The Zoning Adjustments Board closed the public hearing for Wright’s Garage on Thursday and continued the matter to March 8. 

Applicant John Gordon of Gordon Commercial had requested a use permit to convert an existing commercial building at 2629-2635 Ashby Ave. (the Wright’s Garage Building) into a multi-tenant commercial building on January 25.  

City staff is working with the applicant to address parking concerns raised at previous meetings by area residents.  

Some residents are worried that a large-scale full-service restaurant at the proposed building—currently zoned for a car repair shop—would exacerbate parking and traffic problems in the neighborhood. 

Apart from the restaurant, the proposed commercial building would also house retail and a yoga center. The building, which was bought and is being renovated by Gordon, is bordered on two sides by private homes.  

Gordon has met with the Claremont-Elmwood Neigh-borhood Association, Willard Neighborhood Association, Bateman Neighborhood Association and the Elmwood Merchants Group to address concerns related to parking, noise and traffic. 

Board members have asked Gordon as well as the community to think of creative solutions—valet parking was one idea mentioned—to help mitigate parking problems. 

Other matters 

• Berkeley resident Steve Wollmer informed the board that on behalf of Neighbors for a Livable Berkeley Way, he had appealed ZAB’s decision to grant permits to Hudson McDonald for their mixed-use project on 1885 University Ave.—known as the Trader Joe’s project—to the Berkeley City Council on Feb. 2. 

The project—which received opposition from area residents—appeared before ZAB nine times and the Design Review Commission (DRC) five times respectively before being finally approved on Jan. 1.  

Wollmer said the project fails to conform to state affordable housing law, is larger than the zoning allows, hampers the surrounding neighborhood, causes increased traffic and parking problems in the area and sets a dangerous precedent for the city by granting density bonus units reserved by state law for affordable housing to subsidize a commercial use. The appeal will be heard by the City Council in March. 

• The board continued the request for a use permit by Meskerem Tsegaye to increase alcohol service of the Ethiopian Restaurant on 2953-2955 Telegraph Ave. by adding service of distilled spirits to existing service of beer and wine, and by increasing operating hours from 8 a.m.-12 a.m. daily to 8 a.m.-2 a.m. daily to March 22. 

Staff told the ZAB they were working with the applicant on the project and that the she might withdraw her request. 

• The board approved a request for a use permit by Timothy Carter to demolish an existing dwelling at 837 Bancroft Way and build a two-unit building with three stories, 4,372 square feet floor area and two parking spaces, on a 4,996 square foot lot. 

• The board approved a request for a use permit by Rani Ranade of Toby Long Design to construct a new three-story, 2,486 square foot duplex with two spaces on a 6.750 square foot lot at 1522 Fairview St., that already contains a residential duplex. 

• A request for a use permit by Adam Block to construct a new commercial building totaling 11,249 square feet on a previously undeveloped lot at 1331 Seventh St. was also approved. 

• The board continued the request for a use permit by Bruce Kelly to construct a new two-story single-family dwelling with 1,460 square feet of floor area, two parking spaces, at an average height of 24 feet, on a 3,295 square foot vacant lot at 161 Panoramic Way. 

• The board elected Rick Judd as the new vice chair of the ZAB. Judd replaced board member Dave Blake—who will step down from ZAB in July—as vice chair. 

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. 

The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) department subsidizes Section 8 rents, generally providing two-thirds of an individual’s market-rate rent, with the individual paying one-third. 

The City Council, sitting as the Berkeley Housing Authority, will hear an oral report on Section 8 rents at 6 p.m. tonight (Tuesday). 

The Housing Authority meeting will be preceded by the mayor’s State of the City address at 5 p.m. and the regular council meeting at 7 p.m. 

Section 8 

HUD has apparently said that it will not continue to subsidize full Berkeley rents, which are higher than the area median for renters of studio and one-bedroom apartments. 

“Any increase is an unacceptable burden to Section 8 renters,” said Marcia Levenson, a housing activist and Section 8 renter. 

The Planet learned little on Friday of the details of the changes; Housing Director Steve Barton was not in the office and Berkeley Housing Authority Manager Tia Ingram did not respond to calls. City Manager Phil Kamlarz responded to questions with a brief voice mail, but could not be reached personally. Monday was a city holiday. 

City Aims at Fair Salary Schedule  

Because Land-Use Planning Manager Mark Rhoades’ monthly earnings are $10,581 ($126,972 annually) and Building and Safety Manager Joan MacQuarrie’s are the same, a personnel problem came to the fore: Wendy Cosin, MacQuarrie and Rhoades’ boss, earns just $10,250 per month, less than her two subordinates.  

“The deputy director of planning has not received equity increases during [the time that those she supervises received raises]; therefore the building and safety manager and the land use planning manager five-step salary ranges are now 3.2 percent above the deputy director of planning deep salary range,” writes Human Resources Director David Hodgkins in a Feb. 13 report to the City Council. 

The Personnel Board and Hodgkins, however, have crafted a solution: “Based on internal alignment, overall fairness and equity, it is reasonable to increase the salary range for the deputy director of planning as a result of the equity increases received by the Public Employee Union Local One classes that are now compensated at a higher rate.” 

The Personnel Board and Hodgkins recommend that Cosin get a 10.6 percent raise effective Feb. 25, bringing her salary to $11,338 per month or $136,056 per year. 

The council will be asked to approve the salary hike at tonight’s meeting. 

A quick glance at city salaries, available on the web at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/hr/Salaries/SalaryListPage(a).asp, indicates that there are some 105 city staff members who earn $100,000 or more—slightly less if they’re not at the top of their salary range. A few of the 105 positions are not filled at this time and actual earnings may be less for some who take all or part of the 12 voluntary salary-savings days off, and actual earnings are likely to be higher for police and fire overtime. And add 50 percent in benefits to city salaries. 

The city’s top earners include: 

• City Manager Phil Kamlarz: $198,060 

• City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque: $178,068 

• Police chief: $141,324 – $194,208 

• Fire chief: $135,708 – $186,504 

• Deputy fire chief: $135,708 - $164,652 

• Deputy city manager: $132,042 - $178,068 

• Director of Health and Human Services: $125,612 – $174,108 

• Directors of housing, information technology, library services, and planning: $126,612 - $166,992 

• Directors of Parks and Recreation and Public Works: $126,612 - $174,108 

Budget Update 

While Berkeley’s revenue is up from last year at this time, staff predicts, in a Feb. 13 report, that, over the long term, the income will not meet the dollar-hungry city appetite.  

Still, in the short term, if the City Council gives the green light to the plan it will discuss tonight and vote on Feb. 27, more-than-expected funds could keep fire stations open, improve Telegraph Avenue, pay for a local plan to address global warming and more. 

The city’s year-end revenue is expected to be $3.3 million more than originally estimated, with interest income and parking fines both bringing in more-than-anticipated funds. 

The city manager has recommended: 

• $1 million to restore Fire Department overtime, which will eliminate rotating fire station closures; 

• $200,000 to continue police patrol and mental health service outreach in the Telegraph Avenue area;  

• $100,000 for a nonprofit, Sustainable Berkeley, to write a local plan for Greenhouse Gas emission reductions 

• $500,000 for economic development, including setting up Business Improvement Districts in south and west Berkeley, developing a system to track city-wide economic development data, loan funds and matching funds for a Brownsfields grant; 

• $200,000 to update the fire and police records system 

• $1.3 million for infrastructure maintenance. 

Commenting on the Telegraph area expenditures, Councilmember Kriss Worthington said the funding should be a permanent part of the budget. “I don’t think Telegraph should have to come to the council every six months,” he said. “Clearly this is a major shopping district.” 

Worthington said he fears, as in the past, that once the problems on Telegraph subside, the funding for police and mental health services will be withdrawn. 

In his report, the city manager wrote that he has long-term concerns for budgeting city services, including park maintenance, keeping up an aging infrastructure, and implementing the voter-approved greenhouse gas reduction. “Skyrocketing health costs and the pressure for salary increases further strains our ability to control costs,” the manager wrote. 

Iraq War 

While hundreds of cities all over the country have passed resolutions calling on the president and congress to end the war in Iraq, the Berkeley Peace and Justice Commission has recommended that the city pass a fourth such ordinance, but is updating it with specific demands to support some of the stronger legislation introduced to Congress: 

• H.R. 508 authored by Reps Barbara Lee (D-Oakland-Berkeley), Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma), and Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles), which requires the United States’ forces to leave Iraq within six months; 

• H.R. 413, authored by Rep. Sam Farr, (D-Monterey), which repeals the authorization for the use of military force against Iraq; 

• H.R. 448, authored by Sens. Russell Feingold (D-Wisc.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), and Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont), which prohibits the use of funds to continue deployment of the U.S. armed forces in Iraq beyond six months from the date the act is enacted. 

The city council will also consider 

• The designation of Feb. 28 as Ardella Carter Day to honor her on her 100th birthday. 

• Acknowledging that the referendum petition against the Landmark’s Preservation Ordinance 6,958-N.S. referendum petition has the required number of valid signatures and that either the ordinance will be repealed or that it will be submitted to the citizens in a special election or the next regularly scheduled election. 

The meetings are at Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and are broadcast on cable Channel 33 and KPFB, 89.3-FM.

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. 

In an opinion dated Friday, Alameda County Superior Court Winifred Y. Smith denied the city’s claim.  

The city had countered the police association claim by contending that because the city manager and police chief discipline the officers and the Police Review Commission does not, the hearings and the records thereof should continue to be public. 

But Smith wrote: “It is undisputed that the city manager and the chief of police have the authority to impose discipline on an officer based on PRC findings.” 

Further, she wrote that the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act “affords peace officers important rights when ‘any public safety officer is under investigation and subjected to interrogation by his commanding officer, or any other member of the employing safety department that could lead to punitive action.’” 

And she said that PRC records are maintained by the peace officers’ employing agency, the city of Berkeley. 

Attorney James Chanin, who helped write the initiative that created Berkeley’s Police Review Commission and was a member of the city’s first PRC, noted that the open hearings and records had survived numerous court challenges over the 30 years of its existence.  

The judge’s ruling, he said, is within the context of today’s political climate in which “California is moving to be the most restrictive state in the nation” with respect to police and prisons, including denying the right of journalists to interview prisoners.  

It will take the legislature to reverse this trend, Chanin said, adding, “But legislators are intimidated by the Police Officers Association and by the money from the Prison Guards Association.” 

City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque was not available for comment Monday, a city holiday, but has said she would appeal the case if she lost in court.  

The Police Review Commission will discuss the decision at its regular meeting on Wednesday 7 p.m., South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis. 

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. 

Berkeley High did not receive an API score in 2006, an incident BUSD spokesperson Mark Coplan attributed to the school’s not reaching the 95 percent participation rate for the California Standardized Test (CST). He said many high school students opted out of taking the tests, which left the school without an API rating. 

B-Tech—formerly Berkeley Alter-native High School—showed significant progress with scores rising from 372 to 532. 

Berkeley Arts Magnet (BAM) elementary school exceeded its state API target growth of two points and achieved an API score of 774, meeting targets school-wide and for numerically significant groups. 

Scores for 2004-2005 confirm a decline for African-American students during that year, and the 2006 improvement only returns African-American students to previous 2004 levels. 

Despite meeting API targets, BAM ranks below average and records a decline since 2003 when compared to 100 similar California schools. The situation was described as “troubling” in a report presented to BUSD by the school authorities. 

The API scores for Cragmont Elementary School has grown from 607 in 1999 to 808 in 2006, representing a 32 percent increase since the base year. 

According to the state of California, 800 is “excellent” performance on the Standardized Testing and Reporting Results (STAR). 

The achievement gap on the API between white and Latino students at Cragmont has narrowed, but there has been a slight increase in the gap between white and African-American students.  

Emerson Elementary School is slightly below an 800 on the API with between 70 percent to 80 percent of white and mixed race students scoring at proficient levels. 

African-American students at Emerson are still performing significantly below other subgroups with a recent API of 663. 

Jefferson Elementary School showed a drop in similar school rank for the API but gained 24 points from 2005 to 2006. 

The performance gap between white and African-American students at Jefferson was evident, with white students scoring 967 and African-American students scoring 633.  

Rosa Parks Elementary School has made consistent growth on the state API for the past four years. The score for 2006 is 741.  

At Washington Elementary School, the 2005-2006 API scores for white and African-American students were 871 and 661 respectively.  

Longfellow Middle School made significant growth in the 2005-2006 school year with an API score of 722. All subgroups at Longfellow improved during the 2005-2006 school year with African Americans and Latinos recording a growth of 15 and 21 points, respectively.  

Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School’s overall performance on the API has increased for the past four years.  

However, the school is in “Program Improvement” status for the third row in a year. 

The school attributes this to the gap in achievement test results between “student subgroups differentiated by socio-economic status and ethnicity.” 

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. 

Nearly 2,000 supporters have signed petitions to support preservation of the 67-year-old skating rink at 2727 Milvia St. 

“We will be presenting these signatures to the councilmembers as a proof of how much the rink means to the old and the young alike,” said Caroline Winnett, a Berkeley resident who grew up learning to skate at the Iceland. 

Volunteers of Save Berkeley Iceland have been meeting weekly since parent company East Bay Iceland announced its decision to close the rink on Jan. 18, blaming low profits and bad publicity. 

Fifty members from Save Berkeley Iceland met at the rink on a gray Saturday morning to establish a fundraising committee which would help collect funds to turn the facility into a sustainable athletic facility. 

“Right now we are concentrating on organizing funds to upgrade the structure and putting a business plan together,” said Tom Killilea, president of the Bay Area Blades. “We are looking at establishing a non-profit which would turn it into a general athletic facility, broadening its appeal to the community.” 

He said that his plans for the facility include installing solar panels on the roof, building an effective refrigeration system and use the heat generated from the refrigerator to generate hot water for a therapeutic pool. 

The Berkeley Fire Department had considered Iceland’s permanent ammonia-based cooling system a hazard in 2005 and had forced the rink to install a temporary system. 

Berkeley-based Assembly Architects is helping redesign the rink for its proposed community center expansion, and a local solar energy supplier has offered aid toward installing a green energy system. 

Individuals representing area organizations such as the Berkeley YMCA have also expressed interest in setting up fitness programs. 

Berkeley Iceland, which has been on the market for the last year with a price tag of $6.45 million, has yet to receive any active bids. 

Winnett said that Save Berkeley Iceland would be stepping up efforts to collect funds in the next few weeks so that operations at the rink could go on uninterrupted. 

“Since the Berkeley Unified School District is looking to build a baseball field right across from the rink, it could become a nice little area for people to congregate and have fun,” she said.

Staff is breathing easier at Berkeley’s 14-year-old support center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. 

A man suspected of making death threats against Pacific Center for Human Growth staff and vandalizing the Telegraph Avenue headquarters was arrested in Concord Saturday night, according to Juan Barajas, Pacific Center’s executive director. 

“It’s nice to know this person is in custody,” Barajas said. 

A man matching the suspect’s description showed up at the Rainbow Center in Concord on Saturday night, asking about suicide hot lines. The Concord Center had already received information about the threats and was looking out for the individual, Barajas said. 

Over the past several weeks, the Pacific Center had received three death threats and experienced one instance of vandalism on Feb. 3, when a man, believed to be the same person making the threats, had kicked in glass on the center’s front door (or, according to Berkeley police, had thrown something through the glass in the door).  

The suspect was described by the Pacific Center staff as a white male in his mid-to-late 20s, with blond hair, about 6-feet-tall, weighing 220 pounds. (Berkeley police describe the man as similar in height and weight, but at 40 years old with gray hair.)  

“Anxiety at the center was really high,” Barajas said. “People were afraid to come to work.” 

The center hired security guards as a result of the incidents and will keep security higher, even though the suspect is in custody, Barajas said. “We are especially at risk of being targeted.” 

The center is no stranger to threats, but Barajas said these were especially frightening because the individual targeted youth, referring to Columbine High School, where 12 young people were killed by two classmates in 1999. The suspect also made reference to Matthew Shepard, a gay man brutally murdered in Wyoming in 1998, Barajas said.  

The threats have been especially disheartening because “the center is a sanctuary for a lot of people,” Barajas said, calling them, “the ultimate punch in the stomach.” 

Center staff believes that the suspect may have participated in youth programs at a Pacific Center youth program in Walnut Creek in the mid-1990s. 

According to Barajas, the suspect has been hospitalized and is on suicide watch. Neither Concord nor the Berkeley police could be reached on Monday for details or to confirm the arrest.  

On Friday, Berkeley police spokesperson Sgt. Mary Kusmiss told the Planet that even though the suspect may have participated in programs at the Pacific Center, the crimes were investigated as hate crimes. 

The California Penal Code specifies that death threats to a “protected class” are considered hate crimes, she said, explaining: “It is possible for a person of a protected class to threaten violence to persons of their own class. We take these threats particularly seriously.” 

It will be up to the district attorney to charge the suspect.

Berkeley Planning Commissioners will get their first official look at expansion plans for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories (LBNL) Wednesday night. 

On Tuesday (today), a subcommittee of the panel helping to formulate a new plan for downtown Berkeley will discuss possible university developments both on and off campus. 

Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. at Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

LBNL will present the Planning Commission with their final draft of the Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) through 2025. 

The document proposes construction of nearly 1 million square feet of new buildings, some replacing older structures destined for the wrecking ball, and the addition of 1,000 new jobs. 

“I’m very concerned about the cumulative impacts of this development along with all the other construction that’s planned nearby,” said commission Chair Helen Burke. 

“The university is planning a lot of construction near Memorial Stadium and elsewhere on campus, as well as downtown,” she said. “All of this will impact the city and its services.” 

The commission will also take up technical amendments to the recently passed regulations governing so-called by-right residential additions. Burke said the two proposed ordinances simply clean up elements missed in the revisions recently adopted by the commission and City Council. 

Also up for action Wednesday is the election of new officers. If the commission follows precedent, Burke will be re-elected to the chair, as were each of her three predecessors. 

Tuesday night’s meeting will be the fourth session of the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC) Subcommittee on City Interests in UC Properties. 

The largest part of the meeting will focus on developing visions and concepts for the new downtown plan, which was mandated by the settlement of a city lawsuit challenging the university’s’ own LRDP through 2020. 

Among the ideas to be considered will be what kinds of university uses the city might like to have downtown, along with their possible locations. 

Members will also make recommendations about the possible scale of development on university-controlled sites downtown, as well as possible changes to the landscape crescent section of campus that faces Oxford Street at the main entrance to the campus and along the Oxford Street. 

Members will also discuss possible changes to the Oxford Street right-of-way. 

Subcommittee chair Dorothy Walker, a retired UC Berkeley administrator, has previously proposed a suggestion she said she realizes would be financially impossible—undergrounding much of the thoroughfare between campus and the city. 

In addition to already announced plans for a major hotel at Shattuck Avenue and Center Street that would be built partly on land it owns, the university has announced plans to build a major art museum and film archive at the Oxford Street end of the same block. 

Also planned for development is the site of the state Department of Health Services high-rise that occupies much of the long block bounded by Berkeley Way on the south, Hearst Avenue on the north, Oxford Street on the east and Shattuck Avenue on the west. 

Much of the 800,000 square feet of new university uses could be contained on that single site, but many DAPAC members have expressed hopes that any new project there would include housing and perhaps a major retailer as well as university uses.

By Kalima Rose 

denise brown [she preferred her name to be written without capitals] was an artist and educator who earned the expansive love of this community. Raised on the Berkeley-Oakland border, she lived her life here at the center of endlessly creative pursuits. Common to each of them was her ability to draw out the unique gifts of each person she touched. She created collective beauty out of that raw material and delivered it back in a living example of how to be a better person in the world.  

When she died Feb. 2, 2007, everyone who knew her considered themselves her friend—especially her students.  

denise’s life moved from staging backyard childhood productions to helping build the Berkeley Black Repertory Theater, to creating community theater in the schools, to teaching kindergarten, first and fourth grades over a decade at LeConte school, to raising talented and artistic children of her own, to her most recent pursuit of building the new Arts and Humanities high school at Berkeley High.  

denise’s life was a whirlwind of inclusion. Her world embraced black, brown and white people, young and old people, powerful and powerless people, the disenfranchised and the privileged. Whether as kindergarten teacher or as dean of discipline at Berkeley High School, she treated everyone with respect. 

The center of a large family  

Born in 1956, denise was 50 years old when she died. She was born in Oakland, California, to Sarah Lee Brown and Esever I’dell Brown, the youngest of six children, including Mary, James, Esever, Harold and Edward. She was raised on Alcatraz Avenue between M.L. King Jr. Way and Shattuck Avenue, where the family house is still the center of the community. 

She is survived by her children Justin LeJuan Real (22) and Sarah Mary Rose brown-Real (17), and siblings Mary, Robert (James), Harold and Edward Brown.  

Since childhood, denise organized young people in her community into creative productions. Her 25 cousins were always both enthralled and at her mercy when she cast them in plays, circuses, dance repertoires, and other performances that kept bringing them out into the world.  

“Since the time she was little, ‘Nisey’ was in charge of everyone,” said her elder brother Robert. “She could stage an entire play herself,” recalled Toska McQueen, a cousin and best friend from childhood. “She could generate all the sound effects and play every character herself, or she could organize 30 participants on the spot into a play. She worked with whatever she had in front of her.”  

She was married to Juan Real, whom she met acting and with whom she had Justin and Sarah, from 1984 until 2004.  

Justin and Sarah attended Berkeley public schools and helped their mother get recruited to teach in them. Justin recently graduated from the University of Oregon in Eugene with a B.A. in Policy, Planning and Management. Sarah recently completed her senior year at Berkeley Independent High and after years of studying with Berkeley Ballet Theater and Alvin Ailey is in the process of auditioning at prestigious dance colleges in New York City.  

“She was such a supportive mother of everything we did,” said Justin. “The biggest fear I had of her was not meeting her expectations because of the high confidence she had in me.” 

Well versed  

denise attended Washington Elementary, Claremont Middle School, and Oakland Technical High School in Oakland. She started her post-secondary studies at San Jose State, and graduated from San Francisco State with a B.A. in English (1979). After college, she worked in administrative positions at UC Berkeley in the Department of Labor Relations and Affirmative Action. 

She accomplished her teaching certificate through New College of California (1992), and after teaching elementary school for 10 years, she acquired her Masters of Education Administration at U.C. Berkeley in 2002. She taught classes in family literacy to students at UC Berkeley, who in turn led Shakespeare-for-Kids workshops in Berkeley public schools. She was making plans to pursue her Ph.D. in English at Oxford University when she died.  

A community-building career 

After college, she applied to the Berkeley Black Repertory Theater as an aspiring director. Told she needed to develop experience acting, she won parts in two plays before being selected as artist in residence for directing productions. She won artist in residence appointments for three years in the mid- 1980s. 

In 1990, Justin entered LeConte Elementary School, where denise became distressed that the stage was being used as a storage area. She set out to refurbish the entire auditorium into a state-of-the-art performance facility. She recruited dance teacher Soyinka Rahim (of Our Thing Performing Arts Company) and choral director Michele Jordan (Choir director at East Bay Church of Religious Science) to help produce musical theater with the students.  

LeConte principal Barbara Penny- James, impressed by her leadership, recruited denise to become a teacher at the school, where she taught kindergarten, first grade and fourth grade for ten years. “She belonged to the world,” said Penny-James. “Her classroom reflected everyone who was there and she empowered every student. She had endless followers in her classroom.” 

Along with Rita Pettit and Linda Jackson, she founded the LeConte Performing Arts summer camp, which served hundreds of students each summer and produced magnificent productions authored by denise, including “The Vegetable Coup” where vegetables were the heroic good guys trying to win the world back from sugars; “The Wizard of Bezerkeley” who help kids solve the crises of broken families, self-doubt, poverty, and racial conflict from his home in the Campanile; “Who Was Mother Goose Anyway?” that explored the esoteric meaning of those nursery rhymes through musical theater and dramatic dance; and “The Biz,” premised on people landing on earth from different planets without a common language figuring out how to get along.  

“She could always hold the most conflicted and the most gifted children together,” said Jeannie Gee, her long-time co-teacher at LeConte, “and touch them all.” Pandora Thomas, who studied to become a teacher under denise, said “Ms. brown just poured her passion into whatever she taught, so learning math and science also became an act of poetry for her students.”  

Shortly after earning her administrative credential, the new principal at Berkeley High hired her as the Dean of Discipline and later promoted her to Vice Principal at Berkeley High, where she was working until she died. 

At Berkeley High, she ended a revolving door of discipline deans where complaints had centered around unfair discipline directed at students of color. denise built a sense of partnership and collaboration with security staff, and together they transformed the environment to one of trust and respect for students.  

denise remembered her own childhood fights to protect her developmentally disabled brother from taunting and knew there were often deeper things troubling the youth she counseled. Berkeley High authorities once tried to protect her from a large male student who they thought might be dangerous. When she insisted on seeing him, he wept at her sight, as she had been his kindergarten teacher.  

“She disciplined with dignity when dealing with kids,” said Thelette Bennett, a co-vice principal during denise’s tenure. “She was brilliant, gentle and forceful.”  

Jim Slemp credits her for vastly reducing discipline problems at the school. “Her goal would be to have the students say ‘thank you’ at the end of process, and 98 percent of the time, she succeeded.” 

As Berkeley High was breaking up the larger school into smaller schools, denise partnered with Arts Department chair Miriam Stahl and Dance Program director Linda Carr to create the Arts and Humanities Academy (AHA), now in its second year of operation. As vice principal to two small schools—AHA and the Community Partnership Academy—she mentored new teachers to deliver on the visions of the schools. “She welcomed parents. She built community. She pulled out what she thought was the best of us as teachers,” said Stahl. “She didn’t go by a prescribed book of what should be happening in the classroom, but was a really good observer. She would watch, and then go from there—always good at improvisation.” 

Student comments that poured into the memorial tell the deepest story. Lizi Freeman wrote, “You started something amazing. You’ll be missed greatly, but you’ll live on in the spirit of AHA, and we’ll make you proud.” 

Former student Orissa Stewart-Rose wrote, “Her love and lifestyle affected everyone she interacted with deeply. We all can say in one way or another that she changed us for the better, helped us through a tough situation, encouraged us when we were faithless or provided wisdom when we were in need.” 

The California State Senate closed early in her honor last week, and colleague Miriam Stahl drafted her memorial portrait, casting her as the Queen of Hearts, with the caption, “Our Queen of Berkeley.” 

Her son Justin and Jim Slemp proffered the same reflection. “She was just so loving and always put kids first.”  

A community memorial service will be held at the Berkeley Community Theater on Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.  

For information about how to contribute to the family, contact BUSD public information officer Mark Coplan at 644-6320.

A day after Berkeley High School students mourned the sudden death of Vice Principal Denise Brown, over 800 Berkeley High sophomores filed into the gymnasium to take the California High School Exit Exam Tuesday. 

The students tested for the English Exam on Tuesday and for the Math exam on Wednesday. Students can’t graduate from high school until they have passed the exit exam 

“No one was in the right state of mind, but there was nothing we could do about it,” said BUSD spokesperson Mark Coplan. Brown died Friday of a blod clot following a knee operation. 

BHS Principal Jim Slemp had called the State Department of Education to request postponing the exam but was told that they would have to go ahead with the testing. 

The sea of bent heads quietly working on the math problems in the gymnasium adjacent to the BHS food court was a sign of how important the test was. Most students who took the exam said that it had gone well but were nervous about the results, which will be out in May. 

Vice Principal Amy Frey and Acting VP Flora Russ administered the test on Tuesday morning and were assisted by about a dozen staff and parent proctors.

Is the referendum fast becoming the weapon of choice for Berkeley voters to challenge City Council decisions? 

Certainly there’s reason to think so, given that no sooner did signature gatherers delay implementation of a new council-appproved landmarks law than a second campaign was launched to derail the city’s largest ever low-income housing project and a high profile environmental center. 

Gale Garcia, one of the referendum drive’s two principal backers, said she decided to challenge the project “because I think it’s going to bankrupt the town” and because she was outraged at the transfer of the site to non-profit developers for a dollar.  

The referendum seeks to block enforcement of the Jan. 30 council vote that transferred surface rights at the city’s Oxford Street parking lot to a consortium that plans to build a six-story low-income housing project and a high profile center named after Berkeley-born environmentalist David Brower. 

Mayor Tom Bates said the allegations are unfounded, noting that the city retains control of the property, and is gaining an underground garage that will be worth more than the appraised value of the land. 

The mayor said the city has spent comparatively more money on other housing projects. 

Garcia and Barry Wofsy filed papers with City Clerk Pamyla Means to begin circulating petitions calling for a voter referendum on the council’s adoption of Ordinance 6,965. To force a vote, Garcia and Wofsy must gather the signatures of 4,073 registered Berkeley voters and submit them to Means by 5 p.m. March 1. 

If a review by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters determines they’ve met the requirement, implementation of the ordinance—and the transfer of a valuable 1.06-acre piece of property at a key downtown location—will be halted until city voters can say yea or nay to the deal. 

But unlike another referendum already certified for the next citywide election, the battle against the Brower Center doesn’t offer a built-in constituency already mobilized to fight the good fight. 

Backers of a referendum to overturn the council-adopted revision of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (LPO) could rely on the 42.8 percent of Berkeley voters who cast ballots in November for Measure J to preserve the city’s existing law, with some minor tweaks added. 

But the project known collectively as the Brower Center is a much harder target, featuring as it does housing for those least able to afford it as well as offices for environmental organizations, as the project has been depicted.  

While the latter promise is less than certain—the developer has acknowledged UC Berkeley could become the major tenant of the office component—affordable housing is a popular cause in Berkeley, an almost universally acknowledged need. 

Coordinating the charge against the referendum is Rob Wrenn, a member of the city’s Transportation Commission and a former planning commissioner. He fired the opening salvo of his campaign in a Feb. 1 email, sent within hours of an email from Means notifying city officials of the referendum drive. 

Dismissing the two referendum proponents as “a landlord” (Garcia) and “another well known Berkeley crackpot” (Wofsy), Wrenn outlines his suggestions for a counter-campaign designed to discourage would-be signatories. 

“I own a duplex in which I reside, an old building which I restored from very poor condition with my own labor,” Garcia responded. “Rob is a neighbor of mine, and knows that this is the extent of my landlord status.” 

She said she doesn’t not oppose affordable housing, but prefers the funds goes to those in need “rather than to developers and consultants.” 

But even Jesse Arreguin, a housing activist and city commissioner who argues for creating affordable housing by restoring existing buildings, says the proposed referendum “is not the right way to express concern about the project.” 

One of Arreguin’s major concerns is that the Garcia/Wofsy referendum could derail support for the other referendum, one he supports along with Garcia. 

“I really don’t think it helps the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance referendum,” he said. 

Garcia was active in the signature campaigns both for Measure J and, after it was rejected by Berkeley voters, and for the pending referendum challenging the council’s revised LPO. 

The city has committed $6,2 million in direct funding to the project, tying up the city’s Housing Trust Fund through 2008 at a time when the Bush administration is calling for drastic cutbacks in funds for housing programs 

And while Bates said the city has not agreed to any funds for the office building, the City Council approved in December an additional $2.2 million in loan guarantees to the project—including $1 million required after eco-retailer Patagonia pulled out of its planned lease of space in the office building component. 

Current total cost estimates for both buildings top $55.2 million and could rise an additional $2 million or more, given current the current inflation in building supplies, city Housing Director Steve Barton warned last month. 

The increases include the replacement of planned sheet metal siding for Oxford Plaza with cheaper stucco. 

Bates noted that the city’s actual land value will increase when the developers complete the underground parking garage they agreed to build to replace the spaces that will be eliminated from the surface lot. 

“So we’re getting a free underground garage that’s worth $2 million more than the land value,” Bates said, “In addition we’re getting a wonderful center devoted to David Brower that will have the highest environmental rating of any building in the city.” 

