News

ZAB Hears Wright’s Garage Debate

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday February 13, 2007
The Zoning Adjustments Board closed the public hearing for Wright’s Garage on Thursday and continued the matter to March 8. -more-

City Reviews Planned Section 8 Rent Hike

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday February 13, 2007
Section 8 renters living in apartments of two or more bedrooms will apparently escape the rent hike anticipated on March 1, according to city manager Phil Kamlarz. But those living in studio and one-bedroom apartments may be paying an additional $35 to $45 each month for rent. -more-

Judge Denies Open Police Complaint Hearings

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday February 13, 2007
The city went to court in November to fight a Berkeley Police Association lawsuit which argued that open police complaint hearings and public availability of records of those hearings violate a police officers’ right to privacy. -more-

Berkeley District Students’ API State Test Scores Increase

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday February 13, 2007
The Academic Performance Index (API)—the basis of California’s Public Schools Accountability Act of 1999 which measures the academic performance and growth of schools on a variety of academic measures—showed significant progress in most Berkeley public schools in 2006 with the exception of Berkeley High School. -more-

Supporters Prepare Rally to Save Berkeley Iceland

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday February 13, 2007
Supporters of Save Berkeley Iceland plan to show up in their skating and hockey gear at the Berkeley City Council tonight (Tuesday) to request the city’s help in saving the historic ice rink scheduled to close March 31. -more-

Suspect Arrested in Pacific Center Hate Crime Attacks

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Berkeley Lab, University Plans Dominate Planning Agendas

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Remembering denise brown: Passing the Torch of Community Spirit

By Kalima Rose
Tuesday February 13, 2007

The future use of the building which formerly housed Wright’s Garage on Ashby Avenue is the subject of debate in the Elmwood. Photograph by Richard Brenneman.
The future use of the building which formerly housed Wright’s Garage on Ashby Avenue is the subject of debate in the Elmwood. Photograph by Richard Brenneman.

Editorials

Editorial: Astroturf and Related Plants

By Becky O'Malley
Tuesday February 13, 2007
A recent issue of the snarky British magazine New Scientist discusses a concept we must have missed, one which clearly is a good description of the web-wired political landscape. The writer notes that some large entities, an oil company in the particular example, are starting fake grass-roots political campaigns to promote ideas advantageous to the promulgators, for example touting the environmental soundness of running cars on corn. (Where have we heard that one recently?) They generate email letters to the editor which seem to be from real people, but aren’t. This kind of faux-grass-roots politicizing is coming to be known as “astroturf,” after the simulated grass now seen on many an American football field. -more-

Reader Commentaries

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday February 13, 2007

Commentary: Brower Center Project Is Misguided

By Gale Garcia
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Commentary: Against Divisiveness At North Shattuck

By Julie Ross
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Commentary: Both Right and Left Hold Bizarre Views

By Rabbi Jane Rachel Litman
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Columnists

Molly Ivins Tribute: Of Swimming Pools and Levees

By Eleanor S. Hudson
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Column: Finding Yourself at 55

By Susan Parker
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Towhee Duets: The Private Life of a Plain Brown Bird

By Joe Eaton, Special to the Planet
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Arts & Entertainment

Arts Calendar

Tuesday February 13, 2007

Arts and Entertainment Around the East Bay

Tuesday February 13, 2007

The Theater: Harrison’s ‘Young Caesar’ at Yerba Buena

By Jaime Robles, Special to the Planet
Tuesday February 13, 2007

The Theater: TheatreFIRST’s Stunning Revival of ‘Nathan the Wise’

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Tuesday February 13, 2007

Events Calendar

Berkeley This Week

Tuesday February 13, 2007