we can offer them. We need to work on bridging the achievement gap both within and between schools. There needs to be a clear path for our high school graduates who want to enter college and those who want to enter the work force. I will work to forge that path. As your councilmember I will work closely with the Superintendent’s office and the School Board to help improve our public schools.  

As a tenant I am concerned about the affordability of housing. As your councilmember I will work to build more affordable housing in Berkeley. I want to see affordable housing that is both for rent and available for purchase. I want to see housing for all groups of people. Our elderly, working people, young people, and families. All demographics need to be represented in order to keep Berkeley the unique City that it is. I want to see more family friendly housing built. I want to see more 2 and 3 bedroom units planned. I want to see housing that will allow our bright high school and college graduates to remain in the community they have grown up in. With everything these young people have to offer Berkeley can’t Berkeley offer them housing in which they can afford to live? 

As the son of a firefighter, as a father, and a husband public safety is very important to me. Our emergency services need our support. Growing up in a firefighter home I have direct knowledge of the harm rolling “brownouts” can do to our community and to these men and women that give us so much of our lives. This plan passed by the current City Council proposes to close fire stations, on a rotating basis, for 24 hours at a time. This policy puts our residents at risk by increasing response time and creating a domino effect of inadequate coverage for our City. I feel that emergency services for our residents should be non-negotiable. 

Finally, as someone who has worked on Shattuck Avenue since 1997, I want to help revitalize our Downtown. For the past decade I have watched business after business leave our Downtown. I have watched store fronts stay empty for years. Currently, the Downtown district is the lowest generator of tax revenue in the City. That means that every other area in the City generates more tax revenue than our own Downtown. This seems completely out of balance and unacceptable. As your councilmember I will work to renew relationships that will result in a new wave of long standing businesses. This will help revitalize our ailing Downtown. We need a family friendly Downtown. A clean place where you can bring your family and friends. A place to play, eat, and shop. A Downtown full of unique shops, exceptional foods, and the spirit that has made Berkeley famous. I will fight to bring our Downtown back to life and make it a Downtown we can be proud of! 

I hope I have addressed your concerns. I have been knocking on doors and I have been listening. I believe that talking to individuals is the best way to know what matters to my neighbors. I feel that your concerns are mine. So if you see Little Raudel and myself walking down your street or knocking on your door please say Hi. Tell me what you think should be changed, what you think should stay the same, and what you think could be improved. I want to know and I am listening. 

To learn more about me and my campaign for change please visit www.raudelwilson.com 

 


Commentary: Horse Manure From A Management Perspective

By Peter Tunney
Friday October 13, 2006

I write regarding Robert Cheasty’s Sept. 26 commentary, which is so riddled with untrue statements and outright falsehoods that I feel compelled to respond. 

I have been the general manager of Golden Gate Fields for over 25 years. I have had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with hundreds of Albany residents over the years, and the racetrack has had the honor of supporting numerous deserving programs that serve Albany children, seniors and other citizens. It is with this respect for Albany voters and the obligation I feel for providing them the truth regarding Golden Gate Fields that I write today. Here are the facts: 

1. Magna (the owner of Golden Gate Fields) has no plans to add casino gambling in Albany. 

2. Our proposal to build a mixed use development on a portion of our 33-acre unused parking lot has been withdrawn. 

3. The race track is not closing. The truth is much of wagering on horse races is now done on the internet which reduces the number of patrons who come to the track. We have spent more than $5 million in the last several years to upgrade and renovate the grandstands, along with building a new state-of-the-art equine medical facility for the 1350 horses on our ground. 

4. Golden Gate Fields is the city’s largest employer and its largest source of revenue. Each year the track contributes over $1 million dollars into the city’s budget, and over a half of a million dollars to the school district. When Cheasty says the city wouldn’t miss the revenue generated by the track—don’t believe him. The only way that revenue would be replaced is out of the taxpayers’ pockets or to severely cut back programs. 

5. According to Cheasty, “environmentally sensitive” development could occur between the track and the freeway. His proposal would put a hotel right on top of Cordornices Creek. 

6. Cheasty misleads Albany residents with his phony proposals that rely on the California State Parks Department or the East Bay Regional Park District to buy our land and convert it to open space. Both agencies have stated they cannot afford to buy, restore, enhance, or maintain any additional property in the Eastshore State Park. 

7. Cheasty and his cohorts are trying to sell the idea of an “open planning process” for Albany’s waterfront. How “open” could it be when the process does not include the landowner? That’s like having your neighbors deciding what they want to do with your house without you being able to participate.  

Don’t be fooled by all the rhetoric and rumor-mongering going on concerning Golden Gate Fields. The truth is no development can happen on our property without your approval. Albany’s Measure C requires voter approval of any zoning change at Golden Gate Fields. Robert Cheasty doesn’t want Albany voters to vote on changes at Golden Gate Fields because he worries voters will not support his narrow vision. 

We at Golden Gate Fields are familiar with horse manure. Robert Cheasty’s diatribe is more of the same. 

 

Peter Tunney is the general manager of Golden Gate Fields. 

 

Opinions expressed in Daily Planet commentary and letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Planet or its staff.


Commentary: A Better Way Than Measure A

By Yolanda Huang
Friday October 13, 2006

The Daily Planet recently published a commentary from Mary Hurlbert, an employee of the Berkeley Unified School District’s downtown staff, supporting the school district’s proposed parcel tax on the November ballot. However, what’s wrong with the new measure A are its very troubling consequences for our children’s’ future, namely no guarantees that the money will be spent to benefit children’s education, while giving administrators a free hand to spend the money for “all costs,” including hefty salary increases for administrators. 

Everyone should read the measure’s actual language. California courts have ruled that campaign literature cannot be enforced in Court. Only the actual language of a measure is enforceable. While the campaign literature talks about “class size reduction” the actual measure states that class size reduction is only a “goal”. There are no consequences in the measure if the “goal” is not met [Ballot Measure Section 3(A)(ii)]. 

The measure also does not contain any ceiling or limit on how large a class can be. It talks about averages. Therefore, one special education class of five averaged with a class of 47 produces the “goal” of 26 as the average class size for elementary school classes. 

The measure also contains a giant loophole—which allows the school district to keep all your tax money, and ignore even the “goal” of class size reduction. And this loop hole provides that when the school district has over shot its budget, it can declare a “Severe Fiscal Emergency” [Ballot Measure Section 3(A)(iii)]. And the school district did just that in two of the last four years. Even now, Board member Nancy Riddle has publicly stated that BUSD’s finances are “fragile.” This means BUSD is still not managing its money well. 

The ballot measure also contains no specifications on how the money should be spent and contains nothing that directs the school district to be concerned about, or to spend funds to improve student learning. The ballot measure allows the school district to spend these monies “for all costs attendant to them, including operational and professional development costs, and other costs associated with the opening or maintaining of classrooms to reduce class sizes” [Ballot Measure Section 3(A)(iv)]. 

Last year, teachers received a 2.5 percent pay raise. One month after the teachers’ union contract was negotiated, top administrators started receiving 15 percent pay raises. They accomplished this by giving themselves new job titles with higher salary rates, while they continued performing the same jobs. Between 2001 and now, Superintendent Michele Lawrence’s salary has increased from $150,000 a year to $195,000 a year. And this doesn’t include a $300,000 interest free loan courtesy of the school district. And this is a perfectly legal way of spending this “enrichment tax”. 

As the icing on top, the school district has made Measure A a 10-year tax. The school district claims that they need the “stability” of a long term tax and then they justify all the holes in the measure’s language as “flexibility” during this too long period. Ten years is almost the entire time a child spends in school. It’s too long a period to go without voter review. The standard period for a tax measure is four years.  

It would be one thing if BUSD schools were among the top, but BUSD schools are not performing well. Nine of the 16 schools have not met federal education achievement standards. Berkeley High School, which in 2000 was in the top 10 percent of high schools in the state, has fallen 20 percent, so that it is now only in the 70th percentile. The drop- out rate, according to the California State Department of Education, is 30 percent higher than the county average.  

Berkeley schools have the widest achievement gap in the county. Berkeley schools have a high absentee rate. There’s a very high cost for special education, while many parents of special ed students do not feel their children are receiving quality services. In the meantime, PE is being cut. The much lauded arts program gives children one half hour of visual art, if that, a week. The list of issues goes on. 

We believe in public funding of public school. What we want to insure is that these funds actually benefit children’s education. We can do better than Measure A. A better measure on the March Ballot means BUSD will not lose one dollar in funding. Please join us in asking the school district to write a better measure for the March ballot, one we can all support. Vote NO on Measure A.  

 

Yolanda Huang is a member of BeSmaart.  

 

Opinions expressed in Daily Planet commentary and letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Planet or its staff.


Commentary: Preservation and Democracy: The Case Against Measure J

By Alan Tobey
Friday October 13, 2006

At a recent campaign appearance, mayoral candidate Zelda Bronstein said that the people of Berkeley should oppose “government by fiat” and instead encourage more “community-based decision-making.” That’s a great idea—and all who agree with it will vote against Measure J, the anti-democratic landmark preservation initiative. 

For the last six years the City Council has been managing a community-wide effort to update and improve our well-regarded Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (LPO). That effort, in typically democratic Berkeley style, has required dozens of commission meetings, workshops and public hearings; discussion at more than ten meetings of the City Council; hundreds of hours of expensive city staff time; and thousands of hours of citizen participation.  

The resulting revised ordinance was accepted on supermajority 7-2 votes by both the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the City Council (as a first reading) in July. It makes modest changes to the existing ordinance, only two of which remain controversial (see below). This “community-compromise” ordinance involved hard bargaining among passionate citizens groups—ably facilitated by Mayor Bates and LPC commissioner Carrie Olson—who all yielded some ground so as to meet in the middle. 

However, fearing the worst from a City Council they have deemed to be “pro-developer,” a small group of hyper-preservationists wrote and submitted an LPO initiative petition that has now become Measure J. Written by just two concerned citizens with some input from the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, the petition was never made available for community discussion. Precisely zero public meetings were held to ask for feedback or suggestions for improvement. If passed, Measure J would enact an outmoded version of the LPO that could only be changed by another ballot vote—the main aim of this special interest group who seem to disfavor change of any kind. 

Only the submission of the petition, and the related private threat of a referendum campaign to repeal the community-compromise version if enacted, has prevented the City Council from turning its own ordinance into law by approving the second reading. 

Given tight electoral timelines, the Measure J petition had to be submitted before the City Council acted on its own ordinance. The submitters’ attitude therefore had to be “whatever the City Council might pass, we’re against it.” That was especially unfortunate: helpful negotiations among councilmembers and concerned citizens continued right up to the time of the council vote. Those difficult discussions removed most of the objections and all of the potential loopholes that had made earlier drafts imperfect. Many of the perceived and purported “dangers” of the community-compromise ordinance were modified or simply eliminated in favor of a beneficial consensus result – but not in time to prevent the initiative petition being filed. 

As a result of this maneuvering, we citizens of Berkeley are now left with a choice between two proposed revisions of the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. If Measure J fails, the Council will speedily enact the community-compromise version. Let’s therefore look at how the proposed revisions are similar, and how they are different. 

Measure J adds to the existing LPO just six revisions that had been suggested by the State Historic Preservation Office in 1990. Four of those are uncontroversial improvements to legal phrasing. Beyond that, Measure J proposes two functional improvements: 1) it gives the LPC for the first time the authority to deny proposed demolitions of designated historic resources; 2) it includes as part of the decision criteria for landmarks the state-mandated concept of “integrity” (basically the need for a proposed historic resource to tell its story in a way that’s still detectable). 

Both of these improvements, however, have also explicitly been included in the community-compromise ordinance, meaning that defeating Measure J will leave neither of its improvements on the table. In addition, both Measure J and the community-compromise version retain the secondary preservation category of “structure of merit.” Though Mayor Bates and others had proposed significantly weakening this category, the discussions led to no substantive changes. Measure J was originally touted as a means to “save structure of merit;” but that will now happen regardless of the ballot outcome.  

That leaves two main proposals in the community-consensus ordinance that significantly go beyond what Measure J envisions: 

1) Elimination of last-minute initiations by petition. The two versions differ to minor degrees in the amounts of time provided for normal LPC decision-making, though both allow enough time for careful consideration of properties and sufficient public input. The community-compromise version, however, would eliminate one controversial part of current law: the ability to initiate a property for landmarking up to the last minute in the use-permitting process, which has sometimes added another 9 months or more to the timeline. Instead, citizens are allowed to initiate by petition at any time up until 20 days after the LPC has reviewed a property but declined to initiate on its own. And the signature requirement on such petitions has been reduced from 50 to 25. 

2) Addition of a “request for determination” (RFD) procedure. This would allow any property owner to request a neutral evaluation of the property’s landmark qualifications, and would grant a two-year moratorium from revisiting the question if landmark status is not conveyed. Foreknowledge of historic status would help property owners consider how any future permit applications should be handled. 

Measure J proponents have called RFD “an open door for developers to destroy historic properties” by filing applications with inadequate information in order to gain illegitimate temporary exemptions. That might have been a possibility in the community draft as late as last spring, but the continuing discussion removed a couple of loopholes and ensured that any RFD will be accompanied by a detailed historical analysis from an objective LPC-approved consultant. 

As a summary, therefore, Measure J offers no improvements to our preservation capabilities that the community-compromise version won’t also deliver, while the community-compromise version adds some additional useful—but certainly not dangerous—new procedures to improve the fairness and efficiency of the law. And Measure J would lock the ordinance into a version that could be revised only via another expensive ballot vote. 

In the end, we have a clear choice— approve an attempt at hyper-preservationist government by fiat, or support an ordinance based on the hard work and consensus of the whole community. Please help us support the democratic process in Berkeley—and strengthen the preservationist cause—by voting no on Measure J. 

 

Alan Tobey, a retired technologist, has lived in Berkeley since 1970. He is a board member of Livable Berkeley, which opposes Measure J. 

 

Opinions expressed in Daily Planet commentary and letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Planet or its staff.


Commentaary: NEBA Newsletter Misrepresents Measure A

By Laurie Snowden
Friday October 13, 2006

Like many who read the just-mailed North East Berkeley Association newsletter, I had to check twice to see if this was really a mailing from the old and respected neighborhood organization, or just a Republican hit piece. 

The NEBA board has apparently taken a position against Measure A, the school tax renewal—which is their right—but the arguments used to support this position in the President’s Letter are so distorted, loopy, or just plain false, that they need to be publicly corrected: 

Argument No. 1: “The measure states that 200 million dollars “may” (NEBA’s caps) be used for smaller classrooms. It may not, just as easily.”  

The actual text of the measure reads: 

“Available revenues raised by the measure are to be allocated to the following purposes and shall be deposited in restricted accounts for these purposes: Smaller class sizes, expanded course offerings, and counseling—66 percent.” 

None of the 66 percent can be spent for expanded course offerings or counseling until the stated class sizes of the measure are met—which means never, as anyone familiar with the current school finances knows. Section 5Bi provides for community oversight of the funds; section 5D provides for a yearly independent audit to determine that funds have been spent as specified in the measure.  

The “may” so glibly emphasized by the President occurs in the measure with the stricture that “After resultant class sizes meet the goals stated above, additional teachers may be added first to allow for expanded course offerings and then for program support...” 

The claim in the president’s letter that the funds “may not, just as easily,” be spent on class size reduction is not just a willful misreading; it is simply false. Nothing in the measure supports it. 

Argument No. 2: “The initiative’s language is vague on this point (class size reduction)” 

On the contrary, Measure A sets out with perfect clarity the percent of money to be spent on class size reduction (66 percent) as well as the actual class sizes to be met. If this is the president’s idea of vague it would be interesting to know what she calls precision. 

Argument No. 3: the renewal period for BSEP, 10 years, is too long; “Albany, Kensington, and Oakland,” according to the NEBA president, “use a four-year renewal schedule.”  

Reality: Albany has 3 parcel taxes, totaling $500 per parcel. About half of it, $260, has no sunset; it is forever—longer than four years, by anybody’s math. The remaining $250 has a seven-year schedule. Oakland’s is five years; Kensington is not a school district, but West Contra Costa, of which it is a part, has a six-year schedule. 

The rest of the newsletter contains a flurry of insults and slurs (“What does the superintendent of the worst-performing school district in the county [Berkeley] earn?”)  

The worst-performing school district in the county? Excuse me? The high school where our students—of all colors—outscore their group at any other school in the county? Which Newsweek placed in the top 2 percent of high schools nationwide? 

A better question might be, what is a superintendent worth who takes on a district on the verge of insolvency, a dysfunctional accounting system, a multimillion dollar debt to the state, a high school about to lose its accreditation—whose principal jumps ship—(those are just the high points) and turns around all those problems in the space of five years? 

But I stray from the point. The president’s letter in the NEBA newsletter is the height of irresponsibility for a neighborhood group, whose role should be that of careful arbiter, not shrill partisan. To make it worse, the Measure she has chosen to smear is vital to the future of 9,000 schoolchildren. The NEBA piece, in a close election, could cause it to fail. If the NEBA board does not act quickly to retract and correct the misstatements in this mailing, NEBA will suffer a complete loss of credibility. But that is really nothing to what they will have caused Berkeley children to lose. 

 

Laurie Snowden is a Northeast Berkeley resident and member of the BUSD audit committee. 

 

Opinions expressed in Daily Planet commentary and letters to the editor are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Planet or its staff.  


Columns

Column: The Public Eye: Looking at ‘Savage America’ Through Foreign Eyes

By Bob Burnett
Tuesday October 17, 2006

Paris: We invite our French friend to visit us and he says, “I’m afraid to go to America.” It’s a common response: the French are curious about the United States, understand it’s a beautiful, complicated country, but are nervous about visiting. Of course, since 9/11, it’s a lot harder to get a visa. But underneath the security-related paperwork looms a more ominous reality: America is no longer seen as a welcoming place. It’s viewed as unpredictable. Savage. 