The decision was prompted by the council’s vote, which transfers the land to the non-profit developers for $1. “I had thought the land had already been transferred, but when I learned that it hadn’t,” Garcia said, she decided to launch the referendum drive. “People are shocked when they hear the land is being given away for a dollar. Most people aren’t aware of it.” 

Construction funding is coming primarily from tax credit financing, which gives lenders hefty tax credits in return for their funds, and through grants, the mayor said. 

“It’s a great opportunity to get low-income family housing in downtown Berkeley,” Bates said. “We haven’t had any in the city since Salvo Island in the 1960s.” 

Garcia said her concerns were reinforced by the Dec. 12 report Steve Barton prepared for the City Council which included admonitions about possible cost overruns for which the city would be the funder of last resort. She underlined a sentence in the report that noted: “It is important to realize that ... there is no guarantee that costs will not rise to unexpected levels after the land transfers and construction begins.”

When residents and merchants of North Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto walked into the North Shattuck Plaza workshop on Wednesday evening, the walls were sans plans, sans easels. 

“We had promised the community we would start from ground zero and we have kept our word. There are no design plans for the plaza tonight. We will start from scratch,” said North Shattuck Plaza Inc. (NSP) chair David Stoloff. 

Wednesday’s workshop—organized by NSP and the North Shattuck Association (NSA)—was an exercise in finding common ground about the proposed $3.5 million plaza that would be constructed on what is now a paved service road adjacent to the existing shops on the east side of Shattuck Avenue between Vine and Rose Streets.  

After more than two hours of tussling, it was agreed that a steering committee would be formed from members of NSP, NSA and the Live Oak Codornices Creek Neighborhood Association (LOCCNA). All three, it was decided, would work jointly on the North Shattuck Plaza plans. 

This agreement, however, did not come easily.  

Boos, jeers, catcalls and hisses were aimed at the organizers and some community members turned hostile when the organizers proposed to break up the gathering of two hundred into smaller groups for discussions. 

“Divide and conquer, is that what you want to do? We don’t want small groups,” said a visibly angry Steve Martinot, a neighbor. 

At least four dozen people shared Martinot’s apprehension but in the end small groups were formed to address some of the key issues. 

Art Goldberg, a north Berkeley resident, addressed one of the concerns of his group. 

“Keep parking convenient,” he said. “There should be no decrease in parking.” 

Parking and traffic were the two main issues on everyone’s mind at the workshop. Some merchants feared the loss of angular parking that runs from Coldwell Banker’s to Longs Drugs would affect businesses negatively. 

The proposed plan replaces the current angle parking and access lane along the eastern side of the avenue with a 50-foot-wide pedestrian walkway with landscaped plantings, two rows of trees and benches, something that has been opposed vehemently by Allen Connolly of the Earthly Goods clothing store. 

“Seventy-five percent of the merchants have signed a petition opposing the development. We want extra parking. If you want to convert that triangle in front of the stores to extra parking, then that’s welcome,” Connolly said.  

Pete Jensen, who has lived in the neighborhood for 45 years, told the organizers that taking parking away from the already struggling independent stores would kill them.  

Goldberg’s group also wanted to know whether the plaza was a precursor to high-rises along Shattuck. 

“What about the proposed restrooms on the plaza. Who is going to maintain them?” asked another group. 

Heather Hensley, executive director of the North Shattuck Association Business Improvement District, said that a coalition of the three groups would be useful. 

“My board doesn’t want to go ahead and put money on a project where the major stakeholders disagree with it,” Hensley said. 

There were those, like area resident Michael Katz, who pointed out that successful institutions such as Chez Panisse and the Cheese Board Collective were living proof that the area needed no changes. 

“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” he said. 

Kim Marienthal of the Coldwell Banker real estate company voiced his support for the plan. 

“I would love to see the plaza develop,” Marienthal said. “There’s a net loss of three parking spots and yes, we might see homeless problems increase, but I am ready to take chances. My favorite cities in the world are those which have plazas.” 

Also ready to go ahead with the plaza plans were Karen Adelman and Peter Levitt, owners of Saul’s Deli on Shattuck. 

“I see people eating pizza on that strip and it makes me sad,” Adelman said. “I am willing to do anything to improve the area.” 

Sally Heinman, who lives a few blocks down from the Gourmet Ghetto, said that she had no place to eat and play with her six-year-old when she was shopping in the area. 

“I can’t believe they are fighting over one strip of land. Especially something that could be a great asset to the community,” Heinman said. 

A deep mistrust of the organizers, Goldberg told the Planet, was the reason behind the current scuffle over the plans. 

“The neighborhood is deeply divided. We don’t want this private self-selected group telling us what we need. The plan that was approved by the city council in 2000 at least had some public input,” he said.  

Rodney Wong, a long-time resident of the North Shattuck area said that the project was receiving so much attention from residents because the neighborhood had a character of its own. 

“We have lots of leaders in North Shattuck, veterans of the ‘60s movement. They are not scared to speak up against councilmembers or the city,” Wong said.  

Julie Ross, representing LOCCNA, said that the neighborhood group wanted to improve the area but unlike the workshop organizers did not have an agenda. 

“LOCCNA wants to make sure that the plan reflects the ideas of residents and merchants. We want to make sure that the process is equal. This group cannot come from outside and tell us what to do. Our distrust in outsiders rises from when the Temple Beth El was built,” said LOCCNA member Margot Smith. 

LOCCNA members locked horns in the past with members of the Beth El congregation over a plan to build a temple on Oxford Street behind Codornices Park. 

“We would like to see a consensus come out of the deep distrust the community has for some of the people,” said Smith. 

Rita Maran, a former member of the Peace & Justice Commission, condemned the entire process that was being followed with respect to the proposed Plaza. 

“How can a group of people take it upon themselves to decide what to do with a strip of land that belongs to the city.” Maran asked standing up at the end of the meeting. 

“The process has not been democratic from the very first.”

While Councilmember Gordon Wozniak thinks it would be a stellar idea to develop the old Wright’s Garage at 2929-23 Ashby Ave. as a restaurant and shops, some criticize the District 8 councilmember, saying he should keep an open mind on land-use questions that may come before him. 

“I strongly support this project for various reasons,” writes Wozniak on the Kitchen Democracy website, in which the public can weigh in on various municipal questions. (The site is www.kitchendemocracy.org.) Responding to a Wednesday call for comment from the Planet, Wozniak checked with the city attorney, who did not return the Planet’s repeated calls for comment. He said she advised him that he might have to recuse himself if the project comes before the council.  

“I did talk to the city attorney,” Wozniak said Thursday morning. “I may have to disqualify myself if [the zoning board] passes the project and it has an appeal [to the council],” he said.  

“If the city attorney rules that I’ve pre-judged the case, I’ll follow her advice,” he said. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington is among those questioning Wozniak’s post on Kitchen Democracy, contending that councilmembers are required to maintain open minds on land-use matters that could come to them on appeal.  

He pointed to a document called “Key Ethics Law Principles for Public Servants,” written by the Institute for Local Government: “Public officials cannot participate in quasi-judicial proceedings in which they have a strong bias with respect to the parties of facts,” it says. 

Wozniak has “predetermined the merits of the project before a public hearing,” Worthington said. 

Councilmember Dona Spring is also critical of Wozniak’s post on the Kitchen Democracy site. She told the Planet that the city has precedent for asking councilmembers to recuse themselves when they have taken a position on land-use projects. Pointing to an incident in 2002 where she had spoken out publicly in opposition to a matter regarding Tune Up Masters on University Avenue, Spring recalled that the city attorney insisted she disqualify herself from participating on the question. 

“You’re supposed to come in with a clear and open mind,” Spring said. 

Spring pointed out another precedent: former councilmember Miriam Hawley followed the city attorney’s advice in March 2001 when she recused herself from a vote on a project proposed for 2700 San Pablo Ave., based on a letter supporting the project she had written when she was an AC Transit board member. 

In a phone conversation Wednesday, Wozniak explained why he had posted his thoughts on the web site, where people would view them. “A number of constituents had been asking me what my position was of [the proposal],” he said and added on Thursday that the discussion on the web site allowed him to understand the public’s concerns, such as parking. 

Wozniak noted that some 81 percent of the 187 people expressing their opinions on the web site supported the project and 9 percent opposed.  

But one “no” voter posted an angry comment, condemning Wozniak for taking the Kitchen Democracy poll into consideration. Karen MacLeod wrote: “People can vote more than once and so can the people trying to ruin our neighborhood, even if they do not live in our city! I could live in San Jose and vote. Using this information is an irresponsible way of representing your constituents.” 

Still, “yes” voter Ginger Ogle writes: “Gordon Wozniak’s argument makes sense to me. I agree that particular block is very ramshackle, and the proposed improvements would be a benefit….” 

Worthington said he further objects to Wozniak using the site as a public platform, since it is partially funded by monies from Wozniak’s city officeholder account and approved by a vote of the council (although the $3,000 has yet to reach Kitchen Democracy, Wozniak says). 

Wozniak, however, contends that opportunity to respond on Kitchen Democracy is “open to anyone in the city.”  

Despite heated opposition from representatives of both bus drivers and the bus riding community, the Board of Directors of Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District voted unanimously last week to go forward with a contract that would put 50 new revised models of the controversial Van Hool 40-foot buses on East Bay streets. 

“We’re pretty excited about the 40-foot buses,” AC Transit General Manager Rick Fernandez told the seven board members and an audience of skeptical members of the public. “We believe it’s the best bus we’ve ever had.” 

But East Bay community activist Joyce Roy disagreed, telling board members that she had “hoped that the board would focus on attracting new riders, but these [Van Hool] buses are discouraging to new riders. If Muni put them on the streets in San Francisco with all of their middle class riders, the outcry would be so great, they’d be off the streets in a week. But in Oakland, so many of your riders are disabled and the elderly who have no choice but to ride the bus, you can get by with it.”  

Following the meeting, Roy referred to the buses as “Van Hells” and called the decision to move forward with the Van Hool contract “par for the course for a district and a board that regularly ignores the wishes of the public.” 

AC Transit currently operates 100 40-foot Van Hools, along with 63 60-footers and 12 30-footers manufactured by the same company. 

AC Transit staff members promised that the new buses, now being built in the prototype stage by Belgium-based bus manufacturer Van Hool, will have significant improvements from the current 40-footers, including a reduction from three doors to two, and structural changes which staff members said would provide for a “smoother ride.” 

No firm date has been given for the delivery of the prototype. A recent memo from General Manager Fernandez only said that “sometime later this year the prototype is anticipated to be shipped to the District for testing in our service area.”  

The contract also carries an option for AC Transit to purchase 1,500 more Van Hools in the event the first 50 prove acceptable. 

Last Wednesday morning’s vote was not directly on the Van Hool contract itself, but on changes in the funding mechanism related to the purchase. Fernandez said, however, that because of the anticipated funding changes, the contract signed in Belgium last month included a clause that the contract was “subject to board approval,” and said that the board had the option of postponing the contract, if it wished. 

But Fernandez urged moving forward with the Van Hool purchase, however, saying that suspending the already-signed contract for the reconfigured Van Hools “would send a bad message to Van Hool.” The General Manager added that when he and other AC Transit staff members traveled to Belgium in early January to sign the contract, “we pushed them on completing the prototype, and they had already begun soldering metal” by the time the AC Transit staff was leaving. 

Board Vice President Rebecca Kaplan (At-Large) spoke in favor of going forward with the contract, saying that “while I prefer the 30-foot buses and everybody I’ve talked to prefers the 30-foot buses,” the plans for the new 40-foot Van Hools “took into account what we liked in the 30-footers and didn’t like in the [current] 40 footers.” Kaplan also said she was persuaded by the fact that staff members promised that “minor modifications” can still be made to the bus design. “The new prototype will come months before mass production, so we can try it out and ask people to suggestion further modifications before the rest are manufactured,” Kaplan said. 

But that did not satisfy the small crowd of bus riders and activists gathered at the Wednesday morning meeting. 

Doug Buchwald of Berkeley, the organizer of the “save the oaks” campaign at UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium, who said he rides the 51 bus every day, called the original Van Hool purchase “the worst mistake ever made by this district. It seems like that decision was made by people who don’t ride buses.” (That brought an angry retort by several board members, some of whom said they ride buses either regularly or exclusively.) 

And Bonnie Hughes, another Berkeley resident, said that “I used to be a dedicated bus rider, but I suffer from bus rage now. The whole world is turned upside down. We don’t want war, and the war escalates. We hate these [Van Hool] buses, and you buy more. Do you hate your bus riders? I’m really upset.” 

And Amalgamated Transit Union Local 192 Recording Secretary and Executive Board member David Lyons, an AC Transit driver, called the Van Hools “the poorest bus the district has purchased in 27 years. They have an unstable ride and make the drivers prone to injury. A lot of us are hurting from driving these buses. The district is going to face an increase in workers’ compensation in the future because of them. Did anybody do a survey of the drivers before you decided to go ahead with the new purchase? It would be very valuable to get our input.” 

Lyons’ question provoked an exchange between AC Transit Board President Greg Harper (Ward Two—Emeryville, Piedmont, and portions of Berkeley) and General Manager Fernandez in which Fernandez admitted that AC Transit has taken no “formal” driver survey of the Van Hool buses, and he and Harper revealed that they had both taken informal surveys, with completely opposite results. 

“A majority [of the drivers] say they like the Van Hools, but the passengers didn’t,” Fernandez said. 

But Harper countered that “every time I take the bus, I ask the drivers how they like the [Van Hools]. Over time I’ve talked to between 12 and 20 drivers, and I’ve yet to find one who liked them. They generally say that if the passengers don’t like the buses, they don’t like them either.” 

Referring to complaints that the Van Hool design is prone to causing passenger falls, Harper said that for four to five months he has been asking staff members to provide him with “on-board falls by bus type, but I haven’t gotten it yet. I’m troubled about making a decision without having that information.” 

Fernandez said that a passenger survey of the existing Van Hools has not been done since “early on.” 

But Board member Rocky Fernandez (Ward 4—San Leandro, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, and Ashland)—not to be confused with General Manager Rick Fernandez—said that he had taken an informal survey of the Van Hools himself. “A lot of the younger riders do like the new buses,” he said. “They like the European style.” 

Photograph by Richard Brenneman.

“Our goal is to bring the 1910 feeling back to the Bay Area with 2010 amenities that appeal to the corporate traveler,” said the man who will oversee the renovation a downtown Berkeley landmark. 

Parimal “Perry” Patel briefed the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee Wednesday night on plans for the Shattuck Hotel. 

“We promise you it will be a four star hotel,” he said. “Our financing is completed and we will probably close on the property in March.” 

Renovations and a reopening could occur as soon as seven months after closing, he said. 

Patel said the city suffers from a chronic shortage of hotel rooms, with many of the areas existing 1200 rooms unsuitable for the corporate travelers the Shattuck will target. “Our goal is to bring a product in here and really make it stand out in downtown Berkeley,” he said. 

“We plan to restore the furnishings, the fixtures and the electrical equipment,” Patel said. “There will be a nice restaurant and tons and tons of emphasis on public space. And we want to carve out some meeting space as well.” 

Patel is the son of Bhupendra P. Patel, the founder of BPR properties, which owns nine California hotels and which is now making a major move in Asia. 

“We have just been granted the Best Western franchise for the next ten years for all of India, and we are planning 30 hotels there over the next five years,” he said. 

While Best Western’s U.S. line appeals to budget travelers, the overseas brand is more luxurious and considered a prestige brand, he said. 

The Shattuck Hotel sale is the second transfer of a major Berkeley-area hotel property announced in the last three weeks. On Jan. 18 came the announcement that the Claremont Resort & Spa is being purchased by Morgan Stanley Real Estate as part of the $6.6 billion buyout of CNL Hotels & Resorts.  

CNL had purchased the hotel just 35 months earlier from its previous owner, KSL Recreation Corp. 

Meanwhile, plans are moving forward for the new UC Berkeley-promoted high rise hotel planned for a block north of the Shattuck Hotel at the corner of Shattuck Avenue and Center Street. 

Carpenter & Co., a Massachusetts hotelier, is planning a hotel, conference center and condominium complex sought by the university to house conference attendees, parents of students and fans attending university sporting events. 

Fast track approval 

While Roy Nee, the previous owner, had announced plans to make a major addition to the hotel at the northwestern end of the property, Patel said his plans are all included in the hotel’s existing footprint. 

Dave Fogarty of the city’s Economic Development Department said that would ease the city approval process. 

“There would be no use permit required because the work would be done within the building’s existing parameters he said. “No discretionary permit would be needed.” 

Robert Richmond of the San Luis Obispo firm of R2L Architects, the firm hired by the Patels to work on the Shattuck Hotel, made a brief appearance., 

Patel said interior designer Ziv Davis would be responsible for the interiors. “He has worked on historical buildings,” including the Langham and Britton hotels in London, ”and he has been looking at historical artifacts from the original period of the hotel. 

DAPAC member and architect Jim Novosel asked if the new design would restore the hotel’s historic entrance on Shattuck, but Patel said that wouldn’t be possible because Nee has retained ownership of the commercial frontage there. “It would be virtually impossible,” he said. 

The only planned exterior modifications would be “a new paint job” and accommodations to make the entry accessible to the disabled, he said. 

While the hotel currently includes 205 residential rooms, 32 of them have no bath facilities, and several others would have to be changed to make legally mandated alterations to stairwells, Patel said. 

No-bath rooms would be consolidated with other rooms to made suites, and the final arrangement would include a total of 160 to 170 accommodations, he said. The average room size would be about 250 to 275 square feet. 

Photograph by Richard Brenneman. 

Developer Parimal “Perry” Patel briefed the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee on his plans for the Shattuck Hotel.

The question before DAPAC Wednesday night was whether to give the elephant in the room its own corner or simply treat it as part of the furniture. 

The committee charting the future of downtown Berkeley also showed signs that it wanted to take responsibility for writing a key section of the document away from city staff and assign it to the group’s own members. 

The metaphorical elephant much discussed Wednesday is UC Berkeley, and the “room” is the Downtown Area Plan (DAP) now being drafted with the assistance of the advisory committee—hence the “AC” in the acronym—which faces a November deadline for completing its work. 

The new plan will be created specifically to address the university’s plans to add 800,000 square feet to its already considerable off-campus presence in the heart of the city, the result of the settlement of a city lawsuit challenging the university’s long range planning document for its growth plans through 2020. 

City Planning and Development Director Dan Marks and Matt Taecker, the planner hired to work on the new document with university funds from the settlement, presented a draft outline of the document Wednesday. 

“There’s no UC element, and that boggles my mind,” said Gene Poschman, a city planning commissioner who is often regarded as city’s preeminent “policy wonk.” 

An element is a specific section of a plan focusing on a specific facet of development, and elements often cover such areas as transportation, design, land use, public safety and historic preservation. 

“What UC said to us from the beginning was that they want to be treated to some degree as the rest of the city,” said Marks. “They don’t want specific development standards for UC.” 

“It’s a joint plan,” said Jennifer McDougall, a university planner who has attended DAPAC meetings as an observer. “I don’t know why if it is a joint plan that there would be a special UC element.” 

“A UC element would be largely duplicative of other elements of the plan,” said Taecker. 

When committee member Linda Schacht joined the call for a UC section, she raised the pachyderm analogy “because it’s really the elephant in the room. It’s a great elephant, but it’s an elephant,” she said. 

When other members joined the call, Marks implored the committee to hold off on a formal vote pending further discussion. “UC feels they are part of the city,” he said. “They fit in everywhere in each of the sections” and shouldn’t be singled out. 

Jesse Arreguin, who along with Poschman was the target of a recent council ordinance imposing term limits on key city commissions, joined in the call for a UC element, noting that the committee had already formed a subgroup dealing with UC plans for the old state Department of Health Services building west of the campus and north of University Avenue. 

In response to Marks’s pleas, no vote was taken Tuesday, but Jim Novosel, one of the committee’s newest members, seemed to sum up the prevailing sentiment. 

“It’s like we’re a city next to an ocean,” he said. “And if we were next to an ocean we would not ignore it,” noting that the university is, in fact, not part of the city but a legally separate jurisdiction. 

No vote was sought, though one reason may have been the absence Wednesday of some of the most stalwart members of the bloc which has repeatedly steered the committee in new directions against the wishes of staff and chair Will Travis. 

Other elements 

Poschman pointed out another element typically found in plans that was missing in the staff outline—housing. 

“The housing element to me is one of the hearts of the plan, if not the heart,” Poschman said, focusing on the nature of housing as well as who can and cannot afford it. 

“Good point,” said Marks. 

“There’s also no economic development element,” Poschman said, though Marks said the same concerns were dispersed throughout other sections of the outline. 

An ongoing theme throughout recent discussions has been sustainabilty, and members agreed with Juliet Lamont that the plan should not only contain a separate sustainabilty element, but that each of the other elements should include a section addressing the issue as it applied to they particular concerns they address.  

Lamont also called for a special section in the land use section of the plan focusing on the development of Center Street between campus and Shattuck Avenue, a concern echoed by Novosel. 

“Our job is to give you the ideas we believe in,” said Novosel, an architect and former planner. “How do we want UC to develop along Oxford? How do we want Center Street to develop? I really want to talk about what I’m going to be leaving for my children.” 

Committee member and Planning Commission chair Helen Burke recommended that the Center Street section should include the results of her commission’s task force on the university-backed hotel planned for the northeast corner of Center and Shattuck Avenue. 

Billy Keys and Maria Gallegos-Diaz both called for giving more emphasis to public safety, which had been addressed last in the outline and conjoined with social services, and Arreguin argued that social services might be better addressed in the absent housing element. 

Remaining work 

The committee has a massive amount of work remaining if it is to complete its task by November—a date specific in the settlement of the city/UC lawsuit. If the committee takes longer, the university can penalize the city by subtracting funds from the total stipulated in the agreement. 

“The only way to speed up the process is for DAPAC to organize itself into subcommittees” and starting writing out specific elements, said Burke. Dorothy Walker, a committee member who is also a retired UC Berkeley administrator, raised the lone voice of disagreement. 

Burke also called for public hearings so that Berkeley residents could express their concerns before DAPAC finishes its work, a suggestion backed by Arreguin, Lamont and others, though Novosel said the hearings that the document would receive before the planning commission and city council would be sufficient. 

The committee is currently scheduled to focus on land use and transportation over the course of its next three meetings. 

“We need to hear from the public,” Burke added.

Mayor Tom Bates and Councilmember Linda Maio had planned a very civil two-hour evening, focusing on Pacific Steel Castings whose “burnt potholder” smell and possibly dangerous emissions have been a community concern for more than two decades. 

It was not to be. 

The agenda called for long presentations by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District staff monitoring the plant’s progress, Pacific Steel management working to decrease the emissions and representatives of two community organizations, monitoring the Second Street plant and BAAQMD. 

There would be about a half-hour left over for audience questions, posed via three-by-five cards. 

The community would have none of it. Bates scarcely had time to greet the 75-or-so attendees at the West Berkeley Senior Center Wednesday evening when David Landon jumped to his feet and interrupted the mayor: “This agenda does not work for the community,” he said, arguing that the public had come to speak to the elected officials and pose questions to BAAQMD and PSC, not to hear lectures from them.  

Half the audience members jumped to their feet to support Landon, calling out: “Respect us.” “Change the agenda.” “No question cards.” “We won’t sit down for a dog-and-pony show.” “If it’s going to be a lecture, do it by cable TV.” 

Bates retorted, “If you don’t like it you can leave,” but Maio took the mic and managed to pull the meeting together and the BAAQMD speakers promised to speak no more than five minutes each and the idea of question cards was tossed to the winds. 

At issue are the emissions that continue to come from the Second Street foundry, despite new filtration systems and the illnesses the emissions might cause. 

“All three plants have pollution abatement equipment,” said Kelly Wee, BAAQMD director of enforcement, keeping his remarks short. “We need to look at fugitive emissions,” emissions not passing through the filters. 

Brian Bateman, BAAQMD’s director of engineering division, said BAAQMD was waiting for an emissions report that was six months late. “I hope we have a revised report we can approve. Once we get the emission report, it feeds into the health assessment,” he said. “If [the report] is deficient, we’ll send it back.” 

The need for transparency of the data on emissions was raised a number of times by the community. In PSC’s Nov. 2006 emissions report: “they redacted flow diagrams and other pertinent information necessary for fully informed community comments, claiming the redacted data were trade secrets, another ploy to drag their feet and refrain from full transparency,” said Janice Schroeder, speaking for the West Berkeley Alliance for Clean Air and Safe Jobs. 

The audience was decidedly restless and tired of hearing that they had to wait for information on emissions. “There’s a lot of methodology, but nothing about what we’re being exposed to,” one person said. 

Speaking in a phone interview Thursday, Maio agreed that a transparent emissions report is key. The Air District has asked for complete information to be made public and if the plant refuses, the district could sue to get the information, she said, noting that the district has to wait about one more month giving PSC the legally-required time to respond. 

Peter Guerrero, among others, expressed concern about what he called “perfumes” used to cover over the “burnt pot-handle smell,” characteristic of the plant. The central problem is not the smell itself, but the possibly-dangerous emissions that create the smell, people said. 

They also complained, as they have over the decades, that Air District inspectors were not responsive. They don’t work during the night hours when the plan is running full tilt, and they don’t come quickly enough to verify the complaints, people said. 

A number of people had gone by the plant night and day and observed that doors were ajar, allowing the escape of “fugitive” emissions.  

Schroeder called on the city to add stringent conditions to the plant’s use permit “to stop PSC’s cooling of castings outdoors, operating with doors open and blocking public streets and sidewalks with their operations.” 

In the phone interview, Maio told the Daily Planet she thinks updating PSC’s permit with conditions is one route to go. They have to be asked first formally to clean up their operations, before they are brought to the zoning board, she said. 

While there hadn’t been concrete answers to most the questions the community had asked, many were happy to have been able to ask them. “It could have gone on longer,” said Guerrero, who had been one of those demanding the agenda change at the beginning of the meeting. “It was a good meeting. Clearly there are ongoing concerns.”  

The next public meeting on PSC will be in April, after the Health Assessment Report is released.

Deputy superintendent Eric Smith presented board members of the Berkeley Unified School District with information on the governor’s budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 on Wednesday. 

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger presented his budget proposals for 2007-08 on Jan. 10. The K-12 budget funds the cost of living allowance (COLA) and helps to neutralize the effect of declining enrollment.  

Currently, the growth rate of students in California schools is negative on a state-wide basis as the state’s birth rate has been going down consistently since 1990. This issue was presented by Smith with the help of a graph titled “Where Have All the Kindergartners Gone?” 

Smith also said that more than half of California’s students are now in districts that are declining in enrollment. 

The Governor fully funds the 2007-08 statutory COLA, estimated to be 4.04 percent, which applies to revenue limits, special education and virtually all state categorical programs. The exact COLA will be known in April 2007.  

The budget includes two controversial proposals: 

• shifting all state support for home-to-school transportation from Proposition 98 to the Public Transportation Account (PTA). This shift of $627 million would be followed by a downward re-benching of the Proposition 98 minimum guarantee. 

• The state administration has proposed that $269 million in funding for the Stage II CalWORKs Child Care Program be paid for with Prop. 98 dollars. Historically, these expenses are funded outside of Prop 98. 

Prop. 98 guarantees that a certain percent of revenue from the state of California be dedicated to education every year. Smith said that there would be huge lobbying against the proposals from the education community. 

Lunch program 

The Berkeley school board was also received a report on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program which will help to review the success of the program. LeConte Elementary School topped the list for the most number of students receiving free and reduced price lunch in elementary schools for the 2006-07 school year (65.30 percent), and Longfellow (56.45 percent) topped the three middle schools. 

B-Tech recorded 53.61 percent students for the program and Berkeley High School 27.49 percent. 

Student board member Mateo Aceves said that he was curious to know why the numbers in the BHS program were less compared to the rest of the schools, given that the population in the different schools were the same. 

School Superintendent Michele Lawrence said that the numbers were significantly less at BHS because the kids were “self-reporting” at the high school level. BUSD spokesperson Mark Coplan said that there was a certain stigma attached to the lunch program for high school kids.  

BHS advisory program report 

BHS principal Jim Slemp also presented the school board with the Berkeley High School Advisory Program Report. The high school has been trying for a few years to start a school-wide advisory program which will be implemented this fall. 

Slemp said that this program would have some scheduling implications that would modify the high school bell schedule. 

Some of the aims of the program are to personalize the BHS experience by providing a safe and caring community that evolves over four years and to provide students with adult advocates. 

By their junior year, students will develop a five-year plan which will help take them through graduation and post-secondary education.  

Adult school 

Board members also approved the Adult School BSEP Site Plan for 2006-07. The Adult School, located on San Pablo Avenue and Virginia Street, was upgraded recently with a grant of $3 million.

Following up on an issue he originally raised in last fall’s election campaign, freshman Peralta Community College District Trustee Abel Guillen questioned ongoing renovation work on the district’s board room, saying that it should not come before renovation at Peralta’s colleges. 

Guillen’s comments at Tuesday night’s regular trustee meeting, and support from those comments by fellow trustee Cy Gulassa, drew heated rebuttals from Peralta Chancellor Elihu Harris and from the normally publicly mild mannered trustee board president, Bill Withrow. 

Meanwhile, following the meeting, the Planet learned that former California Assemblymember Wilma Chan has tentatively agreed to become the sixth member of the Measure A Oversight Committee called for in last June’s Peralta facilities bond measure. That would that one slot on the committee remains to be filled, several months after its called-for organization. The committee has yet to meet. 

Tuesday night’s debate began when Guillen pulled for discussion an item for approval of $249,000 for a contract to upgrade audio visual equipment in the trustee boardroom, located in the Peralta administrative headquarters on East 8th Street in Oakland. That is expected to be the final piece in the boardroom overhaul, which has been ongoing for the past several months and is scheduled for completion in mid-March. 

“I’m trying to understand the rationale of renovating administrative facilities as opposed to dealing with the health and safety needs of the campuses,” Guillen said. “A year from now, I don’t want us not to have money to complete projects like the Laney library renovation. It’s not clear to me what our prioritization of our Measure A [bond] money is.” 

Guillen raised that same point during last year’s election. At an Oct. 17 Laney College debate with incumbent trustee Alona Clifton, who Guillen later defeated, Guillen said that renovating the boardroom at this time reflected “poor planning. The district should never put administrative needs in front of classrooms.” Guillen noted that “they have cushy chairs in the boardroom, while the students have to sit on bad chairs.” 

But with Guillen now sitting in one of those cushy chairs, Chancellor Harris disputed Guillen’s contention at Tuesday’s board meeting, denying that administrative needs were taking priority and saying that “the bulk of the bond money has gone to the colleges.” 

Harris ticked off a litany of problems in the administration that he said needed to be addressed. “The floors were falling down. Equipment was falling down. We have safety issues. The boardroom is part of public access to the district, but we couldn’t get the meetings televised at some point.” 

Harris called the expenditure on the boardroom renovations “a small part of the bond measure expenditure.” 

But the Chancellor appeared to lose his temper after trustee Cy Gulassa expressed agreement with the thrust of Guillen’s concerns. 

“One thing that concerned me was the symbolism of working on [the boardroom] first,” Gulassa said. He said that the board member’s student advisory trustees were “very upset” about the boardroom renovation decision when it was first voted upon by the board last year. “They felt that there were bad conditions at Laney College that weren’t being addressed.” 

After the boardroom renovation vote, Gulassa said that he took a tour of Laney with Laney President Frank Chong “and I was appalled at the conditions. Since then, we have passed Measure A and are moving towards correcting those problems. I’m just concerned about that image that this was the first priority.” 

Harris immediately disputed that contention. 

