Thirty-nine custodians and their supporters—including City Councilmember Max Anderson —sat down at the intersection of Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue Wednesday afternoon to make the point that UC Berkeley custodians should receive wages equal to wages earned by others in the area doing similar work. -more-

If Merrilie Mitchell were elected to replace 14-year incumbent Linda Maio as District 1 councilmember, she said she would continue the nuts-and-bolts activism she’s known for: peddling her bicycle throughout Berkeley and attending every city meeting she can. -more-

Willard Park area residents want a safe, quiet place to live, they told mayoral and City Council candidates at a Tuesday candidates’ night, sponsored by the Willard Neighborhood Association, that drew more than 80 people. -more-

The U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal on Monday to review a ruling that allows the City of Berkeley to deny the Sea Scouts a free dock at the Marina because of its discrimination against gays and atheists could spell the end for the 74-year-old sailing group. -more-

“Politics can be fun” was the message Berkeley City Council candidate George Beier sent out to UC Berkeley students and young Southside residents during his campaign party at Blakes on Telegragh Wednesday. -more-

It took a week of intense negotiations, with Councilmember Laurie Capitelli moving back and forth between developer Jim Hart and neighbors of Hart’s 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. -more-

Citizens helping to create a new downtown plan for Berkeley turned their attention to one of the city center’s perennial conundrums Wednesday night: street -more-

The long-running saga of the house at 1610 Oregon St. took another twist Tuesday morning with the backyard shooting of a 19-year-old San Leandro man. -more-

When a Berkeley police bicycle officer spotted a couple of youths brawling in the 2100 block of Shattuck Avenue Tuesday noon, he didn’t expect he’d be joining the fray. -more-

Three propositions on the November ballot—83, 85, and 90—would make significant changes to the California Constitution or California law. -more-

Three propositions on the November statewide ballot seek to raise taxes to support various state programs. Proposition 86 would tax cigarettes to support health projects, Proposition 87 would tax oil producers to fund and encourage alternative energy sources, and Proposition 88 would increase educational spending through a parcel tax. -more-

Sat., Oct. 21 -more-

With a newly negotiated contract in hand, Doubletree Hotel employees will return to familiar seats at the bargaining table next week. -more-

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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. -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

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

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

What is the definition of a “test”? -more-

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. -more-

6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17: -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

Butter knife bandits -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

Someone called us this week to complain that the depiction of mayoral candidate Zelda Bronstein in Tuesday’s cartoon was, to put it kindly, very unflattering. The caller opined that she and two (female) friends thought that the cartoonist must be a misogynist at heart, since he always seems to draw Bronstein harshly. Well, probably that’s not the explanation. -more-

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. -more-

GOLDEN GATE FIELDS -more-

Four years ago I entered the race for mayor with a simple promise—that we would turn a new page in Berkeley’s political history by setting aside the old political divisions and working together to make Berkeley the very best it can be. We have been remarkably successful—governing with civility, supporting our kids and schools, making Berkeley an environmental leader again, and creating affordable housing. -more-

Since June, I’ve been going door-to-door talking to Berkeley voters all over town. I’ve now visited thousands of households, and everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve encountered dissatisfaction with the current mayor and his administration. The details vary, but one theme is constant: In Berkeley, of all places, people feel that they have lost control of their local government. My campaign is about reclaiming City Hall for the community. -more-

Landlords: Remorseless, lying, blood-sucking parasites. More property, more vicious. Give back every dollar stolen from the tenants, immediately, in cash. Rent is Theft. -more-

Come Run with the Running Wolf -more-

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Mayor: Zelda Bronstein -more-

The City of Berkeley, by casually, sans permit, allowing Milo Foundation to introduce, in a deliberate and concerted effort, unknown and diseased animals to our neighborhood, has exhibited gross negligence in the administration of their duties to protect and serve the residents of our community. This community includes neighbors, volunteers and visiting public to the locations surrounding the 1575 Solano and 1572 Capistrano Ave. addresses. The cavalier and uninformed lack of control over these conditions puts the City of Berkeley at great risk for potential lawsuits from individual and groups most at risk for these diseases, that is, the entire public. -more-

Until recently, I held the naïve belief that only objective language would be used in official voters’ materials. But I was wrong. Unlike the state attorney general, our city attorney is not legally required to use impartial language to explain ballot measures to the public. As a result, Berkeley voters do not have an absolute right to unbiased presentations of municipal measures. -more-

Twice during the past few months, the Planet has published articles proclaiming a “new vision” for Shattuck Avenue north of Vine Street, where the Farmers’ Market is located. The promoters of this “vision,” almost exclusively realtors, developers, architects and merchants, would like you to believe they will be creating a pedestrian plaza with lots of greenspace and trees. -more-