The news reports reinforce the impression that the United States is a dangerous, brutal country. Every day there’s an item about Iraq: more troops are needed, sectarian violence rages, occupation forces are accused of atrocities, and George Bush stubbornly defends his policies. This news is accompanied by disturbing American vignettes: a gunman kills five children at a Pennsylvania school, a Congressman is said to be a sexual predator, and the Republican Congress gives their President the power to deny human rights to suspected terrorists. The cumulative effect of the media coverage is corrosive. Europeans believe the United States is becoming less civilized. 

Our French friends ask: What happened to America? We respond defensively: Say the U.S. is a wonderful country. Claim the media emphasizes the negative, where there are many positives. Argue that President Bush does not speak for all Americans. But they know he represents a large segment of American society. And his base believes in him. Supports his vision of savage America. 

As we scramble for an answer to what has happened to the U.S., we explain that the brutalization of America is the product of three separate factors: The first is historical. America is a young country and the people who founded it, the pioneers, were a hardy group. They didn’t always play by the Marquess of Queensbury rules. A fair number of American folk heroes—Kit Carson and Andrew Jackson, to name two—engaged in conduct that today’s standards would view unfavorably. As the borders of America crept westward, explorers often were a law unto themselves. On the frontier, the strongest set the rules. 

American culture treasures the memory of the frontier. Venerates entrepreneurs, today’s version of the pioneers. Accepts a moral code where winners not only take all, but also define the rules of the game. As a result, American society is sometimes governed by a morality more concerned with money than justice. This is the savage America revered by economic conservatives. 

Paradoxically, another element that contributed to the brutalization of American life was Christianity. Fundamentalist Christians have been a factor in our society from the beginning. They came here to escape religious persecution in Europe. Sought religious freedom. Wanted to be left alone. And, initially, treasured the separation of church and state. As a result, for most of our history, Americans were privately religious, but publicly secular. Until the last 30 years. 

1974 saw the birth of the Religious Right. A group that’s become a powerful political force in the US: the core of George Bush’s support. A movement that advocates theocracy; believes much of secular society to be evil. A major segment of American society that’s aggressively dogmatic and narrow-minded. Intolerant, even hateful, towards non-believers and foreigners. That wants America to be a “Christian” nation. Is willing to sacrifice human rights to obtain their goal: a nation of true believers. This is the image of savage America coveted by social conservatives. 

The final factor that accounts for the brutalization of America is the philosophy of the Bush Administration. George W. Bush and his closest advisers—Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Donald Rumsfeld, and Condoleezza Rice—see the world as a jungle, where it is every person for his or herself. They believe survival in such a world requires the construction of fortress America: a society where the primary actor is the President as commander-in-chief and the primary instrument of public policy is the military. A nation where human rights are minimized in the interest of “national security.” An America that subjugates freedom to order. 

The Bush Administration believes not only that the President is above the law, but also that he defines the law. That the office of the President prescribes American reality. While giving lip service to democracy, they disdain majority rule, seek to form a plutocracy. This is the savage America revered by political conservatives. 

These three circumstances, and three somewhat different political philosophies, combined to produce the savage America the French and other Europeans fear. A brutal, crude America governed by one rule: might makes right. 

It’s hard to see this America. It helps to be outside the country, as we are at the moment, and to look at the United States from a distance. Still, it’s difficult to admit that the U.S. is on the decline while much of the first world is the ascent. Nonetheless, philosophers teach that ignorance is the inability to see things as they really are. And, the truth is that the United States has become a savage nation. A country that’s not only abandoning democracy, but also civil society. 


UC Plans to Raze Senior Oaks to Make Way for Stadium

By Ron Sullivan, Special to the Planet
Tuesday October 17, 2006

It will surprise no one, I’m sure, that the unofficial tree maven of the Berkeley Daily Planet is coming out against the clearcutting of a grove of senior live oaks in the city to make way for the construction of a yet another new University Sportspalast. I’ll even add that quite a few of the trees slated for destruction look sturdy enough to sit in. Oaks tend to be trustworthy to bear the weight of a human being.  

Whether human beings can be trusted to live in a civilized manner alongside such beings is once again open to question. Veteran environmental writer Harold Gilliam expressed doubts on the currently ruling state of mind at UC Berkeley in an opinion piece in the Sunday, Oct. 8 San Francisco Chronicle. He wrote mostly about the tension between unfiltered market values and all other values, including the academic, pointing out in particular how the salaries of the university’s administrators are ten to 15 times those of the “bottom-tier”—that is, front-line—employees and double the average of the faculty’s salaries. Student tuition, meanwhile, has gone from zero (with only a $27 registration fee) in Gilliam’s time there to $30,000 for the four undergraduate years; students’ other costs—lodging, books, materials fees—have risen similarly.  

What Californians could once regard as a birthright, an education from their tax-supported university system, has become the property of the wealthy, with bits allotted to those who could jump through the right hoops and/or go into debt for years. The money’s flowing faster than ever, but where?  

Administrators are facilitators. Their job is to set things up and keep them running so that the avowed purposes of the university, education and research, can be done efficiently and well. UC Berkeley brags justly about its “tradition of Nobel prize winners,” and the school’s researchers do plenty of great work that doesn’t get gold-starred, and hooray for them.  

Lately it does rather appear that a greater proportion of the research getting funds is stuff directly linked with high-profit corporate enterprise. The tangled connections between tax-funded academia and corporate profits have produced some comical situations, with patent suits and countersuits and intrigues finding their way into the news. The tangles themselves are great fun to trace if you have nothing better to do; the things that get disclosed obfuscate as much as they illuminate.  

In the main, though, one suspects that this high-stakes—that is, high-profit—stuff is what these high-paid administrators are being paid so highly to facilitate. The purported academic traditions, all that excellence and enlightenment and pure science and sublime art that hallow the hallowed halls, not so much.  

So, in a similar vein, UC’s profitable sports get overblown subsidies, and the intramural stuff gets a new facility thrown in. Is this a new library, a new field biology facility? No, we’ll pretend that Mens sana in corpore sano calls for lots of “character–building” team sports and bloated space and budgets for spectator sports, because that corpus isn’t sano enough unless it’s being watched by people in school colors, right? And we’ve learned not even to see anything that’s in the way of the bleachers unless it’s in a mascot costume.  

What about those oaks?  

Many are old—at least one is supposed to be 200 or so, and the younger set got planted in the early 1920s when the current stadium was built. Along with the senior trees are several younger ones and a few seedlings—the right configuration for the continuing life of a grove, young trees replacing their parents. 

Before that stadium, what was there was a waterfall, probably at the point where Strawberry Creek ran over the Hayward Fault scarp, and a meadow that was a favorite picnicking and strolling spot for students and other citizens. The creek, in one of our local landscaping grotesqueries, now runs under the swimming pool and tennis courts as well as the stadium.  

The oaks are in good shape, too, especially for city trees. UC consulted tree experts who pronounced most of them healthy and many of specimen quality; many also officially have high historic value. There is, wonder of wonders, a healthy old “California” peppertree on the fringe of the kill zone. The grove includes huge Atlas cedars, Hinoki cypress, redwoods, Western yew, and Port Orford cedar; those last two are California species in danger of extinction in the wild.  

A 20-minute stroll through the grove, at noon in a slow season, revealed a pair of Nuttall’s woodpeckers, Steller’s and scrub jays, juncos, plain titmouse, chickadees, ruby-crowned kinglets, California towhees, vireos, and some warbler I never did identify—we hadn’t bothered to bring binoculars. A youth-gang of crows rumbled around and harassed the raven pair who happened through, a spectacular skydance that went on for ten minutes.  

That’s just one short visit. No classroom could provide as much instruction.  

The EIR for the project is available in the public library or online at www.cp.berkeley.edu—look for the “campus and community” info area. There’s a group trying to save the grove: SOS, at www.saveoaks.com. It includes UC students and Berkeley citizens and has support from the Sierra Club, the California Native Plant Society, and the likes of Julia Butterfly Hill. I’ll be following the story over the next few months.  

 

Photograph by Ron Sullivan 

These oaks, among other trees, are target for clearcutting to make way for UC Berkeley’s new stadium complex. 

 


Column: Dispatches From the Edge: Thai Coup, Wolfowitz on the Ropes, Ecuador’s Election

By Conn Hallinan
Friday October 13, 2006

The coup in Thailand was treated by most of the U.S. media with profound confusion over what was at stake, coupled with a certain admiration at its bloodless efficiency. Photos of soldiers being handed roses and children posing in front of tanks were all the rage on front pages and the six o’clock news. But if the Sept. 19 putsch turns out to be the coup de grace for Thailand’s young democracy, a major culprit in the whole sordid business will be the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  

According to Walden Bello, Professor of Sociology at the University of the Philippines and author of “The Siamese Tragedy: Development and Disintegration in Modern Thailand,” the current coup finds its roots in the role played by the IMF during the 1997-2001 Asian financial crisis that devastated economies throughout the region. 

In fact, the crisis was largely a result of IMF pressure to institute the neo-liberal “Washington Consensus” of opening financial markets to foreign investors, privatizing social services and cutting public spending. According to Bello, when the government of Barnharn Silipa-Archa resisted, the IMF engineered its ouster in 1996 and got the compliant—and deeply corrupt—government of former general Chavalit Yongchiyudi. 

The 1997 crisis was sparked when foreign investors pulled up their stakes and sent the Thai economy into free fall. Because the economic checks and balances, along with the social safety net, had all been dismantled, one million Thais were pushed below the poverty line. 

The $72 billion “aid bailout” that the IMF offered was predicated on Thailand accelerating its acceptance of the Washington Consensus. The Thais agreed, but never saw a penny. Instead of using the aid to shore up the desperately damaged economy, the IMF used it to pay off foreign creditors. 

If most Thais concluded the IMF had hijacked their country, they were essentially right. Bello points out that the IMF did pretty much the same thing in the Philippines and Pakistan, and in both cases ended up undermining people’s commitment to democracy. Why vote or care who is in power if someone in Washington is making all the decisions?  

Billionaire Thanksin Shinwatra was elected in 2001 on an anti-IMF platform with promises of a debt moratorium for farmers, low cost loans, and health care. While he did institute these measures, he also began to systematically undermine the constitution, amass enormous political power, and enrich himself and his supporters.  

Thanksin’s populist policies won him wide support among the rural and urban poor, but his authoritarianism further weakened the democratic institutions already damaged by the IMF. While the military stayed on the sidelines, he summarily executed some 2,500 drug dealers, escalated the oppression of ethnic Malays in Southern Thailand, and garnered yet more assets for his family and supporters. But when he tried to pack the military with his own supporters, the generals struck. 

Bello says the coup’s long-term effects are likely to be deeply damaging to Thailand’s democracy. After 14 years during which the military stayed out of politics, the army is back in charge. And the new government, led by General Surayud Chulanont, a member of King Bhumidol Adulyadej’s Privy Council, announced that it would appoint the drafters of a new constitution. 

But the old one was a genuinely democratic document. “The only thing wrong with Thailand,” Senator Somkait Onwimm told the Financial Times, “is that we tend to have a lot of bad people, and good laws.” 

As Bello points out, the Thai coup is the second high-profile collapse of an “elite-democracy” since the 1999 coup in Pakistan. “It may not be the last,” he warns.  

 

Will the Wolfie survive? World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz took a shellacking at last month’s joint meeting between the Bank and the IMF over his policy of ranking the fight against corruption higher than the alleviation of poverty.  

British International Development Secretary Hilary Benn fired the first broadside when he suspended a $94 million pledge to the Bank unless Wolfowitz agreed to stop making “onerous demands” on poor countries. “Our job, and the job [of the bank] is to help eliminate poverty,” Benn said. “This means we should not walk away from our responsibilities to poor people, whatever the behavior of public officials and politicians in the countries where they live.” 

Benn went on to say that “rich countries” must share some of the blame for corruption, pointing to companies “who provide the bribes or offer opportunities to hide stolen assets.” 

Wolfowitz has come under increasing criticism for what critics charge are his arbitrary actions around corruption. He cut off aid to Congo because he read newspaper reports that its president ran up extravagant hotel bills during last year’s United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. He killed $800 million for a maternal and children’s health program in India because there were allegations of corruption. 

Bank officials who objected have been sidelined. “He presumes that anyone who opposes him is either incompetent or corrupt,” Roberto Danino, a former senior vice-president of the Bank, and ex-prime minister of Peru, told the New York Times. 

When Wolfowitz proposed making the UN’s goal of reducing poverty by 50 percent over the next nine years secondary to fighting corruption, the representatives of the Bank’s shareholder governments slapped him down. Instead, they voted that they, not Wolfowitz, will have the final say over the anti-corruption campaign. 

Wolfowitz’s leading critics are European countries, which are increasingly nervous about their waning power to influence the world’s economy. Many Asian nations were so angry at the Bank and the IMF for their roles in the 1997 financial crisis, that they created the Chaing Mai Initiative, a parallel lending group to bypass the huge lending institutions. 

The U.S. and European countries dominate the IMF and the World Bank. As one critic pointed out, the basic problem with both institutions is that those who have the votes don’t need the money, while those who need the money, don’t have the votes. 

Part of the uproar is about Wolfowitz himself. He owes his position to President George W. Bush and, like the White House, runs things from the top down, relying on a small cadre of neo-conservative Republican activists. As the Financial Times editorialized, “This is no way to run a railroad; and it is not the way to choose the head of the premier development institution.” 

 

Rafael Correa, the leftist frontrunner in Ecuador’s Oct. 15 election, took sharp issue with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s calling President George W. Bush “the Devil.” Speaking on Quito’s Channel 8 television, Correa said, “Calling Bush the Devil is offending the Devil. The Devil is evil, but intelligent. I believe Bush is a tremendously dimwitted president who has done great damage to his country and the world.” 

Correa is running 11 points ahead of his nearest rival, center-left candidate Leon Roldos. Correa needs 40 percent in the first round to avoid a runoff, something no presidential candidate has ever accomplished in Ecuador. 

A former finance minister, he is calling for closing the huge U.S. military base at Manta, and renegotiating the nation’s oil contracts and free trade agreements. He delivers many of his speeches in Quichua, the indigenous language of the highlands.


Column: Undercurrents: Oakland Wants to Win Back Control of its Schools

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday October 13, 2006

The recently-released Assessment and Recovery Plan Fourth Progress Report on the Oakland Unified School District by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assessment Team (FCMAT) takes us into Alice-In-Wonderland/Bizarro world territory, friends. Concluding that the office of the State Superintendent’s office has messed up the Oakland schools for three years and counting without Oakland’s input, our friends at FCMAT continue to assert that this proves Oakland is not ready to run Oakland’s schools. The logic of that assertion escapes me, but it’s all perfectly legal and all built into SB39, the Don Perata-authored legislation that authorized the Oakland school takeover in 2003. 

But to paraphrase Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke, calling it legal don’t make it right, boss. 

SB39 says that along with other criteria, local control can be returned to the Oakland schools in five separate areas—community relations and governance, pupil achievement, financial management, personnel procedures, and facilities management—if “for at least the immediately previous six months the district has made substantial and sustained progress” in that area. In its recent report, FCMAT said that the district has only made such progress in one area: community relations and governance. All of this raises a number of questions. 

1. Since the Oakland school takeover occurred solely because of fiscal problems, why must the district achieve “substantial and sustained progress” in four other areas besides fiscal management before being allowed to return to local control?  

SB39 reads at Section 3, after all, that the takeover was necessary “because of the fiscal emergency” and that state control is necessary “in order to ensure the return to the district of fiscal solvency.” That being the case, why didn’t the SB39 language simply read, as Fresno Assemblymember Sarah Reyes suggested in the 2003 Assembly Education deliberations on the bill that “in two years, if you have a payback plan and FCMAT certifies your payback plan, you can have your district back.” 

Nobody asserted in 2003, after all, that Oakland was screwing up in the four other areas. In fact, SB39 noted that before the takeover, “the Oakland Unified School District has made demonstrable academic improvements over the last few years, witnessed by test score improvements, more fully credentialed teachers in Oakland classrooms, and increased parental and community involvement.” 

2. Since FCMAT has concluded that Oakland has made “substantial and sustained progress” in community relations and governance for more than a year, why hasn’t local control been restored by State Superintendent Jack O’Connell to Oakland in that area? 

In many ways, FCMAT’s assessment in the area of community relations and governance borders on the paternalistic. The FCMAT report says, for example, that “in its advisory status, the board has continued to demonstrate a desire to be involved in establishing the district’s direction,” that “the board has worked to demonstrate its readiness to resume some areas of authority through working to define its role in the district’s Expect Success and Community Plan for Accountability in Schools campaigns,” and, finally, that “the conduct of board members at meetings continues to be respectful.” They might as well have said that Oakland’s school board members work well with other children, too.  

Still, despite the fact that the September, 2006 FCMAT report notes that “FCMAT has determined that [community relations and governance] is appropriate for the governing board of the Oakland Unified School District to assume,” and, further, that “FCMAT recommended to the Superintendent of Public Instruction in September 2005 that consideration be given to the return of this operational area to the district governing board,” State Superintendent O’Connell has chosen to ignore this recommendation. 

Of course, to give back control to the Oakland school board in one area would give the board authority and status at a time when the school board is opposing Mr. O’Connell’s plan to sell off valuable Oakland school property. So perhaps that is one reason he wants to hold off on that, for a bit. 

3. Finally, since fiscal problems were the stated reason Oakland Unified was taken over by the state, is putting Oakland Unified’s fiscal house in order Mr. O’Connell’s top priority? It wouldn’t seem so. 

SB39, at Section 4, required that the state administrator to be hired by the state superintendent to run Oakland’s schools “shall have recognized expertise in management and finance.” 

Did Randolph Ward meet the “finance” part of that qualification when he was hired by Jack O’Connell in 2003 to run the Oakland schools? Mr. Ward had worked for two years as state administrator of the Compton Unified School District, and had been a fellow at the Eli Broad Academy that trains superintendents, so perhaps he picked up some information there on financial management. But his college studies tended to the educational part of education rather than the financial part, with a B.S. from Tufts University in Early Childhood Education and Mental Health, an Ed.M. in School Leadership from Harvard and another in Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts and an Ed.D. in Policy, Planning and Administration from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Nothing in this résumé would suggest that Mr. Ward had “recognized expertise” in the field of finance. 