“This is not the first priority,” he said, then telling Gulassa that “you don’t have to work here. The heat doesn’t work here. It’s freezing in the winter. These are modular buildings that should have been torn down years ago, but they’re still here. The employees who work here in the administrative buildings are just as much employees of the district as the employees who work in the colleges. They shouldn’t be treated as second class citizens.” 

That brought a rebuttal from Gulassa that “despite your eloquence, I stand on my comments.” 

That brought Withrow into the debate, His voice rising, Withrow called the complaints about the boardroom renovation “sound bite communication. Saying that we’re working on the administration building first creates a tension that shouldn’t be there. The boardroom renovation is not at the beginning expenditure of Measure A money. It’s at the tail-end of Measure E, and most of that bond measure money went to the colleges.” 

The Measure E Peralta construction bond was passed by voters in 2000, with all of its money not yet expended. The Measure A facilities bond was passed last June.  

Part of the confusion at Tuesday’s meeting came from the fact that the audio visual contract is projected to be funded with Measure A money. Harris said that the bulk of the boardroom renovation is being done with Measure E money. The distinction between the two bond measures is that while Measure A money can be spent on equipment, Measure E money is limited to construction costs. 

Trustee Linda Handy said that “people are under the mistaken impression that the boardroom belongs to the board. The board uses the room only two days a month, but the staff and the general public use it five days a week. Even though it’s called the board room, it’s not the board’s room.” 

Trustees approved the audio visual contract on a 5-1 vote, with only Guillen voting against it, and the two student trustees abstaining in their advisory votes (trustee Nicky Gonzale Yuen was absent from the meeting). Guillen said following the meeting that his vote on the contract was “symbolic.” 

He added that he spoke with district officials immediately following the meeting, but though he is still seeking a list of priorities for the Measure A expenditures, “I haven’t gotten one yet.”

Following a breakfast gathering in which local law enforcement officials painted a bleak picture of youth crime in Alameda County, representatives of Alameda County’s black elected officials and black clergy took one of the first public tours the other week of the county’s soon-to-be-opened Juvenile Justice Center. 

Some 75 ministers, city councilmembers, and County Supervisors walked the two-story dormitory tiers, lay down on rubber mattresses in tiny cells, and viewed spacious classrooms, a vast gymnasium, and a grassy exercise yard with spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay and the coastal hills beyond. 

The meeting and tour was sponsored by the Black Elected Officials and Faith Based Leaders of the East Bay organization, currently chaired by Alameda County Supervisors President Keith Carson. The organization represents officials and faith-based leaders in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. 

Other local elected officials attending the meeting and tour were Berkeley City Councilmember Max Anderson, Oakland City Councilmembers Larry Reid and Desley Brooks, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, Richmond City Councilmember Tony Thurmond, Oakland School Board member Greg Hodge, Alameda County School Board member Gay Plair Cobb, and a representative of State Senator Don Perata’s Violence Task Force. 

Carson’s chief of staff, Rodney Brooks, said one of the purposes of the meeting and tour was to encourage individuals in both the political, economic, and faith-based communities to provide volunteer counseling and other help at the Juvenile Justice Center. Officials from the center as well as several youth organizations said with the limited budget provided, it was impossible for the county to provide adequate education and other services to youth incarcerated at the facility. 

Sometime this spring, county juvenile law enforcement officials expect to bus some 200 to 240 youth offenders to the new facility on San Leandro’s Fairmount Drive, just up the hill from where they are currently living at the present Juvenile Hall. But last week, the new Juvenile Justice Center was eerily quiet, the only sound coming from an army of construction workers doing finishing touches on the facility, and the sound of visitors’ footsteps echoing along the polished floors of the empty hallways. 

“It looks like a prison,” one visitor told one of the corrections officers conducting the tour. 

“Any time you have to house offenders in a controlled environment, it’s going to have elements of containment and observation,” the officer replied, pointing out that each individual section of the facility, from dormitories to recreation rooms, is designed so that every space in the room can be observed by officers from a central location. In the center of the building, officers and construction workers in a darkened monitoring room watched all sections of the facility on television monitors connected to security cameras. 

While the new justice center was built for a capacity of 360, with a handful of the dormitory rooms set up with two beds, Alameda County Probation Department Chief Don Blevins said he does not expect the actual population to exceed 250. 

Earlier, however, Berkeley Police Chief Doug Hambleton and Oakland Police Chief Wayne Tucker and Berkeley Police Chief cited grim statistics on youth crime and violence in the two cities that showed there does not seem to be a letup in youth candidates for the juvenile facility. 

Hambleton said that Berkeley has one of the highest crime rates in the state, a situation he called “troubling.” He said that while property crimes in Berkeley are “down significantly, some 15 percent, we really don’t know why, though we’re glad about it,” the “trend is up in the violent crime rate” over the past year. 

Hambleton said that with 43 percent of the adults arrested in Berkeley and 42 percent of the juveniles non-Berkeley residents, there was a need for cooperation between East Bay cities to provide a regional solution to the problems of violent crime. 

Tucker, whose city saw a jump to 148 homicides last year, said that “the homicide rate is not the best measure of how serious the violence is in Oakland.” He said that the best measure was violent crime-rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault-all of which were up in the last year (25 percent increase in aggravated assault, 8.3 percent increase in rape, and 28.8 percent increase in armed robbery). “Without modern medicine,” the chief added, “we’d probably have two to three times the homicides we had last year.” 

Tucker said the solution to Oakland’s crime problem lies in community-police cooperation. 

“We’re never going to enforce ourselves into a safe city,” he said. “We recognize that. We acknowledge that. Historically, the police department has concentrated on the enforcement aspect of crime reduction. Now we want to move more in the area of intervention and prevention.”

The man with the sparkling eyes and shoulder-length salt and pepper hair who laughs and jokes with a visitor and shares his passion for photography and writing could have spent much of his life homeless, living in backyards in what he describes as a tube, or shut away in a mental institution. 

Instead, John Endicott works every day at focusing on reality, practices his art, moves freely about the community and has friends at the Russell Street House where he’s lived in a supportive community of people with mental illness since its inception in 2001.  

The 17-person residence and four-person annex is a Berkeley Food and Housing Project endeavor that has been successful in permanently housing people with mental illnesses.  

The project, which costs about $460,000 annually, is funded by the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD), residents’ fees and city funds. It faces possible cuts in some services, as a result of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decision to terminate AB2034 mental health money, according to Harvey Turek, director of the city’s mental health division. (See related story.)  

Sporting a spotless white short-sleeved shirt, tie and smart wool pants, Endicott—who has learned if you’re careful you can launder clothes yourself despite the “dry clean only” label—spoke to a reporter on Tuesday in the sun-drenched dining room on Russell Street.  

Born in San Francisco, the 63-year-old graduated from Berkeley High, attended community college and then UC Berkeley. After a bad break-up of a relationship, Endicott said he began living in yards of various property owners with their blessing. At one point, he found an apartment to rent, but circumstances led him to be taken, in a manner he won’t forget, to a mental hospital, where he stayed for a year and a half. “Some of the things I saw there would curl your hair,” he said. 

Then Endicott was sent to a board-and-care home where the Russell Street House is now located, and soon was given a choice to go to a different board-and-care or to enter the new program. “My program manager said, ‘stay, something wonderful is going to happen,’” he said. “And in a way, that phrase would underline what would really happen in the program.”  

This is the kind of project that can permanently take people off the streets, Turek said. It’s staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week—people get nutritious meals, counseling and recreational activities. Four participants live semi-independently in a house next to the main residence. 

There are obstacles duplicating a program like this: one is funding and another is location. Neighbors in Berkeley often refuse to allow a home with mentally ill people locating on their block. Some of Berkeley’s formerly homeless, mentally ill people are housed in single-room occupancy hotels in Oakland, where conditions are not optimal, Turek said. 

Neighbors at the Russell Street program welcomed the city taking over the site, which already had a permit, because the previous board and care facility had been badly managed, Turek said. 

More such programs are needed: the chronically-homeless (homeless for more than a year) mentally ill are highly visible on Berkeley streets and Berkeley residents are growing more intolerant of what they see as their inappropriate behavior, Turek said. In 2005 the city counted 529 chronically homeless people, out of 836 individuals living on Berkeley streets at one time. Seventy-six percent of the chronically homeless have been diagnosed as mentally ill.  

While Berkeley is home to 12 percent of the county’s homeless population, some 40 percent of the chronically homeless live in the city, according to 2005 statistics. (The city conducted a count of homeless people on Jan. 31, but has not yet released its findings.) 

Turek explains that the approach to housing chronically homeless people has shifted. Professionals used to believe a person’s mental instability and/or substance abuse had to be addressed before that person could be offered housing. 

Now it is understood that housing with case management, counselor and food services is the best way to get people off the street for the long term. “The policy shift is a move away from the safety-net/emergency shelter model,” he said. 

Still, the city cannot give up its emergency shelters. During the intense cold snap last month, Berkeley was able to house all the people who wanted shelter, some in the emergency shelter in Oakland, some at the shelter run by the Catholic Worker and some with motel vouchers.  

Today’s service-intensive approach means one case manager has 10-15 clients, often seeing them daily, rather than 30-50 clients, as in the past. Although the cost is higher, “It is way cheaper than hospitalization,” Turek says, noting the cost of a psychiatric bed is about $1,000 per night. 

People used to work under the assumption that homeless people “had to get stable before they got housing or they would blow out of a program,” Turek said. 

That was a “blame-the-victim” mentality, Turek said, explaining, “The idea that the client has to be motivated for treatment is not necessarily true. Homelessness itself can give an individual more problems, with increased drug and alcohol abuse.” 

While most people come to Russell Street voluntarily, Endicott talked about one person a judge sentenced to the residence. And it worked out. “He found himself,” Endicott said. “It is a mutually supportive place.” 

How do residents support one another? “By saying it softly, when it can be said harshly by staff,” Endicott said, adding that he supports others with praise—“Honest praise.” 

When Russell Street House first opened, it was Endicott’s job to work with staff to “prep” the meals, help get things out of the oven and load and unload the dishwasher. “Many, many times, staff would say something wonderful,” he said. Soon one of the staff gave Endicott a “Wonderful Book,” where he would write down wonderful things staff would say and other interesting daily events. 

Endicott helps others as he has been helped over the years to focus on reality. For example, he’ll take a walk with another resident and look for leaf prints on the sidewalk. “You get anchored in reality and decide to do something with it. No television, no movies, no drugs,” he said. 

There are no window bars or locked gates at Russell Street House. These days, Endicott walks to a nearby senior center for lunch where he’s made friends, and he sits in the front pew and joins others in song at church on Sunday. 

Endicott calls himself a cheerleader for the program. “The magic comes when somebody can’t set the table and they talk to you and decide to do it,” he said. 

Photograph by Judith Scherr. 

John Endicott of the Russell Street House.

When the governor released his budget in July, he terminated funds for mental health programs, best known as State Assembly bill AB2034, saying that this funding source, available since 2000, would be replaced by the 2004 voter-approved Proposition 63. 

But state and local officials say Prop. 63 funds should be in addition to, not instead of, AB2034 money, and they are gearing up to fight for the AB2034 funds—flexible funds to pay for housing and services for some of the most difficult-to-serve mentally ill/hard-to-house persons in the state. 

In an interview Wednesday H.D. Palmer, spokesperson for the state Department of Finance, said AB2034 funds would be more than replaced by voter-approved Prop. 63, the Mental Health Services Act, a surtax of 1 percent on persons earning more than $1 million.  

But Hans Hemann, spokesperson for Assemblymember Loni Hancock, argued in an interview Thursday that “the Democrats and Loni [Hancock] are concerned about using Prop. 63 to offset the mental health program.” Prop. 63 says the funds are not to supplant existing mental health funding, he said, pointing out that mental health services are underfunded. 

Moreover, given that Prop. 63 funds are slow to be released, “there’s a fear that the funding will come to a screeching halt,” he said. “It’s shortsighted and against the will of the voters.” 

A report recently released by Berkeley’s mental health division lauds the local achievements of AB2034, noting that at least 68 adults with serious mental illness are no longer homeless as a result of the funding.  

• Eighty-one participants were homeless or living in emergency shelters when enrolled in AB 2034 services; 13 among them were homeless by May 2006. 

• Two-thirds of the participants are now in permanent housing, including nearly half in permanently affordable housing with support services. 

• Nearly half have stayed in the same place for a year or more. 

• A total of 51 participants had a psychiatric hospitalization in the year prior to their enrollment in AB 2034, while just 16 have been hospitalized since enrollment.  

• The number of participants who spent some time in jail decreased from 37 in the year prior to enrollment to 11 annually after enrollment, a two-thirds reduction.  

• Total participant income increased by more than $500,000 annually through qualifications for SSI and SSDI. After enrolling in AB 2034, 52 participants gained approval for SSI or SSDI. 

A news analysis article on page 17 of the Feb. 6. edition misidentified one of the recipients of research funds from British Petroleum. It should have been Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, not Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, as reported.

Roving firefighters discover trailer fire 

They may not be psychics, but Berkeley firefighters managed to arrive at the scene of a fire Wednesday morning even before the blaze could be reported. 

It happened at 10:10 a.m. when the crew of a ladder truck who had been out performing fire prevention duties spotted a column of smoke in West Berkeley. 

Arriving at the scene, they found a fellow with a garden hose battling a blaze that had erupted in a small trailer at the rear of a residence at 2112 Eighth St. 

Because ladder trucks aren’t equipped with water supplies or fire suppressants beyond canister type extinguishers, the crew took over the hose until the blaze was out. 

Deputy Fire Chief David P. Orth said the blaze totaled the small trailer, and placed the blame on a small electrical space heater which had been plugged into the current of the nearby dwelling with a long extension cord, which he said is never a good idea.

“Is there a president anywhere in the history of America as bad as George W. Bush? I believe there is. It is Jefferson Davis. He came from privilege. He wasn’t elected. And he marched thousands of young men to their death in a long war for immoral ends,” declares Chris Chandler of the Chandler and Roe political/musical duo in a rap he gives between songs—as he did recently at Berkeley’s La Pena night club.  

Bush/Davis similarities are a topic among bloggers, one of whom asked, “Was Davis a better uniter than Bush?” to which another replied, “Davis only divided the nation in half. Bush busted it to pieces.”  

Much discussion awaits on the topic of the similar abilities of Bush and the president of the Confederacy to act against the will of the majority. We saw in the November 2006 voting, in polls and in mass demonstrations, that Bush lacks a majority. He carries on, thanks to his rants and his shills who warn of the “terrorist threat,” in the manner of Davis and his crowd warning of the “Yankees” in the months leading to secession and the creation of the Confederacy.  

Davis had far below a majority of Southerners with him in his crusade to save the South. For instance, 34 percent of Southerners in the 1860 census were African Americans, most of whom were enslaved. Unable to state their views in the 1860 presidential election, nor in the state conventions that voted for secession, blacks subsequently showed their support for Lincoln and the Union by marching off the slave plantations in numbers greater than even the numbers of anti-Bush marchers today. Once on the Northern side, a quarter million blacks served in the Union army, and many more were aides-de-camp, including black women, (women of either race were denied expression via votes and polls).  

The people in Dixie in 1860 of basic European roots are stereotyped in some history texts as eager to protect “the Southern way of life” and “the rights of the white man.” But the Southern voters showed in November 1860, and in referendums and legislatures in the months after Lincoln’s victory, that a majority of whites were not enamored of the secession adventure pushed by Jefferson Davis. Regrettably, the evidence is often overshadowed by the success of Davis in forming a new country.  

Great numbers of poor white farmers in the South lived in geographic areas apart from the slave economy and gave the system little support. For instance, in Virginia’s 1861 referendum on secession, the western counties of small farmer “hillbillies” voted 89% pro-Union. After the vote, West Virginia seceded from Virginia and was admitted to the Union as a “free state” in 1863.  

Hill country whites in East Tennessee refused to join the Confederacy, and Tennessee Senator Andrew Johnson, who was from their region, stood by the Union and northerners made him Lincoln’s running mate in the 1864 election.  

The Confederates claimed that Kentucky and Missouri were two of their states. But almost all of their territory was run throughout the war by rival pro-Union legislatures that drew solid support from counties in those states where slaves were few.  

In a number of states the declared votes in 1860-1861 were questionable. Georgia, for instance, joined the Confederacy after a popular referendum that allegedly gave a 56% majority for secession. But a recount conducted in 1972 found the non-secession vote in Georgia had a slim majority, one that might have been a larger except that data from some counties had been lost over the years. 

Bush has step by step taken the nation into more dangerous territory, with a possible war against Iran looming. Southern secessionists stepped quickly to generate enough fear over the Republican Party nomination of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 to keep Lincoln off the presidential ballot in ten states. And note, Abe was not an anti-slavery firebrand; he merely didn’t like the institution.  

Featured in the 1860 election in the ten states was Stephen A. Douglas of the old Democratic Party, John Breckenridge of the new Southern Democratic Party (heralded by secessionists), and John Bell of the Constitutional Union party (the old Whig party that tried to be both pro-South and pro-Union). Breckinridge and Bell debated often and said little about the Republicans. One historian writes, “Neither of the two threatened secession, although they often challenged each other ... as to who was the more loyal to Southern rights and interests,”—shades of the Iraq debate today wherein no party seems willing to mention negotiation with the “insurgents.”  

In November 1860 the Breckenridge party that fronted for separation took only 44.5 percent of the total popular vote in the future Confederate states, and this with Lincoln off most ballots and blacks excluded. Undaunted, as Bush is undaunted by this past November, the secessionists pressed for state conventions to vote secession up-or-down. In Texas, the aged Sam Houston was governor, and having helped Texas secede from Mexico, he wasn’t up for another secession. He vetoed the call for a convention. It was held anyway. In Georgia the Whig leader Alexander Stephens managed to delay a secession convention, but he changed his mind when Jeff Davis offered him the Vice Presidency in the Confederacy. Explaining his shift, Stephens declared that the “cornerstone” of the new government rested “upon the great truth that the Negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery—subordination to the superior race—is his natural and normal condition. This, our new government, is the first, in the history of the world, based upon this great physical, philosophical, and moral truth.”  

By early February the Confederacy had seven states across the deep South. Davis knew that any hope for a viable new nation required membership of states closer to the North. To entice them he needed an incident. He found it at Fort Sumpter, South Carolina. The state had seceded and its governor told the Union Army commander in the Fort that it was no longer U.S. territory and he and his men should withdraw. Col. Anderson refused to withdraw, and within weeks there was starvation in the ranks at the besieged Fort. Then Anderson told the Confederate authorities that he would abandon Ft. Sumpter on April 15. Davis learned of Anderson’s offer and ordered that the fort be fired upon on April 12, the reason being, that Lincoln had sent a supply ship South. Davis declared Lincoln had committed an act of war. Hysterical propaganda against the Northern aggression filled state houses and newspapers. Four more states joined the Confederacy.  

In the propaganda world: a culture of greed helped Davis, as it helps Bush. Many a wavering Southern white in 1861 might have remained a Unionist were it not that Thomas Jefferson’s adage that success is your own farm had given way to the lure of slave plantation ownership. Davis asked Southern whites to stay in the economic crap shoot that offered the chance to become the one in 660 Southern white families that owned a plantation or the equivalent in wealth. Today, we see a shift from the “New Deal” infused post-World War II bonanza of cheap tract homes for the rising working class to the construction of enormous plantation-like mansions, some with white columns in front. 

Davis and company stoked the fear of an influx of Northern life-style, with its dirty cities, corruption, uncontrolled women, and Godless Catholic and Jewish immigrants. Had 1860 immigrants worn turbans, Davis’ propaganda probably would have won him the war. Behind the complaints was envy. During the 1850s, the South fell year by year farther behind the North in industry, infrastructure, education, health care and overall modernization. In education, one of the first acts of the new West Virginia legislature was to fund a public school network—a mainstay in the North. Jeff Davis led pre-war Southern politicians who opposed taxes for public schools.  

Regarding medical care: it was common in the Davis’ era for wealthy Southerners to go North for operations—what we call today “medical tourism.” From Georgia came William and Ellen Craft to the North, much of the distance by stage coach, in the absence of the train service that was then common in the North. Ellen grimaced at each bump of the coach, although the bandages covering her jaw were really not for an impacted tooth, but a disguise. She and William were slaves who escaped with the ruse that pale skinned untalkative Ellen was a male and the master of William, the servant who could decipher her nods.  

Davis managed to create an autocratic government—so dictatorial that at one point Georgia threatened to secede back into the Union because of his heavy-handed tactics. Bush appears to be trying his best to replace our democracy. What’s to stop him? It took Abraham Lincoln’s armies to defeat Davis.

1. Sleep shmeep 

Forget the old “8 hours” prescription, I have always preferred 9 or 10, even 11 on a luxurious sleep-in weekend. But my little man has yet to sustain an elongated sleep pattern, so I’m still getting by on a nighttime series of catnaps, punctuated by rocking him back to sleep while sneaking a peek at late night television. (Oh, the hidden treasurers on QVC at 4 AM! 

Dishrags that absorb ten times the liquid normal ones do, magic clothes-hanging devices that take up a quarter of your closet space, supersized candy and nut-covered carmel apples...) 

2. Parenthood: Control freaks need not apply  

It is impossible to ‘control’ an overly tired baby who’s been denied access to his favorite toy du jour (the broom or a spatula?) so you can clean the spit-up off of it. 

3. I’ll be fine if I lose a limb 

I’ve been pleasantly shocked at how much I manage to get done while one arm serves as perpetual baby carrier. Making breakfast, washing dishes, folding laundry—plus a few things better left unsaid. 

4. Telecommuting is less glamorous than it sounds  

Spending the day working in your jammies sounds cozy but it’s somewhat less so when you haven’t had a shower in two days, and even less so when your work is constantly interrupted to flip the baby from his back to his tummy because he’s learned to turn over but hates it on the other side once he’s there. 

5. All weight gain is not equal 

This baby belly is way more stubborn than any prior excess calorie deposits, O God bless whoever first blended spandex with denim. 

6. Parental aspirations are a nice idea 

But they melt in the glaring daylight of reality. I fully intended to err on the side of strictness and mold an obedient little shining star, but my resolve turned to mush the first time those big brown eyes gazed into my own. 

7. Parents don’t just ditch single friends— 

the reverse is also true 

My husband and I have tried to keep in touch with our old circle, but some of our single friends seem to have lost our number. 

Granted, not everyone is a baby person, but we’re not insisting that they’ve “gotta see the baby.” We do still have brain cells that hold information unrelated to breastmilk expiration dates or Baby Einstein toys! 

8. Babysitting is a nice idea 

But tell it to our son, whose wicked stranger anxiety makes him currently unwilling to accept care from anyone outside his personal mommy-daddy entourage. 

9. That “look” stings from the other side 

My husband and I have given parents with crying and meandering offspring in public places that look of impatient disdain more than once over the years. Now we are on the receiving end—karma! 

10. They weren’t kidding about the Grinch 

It really is possible for one’s heart to grow three sizes in one day. “Every” day. Every time your mini-me reaches out for you from the crib, or flashes an endearingly toothy (or toothless) grin. 

Sonja Fitz works at a downtown business that let her bring her baby to work part-time until he started crawling under tables and finding all those removed staples people don’t bother to toss into actual garbage receptacles. 

At a time when Americans throughout the country are frustrated by the failure of public schools to teach their children, Mexico is increasing its efforts to help struggling school systems deal with immigrant children who speak Spanish. 

“We are grateful that the Mexican Consul and the Mexican government have taken such an interest in helping Denver Public Schools and its students,” Jerry Wartgow, superintendent of the Denver Public Schools, said when Mexico donated 30,000 Spanish-language textbooks for elementary students. “This donation is just one example of how we can work together to improve the lives of all children through education.” 

From San Diego to Orlando, from Chicago to Las Vegas, the Mexican government, through its 42 consulates throughout the United States, is accelerating its ambitious “foreign aid” program designed to deliver millions of Spanish-language textbooks to American schools this decade. 

“This is more than an ‘outreach’ program,” notes Raquel Romero, director of Mesoamerica Foundation, a Mexican nonprofit organization. “This is part of a concerted program to educate Hispanic children in the United States, and to help the United States make the transition into a bicultural society this century. It is a way of understanding that Mexican culture is expanding across the border, that it is in ascendance, and that Hispanic and Latino children in the United States will never be blond, blue-eyed Anglos.” 

Mexico’s efforts are part of a subtle program, one that traces its origins to the presidency of Jose Lopez Portillo, who governed 1976-1982. A university professor before entering politics, Lopez Portillo feared that English would dominate Mexican business life. To defend the integrity of Spanish, he launched a program called “Palabra,” or “Word,” that sought to inculcate an appreciation for the Spanish language. 

This campaign proved so successful that as Mexican television and radio programs began to be exported throughout the Spanish-speaking world, “Mexican” Spanish began to emerge as the “standard” spoken Spanish. This process was not unlike what occurred in the United States in the mid-twentieth century. As the CBS, NBC and ABC broadcast companies established national networks, regional accents – the Southern drawl, the New England clip – gave way to a “neutral” English, exemplified best by Walter Cronkite and Johnny Carson, both of Midwestern stock. It is this “Nebraska” accent that is the “standard” English for the national networks, and local reporters who want to make it in the big league have to drop their regional accents in favor of “Nebraska” English. 

Similarly, in Latin America, it is “Mexican” Spanish that is the neutral accent, and reporters from Buenos Aires to Madrid, New York to Lima, have to speak in this manner if they want to make it in the big league. 

Emboldened by this success, Mexico’s subtle, but ambitious, effort to emerge as the leading cultural force in the Hispanic world accelerated. In 1989, president Carlos Salinas launched the “Paisano Program,” designed to assist Mexicans, and their U.S.-born children, increase their cultural, social and political literacy about Mexico. This program not only reached out to Mexicans living in the United States, but it also helped them resist assimilation into the American mainstream, something seen as desirable, since Hispanics find Anglo culture cold and distant, fraught with ruined families and strained social relations. The alienating nature of American society, first exposed by David Riesman in his groundbreaking book, The Lonely Crowd, was a fate Mexico wanted to spare her children living on the other side of the border. 

Mexico is intent on fighting “Latino Cultural Illiteracy,” or what happens to good Hispanics who grow up ignorant of their culture. Vicente Fox called Mexicans who emigrated to the United States in search of work “heroes,” and launched the Program for Mexican Communities Abroad as a set of policies for empowering the Mexican Diaspora. What has alarmed Mexican officials is the loss of Spanish fluency among the children born to Mexicans in the United States. 

“These ‘Latinos’ are incapable of reading Spanish more complicated than what one finds on a Taco Bell menu,” an official at the Mexican Consulate in New York said. “We want them to be fluent in Spanish, so they can be successful both in the United States and in Mexico.” 

Mexicans blame this cultural alienation—not being fluent in Spanish, not being entirely accepted by their Anglo compatriots—as one reason why Hispanic youth drop out of school, resort to substance abuse, join gangs and end up in prison. An example of their cultural and linguistic illiteracy is seen among gang members. When two gangs in conflict reach an agreement to cease hostilities, there is a word for this. In English, it is “truce.” In Spanish, it is “truega.” 

Latino illiterate gang members, who are fluent in neither English nor Spanish, use the word “trucha.” “Hey, bro’ there’s a trucha” makes as much sense to an English speaker as “Oye, ‘mano, hay trucha” does to a Spanish speaker. 

This cultural and linguistic ignorance is what Mexico is striving to address. 

“Reaching out to young Hispanics in their formative years, and while they’re in public school is the way to go,” Raquel Romero said. “Mexico has to be there for them, reminding them that they come from a great civilization, and can be proud of their who they are, and where their families come from.” 

That Mexicans should be proud of Spanish offends some American conservatives, however. “In U.S. areas with large Hispanic (including illegal) populations, the Mexican consul donates to the local public schools the same textbooks that are used in every elementary school in Mexico, grades one through six,” Phyllis Schlafly wrote in her article “Is it Assimilation or Invasion?” which was widely circulated among nativist organizations. “The books, written in Spanish and including all academic subjects, teach that America ‘stole’ the southwest from Mexico and that Mexico is entitled to take it back.” 

The books, correctly, point out that the United States reneged in its obligations under the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo which ended the Mexican-American War in 1848 when the U.S. Congress established a commission to review property titles in 1851, designed to expropriate the land of Mexican nationals who were now living in U.S. territory. 

The cultural importance of Spanish was an idea that defined Vicente Fox’s term as president, from 2000 to 2006. Two months before taking office in 2000, speaking before the Congress of the Spanish Language in Madrid, Fox exhorted Mexicans in the United States to speak Spanish. Fox said, “To continue speaking Spanish in the United States is to ‘hacer patria’ (fulfill one’s patriotic duty).” 

They have done just that: the United States has the fastest-growing Spanish-speaking population in the world. Felipe Calderon, Mexico’s new president, has moved forcefully, ordering that Mexican diplomatic missions throughout the United States reach out to America’s failing public schools and assess their educational needs. 

Mexican American folklorist Américo Paredes has called what we are witnessing as “Greater Mexico”—achieved one textbook at a time. While Americans may fret that Johnny Can’t Read, Mexico wants to make sure that Juanito Puede Leer. 

New America Media contributor Louis E. V. Nevaer is author of the forthcoming book, HR and the New Hispanic Workforce (Davies-Black Publishing, March 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.  

A newspaper like ours receives a fair amount of obvious astroturf, to be sure—the Internet makes it easy. But there’s an interesting category in between outright astroturf and genuine organic grassroots political communication. Is there a special name for non-organic produce? Probably not, but if there were, we might use it for some of the letter-writing campaigns we experience, clearly produced with the aid of heavy doses of synthetic fertilizer. 

There are various ways to spot these slightly-faux campaigns. There’s some kind of robotic letter-writing program which is beloved of many worthwhile people with whom we often agree. It produces a flood of one-graf letters to what seems to be a vast list of papers which insist on the two-hundred-word-soundbyte type of communication. But that’s exactly what the Planet doesn’t find terribly interesting: “Dump Bush now! The future of the nation is at stake!” Who around here would argue with that one, but how many column inches do we want to devote to endless repetitions of it? The format is a clue that most of the names attached to these letters are not those of people who actually read this particular paper, though they may have filled out a form with their sentiments for mass delivery.  

And we find out about some of these—ahem—artificially nourished letter-writing efforts because they’re solicited via email trees, and some helpful person on the email list forwards the solicitation to the Planet. Members of the Livable Berkeley lobbying organization, which is run mainly by professional planners looking for a second bite of the political apple, have recently been promoting correspondence on three projects dear to their hearts, the TJ-ville megaplex on University, the North Shattuck Plaza proposal and the Brower Center. It’s not that these letter writers are not sincere fans of what they’re endorsing, but when we see a bunch of letters with roughly similar arguments clearly manufactured from a master template, we do wonder how many we should print in our limited space.  

Another way we know that we’re being targeted is when the letters go to the wrong address. Letters intended for publication in the Berkeley Daily Planet should be addressed to opinion@berkeleydailyplanet.com, as our regular readers know, because the address is printed right here on the opinion pages.  

Over the weekend a bunch of letters from one perspective on the “new anti-Semitism” was sent to my personal email address. It doesn’t bother me from a privacy standpoint since this address is not a secret. But when this happens, we know that some advocacy group is drumming up letters from people who don’t normally read the paper. We just inform the writers that if they’d like their letters published they should send them to the opinion mailbox instead. But how many letters from an obvious campaign like this one should we run in print?  

There are other things going on in the world, and many of our regular local readers have been telling us in not-so-subtle ways that they frankly could care less about this particular controversy. Those who do care are passionate, but those who don’t seem to be pretty disgusted with some of the parties involved. Perhaps we should try to pretend for a while, à la Dr. Pangloss in Candide, that Berkeley is the best of all possible worlds, that ugly disputes which happen in other places don’t exist here.  