If all four bond measures, Propositions 1B to 1E, pass, the State’s bond debt would almost double. With constant economic growth, we might afford it, but in a downturn or even if State’s revenue is flat, we will have to increase taxes, cut services, or borrow even more money to pay for the Bonds. Worse, some of the bond funds would be used in a socially inequitable manner, failing to produce long-term benefits or improve our quality of life, environment and economy. Measures 1C and 1D seem worthwhile, but 1B and 1E do not. -more-

IN SUPPORT OF MAYOR BATES -more-

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? -more-

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

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. -more-

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. -more-

Two Sundays ago, on Oct. 8, I rose before dawn (way before) to drive a friend to Ocean Beach in San Francisco and take part in Ma’afa, what turned out to be an extremely moving ceremony marking the estimated 100 million African ancestors who perished during the Transatlantic Slave Trade, commonly referred to as the Middle Passage. -more-

It’s rare these days that I find myself in agreement with Mayor Jerry Brown’s attorney general campaign consultant and spokesperson, who specializes in the kind of fighter pilot/attack dog responses you would expect from someone named Ace Smith. But when Mr. Smith calls it “pathetic and desperate” a recent threat by Republicans to file a lawsuit challenging Mr. Brown’s attorney general credentials, he’s right on target. This is a matter for the voters to decide, not the judges. -more-

Esther Owens was born Esther Frances Wagner in Tecumseh, Oklahoma, on March 13, 1898, the last of Anna and Max Wagner’s three children. While on a visit home from singing in a light-opera road company, Esther met her future husband, Forest John Maynard, originally from Vermont. After several moves because of Forest’s work, the young couple eventually settled in the Bay Area, first in Berkeley, then in Oakland. -more-

Killing yourself isn’t as easy as it used to be. You used to be able to get in your 8,000 pound Buick, pull into the garage, tune in KNBR and slowly pass into unconsciousness to the strains of “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” as the disappointments of the world faded softly into nothingness. Wow, that was dark. But it’s a reality that carbon monoxide has been widely used to end it all for many decades, maybe a hundred years. -more-

How’s Your Earthquake Knowledge ? (Part 2) -more-

Here’s another field trip, in case you’re not busy enough with all the October nursery sales and native-plant fests. Morningsun Herb Farm has a few natives, but its focus is garden herbs in the vernacular sense of the word: useful culinary, medicinal, and fragrant plants. -more-

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials announced this week that the Oakland Housing Agency has won a national award for its Mandela Gateway Mixed-Use Housing Development. -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

FRIDAY, OCT. 20 -more-

A veiled woman enters a long chamber by the near door, kneels in a patch of light, tosses back her veil and mutters some kind of devotional, eyes heavenward. Another veiled woman hurries in and spirits the first away through the far door. A robed man enters, goes to the far door, but falls to the floor in tears, crying out “Andromache!” A sword-bearing man enters, whispers to the prostrate man, and they leave. A young man in a tattered robe enters. -more-

So-called “indie” cinema is supposed to break away from the tired formulas of Hollywood filmmaking. Yet indie films themselves have lapsed into their own formulas, generating just as many clichés as the Hollywood blockbusters at which they so haughtily sneer. Unfortunately, Michael Kang’s The Motel embraces far too many of them. -more-

One film that did not make it on the fall film festival circuit this year is The Life and Times of John Sinclair. A documentary with plenty of smoke that mirrors the protest movement, it’s the story of the man who jump started John Lennon’s political career, John Sinclair. -more-

Editor’s note: The preview for the 24th Annual San Francisco Jazz Festival which ran in the Oct. 17 issue of the Berkeley Daily Planet gave the wrong lineup. It repeated the list of last year’s festival performers. Below is the corrected information about the kick-off of this year’s festival. The preview of the rest of the festival will run next week. -more-

Soprano Alaine Rodin, Berkeley native, a graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory and the Juilliard School, has made an international career for herself as an opera singer. -more-

Killing yourself isn’t as easy as it used to be. You used to be able to get in your 8,000 pound Buick, pull into the garage, tune in KNBR and slowly pass into unconsciousness to the strains of “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” as the disappointments of the world faded softly into nothingness. Wow, that was dark. But it’s a reality that carbon monoxide has been widely used to end it all for many decades, maybe a hundred years. -more-

How’s Your Earthquake Knowledge ? (Part 2) -more-

Here’s another field trip, in case you’re not busy enough with all the October nursery sales and native-plant fests. Morningsun Herb Farm has a few natives, but its focus is garden herbs in the vernacular sense of the word: useful culinary, medicinal, and fragrant plants. -more-

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials announced this week that the Oakland Housing Agency has won a national award for its Mandela Gateway Mixed-Use Housing Development. -more-

FRIDAY, OCT. 20 -more-

TUESDAY, OCT. 17 -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

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. -more-

TUESDAY, OCT. 17 -more-