So what was Mr. Ward’s financial record at OUSD? 

Although failure to balance OUSD’s budget was the reason local control was seized from Oakland in the first place, upon his hiring Mr. Ward immediately announced that balancing the budget was going to be a difficulty. Then-Oakland Tribune reporter Alex Katz (he’s now the OUSD Public Information Officer) reported in June of 2003 that “Ward differed from [former OUSD Superintendent] Chaconas on the need to balance the budget right away, which would be ’very difficult if not impossible for next year without decimating the entire school district,’ he said.” 

In January of the following year, when Ward announced a budget that was $21 million in the red, reporter Robert Gammon, then with the Tribune, wrote that “Ward, his top financial adviser and a FCMAT official … essentially [said that] former Superintendent of Schools Dennis Chaconas and the school board slashed too much from last year’s budget. ‘They cut too far,’ Ward said… Barbara Dean, a FCMAT official being paid by Oakland, agreed, adding: “Last year, the focus in this district was 'Let’s not get a state loan.’ ” 

That was then, this is now. 

Now FCMAT is painting a devastating picture of Ward’s fiscal tenure at OUSD. “The reforms undertaken by the district have not always been compatible with the goal of fiscal recovery and the return to local governance,” FCMAT concludes in its September 2006 report. 

And—“The size of the district’s long-term debt has increased and the district has not remedied its previous pattern of deficit spending.” 

And—“The State Controller made a disclaimer of opinion in the 2003-04 financial audit based on the district’s recording errors and lack of sufficient supporting documents for many items, including accounts payable.” 

And—“Very little progress has been made to address the deficiencies in the internal audit function. The district did not implement the general recommendation regarding the establish of an audit committee.” 

And on and on and on, such a gloomy fiscal picture that FCMAT rated Mr. Ward’s fiscal management of OUSD at a 4.00 on a 10 point scale, the lowest rating of the five operational areas it was assessing. 

Given this dismal fiscal record, you would think that when Mr. Ward resigned earlier this year, Mr. O’Connell would give Oakland the fiscal expert it needs as his replacement. Instead, Mr. O’Connell appointed Kimberly Stathan to succeed Mr. Ward. It was the popular choice, winning praise from several board members and staff and some community members, but was it the best choice? While Ms. Stathan is universally considered to be a really nice person who is easier to work with than Mr. Ward, her background is in education, not finance. 

That would seem to put Mr. O’Connell directly out of compliance with both the letter and spirit of the SB39 state takeover legislation, which concluded that Oakland Unified was having a severe fiscal crisis, and called for the hiring of an administrator with recognized financial expertise. 

At the board/administrator presentation of the FCMAT report this week, one citizen said that we were watching the “systematic dismantling of the Oakland Unified School District” before our eyes, a downward spiral with dwindling enrollment and finances as the state botches the running of a local school district. Hard to argue with that. Hard to wonder why we—the citizens of Oakland, as well as the citizens of the State of California—are allowing this to happen. 

Oakland Unified made one mistake—granting a needed teacher pay raise that it couldn’t afford—and Oakland has been paying for it, dearly, for the past three years. Who pays for the many mistakes made by FCMAT and the Office of State Superintendent Jack O’Connell during their time at the wheel? Unfortunately, Oakland, again. 


East Bay Then and Now: Some East Bay Buildings Were Inspired by Precedent

By Daniella Thompson
Friday October 13, 2006

In Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, the only architect worth his salt is the individualist who tosses all historic precedents onto the trash heap. Published in 1943, the novel was a battle cry for the revolution of modernism, which was expected to take hold from then to eternity. 

In retrospect, modernism, like all fashions and movements, enjoyed its time in the limelight, to be replaced by newer trends. In the process, it was revealed that even modern structures are not created in a vacuum. 

Inspiration can proceed from natural or built environments, from the old or the new, from the familiar or the foreign. The following 20th-century structures demonstrate the diversity of precedents that influenced their design. 

Chapel of the Cross, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley (1965) 

Situated above Grizzly Peak Blvd. at 2770 Marin Avenue, the secluded nine-acre PLTS campus combines the lands of the former Dobbins and Nash estates, anchored by two Spanish Colonial Revival mansions built in 1923 and 1931, respectively. Overlooking expansive vistas to the east, north, and west, the hilltop site is surrounded by trees. 

Into this context, architect James Leefe inserted a chapel modeled on another hilltop chapel, Le Corbusier’s famed Nôtre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, built in 1955. 

Only ten years separate the model from the progeny, a testament to the profound shockwaves Corbusier’s chapel—a monument dedicated to nature and signaling a break with cubist modernism—unleashed on architecture worldwide. 

As in Ronchamp, the walls are thick and curved, surmounted by a monumental hollow concrete roof. Illumination is provided via slits below the roof. But here the resemblance ends. The Chapel of the Cross is an urban adaptation that lacks the earth-grown appearance of the original. 

Also lacking is advantageous siting. The chapel stands at the lower, southwestern end of the seminary campus, where it is surrounded by the back yards of neighboring houses. The building turns its back on the campus, and all its access doors are located toward the rear, theoretically enabling worshippers to walk directly from campus into chapel. 

The downside of this arrangement is multifold. The prow of the chapel is invisible from the campus. With invisibility comes neglect, so the only landscaping at the southern end consists of a dead lawn. This is also the area assigned for visitor parking, which stamps it as dead space. 

 

6356 Broadway Terrace, Oakland (1993) 

This playful house replaced a 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival residence that had burned in the 1991 hills fire. In a neighborhood chock-a-block with insurance-fuelled Hatter’s Castles and mini McMansions, the 1,400 square-foot building is both a refreshing exercise in modesty of scale and a rare statement of creativity. 

For a difficult site, both hilly and narrow, Ace Architects took as their model Bernard Maybeck’s innovative portable masterpiece, Hearst Hall (erected in 1899, burned in 1922), whose vast central Gothic arch utilized laminated wood. Two false towers sporting exterior struts flanked the arched façade. 

The Broadway Terrace house echoes Maybeck’s arched hall in an asymmetric arrangement utilizing a single tower (when it was being built, the neighbors referred to the house as “that church with a privy”). 

The arched mass is faced with copper-clad asphalt shingles, which impart a vague maritime effect harking back to Norse seafaring sagas. Arching struts descend from the tower roof, a lighthearted reference to Maybeck’s struts, while dragon’s head beam-ends in the trellises are a direct quotation of Maybeck’s signature. 

 

Sunol Water Temple (1910) 

From the mid-19th century until 1930, supplying water to San Francisco was a monopoly held by the Spring Valley Water Company. Prior to the construction of the Hetch Hetchy pipeline, as much as 50% of the city’s water came from a 600-square-mile watershed in Alameda County, converging in Sunol before being directed to San Francisco through Niles Canyon. 

In 1908, a major share in the Spring Valley Water Co. was secured by William Bourn, owner of the Empire mine and the foremost patron of architect Willis Polk. For Bourn, Polk designed in the 1890s a grand clinker-brick town house in Pacific heights, as well as the Empire Mine “cottage” in Grass Valley. In 1915, he would design Filoli for Bourn. 

Seeking to overturn Spring Valley Water’s reputation for rapaciousness, Bourn engaged in a public image campaign that included the building of an elegant water temple in Sunol. For the design, he turned to Polk. 

Polk’s inspiration came from a classic precedent: the ancient Roman Temple of Vesta in Tivoli. Like Sunol, Tivoli is a watery place, located at the end of the Aniene river valley, where the river forms a series of cascades through a gorge. 

Built in the first century on a precipice overlooking the river, the Temple of Vesta—a graceful round pavilion surrounded by 18 Corinthian columns—is the subject of numerous old-master paintings, including several by Piranesi. The composer Hector Berlioz, who visited Tivoli in 1831, described in his diary “the lovely little temple of Vesta, which looks rather like a temple of Love.” 

Polk’s pavilion, 18 meters high, girdled by twelve concrete Corinthian columns, and crowned by a conical wood-and-tile roof, was a popular sightseeing and picnic destination for decades, until severe damage in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake led to its closure. Now restored, the temple, which is owned by the San Francisco Water District, is open for visitors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

week). 

 

Photograph by Daniella Thompson 

Chapel of the Cross, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, is modeled after Le Corbusier's Nôtre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp.


Garden Variety: New Native Plant Nursery Blooms in Cull Canyon

By Ron Sullivan
Friday October 13, 2006

Pete Veilleux wrote something to the California native-plant mavens’ mailing list the other day: “It’s October! Time for squirrel stomach pie—my memere’s specialty. She called it poor man’s toot cake.” 

Before I got to ask him whether the squirrel stomachs involved were full of acorns, or how many squirrels it would take to make a pie, or even the recipe (because the Eastern fox squirrels have begun to root up my stuff again, which means it’s time for another layer of red pepper from the Korean supermarket, which in turn might make those squirrels even more interesting to eat) he’d posted something even more attention-getting to the group.  

His East Bay Wilds nursery is opening to the public.  

“We’re finally going to be opening our nursery at our new location in Castro Valley,” he wrote. “Come for the plants Stay for the inspiration.” 

 

You are invited to the opening celebration and sale at east bay wilds native plant nursery in Cull Canyon, Castro Valley. 

Join us on our opening day and enjoy the real beauty of Bay Area native plants in their fall glory.  

Saturday, October 21st, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., East Bay Wilds Nursery, Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley. From 580, Oakland: Take the Crow Canyon / Center Street exit. Turn left at end of exit ramp. Turn right at first light (Crow Canyon). Turn left on Cull Canyon (at second light).  

There are small mileage markers on the right hand side of the road (white posts w/ black numbers]. Enter the open gate at mile marker 2.45. There will be a large sign. Enter gate and park just up the hill in the marked location for parking. Then follow the signs up to the nursery.  

Drive all the way up to the nursery only if you are unable to walk up and you have either 4wd or excellent traction. We will have a 4wd vehicle for transporting plants and people who need assistance up to the nursery as necessary. It’s a 10 minute walk up through a Laotian cornfield (complete w/ numerous unusual scarecrows) to get to the nursery. There are no restrooms at the nursery yet, but there are some nearby woods. 

The setting is spectacular—well worth a drive to see. We have close to 45,000 plants—most of which are for sale. We’ll be offering 15 percent off all prices on that day only. We’ll have some munchies, lots of information, and we’re offering free five-minute (more or less, depending on time constraints) consultations with naturescape designer Pete Veilleux. Bring specifics about your site including photos, scale drawings, and sketches (include polar directions and slope aspects if you can). 

 

Pete has landscaped more than 60 sites here in the Bay Area over the last five years. 

He’s been gardening with native plants “since I was about five years old, growing up in New England.” (That’s an Acadian squirrel stomach pie—“mostly nuts,” Pete says.)  

To see some examples, go to www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/sets/ 

The “urban conversion” site is on 56th Street west of MLK, and easy to spot among the more conventional lawns and camellia hedges on the block.  

The nursery will have regular hours next year; to visit now, email pete@eastbaywilds.com or call 409-5858 to arrange a time. 

 

 

Ron Sullivan is a former professional gardener and arborist. Her “Garden Variety” column appears every Friday in East Bay Home & Real Estate section. Her column on East Bay trees appears every other Tuesday in the Berkeley Daily Planet.


About the House: The Truth About Seismic Gas Shut-Off Valves

By Matt Cantor
Friday October 13, 2006

The anniversary of the Loma Prieta is upon us once again and still so little has been done to prepare for our earthquake. That’s right. Loma Prieta wasn’t ours. It was in the mountains of Watsonville nearly 100 miles to the south. 

The way the news media works tends to blow things out of proportion and if you watched the news following that quake, it made it seems as the though it were 1906 all over again. It wasn’t. That quake was devastating for the very few houses that were nearby and it actually threw a few houses in the mountains near the epicenter several feet (or yards) from their foundations. Also, the downtown of Santa Cruz nearly collapsed and it was some miles away.  

We were so much further away that even brittle structures like chimneys were barely affected in most of the Berkeley/Oakland area. 

When we think about failures like the Bay Bridge and the Cypress structure, it’s easy to imagine that Loma Prieta was like a Big One but for us it wasn’t even close. These structures, as well as houses located in the Jiggly-land of the Marina district in S.F. are true exceptions and should not be how we gauge failure. When the Hayward finally slips, it might be several thousand times the shaking force of Loma Prieta for us.  

Berkeley seems to get it’s share of Richter scale 4’s and something closer to a 5 once in a great while. Most of us have never experienced anything more than about a 4 in Berkeley and that would be about 1/30,000 of the size of a Richter 7 in the same place. Most people assume that the Richter scale of seismic magnitude is a decimal scale with each number being 10 times greater than the last. It is, in fact, a logarithmic scale with each number being about 30 times that of the last, so a 6 is about 1,000 times that of a 4 and a 7 is about 30,000 time the same. 

So it’s a fair statement to say that the East Bay hasn’t really been hit by an earthquake of any significance since long before the oldest houses now standing were built. 

Now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t retrofit a house and withstand the shaking force of an earthquake. There’s a lot of science going on today that says that we can, in fact, built to withstand really big earthquakes and we can also retrofit houses to withstand a large force. So like Nike says, “Just Do It.” It ain’t all that much money and it’s better than giving it to the insurance companies (although you’re welcome to do that TOO if you insist … and if you believe they’ll be able to pay up after it’s all gone down, so to speak). 

Now, I’m not going to go into a whole retrofitting thing today and in my usual circuitous fashion, I’m finally getting around to the point I’ll like to make, that being, that in an earthquake, it’s fire that you need fear most of all. 

It’s actually quite unlikely that you’re going to die by being crushed under the weight of a falling building during an earthquake. These wooden packing crates we house ourselves in, seem generally to stay fairly intact during even very large earthquakes, although they may have crushed the basement or crawlspace in the process (so the basement might not be the best place to be). BUT, when gas lines break, they can fill up the interiors of houses, basement or garages and result in explosions and fires.  

If you followed the damage done during the Northridge earthquake near L.A. in 1994, you know that most of the damage was done by fires caused by gas explosions. Water heaters were found everywhere except where they’d been installed and some were found 30 feet away. Although data is harder to gather on the 1906, it looks as though a significant portion of damage was also caused by the same thing. 

This is why two special laws have been enacted in California in the past decade. One regarding the strapping of water heater and one regarding automatic seismic gas shut-off valves. The first is state-wide and pertains to the sale of all houses. A homeowner is required to properly (there’s a magical word if ever there was one) strap the water heater prior to delivery to the new owner. This is almost never done right and you can get a document from the state that has nice clear drawing that will clearly show just how wrong your strapping might be. 

The second law applies to the city of Los Angeles and is the first in the nation to require the insulation of an automatic seismic gas shut-off valve on any house being sold. Hooray for L.A. 

Allstate insurance is apparently beginning to make the installation of some type of gas safety valve a requirement for their customers and I think that’s a good thing. I also think that L.A. and Allstate are not going to be isolated in these requirements for long. Alameda county has a toothless law that I’ve never seen enforced in any way as does Marin and Contra Costa.  

Although these laws (mostly dating from the early 2000’s) haven’t seen much daylight yet, I’m happy to say that I think it’s just a matter of time. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Berkeley, Oakland or El Cerrito started making these devices requisite on new construction any time now. 

These devices fall into two categories. There is a seismically activated type which responds to shaking force and a flow type which senses excessive flow. 

The first type usually contains a ball which rests in a socket of some sort. When shaking hits 5.4 on the Richter scale, the ball falls out and a mechanism of some sort triggers the valve to close. It’s actually very simple.  

Most of the valves sold today have some sort of reset device built right onto the valve so that you can take a little screwdriver and turn your gas back on. Be sure to get help and check the whole house thoroughly, including the crawlspace at the time to reactivate the gas. Utility reps will be in short supply so you’d best be able to do this yourself after we’ve had a quake. 

The second type is designed to sense breakages in the piping. When we run the stove and the water heater and the dryer, we still only allow for a limited rate of flow through the main pipe. When a pipe breaks completely, the flow will be greater than that and this is what these valves sense. When this occurs they plug shut. It’s another simple mechanism that involves a spring loaded plug that requires enough wind to drag to the shut position. I don’t favor these for us due to the fact that you can get many small breaks in your gas piping and not set them off. When an earthquake occurs, a seismically activated valves will go off regardless of the size or number of leaks created. 

There are a number of valves that are approved and most are quite cheap (mostly under $100). The Little Firefighter is a favorite of mine, although I also like the Northridge and the Vanguard. You can search them online and you can also check out our own Berkeley supplier, gasvalvedoctor.com. Boaz Levanda (843-3275) is a nice chap who’ll be happy to sell you one. He’s also been a one man legal squad trying to get the permit requirements reduced so that they can be installed for fewer bucks.  

A plumber is the right person to install such a device and the cost seems to be around $200-$300 for installation (plus the valve). It’s usually quite simple but can be more complex in some cases. If you’re in a condo or apartment complex, you’ll need one for each unit. 

So, If you have only $300 or $400 to spend on earthquake preparedness and don’t want to put a single bolt into anything, please, oh please go get one of these. 