One piece of advice we should probably take to heart is to limit publication in our opinion section to letters and commentary about facts and ideas instead of attacks on personalities. Thus, “Jimmy Carter’s new book offers some valuable new information about recent history” or “There’s a mistaken date on page XXX of the Carter book,” not “Fourteen of Jimmy Carter’s former associates have called him an anti-Semite and you’re one too so there.” Or “The Oxford Street affordable housing project will provide safe and attractive homes for XXX families,” not “The people behind the referendum petitions are landlords and crackpots.”  

It is tempting, though, to take a perverse pleasure in allowing some correspondents to expose themselves in print as the idiots they clearly are—but there we go again, doing the same thing we’re criticizing! That’s not going to produce a better world any time soon, though it might make for an entertaining newspaper. 

One of my favorite cartoons of all time—I think it was in the New Yorker—shows a stream of little men in stovepipe hats and knee britches hurtling off a cliff. An observer off to one side says to another, “Flemings…” The message? (Do cartoons have messages?) Even Flemings, the sober inhabitants of Flanders, what is now the northern part of Belgium, pictured in britches in late Gothic and early Renaissance paintings, could be gripped by the kind of mass hysteria that sometimes causes little animals (lemmings) to jump off cliffs during frantic migrations. Never mind the natural historians who say that lemmings have gotten a bad rap in this story, that they’re not committing suicide but just fall by accident—the image is compelling, and it certainly applies to human behavior all too often.  

Searching the Daily Planet archives for the word “lemmings” produces quite a few usages by our correspondents and columnists in the spring of 2002, all referring to the inexorable push toward invading Iraq. The revived Planet started just about the same time as the second Iraq war, and our community of readers and writers at the time wasn’t fooled for even a minute by the claims of WMDs. It’s remarkable that all kinds of important people in Washington and the rest of the country, from Senators down to newsies, were fooled into rushing to support the invasions, lemming-like. 

Recent news from Washington has been better. Congressional Democrats led by Nancy Pelosi, and even a few Republicans, have finally figured out what we in Berkeley have known all along—it’s a phony war started on false pretenses which is leading nowhere. Even the Washington press, notably slow off the dime, is catching on. 

The new critical attitude is spreading to other arenas—Thursday’s news had Sen. Barbara Boxer questioning the bona fides of Bush’s Environmental Protection Agency, which comes as no surprise to many of us around here. 

We’ve asked the same question repeatedly in these pages: why does it take so long for people in power to figure out what those of us on the ground know from the git-go? Why, more often than not, do political leaders and big media join together like lemmings to endorse unwise endeavors which small fry like us have questioned from the start? 

Last week’s announcement of the pact between British Petroleum (now coyly known as BP) and the University of California at Berkeley conjured up new images of lemmings going over cliffs. The press and the pols fell all over each other in their rush to endorse it. BP has been engaged in vigorous greenwashing of its environmentally dubious activities since at least 2002, documented by the Times of London among others, but you’d never know it from the first day stories about the project in major news outlets. 

Four hundred million dollars for commercially controlled research puts a heavy thumb on the UC scale. Many environmental scientists, including those whose opinions appeared in the Planet’s coverage of the story, have serious questions about the long-term sustainability of the kind of biologically-produced fuels which the UC-BP deal promotes. What would happen, for example, if a UC Berkeley researcher wanted to study the global effect of clearing tropical rainforests in order to grow soybeans for auto fuel? Would BP pay for it? 

And how about the close-to-home local-scale environmental effects of building yet another big lab on the Hayward fault in an over-crowded urban area, which is what’s planned to accommodate BP’s needs? Politicians like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Don Perata are such avid cheerleaders for the deal that they’ve offered $30 million more in California tax dollars to add a special structure next to LBL to house it. Tom Bates and Loni Hancock appeared on the platform along with UC and BP at the press conference announcing the pact. 

Political leaders and the press have the responsibility of acting as watchdogs for the public interest, but all too often they act like lemmings instead. Even research scientists are all too often dazzled by large sums into joining endeavors that they ought to be asking a few questions about. UC professors Miguel Altieri and Ignacio Chapela are to be commended for taking a skeptical stance about this one.  

There are many more reasons to worry about the accelerating privatization of the research done at what used to be the best public research institution in the world, even if the outcome of the research is socially desirable. In fact, the outstanding successes predicted in the hype about the deal might turn out to be the worst case of all. Until very recently research results from public universities quickly entered the public domain. What if the true key to unlocking the auto fuel potential in plants is discovered in this project, but Big Oil has patents locking it up for private gain? Are there safeguards against that? 

We’ll be interested to see how long it takes for others in government, the press and academia to start asking some of these hard questions.  

UC CORRUPTION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The recent articles by Judith Scherr, my colleague Miguel Altieri and Eric Holt Gimenez concerning the BP-UC Berkeley agreement were timely excellent analyses of many of the current and future issues associated with the agreement. Yesterday I attended an Energy and Resource Group meeting that was supposed to explain the agreement to interested faculty. Unfortunately it raised more questions than it answered. It was clear that the faculty, other than the few who participated in writing bits of the proposal, and the public had been totally left out of the loop. Furthermore, it was clear that those sent to explain the details of the deal didn’t know them. It was apparent that this was merely another Novartis top down deal with none of the details of the agreement available for review before it is implemented. (I was a member of the College Executive Committee that forced faculty review of the Novartis deal, and I find the parallels of that early agreement to the BP agreement highly disturbing.) What does a brown corporation like BP gain from this agreement, how is the funding to be administered, how are the social science questions raised by Altieri and Holt-Gimenez going to be addressed, and why wasn’t an investigation of say the Brazil experience done? I have seen the Brazil experience develop first hand and can only say it is ecologically not sustainable—we are mining the soil and destroying the forests for short-term gains.  

As one of the pro-proposal attendees said, “…even if it doesn’t work out, it is a lot of money.” Can the agreement be viewed as the shipment of bales of millions to a scientific Iraq—is it corrupting? Maybe UC should enlist the help of Ambassador Paul Bremmer in allocating the money. 

We certainly need new cleaner sources of energy, but we also need to solve our addiction: to cheap energy, to increasing population growth that will always increase demands for resources, to the political hucksterism that promise quick fixes to important economic and environmental problems and, in the case of the BP-UC agreement, to accepting exploitive capitalism as the convenient path. What does BP get out of this deal, is it a permanent marriage with UC? What do the people of California get from it and is this deal in the best interest of the public University of California? 

Andrew Paul Gutierrez 

Professor in Ecosystem Science 

University of California  

• 

SHEEP 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

We cannot rely on the sheep we’ve elected to execute the will of the people to end the war in Iraq. Bush and Cheney won’t stop. We have to stop them. We, the people, must force our newly elected Congress to begin the process of impeaching Vice President Dick Cheney. He has failed to protect and defend the constitution as he swore to. He has consistently and perniciously lied about our reasons for going to war in the first place and now says we can’t leave because if we do things will get worse. He’s a liar and he needs to be held accountable. Bush is merely the pawn, paper work, window dressing used by Cheney as cover for his treason. Cheney would be easier to impeach anyway, he’s an obvious war profiteer and nobody likes him. He has publicly lied many, many times.  

Many of his lies have been caught on tape. Let’s make a movie of his taped interviews and count the lies he’s told. There are several groups calling for his impeachment; we can join them and grow their grassroots “Impeach Cheney” campaign into a movement. Let’s take Howard Zinn’s suggestion to hold “Impeach Cheney” town halls all over the country and screen the movie. We’ll get someone to write a catchy “Impeach Cheney” tune as a soundtrack to the movie. So many of us rely on commercial media for our information, we’d have to saturate as many media markets as we can to get the word out and motivate people to come out in support. 

I know these are dangerous ideas to write, and I believe I may even suffer consequences for speaking my mind. But silence is no longer an option. I implore the people of the United States and its Congress to act! Impeach Cheney now!! 

Joy Moore 

• 

WAR 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Isn’t it time we stopped talking about the situation in Iraq as a war? 

The president and Congress are in a tizzy; everybody has a plan for cleaning up the mess and every plan uses the language and/or imagery of war—“win,” “surge,” “succeed,” “withdraw,” etc. But is war the correct and most useful way to see it?  

To be sure, there is a great deal of killing. It is heartbreaking to see men, women and children by the hundreds getting killed and maimed daily; tragic that some killing is done by our own uniformed soldiers and repugnant and obscene that many more are killed by suicidal young people yearning for paradise.  

In Iraq our soldiers fight an enemy in civilian clothes who possess no military training and operate under shifting and illegitimate chains of command. In Iraq (and Afghanistan) there is nothing resembling a conflict between opposing military forces. It is not war in the ordinary sense. 

War on terror, like war on drugs, war on crime, war on poverty, is war in the metaphorical sense. Also, the “war on terror” is everlasting precisely because acts of terror cannot be prevented by acts of war. Indeed, an act of terror is often a tactic of war. 

What we name a situation has a huge impact on how we deal with it. No one questioned calling 9/11 an act of terror. But was that the correct and must useful way to see it? Was it not a criminal act? And if president Bush had described it as “unprecedented wanton destruction resulting in mass murder” and acted accordingly, would he now be agonizing about what to do in Iraq? 

The people in authority today, the president and Congress, cannot agree because they see the situation in Iraq as something it is not, a war. We, the people who matter because we pay in lives and treasure, see it for what it is, a catastrophe from which we want out. Now! 

Marvin Chachere 

San Pablo 

• 

WHERE IS UNITY? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Headlines says it all: The GOP is thwarting debate on the war. Republican gridlock continues much as it has for six years.  

What happened to President Bush’s call for unity and bipartisanship in Congress? Republicans obviously didn’t hear that or what the American voters had to say in their November referendum: No more escalation of war. 

Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut voted with the Republicans saying, “Its (the resolution’s) passage would compromise America’s security.” Joe, you’ve bought into the Bush administration spin. There is no relationship between Iraq and our security here at home. 

Why do Bush and Republicans continue to think they can bomb their way to Peace? 

Ron Lowe 

Grass Valley 

The recent articles by Judith Scherr, my colleague Miguel Altieri and Eric Holt Gimenez concerning the BP-UC Berkeley agreement were timely excellent analyses of many of the current and future issues associated with the agreement. Yesterday I attended an Energy and Resource Group meeting that was supposed to explain the agreement to interested faculty. Unfortunately it raised more questions than it answered. It was clear that the faculty, other than the few who participated in writing bits of the proposal, and the public had been totally left out of the loop. Furthermore, it was clear that those sent to explain the detail of the deal didn’t know them. It was apparent that this was merely another Novartis top down deal with none of the details of the agreement available for review before it is implemented. (I was a member of the College Executive Committee that forced faculty review of the Novartis deal, and I find the parallels of that early agreement to the BP agreement highly disturbing.) What does a brown corporation like BP gain from this agreement, how is the funding to be administered, how are the social science questions raised by Altieri and Holt-Gimenez going to be addressed, and why wasn’t an investigation of say the Brazil experience done? I have seen the Brazil experience develop first hand and can only say it is ecologically not sustainable—we are mining the soil and destroying the forests for short-term gains.  

As one of the pro-proposal attendees said, “…even if it doesn’t workout, it is a lot of money.” Can the agreement be viewed as the shipment of bales of millions to a scientific Iraq – is it corrupting? Maybe UC should enlist the help of Ambassador Paul Bremmer in allocating the money. 

We certainly need new cleaner sources of energy, but we also need to solve our addiction: to cheap energy, to increasing population growth that will always increase demands for resources, to the political hucksterism that promise quick fixes to important economic and environmental problems and, in the case of the BP-UC agreement, to accepting exploitive capitalism as the convenient path. What does BP get out of this deal, is it a permanent marriage with UC? What do the people of California get from it and is this deal in the best interest of the public University of California? 

Andrew Paul Gutierrez 

Professor in Ecosystem Science 

University of California  

I have been a resident in the North Berkeley neighborhood for 40 years and am in favor of a plaza in the North Shattuck area. I have seen many changes in this area over the years and believe this newest idea is advantageous to the neighborhood. This is an intelligent and innovative community and if we are in favor of this plaza we have what it takes to find solutions to any problems that might arise in the planning. Those of us who are in favor of this concept need to speak up to be heard over the cacophony of the naysayers. I add my voice to the many others who want to see this improvement take place. 

Barbara Lewis 

The letter published in The Daily Planet (Feb. 9), written by Ms. Joanna Graham, contains a gratuitous attack on Rabbi Jane Litman of Congregation Beth El in Berkeley. I am outraged by the vile and irresponsible statements made in the attack. As a resident of Berkeley and as a member of the Beth El community I know Rabbi Litman well and I am inspired by her honesty, devotion to fairness and commitment to this community.  

The letter states that: “She (Rabbi Litman) has connections with the ADL. She conflates criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. And she is not averse to deceptive packaging.” What is wrong with having connections with the ADL? Rabbi Jane does not conflate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. What deceptive packaging is Ms. Graham referring to?  

The “Conference for Progressives Constructively Addressing Anti-Semitism” which was was held in San Francisco on Jan. 28 had many voices, including critics of Israel. The sponsors included several organizations that are highly critical of Israel, including Americans for Peace Now and the New Israel Fund. Prominent critics of Israel such as Rabbi David Cooper were speakers and led workshops.  

Ms. Graham writes that Rabbi Jane Litman’s letter to the Daily Planet never mentioned that a war was taking place in Lebanon and that a war was never mentioned. Of course not. The letter to the Daily Planet, which I signed, was not about war but about anti-Semitism.  

Sanne DeWitt 

Chairman,  

Israel Action Committee of the East Bay (IACEB) 

Condo Insanity 

Every week we hear of a new condo project. And the first we hear about it is as a “done deal.” These projects are not just on abandoned lots or broken-down buildings. They plan to replace beautiful old Victorians or vibrant local businesses; our fantastic nursery, our consignment shop, nonprofit offices, our local printer. Where’s the neighborhood planning? Where’s the local government, the public meetings? There has got to be a way to stop these greedy land sharks from destroying all that is good in our communities. How can virtually every building in downtown Broadway have a “for lease” sign on it, and there is a seven-story condo going up in my little neighborhood? I call on local governments to make a public and democratic process for making these decisions that alter our town so drastically and permanently. 

Douglas Foster 

Oakland 

A recent reassessment of the damage done by the huge 1868 Hayward fault earthquake by Jack Boatwright, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, concluded that it was of magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale, not 6.7 as previously believed. He did this by mapping in meticulous detail the damage that had been done, including damaged homes and structures that had not been previously mapped in the prior risk analysis. Although the difference between 6.7 and 7.0 may not seem very large, it actually amounts to a DOUBLING of the amount of energy released, due to the base-10 logarithmic nature of the Richter scale. There is a predicted 27 percent chance of a big temblor hitting the Hayward fault within the next 25 years—the highest likelihood of a large quake on any Bay Area fault, according to Jim Lienkaemper, a geophysicist at the USGS.  

It is estimated that tens of thousands of homes could be destroyed by an earthquake of such magnitude. Even with seismic upgrade, it is unlikely that any man-made structure directly straddling the Hayward fault line could withstand such an earthquake. This being the case, the regents of UCB would be exposing some 73,000 spectators to grave danger by insisting on keeping the decaying California Memorial Stadium. This is extremely irresponsible. It would be wiser to tear down the aging structure and play the six home games a year at the Oakland Coliseum until a new stadium in a safe, permanent location can be built. A forest of California native live oak, redwood and other trees could be planted on the existing site alongside their older brethren (the specimen 84-year-old trees of the California Memorial Live Oak grove currently adjacent to the stadium). This would provide a lovely continuity of forest from Gayley Road up into Strawberry Canyon for students and residents alike to stroll and meditate in.  

Ronald H. Berman, MD 

I was in Berkeley last weekend. These returns home are always bittersweet: I love Berkeley but live in Portland now. My new home is a fine place as cities go; downtown Portland is alive with possibilities and crowded with people. The Portland formula: Live where you work, and make your place inviting, innovative, interesting—and sustainable. 

Why is it so difficult for the strident critics of the Brower Center, who are circulating petitions to stop this project, to understand how the powerful combination of creative workplace and affordable housing will enliven Berkeley’s downtown? 

My daughter—David Brower’s proud granddaughter—encountered these petitioners shortly after she’d detoured by the parking lot now at Oxford and Kittredge to see where the Brower Center, Berkeley’s challenge to Portland, will rise.  

It upset her a little; it’s hard not to take this personally when Brower is part of your name. But more to the point: the petitioners not only lack vision; they haven’t done their homework. Despite the very tall order mandated by the city (requiring that the project squeeze not only an office-and-public space complex, and almost a hundred family housing units, but also underground parking onto that small lot), the project has lined up funding, prospective tenants, and the support of nearly everyone who’s been paying attention over the last several years of City Council deliberations and public discussion. 

Here is Berkeley’s chance to lead with a LEED platinum building and a lively live-and-work environment. I hope this ill-informed and mean-spirited effort dies quietly. Even though it means I’ll have yet another reason to be sad I don’t live there any more, Berkeley needs the Brower Center and Oxford Plaza. 

Barbara Brower 

What makes Berkeley such a wonderful city in which to live? 

It’s a combination of so many wonderful things, such as its proximity to open space, its climate and its setting between the hills and the S.F.Bay. However, what truly makes a city buzz are the people who inhabit it, and Berkeley, like San Francisco, has a diverse mix of cultures, yet on a smaller and more manageable scale. 

It’s what makes these cities so interesting. People from different parts of the world bring a little bit of their culture with them and that enriches each of our experiences. We can go to Berkeley Bowl and have the choice of 10 or more different kinds of mushrooms, or several different kinds of eggplants, any variety of tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, etc.; the variety is astounding and the population is present here, in this city to take advantage of these choices. We have a range of exciting restaurants and stores to equal S.F. Our city Berkeley, however, is so much “greener” than San Francisco and so pleasant to walk and smell all the fragrances from the variety of plants.  

When I heard about the proposed plan to make a “walking plaza” ie. no cars, on the service road next to Shattuck, between Vine and Rose, I was thrilled at the idea. Who wouldn’t support it, I thought? This will be Berkeley’s “piazza” – the place in so many European, South and Central American cities, where everyone congregates. It is the place that “throbs” with life on the weekends and on holidays. This will be our place where children can play safely, where teenagers can hang out with their friends, a place where the locals can eat their take out food from the Epicurean Garden, or Cheese Board, or The Collective, or Massi’s or any other eatery in the neighborhood, a place where we can hang out with our friends, an area set up already for the Farmer’s Market, without having to close the street, a place for our artists and musicians.  

Who would not want this, I thought? 

Well, there are some loud opposing voices full of prophecies of doom and gloom. There are some valid issues that they raise, but all these issues can be addressed. Please don’t let these negative voices put a stop to a wonderful idea, that I think would revitalize and enhance this neighborhood, an area where I would shop more, eat more and where generally I would love to spend more time. Berkeley, let’s come together to make our city an even better place. 

Robert Brower 

As the never-ending polemic regarding the Middle-east heats up in the Berkeley Daily Planet once again, it’s distressing to see how the pages of our local paper have become a forum for intolerance, racism, ad hominem attacks, and, yes, blatant anti-Semitism. Unfortunately, instead of fulfilling a much-needed role as a bridge for understanding, the editorial pages of the BDP have become a place where divisive, antagonistic, and hostile accusations are hurled about, all too often regardless of either fact or any attempt at mutual understanding. I challenge the editors of this paper to change the unfortunate role the BDP has come to serve in our community, and instead attempt to fill a more positive role than that of a mirror that reflects only the ugliest side of Berkeley’s much-vaunted diversity. There is no magic bullet that will make everyone in this infinitely complex problem see eye to eye, but it is certain that the current editorial free-for-all only contributes to the polarization in our city. It’s time for the BPD to take the lead and stop allowing itself to be a forum for divisiveness, and instead become a forum for building a stronger and more cohesive community. 

Joshua Greenbaum 

There’s been so much spin about the “Brower Center” that I assumed most people in Berkeley had heard about it. Those of us who watch local land use in stunned dismay certainly have. 

While gathering signatures for a referendum of the giveaway of city land, I’m amazed at how few people actually have heard of this project. Even fewer know that it means the Oxford Street parking lot will soon disappear, to be replaced by fewer underground spaces two years hence. And almost no one seems to know that the land is being given away to developers. 

In fact, it’s often difficult to convince people that the City Council is giving valuable land away—they simply cannot figure out why the Council would do something so stupid (their words, not mine). 

I assumed that the local businesses had been carefully informed of the imminent loss of parking for their patrons, but many I’ve talked to hadn’t a clue. Patrons of the parking lot have, for the most part, been unaware—even passing pedestrians I’ve talked to were in the dark. And where’s the big yellow Planning Department sign to warn people what’s coming down the pike?  

One avid proponent of the project asserts that “…it has undergone more public review than probably any housing/office project in recent memory.” Well, perhaps in some dark recess of City Hall where secret deals thrive, but the Berkeley public seems to have been left entirely out of the process. 

No environmental impact report (EIR) was prepared for this project, a travesty of environmentalism given its proximity to Strawberry Creek, which ran down Allston Way in the early days of Berkeley. The land on either side of the original creek is a seismic liquefaction hazard zone. Underground parking a few feet from the creek bed might be a maintenance problem, and this part of the project alone—the underground garage—will revert to city ownership upon completion.  

If an EIR had been performed, those who live or work nearby and the Berkeley community at large would have had the chance to comment on whether they thought this improbable project was a good idea. 

The loss of at least $5,700,000 for the land—and this is a very low estimate of its value—is only the beginning. A report written by Housing Director Stephen Barton for the City Council meeting of December 12, 2006, reveals a history of shoveling city money into the project, including money from the general fund. A million here, a million there —eventually it starts to add up! 

The Barton report says that because construction bids for the project were higher than expected, “value engineering” has been performed—that’s developer-speak for “make it cheaper.” What if the underground parking, for which we will be paying the future repair bills, gets “value engineered” a tad too much? 

I do not think that anyone can read the Barton report in its entirety and still believe that this project is a good idea. The report is available on the City Council’s website for the meeting of that date. 

Another cautionary voice comes from Christine Carr, a member of the City’s Housing Trust Fund Technical Advisory Committee and an expert in affordable housing finance. In a letter to the council dated November 9, 2006, she discussed the amount of money the City is putting into the project: “more than the City has ever expended on a site in the past…. The City’s total commitment is $9.7 million, without cost overruns.” She recommended in the letter that the City Council not move forward with the David Brower Center as currently structured. 

How can citizens be heard when a project needs reconsideration? We have few remedies when our “leaders” run amok. But because the transfer of land was done by an ordinance, the citizens can attempt to “referend” that ordinance. If we can gather 4,073 valid signatures on the referendum petition, it would suspend the land transfer until the voters can decide whether to give their land away. 

It’s no fun gathering signatures, and the disinformation campaign is in full swing. Even if we succeed, the City Council might find some other way to use this site for financial suicide. If the citizens were actually able to reconsider the use of the land, we might decide the lot is just fine as it is. After all, the “greenest” option might be to build nothing at all. 

Gale Garcia is a Berkeley activist. 

There is no need for divisiveness about the North Shattuck Plaza at Shattuck and Vine. We’re going to build anyway, so why should there be rancor about it? There is no need for you to worry about it, talk about it or disturb yourselves. We have already obtained the approval of the City Council for its development. For the good of the community. We got the council’s approval based on your approval. If you don’t remember approving, trust us. You did. Your failure to object loudly will be deemed further approval. 

We are doing what’s best for everyone. The Plaza Development will be parking neutral. Cars will be neutralized. All the present parking spaces will be located in the parking lot to be built on the site of the Farmer’s Market. There will be plenty of parking, except on the day(s) the Farmer’s Market will occupy the lot. And except on days of special events to be held in the parking lot. And except when a fire truck has to drive through the fire lane that is required to go through the parking lot. On those days all parked cars will be towed out of the fire lane. With or without the drivers (who may then be shopping). The Business Improvement District (BID) will pay all towing fees and keep all storage and salvage fees. 

We have worked very hard behind the scene for over six years to develop and enforce this plan because it has everything that is good for urban happiness. It will have “bulb outs” to further reduce parking spaces. Perhaps roundabouts and traffic barriers to further impede undesirable driving. 

We will remove the excess asphalt from the Shattuck Avenue driving roadway and put it on the sidewalk where you will enjoy several more feet of concrete and asphalt on which to stroll. 

So relax and let us improve your neighborhood. If you insist on further disruptive discussion, it should be done in small groups with poster boards on which grown adults can write down their concerns as an exercise in community input and democracy. The BID will pay for hotel rooms and conference rooms in cities of your choice to facilitate these meetings and scribblings so that when you return, the Plaza will have been built and the concrete sidewalks expanded. There shall be a kiosk with old coffee. (Bring your own janitorial services to clean up the cups.) We do recommend that you leave your undesirable cars elsewhere in the city because when you return there will be no place to park them. It is also recommended that you bring a book to read in the lovely concrete Plaza because the book store will then be out of business. Bring a change of clothing because the clothes stores will have left the area. Please eschew Live Oak Park and bring your children to one of the busiest (child friendly) intersections in town. 

So let us all be civil and love each other. Those who refuse to do so will be detained in our Center for the Very Disruptive to be erected in the parking lot. 

NDP, inc. (Non Driving Personages) 

and CAD (Cars Are Dirty) 

and Julie Ross, alleged badgerer 

Julie Ross lives and works near the proposed development.

Sometimes the writings of the far end of the political spectrums, both on the right and on the left, are so bizarre, one is left shaking one’s head in near disbelief. Joanna Graham’s strange conflation of unprovoked personal attacks; justification for and rationalization of what she characterizes as “the rise in anger against Jews” (what I would call anti-Semitism); and cryptic allegations of conspiracies between a local developer, the “Israel lobby machine,” and the rabbis of Congre-gation Beth El is one such example. 

The most substantial issue Graham raises is that there is a “rise in anger against Jews” associated with events in the Middle East. I agree. Recent local examples of this anti-Semitism are the chant “the Jews are our dogs” at a local anti-war rally and a letter in this very paper accusing Jews of responsibility for their own oppression. That’s why I helped organize (Graham is not correct that I alone organized the conference—it was the fruit of many wonderful people’s labor) a conference for progressive people who are looking for ways to constructively address this “anger against Jews” when it appears in progressive circles. 

The conference was a big success, sold out, and if any readers wish more info or help in this matter, I hope they will call me or the local ADL.  

Graham’s portrayal of the conference is not accurate. The topic of the conference wasn’t Israel or its policies, but rather how American Jews, as Graham says, “liberal and anti-war by inclination” can effectively address anti-Semitism in progressive venues without becoming overly fearful or confrontational. It was planned over twelve months in advance and not, as Graham asserts, on schedule the day after UFPJ’s anti-war mobilization. This was a co-incidence, not a conspiracy. The conference was filled with progressives, such as Americans for Peace Now, Jewish Mosaic (an lgbt org.), B’chol Lashon (a Jewish multi-cultural org.), and New Israel Fund. Mark Leno and Kriss Worthington were presenters. Its keynote speaker, Anthony Julius, said in his speech that he did not support the occupation. Graham is wrong that Brit Tzedek was not invited to co-sponsor, and indeed though Brit Tzedek did not co-sponsor, they graciously sent out information about the conference to their membership. I am aware that Jewish Voice for Peace was unhappy with some aspects of their inclusion; however one of their board members was a presenter and their literature was on the main table at the conference, so it can hardly be said they were excluded or censored. The goal of the conference was to include a very wide spectrum of progressive people who are dealing with anti-Semitism so that they can connect with each other and lower feelings of isolation, and communicate strategies of how to successfully deal with anti-Semitism. Interested readers will be pleased to hear that there will be more local programs on this topic. 

Lastly, in response to Graham’s personal attack on me: I have no connection with the ADL except that I think the local ADL is doing very good work in its mission to educate for tolerance and to help people of good will deal with hatefulness; I do not conflate specific criticism of Israeli government policies with anti-Semitism; I am well known for direct communication and not known as a deceptive person. I am not aware of ever having met Ms. Graham, and she is not speaking from reasonable experience in this regard. I have a lifelong history of progressive activism, particularly in feminist, reproductive choice and gay rights circles, and currently serve as the chair of the local Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice (a faith/labor coalition) and as co-chair of the local Progressive Jewish Alliance Rabbinic Advisory Board. I am well used to personal attacks against me from right-wing anti-gay or anti-choice fanatics, and I am deeply saddened to see the same kind of political smearing appear in these pages. 

Rabbi Jane Rachel Litman directs the Beth El Religious School. 

LT. WATADA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Thank you for covering Lt. Watada story. Lt. Watada’s courage and honesty are what I believe in. He gives me hope. I need true heroes. Lt. Watada and Congresswoman Barbara Lee both speak for me. I know my dad, who was a World War II vet, would agree. 

A. May Kandarian 

• 

DENISE BROWN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I feel very fortunate to have known Denise Brown and am deeply saddened by her passing. For the many people in her extended community this is a terrible loss. 

On a more personal note, Ms. Brown was my daughter’s after school theater arts teacher throughout her years at Le Conte Elementary and her classroom teacher in fourth grade. More recently, as my daughter began her first year at Berkeley High I felt confident that Ms. Brown would be there for her if she ever needed to talk to someone she knew and trusted. 

Denise was a remarkable leader whose strength and magnetism quickly brought the community together to help achieve the highest goals she had for the students she tirelessly served. She was wise and caring and always took the time to inquire about how things were going, offering her assistance whenever necessary. 

Thank you, Denise, for all of the support and energy you gave to the many people whose paths were fortunate to have crossed your own. I will miss you and I will always treasure the time I had in your beautiful presence. 

Suzanna Aguayo 

• 

FIRE STATIONS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

For the health and safety of the citizens of Berkeley, the city needs to allocate sufficient funds to keep all the Berkeley fire stations operating full time at all times. Rotating closures endanger the health and safety of Berkeley citizens. The mayor and city council need to allocate the funds to keep our fire stations open and fully staffed. 

Edith Hillinger 

• 

TELEGRAPH AVENUE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Does any sane person out there actually think turning two lanes of Telegraph Avenue over to AC Transit for bus only traffic is a good idea? Regardless of what the studies and impact reports to be commissioned have to say, this is what will happen: 

1. A few more people will ride the bus. 

2. Just as many people will say the hell with Berkeley and go to El Cerrito, Oakland and Emeryville for shopping and entertainment. Of course that migration is nothing new. But it will accelerate. 

3. The vast majority who drive will simply choke up the remaining two single lanes of Telegraph, as well as Shattuck, MLK and Sacramento. Not to mention all the side streets on southside. 

So what is really to be gained? 

Frank Greenspan 

• 

CAMPAIGN SPENDING STORY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I have to take issue with the tone of the article written by Judith Scherr titled “Election Report Highlights City’s Big Spenders” in the Feb. 6-8 edition. The article opens with a summary of election contributions to George Beier’s campaign for the Berkeley City Council last November. The article lists “some of the big spenders donating to the Beier campaign ... include a number of developers who signed up for $250 a pop...” I cannot see how a $250 contribution can be considered as “big spending.” The article then points out that each vote Beier received cost $57.57. With this logic each “big spender” was accountable for less than five votes each in Beier’s losing effort. The remainder of the article summarized the contributions received by the candidates in other districts but the term “big spender” was not used again. However you spin it, it is still spin. 

By the way I very much enjoy the articles written by Joe Eaton, Ron Sullivan and Matt Cantor. 

Art Kapoor 

• 

HARRIET TUBMAN TERRACE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am writing to describe that there is no evacuation procedure or structure for those who cannot access the stairs at Harriet Tubman Terrace. On Monday, Feb. 5, there was a small fire in one of the apartments. The fire personnel tried to get all of the tenants on that floor out of their apartments and into the elevators but before that could happen the elevators locked down and could not be used. 