 

 

Got a question about home repairs and inspections? Send them to Matt Cantor at mgcantor@pacbell.net


Arts & Events

Arts Calendar

Tuesday October 17, 2006

TUESDAY, OCT. 17 

FILM 

Alternative Visions “War and Video Games” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Aftermath” large-scale photographs of post 9/11 destruction in New York by Joel Meyerowitz. Lecture at 7 p.m. at Sibley Auditorium, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Graduate School of Journalism. www.fotovision.org 

Isaiah Wilner reads at 7 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Rachel Whalen, Diana Murphy and Cheryl Cohen-Greene in a panel on Breast Cancer at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Jeffrey Goldberg decribes “Prisoners: A Muslim and A Jew Across the Middle East Divide” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Freight and Salvage Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $4.50-$5.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Swamp Coolers at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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 

Super Heavy Goat Ass, The Distants at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Benefit for Oaktown Jazz Workshops with the Bay Area Music Educators Band and others at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $25. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 

THEATER 

“The Secret Circus” Wed. and Thurs. at 8 p.m. at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, through Oct. 19. Cost is $10-$20 sliding scale. 800-838-3006 www.themarsh.org  

EXHIBITIONS 

Photo Exhibit of Foster Children and Youth sponsored by the Bay Area Heart Gallery on display at the Berkeley Public Library central lobby, 2090 Kittredge St. and Downtown Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way, through Oct. 31. www.bayareaheartgallery.com 

“Grapefruit” Yoko Ono’s instruction paintings opens at at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way, and runs through March 28. 642-0808. 

Allen Ruppersberg “The Singing Posters” A tribute to Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” opens at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. and runs through Dec. 10. 642-0808. 

Walter Berman and His Circle at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. and runs through Dec. 10. 642-0808. 

FILM 

Pirates and Piracy “The Pirates of the Great Salt Lake” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Wild Cursive and Modern Chinese Calligraphy, a panel discussion at 6 p.m. at the Women’s Faculty Club Lounge, UC Campus. 642-2809. 

Morton Felix will read from his novel, “In Quest of Another's Suicide” at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$20. 848-0237. www.brjcc.org  

Andy Stern, SEIU President, on “A Country That Works: Getting America Back on Track” at 6 p.m. at 2221 Broadway at Grand Ave., Oakland. 

Emily Wu and Larry Engelmann describe growing up in Mao’s Cultural Revolution in “Feather in the Storm: A Childhood Lost in Chaos” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Peter S. Beagle reads from his book of stories “The Line Between” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, chamber music, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Acoustic Africa, featuring Vusi Mahlasela, Habib Koité and Bamada, and Dobet Gnahoré at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988.  

Whiskey Brothers Old Time and Bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Bernard Anderson and the Old School Band at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. West Coast swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is TBA. 525-5054.  

Sugar Shack, soul, R&B, funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Carpathian Folk Quartet at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Christian Scott at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, OCT. 19 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Secrets of Ousiders” Mixed media paintings by Diego Rios, oil paintings by Bernadette Vergara Sale and acrylic paintings by Liz Amini-Holmes at the Estaban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Runs through Nov. 1. 444-7411. www.estebansabar.com 

THEATER 

Fusion Theater “Beauty and the Beast” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. Tickets are $3-$10. 464-3544. 

FILM 

The Mechanical Age “Spinning Up, Slowing Down: Industry Celebrates the Machine” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Films by Jerry Abrams from the 1960s, including “Berkeley Peace March” at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $5-$15. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

George Lakoff introduces his new book “Thinking Points: Communicating Our American Values and Vision” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. 

Monique El-Faizy describes “God and Country: How Evangelicals are Transforming America” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congragational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Suggested donation $10. 559-9500. 

“The Washington Post at War” with Rajiv Chandrasekharan, author of “Imperial Life in the Emerald City” and former Baghdad Bureau Chief for the Washington Post at 7 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Tickets are $5. 642-9988. http://journalism.berkeley.edu 

John Moe discusses “Conservatize Me! How I Tried to Become a Righty with the Help of Richard Nixon, Sean Hannity, Toby Keith, and Beef Jerky” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Savage Jazz Dance Company “Everything’s Everything” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $14-$20. 415-256-8499. savagejazz.org 

Ba-Tu-Ke at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8-$10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Chris Smither at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Manuel Morena & Quejerema at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Danny Allen’s High Diving Horses, Liz Pappademas, Courtney Fairchild at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Earl Klugh at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Selector: Petri Disk Showcase at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Showtime @ 11 Hip Hop at 10 p.m. at the Golden Bull, 412 14th St. at Broadway, Oakland. 893-0803. 

FRIDAY, OCT. 20 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “Hedda Gabler” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. through Nov. 18 at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman. Tickets are $12. 525-1620. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Altarena Playhouse “Merrily We Roll Along” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St, Alameda, through Nov. 12. Tickets are $15-$18. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Antenna Theater, “High School” An interactive theatrical walking tour of Berkeley High, 1980 Allston Way. One audience member enters the show every minute. Walk lasts about 45 minutes. Tickets are $20 adults, $8 students. Reservations required. Runs through Oct. 29. 415-332-9454. www.antenna-theater.org/highschool.htm 

Berkeley Rep “Mother Courage” at 8 p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2025 Addison St., through Oct. 22. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Central Works “Andromache” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. through Nov. 19. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1382. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater, “The Orchid Sandwich” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Oct. 21. at 951 Pomona Ave. El Cerrito. Tickets are $11-$18. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Fusion Theater “Beauty and the Beast” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. Tickets are $3-$10. 464-3544. 

Impact Theatre “Colorado” A dark comedy about celebrity worship, Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. Runs through Oct. 28. 464-4468. www.impacttheatre.com 

Shotgun Players “Love is a Dream House in Lorin” by Marcus Gardley, inspired by true stories of Berkeley’s historic Lorin District, Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Nov. 5. Sliding scale $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

UC Dept. of Theater “Suburban Motel” six plays by George Walker at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus, through Nov. 19. Tickets are $8-$14. For schedule see http://theater.berkeley.edu 

FILM 

Ousmane Sembene “Emitai” and 6:30 p.m. and “Moolaade” and at 8:35 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Robert Grudin reads from “American Vulgar: The Politics of Manipulation Versus the Culture of Awareness” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Harvey Pekar and Anne Moore introduce “The Best American Comics 2006” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com  

Miss Marjorie’s Mysteries Join three local mystery writers, Kirk Russell, Cornelia Read, Tony Broadbent and our host, Miss Marjorie, for a night of scary stories, at 7 p.m. at Pegasus Books, 1855 Solano Ave. 525-6888. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Opera “Les Enfants Terribles” Fri. - Sun. at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro Opera House, 201 Broadway, through Oct. 22. Tickets are $32-$36. www.oaklandopera.org 

Savage Jazz Dance Company “Everything's Everything” Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $14-$20. 415-256-8499. savagejazz.org 

Berkeley Music Coop Players perform works of Falla, Beethoven, Scriabin at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Tickets are $12-$15. 848-1228. giorgigallery.com 

Free Jazz Fridays with Howard Wiley and Laurie Buenafe Krsmanovic at 8 p.m. at 1510 8th St., Oakland. sfjazzmusic@yahoo.com 

Ojala & Melanie de More, African American folk music, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan ”Wild Cursive” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $26-$46. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Linda Kosut and Max Perkoff, songs of Oscar Brown, Jr., at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

JGB with Melvin Seals and Grapefruit Ed at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $17-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Chris Smither at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Ned Boynton Quintet with Jules Broussard at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Mariospeedwagon and Lemon Juju at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Tempest, Avalon Rising at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $12. 841-2082.  

Life Long Tragedy, Silence Kills the Revolution, Robot Eyes 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. 

Grease Traps, Raw Deluxxe, funk, fusion, soul, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5. 548-1159.  

Parallel 23, electro Cuban funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Earl Klugh at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, OCT. 21 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Rafael Manríquez, children’s songs in Spanish, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Laura Numeroff talks about “When Sheep Sleep” at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

THEATER 

“Astarte’s Scream” improvisational theater and performance to build understanding about Middle Eastern cultures at 8 p.m. at The Epic Arts Tea Room, 1923 Ashby Ave at MLK. Tickets are $5-$10 at the door. 704-1404. 

FILM 

Ousmane Sembene “Guelwaar” at 6:30 p.m. and “Faat-Kline” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Filipino Author Celebration with Evangeline Canonizado Buell, Peter Jamero, and Pati Navalta Poblete at 1 p.m. at Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University Ave. 548-2350. 

Natalie Hopkinson and Natalie Y. Moore discuss “Deconstructing Tyrone” at black masculinity in the Hip-Hop Generation at 6:30 p.m. at Marcus Books, 3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 652-2344. 

Elana Dykewomon, Linda Zeiser, Jan Steckel, Trena Machado, Janell Moon and Maria Kaylib read from the new anthology “What I Want From You: Voices of East Bay Lesbian Poets” at 7:30 p.m. at Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 531-2073. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“A Hideous Ghost” Johann Sebastian Bach and the Violin performed by John Holloway, solo violin, at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College at Garber. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725. www.sfems.org 

Trinity Chamber Concerts Ted Brinkley’s Electric Florid-ians at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. www.trinitychamberconcerts.com 

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan ”Wild Cursive” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $26-$46. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Cascada de Flores, son and song of Mexico and Cuba at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Robin Gregory & Bill “Jazz Professor” Bell at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Kotoja, Afrobeat, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African dance lesson with Comfort Mensah at 9 p.m. Cost is $13-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Damond Moodie and Jamie Jenkins at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

David Jeffrey’s Fourtet, featuring Kasey Knudsen, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

April Vetch at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Rebeca Mauleon Quartet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Pete Yellin Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Caroline Chung Jazz Trio at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Mark Twang & Suzanne Fox, acoustic folk, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Grand 58, Howdy, Seconds on End at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Arnocorps, Smogtown, Reagan SS, Rock ‘N’ Roll Adventure Kids 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, OCT. 22 

CHILDREN 

Asheba at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Body Language” Paintings and sculpture opens at the Addison Street Windows, and runs through Nov. 29. 981-7533. 

FILM 

The Mechanical Age “2001: A Space Odyssey” at 3 p.m. and “Crash” at 6 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Joyce Maynard reads from “Internal Combustion: The Story of a Marriage and a Murder in the Motor City” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

 

 

“Ideas From the Past About Keyboard Instruction” A workshop with Sandra Soderlund at 2 p.m. at A Cheerfull Noyse, 1228 Solano Ave. Free, but RSVP requested. 523-0411. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alaine Rodin, soprano, at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $20-$32. 925-798-1300 

Donna Lerew, violinist, performs works of Bach, Wienawski, Shostakovich at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $9-$10. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

Emanuel Ax, piano, with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34-$58. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Chamber Music Sundaes with Scott Pingel, bassist, at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$22 at the door. 415-753-2792 

“Sacred Harp Suite” Premier of new work by Rod McKean at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland. Suggested donation $10. 444-3555. 

Celebration and Benefit for Chiori Santiago, with music by Jane de Cuir, Unity Nugyen, Keenan Webster and the Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble at 5 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$20 sliding scale. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

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

Ben Stolerow Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $9. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Americana Unplugged: Jeanie and Chuck’s Country Roundup at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Frederick Hodges, solo piano, at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Hal Dinsratz at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Ceremony, The First Step, The Helm, Bad Reaction at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Earl Klugh at 7 and 9 p.m., at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

MONDAY, OCT. 23 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein disccuss “The Broken Branch: How Congress is Failing America and How to Get It Back on Track” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Anatol Lieven and John Hulsman discuss “Ethical Realism: A New Vision for America’s Role in the World” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Poetry Express with Eugene David at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin” at 5:30 p.m. at Chern Hall’s Simons Auditorium, at MSRI, 17 Gauss Way near the intersection of Centennial Drive and Grizzly Peak Blvd. Part of the “Mathematics and Music Series” 642-0448. 

West Coast Singer’s Open Mike at 7:30 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $5.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Khalil Shaheed, all ages jam, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Nguyen Le, Tiger’s Tail Quartet with Art Lande, Paul McCandless and Patrice Heral at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$18. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com  

 


24rd Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival Starts Thursday

By Ira Steingroot, Special to the Planet
Tuesday October 17, 2006

The 24th annual SF Jazz Festival begins this Friday, Oct. 20 with tenor saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins and continues for another 31 events through the Nov. 12 concert of Latin percussion great John Santos and the Machete Ensemble. This will be the most concentrated amount of great jazz available in the Bay Area all year. 

The performances are matched to beautiful locations like the neo-classical Palace of the Legion of Honor’s Florence Gould Theatre, the art deco Palace of Fine Arts, the splendiferous Great American Music Hall, and Herbst Theatre with its magnificent autumnal (thus Herbst) murals by Sir Frank Brangwyn.  

Besides straight ahead musical performances that range through urban blues, swing, bebop, hard bop, funk, fusion, avant-garde, nuevo tango, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Lusitanian fado, Indian, Mongolian throat-singing, African, Gypsy and Latin, this year there will also be Betty Boop cartoons, pre-concert talks like the classical folks do, and a jazz brunch cruise on the Bay. 

Not only is this year’s festival global in its dimensions, interestingly, about a third of the events feature women vocalists, instrumentalists and big bands as headliners. The following programs are just the top picks from a consistently great lineup: 

Without a doubt, the hottest ticket of the Festival has got to be the kick-off concert on Friday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m. at the Masonic Center, with jazz saxophonist extraordinaire Sonny Rollins. While still a teenager, Rollins was playing in New York with bop pioneers Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell and Miles Davis. By the early Fifties, in a group with Max Roach, Clifford Brown and Richie Powell, he was ushering in the hard bop era. From 1959-61 he retired from music spending a large part of that time woodshedding on the Williamsburg Bridge. 

Since then, he has recorded an enormous amount of great music, yet often seems stymied in studio settings. In live concert performances, though, his ability to allow free reign to his improvisatory skills really shines. At 76, his physical and imaginative strength are undiminished. Whether he plays a standard like Dietz and Schwartz’ I See Your Face before Me, one of his classic hard bop originals like Oleo or one of his infectious calypsos like Don’t Stop the Carnival, he delights everyone with his swinging ability to vary tunes through subtle accentual shifts, harmonic genius and romantic lyricism. 

Last year saw the death of jazz bass great Percy Heath, but his brothers, drummer Tootie Heath and saxophonist Jimmy Heath, will celebrate Jimmy’s 80th birthday in a concert on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. at Herbst Theatre. The Heath brothers grew up in Philadelphia where they were high school friends of John Coltrane and Benny Golson. 

They were part of that generation of African-American jazz musicians from northern industrial centers who created hard bop. Jimmy started on alto, but soon picked up the tenor, soprano and flute. His original compositions, like CTA and Gingerbread Boy, have become jazz standards. Albert “Tootie” Heath is simply one of the greatest and most sensitive drummers in the history of jazz. Together the Heath brothers have recorded with almost every important jazz musician on a combined 900 albums. Young trumpet star Jeremy Pelt will join their fraternity for this performance. 

Pianist/composer Andrew Hill, who performs on Sunday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. at Herbst Theatre, with his Anglo-American Quintet, represents the generation of jazz players who straddled the period of bop and free jazz. As a teenager in Chicago in the early Fifties, he was playing on dates with Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. By his early twenties, he was working with Roland Kirk and Eric Dolphy. For this gig, he returns to material from his classic 1964 Blue Note album, Point of Departure. Also on the bill is six-string guitarist Nels Cline and his group playing fresh interpretations of Hill’s compelling compositions. 

The organ is the star on Friday, Nov. 3, with shows at 8 and 10:30 p.m. at the Great American Music Hall. Dr. Lonnie Liston Smith, joined by James Brown trombone alum Fred Wesley, kicks things off followed by young reed giant James Carter and his organ trio. Smith had a lot of success in the soul/funk/jazz world with his Cosmic Echoes group. 

Wesley takes in a lot of territory having not only worked with James Brown and George Clinton’s Funkadelic group, but replaced Al Grey with Count Basie. Carter can play anything from Djangoesque swing to screaming free jazz, but the organ format should bring out his nasty funky side.  

One of the great programming coups of this Festival is the concert Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 p.m. at the Masonic Center, featuring pianist Alice and saxophonist/son Ravi Coltrane with bassist Charlie Haden and drummer Roy Haynes. Alice is the widow and last pianist of jazz giant John Coltrane. Ravi is their son and John’s saxophone heir. Haden, who comes from a country music family, played in Ornette Coleman’s early combos and is now acknowledged as one of the great jazz bassists. Haynes has played with everyone and among other accomplishments was the drummer on Coltrane’s greatest version of My Favorite Things performed live at Newport. This is one of only three American concerts that this quartet will be presenting. 

Trombonist Roswell Rudd has been at the center of the free jazz movement since the early ‘60. Before that he played the music of Thelonious Monk and in dixieland bands. He has been on key albums with Archie Shepp and John Tchicai as well as on Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra album. He recently began working with Mongolian throat-singers, the results of which can be heard on his 2005 disc Blue Mongol. Strangely, his warm, earthy, throaty trombone sound melds beautifully with the Badma Khanda Mongolian Buryat Band of throat singers and instrumentalists. They perform together on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2 p.m. at the Palace of the Legion of Honor’s Florence Gould Theatre. 

The festival comes to a close on Sunday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. at the Palace of Fine Arts, with a farewell concert by John Santos and the Machete Ensemble. Afro-Latin percussionist John Santos is an educator and scholar as well as a major performer who has worked with Latin stars like Yma Sumac, Tito Puente, Patato Valdés, Armando Peraza, Lalo Schifrin, Santana, Cachao and Omar Sosa as well as jazz masters like Dizzy Gillespie, Max Roach, Art Farmer, Bobby Hutcherson, McCoy Tyner and John Faddis. 

His knowledge and experience of Afro-Latin percussion traditions, rooted in family, community, tradition, study, practice and meditation, is profound. For this final concert by the Ensemble, Santos will be joined by Ray Vega, Maria Marquez and a number of other special guests. 

I only have room to breathlessly mention such promising concerts as blues harpist James Cotton (10/21), vibraphonist Stefon Harris (10/26), pianist Cyrus Chestnut (10/27), Astor Piazzolla pianist Pablo Ziegler, keyboard/reed/percussion phenomenon Peter Apfelbaum with the Kamikaze Ground Crew (11/1), and Django Reinhardt-styled guitar virtuoso Dorado Schmitt (11/12). For more information on the SF Jazz Festival call (415) 788-7353 or visit their website at www.sfjazz.org. 