The fire was quickly contained. We here in the building know that there is no evacuation procedure in place for those tenannts who cannot access the stairs at Harriet Tubman Terrace. Our HUD representative thinks disabled tenants should find other subsidized housing. It’s too expensive to build evacuation structures. Either that, or the management should move them to the first two floors of the building. Not a bad idea but it will never happen. I hope that a major fire never happens. 

Name withheld 

• 

STATE OF RAPTURE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Walking home this afternoon after the exhilarating Wednesday Noon Concert at Hertz Hall, I was in a state of rapture, having just heard a brilliant young pianist, Jared Redmond, in a truly dynamic recital. Call it an exaggeration, if you wish, but I wonder if there’s been a finer performance in any of the world’s great concert halls than today’s superb program. A large, enthusiastic crowd gathered at the stage door to congratulate this virtuoso, who, I’m convinced , is destined to become an internationally famous performer. Reflecting on other memorable programs I had enjoyed in just the past week, I thought how very, very fortunate I am to live within walking distance of UC. Topping off the list of programs was the stimulating conversation between Professor Robert Hass and the artist Bernardo Botero, which launched the exhibit of the haunting paintings of the torture victims at Abu Ghraib. A few days later a young Iraq poet read her verses at the Thursday Noon Poetry Program in the Morrison Room at Doe Library. That same evening, Robert Pinsky , a U.S. Poet Laureate, spoke in Wheeler Hall. At Zellerbach Hall we were treated to flamenco music by guitarist Paco de Lucia. The list goes on and on (i.e., a talk by Robert Reich at Wheeler Hall on Feb. 21). It seems to me I meet myself coming and going to campus to take in all these events. My energy level is running low! Once again, I can only say how grateful I am to the University of California for enriching my life with the wealth of cultural events if offers our community. 

Dorothy Snodgrass 

• 

DECISION MAKING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Your Feb. 6 editorial “Wozniak’s Vote: A Conflict of Interest” got me thinking about the difference between the legal and scientific approach to decision making. In a court case the juror evaluates information that is presented by the attorneys. It is the attorneys’ responsibility to make sure that all the relevant information is presented. You are supposed to know nothing about the case when it starts, and you are explicitly admonished against gathering information on your own. The judge is supposed to make sure that the information that is presented in court is relevant. You are not presumed to be competent to make this determination yourself, although amazingly you are supposedly competent to evaluate the information that is presented to you. At least this is how it has looked to me from my limited jury experiences. 

This passive approach is not what is used in the sciences. The scientist is free to gather information, and determine relevancy. Furthermore, you are expected to hypothesize and form opinions. You are expected to test those hypotheses and opinions, and change them if new information warrants the change. 

The editorial suggests that it is a conflict of interest and unethical for Wozniak to have an opinion on Wright’s garage before the issue is brought to council. From the scientist’s perspective it is irresponsible, and even unethical, not to take an active role in gathering information. A council member is not a juror. I think the city attorney’s ruling on the Landmarks Preservation Commission was a disaster, and I suggest that it would be even worse if applied to the City Council. It would certainly make campaigns interesting if the successful candidates were not allowed to vote on any issues on which they had previously expressed an opinion. 

Disclaimer: I am a scientist and Wozniak’s appointee to the environmental advisory commission. 

Robert Clear 

• 

KITCHEN DEMOCRACY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In your previous edition you attacked our community website www.KitchenDemocracy.org, and tried to frighten our members. You wrote: 

“Several e-mail writers objected vigorously to K-D’s practice of requiring would-be voters to disclose personal information before being allowed to join, and others complained that they’d tried to enroll but their comments never appeared on the site as promised. These complaints weren’t intended for publication in the Planet, so we won’t reprint them here...” 

You also stated: “I’m signed up as a member of K-D’s voting group myself, having long since abandoned any claims to privacy.” 

First, I repeat facts which are on our website, and were easily available to you as you prepared your editorial: 

1) KD is an Internet Forum for civic discourse. Among other things, we tally opinions. We collect name, address and e-mail to prevent vote fraud. 

2) We zealously protect our members’ privacy. Our privacy policy, which can be accessed from a link on every page of our website, clearly states that we do not share contact information. We publish names next to comments only when the writer gives us permission. 

3) To further prevent vote fraud, users need to click on the link we e-mail them in order to verify their comment. A small percentage of members need help doing that, and we have published every comment of every person who asked for that help. 

4) We publish every verified comment which does not contain personal attacks or obscenities: more than 99 percent of verified comments are published as is. For the remaining 1 percent, we contact every author and invite them to revise the offending language. More than half of them do. 

My question for you is this: If your e-mail writers’ complaints weren’t intended for publication, why do you publish them? Why, without any proof, do you write that voting on KD compromises our members’ privacy and that KD does not publish voter comments? Why are you afraid of an all-volunteer organization whose only goal is to help people engage in civic dialog? 

You’ve done a disservice to me and all the other KD volunteers who have tirelessly produced KD as a free public service for almost a year purely out of our dedication to open, civic dialog. You’ve done a disservice to our 1,200 Berkeley members who, despite intimidating reports about privacy on the web, love to be able to learn about Berkeley issues and participate in City Hall deliberations from their own home on their own schedule. 

But most of all, you’ve done a disservice to every Berkeley resident who loves this town as a symbol of what she loves best about America: a place where every person has the right to express her opinion without fear of intimidation or attack. You, as editor of the town newspaper, abrogated your responsibility to protect that tradition when you attacked Kitchen Democracy and tried to frighten its members. You’ve done a disservice to the City of Berkeley. 

Robert Vogel 

Kitchen Democracy 

• 

CELL PHONE TOWERS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

A letter to my friends in the LeConte Neighborhood: 

First let me say that if nothing else had come out of our efforts to prevent this awful intrusion of our corner of town, I felt that this struggle had brought us closer as a neighborhood, and for that I was grateful. However, something did come out of it. Actually, we achieved a lot. 

It certainly is no small feat when a group of individuals, relatively unknowledgeable about law, and certainly not backed by truckloads of money (as is the case with our adversaries), pool their talents and resources to fight and win a battle that at first seems daunting. We did just that, and we should all be very proud of our accomplishments. 

Verizon and Nextel have millions if not billions of dollars backing them; and Patrick Kennedy, too, is certainly not strapped for cash. Yet none of this mattered for one simple reason—our sheer determination. We did not back down. Each and every individual involved showed an amount of courage that made me proud to live in this neighborhood. 

Personally, I don’t put much stock in politics. I look at our collective history as a species and see a legacy of power leading to corruption. I believe in the individual, and his/her potential to change his/herself, eventually influencing others through their actions. Now, and much thanks to you all, I can add another impetus for change to my list—the community. Although global and certainly statewide politics seem in an utter state of dismay, at least now I know that there is the possibility for change on a local level and I am truly inspired by this, so thank you all. 

Chris Restivo  

P.S.: Should Kennedy and his cronies appeal this decision, there is no doubt in my mind we will once again triumph. 

• 

ROUNDABOUTS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Feb. 3 that Berkeley intends to resolve the problem intersection in Berkeley at I-80 and Gilman Street by installing a roundabout there. This will only make that intersection much worse, as drivers slow to figure out how to navigate this misplaced island and what they’re supposed to do.  

Berkeley Public Works officials have a sick infatuation with roundabouts, recently installing them at small residential intersections in large numbers. This has created a potentially grave hazard for bicyclists. These circles are so wide that they force traffic into the sidewalks as they swing wide around the traffic circles, without stopping. Berkeley officials from Mayor Bates and City Manager Kamlarz on down have been totally unresponsive to letters about this! 

Roundabouts are designed to facilitate traffic flow where five or more busy streets come together—and they work very well all over Boston, D.C. and other major cities. The roundabout at Marin Circle is a good example of thoughtful placement of this device. The many new ones at small, residential four-way intersections, create confusion for drivers and hazards for pedestrians and bicyclists. More important, they do nothing to enhance the safety of pedestrians, cyclists or cars. 

Berkeley City Councilmember Linda Maio has championed these things all over town, with a heavy concentration in her district. Maio has been unresponsive to many memos objecting to these things. At one of her few public meetings (two weeks before the election), she denied having seen letters expressing these objections, and has since avoided responding to e-mails, phone calls and attempts at personal discussion. 

At her meeting, when a speaker expressed that there may be some unseemly financial arrangements behind this proliferation of expensive and unnecessary construction projects, Maio was very quick to defend them saying, “Oh no, there could not possibly be any kickback scheme behind these things.” Maio used the word, “kickback” in the conversation without prompting from anyone else. Hmm? Perhaps an investigation is in order. Why have so many of these out-of-place impediments been constructed in the past three years? Which construction company (or companies) are awarded these contracts? And what is their relationship to Mayor Tom Bates and Councilmember Maio? 

As for I-80 and Gilman Street: Replace the stop signs on the two frontage roads with a “smart” traffic signal that can read the traffic volume, and adjust the flow accordingly. A roundabout, without a signal, will only cause worse backups onto the southbound I-80 freeway and eastward on Gilman Street. Perhaps the City of Berkeley can fix this mess, without awarding yet another lucrative and totally unnecessary construction project. 

H. Scott Prosterman 

• 

THE MARTINSVILLE SEVEN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In light of Black History Month, please allow me to share with your readers the story of the largest mass execution for rape in United States history. It is the story of the Martinsville Seven. 

In 1949, in Martinsville Virginia, seven black men were arrested for the rape of a 32-year-old married white woman. Within 30 hours of this rape, all seven men had signed written confessions. Within 11 days, all seven were tried, convicted and sentenced to death by all white juries. Two of these men were tried at the same time. The youngest was only 17 years old at the time of arrest and the oldest 37, with a wife and five beautiful children. 

Two years later, in Feb. of 1951, within a 72-hour period, eight black men were executed in Richmond, Virginia, seven of them for the rape of one white woman. They were the Martinsville Seven. The day before the youngest one died, he said “God knows I didn’t touch that woman and I’ll see ya’ll on the other side.” 

The Supreme Court refused to hear the case. Russia and China sent telegrams to the White House where President Harry Truman refused to grant clemency. Around the world, they became known as the Martinsville Seven, the largest mass execution for rape in U.S. history. 

No white man in Virginia has ever been executed for rape. Finally, in 1977, the Supreme Court ruled that rape could not be punishable by death. The Martinsville Seven case was instrumental in helping change the rape laws that govern this great nation. 

One last thing: Every person I’ve ever interviewed in Martinsville, young and old alike, said that the victim was having an affair with one of the Seven. The true story of the Seven has never been told. 

And for the record, three of the these men were Hairstons, relatives of mine, and I was born and raised in Martinsville. Thanks for listening. 

Pamela A. Hairston 

Washington, D.C. 

• 

MIDDLE EAST 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

One wonders whether Dan Spitzer (Letters, Jan. 30) is intentionally misleading, or merely ignorant, in his flawed attempt to debunk Joseph Lifschutz’s Jan. 23 column. 

For one thing, to use the opinions by the likes of Dennis Ross or Kenneth Stein as “substantiation” is mildly amusing. And to suggest that the “...14 members of the Carter Center’s board who resigned...” is a serious matter without pointing out that it is an advisory board of over 200 members comprised mainly of people who have made donations to the center is intellectually dishonest. 

Spitzer also repeats the tired party line that “...it has been the Palestinian leaders...who have been the primary obstacles...as Dennis Roth (!) has frequently noted...” If Spitzer actually knew what the 2000 Camp David talks called for I doubt that even he would make such a claim. In fact, many leading Israelis have already debunked that claim (See Israeli academic Tanya Reinhart’s seriously documented analysis, for example). 

What is urgently needed is a comprehensive proposal for a solution to this long-standing problem. The only remotely reasonable and workable proposal visible so far was the Geneva Initiative, produced with the help of none other than Jimmy Carter (it was rejected out-of-hand by Sharon while the Palestinians dithered)!  

Rather than continuing to gradually squeeze out the Palestinians, Israel should be the one to make such a proposal. It is urgent because, as David Grossman says, “If you hesitate, we’ll soon be longing for the days when Palestinian terrorism was an amateur affair.” (www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/784034.html) 

Finally, Carter’s use of the term “apartheid” to describe Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian (spare me the Palestinian treatment of women, etc. red herrings) was apt and accurate (many call it worse) and is recognized as such by the vast majority of impartial and intellectually honest leaders in the world, starting from the top: Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. 

In the long run, those who continue encouraging and blindly supporting aggressive hard line Israeli military tactics are the ones who are working for the destruction of Israel. 

S.L. Rennacker 

Ft. Jones, CA 

• 

TRADER JOE’S PROJECT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

On Friday, Feb. 2, I filed an appeal on behalf of Neighbors for a Livable Berkeley Way of the Zoning Adjustments Board’s decision to grant permits to Hudson McDonald for their massive mixed-use project at the corner of University and Martin Luther King Jr. Way.  

Why did we appeal an affordable housing project anchored by a popular supermarket? 

• It is a bad affordable housing project that fails to conform to the letter and spirit of state law. 

• It is 20,000 square feet and 25 units larger than the Zoning Ordinance allows and state law requires. 

• It ignores our Zoning Ordinance development standards for building height and setbacks. 

• Its size and design elements cause significant detriment to the surrounding neighborhood.  

• Its retail tenant will cause traffic and parking chaos in an already congested area, impacts far beyond those foreseen by a deeply flawed transportation study. 

• It sets a dangerous precedent for the city by granting density bonus units reserved by state law for affordable housing to subsidize a commercial use, here for Trader Joe’s parking lot, in the next project for any commercial use an applicant may propose and the ZAB determines that the city needs or wants. 

The appeal is available (with and without attachments) on the PlanBerkeley website: www.planberkeley.org/1885ua_files/1885ProjHmPage.html. 

We recognize that many of you are tired of hearing about this project and simply want to move on, however the project as it stands is so detrimental and blatantly illegal we believe as a neighborhood that we must pursue all legal means to preserve the livability of our city and neighborhood. What can you do to promptly correct the problems with this project and its approval process? 

Add your name on a letter (e-mail to swollmer@pcmagic.net) supporting our appeal to the Berkeley City Council requesting an open and fair hearing on the project, and subsequent to the hearing exercise its right and duty to minimize the project’s detriment to the citizens of Berkeley and the neighbors of the project. 

Stephen Wollmer 

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series of columns submitted in response to the Daily Planet’s call for tributes to Molly Ivins. 

It can be depressing to be politically progressive, and because she took my depression away from me more than once I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Molly Ivins. Her spirit, and that of Ann Richards, was a reason I felt comfortable moving to Texas in the last year. It has been a hard year.  

Austin is a place where peace is taken seriously. My wife’s and my neighbors, in our otherwise nondescript new development, put up Christmas decorations in December, including a lighted “Peace” sign on their fence. When the season ended, the home’s other decorations came down but the “Peace” sign stayed. In point of fact, it is not difficult to find peace symbols and signs throughout Austin. You’re free to believe that such displays have no effect on the world, just as you’re free to believe that the current resident of the White House is one of the best presidents we’ve ever had.  

The war Ms. Ivins had taken it upon herself to help end is not good. Not only are thousands dead, tens of thousands maimed, and billions misspent—but the whole enterprise is a geopolitical debt in my country’s name that will be difficult, if possible at all, to repay. Bush took one of the most brutal countries on earth, Iraq, and made it more so. He took one of the most complex and troubled regions on earth, the Persian Gulf, and made it more so. And, not incidentally, he avoided required service by American presidents to monitor and work to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the consequences of his dereliction in Jerusalem may one day rival his more obvious misdoings in other parts of the Middle East.  

Over the last couple of days, U.S. and Iraqi forces, fighting side by side, engaged in one of the more ferocious battles of the war. Their opponent was a “death cult” comprised of several hundred Shiite fanatics bent on wiping out the mainstream Shiite leadership during a religious holiday. I only mention it because I want to draw attention to how unlikely it is that our commander-in-chief understands what underlay this battle or, at least, that he would be willing to acknowledge understanding the reality on the ground. To wit, the fight, in which three hundred of the death-cultists perished, is just a single wrinkle in the hideous tapestry of religious fanaticism and vengeance that the United States has helped to uncover, and in some places weave.  

But despite many similar instances of internecine havoc, Bush has chosen to pretend that al Qaeda was the greatest threat to stability and peace in Iraq, and that the far more copious bloodletting achieved by other actors was somehow not real. The reason? Because the name al Qaeda, connected to Sept. 11 as it is, helps to resell and rejustify our own bloodletting in Iraq, of our own boys and girls, and anyone else’s boys and girls.  

The “decider” managed to put al Qaeda in a country where it wasn’t and then to keep repeating its name, almost religiously. He may have hoped to confuse his less-educated countrymen about what more potent evil had been unleashed in his own name in Iraq, and, for a time, he may have succeeded. But there are fewer and fewer people of any educational level willing to buy such malodorous waste. 

Molly Ivins didn’t get to see the end of the Iraq war; she would have taken deep satisfaction in seeing that day come. She would also have been happy to know that her brothers and sisters in peace were fighting to prevent the beginning of the Iran war. Dick Cheney, our vice-president only in name, is working hard on expanding the madness eastward, which means that his putative boss is working hard on it, too. 

Harold Ambler is an Austin-based writer, editor, and musician. He kept a year-long blog about his baby daughter, which can be found at http://dadwrites.blogspot.com. 

In her Jan. 30 article, “ZAB Rejects Cell Phone Antennas on UC Storage,” Riya Bhattacharjee writes:  

“Applicants Verizon Wireless and Nextel Communications argued at the meeting that the need for cell phone towers had stemmed from complaints of South Berkeley residents about dropped calls and poor reception. Several Verizon Wireless employees as well as customers testified about poor cell phone service in the area and urged the board to approve the use permit.”  

A fuller account may help readers understand this meeting’s importance. First, neither our neighborhood group, the Le Conte Neighborhood Association, nor even the neighbors within 100 of the proposed project, ever received any city or developer notice of the project. On May 25, 2006, the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) by a vote of 8-0-1 (Abtain: Shumer) voted to allow the installation of 17 new cell phone antennas at 2721 Shattuck Ave. In September the City Council sent the matter back to ZAB for review. Thankfully, a handful of our neighbors had gotten wind of developer Patrick Kennedy’s, Nextel’s, and Verizon’s plans and managed to stall a second ZAB decision until Jan. 25 This delay allowed our neighborhood time to organize, conduct research, and get out the word. According to the ZAB minutes, 167 people were in attendance at the Jan. 25 meeting. This turnout far exceeded the ZAB’s highest attendance in the past 12 months. 

Shortly before the Jan. 25 meeting our newly formed group, Berkeley Neighborhood Antenna-Free Union (BNAFU), presented the ZAB with a City Planning Department map of Berkeley which lists all cell phone antenna locations in the city. The map indicates that South Berkeley already has 15 separate antenna locations, 12 of which are located in our part of town. North Berkeley has two locations, while the Berkeley Hills have none. South and Central Berkeley, supposedly suffering from poor cell phone service, have seven times the number of locations that North Berkeley has.  

At the January meeting, the developer, cell phone company reps, and a corporate attorney presented their case. Then a dozen Nextel/Verizon managers/employees and sincere-sounding Nextel/Verizon customers also pleaded for improved cell phone service. One manager was from the Emeryville Nextel store, which I had contacted a few hours before the meeting. I spoke shortly after he did and conveyed the following information: That afternoon I not only had called the Berkeley Nextel and Verizon stores, but the Emeryville Nextel Store, as well, to inquire about the quality of service in the proposed coverage area. I spoke to one store manager and three employees at these stores. All of them looked on their store computers at a color-coded map of the area. They told me that our area was receiving their number one, highest rating for excellent phone service. They stated that their own Nextel and Verizon phones provided excellent service and reception in Central and South Berkeley. One remembered a few complaints about poor service, but every one of these had been resolved with a free software upgrade. Two employees mentioned that the North Berkeley Hills and Claremont Hotel had received less than excellent ratings due either to no service available or dropped calls. Why don’t the suffering Berkeley Hills residents get together and demand that at least a few antenna towers be placed in their neighborhoods?  

Finally, our neighbors testified that they had no problems with their cell phone service. Many also expressed deep concerns about the health risks of radio frequency (RF) radiation emanating from these antennas, even though it is illegal for cities to use RF radiation as a reason for denying a use permit, as long as it is within FCC “safe” limits. This policy is part of the Federal Telecommunications Act, pushed through Congress in 1996 by the telecommunications industry.  

How can we ever understand and resolve our health concerns, if, during our city’s decision-making discussions, we can’t even consider the risks to our heath without the fear of being successfully sued in court by the cell phone industry? The FCC established what they consider safe emissions levels from antennas. Even the EPA thinks these are too low to be safe. Why would we need emission limits in the first place if there is no danger? The applicants were actually considering erecting a huge wall in order to separate their antennas from a proposed five-story condominium development next door in order to reduce 24/7 radiation exposure from the current project. Why would they need a wall if emissions do not present a health risk?  

As the meeting continued, one resident after another from our part of town spoke about their satisfaction with their current cell phone service and about what they had learned of antenna dangers (The King Early Childhood Center, serving 85 3- to 6-year-olds, is located 800 feet from the proposed site). ZAB members listened. Just before midnight, the ZAB overturned their May decision and voted 6-3 to reject the argument of need made by Verizon/Nextel spokesmen, attorneys, employees, and recruited customers. Members Allen, Doran, and Judd opposed the majority and supported the antenna installation. 

This victory represented one of those sweet moments, when the power of the people overcomes developer and corporate domination and manipulation. Stay tuned. The next round may see Kennedy, Verizon, and Nextel appeal the ZAB decision to the Berkeley City Council. You can purchase a taped copy of the meeting at the downtown Berkeley ZAB office, where cell phone reception is great. For more information about BNAFU, e-mail: jllib2@aol.com. 

Michael Barglow is a Berkeley resident. 

Matthew Taylor’s recent op-ed blaming Israel for just about everything is filled with every manner of distortion, falsehood, reliance on dubious and partisan sources, and a very selective reading of history. Here are just a few examples: 

“Sharon was a fervent supporter of Israel’s illegal colonies during his entire career.” Sharon, the hawk, indeed was a key driver of the settlement movement throughout much of his career, but certainly not for his “entire” career. In 1982, Sharon personally oversaw the dismantling of the large Sinai settlement of Yamit when this became a necessary precursor to a peace deal with Egypt. This foreshadowed his most recent action when he ordered and oversaw the complete uprooting and eradication of each and every Jewish settlement in Gaza, making Gaza judenrein. Sharon then founded a new political party, Kadima, which swept the Israeli elections on the promise that it would similarly uproot Jewish settlements on the West Bank. That promise has not yet been fulfilled largely because the Israeli public has now been twice burned, and has every reason to be triply cautious when it comes to unilaterally abandoning its positions. In exchange for its unilateral withdrawal from Southern Lebanon, carried out by then prime minister, Ehud Barak, Israel had to look on helplessly at the steady buildup of Hizbollah on its border. In response to its complete withdrawal from Gaza, Israel has withered under a ceaseless missile bombardment of its nearby town, Sderot, and surrounding villages. Taylor mentions none of these inconvenient truths. 

“Gaza is now the world’s largest open-air prison.” Gaza has three borders. One with Israel, the second with Egypt, and the third with the open sea. I fail to see how that makes it a prison. Goods flow in both directions over all borders. Is there a border fence between Israel and Gaza? Sure. I recently crossed the U.S./Mexican border at Tijuana and saw a high fence there also. And the Mexicans aren’t even lobbing missiles into San Diego, or attempting to send suicide bombers across the border. 

“Hamas appears inclined to recognize Israel in exchange for a full withdrawal to the 1967 borders.” Really? Hamas has never said anything of the sort. True there have been some transparent efforts to massage the subject linguistically, when one or another Hamas official says in effect that “Israel exists as a fact.” But Hamas has always meant this in the same way that one would say that AIDS or malaria exist as a fact. Exist, yes, but only until the day of their eradication. 

Israel has built roads on the West Bank that are only open to settlers, as Taylor says. But Taylor conveniently neglects to mention that those roads were only built in response to the intifada, since Israelis were routinely shot dead while traveling on roads shared with Palestinians. This is the far left’s shabby definition of apartheid: kill Israelis, then accuse them of apartheid when they put up a defensive shield to prevent more killing. I would suggest that it is the Palestinians who are practicing apartheid when they insist that not one Jew shall be permitted to live amongst them. And Christians aren’t much welcome either. Just ask your local Palestinian grocers whether they are Christian or Muslim. I’ll bet they’re Christian Arabs. Then have a real heart to heart with them about just why it is they have come to America. Dig a bit deeper than the usual anti-Israel slogans. Or, better yet, visit Bethlehem or other towns or villages in Palestine that until recently were majority Christian Arab. They are almost all majority Muslim now, the Christian inhabitants having fled for their lives since the advent of Palestinian self-rule under the PA and that flight has accelerated now that they have come under the rule of Hamas.  

There has been much talk of recent about the “new anti-Semitism,” as evidenced by mono-maniacal condemnation of every manner of imagined or real Israeli misbehavior. I have seen the arguments back and forth, and think that much of it misses an essential point. As a lot, the DP’s many anti-Israel contributors are not anti-Semities, they are racists. DP editor, Becky O’Malley, expressed this best when she once told me that she doesn’t hate Israel, but rather expects more of Jews. Let’s follow this reasoning to its conclusion. When the far left relentlessly condemns Israel, while almost completely ignoring Arab behavior, they are in effect saying that while they expect human perfection from Israelis, they expect nothing whatsoever that might resemble even minimally acceptable human behavior from their little brown brothers, the Arabs. Are they not in effect arguing that Arabs are barbarians and animals from which so little can be expected that to even bother writing articles in the DP about the Arab slaughter of blacks in Darfur, the Sunni/Shiite Civil War, the Palestinian Civil War, the murder of homosexuals, the “honor killing” of women, suicide bombings, al Qaeda, Middle East kleptocracies, Middle East theocracies, and so forth and so on, would be pointless. While I am left unsure whether Berkeley’s far left is classically anti-Semitic, I am increasingly sure that their sub-human expectations of Arabs amounts to blatant racism. 

John Gertz is a Berkeley resident.

Since, with respect to Mideast policy, the United States and Israel are inseparable, it is not surprising that, with the disastrous collapse of the Iraq project, for the first time in a long time criticism of Israel’s policies is being heard in this country. Not only political realists like James Baker, Jimmy Carter, and professors Mearsheimer and Walt, but also the anti-war left have been almost forced, despite their reluctance, into looking anew at the occupation of Palestine. Many American Jews, liberal and anti-war by inclination, have been experiencing some discomfort from this turn of events. This discomfort has been deliberately aggravated by a Zionist campaign, mounted for several years now both here and in Europe, to convince Jews that they are experiencing a huge new wave of anti-Semitism, coming, against all expectations, from the left. 

Right on schedule, therefore, on Jan. 28, the day after UFPJ’s mass anti-war mobilization, a conference called “Finding our Voice: The Conference for Progressives Constructively Addressing Anti-Semitism” was held in San Francisco. No actually progressive—and anti-occupation—Jewish organizations, such as Jewish Voice for Peace, Tikkun, and Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, were invited as either co-sponsors or presenters, although BlueStarPR, an aggressive promoter of Israeli interests, was. Curious, the excluded eventually outed the anonymous conference organizer as the Anti-Defamation League. 

I bring this esoteric subject to the attention of Daily Planet readers because of one interesting local connection. The person who put the conference together was Rabbi Jane Litman of Congregration Beth El. Thus we learn three useful things about Rabbi Litman. She has connections with the ADL. She conflates criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. And she is not averse to deceptive packaging. 

In light of this information, let’s look back at the Daily Planet’s “anti-Semitism” controversy of last summer. On August 8, the Planet published Kuresh Arianpour’s eloquent, angry, and distressed op-ed which was, unfortunately, marred by a number of false statements about Jews. Subsequently, a woman identifying herself only as “Tami from the ADL” called Becky O’Malley and asked for a meeting about the piece. O’Malley told her she thought it would be a waste of time. Finally, on Aug. 22, O’Malley published two group letters condemning anti-Semitism in the Planet. 

One letter, signed by a number of prominent Bay Area politicians, was “forwarded to the Planet” by Rabbi Ferenc Raj of Congregration Beth El. The other, signed by twenty-three representatives of 16 organizations and claiming to speak “on behalf of the Berkeley Jewish community,” claimed that “we” requested a meeting with O’Malley and were denied. O’Malley has asserted since that she was never contacted by anyone except the ADL rep; further, that none of the signatories has ever replied to her subsequent offer to meet. 

Despite the claim to represent “the Berkeley Jewish community”—a phrase which readers might assume to mean “all Jews residing in Berkeley”—in fact nine of the undersigned organizations represented in whole or in large part the interests of the state of Israel. A few of the signatories could be readily so identified: New Israel Fund, Israel Action Committee of the East Bay, and Bridges to Israel; Many others, such as the ADL, the American Jewish Committee, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and Hillel, function mainly, though not exclusively, as part of the huge Israel lobby machine, as do the regional Jewish community federations. Thus, if one means “Jewish” in any commonly understood sense of that term, rather than “Zionist,” on the list of signatories you were pretty much down to the synagogues. But were the synagogues representing the “Jewish community”? 

O’Malley speculated at the time of the controversy that there might have been extraneous reasons for the ferocity of the attack on the Planet—which includes, by the way, a still-ongoing boycott. For one, Julie Kennedy, president of Congregration Beth El and one of the undersigned of the Aug. 22 letter, is the wife of developer Patrick Kennedy, whose projects the Planet often opposes. I am not forgetting the great Beth El parking controversy which produced many passionate letters pro and con, some of which leveled the charge of anti-Semitism. Both of these issues change “Jewish” as in that resonant phrase “the Jewish community of Berkeley” to the perfectly local, secular, and political interests of Congregation Beth El, or members thereof. 

But finally, the Berkeley Daily Planet has been unique among Bay Area newspapers and, I would guess, American newspapers, in assuming that Israel, like any other topic, may be discussed. As soon as I had read, and published, letters in the Planet critical of Israel and the Lobby, I knew that sooner or later a boycott would be in place. What I couldn’t know was what incident would finally set it off. 

Which brings me back to Jane Litman and the ADL conference. What is shockingly noticeable about the accusatory letters now, six months after the fact, is what they leave out. Arianpour’s letter was, of course, a response to Israel’s war on Lebanon—as was the tragic attack on the Jewish federation in Seattle, mentioned in the Litman et al letter. Yet you cannot tell from reading it (or the one forwarded by Rabbi Raj, or Kris Worthington’s, published in the same issue) that a war was taking place, since the war is never mentioned. The context for the rise in anger against Jews has been carefully excised, so that the “anti-Semitism” under scrutiny appears to be still another instance of eternal hatred, not a rough-and-tumble response to Israel’s brutal attack. As we all rushed in the ensuing weeks to decry racism or defend free speech, why did we not notice that the topic of discussion had been neatly flipped from Israel’s war to the Planet’s anti-Semitism, from Jews as perpetrators to Jews as victims? 

Joanna Graham is a Berkeley resident.

Molly Ivins would just love this story: her fellow Texan and journalist, PBS’ Jim Lehrer, reported on the NewsHour that billions are missing in funds allocated for Iraq reconstruction. According to inspector general Stuart Bowen, one item among the rabbit holes this money fell into was one leading straight to—get this—an Olympic-sized swimming pool in Baghdad. I can’t figure out if Baghdad is the Emerald City, Wonderland, or a WETA creation. 

How the hell can an Olympic-sized swimming pool be built in Iraq, while New Orleans has to wait for a rebuilt sewer system? Easy! Congress rubber-stamps the money for Dick Cheney’s pals at Halliburton et al., but doesn’t demand accountability. But then again, on further reflection, that big a pool could be a good thing. After all, the plumbing job in one rebuilt police station near Sadr City is so bad that raw sewage runs out of the pipes and onto the floors. You’ve got to have someplace for the new policemen to take a bath. Bowen says he’s got fifty-five inspectors on the ground to go after the fraudsters, but that sounds like an awfully small contingent. Why can’t he have more auditors? 

The new equivalent to our FBI which was put into place in Iraq is failing to pursue corruption cases because they are absolutely overwhelmed. There’s simply so much of it that they don’t even know where to start, and who to go after first. 

All of the infrastructure projects have suffered from continued hits by the insurgents. What’s the use of building electrical substations when they’re just going to be blown up? Baghdad still can’t get more than six hours worth of electricity per day. And we’ve spent billions on rebuilding Iraq? New Orleans and the entire northern Gulf Coast would LOVE to have half of what we spent in Iraq.  

If we’d poured even half this much money into New Orleans, all the displaced could go home—to freshly remodeled or rebuilt houses and apartments. They could have had a jobs program, brand-new schools with brand-new textbooks and properly paid teachers. The hospitals could have been back up and functioning far faster they were. They could have had a real mass transit system. The police, fire and EMT departments could be fully re-equipped, with new state-of-the-art facilities, a new academy, and full mental health benefits to help these embattled professionals (many of whom suffer PTSD from the immediate aftermath of Katrina) regain their inner balance and be more effective at their jobs. 

Every resident of the city could have had post-disaster therapy, and maybe, just maybe that would have forestalled the astronomical rise in the New Orleans suicide rate. And even more important than all that—New Orleans could, right now, be seeing a brand-new levee system taking shape, one that even the Dutch would find impressive. 

But for me the most important reason for getting out is the thousands of service members—soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines—who are trapped in the middle of a civil war by the terms of their service. What are the odds that they will get the help they need after this is all over? 

I went to the march around the Capitol on Jan. 27. I live in Pennsylvania, close enough to drive to the westernmost Metro station, ride in and then go home the same day. I wound up sitting near a young couple from New York City. The husband, who looked to be about my niece’s age, was wearing a gray T-shirt emblazoned with the legend ARMY. He told me he had served in Afghanistan, and then Iraq twice, in the 82nd Airborne. He didn’t have a problem with his service in Afghanistan, but he was so horrified by what he saw in Iraq that he left the Army. He was wounded physically, and suffers from PTSD. He’s not getting his group therapy from the VA, but from a civilian group. His sign read: “I went to Iraq and all I got was PTSD.”  

That this young man could go to Mr. Bush’s war of revenge and not receive the care he needs from the government that sent him into that hell enrages me to the point of bitter laughter. Neither he nor his comrades-in-arms nor the embattled and exiled New Orleanians matter a damn to this administration. But their lives are not expendable, and if Messrs. Bush and Cheney just can’t get it, then Congress should just show them the door and make them head on down the road. And then Congress and a new president (dare I say President Pelosi?) should bring home our troops and make New Orleans livable again.

After Ralph died, I went to Scottsdale, Manhattan, Atlantic City, and Las Vegas (twice). I painted walls and furniture in my house, cleaned closets, and returned the downstairs furniture upstairs and the upstairs furniture to its rightful place downstairs. I perused farmers markets and street fairs, attended readings and spoken-word events. I took my niece and nephew to parks, museums, and Berkeley’s Iceland. I watched them perform wobbly somersaults at Head Over Heels and throw themselves, joyfully, into the plastic ball pit at the Emeryville Public Market.  

On New Year’s Day I drove over the Bay Bridge and met my friend Katie at the Dolphin Club. Together we jumped into the San Francisco Bay. Katie swam to the end of the pier and back. I waited for her on the deserted beach and made a firm resolution not to repeat this particular activity again.  

I visited Jernee’s school several times and met with her teachers and the principal. I fixed my bicycle so I could pedal to the Berkeley Bowl, purchased new climbing equipment because mine was outdated, looked for my rollerblades in the garage, but couldn’t find them. I went to Karim Cyclery on Telegraph Avenue and bought a used pair, then skated down to Eastshore State Park, and bladed over to Richmond. On every bump my teeth rattled and my knees vibrated. I went home and got into bed, then got up the next morning and tried it again.  

My friend Sue convinced me that an Afro Rhythm and Drum class could change my life, so I signed up for ten sessions at a studio on Ninth Street. Once a week I skip around a huge drum, slapping, thumping, and shouting Oh Yeah and Unh Ahh in harmony with my fellow dancers. 

But I still think about Ralph everyday, often at unexpected, odd times. Caught off guard, I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and wait for the moment to pass.  

I went to the San Francisco Ballet, (Program 2), the Julia Morgan Center, (Word for Word’s Strangers We Know), and the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, (Joe Turner’s Come and Gone). At the Paramount I saw the Oakland East Bay Symphony perform Black Suit Blues, the “Prelude” and “Liebestod” from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, and Schubert’s Symphony Number 9 in C Major. I recently saw The Tubes sing at The Independent, but I wouldn’t recommend it. 

One Sunday I sat on a folding chair at the East Bay Church of Religious Science and listened to a service that involved fish, bread, miracles, and resurrection. I was encouraged to forgive and love myself, which I did.  

I bike to Ironworks fitness center and take classes in abdominal conditioning, core strengthening, sports training, palates and yoga (Hatha Flow, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Iyengar, and Power). I plant bulbs, pull weeds, meet friends for coffee, lunch, and dinner. I swim hundreds of laps at Temescal Pool, hike up and down Claremont Canyon, think about getting a job, a pet, and a new attitude.  

I’ve experimented with different forms of meditation, prescription drugs, and deep breathing exercises.  

I’ve baked cookies and muffins, cupcakes and brownies. I’ve mended holes in socks and reattached buttons. I’ve pruned back the bushes and vines, sharpened the scissors and knives, changed light bulbs, and replaced the rubber washer inside the leaky kitchen faucet.  

But the house still feels cold and empty, despite filling it with music, flowers, friends, and a rebellious teenager. 

“Give it time,” advise relatives, the Yoga teachers, and the preacher at the East Bay Church of Religious Science. “Take another walk, attend another class, breathe deeply, stretch fully, stand up straight, roller blade carefully, pedal mindfully, beat the drum softly.” And so I do.  

Talk about your misperceptions: for years, I thought the California towhees in my yard were having boundary issues. Two towhees would fly toward each other, one or both uttering a loud squealing call that was nothing like their normal “chip” or “tsip.” It sure sounded like fighting words. The towhees would appear to confront each other with fluffed-out feathers. Then they’d break off and go back to scuffling through the leaf litter for bugs. 

But it turns out this was not an exchange of invective but a duet performed by a mated pair: the towhee equivalent of “Oh June, I’m home!” “In here, Ward!” The California towhee and its close relatives, the Abert’s towhee and canyon towhee, are among the few known duetting North American birds (others include the wrentit, pygmy nuthatch, and northern cardinal.) 

If you have an older field guide, you may still think of this bird as the brown towhee. That name was discarded in the 1990s when biologists discovered that the two populations included in the species—one coastal, one interior—were not each other’s closest relatives. Coastal brown towhees became California towhees; interior ones, canyon towhees. The two forms look different, behave differently, don’t hybridize, and in short seem to be distinct species (except for that odd population in southern Baja California; but let’s not get started on that). 

Anyway, North America is poor in duetting birds, compared with the New World tropics, Africa, and Australia. Some of the tropical duetters’ performances are remarkable exercises in vocal coordination, sounding like a single bird’s performance. Our towhees don’t carry it that far: their squeal duets overlap rather than synchronize. 

Just why birds do this has been a matter of some debate. UC-Berkeley graduate student Lauryn Benedict, whose dissertation work involves California towhee vocalizations, says there are a number of competing hypotheses. Duets used to be explained as a way of reinforcing the pair bond: “making the mate happy.” But a less anthropomorphic view would look at the costs and benefits of the behavior for each member of the pair. 

What we know, thanks to earlier studies by Charles Quaintance and Joe T. Marshall, Jr., is that California towhees are sedentary birds that appear to pair for life. Benedict says several of the pairs she observes at UC’s Hastings Reservation in the Carmel Valley have been together for the length of her five-year study. Their vocalizations have been well documented, although it’s still not clear whether they’re learned, as in Luis Baptista’s famous white-crowned sparrows, or innate. 

In some other birds, song duets have been interpreted as mate surveillance—the male making sure of his mate’s whereabouts at all times, so she can’t get together with any rivals who may be lurking around the territory. If this works, the male would not wind up helping rear nestlings sired by someone else. “All the other duetting species that have had their genetics done have been genetically monogamous as well as socially monogamous,” Benedict says. Her data on towhee genetics are awaiting publication, so she couldn’t discuss her findings. 

The California towhee’s regular “chip” seems to function effectively enough as a contact/location call, though. A couple of years back a towhee got into our house through the open back door. It flew from room to room as if looking for an exit, chipping all the while. Meanwhile a second towhee, presumably the mate of the first, was chipping outside. The inside bird appeared to follow the outside bird’s chips into the bathroom and out the window into the plum tree where its partner had been calling. 

Or what seems like cooperative behavior may really reflect a conflict between mates. “Maybe,” says Benedict, “the female sings and then the male sings on top of her song to signal that she already has a mate.” But the squeal duet is very different from the male towhee’s mate-attracting song, which is basically a sequence of chips. (He sings until he finds a mate, then shuts up for the rest of the season. Instead of territorial song, he makes a pre-dawn circuit of the perimeter of his domain, chipping away. Territorial males will also attack their reflections in windows, hubcaps, or bumpers.) 

Duets may also signal the strength of a towhee’s commitment to its mate, or its general health and fitness—although the latter seems less likely for towhees then for the part-singing tropical birds. They may be a way for mates to coordinate their behavior: feeding their chicks or defending their territory. In territorial conflicts, two duetting birds can produce a stronger signal than one (and duets sometimes occur during clashes between neighboring pairs). 

“When they duet, they always approach each other,” Benedict continues. “They do seem to be signaling something to each other.” 

When her articles, now under review by The Auk and other journals, see print, we’ll have a better idea of what it’s all about. Stay tuned! 

Photograph by Ron Story. 

A California towhee, the bird formerly known as the brown towhee.

Let us begin this week’s discussion with the question where we ended a previous column: “So what actually happened at the Paramount, and how did the allegations of anti-Latino racism get blown up by some into the defining moment of that event?” 

If you missed the Paramount controversy, it concerned reports of anti-Latino slurs amongst the booing that took place in the audience following the re-election of Councilmember Ignacio De La Fuente as president of the Oakland City Council during the Jan. 8 Citywide Inaugural Event. While the booing was immediately reported, it wasn’t until several days following the event itself that reports on anti-Latino slurs accompanying that booing began dominating media coverage of the inauguration. 

Analyzing news reports that came out both immediately after the Paramount inauguration and afterwards, conversations with several people who attended, and various email exchanges, with readers and officials, the conclusion is that, yes, some openly anti-Latino slurs were made during the booing. These anti-Latino slurs were apparently only made by a handful of people, at the most, and were not heard by most people who attended the event including most, if not all, of the reporters and media representatives who were covering it. 

Emails from two City Councilmembers who were on different sides of the Council President issue give a clearer picture of what took place that day. 

“I have been asking people the same question because I didn't hear racial slurs either from the stage,” Councilmember Nancy Nadel wrote. “However, one of my staffmembers, Marisa Arrona, heard someone say ‘go back where you came from.’” 

And from Councilmember Jean Quan: “My two staff who are Latina and the several Asian guests heard anti-immigrant comments ranging from making fun of his accent to ‘go back to where you came from’ to more nationalist ‘black is back.’ On stage I only heard booing but when we held staff meeting the next day they were very teary and upset. My two white staff members confirm their statements. It made me very upset. When I left the theater one of the Latino news reporters was very upset and asked me what I thought. I didn't know what he was talking about.” 

But while this begins to give us a clearer picture of what actually happened at the Paramount, it does not explain how or why reports of the anti-Latino slurs came eventually to dominate the coverage of the inaugural, as if that was the major thing that happened rather than something which was both precipitated and witnessed by a few. 

For that, we need to examine a timeline of the media coverage itself. 

In a letter published in both the Daily Planet and the online Grand Lake Guardian following my first column on this subject, Jim Puskar, Business Manager of the Jack London Acquatic Center, expressed skepticism that I would actually be looking into whether anti-Latino slurs were made, and that reports of the slurs in the Oakland Tribune and the San Francisco Chronicle ought to be enough to confirm them. 

“While I applaud J. Douglas Allen-Taylor’s insistence in ‘tracking down what actually happened...’ at the mayoral inauguration ceremonies, I can’t help but suspect that he is more interested in disproving the reports of bad conduct toward Mr. de la Fuente,” Mr. Puskar writes. “I read accounts of this behavior in both the San Francisco Chronicle and the Oakland Tribune, both of which I consider to be responsible newspapers. In fact, one of the most vociferous critics of the behavior was offered by Chip Johnson, an African-American columnist in the Chronicle.” 

And later, after I queried Mr. Puskar in the Grand Lake Guardian why he believed I was “more interested in disproving the reports of bad conduct toward Mr. de la Fuente" he replied that “I base my suspicion on your decision to investigate the veracity of statements made by reputable journalists from two news organizations and by members of the community, who stated that the conduct at the inauguration actually did take place.” 

Regular readers of my column will know that I make a habit of investigating the veracity of statements made by reputable journalists. Sorry guys. I know too many journalists. 

What did the reputable journalists of the Tribune and the Chronicle actually say about the anti-Latino slurs at the Paramount event? 

Chronicle reporter Chris Heredia filed two stories immediately following the Jan. 8 inaugural, neither of which mentioned anti-Latino slurs. 

In his story “Dellums Sworn In As Oakland Mayor” filed on January 8th, Mr. Heredia wrote only that “Dellums stepped up to address the audience—many of whom cursed De La Fuente's re-election—calling for civility and to set a good example for Oakland's youth.” And the following day, in “Mayor Calms De La Fuente Protest,” Mr. Heredia only described the booing that followed Mr. De La Fuente’s re-election as “angry heckling.” Mr. Heredia’s article concluded by saying that “De La Fuente said in an interview later that he was disappointed in the crowd's reaction, calling it a bad day for Oakland,” again with no mention of anti-Latino slurs. 

Reference to such slurs did appear in both of the stories filed immediately after the inaugural by the Tribune’s Heather MacDonald. In her Jan. 9 article “Dellums Promises Better Days” she wrote that “several people said they were embarrassed by the bitter partisan fight amongst the council members over the re-election of Ignacio De La Fuente as president and appalled that some in the audience booed him, mocked his Mexican heritage and cursed him.” In a companion story filed the same day, “Council President Booed But Re-Elected,” while MacDonald reported that Mr. De La Fuente “said he felt racially attacked by the cat-calls and curses,” Ms. MacDonald herself did not include anti-Latino slurs in describing the outburst in her lead paragraph, saying only that “the raucous audience booed loudly when De La Fuente was nominated.” 

But three days following the inaugural, on Thursday the 11th, Mr. Heredia’s Chronicle accounts of the disruption, at least, had taken a distinctly different turn. 

In an article “Reid Speaks Out On De La Fuente Re-Election” (the “Reid” part referring to former De La Fuente Council ally Larry Reid, who unsuccessfully challenged Mr. De La Fuente for the Council presidency), filed on the same day that Latino and Asian-American Oakland leaders were holding a press conference denouncing the anti-Latino slurs, Mr. Heredia was now writing that “the 6-2 vote in favor of De La Fuente, a Latino, was preceded by a citizens' public comment session that included calls by African American leaders for De La Fuente's removal as well as some name-calling and racially tinged criticism of his leadership.”  

Calls by African American leaders for De La Fuente’s removal? Why the emphasis on African Americans? Those who were at the Paramount event remember that there was a long line of citizens who spoke during the public comment period requesting that Mr. De La Fuente not be re-elected to the Council presidency, some of them African-American, some of them white. The first person to speak during public comment, in fact, was a white woman, local progressive political activist Leslie Bonnett, who asked that Council elect another white woman, Councilmember Nadel, to the presidency. Of the 15 citizens who spoke at public comment at the inaugural and took a position on the Council Presidency, six African-Americans and three whites spoke against Mr. De La Fuente’s re-election. Four whites, one African-American, and one Asian-American spoke in favor. Other than the fact that no Latinos spoke, it seemed a typical multicultural Oakland mix on both sides. While race may have certainly been a factor—it is hard to get away from that in this country—political factors appeared to predominate. Mr. Heredia himself referred to that in his January 11th article, noting that Mr. De La Fuente “also upset progressive activists who have accused him of being in the pocket of developers and unsympathetic to the plight of Oakland's poor and working class.” The race of those “progressive activists,” however, was left undefined in Mr. Heredia’s article. 

And in an article filed the day after the press conference denouncing the anti-Latino slurs, Mr. Heredia continued to put emphasis on the opposition to Mr. De La Fuente’s Council Presidency re-election as an African-American affair, writing in “A Call For Unity After Racist Incident At Inauguration—Dellums' Swearing-In Tainted By Crowd Mocking De La Fuente,” the Chronicle reporter said that “the racial divide to be bridged remained apparent. The news conference had no members of the African American community who had called at the inauguration for City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente, a Latino, to step down.” But Mr. Heredia himself described the January 11th news conference as being held by “Asian American and Latino community leaders,” and no white leaders were mentioned in his account among the citizens denouncing the anti-Latino slurs. So why emphasize only that no members of the African American community showed up? Why not point out that no white folks who had called for De La Fuente to step down showed up, either?  

How, and why, did the Paramount inaugural disruptions and its aftermath segue into becoming an exclusively African-American/Latino “racial divide?” in some parts of the local media? Some thoughts on this, to follow. 

If you’ve ever dined in the rear portion of the Great China restaurant on Kittredge Street, you might have noticed that this space is markedly different from the front part. Redwood board-and-batten wainscots; redwood doors and window trim; a beamed tongue-and-groove ceiling with elegantly carved brackets; and a doorway incorporating a fan of Victorian spindlework all suggest that these rooms were part of a former home. 

A home is exactly what the building at 2117 Kittredge used to be. Behind the 1920s stucco façade and its two storefronts hides a late 19th-century house. Clad in shingles but sporting the cross gables and the square turret of a Queen Anne house, this hybrid creation was constructed in 1894, at a time when practically the entire block was residential. The designer-builder was prominent Berkeley contractor, pioneer civic figure, and amateur artist A.H. Broad.  

Alphonso Herman Broad (1851–1930) was born in Maine to a farming family. He came to Berkeley in 1877, on the eve of the town’s incorporation, and immediately took an active part in its civic life. In 1878, he was elected to Berkeley’s first board of trustees on the Workingmens’ Convention slate and served for two crucial years in which the board put in place our property assessment mapping system (still in use); instituted the position of Town Engineer and the first infrastructure works; devised business licensing and tax collection systems; and created a police force. 

In 1887 and ’88, Broad would serve as town marshal and ex-officio Superintendent of Streets, in which capacities he would improve Berkeley’s sanitation by building an underground sewage system and forbidding the discharge of “offensive effluvia” into Strawberry Creek. 

Long after his death, Broad was remembered as a man of action. In the 1950s, when the city council was debating how to deal with the menace of pigeons in Constitution Square, it was goaded into action by a letter from Bertha Whitney Nicklin (1878–1964), who wrote: 

I only wish Mr. A. H. Broad were still a member of our City Council, as he would certainly do something about it. The Southern Pacific built a new station but they would not put a “Chic Sale” (rest room) inside. They left the old one outside. So when the last SP train roared down from North Berkeley at midnight one night, Mr. Broad tied a rope around the “Chic Sale” and fastened the other end to the train, and it was scattered all the way to Sixteenth St. station. They put one inside the Berkeley station. 

Having begun as a carpenter, Broad went into business as a building contractor and designer in 1880. Within five years, he was well-known throughout Berkeley and Oakland for his Eastlake cottages. Over the course of five decades, Broad not only supervised construction of a large number of structures in all parts of Berkeley but also designed many of them. 

For many years, Broad’s office was located on the east side of Shattuck Avenue between Center and Addison, across the street from the SP station. His display ad in the 1894 directory proclaimed, “Architect and Builder, Special Attention Given to Jobbing. Plans and Specifications Furnished. Houses Built on Installments. Cabinet Work of Every Description Neatly Done. SHOP, Near Odd Fellows’ Hall. RESIDENCE, Center St., near Shattuck Ave.” 

The Odd Fellows Hall had been built by Broad, a long-standing Odd Fellow himself. The building was razed to make way for the Mason-McDuffie building on the corner of Shattuck and Addison. 

In 1892, Broad built the Whittier School, the Le Conte School, and the Columbus School. After the San Francisco earthquake and fire, Mr. Broad became “superintendent of reconstruction of Berkeley Schools injured by the earthquake,” rebuilding various sections of Berkeley High School and other academic buildings. It was at this time that he gained the distinction of being the first city official ever to seek a reduction in salary, on the grounds that reconstruction work was almost complete. 

Broad kept up with the changing styles in home design, and his work ranges from the early Stick-Eastlake to the rustic Brown Shingle of the early 1900s. He often worked as Bernard Maybeck’s contractor, and his early 20th-century work reflects the influence of the First Bay Region Tradition architects. 

While constructing Maybeck’s Boke house (1901) at 23 Panoramic Way, Broad built next door a shingled house of his own design for Margaret A. Dean, grandmother of Dan Dean, retired Berkeley High School counselor and husband of our former mayor. 

A year earlier, Broad built a shingled Dutch Colonial house at 2683 Le Conte Ave. for Rev. Dr. Robert Irving Bentley of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The house is a City of Berkeley Landmark, as is Broad’s earliest surviving building, the George Edwards house, a Queen Anne-Eastlake cottage at 2530 Dwight Way (1886). Several years ago, the derelict Edwards house was rehabilitated as the anchor of an attractive housing development on the edge of People’s Park. 

Another designated landmark, the shingled Haste Street Annex of McKinley School, (1906), was similarly destined for demolition but is now preserved as the First Presbyterian Church McKinley Hall. 

Broad’s fourth landmark is his own residence at 2117 Kittredge St. This was just one of several houses he occupied over the years—all of them in downtown Berkeley. A few hundred feet away, at 2207 Atherton St. (now the site of Edwards Stadium), lived his close friend and artistic mentor, the famed landscape painter William Keith. The two made many joint sketching trips to the Sierras. 

Largely self-taught, Broad was influenced by the Barbizon school of plein-air painting. He specialized in landscapes of California and his native New England. One of the many A.H. Broad stories circulated by Berkeley Gazette columnist Hal Johnson recounted that “Keith once said he wished he could paint trees as well as Broad. ‘If you had sawed and pounded as many trees into houses as I, you might be able to paint them better,’ replied Broad.” 

As his artistic skills developed, Broad began to paint a “signature” picture to be hung in each of the houses he completed. Many of his paintings are prized in Berkeley homes. Examples of his art are to be found at the Oakland Museum’s collection of California Art, the Shasta Collection at the College of the Siskiyous, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, and the Elks Club building. Broad’s name is mentioned in several art history books, and he is now better known for his art than for his buildings. 

Broad, his wife Julia (1850–1921), and their two daughters, Ursula and Julia Luella, lived at 2117 Kittredge St. from 1907 until 1915. Daughter Julia was married twice during this period but remained in the parental home with her successive husbands. In 1915, Broad built his final residence, a 3-story, 6-unit apartment building at 2030 Bancroft Way. The move may have been prompted by the building of the California Theater next to his Kittredge home, but Ursula continued to live there for the rest for the her life, and the Broad family kept the house as income property until the younger Julia’s death in 1962. 

It was Broad himself who added the storefronts to the Kittredge house in 1926. He was a practical man who adapted to the circumstances and often built two houses on one downtown lot, as was also the case at 2117 Kittredge. 

While Broad and his wife appear to have occupied one of the apartments at 2030 Bancroft, Julia and her second husband, Leslie Graham, lived at 2032 Bancroft, a Victorian house at the rear of the same lot. In 1930, the year of Broad’s death, the family was landlord to numerous tenants residing in various downtown buildings, including the houses occupied by the Broads themselves. 

The tenants represented a wide spectrum of the lower middle class and working class, including salespeople, bookkeepers, truck drivers, restaurant employees, a railcar upholsterer, a nurse, a sign painter, a telephone operator—people who today would be squeezed out of Berkeley. 

A Broad-designed Victorian at 2232 Haste St., now divided into 14 units, was the childhood home of Sierra Club leader David Brower. Brower planted the large redwood tree in the front yard. 

Daniella Thompson publishes berkeleyheritage.com for the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA). 

CORRECTION: The following sentence has been omitted from the original version of this article: 

A Broad-designed Victorian at 2232 Haste St., now divided into 14 units, was the home of Sierra Club leader David Brower’s parents in the 1940s and ’50s.  

It has been replaced by: 

A Broad-designed Victorian at 2232 Haste St., now divided into 14 units, was the childhood home of Sierra Club leader David Brower.  

A couple of months ago, I wrote about Berkeley Indoor Gardens, an indoor gardening (surprise!) store down at the tidal end of University Avenue. I got to feeling bad because I hadn’t written about the other indoor gardening store across the street. This one even advertises on KPIG, my favorite radio station. (So does Memphis Minnie’s, home of the best Sunday brunch in San Francisco. Don’t take my word for it—go eat!)  

So here’s the other side of the street, Berkeley’s Secret Garden, just to be fair. Also because I enjoyed visiting both. 

Both places have the requisite cute dog. At Secret Garden, we were greeted by a youngish smooth-coated somebreed-or-other with decent manners and a short attention span. Both places have prominent wall décor alluding to perfectly legal™ applications for their technology: here, more orchids; across the street at Indoor Gardens there were a few more references to the likes of home-grown salads.  

Both have the (also requisite) space-station arrays of silvery foil, fat PVC piping, moving water, whirring fans, and psychedelically whirling light arrays nurturing lush green tropicals and houseplants. Both sell sacks of soil replacements and amendments, and a great many supplements.  

Both are conveniently located in the neighborhood of Templebar and a number of Indian clothing and jewelry stores for a certain flavor of one-stop shopping. (I used the occasion of the scouting visit to discover that not only do those little bangle bracelets, the ones made to wear in multiples, come in designated sizes, but I need the largest one. No surprise, I guess. My glove size went up measurably after I’d spent a few years with my Number Eight Felco shears practically imbedded in my right hand, pruning for a living.)  

Secret Garden might have the edge on sheer numbers of arcane secret recipes. You could theoretically assemble everything a sane plant would need, from minerals and micronutrients to the best approximations of a number of mycorrhizal fungi, and add a few ecogroovy pesticides besides: several predatory bugs, including pirate bugs (Yo ho ho!) and a bacillus I hadn’t heard of: B. subtilis, used pretty much the way B. thuringiensis is and apparently as a disease control for lawns, of all things.  

Places like this seem to be cutting-edge for low-toxin gardening in general, maybe because people are touchy about introducing nasty stuff into their own homes. No doubt the Green Triangle granola culture has an influence too; there are handmade glass jars and “potpourri grinders” in the window, and a Seeds of Change rack.  

There’s also a bewildering variety of plant “nutritional” supplements—the scare quotes here are because plants do photosynthesize their own food. It’s evidence of a hundred lines of inquiry and theorizing about what plants and soils do together. One interesting product was a tank array of Humtea, a version of manure tea that has never seen the inside of a herbivore.  

Might be fun to use, but I’m still not drinking it, thanks.  

Berkeley’s Secret Garden 

921 University Ave. 

486-2117 

Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 

Saturday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 

Sunday: Noon-5 p.m. 

www.berkeleyssecretgarden.com/ 

Ron Sullivan is a former professional gardener and arborist. Her “Garden Variety” column appears every Friday in the Daily Planet’s East Bay Home & Real Estate section. Her column on East Bay trees appears every other Tuesday in the Daily Planet.

Breakers of the space-age: In 2003 there were over 73,000 electrical fires and nearly 600 resulting deaths, not to mention about a billion dollars in property loss. Most of these fires were caused by electrical “arcing.”  

Now what IS arcing and why does it cause fires? 

When I think of arcing, I always think of those early science fiction movies where an electrical current can be seen bridging across a pair of metal prongs held upright (they call this a “Jacob’s ladder”). The arc climbs up and disappears, replaced by a new shorter one that then also climbs up and out of sight. “It’s ALIVE!” screams Gene Wilder. Yes, that’s an arc, although that particular one is under control and doing what we wish it to do. There are also tiny arcs occurring inside of motors all the time as the little copper brushes sweep across the magnetic core, causing the whole thing to rotate. Motors seen in the dark usually issue some flecks of orange light. Get down on the kitchen floor and look beneath the fridge at night and you might see what I’m talking about. Now, all arcing is not good. In fact, most arcing isn’t good at all and the majority of electrical fires are caused it.  

When two wires are separated by a tiny space, the power attempts to jump the gap. This gap creates resistance and this creates heat. This effect can built upon itself (heat melts metal creating more of a gap and more resistance and so on) until wires begin to melt and nearby combustibles, such as insulation or wood, catch fire. These gaps can be caused by a cord that has been worn from repeated bending or from prolonged heat. A cord or wire may have been stepped on or punctured in use or a pair of wires in a “wire-nut” (these are used to join wires in most houses) may have pulled just a teensy bit apart.  

Any of these conditions can begin to create heat and lead to a fire. If you notice that you have an outlet that glows or gets hot, it has likely developed an “arc-fault,” A cord may also feel hot in one place and the same might well be true. There are lots of ways and places that this can occur and for years, the only thing we could do was to rely upon our wits and sluggish old style breakers and fuses to eventually notice the increased heat on the circuit. Sadly, these devices are not good at detecting arc-faults and fires continued to break out. But wait, computer technology is here to save you, Mr & Mrs. Ludd. 

Just as electrical engineering has learned to “see” and “hear” for robots, cars and so many other devices in our brave new electronic world, circuit breakers, too, have begun to think in a very exciting new way. They have learned to hear the sounds of arcing, which I think is incredibly cool.  

Arcing has a particular sound or wave-form, if you speak oscilloscope. The amazing thing is that these devices can ignore the arcing of a motor but attend to the wave form of a wire that has begun to spark and overheat. If they sense this particular kind of arcing going on, they kill the circuit, preventing a deadly fire. This new breaker, the Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter or AFCI is new and not in widespread use … yet. These are not required in older houses that have electrical repairs and is only required for the bedrooms in new houses. Even this requirement is only true where city inspectors are using the 2002 code book and amazingly enough, many cities are 7-10 years behind on code enforcement.  

One might also ask why we’re not using this life-saving technology on all of our circuits and one should! The truth is, it’s being discussed in those gray rooms that you and I are never invited into. Might be a security clearance thing. Nevertheless, those who write the codes are doing what they can to push this technology forward and get it into homes across the U.S. and Canada. I have no idea where the EU stands and can find nothing on AFCIs in the U.K. either. 

The good news is that you can go forth and procure these lovelies for your home and put them in as a means of decreasing your fire risk. There are, however, some things you need to know about them since nothing is ever as sweet as it seems from across the street through the shop window. 

Older homes tend to have lots of tiny/minor arc-faults and installation of an AFCI breaker on your bedroom circuit might result in a breaker that trips when energized and will not reset. I’ve seen it myself. You can then set about to find the tiny arc-faults, which is certainly a worthy, if not valiant attempt but you may find it beyond your purse size or the skills of your electrician to complete such a task. Nonetheless, I think it’s worthwhile.  

Be aware that old, worn electrical cords and certain appliances are more likely to be the cause of an arc-fault than your old knob and tube wiring. An old outlet may be the cause or perhaps an old poorly wired lamp or switch. In short, it’s easier to put these in a new house but worthwhile to try to use in an old one. I think one could even argue that this is good way to challenge the most problematic portions of an older electrical system. 