One-Woman Show Explores Transracial Adoption

By Annie Kassof, Special to the Planet
Tuesday October 17, 2006

Playwright and producer Lisa Marie Rollins was adopted as an infant and grew up in a white community on a three-acre organic farm in Washington state. In her new one-woman show, Ungrateful Daughter, directed by W. Kamau Bell, she stands on a bare stage, then tells us her parents are not the “hippie, pot-smoking” type of an organic farmer. They are white church-going Republicans. While the agency that placed Rollins had indicated to her parents that they were getting an “Asian-mix” baby, it is doubtful that with her kinky hair and cinnamon skin her parents got what they were expecting. Rollins thinks the agency “packaged” her without acknowledging the African American blood that clearly runs through her veins. 

I have to admit that when I heard about Ungrateful Daughter, which Rollins performed at the San Francisco Solo Festival early this month, I found myself wondering if my own daughter might grow up to be similarly disenchanted. My African American daughter was adopted by me six years ago, and I’m white. Rollins’ powerful performance underlies the message that in transracial adoption it is not okay to sweep our differences under the carpet. 

As Rollins’ hard-working parents raise her with little acknowledgment of their racial dissimilarities, her mother bustles about, busy with cooking, canning, gardening, and her church community. Rollins portrays her mother with grace and humor as a simple country woman who loves her daughter, but clearly doesn’t possess the tools that will help her navigate through life as a person of color. 

As Rollins begins to notice that she looks different from her playmates, she “transforms” into her 7-year-old self. But her mother seems resentful when she has to respond to her daughter’s forthright questions about her background. Sighing, Rollins’ mother locates the locked box that holds the adoption papers. I could visualize the table where they sat, cluttered with paring knives and fruit as the mother uncomfortably reads the agency’s description of Rollins as being part Mexican, part Filipino, and maybe “part-a-few-other-things.”  

Fast forward. It’s winter 2005, and Rollins is home for a visit. Feeling out of place, she wanders through the house but stops short when she notices that on a wall full of inspirational plaques has been added a new decoration: an Aunt Jemima figurine. As seamlessly as Rollins morphed into her other roles, she’s now Aunt Jemima, defending her right to sell pancake mix. She is Aunt Jemima, with a perpetually plastered-on smile, white teeth flashing. In the ensuing exchange Rollins alternates between Aunt Jemima’s voice and her own. She educates us, reminding us that Jemima’s “mammy” image is rooted in slavery, head wrap and all. The original Aunt Jemima character was based on an African American woman who likely kept house and watched the children of her “Massa.” When her mother comes back into the kitchen, Rollins feels tongue tied. Still, she tries to explain why she finds the figurine so offensive. 

Unlike my daughter, Rollins was adopted transracially before a group of African American social workers came out with the stance that children of color are better off with parents who share the same cultural values. Transracial adoptions then proceeded to dwindle until the late 1990s after Congress passed the Multi-Etchnic Placement Act, which makes it illegal to delay the placement of a child awaiting adoption in order to find a racially matching family. Since then the rate of transracial adoptions has been creeping back up. 

Rollins’ acting abilities are competent, and Ungrateful Daughter also shows off her comedic abilities, even if in this piece the humor feels laden with resentment. I think Rollins loves her parents, but obviously wishes they’d “get” it, and her message that shines through loud and clear is that being color-blind benefits no one. After the performance I talked with her and we agreed that the learning curve for people adopting transracially has to begin early, and it is a continual one.  

I left Rollins’ Ungrateful Daughter feeling both hopeful and disturbed. 

 

 

UNGRATEFUL DAUGHTER 

8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Marsh Theatre (in the Gaia Arts Center), as part of the Secret Circus series of solo-theatre and spoken word performances. For more information, see www.themarsh.org. 

 


UC Plans to Raze Senior Oaks to Make Way for Stadium

By Ron Sullivan, Special to the Planet
Tuesday October 17, 2006

It will surprise no one, I’m sure, that the unofficial tree maven of the Berkeley Daily Planet is coming out against the clearcutting of a grove of senior live oaks in the city to make way for the construction of a yet another new University Sportspalast. I’ll even add that quite a few of the trees slated for destruction look sturdy enough to sit in. Oaks tend to be trustworthy to bear the weight of a human being.  

Whether human beings can be trusted to live in a civilized manner alongside such beings is once again open to question. Veteran environmental writer Harold Gilliam expressed doubts on the currently ruling state of mind at UC Berkeley in an opinion piece in the Sunday, Oct. 8 San Francisco Chronicle. He wrote mostly about the tension between unfiltered market values and all other values, including the academic, pointing out in particular how the salaries of the university’s administrators are ten to 15 times those of the “bottom-tier”—that is, front-line—employees and double the average of the faculty’s salaries. Student tuition, meanwhile, has gone from zero (with only a $27 registration fee) in Gilliam’s time there to $30,000 for the four undergraduate years; students’ other costs—lodging, books, materials fees—have risen similarly.  

What Californians could once regard as a birthright, an education from their tax-supported university system, has become the property of the wealthy, with bits allotted to those who could jump through the right hoops and/or go into debt for years. The money’s flowing faster than ever, but where?  

Administrators are facilitators. Their job is to set things up and keep them running so that the avowed purposes of the university, education and research, can be done efficiently and well. UC Berkeley brags justly about its “tradition of Nobel prize winners,” and the school’s researchers do plenty of great work that doesn’t get gold-starred, and hooray for them.  

Lately it does rather appear that a greater proportion of the research getting funds is stuff directly linked with high-profit corporate enterprise. The tangled connections between tax-funded academia and corporate profits have produced some comical situations, with patent suits and countersuits and intrigues finding their way into the news. The tangles themselves are great fun to trace if you have nothing better to do; the things that get disclosed obfuscate as much as they illuminate.  

In the main, though, one suspects that this high-stakes—that is, high-profit—stuff is what these high-paid administrators are being paid so highly to facilitate. The purported academic traditions, all that excellence and enlightenment and pure science and sublime art that hallow the hallowed halls, not so much.  

So, in a similar vein, UC’s profitable sports get overblown subsidies, and the intramural stuff gets a new facility thrown in. Is this a new library, a new field biology facility? No, we’ll pretend that Mens sana in corpore sano calls for lots of “character–building” team sports and bloated space and budgets for spectator sports, because that corpus isn’t sano enough unless it’s being watched by people in school colors, right? And we’ve learned not even to see anything that’s in the way of the bleachers unless it’s in a mascot costume.  

What about those oaks?  

Many are old—at least one is supposed to be 200 or so, and the younger set got planted in the early 1920s when the current stadium was built. Along with the senior trees are several younger ones and a few seedlings—the right configuration for the continuing life of a grove, young trees replacing their parents. 

Before that stadium, what was there was a waterfall, probably at the point where Strawberry Creek ran over the Hayward Fault scarp, and a meadow that was a favorite picnicking and strolling spot for students and other citizens. The creek, in one of our local landscaping grotesqueries, now runs under the swimming pool and tennis courts as well as the stadium.  

The oaks are in good shape, too, especially for city trees. UC consulted tree experts who pronounced most of them healthy and many of specimen quality; many also officially have high historic value. There is, wonder of wonders, a healthy old “California” peppertree on the fringe of the kill zone. The grove includes huge Atlas cedars, Hinoki cypress, redwoods, Western yew, and Port Orford cedar; those last two are California species in danger of extinction in the wild.  

A 20-minute stroll through the grove, at noon in a slow season, revealed a pair of Nuttall’s woodpeckers, Steller’s and scrub jays, juncos, plain titmouse, chickadees, ruby-crowned kinglets, California towhees, vireos, and some warbler I never did identify—we hadn’t bothered to bring binoculars. A youth-gang of crows rumbled around and harassed the raven pair who happened through, a spectacular skydance that went on for ten minutes.  

That’s just one short visit. No classroom could provide as much instruction.  

The EIR for the project is available in the public library or online at www.cp.berkeley.edu—look for the “campus and community” info area. There’s a group trying to save the grove: SOS, at www.saveoaks.com. It includes UC students and Berkeley citizens and has support from the Sierra Club, the California Native Plant Society, and the likes of Julia Butterfly Hill. I’ll be following the story over the next few months.  

 

Photograph by Ron Sullivan 

These oaks, among other trees, are target for clearcutting to make way for UC Berkeley’s new stadium complex. 

 


Berkeley This Week

Tuesday October 17, 2006

TUESDAY, OCT. 17 

Tuesday is for the Birds An early morning walk for birders through Bay Area parklands. Bring water, sunscreen, binoculars and a snack. This week we will visit Point Isabel. For meeting location or to borrow binoculars, call 525-2233.  

Berkeley Garden Club “Georgeous Gardens Made Easy” with Kim Haworth, producer of KRON4’s “Henry’s Garden” at 2 p.m. at Epworth Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. 524-7296. 

Willard Neighborhood Association Candidates Forum featuring the candidates for the Mayoral, District 7 and District 8 City Council races at 6:45 p.m. at the Willard Middle School, Auditorium 2425 Stuart St. 

Fall Fruit Tasting at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market, Derby at MLK, from 2 to 7 p.m. 548-2220. 

Week Without Violence Confront violence against women and empower women and people in the community, through Sat. at YWCA Berkeley, 2600 Bancroft Way at Bowditch St. 848-6370. 

“Saving the Animals in Afghanistan” with Pamela Constable, a foreign correspondent for the Washington Post in Afghanistan, who has helped stray dogs and cats in Kabul find shelter, veterinary care and happy adoptive homes, at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Street. Donation $20. Reservations requested. 594-1613. ruphotos@earthlink.net  

“Rainwater Harvesting” Brad Lancaster explains tools and techniques for implementing sustainable water systems for your home, landscape, and community at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2240. www.ecologycenter.org 

“The Reality and Legacy of the Iraq War” with Ivan Eland, Senior Fellow at The Independent Institute and author of “The Empire Has No Clothes” and Mark Danner, author of “The Secret Way to War,” and Professor of Journalism at U.C. Berkeley, at 6:30 p.m. at The Independent Institute Conference Center, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. For tickets please call 632-1366. www.independent.org 

Panel Discussion on Breast Cancer with Rachel Whalen, Diana Murphy and Cheryl Cohen-Greene at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Torture Teach-in and Vigil every Tues. at 12:30 p.m. at the fountain on UC Campus, Bancroft at College. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. Various East Bay opportunities available. Advanced sign-up is required; please call 594-5165.  

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Discussion Salon on Should Voting be Mandatory? at 7 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut.  

Sleep Soundly Seminar A free class on how hypnosis can help you sleep at 6:30 p.m. at 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland. To register call 465-2524. 

Handbuilding Ceramics Class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Free, except for materials and firing charges. For information call Diana Bohn, 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. We always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 

“A Glimpse of South Berkeley” with Belva Davis on “Newsroom and Beyond” at 7:30 p.m. at South Berkeley Community Church, 1802 Fairview St. at Ellis. Tickets are $10 and benefit the church’s restoration efforts. 652-1040. 

South Berkeley Mayoral Debate at 7:30 p.m. at B-Tech Academy auditorium, 2701 Martin Luther King Jr., Way at Derby. 849-4319. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around the restored 1870s business district. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of G.B. Ratto’s at 827 Washington St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Neighborhood and Community Green Space with Susan Schwartz on “The Santa Fe Rigth of Way” Meet at 1 p.m. at Spiral Gardens, 2850 Sacramento St. at Oregon.  

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have our annual nature treasure hunt, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

“Kayaking the British Columbia Coast” with John McCormack at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Music in the Community Fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. at Kimball’s Carnival, 522 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $5-$15. 444-6979. 

Workshop on Condominium Conversion at 6 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 525-3666. 

Current Events Discussion Group meets at 7 p.m. at the Niebyl Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland. 597-4972. 

Gray Panthers Movie Night showing “Wag the Dog” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Gray Panthers Office, 1403 Addison St. Berkeley Gray Panthers Office, 1403 Addison St. 

New to DVD “United 93 ” Film and discussion at 7 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

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. 548-9840. 

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. www.ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART station, followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www. 

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, OCT. 19 

Mayoral Candidate Debate Between Tom Bates and Zelda Bronstein at 7:30 p.m. in the Le Conte School cafeteria, Russell St. entrance. Sponsored by the LeConte Neighborhood Association. All are welcome. www.neighborhoodlink.com  

“Global Warming: What Can California Do About It?” with Dr. Stephen Schneider of Stanford at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Clean up the Air Pollution from Pacific Steel with Lois Gibbs, Executive Director of the Center for Health and the Environment at 7:30 p.m. at West Berkeley Senior Center, 6th and Hearst.  

“Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of the Bay Area” is the subject of a talk and slideshow at 7:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, between Solano and Marin., presented by the Golden Gate Audubon Society 843-2222. www.goldengateaudubon.org 

“The Washington Post at War: Reporting From Baghdad” with a panel of reporters and editors from The Washington Post at 7 p.m. in Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Sponsored by The Graduate School of Journalism. Tickets are $5 available from 642-9988. http://journalism.berkeley.edu/events 

An Evening with Robert Scheer Author and columnist at 7:30 PM at the Piedmont Gardens, 110 41st St., Oakland. Sponsored by MGO Democratic Club. 834-9198. www.mgoclub.org 

“The Current Gandhian Movement in India” with Dr. M.P. Mathai, author of “Mahatma Gandhi’s World View” at 7 p.m. at 166 Barrows Hall, UC Campus.  

Breast Cancer Update Learn about the latest research in diagnosis and treatment at 6:15 p.m. at Summit Campus, Peralta Pavilion, Markstein Cancer Center, 430 30th St., Oakland. Registration required. 869-8735. 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have our annual nature treasure hunt, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Environmental Film Series “Thirst” on corporate attempts to buy up local water supplies, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Simplicity Forum with Rachel Laws on “Neighbors: Celebrating the Folks on the Block” at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 549-3509. 

Community Shabbat with singer Gary Laplow at 6 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $12 adult, $5 chidren. 848-0237. 

Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby at 7:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline at Alcatraz. Free, all are welcome. namaste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

FRIDAY, OCT. 20 

Impeachment Banner Fridays at 6:45 to 8 a.m. on the Berkeley Pedestrian bridge between Seabreeze Market and the Berkeley Aquatic Park, ongoing on Fridays until impeachment is realized. www. Impeachbush-cheney.com 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with David Brains on “Life in the Solar System” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

Sydney B. Mitchell Iris Society Annual Beardless Iris Auction and sale at 7:30 p.m. at Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 277-4200. 

“Iraq for Sale: the War Profiteers” Part of the Conscientious Projector film series, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St., at Bonita. Suggested donation $10, no one turned away. 528-5403. 

“Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers” A new documentary by Robert Greenwald, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., between Broadway and Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 

Teen Read Week pizza party at 3 p.m. at the The Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. for ages 9 - 17. 524-3043 

Movies That Matter “Coach Carter” at 6:30 p.m. at 565 Bellevue St., at Perkins, Oakland. Free, discussion follows. 451-3009. 

Animal Healing Cicle, a guided meditation to send healing energy to pets at 5 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave. Suggested donation $5. 525-6155. 

Meher Baba Introductory Meeting with video and discussion at 7:30 p.m. at 6923 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. AvatarMeherBaba.org  

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 21 

Meet the Berkeley Candidates for Mayor and City Council and learn about measures A, I and J, from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at St. John’s, Sproul Conference Room, 2727 College Ave. 

Oakland/Berkeley Firestorm 15th Anniversary from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Remembrance Ceremony at noon at the Rockridge BART Station. 238-7388. www.Oaklandnet.com/WildfirePrevention 

Help Restore Cerrito Creek meet at 10 a.m. at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara St., El Cerrito, just north of Albany Hill. Wear clothes that can get dirty and shoes with good traction. Heavy rain cancels. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Plant Parenthood Party Help transplant seedlings of native plants and prepare for fall planting into West Stege Marsh, from 9 a.m. to noon at 1327 South 46th St., Richmond. Registration requested. 665-3689. www.thewatershedproject.org 

Recycled Arts Halloween Mask-Making Learn the stories behind this ancient holiday, and turn that old junk into a new mask, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

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. 

Walking Tour of Oakland Chinatown Meet at 10 a.m. at the courtyard fountain in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza at 388 Ninth St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

“Bay-Friendly Gardening for Wildlife” Learn how to attract birds, butterflies and beneficial insects that add color, movement and interest to your landscape, from 9 a.m. to noon at El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser, El Cerrito. 665-3546. www.thewatershedproject.org 

Fall Fruit Tasting at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market, Center St. at MLK, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cooking demonstrations at 11 a.m. 548-2220. 

“Deconstructing Tyrone” A New Look at Black Masculinity in the Hip-Hop Generation with authors Natalie Hopkinson and Natalie Y. Moore at 6:30 p.m. at Marcus Books, 3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 652-2344. 

Bilingual Storytime Stories in English and Spanish for toddlers and preschoolers at 10:30 a.m. in the Edith Stone Room at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

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.  

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755.  

Spiritwalking: Aqua Chi(TM) at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley High Warm Pool. Also Wed. at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $5.50, $3.50 seniors & disabled. Bring your own towels. 526-0312. 

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, OCT. 22 

Berkeley Election Forum with candidates for Mayor and City Council, and discussion of ballot measures from 1 to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 528-5403. 

Community Celebration for the Days of the Dead with crafts, demonstrations, music, dance, ceremonia and food from noon to 4 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak, Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

8th Annual Sisters of Fire Awards Ceremony honoring editor of ColorLines magazine Tram Nguyen, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland City Center, Oakland. Sliding scale entrance fee of $35-$75 includes brunch. Benefit for the Women of Color Resource Center. 444-2700. www.coloredgirls.org 

Dia de los Muertos with craft activities, demonstrations, music, dance, food and a Mercado from noon to 4 p.m. at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center's Markstein Cancer Education and Prevention Center, 10th and Oak St., Oakland. 869-8833. 

Holiday Gourd Crafting Learn the natural history of gourds and create a centerpiece for your holiday table, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Children 11 and older welcome. Cost is $20-$25, includes supplies. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club in the Berkeley Marina. Bring change of clothes, windbreaker, sneakers. For ages 5 and up. cal-sailing.org  

Free Hands-on Bicycle Clinic Learn how to repair flats from 10 to 11 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Bring your bike and tools. 527-4140. 

IRV Peace Meet-up and Rally at 1:30 p.m. at Splashpad Park, LakeShore and Grand Ave., Oakland. 644-1303. 

Berkeley City Club free tour from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 2315 Durant Ave. For group reservations or more information, call 848-7800 or 883-9710. 

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 

“A Theology of Hospitality” with Barbara Hamilton-Holway at 9:30 a.m at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack Petranker on “Learning to Be” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, OCT. 23 

Reading for Life Program providing one-on-one tutoring for incarcerated adults. A brown-bag lunch presentation by Lisa Harris at 12:30 p.m. at the Edith Stone Room of the Albany Public Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 

WriterCoach Connection seeks volunteers to help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills. Training session from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For information call 524-2319. www.writercoachconnection.org  

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. 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people aged 60 and over meets at 9:45 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Donation $3. 524-9122. 

Lead Abatement Repairs Find out about funding for lead hazard repairs for rental properties with low-income tenants or vacant units in Oakland, Berkeley or Emeryville, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 2000 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. Sponsored by Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. 567-8280. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., Oct. 18, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/aging 

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Library Board of Trustees meets Wed., Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6195. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/library  

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/humane 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Anne Burns, 981-7415. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/designreview  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/faircampaign 

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7010. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/transportation 


Arts Calendar

Friday October 13, 2006

FRIDAY, OCT. 13 

THEATER 

Antenna Theater, “High School” An interactive theatrical walking tour of Berkeley High, 1980 Allston Way. One audience member enters the show every minute. Walk lasts about 45 minutes. Fri. and Sat. from 6 to 9 p.m. and Sun. from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $8 students. Reservations required. Runs through Oct. 29. 415-332-9454. www.antenna-theater.org/highschool.htm 

Berkeley Rep “Mother Courage” at 8 p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2025 Addison St., through Oct. 22. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

California Shakespeare Theater “As You Like It” at the Bruns Amphitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda. Tues.-Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. through Oct. 15. Tickets are $15 and up. 548-9666. www.calshakes.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theater, “The Orchid Sandwich” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Oct. 21. at 951 Pomona Ave. El Cerrito. Tickets are $11-$18. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Impact Theatre “Colorado” A dark comedy about celebrity worship, Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. Runs through Oct. 28. 464-4468. www.impacttheatre.com 

Shakespeare in the Yard “Mack, A Gangsta’s Tale” WordSlanger’s version of Macbeth, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. at Sister Thea, an outdoor theater at 920 Peralta St. Oakland Tickets are $5-$20. 208-6551. 

Shotgun Players “Love is a Dream House in Lorin” by Marcus Gardley, inspired by true stories of Berkeley’s historic Lorin District, Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Nov. 5. Sliding scale $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

UC Dept. of Theater “Suburban Motel” six plays by George Walker at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus, through Nov. 19. Tickets are $8-$14. For schedule see http://theater.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Fiber 2006” Featuring eight Bay Area artists. Opening Reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. Exhibit runs to Nov. 4. 843-2527. 

“The Black Panthers” Photographs by Stephen Shames and posters from the archives of Alden Kimbrough on display at the Oakland Asian Resource Gallery, 310 8th St., Oakland., through Nov. 30. 532-9692. 

“Recycled Runway” An installation by Artist in Residence artists Sandy Drobney and Daphne Ruff opens at Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. Runs through Nov. 5. 763-9425. 

“Full-Plate Tintypes: Painted Puzzles” at The Ames Gallery, 2661 Cedar St., through Jan. 10, Mon.-Fri. 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 845-4949. www.amesgallery.com 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “Overlord” at 6:30 p.m. and Ousmane Sembene “Ceddo” at 8:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Lee Grue, New Orleans poet with musician Eluard Burt and local poet Adam David Miller, a community-building poetry-and-music program in support of the rebuilding of New Orleans at 7 p.m. in the 3rd floor Community Meeting Room, Berkeley Public Library, Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Elisha Cooper reads from “Crawling: A Father’s First Year” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

K.E. Silva reads from her novel “A Simple Distance” at A Great Good Place for Books, 6120 LaSalle Ave., Oakland. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Opera “Les Enfants Terribles” Fri. - Sun. at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro Opera House, 201 Broadway, through Oct. 22. Tickets are $32-$36. www.oaklandopera.org 

Eisa Davis “Cockleburrs in my Sock” at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $$10-12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Hypnogaja at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Hurricane Sam & the Hotshots at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

New Life Band, traditional and contemporary music of Tanzania at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054.  

Jack Williams, Tim Mason opens, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Jim Grantham Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

The Nomadics at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Fish Ranch Road, The Bittersweets, Victoria George at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082.  

Acts of Sedition at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Albino, afro beat, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

Zoe Ellis, soul, funk, jazz at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Laudanum, Silentist, Silentist, Times of Desperation, Cropduster at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Ray Brown 80th Birthday Salute with Marlena Shaw, Benny Green, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, OCT. 14 

CHILDREN  

“Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day” at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$18. 925-798-1300. 

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Gary Laplow at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Lissa Rovetch introduces her two new books on Hot Dog Bob at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Educate to Liberate: A Retrospective of the Black Panther Community News Service” Exhibition in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the founding of the Black Panther Party, on display in the Oakland History Room at the Oakland Main Library, 125 14th St. 238-3222. www.oaklandlibrary.org 

“The Face of Poetry” Photographs by Margaretta Mitchell on display at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., through Oct. 30. 981-6100. 

“Looking for Hope” Photographs by Matt O’Brien with text by students in the Oakland Public Schools opens at the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park Museum Gallery, 2465 34th Ave. Gallery open Thurs.-Fri. 4 to 6 p.m. and Sun. noon to 4 p.m. to March 31. 532-9142. www.peraltahacienda.org 

Paintings by Mary Ann Hayden opens at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave. Reception at 3 p.m. Runs through Dec. 9. 421-1255. 

“Masks, Myths, Magic and Witches” Group show reception at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Exhibition runs through Oct. 31. 644-4930. 

Trent Burkett “New Work in Salt and Wood” at Trax Ceramics Gallery, 1812 Fifth St. Exhibition runs to Oct. 15. 540-8729. www.traxgallery.com  

“Geographic Premonitions” Group show of fifteen emerging artists. Reception for the artists at 4 p.m. at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. Exhibition runs through Nov. 11. 620-6772. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

20th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 5630 Bay St., through Oct. 29. Free. 652-6122. www.EmeryArts.org 

Blown Glass Pumpkins on display at the Cohn-Stone Studios, 560 South 31st. St. near the Regatta Blvd., exit from the 580 Freeway, Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 29. 234-9690. 

THEATER 

Central Works “Andromache” opens at the Berkeley City Club at 8 p.m. and runs through Nov. 19. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1382. 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “Overlord” at 6:30 p.m. and Ousmane Sembene “Xala” at 8:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Judy Yung on “San Francisco’s Chinatown” slide talk at 3 p.m. at Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University Ave. 548-2350. 

Jane Poynter talks about her experience in “The Human Experiment: Two Years and Twenty Minutes Inside Biosphere 2” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Readings from “Modern Words: a thoroughly queer literary journal” with Gary Kong, Jim Nawrocki, David Scronce, and others at 7:30 p.m. at Laurel Book Store, 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 531-2073. 

Open Mic at the Marina with poetry, music and spoken word at 7:30 p.m. at Cal Adventures. Sponsored by the 886 Collective. 439-9777. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Pacific Collegium “Music of the English Renaissance” at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $8-$18. 848-5107. 

Roberta Piket Trio plays original jazz compositions, at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $15. 845-1350. www.hillsideclub.org  

“Best of Brazzissimo” concert at 8 p.m. at Piedmont High School Auditorium, 800 Magnolia Ave., Piedmont. Cost is $5-$10. 408-529-2120. www.brazzissimo.com 

Gamelan Sekar Jaya at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $20-$32. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

“Moment’s Notice” improvised music, dance and theater at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. Cost is $8-$10. 649-1791. 

Fuga! at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

The Big Thing Live with Funkyman at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $10. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Larry Vuckovich Latin Jazz Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Fela Kuti Birthday Tribute with Sila & The Afrofunk Experience, Baba Ken and Afro Groove Connexion at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$18. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Taiko Drumming with Kelvin Underwood at 7 p.m. at the Capoeira Arts Cafe, 2026 Addison St. Cost is $10.  

Ira Marlowe and Kenny Dinkin at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Doppler Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Reilly & Maloney at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Flyhead, The Wearies, Animal Underground at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Kat Parra at 8 p.m. at the Jazz 

school. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

“Babshad” Barbara and Charles Hadenfeldt at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Hali Hammer, folk rock, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Antiquia, The Wayward Monks at 10 p.m. at The Starry Plough. All ages show. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Onion Flavored Rings, Peelander-Z, Ghost Mice at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 15 

THEATER 

“An Evening with Leonardo da Vinci” with Rob Weiner at 7 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$12. 848-0237. 

FILM 

The Mechanical Age “Human, All Too Human” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Strictly Speaking with Paula Poundstone at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$46. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Poetry Flash with Elline Lipkin and Lisa Sewell at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Poets for Peace with Susan Rich, Robert Lipton and Ilya Kaminsky at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

University Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

California Bach Society “Die Familie Bach” at 4 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. 415-262-0272. www.calbach.org 

Bluegrass for the Greenbelt Benefit Concert with Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum and Todd Phillips, Eric and Suzy Thompson, The Backyard Party Boys at 3 p.m. at Coventry Grove, in the Kensington Hills. Tickets are $50-$65. 415-543-6771. www.BluegrassForTheGreenbelt.org 

Vagabond Opera, theatrical mix of eclectic music, at 8 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center. Tickets are $10-$12. 849-2568.  

Rahim Al Haj, Iraqi oud master, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Na Leo Nahenahe Hawaiian Chorus at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. Children under 12 free. www.naleosf.com  

Gift Horse at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Tango Number 9 at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Americana Unplugged: The Mercury Dimes at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Stephanie Bruce at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Ziyia, traditional Greek music, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

MONDAY, OCT. 16 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

PlayGround Six emerging playwrights debut new works at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theater, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $18. 415-704-3177. www.PlayGround-sf.org 

Soyhel Dahi and Sharon Doubiago read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Meg Tilly and K. E. Silva read from their new novels at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Francine Prose introduces “Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and For Those Who Want to Write Them” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Poetry Express with Marsha Campbell at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Kirov Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre, with Valery Gergiev, conductor and Alexander Toradze, piano, at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$86. 642-9988.  

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

Khalil Shaheed, all ages jam, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.. 

Blue Monday Jam at 7:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

Marta Topfera at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$14. 238-9200.  

TUESDAY, OCT. 17 

FILM 

Alternative Visions “War and Video Games” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Aftermath” large-scale photographs of post 9/11 destruction in New York by Joel Meyerowitz. Lecture at 7 p.m. at Sibley Auditorium, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Graduate School of Journalism. www.fotovision.org 

Isaiah Wilner reads at 7 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Rachel Whalen, Diana Murphy and Cheryl Cohen-Greene in a panel on Breast Cancer at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Jeffrey Goldberg decribes “Prisoners: A Muslim and A Jew Across the Middle East Divide” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Freight and Salvage Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $4.50-$5.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Swamp Coolers at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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 

Super Heavy Goat Ass, The Distants at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Benefit for Oaktown Jazz Workshops with the Bay Area Music Educators Band and others at 8 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $25. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 

THEATER 

“The Secret Circus” Wed. and Thurs. at 8 p.m. at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, through Oct. 19. Cost is $10-$20 sliding scale. 800-838-3006 www.themarsh.org  

EXHIBITIONS 

Photo Exhibit of Foster Children and Youth sponsored by the Bay Area Heart Gallery on display at the Berkeley Public Library central lobby, 2090 Kittredge St. and Downtown Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way, through Oct. 31. www.bayareaheartgallery.com 

“Grapefruit” Yoko Ono’s instruction paintings opens at at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way, and runs through March 28. 642-0808. 

Allen Ruppersberg “The Singing Posters” A tribute to Allen Ginsberg’s poem “Howl” opens at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. and runs through Dec. 10. 642-0808. 

Walter Berman and His Circle at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. and runs through Dec. 10. 642-0808. 

FILM 

Pirates and Piracy “The Pirates of the Great Salt Lake” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Wild Cursive and Modern Chinese Calligraphy, a panel discussion at 6 p.m. at the Women’s Faculty Club Lounge, UC Campus. 642-2809. 

Morton Felix will read from his novel, “In Quest of Another's Suicide” at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$20. 848-0237. www.brjcc.org  

Andy Stern, SEIU President, on “A Country That Works: Getting America Back on Track” at 6 p.m. at 2221 Broadway at Grand Ave., Oakland. 

Emily Wu and Larry Engelmann describe growing up in Mao’s Cultural Revolution in “Feather in the Storm: A Childhood Lost in Chaos” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Peter S. Beagle reads from his book of stories “The Line Between” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, chamber music, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Acoustic Africa, featuring Vusi Mahlasela, Habib Koité and Bamada, and Dobet Gnahoré at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Whiskey Brothers Old Time and Bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Bernard Anderson and the Old School Band at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. West Coast swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is TBA. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Sugar Shack, soul, R&B, funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Carpathian Folk Quartet at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Christian Scott at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, OCT. 19 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Secrets of Ousiders” Mixed media paintings by Diego Rios, oil paintings by Bernadette Vergara Sale and acrylic paintings by Liz Amini-Holmes at the Estaban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St. at Telegraph, Oakland. Runs through Nov. 1. 444-7411. www.estebansabar.com 

THEATER 

Fusion Theater “Beauty and the Beast” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. Tickets are $3-$10. 464-3544. 

FILM 

The Mechanical Age “Spinning Up, Slowing Down: Industry Celebrates the Machine” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Films by Jerry Abrams from the 1960s, including “Berkeley Peace March” at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $5-$15. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

George Lakoff introduces his new book “Thinking Points: Communicating Our American Values and Vision” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. 

Monique El-Faizy describes “God and Country: How Evangelicals are Transforming America” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congragational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Suggested donation $10. 559-9500. 

“The Washington Post at War” with Rajiv Chandrasekharan, author of “Imperial Life in the Emerald City” and former Baghdad Bureau Chief for the Washington Post at 7 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Tickets are $5. 642-9988. http://journalism.berkeley.edu 

John Moe discusses “Conservatize Me! How I Tried to Become a Righty with the Help of Richard Nixon, Sean Hannity, Toby Keith, and Beef Jerky” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Savage Jazz Dance Company “Everything’s Everything” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $14-$20. 415-256-8499. savagejazz.org 

Ba-Tu-Ke at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8-$10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Chris Smither at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Manuel Morena & Quejerema at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Danny Allen’s High Diving Horses, Liz Pappademas, Courtney Fairchild at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Earl Klugh at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Selector: Petri Disk Showcase at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Showtime @ 11 Hip Hop at 10 p.m. at the Golden Bull, 412 14th St. at Broadway, Oakland. 893-0803. 


Moving Pictures: ‘Schultze Gets the Blues’ Is an Overlooked Gem

By Justin DeFreitas
Friday October 13, 2006

Last year Schultze Gets the Blues, a German film, played in Berkeley theaters for just a week and to generally small audiences. After one matinee screening, a group of women walked out casting sideways glances at each other and rolling their eyes. “What did you think?” one asked another. “I don’t knowwwww…..” was the response.  

Taste is subjective of course, but I couldn’t help but feel that an opportunity had been missed, for Schultze is a film of rare intelligence and grace, the sort of film that is not often made in America today. It is not only an excellent film and a far deeper one than may be first evident, but a superb opportunity for the film novice who is just beginning to take an interest in the possibilities of cinematic language. Schultze is full of simple, subtle visual cues—composition, lighting, editing and juxtaposition—expertly used to reveal character, plot and subtext.  

And now that the dust has settled around the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, having been kicked up by the media rushing back into the beleaguered city for a series of breathless updates, it seems a good time to revisit the image of New Orleans that we had before disaster struck; a chance to look back, with affection, nostalgia and sadness, at the myths and legends of the city, myths and legends that we once believed in and hope to one day believe in again.  

The story itself is simple: Schultze, a staid, unadventurous man, retires after a life spent working in the salt mines of Germany only to find that he has little to occupy his time. Until, that is, he discovers Zydeco music, a happy accident that leads to a life-altering journey. 

Our first glimpse of the man comes in the film’s opening shot. A solitary windmill turns slowly above a flat horizon as Schultze, in silhouette, traverses the frame on his bicycle. We then get a series of scenes with little dialogue that establish Schultze as something of a non-entity. His two friends do most of the talking while Schultze sits silently and watches. He is merely a sidekick to more charismatic men, a mute witness to the lives and passions of others. He is inscrutable, distant, dutiful and bland, his face often concealed by the brim of his hat, and expressionless when not. Director Michael Schorr composes his frames carefully, often keeping the horizon and this characters low in the frame to show that it is a big world and Schultze is just one small part of it, an inconsequential figure amid a vast landscape.  

It is a good 25 minutes before we finally get a good look at his face. When Schultze discovers Zydeco he comes into the foreground for the first time and finally looms large before us, his face illuminated by the glow of the golden light of the radio dial: the magic of Zydeco by way of a magic Philco. He has finally become a presence, a personality rather than a mere figure occupying space. 

And suddenly life begins to take shape for him. He immediately picks up his accordion to play his usual polka, but soon begins playing faster and faster until he has achieved something resembling Zydeco. He is no longer merely a vessel for the continuation of his traditional polkas and waltzes; Zydeco has transformed him.  

Eventually Schultze makes his way to America to play in a Texas music festival, but Texas doesn’t have what he’s looking for and he soon heads for New Orleans. The fact that he manages to secure himself a boat and sets off down the Mississippi River is the cue that the film has now taken another direction. This is no longer a simple road trip but a hero’s journey into a mythical city. Schultze becomes a sort of Huck Finn, or even a Marlowe perhaps, but he is not venturing into some dark and brooding heart of darkness but deeper into his own dreams and hopes in search of the joy and love and music and passion that has lain dormant within him for so many years. He has risen from the dark of the mineshaft into the golden light of music, and is finally releasing himself into the lowdown, muddy swamps of pleasure and camaraderie.  