Sometimes an inspection client will jokingly tell me that they don’t want to hear what’s wrong with the house but if I challenge them, they will typically smile and say that they really DO want to know. I think they just want me to be gentle, which, of course, I always am (he smiled to himself). I think this is a similar issue. It’s better to find out and now there’s a really good way to do it. By the way, I’d very much recommend using our new friend the AFCI in all parts of the house. There’s no reason not to use them in bathrooms, kitchens or garages as well, although you may find out that your toaster oven needs to be tossed out. 

AFCIs cost about 100 bucks a piece so they’re not cheap but I’m sure they’ll be coming down in price, just as the GFCI has. (That’s the Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter, the AFCIs shock preventing cousin, seen in baths across America.)  

So installation of AFCIs, including the troubleshooting they can induce, may cost hundred or even thousands of dollars. For now, you’ll have the be the judge of their value since you’re not likely to have them foisted upon your older home. If you buy new, you may be buying them any way. 

So, whether you retrofit them into your older home or receive them with your new one, please do take advantage of these space-age sentinels and you won’t have to keep the home-fires burning. 

Got a question about home repairs and inspections? Send them to Matt Cantor at mgcantor@pacbell.net.

TUESDAY, FEB. 13 

CHILDREN 

Alison Jackson, childrens’ author, reads at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. For age 3 and up. 524-3043. 

FILM 

SF Independent Film Festival “Viva” at 7 p.m. and “Gypsy Caravan” at 9:30 p.m. at the California Theater, 2113 Kittredge St. Tickets are $10 for each screening. 464-5980. sfindie.com 

Yoko Ono: Imagine Film “Grapefruit” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Cavani String Quartet and Sharon Mann, piano, in the “Mathematics + Music” concert series at noon at MSRI, 17 Gauss Way, near the intersection of Centennial Dr. and Grizzly Peak Blvd. Free. 642-0143. 

Cake, Honeycut, at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Cost is $20-$35. 642-0212. 

Gator Beat, Cajun/Zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 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.  

Cheryl Wheeler at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $25.50-$26.50. 548-1761.  

Debbie Poryes & Friends at 7:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Brandon Marsalis at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14 

EXHIBITIONS 

Fine Press, Artists’ Books and Fine Art Editions at the Codex International Bookfair, Wed. and Thurs. from noon to 6 p.m. at the ASUC Pauley Ballroom, UC Campus. Cost is $5-$15. www.codexfoundation.org 

FILM 

SF Independent Film Festival “The Hawk is Dying” at 7 p.m. and “Beyond Hatred” at 9:30 p.m. at the California Theater, 2113 Kittredge St. Tickets are $10 for each screening. 464-5980. sfindie.com 

Film 50: History of Cinema “The Lady Vanishes” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“El Pachuco and La Virgen de Guadaloupe” A reading by playwright Luis Valdez at 7 p.m. at the Dinner Boardroom, Hewlett Library, GTU, 2400 Ridge Rod. Seating is limited, RSVP to 649-2424. 

Spoken Word Love Fest 2007 hosted by Aya de León at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Storytelling with Ed Silberman at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

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 with songs and poetry for life, love an dmotherhood, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

The Dreamers sing music from the 20s to 60s for Valentine’s Day at 1:15 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 981-5190. 

Teri Odabi Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Chirgilchin, Tuvan throat singing at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$17. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Yaelisa and Caminos Flamencos at 6 and 8:30 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $65. For reservations call 287-8700. 

Paul Manousos, guitar, at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Cheryl Wheeler at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $25.50-$26.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The TieOne Ons at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Brandon Marsalis at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, FEB. 15 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Still I Rise” Recent art by Bryan Keith Thomas. Gallery walk through with the artist at 6 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. Runs through Feb. 26. 465-8928. 

“Paintings of Abu Ghraib” by Fernando Botero at 190 Doe Library, UC Campus, through March 23. 643-5651. www.clas.berkeley.edu 

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” Guided tour at 12:15 and 5:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

“Flight Out of Time” Exhibition of contemporary prints by Barbara Foster, Jimin Lee and Tadayoshi Nakabayashi at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. to March 17. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

“Used and Re-Used: decorative objects made from utilitarian materials” at the The Ames Gallery, 2661 Cedar St. through March 31. 845-4949. www.amesgallery.com 

Michael Howerton “Portraits” at Chachie’s Coffee Shop, 1768 Broadway at 19th St., Oakland. Exhibition runs though Feb. 28. www.howertonphoto. 

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“100 Families in Oakland: Art & Social Change” at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts.. Oakland, through April 22. 238-2200. 

“Transforming Vision: The Wood Sculpture of William Hunter, 1970-2005” at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts.. Oakland, through March 18. 238-2200. 

“Obsession” Works of Fire and Passion Group Show at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave., and runs to March 3. 843-2527. www.accigallery.com 

“Street Portraiture” Photographs by Tom Stone at The LightRoom Gallery, 2263 Fifth St., through Feb. 28. 649-8111. 

“Fire in the Heart” Paintings by Foad Satterfield influenced by African art at the Community Gallery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2450 Ashby Ave., through March 2. 204-1667. 

“Berkeley: 75 Years Ago” at the Berkeley History Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. Hours are Thurs.-Sat., 1 to 4 p.m. Exhibit runs through March. 848-0181. 

"The Children of Chaguitillo” Photography exhibition by Harold Adler at Au Coquelet, 2000 University Ave. through March 31. 472-3170. 

“Revisions” Works by Amy Berk using Jewish ceremonial textiles on display at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St., through Aug. 5. 549-6950. 

“African Art” by Okaybabs, Yinka Adeyemi, Adeyinka Fashokun, honoring Black History Month at the LunchStop Cafe, Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. Exhibit runs to March 30. 817-5773. 

“Recent Works of Changming Meng” at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave., Suite #4. 421-1255. www.altagalleria.com 

“Art of Living Black” at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond, and runs through March 16. 620-6772. www.richmondartcenter.org 

“Environmental Surrealism” works by Guy Colwell and Michelle Waters at Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St., Oakland, through Feb. 23. 444-7411. www.estebansabar.com 

Oakland Art Association Juried Show at the MTC Offices, Bort MetroCenter, 3rd floor, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. Exhibition runs to March 30. 817-5773. 

THEATER 

Level 9 Enterprises “Buffalo Soldiers, A Tale Lost” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$30. 925-798-1300. 

Advanced Theatre Projects Directors Lab “Ten Little Indians” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Florence Shwimley Little Theater, Berkeley High Campus. Tickets are $5. 

FILM 

SF Independent Film Festival “Green Mind, Metal Bats” at 7 p.m. and “Ten Canoes” at 9:30 p.m. at the California Theater, 2113 Kittredge St. Tickets are $10 for each screening. 464-5980. sfindie.com 

Film Series with David Thomson “Pierrot le Fou” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Peggy Orenstein describes “Waiting For Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, An Oscar, An Atomic Bomb, A Romantic Night and One Woman’s Quest to Become a Mother” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Poetry Flash celebrates “New” magazine with poets Etel Adnan, Irina Dyatlovskaya, Norman Fischer, Joanne Kyger, Michael Rothenberg, John Olivre Simon and Gary Snyder at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St.. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Melanie DeMore and an African American Cultural Celebration with St. Paul’s Episcopal School Choirs at 7 p.m. at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. Free.  

“Baroque Masterworks for Recorder & Viola da Gamba” at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Bancroft at Ellsworth. TIckets are $18-$22. 848-5591. 

Rachid Halihal & Friends, Middle Eastern/North African at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Steve Taylor-Ramirez at 6 p.m. at MamaBuzz Cafe, 2318 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Free. All ages. 289-2272. 

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

Christy Dana Quintet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Amy Obenski, singer/songwriter at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Joel Streeter, DRB, Young Moderns at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Julia Lau at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Brandon Marsalis at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, FEB. 16 

EXHIBITIONS 

Tony Bellaver “Interventions” Performance art from 1 to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Donations accepted. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

“CelebratingOur Own” an exhibition preview from noon to 6 p.m. at the African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. 637-0200. 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “True West” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., through Feb. 17. Tickets are $12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Advanced Theatre Projects Directors Lab “Ten Little Indians” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Florence Shwimley Little Theater, Berkeley High Campus. Tickets are $5. 

Altarena Playhouse Rogers and Hammerstein’s “A Grand Night for Singing” Fri and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda, through Feb. 17. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre Company “The Birthday Party” Wed. - Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through March 4. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Rep “The Pillowman” at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through March 11. Tickets are $33-$61. 647-2949. 

Black Repertory Group “Triumph” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $10. 652-2120. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., at Moeser, El Cerrito., through March 3. Tickets are $15-$24. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Impact Theatre “Cartoon” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid, through March 10. Tickets are $10-$15. www.impacttheatre.com 

Level 9 Enterprises “Buffalo Soldiers, A Tale Lost” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$30. 925-798-1300. 

The Marsh “Shopping for God” Thurs.-Sat. at 7 p.m. at 2120 Allston Way, through March 3. Tickets are $15-$22. 1-800-838-5750. www.themarsh.org 

Masquers Playhouse “Arsenic and Old Lace” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., though Feb. 24, at 105 Park Playhouse, Point Richmond. Tickets are $15. 232-4031. 

Ragged Wing Ensemble “The Tempest” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at The Metal Shop Theater, 2425 Stuart St., behind Willard Middle School. Runs through Feb. 24. Tickets are $15-$25. 800-838-3006. www.raggedwing.org 

TheatreFirst “Nathan the Wise” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Old Oakland Theater, 481 Ninth St. at Broadway, Oakland, through March 4. Tickets are $21-$25. 436-5085. www.theatrefirst.com 

Travelling Jewish Theater, “Rose” at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Asby Ave., through Feb. 25. For ticket information call 415-522-0786. 

FILM 

The Lubitsch Touch “Heaven Can Wait” at 7 p.m. and “Cluny Brown” at 9:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Youth Speaks’ 11th Teen Poetry Slam, preliminary round at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $3-$5. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Wild About Birds” Artist talk with Rita Sklar at 2 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. www.ritasklar.com 

William Poy Lee describes “The Eighth Promise: An American Son’s Tribute to His Toisanese Mother” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Laurel Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Tickets are $12-$15. 848-1228. giorgigallery.com 

Brazilian Friends in Concert at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $10-$15. 845-1350.  

Simon Shaheen & Qantara, fiddle and oud, at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $20-$32. 642-9988.  

Walter Savage Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Frankie Manning and Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Lecture with Frankie Manning at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Bittersweets, Americana, rock, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Jim Kweskin & Geoff Muldaur at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Kat Parra Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

A.J. Roach and Kate Isenberg at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

John Richardson Band, Amy Lou’s Blues, Captain Mike & the Sea Kings at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Wes Robinson Tribute with Fang, Verbal Abuse, Mad at Sam at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. All ages. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Kirtan: Jai Uttal at 8 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Tickets are $16-$18. 843-2787. 

BlackBerry Soup at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

The Girlfriend Experience, Wire Graffiti, Machine Green at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $6. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Yoshida Brothers, shamisen, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $18-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, FEB. 17 

CHILDREN  

“Dragonwings” An Active Arts Theater production for ages 7-14, Sat. at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater for the Arts, 2640 College Ave, through Feb. 25. Tickets are $14 children, $18 adults. 925-798-1300. 

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Jerry Kennedy at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Art of Living Black” Artists’ talk at 2 p.m. Richmond Art Center, at 2540 Barrett Ave., entrance at 25th St., Richmond. 620-6772. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

Michael Howerton “Portraits” Artist reception at 2 pm. at Chachie’s Coffee Shop, 1768 Broadway at 19th St., Oakland. Exhibition runs though Feb. 28. www.howertonphoto. 

blogspot.com 

“Celebrating Our Own” a reception and artist forum at 6 p.m. at the African American Museum and Library, 659 154th St., Oakland. 637-0200. 

“Passengers” Paintings by Martin Webb opens at Float Gallery, 1091 Calcot Place, Unit #116, Oakland. 535-1702. 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “Satantango” at 1 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Amiri Baraka and Ngugi wa Thiango in conversation at 7 p.m. at the Third World Book Fair, Eastside Cultural Center, 2277 International Blvd. www.eastsideartsalliance.com 

Robert Johnson will talk about his book “Wake Up Black America” at 2 p.m. at Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5366 College Ave. 597-5017. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Kensington Symphony at 8 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury Ave., El Cerrito. Suggested donation $12-$15. 524-9912. 

The Galax Quartet “Consort Songs, Old and New” the music of John Dowland and Roy Whelden at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725. www.sfems.org 

The Ravines at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

The Dave Matthews BLUES Band at 8 p.m. at the Warehouse Bar, 4th and Webster, Oakland. 451-3161. 

Chick Corea, piano, with Gary Burton, vibraphone, at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $30-$52. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

De Rompe y Raja, Afro-Peruvian, at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Lua Hadar and Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Stop the Malarky, Broken Paradise, A Class Act at 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Ajaia Suri and Vanessa Lowe at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Pipers “Tional” Concert, bagpipers, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Unleashed, Krisiun, Belphegor at 9 p.m. at The Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakland. Cost is $20. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Tribute to James Brown at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Eddie Marshall Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Megan McLaughlin, folk, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Sun House, Pockit at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. All ages show. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Yoshida Brothers, shamisen, at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $18-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, FEB. 18 

CHILDREN 

Lunar New Year Celebration Year of the Pig Activities and performances for the whole family from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. 238-2200. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” Guided tour at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

FILM 

African Film Festival “Conversations on a Sunday Afternoon” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Diablo Ballet “The Tale of Cinderella” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $26. 642-9988.  

Brazilian Duo vocalist Claudia Villela and guitarist Ricardo Peixoto at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Oakland. Tickets are $20. 228-3218. 

Sanford Dole Ensemble “O Shout with Gladness: The Vocal Quintet Then and Now” at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. 845-6830. 

Seth Montfort and Thomas Penders, piano, at 5:30 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228. 

Dana Bauer CD release party at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Duct Tape Mafia, The Rage, Hijinks, Silhouette and Secret Cat in a benefit for the Camp Winnarainbow scholarship fund, at 7 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway, Oakland. All ages. Tickets are $8. www.future-builders.org  

Stephanie Crawford at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

The True School Hip Hop Family Reunion at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Samite at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Yoshida Brothers, shamisen, at 7 and 9 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $18-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 19 

THEATER 

Shakespeare Intensive “King John” staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, Fireside Room, 1925 Cedar at Bonita. Other plays to be read each Mon. to Feb. 26. Cost is $5. 276-3871. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Monday Night Blues Lecture and performance held every Mon. night during Black History Month at 8 p.m. at Kimball’s Carnival, 522 Second St. Donation $5. 836-2227. 

PlayGround Six emerging playwrights debut new works at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St.Tickets are $18. 415-704-3177. 

Cole Swenson and Norma Cole, poets at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Poetry Express with Tom Odegard and Da Boogie Man at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Pickpocket Ensemble” world folk and instrumental traditions, from Eastern European and Balkan, to Klezmer, to NorthAfrican and Mediterranean, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100. www.lebateauivre.net 

Trovatore, traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Blue Monday Jam at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

San Francisco Brass Quintet at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

Don Byron Plays Junior Walker at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

International Bookfair 

Fine Press, Artists’ Books and Fine Art Editions presents the Codex International Bookfair, Feb. 14-15, at UC Berkeley. The fair, a gathering of fine private presses, book artists and artisans, curators, collectors and scholars, showcases contemporary artists’ books, fine press and fine art editions, bibliophile organizations, bookbinders, hand papermakers, booksellers and programs in the book arts. Noon-6 p.m. at ASUC Pauley Ballroom, Telegraph Ave. and Bancroft Way. Tickets $5-15. For more information, www.codexfoundation.org. 

‘Buffalo Soldiers’ 

Level 9 Enterprises presents Buffalo Soldiers, A Tale Lost ..., which tells the story of the lives, struggles and conflicts of the Negro cavalry, army officials and Indian warriors, while a lone soldier risks his life to convince his comrades that fighting in a war where there are no victors is wrong. Julia Morgan Center of the Arts, 2940 College Ave., Feb. 15-17, 8 p.m. Tickets $15-$30. For more information, (925) 798-1300 or www.buffalosoldiersplay.com. 

RECEPTION FOR CHANGMING MENG 

Painter Changming Meng has won many awards in his native China and was recently featured in an exhibit at UC Berkeley. A new show of his work is showing at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave. in Berkeley. 

421-1255. www.altagalleria.com. 

ACTIVE ARTS THEATER FOR KIDS 

Dragonwings, an Active Arts Theater production for kids age 7-14, will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 25 at the Julia Morgan Theater for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. $14 for children, $18 for adults. For more information, call (925) 798-1300.

Conductor Nicole Paiement and Ensemble Parallèle present the world premiere of Lou Harrison’s Young Caesar at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on Feb. 16 and 17. 

This opera is about the coming of age of Julius Caesar, of his travels east to the kingdom of Bithynia and his love affair with King Nicomedes—all traced out in Harrison’s interweaving of eastern and western musical modes, a blending characteristic of this composer.  

Harrison, who died in 2003, was always reexamining his work—altering, revising and refining it. Young Caesar was no exception and the coming production will be the third and final version of this complex opera. 

Part of Paiement’s challenge in mounting the opera was to resolve its many difficulties. She was blessed in that task by being able to work in close collaboration with Harrison during his final years. Paiement had been Harrison’s favored conductor since the early 1990s and he wrote of her: “Her sense of the telling detail is acute; and although she is physically short and slight, she wields big music.”  

Young Caesar premiered in 1971 as a puppet opera, written for five vocalists, narrator and five instrumentalists playing a variety of instruments including ones designed and built by Harrison and his longtime partner Bill Colvig. The three-foot-tall puppets played in front of an unwinding panoramic scroll that gave the impression of movement through the long journeys described in the opera.  

The opera was not well received and Paiement said that Harrison felt that the puppets had not been able to express the necessary emotional range. It is, after all, a drama about the passions of men who rule the world.  

Harrison rescored the opera for standard western orchestra for the second version performed in Portland, Ore., in 1988. He added soloists and a male chorus. Again, there were problems. This time with the libretto. 

San Francisco playwright Robert Gordon had written the two-act, 14-scene text as a historically accurate treatment of Caesar’s youth. But his text was primarily narration rather than dialogue or poems suitable for song. Critics complained that it was repetitive. 

In response to the criticism, Harrison added a group of lyrical arias. And in 2000 the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center agreed to stage a third version of the opera with Mark Morris as director. Morris, however, wanted to cut more of the narrative, and a series of misunderstandings followed that resulted in the project’s cancellation.  

Nicole Paiement was with Harrison when he received the letter from Lincoln Center rejecting the project. She told the disappointed composer: “I will do this.” And from that moment until his death in 2003, they talked about what needed to be done to make the score “right.”  

Paiement also worked closely with Gordon to make the text more suitable for dramatic theater. 

Now, true to her word and in celebration of what would be Harrison’s 90th birthday, Paiement will present the final Young Caesar, one mapped out with Harrison and synthesizing the best features of the previous versions.  

“We’ve replaced the flute part with the original ocarina that Lou made,” said Paiement, smiling. That is only one of the original musical instruments that have been reinstated in the score. Her love of Harrison’s work clearly extends beyond the music on the page.  

The puppets now take the form of the narrator who has become the “puppetmaster,” and the chorus will become like a Greek chorus, commenting on the action.  

The scroll has been transformed into a series of 20’x6’ rolling panels that allow the characters to move easily through the many scene changes of Caesar’s voyage from Rome to Bithynia.  

Stage director Brian Staufenbiel comments that the greatest difficulty in the staging has been to make the scenes move smoothly, so that the journey is “seamless.” 

Staufenbiel directed the award-winning UC Santa Cruz production of Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. He is aided in his staging of Young Caesar by choreographer and principal dancer, Lawrence Pech. 

The cast includes internationally acclaimed tenor John Duykers singing the narrator, tenor Eleazar Rodriguez singing Caesar, and Adler Fellow Eugene Brancoveanu singing King Nicomedes. The 21-piece orchestra Ensemble Parallèle provides the music.  

The music itself has distilled into an intricate weaving of repeating patterns, much of which is percussive and Asiatic in flavor. The patterns often act as a drone over which floats the singer’s melodic line. Sharp percussive moments are used to punctuate the field of sound. As the action of the story moves from Rome to Bithynia, the music becomes more eastern in mode. 

Spanning the composer’s last 30 years, Young Caesar is a musical diary of Harrison’s capacious musical interests. Although the opera deals with the love between two men of radically different cultures, it is finally about the immense landscape of human desires and emotions.  

Young Caesar 

Nicole Paiement and Ensemble Parallele  

Feb. 16-17, 8 p.m. 

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theatre 

700 Howard St., San Francisco 

$45–60 

For information (415) 978-ARTS (2787). 

Photograph by Eva Soltes 

Conductor Nicole Paiement

TheatreFIRST brings to the stage G. E. Lessing’s masterpiece, Nathan the Wise, the original play of ideas (and of religious and cultural toleration and understanding) in the modern sense at the Old Oakland Theatre in a witty and exhilarating production in Edward Kemp’s illuminating new translation. 

Nathan the Jewish merchant has been called before the sultan Saladin, reputedly a “virtuous infidel,” in Jerusalem. Expecting to be asked for a loan to finance the war against the invading Crusaders, Nathan instead is queried which religion of those of The Book is the true one—after all, he’s traveled widely and thought much, and is revered as The Wise. 

Uncomfortably on the spot, Nathan knows if he denies his own creed, he loses believability and face; if he exalts Judaism, or even Christianity, he might anger the Muslim sultan.  

Instead, he asks if the sultan would like to hear a story. “There’s always time to hear a story, if the storyteller’s good,” says Saladin.  

Nathan spins out the old parable, The Story of the Three Rings, of how a father bequeaths his ring to each of his three sons, who approach a magistrate after his death to settle who possesses the true ring, the true legacy. 

The magistrate’s judicious response is more than Solomonic, for though it demands the most from the litigants, it divides nothing. The sultan is profoundly impressed—and the much-befriended Nathan has acquired yet another friend. 

This vignette, and the Story of the Ring itself, are the jewel set in the midst of a playful, constantly shifting carousel of scenes that pose the same question as the ancient tale, as well as its various corollaries. 

Nathan’s daughter, Rachel, the light of his life, has been raised by a Christian woman. Rescued from a burning house by a Knight Templar—who has been captured, then mysteriously pardoned by Saladin—a budding romance between Rachel and her hero is on and off again, due to the knight’s abrupt moodiness, to tolerant Nathan’s strange balking at the match—and questions over Rachel’s actual lineage. 

In the background, there’s a conspiratorial Christian patriarch, a friar (the patriarch’s go-fer) with a warrior’s past and the sultan’s treasurer, formerly a dervish who played chess by the Ganges. 

The play’s set in the city sacred to all three faiths during a time of war and mistrust. Yet, “welcome to the land of miracles!” it is a utopic Jerusalem, in many ways the heavenly city, where opposition’s mysteriously recounciled, the hidden ways made plain.  

It’s also a comic, even satiric utopia. The manners and mores of all three confessions are hilariously put to the test, though never ridiculed. The dialogue excels in a droll repartee that is nonetheless rich in thoughtful implication and tempered with irony. 

Lessing, along with Diderot, is considered the founder of what became modern dramaturgy, breaking away from the academically classic drama of the mid-18th century and substituting for it a theater that could test ideas, could argue philosophical and social problems from the mouths of characters with interests like those they (and their audience) had in life—and constructed plays from a theory of the image that led to its more modern conceptions. 

What Diderot called “tableau,” Lessing referred to as “the Pregnant Moment.” 

And Nathan the Wise is rife with such moments, in which everything we’ve seen hinges on a question, a discovery, a true moment of intellectual and emotional tension and suspense. 

TheatreFIRST, a small, game troupe with high production standards and an ambitious, socially aware repetoire based on an internationalist perspective, has come close to outdoing itself with this show. 

The importance of such a play being staged at such a moment in a world overflowing with strife and suspicion on all sides is matched by the fine direction of Soren Oliver of a lively, perfectly cast ensemble. 

Their crystal-clear characterizations parade and speak on Jacquelyn Scott’s wonderful set that rises up from the earth tones of a chessboard floor to the fanciful geometric abstraction of the domes, spires and towers of a city in the desert. 

Will Huddleston as Nathan, Terry Lamb as Saladin (and the scheming patriarch), Megan Briggs as ingenue Rachel and Jessica Powell as Daya, her nurse; Christopher Maikish as the Templar, Sandra Schlechter as Saladin’s sister Sittah, and Clive Worsley as both grave friar and comic dervish—all deserve applause, both as performers of excellence and as excellent ensemble. 

Nathan the Wise, seldom produced, should be seen because of its importance and rarity and the timeliness of this staging. 

But also because TheatreFIRST, at the top of its game, is faced with a radical cut in funding, and possible disbanding after their next production in their best-programmed year, the eagerly-awaited revival of John Arden’s hit of the ‘60s, Sergeant Musgrave’s Dance this spring. 

They’ve made themselves the only company resident in downtown Oakland, with shows consistently thoughtful and entertaining; TheatreFIRST needs the kind of support that will guarantee a future they truly deserve. 

Talk about your misperceptions: for years, I thought the California towhees in my yard were having boundary issues. Two towhees would fly toward each other, one or both uttering a loud squealing call that was nothing like their normal “chip” or “tsip.” It sure sounded like fighting words. The towhees would appear to confront each other with fluffed-out feathers. Then they’d break off and go back to scuffling through the leaf litter for bugs. 

But it turns out this was not an exchange of invective but a duet performed by a mated pair: the towhee equivalent of “Oh June, I’m home!” “In here, Ward!” The California towhee and its close relatives, the Abert’s towhee and canyon towhee, are among the few known duetting North American birds (others include the wrentit, pygmy nuthatch, and northern cardinal.) 

If you have an older field guide, you may still think of this bird as the brown towhee. That name was discarded in the 1990s when biologists discovered that the two populations included in the species—one coastal, one interior—were not each other’s closest relatives. Coastal brown towhees became California towhees; interior ones, canyon towhees. The two forms look different, behave differently, don’t hybridize, and in short seem to be distinct species (except for that odd population in southern Baja California; but let’s not get started on that). 

Anyway, North America is poor in duetting birds, compared with the New World tropics, Africa, and Australia. Some of the tropical duetters’ performances are remarkable exercises in vocal coordination, sounding like a single bird’s performance. Our towhees don’t carry it that far: their squeal duets overlap rather than synchronize. 

Just why birds do this has been a matter of some debate. UC-Berkeley graduate student Lauryn Benedict, whose dissertation work involves California towhee vocalizations, says there are a number of competing hypotheses. Duets used to be explained as a way of reinforcing the pair bond: “making the mate happy.” But a less anthropomorphic view would look at the costs and benefits of the behavior for each member of the pair. 

What we know, thanks to earlier studies by Charles Quaintance and Joe T. Marshall, Jr., is that California towhees are sedentary birds that appear to pair for life. Benedict says several of the pairs she observes at UC’s Hastings Reservation in the Carmel Valley have been together for the length of her five-year study. Their vocalizations have been well documented, although it’s still not clear whether they’re learned, as in Luis Baptista’s famous white-crowned sparrows, or innate. 

In some other birds, song duets have been interpreted as mate surveillance—the male making sure of his mate’s whereabouts at all times, so she can’t get together with any rivals who may be lurking around the territory. If this works, the male would not wind up helping rear nestlings sired by someone else. “All the other duetting species that have had their genetics done have been genetically monogamous as well as socially monogamous,” Benedict says. Her data on towhee genetics are awaiting publication, so she couldn’t discuss her findings. 

The California towhee’s regular “chip” seems to function effectively enough as a contact/location call, though. A couple of years back a towhee got into our house through the open back door. It flew from room to room as if looking for an exit, chipping all the while. Meanwhile a second towhee, presumably the mate of the first, was chipping outside. The inside bird appeared to follow the outside bird’s chips into the bathroom and out the window into the plum tree where its partner had been calling. 

Or what seems like cooperative behavior may really reflect a conflict between mates. “Maybe,” says Benedict, “the female sings and then the male sings on top of her song to signal that she already has a mate.” But the squeal duet is very different from the male towhee’s mate-attracting song, which is basically a sequence of chips. (He sings until he finds a mate, then shuts up for the rest of the season. Instead of territorial song, he makes a pre-dawn circuit of the perimeter of his domain, chipping away. Territorial males will also attack their reflections in windows, hubcaps, or bumpers.) 

Duets may also signal the strength of a towhee’s commitment to its mate, or its general health and fitness—although the latter seems less likely for towhees then for the part-singing tropical birds. They may be a way for mates to coordinate their behavior: feeding their chicks or defending their territory. In territorial conflicts, two duetting birds can produce a stronger signal than one (and duets sometimes occur during clashes between neighboring pairs). 

“When they duet, they always approach each other,” Benedict continues. “They do seem to be signaling something to each other.” 

When her articles, now under review by The Auk and other journals, see print, we’ll have a better idea of what it’s all about. Stay tuned! 

Photograph by Ron Story. 

A California towhee, the bird formerly known as the brown towhee.

TUESDAY, FEB. 13 

History of San Francisco’s Bayview/Hunters Point at 10:30 a.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. Free. 238-2200. 

Evolve! Darwin Day at Revolution Books featuring the book “Science of Evolution and The Myth of Creationism” by Ardea Skybreak at 7 p.m. at 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196 

“Faith Under Fire” with Bishop Eli Pascua on human rights violations in the Philippines at 5 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion Chapel, 1798 Scenic Ave. www.pana.psr.edu 

“The Wit, Wisdom and Life of Richard Pryor” Videos, at 7 p.m. at The Grassroots House, 2022 Blake St. mumiache@yahoo.com 

New Tax Saving Strategies with Dorotha Bradley, of H&R Block, at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512.  

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Books and Ideas Group will discuss “The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s Eye View of the World” at 1 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 981-5190. 

WriterCoach Connection seeks volunteers to help students improve their writing and thinking skills. Commit to 1-2 hours per week during the school day and work one-on-one with students in their English classes. Training from noon to 3 p.m. For information call 524-2319. 

Berkeley High School Governance Council meets from noon to 4 p.m. in the Berkeley Community Theater lobby to finalize the advisory proposal. 644-4803. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14 

“New Era/New Politics” A walking tour of Oakland which 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.  

Ecology of Berkeley’s Strawberry Canyon What is at stake with the filling in of the canyon with UC-LBNL Rad-Labs and now British Petroleum? Join UC Prof. Ignacio Chapela on an walk of the canyon. Meet at 5 p.m. at the Memorial Oak Grove, next to International House. canyonwalks@gmail.com 

Teach-In and Vigil Against American Torture every Wed. at noon at Boalt Hall, Bancroft Way at College Ave.  

Fine Press, Artists’ Books and Fine Art Editions at the Codex International Bookfair, Wed. and Thurs. from noon to 6 p.m. at the ASUC Pauley Ballroom, UC Campus. Cost is $5-$15. www.codexfoundation.org 

Poetry Writing Workshop with Alison Seevak at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors 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. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

THURSDAY, FEB. 15 

Memorial for Denise Brown at 5 p.m. at the Community Theater, Berkeley High School. Reception to follow in the Food Court. 644-6320. 

Le Conte Neighborhood Association meets at 7:30 p.m. at the LeConte Elementary School, Russell St. entrance. Agenda includes a report from Beat Officer Bartalini, updates on the cell phone antennas, the mixed use building proposed for 2701 Shattuck/ 

2100 Derby, zoning/hours changes on Telegraph Ave., the “Save the Oaks” success, and board elections. 843-2602. 

“No Small Dreams: A Politics of Hope for Urban America” with Van Jones, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, at 7:30 p.m. at College Preparatory School’s Buttner Auditorium, 6100 Broadway, at Brookside, Oakland. Tickets are $12.50-$15. www.college-prep.org/livetalk 

“Where Have All the Frogs Gone? Amphibian Decline in the Sierra Nevada” with Dr. Gary Fellers at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. 238-2200. 