Once the river journey begins it may it may seem that Schorr is indulging in stereotypes, as Schultze is taken in by an earthy black mother of a fatherless child, a woman who welcomes him without question and cooks him soul food—the very picture of the spiritual African-American so often idealized in trite Hollywood movies. But bear in mind here, this is no longer a trip through the American South or through the Louisiana Delta as it truly exists, but rather through the delta as seen through the prism of folklore. We are witnessing the South as seen through the eyes of a man who has never before left his German homeland and who has only vague and romanticized notions of what he may find. Whether his vision is true is hardly the point; it only matters that it is true for him, that he has found a world in which he wants and needs to believe, a sort of final reward for a life of duty, hard work and quiet diligence.  

Schultze’s stay in New Orleans concludes with a wistful closing shot of silhouettes dancing in silence to the joyous rhythms of Zydeco and fades out with a gentle sigh, the contented exultation of a man who has seen the promised land and found peace. It is a glimpse of the myths and legends of the New Orleans we believed in until the levees broke and reality came flooding in. Schorr then finishes the film as he began it, with the steady, timeless whirl of the windmill above a landscape as silhouetted figures continue on their way, a quiet reminder that life goes on, and that the gentle, impish spirit of joy and passion will endure. 

 

SCHULTZE GETS THE BLUES (2003) 

Written and directed by Michael Schorr. Starring Horst Krause. In German with English subtitles. Paramount. 114 mimutes.  

$29.98 

 

 

Photograph: Horst Krause plays a staid, unadventurous man who becomes enthralled by Zydeco music in Schultze Gets the Blues.


Arts: Johnson’s Voice Brings Together Classical, Jazz, Spiritual

By Sonia Narang, Special to the Planet
Friday October 13, 2006

Candace Johnson can belt out a Mozart opera aria with the soul of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. A chancellor’s postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley’s music department, Johnson dazzled an audience at her debut vocal recital on campus in September.  

Johnson, 33, infuses classical music with jazz, spiritual, and improvisational elements in a repertoire rich with African-American art songs. 

“I sing the music that represents what I have to say,” Johnson said. Her latest program, which consisted of works by African-American composers, gave her that very opportunity.  

“I enjoy singing all classical music, and I chose to specialize in works by African-American composers,” she said. “This body of literature is rich and beautiful, but unfortunately is infrequently performed.” 

One series of songs, entitled “Three Dream Portraits,” includes verses written by Langston Hughes. “These powerful words are couched in this sweet-sounding music,” she said.  

Her music advisor Olly Wilson said Johnson has successfully put the art form within a cultural context. 

“A real serious interest in scholarship in the tradition feeds her performance,” Wilson, an African-American composer and UC Berkeley professor emeritus, said.  

The Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Fellowship, a two-year program designed to increase minority representation in university teaching positions, is awarded to four people annually. 

“Candace has an incredibly unique background in terms of not only her discipline, but also as a remarkable performer,” said Cristina Perez, facilitator of the prestigious fellowship. “Her work crosses so many boundaries. It makes your heart stop, it’s truly beautiful.” 

Johnson began singing at the age of 5 when she volunteered to perform in a church concert in her hometown of Jackson, Tenn. She continued to sing in local churches and took music lessons in elementary school.  

“Singing was always my first love because it felt very natural to me,” Johnson said. 

Johnson’s mother, who served as her daughter’s first voice coach, helped develop her skills. “My mom knew how to cultivate talent,” Johnson said.  

Growing up, Johnson never thought she would make classical music a part of her life.  

“I expanded from church music to inspirational and light pop. Classical wasn’t in the picture. I thought I was going to be the next Whitney Houston,” she said. 

But when Johnson entered a NAACP-sponsored singing contest in high school, a judge saw her potential for singing classical music. 

“This was the first person who helped me realize there was a difference in the way you sing classical. I didn’t really know what it was because you don’t really see a lot of African-Americans singing classical. You tend to do what you’ve already seen,” she said. 

Soon after Johnson watched a DVD concert of two popular African-American classical singers, she started to become more interested in this musical style. “I became entranced with what I saw. I could relate to this because they were singing spirituals, which is part of my cultural heritage. They were singing it in a way that was glorious.”  

She decided to study voice at Vanderbilt University, where she was confronted with a dilemma: whether to give up the style of singing she grew up with in order to further her classical career. Her instructors told her she couldn’t do both since it would strain her voice. 

“I had a struggle going on in my heart,” she said. “I wanted to do what I loved, which was gospel and inspirational while studying classical. I really believed I could do both.” 

During her doctoral studies in Michigan, Johnson discovered that art songs could combine soulful, spiritual expressions with the European classical tradition. So, she decided to make that her focus. 

Though she enjoys the academic part of studying music, she remains a performer at heart. “I wanted to do something with music that would touch people’s lives,” she said. 

Not only does Johnson reach out to audiences through her singing, but she also instructs a new generation of singers as a teacher for underprivileged children in the Young Musicians Program. 

“She has the god-given gift to inspire young children to want to learn classical music,” said Daisy Newman, Director of the Young Musicians Program. 

Johnson, who has enjoyed teaching from an early age, hopes to influence young people. 

“Historically, classical music was a tradition designed by and for affluent people. I want to make classical music accessible to everyone, from the inner-city person who listens to rap to the rural person who listens to folk.” 

She plans to audition for regional opera houses and continue performing. “I enjoy acting, so I’ll definitely do opera. It demands a lot of energy.” 

 

 

Photograph by Sonia Narang  

Candace Johnson, a chancellor’s postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley’s music program.


East Bay Then and Now: Some East Bay Buildings Were Inspired by Precedent

By Daniella Thompson
Friday October 13, 2006

In Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, the only architect worth his salt is the individualist who tosses all historic precedents onto the trash heap. Published in 1943, the novel was a battle cry for the revolution of modernism, which was expected to take hold from then to eternity. 

In retrospect, modernism, like all fashions and movements, enjoyed its time in the limelight, to be replaced by newer trends. In the process, it was revealed that even modern structures are not created in a vacuum. 

Inspiration can proceed from natural or built environments, from the old or the new, from the familiar or the foreign. The following 20th-century structures demonstrate the diversity of precedents that influenced their design. 

Chapel of the Cross, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley (1965) 

Situated above Grizzly Peak Blvd. at 2770 Marin Avenue, the secluded nine-acre PLTS campus combines the lands of the former Dobbins and Nash estates, anchored by two Spanish Colonial Revival mansions built in 1923 and 1931, respectively. Overlooking expansive vistas to the east, north, and west, the hilltop site is surrounded by trees. 

Into this context, architect James Leefe inserted a chapel modeled on another hilltop chapel, Le Corbusier’s famed Nôtre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp, built in 1955. 

Only ten years separate the model from the progeny, a testament to the profound shockwaves Corbusier’s chapel—a monument dedicated to nature and signaling a break with cubist modernism—unleashed on architecture worldwide. 

As in Ronchamp, the walls are thick and curved, surmounted by a monumental hollow concrete roof. Illumination is provided via slits below the roof. But here the resemblance ends. The Chapel of the Cross is an urban adaptation that lacks the earth-grown appearance of the original. 

Also lacking is advantageous siting. The chapel stands at the lower, southwestern end of the seminary campus, where it is surrounded by the back yards of neighboring houses. The building turns its back on the campus, and all its access doors are located toward the rear, theoretically enabling worshippers to walk directly from campus into chapel. 

The downside of this arrangement is multifold. The prow of the chapel is invisible from the campus. With invisibility comes neglect, so the only landscaping at the southern end consists of a dead lawn. This is also the area assigned for visitor parking, which stamps it as dead space. 

 

6356 Broadway Terrace, Oakland (1993) 

This playful house replaced a 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival residence that had burned in the 1991 hills fire. In a neighborhood chock-a-block with insurance-fuelled Hatter’s Castles and mini McMansions, the 1,400 square-foot building is both a refreshing exercise in modesty of scale and a rare statement of creativity. 

For a difficult site, both hilly and narrow, Ace Architects took as their model Bernard Maybeck’s innovative portable masterpiece, Hearst Hall (erected in 1899, burned in 1922), whose vast central Gothic arch utilized laminated wood. Two false towers sporting exterior struts flanked the arched façade. 

The Broadway Terrace house echoes Maybeck’s arched hall in an asymmetric arrangement utilizing a single tower (when it was being built, the neighbors referred to the house as “that church with a privy”). 

The arched mass is faced with copper-clad asphalt shingles, which impart a vague maritime effect harking back to Norse seafaring sagas. Arching struts descend from the tower roof, a lighthearted reference to Maybeck’s struts, while dragon’s head beam-ends in the trellises are a direct quotation of Maybeck’s signature. 

 

Sunol Water Temple (1910) 

From the mid-19th century until 1930, supplying water to San Francisco was a monopoly held by the Spring Valley Water Company. Prior to the construction of the Hetch Hetchy pipeline, as much as 50% of the city’s water came from a 600-square-mile watershed in Alameda County, converging in Sunol before being directed to San Francisco through Niles Canyon. 

In 1908, a major share in the Spring Valley Water Co. was secured by William Bourn, owner of the Empire mine and the foremost patron of architect Willis Polk. For Bourn, Polk designed in the 1890s a grand clinker-brick town house in Pacific heights, as well as the Empire Mine “cottage” in Grass Valley. In 1915, he would design Filoli for Bourn. 

Seeking to overturn Spring Valley Water’s reputation for rapaciousness, Bourn engaged in a public image campaign that included the building of an elegant water temple in Sunol. For the design, he turned to Polk. 

Polk’s inspiration came from a classic precedent: the ancient Roman Temple of Vesta in Tivoli. Like Sunol, Tivoli is a watery place, located at the end of the Aniene river valley, where the river forms a series of cascades through a gorge. 

Built in the first century on a precipice overlooking the river, the Temple of Vesta—a graceful round pavilion surrounded by 18 Corinthian columns—is the subject of numerous old-master paintings, including several by Piranesi. The composer Hector Berlioz, who visited Tivoli in 1831, described in his diary “the lovely little temple of Vesta, which looks rather like a temple of Love.” 

Polk’s pavilion, 18 meters high, girdled by twelve concrete Corinthian columns, and crowned by a conical wood-and-tile roof, was a popular sightseeing and picnic destination for decades, until severe damage in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake led to its closure. Now restored, the temple, which is owned by the San Francisco Water District, is open for visitors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

week). 

 

Photograph by Daniella Thompson 

Chapel of the Cross, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, is modeled after Le Corbusier's Nôtre Dame du Haut in Ronchamp.


Garden Variety: New Native Plant Nursery Blooms in Cull Canyon

By Ron Sullivan
Friday October 13, 2006

Pete Veilleux wrote something to the California native-plant mavens’ mailing list the other day: “It’s October! Time for squirrel stomach pie—my memere’s specialty. She called it poor man’s toot cake.” 

Before I got to ask him whether the squirrel stomachs involved were full of acorns, or how many squirrels it would take to make a pie, or even the recipe (because the Eastern fox squirrels have begun to root up my stuff again, which means it’s time for another layer of red pepper from the Korean supermarket, which in turn might make those squirrels even more interesting to eat) he’d posted something even more attention-getting to the group.  

His East Bay Wilds nursery is opening to the public.  

“We’re finally going to be opening our nursery at our new location in Castro Valley,” he wrote. “Come for the plants Stay for the inspiration.” 

 

You are invited to the opening celebration and sale at east bay wilds native plant nursery in Cull Canyon, Castro Valley. 

Join us on our opening day and enjoy the real beauty of Bay Area native plants in their fall glory.  

Saturday, October 21st, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., East Bay Wilds Nursery, Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley. From 580, Oakland: Take the Crow Canyon / Center Street exit. Turn left at end of exit ramp. Turn right at first light (Crow Canyon). Turn left on Cull Canyon (at second light).  

There are small mileage markers on the right hand side of the road (white posts w/ black numbers]. Enter the open gate at mile marker 2.45. There will be a large sign. Enter gate and park just up the hill in the marked location for parking. Then follow the signs up to the nursery.  

Drive all the way up to the nursery only if you are unable to walk up and you have either 4wd or excellent traction. We will have a 4wd vehicle for transporting plants and people who need assistance up to the nursery as necessary. It’s a 10 minute walk up through a Laotian cornfield (complete w/ numerous unusual scarecrows) to get to the nursery. There are no restrooms at the nursery yet, but there are some nearby woods. 

The setting is spectacular—well worth a drive to see. We have close to 45,000 plants—most of which are for sale. We’ll be offering 15 percent off all prices on that day only. We’ll have some munchies, lots of information, and we’re offering free five-minute (more or less, depending on time constraints) consultations with naturescape designer Pete Veilleux. Bring specifics about your site including photos, scale drawings, and sketches (include polar directions and slope aspects if you can). 

 

Pete has landscaped more than 60 sites here in the Bay Area over the last five years. 

He’s been gardening with native plants “since I was about five years old, growing up in New England.” (That’s an Acadian squirrel stomach pie—“mostly nuts,” Pete says.)  

To see some examples, go to www.flickr.com/photos/eastbaywilds/sets/ 

The “urban conversion” site is on 56th Street west of MLK, and easy to spot among the more conventional lawns and camellia hedges on the block.  

The nursery will have regular hours next year; to visit now, email pete@eastbaywilds.com or call 409-5858 to arrange a time. 

 

 

Ron Sullivan is a former professional gardener and arborist. Her “Garden Variety” column appears every Friday in East Bay Home & Real Estate section. Her column on East Bay trees appears every other Tuesday in the Berkeley Daily Planet.


About the House: The Truth About Seismic Gas Shut-Off Valves

By Matt Cantor
Friday October 13, 2006

The anniversary of the Loma Prieta is upon us once again and still so little has been done to prepare for our earthquake. That’s right. Loma Prieta wasn’t ours. It was in the mountains of Watsonville nearly 100 miles to the south. 

The way the news media works tends to blow things out of proportion and if you watched the news following that quake, it made it seems as the though it were 1906 all over again. It wasn’t. That quake was devastating for the very few houses that were nearby and it actually threw a few houses in the mountains near the epicenter several feet (or yards) from their foundations. Also, the downtown of Santa Cruz nearly collapsed and it was some miles away.  

We were so much further away that even brittle structures like chimneys were barely affected in most of the Berkeley/Oakland area. 

When we think about failures like the Bay Bridge and the Cypress structure, it’s easy to imagine that Loma Prieta was like a Big One but for us it wasn’t even close. These structures, as well as houses located in the Jiggly-land of the Marina district in S.F. are true exceptions and should not be how we gauge failure. When the Hayward finally slips, it might be several thousand times the shaking force of Loma Prieta for us.  

Berkeley seems to get it’s share of Richter scale 4’s and something closer to a 5 once in a great while. Most of us have never experienced anything more than about a 4 in Berkeley and that would be about 1/30,000 of the size of a Richter 7 in the same place. Most people assume that the Richter scale of seismic magnitude is a decimal scale with each number being 10 times greater than the last. It is, in fact, a logarithmic scale with each number being about 30 times that of the last, so a 6 is about 1,000 times that of a 4 and a 7 is about 30,000 time the same. 

So it’s a fair statement to say that the East Bay hasn’t really been hit by an earthquake of any significance since long before the oldest houses now standing were built. 

Now, this doesn’t mean that you can’t retrofit a house and withstand the shaking force of an earthquake. There’s a lot of science going on today that says that we can, in fact, built to withstand really big earthquakes and we can also retrofit houses to withstand a large force. So like Nike says, “Just Do It.” It ain’t all that much money and it’s better than giving it to the insurance companies (although you’re welcome to do that TOO if you insist … and if you believe they’ll be able to pay up after it’s all gone down, so to speak). 

Now, I’m not going to go into a whole retrofitting thing today and in my usual circuitous fashion, I’m finally getting around to the point I’ll like to make, that being, that in an earthquake, it’s fire that you need fear most of all. 

It’s actually quite unlikely that you’re going to die by being crushed under the weight of a falling building during an earthquake. These wooden packing crates we house ourselves in, seem generally to stay fairly intact during even very large earthquakes, although they may have crushed the basement or crawlspace in the process (so the basement might not be the best place to be). BUT, when gas lines break, they can fill up the interiors of houses, basement or garages and result in explosions and fires.  

If you followed the damage done during the Northridge earthquake near L.A. in 1994, you know that most of the damage was done by fires caused by gas explosions. Water heaters were found everywhere except where they’d been installed and some were found 30 feet away. Although data is harder to gather on the 1906, it looks as though a significant portion of damage was also caused by the same thing. 

This is why two special laws have been enacted in California in the past decade. One regarding the strapping of water heater and one regarding automatic seismic gas shut-off valves. The first is state-wide and pertains to the sale of all houses. A homeowner is required to properly (there’s a magical word if ever there was one) strap the water heater prior to delivery to the new owner. This is almost never done right and you can get a document from the state that has nice clear drawing that will clearly show just how wrong your strapping might be. 

The second law applies to the city of Los Angeles and is the first in the nation to require the insulation of an automatic seismic gas shut-off valve on any house being sold. Hooray for L.A. 

Allstate insurance is apparently beginning to make the installation of some type of gas safety valve a requirement for their customers and I think that’s a good thing. I also think that L.A. and Allstate are not going to be isolated in these requirements for long. Alameda county has a toothless law that I’ve never seen enforced in any way as does Marin and Contra Costa.  

Although these laws (mostly dating from the early 2000’s) haven’t seen much daylight yet, I’m happy to say that I think it’s just a matter of time. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Berkeley, Oakland or El Cerrito started making these devices requisite on new construction any time now. 

These devices fall into two categories. There is a seismically activated type which responds to shaking force and a flow type which senses excessive flow. 

The first type usually contains a ball which rests in a socket of some sort. When shaking hits 5.4 on the Richter scale, the ball falls out and a mechanism of some sort triggers the valve to close. It’s actually very simple.  

Most of the valves sold today have some sort of reset device built right onto the valve so that you can take a little screwdriver and turn your gas back on. Be sure to get help and check the whole house thoroughly, including the crawlspace at the time to reactivate the gas. Utility reps will be in short supply so you’d best be able to do this yourself after we’ve had a quake. 

The second type is designed to sense breakages in the piping. When we run the stove and the water heater and the dryer, we still only allow for a limited rate of flow through the main pipe. When a pipe breaks completely, the flow will be greater than that and this is what these valves sense. When this occurs they plug shut. It’s another simple mechanism that involves a spring loaded plug that requires enough wind to drag to the shut position. I don’t favor these for us due to the fact that you can get many small breaks in your gas piping and not set them off. When an earthquake occurs, a seismically activated valves will go off regardless of the size or number of leaks created. 

There are a number of valves that are approved and most are quite cheap (mostly under $100). The Little Firefighter is a favorite of mine, although I also like the Northridge and the Vanguard. You can search them online and you can also check out our own Berkeley supplier, gasvalvedoctor.com. Boaz Levanda (843-3275) is a nice chap who’ll be happy to sell you one. He’s also been a one man legal squad trying to get the permit requirements reduced so that they can be installed for fewer bucks.  

A plumber is the right person to install such a device and the cost seems to be around $200-$300 for installation (plus the valve). It’s usually quite simple but can be more complex in some cases. If you’re in a condo or apartment complex, you’ll need one for each unit. 

So, If you have only $300 or $400 to spend on earthquake preparedness and don’t want to put a single bolt into anything, please, oh please go get one of these. 

 

 

Got a question about home repairs and inspections? Send them to Matt Cantor at mgcantor@pacbell.net


Berkeley This Week

Friday October 13, 2006

FRIDAY, OCT. 13 

Impeachment Banner Fridays at 6:45 to 8 a.m. on the Berkeley Pedestrian bridge between Seabreeze Market and the Berkeley Aquatic Park. www. Impeachbush-cheney.com 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with The League of Women Voters on the Nov. 7 Election. Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

“Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War” A documentary by Robert Greenwald at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Cost is $5. 

“Political Prisoners: 40th Anniversary Reunion of Black Panther Party” A forum to learn about political prisoners in the US and elsewhere at 4 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., at 14th St., Oakland. 393-5685. 

Circle Dancing at 8 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. at University Ave. Beginners welcome, no partners needed. Donation $5. 528-4253. 

Womansong Circle with Betsy Rose A participatory circle of song for women at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Small Assembly Room, 2345 Channing Way. Cost is $15-$20, no one turned away. 525-7082.  

Kol Hadash Non-Theistic Family Shabbat at 6 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Please bring simple child-friendly food to share. 428-1492. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 14 

Livable Berkeley's Candidate’s Forum Mayoral Candidates at 11 a.m., City Council Candidates at noon at the West Berkeley Senior Center, 1900 Sixth St. 

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. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland “New Era/New Politics” highlights African-American leaders who have made their mark on Oakland. Meet at 10 a.m. at the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. 238-3234.  

Walk in Honor of Our Ancestors Meet at 8 a.m. at the El Cerrito BART Station on San Pablo Ave. Walk goes down San Pablo and up University and ends at 1 p.m. at Krober Hall at the University for a memorial for the human remains stored at the Phoebe Hearst Museum. 575-8408. www.vallejointertribalcouncil.org 

Toddler Nature Walk We’ll look for spiders, insects and other fascinating creatures from 2 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“The Big Buy” film and discussion at 2 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave. Continuing discussion Mon. at 7 p.m. 525-9450. 

“Alameda's Pivotal Election 2006” A program of the Alameda Public Affairs Forum at 7 p.m. at the Home of Truth, 1300 Grand Street, Alameda.  

“Temescal Creek and the Interstate Bakery Property” A presentation on the development of the Interstate Bakery Property at 53rd At. and Adeline, at 10:30 a.m. at Temescal Creek Park Amphitheater, 47th Street, corner of Adeline & 47th Street, Emeryville. 434.3840.  

Tour of the EBMUD Water Treatment Plant To learn about sewage treatment and its role in Bay water quality, from 10 a.m. to noon. For details and to RSVP please call 452-9261 ext.109. www.savesfbay.org/bayevents 

“Iraq For Sale: the War Profiteers” Documentary at 5 p.m. at CodePINK East Bay, 1248 Solano Ave., Albany Not handicap accessible. To RSVP call 524-2776. 

Africa Matters in Zimbabwe A fundraiser and presentation on Africa Matters Scholarship Fund at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. 655-4528. 

The East Bay Bonsai Society presents its 45th Annual Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sat. and 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sun. at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Oakland. 521-9588.  

Vegetarian Cooking Class “Comfort Foods for Chilly Nights” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., at Castro, Oakland. Cost is $50. To register, please call 531-2665. www.compassionatecooks.com 

Maven Urban Design and Craft Fair for women artists from noon to 5 p.m. at 1700 Dwight Way at McGee. www.mavenfair.com 

Great War Society monthly meeting at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. The discussion topic will be “Military Strategy of the Germans & British, 1914-1918” by Robert Deward. 527-7118. 

Berkeley Branch NAACP meets at 1 p.m. at the Church by the Side of the Road, 2108 Russell St. 845-7416. 

Reiki for Post Partum Women at 10 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“Dramatically Speaking” with Paul Rowan and Tevis Thompson, Jr., on Commercial Acting and Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain Speech at 9 a.m. at 1950 Franklin St., Oakland. Free, but RSVP required. 581-8675. 

The Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi Society will hold its 19th Annual USA Symposium on Sat. and Sun. from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Seaborg Room, Faculty Club, UC campus. The theme of the weekend is “Know Yourself.” Fee, donations accepted. 415-250-1817. www.ibnarabisociety.org 

San Francisco Chapter of the Romance Writers of America with agent Jessica Faust at 8:30 a.m. at Pyramid Restaurant, 901 Gilman St. Cost is $30. Reservations requested, email dginny1942@cs.com 

Lead-Safety for remodeling, repair and painting of older homes. HUD & EPA approved class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention, 200 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. For information call 567-8280.  

A Better Chance Independent School Fair from 3 to 6 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Education Center, 2825 International Blvd., Oakland. www.abetterchance.org 

Non-Anesthetic Teeth Cleaning for Dogs and Cats from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $35. To make an appointment call 525-6155. 

Produce Stand at Spiral Gardens Food Security Project from 1 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon St. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

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.  

Yoga for Peace at 9:30 a.m. at Ohlone Park, MLK at Hearst. Bring a yoga mat, warm blanket, and peace sign.  

Adult Fast Pitch Softball at noon. For location call 204-9500.  

Spiritwalking: Aqua Chi(TM) at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley High Warm Pool. Also Wed. at 3:30 p.m. Cost is $5.50, $3.50 seniors & disabled. Bring your own towels. 526-0312. 

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, OCT. 15 

Oakland Heritage Alliance House Tour of the Temescal neighborhood. The self-guided tour begins at Acorn Kitchens and Baths, 4640 Telegraph Ave. Tickets are $25-$35. 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Partners in Preservation Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. at multiple locations in the East Bay. For details see www.partnersinpreservation.com. 415-365-8532. 

Bike Ride to the Open House at the Watershed Project Meet at 11 a.m. at the El Cerrito Plaza, west parking lot to bike to the open house at the Watershed Project. En route visit the tidal sloughs of 4 local creeks, where the watersheds empty into the Bay. Bicycle and rider should be in good shape, and riders must wear helmet.  

Richmond: Celebration by the Bay with the Watershed Project with tours, bird watching, food and drink, from noon to 3 p.m. at the garden at the Richmond Field Station. For more information and directions call 665-3430. www.thewaatershedproject.org 

Peralta Hacienda Historical Park Indigenous People’s Day Celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at Peralta House and Park, 2465 34th Ave., corner of Coolidge and Hyde, Oakland. Live entertainment features the Amah-Ka-Tura Ohlone dancers of Santa Cruz, youth performers from Calvin Simmons Middle School and music by Phoenix and Afterbuffalo. Other activities will include children’s crafts, free guided tours. www.peraltahacienda.org 

“What Does it Mean We Don’t Have a Vote Anymore?” An open conference and discussion at 3 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. 

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m. at Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. 526-7377.  

Meditation Walk Walking meditation, quiet sitting and poetry writing. Meet at 9 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Felt Mask Making Learn the soapy, slippery and fun art of making felt, for ages 6-12, accompanied by an adult, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $7-$9, registration required. 636-1684. 

Mayan and Aztec Medicinal Plants Tour at 11 a.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $8-$12. Registration required. 643-2755.  

Black Panther Party Reunion with videos and photographs at 1:30 p.m. at the West Oakland Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 1801 Adeline St. 238-6718. 

Fundraiser for City Slicker Farms A local grassroots nonprofit that converts empty lots in West Oakland into high yield urban farms, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Mama Buzz Café, 2318 Telegraph Ave., at 23rd, Oakland. Cost is $15, no one turned away. 763-4241. 

The Friends of the Kensington Library Booksale from noon at 4 p.m. at Kensington Library. 524-3043. 

Kensington Pumpkin Parade and pumpkin pie-eating contest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 303 Arlington Ave. at Amherst. kensingtonfm@yahoo.com 

Halloween Pumpkin Painting for children at 1 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Friends of Albany Seniors Pasta Dinner Fundraiser to support the senior center, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 846 Masonic Ave., Albany. Cost is $8, children under six $3. 534-9122. 

“25 Years of Culinary Creations” A commemorative lunch to benefit Berkeley Food and Housing Project at noon at Oliveto’s. Tickets are $100. 649-4965. 

6th Annual Crabby Chef Competition at 2 p.m. in Spenger’s parking lot. 845-7771.  

“Dreamgirls: Girls and Women in Sports” with talks by women athletes and a screening of the film “Dare to Dream” at 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Bike Tour of Oakland Explore Oakland its history and its visionaries and scoundrels. Meet at 10 a.m. at the 10th St. entrance of the Oakland Museum of CA, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. Participants must be over twelve years old and provide their own bikes, helmets and repair kits. Free. 238-3514. www.museumca.org 

Saint Ambrose Parish “International Night” Fundraiser for its sister parish in India, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at 1145 Gilman St. Food, music, dancing, and humor from all parts of the world. Cost is $5. For reservations call 525-2620. 

Don’t be Six Feet Under Without a Plan A free workshop to learn more about the complexities and costs of Creating a Living Will, Powers of Attorney, End of Life Planning and Services at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. at Pleasant Valley Rd. 562-9431. 

Adult Sunday Sing-Along at 3 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

Chinese Medicine for Meopause Relief at 11:30 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Ausar Auset Society Open House with introductions to the I-Ching, from noon to 2:30 p.m. at 5272 Foothill Blvd.,Oakland. 533-5306. 

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. 

“10,000 Christs...” with David Fitzgerald on the search for the historical Jesus at 9:30 a.m at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

“Judaism Without God? Understanding Humanistic Judaism” at 10 a.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Cost is $5.  

MONDAY, OCT. 16  

“What We Want, What We Believe” DVD showing and conversation with Newsreel archivist, Roz Payne and former Black Panthers at 7:30 p.m. at the AK Press Warehouse, 674-A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. 

“Never Again” Photographs and discussion of the physical and human consequences of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at 4 p.m. at the Bade Museum of the Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave.  

“Last Atomic Bomb” Benefit screening with producer Kathleen Sullivan at 6 p.m., film at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave, Oakland. Benefit for Western States Legal Foundation, working for peace and justice in a nuclear free world. Cost is $25 for reception and film, $10 for film only. 839-5877. www.wslfweb.org 

“The Shocking Truth About Gluten: Why Bread Eaters Get Sick” A new film by Ann Marks at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

WriterCoach Connection seeks volunteers to help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills. Training session from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For information call 524-2319. www.writercoachconnection.org  

CodePINK Monthly “Eat and Greet” at 6 p.m. at Nabalom Bakery, 2708 Russell St. at College Ave. Donation $20 no one turned away. 524-2776. www.bayareacodepink.org 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people aged 60 and over meets at 9:45 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Donation $3. 524-9122. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

Lead Abatement Repairs Find out about funding for lead hazard repairs for rental properties with low-income tenants or vacant units in Oakland, Berkeley or Emeryville, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 2000 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. 567-8280. 

TUESDAY, OCT. 17 

Tuesday is for the Birds An early morning walk for birders through Bay Area parklands. Bring water, sunscreen, binoculars and a snack. This week we will visit Point Isabel. For meeting location or to borrow binoculars, call 525-2233.  

Berkeley Garden Club “Georgeous Gardens Made Easy” with Kim Haworth, producer of KRON4’s “Henry’s Garden” at 2 p.m. at Epworth Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. 524-7296. 

Willard Neighborhood Association Candidates Forum featuring the candidates for the Mayoral, District 7 and District 8 City Council races at 6:45 p.m. at the Willard Middle School, Auditorium 2425 Stuart St. 

Fall Fruit Tasting at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market, Derby at MLK, from 2 to 7 p.m. 548-2220. 

“Saving the Animals in Afghanistan” with Pamela Constable, a foreign correspondent for the Washington Post in Afghanistan, who has helped stray dogs and cats in Kabul find shelter, veterinary care and happy adoptive homes, at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Street. Donation $20. Reservations requested. 594-1613. ruphotos@earthlink.net  

“Rainwater Harvesting” Brad Lancaster explains tools and techniques for implementing sustainable water systems for your home, landscape, and community at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2240. www.ecologycenter.org 

“The Reality and Legacy of the Iraq War” with Ivan Eland, Senior Fellow at The Independent Institute and author of “The Empire Has No Clothes” and Mark Danner, author of “The Secret Way to War,” and Professor of Journalism at U.C. Berkeley, at 6:30 p.m. at The Independent Institute Conference Center, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. For tickets please call 632-1366. www.independent.org 

Panel Discussion on Breast Cancer with Rachel Whalen, Diana Murphy and Cheryl Cohen-Greene at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Torture Teach-in and Vigil every Tues. at 12:30 p.m. at the fountain on UC Campus, Bancroft at College. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. Various East Bay opportunities available. Advanced sign-up is required; please call 594-5165.  

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Discussion Salon on Should Voting be Mandatory? at 7 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut.  

Sleep Soundly Seminar A free class on how hypnosis can help you sleep at 6:30 p.m. at 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland. To register call 465-2524. 

Handbuilding Ceramics Class from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Free, except for materials and firing charges. For information call Diana Bohn, 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. We always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18 

“A Glimpse of South Berkeley” with Belva Davis on “Newsroom and Beyond” at 7:30 p.m. at South Berkeley Community Church, 1802 Fairview St. at Ellis. Tickets are $10 and benefit the church’s restoration efforts. 652-1040. 

South Berkeley Mayoral Debate at 7:30 p.m. at B-Tech Academy auditorium, 2701 Martin Luther King Jr., Way at Derby. 849-4319. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around the restored 1870s business district. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of G.B. Ratto’s at 827 Washington St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Neighborhood and Community Green Space with Susan Schwartz on “The Santa Fe Rigth of Way” Meet at 1 p.m. at Spiral Gardens, 2850 Sacramento St. at Oregon.  

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have our annual nature treasure hunt, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

“Kayaking the British Columbia Coast” with John McCormack at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Music in the Community Fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. at Kimball’s Carnival, 522 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $5-$15. 444-6979. 

Current Events Discussion Group meets at 7 p.m. at the Niebyl Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. Oakland. 597-4972. 

Gray Panthers Movie Night showing “Wag the Dog” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Gray Panthers Office, 1403 Addison St. Berkeley Gray Panthers Office, 1403 Addison St. 

New to DVD “United 93 ” Film and discussion at 7 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

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. 

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. www.ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, OCT. 19 

Mayoral Candidate Debate Between Tom Bates and Zelda Bronstein at 7:30 p.m. in the Le Conte School cafeteria, Russell St. entrance. Sponsored by the LeConte Neighborhood Association. All are welcome. www.neighborhoodlink.com  

“Global Warming: What Can California Do About It?” with Dr. Stephen Schneider of Stanford at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak, Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Clean up the Air Pollution from Pacific Steel with Lois Gibbs, Executive Director of the Center for Health and the Environment at 7:30 p.m. at West Berkeley Senior Center, 6th and Hearst.  

“The Washington Post at War: Reporting From Baghdad” with a panel of reporters and editors from The Washington Post at 7 p.m. in Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Sponsored by The Graduate School of Journalism. Tickets are $5 available from 642-9988. http://journalism.berkeley.edu/events 

An Evening with Robert Scheer Author and columnist at 7:30 PM at the Piedmont Gardens, 110 41st St., Oakland. Sponsored by MGO Democratic Club. 834-9198. www.mgoclub.org 

“The Current Gandhian Movement in India” with Dr. M.P. Mathai, author of “Mahatma Gandhi’s World View” at 7 p.m. at 166 Barrows Hall, UC Campus.  

Breast Cancer Update Learn about the latest research in diagnosis and treatment at 6:15 p.m. at Summit Campus, Peralta Pavilion, Markstein Cancer Center, 430 30th St., Oakland. Registration required. 869-8735. 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have our annual nature treasure hunt, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Environmental Film Series “Thirst” on corporate attempts to buy up local water supplies, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Simplicity Forum with Rachel Laws on “Neighbors: Celebrating the Folks on the Block” at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 549-3509. 

Community Shabbat with singer Gary Laplow at 6 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $12 adult, $5 chidren. 848-0237. 

Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby at 7:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline at Alcatraz. Free, all are welcome. namaste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. Oct. 16, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Mon. Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., Oct. 16, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/peaceandjustice 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., Oct. 18, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/aging 

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. Oct. 4, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Library Board of Trustees meets Wed., Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6195. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/library  

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Anne Burns, 981-7415. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/designreview  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/faircampaign 

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7010. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/transportation