“The Birds and Wildlife of Botswana” A photographic journey with Grant Reed at the Golden Gate Audubon Society meeting, at 7 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, 843-2222. 

East Bay Wildlife and Native American History with wildlife biologist and ethnologist Jim Hale at 7 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Rebuilding with Straw Bale in Earthquake Affected Pakistan A talk and slideshow with Berkeley architect Martin Hammer at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233.  

“Nicaragua and the IMF: What are the Socio-Economic Issues facing Daniel Ortega?” An illustrated presentation by participants in Jubilee USA and Witness for Peace Delegation to Nicaragua, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Church, 1600 Sacramento St. 525-5497. 

“Transgender Meets Pagan Spirituality” Brown Bag lunch and discussion at 12:30 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion, Mudd Bldg, Room 100, 1798 Scenic Ave. www.pana.psr.edu 

“Did God Have a Wife?” with Prof. William G. Denver on the archeology and folk religion of of ancient Israel, at 7 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion Bade Museum, 1798 Scenic Ave. www.pana.psr.edu 

Simplicity Forum on relationships and friendships at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 549-3509. 

Teen Book Club discusses favorite gory and creepy books at 4:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. Bring a book to share. 981-6107. 

Parents and Teens: Getting Beyond the Fight Learn techniques to resolve conflicts at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Family Story Time for children ages 3-7 at 7p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, North Branch, 1170 The Alameda. 981-6107. 

Storytime for Babies and Toddlers at 10:30 a.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

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. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline. namaste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

FRIDAY, FEB. 16 

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 

“The Untold Story Of Emmett Lois Till” A documentary by Keith A. Beauchamp at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Discussion with Rosemary Patton follows the screening. Donation $10. 528-5403. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Susan Fisher on “Human Embryonic Stem Cells.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

Manga and Anime Club for Tweens and Teens meets at 3:30 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 7:30 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. at University. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253.  

SATURDAY, FEB. 17 

Black History Month Community Celebration “Making the Connection: To Family, History, Purpose” with entertainment, presentations, and a soul food meal, from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 981-5218. 

African-American Feast Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lake Shore Ave., Oakland. Cost is $20, includes food and entertainment. 653-6055.  

“Are We a Democracy? Vote Counting in the United States” with Steven Freeman, Univ. of PA., Paul Lehto, of Verifiable Democracy, Joshua Mitteldorf, Univ. of AZ, and others, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave., Oakland. Sponsored by Elections Defense Alliance. www.ElectionDefenseAlliance.org 

Amiri Baraka and Ngugi wa Thiango in conversation at 7 p.m. at the Third World Book Fair, Eastside Cultural Center, 2277 International Blvd. www.eastsideartsalliance.com  

Memorial Celebration for Tillie Olsen at 1 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland.  

Celebrate Black History Month on the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. Admission is $14 adults, $6 for children, $20 for a family of four. www.hornetevents.com 

“Treads ‘N’ Tracks” Animals we don’t see leave behind clues of where they have been, and where they are going. We’ll search for tracks, then make some of our own to take home. At 2 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Kids Garden Club We plant, harvest, build, make crafts, cook and get dirty! For ages 6-9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. 636-1684. 

Open House and Volunteer Opportunity at Gateway Park in El Cerrito Learn about the ongoing restoration activities and the Baxter Creek Watershed Stewards, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dress to participate in weeding and planting activities. The Gateway site is located on the right-hand side of Key Blvd. at the end of the Ohlone Greenway, a 5-minute walk north from the El Cerrito Del Norte BART. 665-3686.  

The Last Drag Berkeley Free LGBT Quit Smoking Class begins at 10 a.m. at The Pacific Center, 2712 Telegraph Ave. and runs for six Sat. and one Sun. to register call 981-5330. 

Valentine Crab Fest & Dance at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Dinner seatings at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $10-$50. 526-3805.  

California Writers Club meets to discuss crime and ethics at 10 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, Jack London Square. 272-0120. 

Lead-Safe Painting & Remodeling Free class on lead safe renovations for older homes, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Temescal Branch Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 567-8280.  

SUNDAY, FEB. 18 

Huey P. Newton Birthday Commemoration from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at Black Repertory, 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $10. 652-2120. 

Open Garden at Tilden Park Join the Little Farm gardener for composting, planting, watering and reaping the rewards of our work, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Heavy rain cancels. 636-1684. 

Newt Hunt Every winter, newts return to our freshwater ponds to breed. Catch a glimpse of the incredible mating behavior of newts, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 636-1684. 

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m. at Willard Middle School, on Telegraph Ave. between Derby & Stuart. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. 526-7377. 

Mental Health Workshop and Training on Trauma with Will Hall, at 7:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. 

“Duality and Non-Duality; Salvation in Abrahamaic Traditions” with Alex Pappas at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. 535-0302, ext. 306.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Sylvia Gretchen on “Tibetan New Years: Culture and Tradition” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, FEB. 19 

“More Than Your Standard Garden” A workshop on creating a school garden as an outdoor classroom for science, math, or language arts. Learn how to develop standards-based lesson plans and link existing activities to California Content Standards, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Watershed Project, 1327 S 46th St. Bldg. #155, Richmond. Cost is $25, scholarships available. 665-3430. www.thewatershedproject.org 

“Creating An Ecological House” A seminar with Skip Wenz on modeling houses on ecosystems, natural building materials, solar design and alternative construction methods, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $85. 525-7610. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

ONGOING 

Berkeley Winter Campaign for Cats We are providing free trapping assistance and spay/neuter to feral and homeless cats in Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville and Piedmont, through March 2007. The cats will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas and returned safely back to their neighborhoods. To report a neighborhood in need or to volunteer, please call 908-0709. 

Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League Open to girls in grades 1-9. Spring season begins March 3. To register call 869-4277. www.abgsl.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Feb. 13, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Feb. 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jane Micallef, 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Feb. 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. J981-7484. 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Feb. 14, at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Feb. 14, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6740.  

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 644-6128 ext. 113.  

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 15, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7010.

FRIDAY, FEB. 9 

THEATER 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley “True West” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., through Feb. 17. Tickets are $12. 649-5999. www.aeofberkeley.org 

Altarena Playhouse Rogers and Hammerstein’s “A Grand Night for Singing” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda, through Feb. 17. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre Company “The Birthday Party” Wed. - Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through March 4. Tickets are $38. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Rep “The Pillowman” at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through March 11. Tickets are $33-$61. 647-2949. 

Black Repertory Group “Love Don’t Cost a Thang” a gospel play at 8 p.m. at 3201 Adeline St. Cost is $15. 472-5608. 

“Colorstruck” Donald Lacey’s one-man show at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St., Oakland, through Feb. 11. Tickets are $5-$15. 663-5683. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., at Moeser, El Cerrito., through March 3. Tickets are $15-$24. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Impact Theatre “Cartoon” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid, through March 10. Tickets are $10-$15. www.impacttheatre.com 

The Marsh “Shopping for God” Thurs.-Sat. at 7 p.m. at 2120 Allston Way, through March 3. Tickets are $15-$22. 1-800-838-5750. www.themarsh.org 

Masquers Playhouse “Arsenic and Old Lace” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., though Feb. 24, at 105 Park Playhouse, Point Richmond. Tickets are $15. 232-4031. 

Ragged Wing Ensemble “The Tempest” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at The Metal Shop Theater, 2425 Stuart St., behind Willard Middle School. Runs through Feb. 24. Tickets are $15-$25. 800-838-3006. www.raggedwing.org 

TheatreFirst “Nathan the Wise” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Old Oakland Theater, 481 Ninth St. at Broadway, Oakland, through March 4. Tickets are $21-$25. 436-5085. www.theatrefirst.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Obsession” Works of Fire and Passion Group Show opens with a reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave., and runs to March 3. 843-2527. www.accigallery.com 

Tony Bellaver “Interventions” Performance art from 1 to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Donations accepted. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

FILM 

The Lubitsch Touch “The Love Parade” at 7 p.m. and “Monte Carlo” at 9:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

P.J. O’Rourke reads from “On the Wealth of Nations” at 6:30 p.m. at The Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Reception at 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m. Cost is $15-$30. For reservations call 632-1366. 

Jonathan Raban introduces his novel “Surveillance” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alan Chen piano, at noon at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Healing Muses “Trillium” Three harps and two fiddles, at 8 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

Alam Kahn, Indian classical music at 8 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $15. 526-9146. 

Orquesta La Moderna Tradición, Cuban charanga music, at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Spanish Harlem Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Hurricane Sam & The Hotshots at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Callaloo, Caribbean, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Sarah Manning, jazz, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Darryl Henriques “The Social Security Show” at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Arlington Houston Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

The Nomadics, jazz, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Tartuffi, Pillows, Tippy Canoe at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Psychokinetics, Kirby Dominant at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Albino, Afro-beat, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7. 548-1159.  

SATURDAY, FEB. 10 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Uncle Eye & the Strange Change Machine at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Dragonwings” An Active Arts Theater production for ages 7-14, Sat. at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater for the Arts, 2640 College Ave, through Feb. 25. Tickets are $14 children, $18 adults. 925-798-1300. 

EXHIBITIONS 

Richmond Art Center Winter Exhibitions Reception for artists at 3 p.m. at 2540 Barrett Ave., entrance at 25th St., Richmond. 620-6772. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

“All Heart” A collaborative show with Children’s Hospital Aokland and Art For Life Foundation. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Runs through March 9. 644-4930. 

“Found Object Robots” Reception for the artist, Richard Amoroso, at 2 p.m. at the LAkeview Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland. 238-7344. 

“Sexicon: The Art and Language of Erotica” Reception at 9 p.m. at Living Room Gallery, 3230 Adeline St. Cost is $6. www.myspace.com/livingroomcollective 

FILM 

A Theater Near You “The Cabinet of the Brothers Quay, Program 1” at 6:30 p.m. and “Institute Benjamenta” at 8 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mary Ellen Jones, Gary Norris Gray and Patriece read from their works at 3 p.m. at the African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. 637-0200. 

Selene Steese and Jan Steckel, featured poets, at 7 p.m. at The Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru St., Alameda. Admission free, donations accepted. 523-6957. 

Renay Jackson, author of “Oaktown Devil” reads from his latest book “Crack City” at 2 p.m. at the Elmhurst Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 1427 88th Ave. 615-5727. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Arts Festival: John Schott’s Dream Kitchen, guitar, tuba, drums trio, at 8 p.m. at The Fidelity Bank Building, 2323 Shattuck Ave. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert at 8 p.m. at Valley Center, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. 849-9776. 

Healing Muses “La Vie en Rose” at 8 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

Martha & Monica “100 Years of Russian Revolution” music for cello and piano at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864.  

Steve Taylor-Ramirez at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

“Queen of Spain” musical theater at 5 p.m. at Music Sources, 1000 The Alameda. For reservations call 528-1658. 

Spanish Harlem Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Alúna, traditional Colombian music, at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Embers, 100 Suns, Mausolea, Passive Aggressive at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Ed Reed & Peck Allmond All-Star Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Samba Ngo, African-Congolese, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Joshua Eden and Jeremy Hox at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Upsurge! jazz-poetry ensemble, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Dave Rocha Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Moment’s Notice with Deanna Anderson, Antyne, Peter Giordano and others at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. Tickets are $8-$10. 847-1119. 

Dangerous Rhythm with Tim Fox at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473.  

The Lost Cats, swing, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Battle of the Bands: Finals at 6 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. All ages. 763-1146.  

John Howland Trio, Nucleus, Wayward Monks at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

SUNDAY, FEB. 11 

CHILDREN 

Asheba at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Mitali Perkins introduces “Rickshaw Girl” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Ira Marlowe sings songs for children under ten, at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Recent Works of Changming Meng” Reception for the artist at 3 p.m. at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave., Suite #4. 421-1255. www.altagalleria.com 

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” Guided tour at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

FILM 

Screenagers: Bay Area High School Film and Video Festival at noon and 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Architecture Tour of the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Meet at the koi pond, first level at 1 p.m. 238-2200. 

Luis Garcia and Richard Krech read at 7:30 at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

“Measure of Time” Gallery talk with Bill Berkson at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

Poetry Flash presents Martha Collins and Diana O’Hehir at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert at 2 p.m. at Valley Center, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Special outreach concert, free for students and seniors. 849-9776. 

Chamber Music Sundaes featuring San Francisco Symphony musicians and friends in concert at 3 p.m. at St John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets at the door are $18-$22. 415-753-2792. www.chambermusicsundaes.org  

Dawn Upshaw, soprano, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $68. 642-9988.  

Community Women’s Orchestra at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1331 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Suggested donation $10, children free. 463-0313. www.communitywomensorchestra.org 

Healing Muses “Sweet Persuasions to Enjoy” music from 17th centry England at 5 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

Seth Montfort and Thomas Penders, piano, at 5:30 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228. 

Soulful Swing Jazz Duo, Yancie Taylor, vibraphone, Ben Stolorow, piano, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $10. 644-6893. berkeleyartcenter.org 

Aileen Chanco and Raja Rahman, piano duo at 4 p.m. at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. at Sacramento. Tickets are $12. 559-2941. www.crowden.org 

“Sounds New” Contemporary American classic music at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kendington. Suggested Donation $10-$15. 524-2912. www.SoundsNewUS.org 

Ms Pumpkin’s Talent Show at 6 p.m. at Black Reportory Theater, 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $35. 652-2120. 

Pappa Gianni and the North Beach Band at 2 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

The Black Irish Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Aleph Null, CD release party at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Bob Marley Birthday Tribute with Soja, Native Elements at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 12 

FILM 

United Nations Association Film Festival “Armenian Lullaby” and “Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $8-$10. 769-7350. www.unaff.org 

SF Independent Film Festival “Stalking Santa” at 7 p.m. and “Unholy Women” at 9:30 p.m. at the California Theater, 2113 Kittredge St. Tickets are $10 for each screening. 464-5980. sfindie.com 

THEATER 

Shakespeare Intensive “Henry V” staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, Fireside Room, 1925 Cedar at Bonita. Other plays to be read each Mon. to Feb. 26. Cost is $5. 276-3871. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Monday Night Blues Lecture and performance held every Mon. night during Black History Month at 8 p.m. at Kimball’s Carnival, 522 Second St. Donation $5. 836-2227. 

Poetry from the Heart, readings and open mic at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. Kensington. 524-3043. 

Poetry Express with Amy Ehrlick at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Livingston Taylor at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Brandon Marsalis at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com  

TUESDAY, FEB. 13 

CHILDREN 

Alison Jackson, childrens’ author, reads at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. For age 3 and up. 524-3043. 

FILM 

SF Independent Film Festival “Viva” at 7 p.m. and “Gypsy Caravan” at 9:30 p.m. at the California Theater, 2113 Kittredge St. Tickets are $10 for each screening. 464-5980. sfindie.com 

Yoko Ono: Imagine Film “Grapefruit” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Cavani String Quartet and Sharon Mann, piano, in the “Mathematics + Music” concert series at noon at MSRI, 17 Gauss Way, near the intersection of Centennial Dr. and Grizzly Peak Blvd. Free. 642-0143. 

Cake, Honeycut, at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Cost is $20-$35. 642-0212. 

Gator Beat, Cajun/Zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 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.  

Cheryl Wheeler at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $25.50-$26.50. 548-1761.  

Debbie Poryes & Friends at 7:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Brandon Marsalis at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14 

EXHIBITIONS 

Fine Press, Artists’ Books and Fine Art Editions at the Codex International Bookfair, Wed. and Thurs. from noon to 6 p.m. at the ASUC Pauley Ballroom, UC Campus. Cost is $5-$15. www.codexfoundation.org 

FILM 

SF Independent Film Festival “The Hawk is Dying” at 7 p.m. and “Beyond Hatred” at 9:30 p.m. at the California Theater, 2113 Kittredge St. Tickets are $10 for each screening. 464-5980. sfindie.com 

Film 50: History of Cinema “The Lady Vanishes” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“El Pachuco and La Virgen de Guadaloupe” A reading by playwright Luis Valdez at 7 p.m. at the Dinner Boardroom, Hewlett Library, GTU, 2400 Ridge Rod. Seating is limited, RSVP to 649-2424. 

Spoken Word Love Fest 2007 hosted by Aya de León at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Storytelling with Ed Silberman at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

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 with songs and poetry for life, love an dmotherhood, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

The Dreamers sing music from the 20s to 60s for Valentine’s Day at 1:15 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 981-5190. 

Teri Odabi Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Chirgilchin, Tuvan throat singing at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$17. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Yaelisa and Caminos Flamencos at 6 and 8:30 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. For reservations call 287-8700. 

Paul Manousos, guitar, at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Cheryl Wheeler at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $25.50-$26.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The TieOne Ons at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Brandon Marsalis at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, FEB. 15 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Still I Rise” Recent art by Bryan Keith Thomas. Gallery walk through with the artist at 6 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. Runs through Feb. 26. 465-8928. 

“Paintings of Abu Ghraib” by Fernando Botero at 190 Doe Library, UC Campus, through March 23. 643-5651. www.clas.berkeley.edu 

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” Guided tour at 12:15 and 5:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

“Flight Out of Time” Exhibition of contemporary prints by Barbara Foster, Jimin Lee and Tadayoshi Nakabayashi at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. to March 17. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

“Used and Re-Used: decorative objects made from utilitarian materials” at the The Ames Gallery, 2661 Cedar St. through March 31. 845-4949. www.amesgallery.com 

Michael Howerton “Portraits” at Chachie’s Coffee Shop, 1768 Broadway at 19th St., Oakland. Exhibition runs though Feb. 28. www.howertonphoto. 

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“100 Families in Oakland: Art & Social Change” at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts.. Oakland, through April 22. 238-2200. 

“Transforming Vision: The Wood Sculpture of William Hunter, 1970-2005” at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts.. Oakland, through March 18. 238-2200. 

“Obsession” Works of Fire and Passion Group Show at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave., and runs to March 3. 843-2527. www.accigallery.com 

“Street Portraiture” Photographs by Tom Stone at The LightRoom Gallery, 2263 Fifth St., through Feb. 28. 649-8111. 

“Fire in the Heart” Paintings by Foad Satterfield influenced by African art at the Community Gallery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2450 Ashby Ave., through March 2. 204-1667. 

“Berkeley: 75 Years Ago” at the Berkeley History Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. Hours are Thurs.-Sat., 1 to 4 p.m. Exhibit runs through March. 848-0181. 

"The Children of Chaguitillo” Photography exhibition by Harold Adler at Au Coquelet, 2000 University Ave. through March 31. 472-3170. 

“Revisions” Works by Amy Berk using Jewish ceremonial textiles on display at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St., through Aug. 5. 549-6950. 

“African Art” by Okaybabs, Yinka Adeyemi, Adeyinka Fashokun, honoring Black History Month at the LunchStop Cafe, Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. Exhibit runs to March 30. 817-5773. 

“Recent Works of Changming Meng” at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave., Suite #4. 421-1255. www.altagalleria.com 

“Art of Living Black” at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond, and runs through March 16. 620-6772. www.richmondartcenter.org 

“Environmental Surrealism” works by Guy Colwell and Michelle Waters at Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St., Oakland, through Feb. 23. 444-7411. www.estebansabar.com 

Oakland Art Association Juried Show at the MTC Offices, Bort MetroCenter, 3rd floor, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. Exhibition runs to March 30. 817-5773. 

THEATER 

Level 9 Enterprises “Buffalo Soldiers, A Tale Lost” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$30. 925-798-1300. 

Advanced Theatre Projects Directors Lab “Ten Little Indians” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Florence Shwimley Little Theater, Berkeley High Campus. Tickets are $5. 

FILM 

SF Independent Film Festival “Green Mind, Metal Bats” at 7 p.m. and “Ten Canoes” at 9:30 p.m. at the California Theater, 2113 Kittredge St. Tickets are $10 for each screening. 464-5980. sfindie.com 

Film Series with David Thomson “Pierrot le Fou” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Peggy Orenstein describes “Waiting For Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, An Oscar, An Atomic Bomb, A Romantic Night and One Woman’s Quest to Become a Mother” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Poetry Flash celebrates “New” magazine with poets Etel Adnan, Irina Dyatlovskaya, Norman Fischer, Joanne Kyger, Michael Rothenberg, John Olivre Simon and Gary Snyder at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St.. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Melanie DeMore and an African American Cultural Celebration with St. Paul’s Episcopal School Choirs at 7 p.m. at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. Free.  

Rachid Halihal & Friends, Middle Eastern/North African at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Steve Taylor-Ramirez at 6 p.m. at MamaBuzz Cafe, 2318 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Free. All ages. 289-2272. 

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

Christy Dana Quintet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Amy Obenski, singer/songwriter at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Joel Streeter, DRB, Young Moderns at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Julia Lau at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Brandon Marsalis at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $26-$30. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

ACTIVE ARTS THEATER FOR KIDS 

Dragonwings, an Active Arts Theater production for kids age 7-14 will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 25 at the Julia Morgan Theater for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. $14 for children, $18 for adults. For more information, call (925) 798-1300.  

DREAM KITCHEN LIVE AT ARTS FESTIVAL 

John Schott plays his guitar all over the Bay Area with muscians as diverse as fiddler Suzy Thompson and the Paul Dresher Ensemble. His own group, Dream Kitchen, which specializes in jazz from 1900 to 1930 and features a tuba, is starting to attract a cult following. They’re appearing as part of the Berkeley Arts Festival at 8 p.m. Saturday at the now-vacant Ratcliff-designed Fidelity Bank Building, 2323 Shattuck Ave.www.berkeleyartsfestival.com. 

RECEPTION FOR CHANGMING MENG 

Painter Changming Meng has won many awards in his native China, and was recently featured in an exhibit at UC Berkeley. A new show of his work opens Sunday with a 3 p.m. reception at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave. in Berkeley.421-1255. www.altagalleria.com. 

UNITED NATIONS FILM FESTIVAL 

Armenian Lullaby and Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars will be screened as part of the United Nations Association Film Festival at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12 at Pacific Film Archive. 2575 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. $8-$10. 769-7350. www.unaff.org.

Jazz singer Ed Reed will celebrate the release of his first CD, Ed Reed Sings Love Stories, this Saturday (Feb. 10) at Anna’s Jazz Island, performing a rare date with the stellar band that made the album, led by Berkeley favorite (now New York-based) Peck Allmond, a triumph for an unusual vocalist of real excellence, whose hour is long overdue. 

Ed Reed—a life-long singer who grew up in Watts, who was taught to sing over chord changes by Charles Mingus, shared the stage with many of the luminaries of the Central Avenue L. A. jazz scene and was once featured regularly on a radio station owned in part by Frank Sinatra, earning kudos from some of the greats of the music—just turned 78 last week, full of enthusiasm and in complete possession of his remarkable baritone range and classic style. 

Peck Allmond, the notable multi-instrumentalist who emerged from Berkeley High, gracing the Bay Area scene before departing for New York 14 years ago, met Reed at a Santa Cruz mountains music camp where Allmond was teaching two summers ago, when the musical camper sang at a fireside jam. “He had such a mature voice and style,” Allmond said, “That I approached him to ask about his records, surprised I’d never heard his name—only to find out he’d never recorded.”  

Allmond went to work, recruiting noted producer and radio personality Bud Spangler to produce a CD, finding himself co-producer, arranger and band leader, assembling a brilliant backup combo: New York pianist Gary Fisher, San Francisco’s Eddie Marshall (whose group Allmond had played with) as drummer (moonlighting on recorder), John Wiitala on bass, with Allmond himself playing an array of instruments from trumpet and all the reeds, to trombonium and kalimbas. 

And through the lush, exciting group sounds, Ed Reed’s clear, warm baritone glides and glistens with rare ease and grace, completely in the tradition of post-Eckstine vocalizing, yet carving out a niche of its own, with particularly fine versions of tunes by Ellington, Strayhorn and Monk, an adventuresome “Bye Bye Blackbird,” Carmen MacRae’s arrangement of “If The Moon Turns Green,” “A Sleepin’ Bee” (a favorite of Reed’s in the Bill Henderson version) and a poignant a capella of “Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child,” which must be full of personal meaning. 

To answer Sheila Jordan’s query, Ed Reed’s great talent was hidden away in San Quentin and Folsom prisons, where he drew four stretches over a 40-year period for drug-related charges. 

Reed is an engaging man, by turns thoughtful and humorous, even a little mischievous. He speaks freely of his troubles more than 20 years after he finally got clean, confirming what Peck Allmond said: “Ed’s remarkably free of bitterness or vindictiveness. He spends his time teaching people how to get along with themselves.” 

A self-employed group leader and lecturer (”Kaiser made me an employee—otherwise, I don’t work for anybody but myself”), Reed says one moment of epiphany came when he was leading a group of co-dependents. “I was a black ex-convict, ex-junkie from Watts, and they were mostly middle class Anglo women. I thought had everything—and I understood they had the same blues that I had.” 

Reed, an ever-inquiring lifelong reader, whose mother was a classical singer who wanted to sing opera (“but her mother was born on a plantation and thought it was the craziest thing she ever heard”), reflected on his long bouts of addiction and incarceration with pointed words (“they call it Justice, and they’ll kill you”), but with the focused immediacy of a man who has successfully sought himself, and works to extend that realization to others. He has tart stories about many jazz greats he knew: Dexter Gordon, Hampton Hawes, Art Farmer and Wardell Gray at a jam where Reed was singing with them, trying to keep a bib-overalled, long-haired Ornette Coleman off the bandstand (“they wore suits!”) ... or the time he was arrested with a celebrated player: “I went to Folsom—and he went to Europe! Man! But you know, in a way, I felt kind of honored ...” 

Reed sings every Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. with a duo backing him at The Cheeseboard on Shattuck—a long way from his standing gig at the Folsom warden’s weekly show in the mid-’60s, with Art Pepper blowing solos on every tune—none of it recorded. “If I don’t sing, I’m unhappy. One way to be happy is do what you love.” 

He’s been married to his wife Diane for 39 years (they live in Richmond); he sang a duet of “Sleepin’ Bee” with Bill Henderson in Santa Monica the year before last. And now his first CD’s out, for which he has great ambitions. “If you want a life, you’ve got to paint a picture of it. You’ve got to see it or you can’t get there ... but if it’s not fun, I’m gone!” 

Ed Reed’s music can be heard at www.edreedsings.com; Peck Allmond’s at www.myspace.com/peckallmond. 

There are more than 400 prisoners in the U.S. detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, rotting away with little or no recourse to the law, no contact with families or lawyers or the governments of the nations from which they came. Tragic as the situation may be, these men are almost celebrity cases in comparison to the hundreds or possibly thousands of wrongly incarcerated men who bide their time in our state and federal prisons.  

After Innocence, a 2005 documentary newly released on DVD by New Yorker Video, takes a thoughtful look at seven of these men, men whose innocence was finally proven by DNA evidence after five, 10, even 23 years in prison.  

And this is just a small sample; for every prisoner who manages to mount an appeal with DNA evidence there may hundreds more without legal help, or whose case evidence has been lost or mishandled to the point where there is nothing left to test.  

It’s a bitter pill to swallow, especially now, here in California, where our prisons are so overcrowded that the governor has begun shipping prisoners out of state to make room for still more. There are many unjustly serving life sentences under the Three Strikes law, many serving stiff sentences for relatively minor crimes, and who knows how many serving time for no reason at all. 

As After Innocence demonstrates, vengeance seems to be in our blood. Violent crimes can tear apart families and communities, and afterwards the public and the victims’ families need closure, putting police and police are under great pressure to imprison someone, anyone, to put the everyone’s mind at ease. The need can be so strong that we can convince ourselves that we have seen things we have not seen, or that evidence that is dubious or incomplete amounts to conclusive proof. As the film makes clear, eyewitness testimony, usually considered reliable, is often anything but; in fact, most of those wrongly incarcerated in this country were convicted on the basis of eyewitness testimony that was later proven false.  

Wilton Dedge has one of the more extraordinary stories. He was locked up essentially because he had long blond hair, though he was nearly a foot shorter than the description of the rapist he was taken for. He then spent 20 years in jail before finally proving his innocence; and yet, he was still not released for another three years as the Florida legal system fought to keep the finality of its decisions from being undermined.  

The complexities of identification only worsen across racial lines. A white rape victim thought she had identified her black assailant in a police lineup and her testimony sent him to jail. When DNA evidence finally proved his innocence, she not only apologized but joined forces with him to publicize the unreliability of eyewitness testimony, the injustices of the legal system, and the organizations to which the wrongly incarcerated can apply for help. When the true assailant was finally found, he and the man sent to prison in his place had little in common but the color of their skin.  

What is remarkable about the men in this film is how little anger they have; they have no need for vengeance, or even justice. Nick Yarris spent more than 20 years in solitary confinement and comes closest to losing control of his emotions, at times displaying anger and exasperation, but this is as far as it goes, though he could certainly be forgiven for going a lot further. But apparently the years of injustice have only instilled within these men a stronger sense of the value of justice and forgiveness. Sure, they’d like an apology and maybe some kind of program to help them readjust (since they are innocent men and not ex-cons they are entitled to none of the programs and benefits granted to parolees). And it might be nice if the authorities would finally get around to the bureaucratic task of actually erasing their criminal records so that they can find employment and housing more easily. But vengeance is not on their agenda.  

In times when we are quick to lock up undesirables, and when those who express empathy for the incarcerated are vilified as America-haters, as terrorism-enablers, or, epithet of epithets, “soft on crime,” these wrongly incarcerated men, martyrs of a faulty legal system, have much to teach us about compassion and forgiveness.  

An old Brooklyn mansion, stuffed with memories—and more than memories—of an eccentric, even grisly past, presently populated by two smiling old spinsters who only want to help lonely men find peace; one nephew, a gangster, who barges in with his drunken plastic surgeon, Dr. Einstein; a chorus line of Irish cops; and the other nephew, in love with the minister’s daughter next door, himself the grisliest thing of all—a drama critic. 

(Oh yes, and that corpse—whichever one it is at the moment—in the window seat.) 

Such is the cheerfully frenetic unreality of life on a quiet street across the river from the New York of yore, in that still hilarious send-up of respectability colliding with the further reaches of genteel insanity—and a lot of craziness not quite so genteel—Arsenic and Old Lace, now onstage in a delightful rendition at the Masquers Playhouse in Point Richmond. 

Betsy Bell Ringer has conducted her cast through the casually farcical uproar that’s predicated by the maiden sisters Brewster plying their would-be gentlemen boarders with a tainted glass of elderberry wine. There’s a unanimity of purpose here, which is probably the only way this old burlesque of so many long-forgotten conventions of the stage—and of society—can be brought off. 

And they succeed quite handsomely: Martha Luehrman and Theo R. Collins as the brightly poisonous sisters, David Bintinger as their thug nephew (who flies into a murderous rage when anyone identifies his much-lifted face as like Boris Karloff’s), C. Conrad Cady as the shyly tippling Dr. Einstein, Michael O’Brien charging up the stairs as if San Juan Hill in his sanguine delusion of being Teddy Roosevelt ... these and their fellows in an ensemble of 14 have the right idea: play it upbeat and straight, and the laughs will follow. 

Only Dan Garfinkle as critic Mortimer and Steph Peek as minister’s daughter Elaine, ingenues equally incorrigible as the crazies they’re surrounded with, have a sometimes rough go of it—though Dan Garfinkle manages to get into the swim, while Steph Peek seems caught in another time zone at moments. The comic lovers are a fragile convention; it’s difficult to make them seem true to type when that type’s been covered over and supplanted so many times in the past seven decades or so. 

The closest relatives, in the conventional sense (of humor), which we have to the denizens of the Brewster manse would probably be Edward Gorey’s deft, mock-melancholic procession of tintypes, or the late Charles Addams’ hoary cartoons (not the eponymous “Family").  

As is so often the case with Masquers’ shows, the parlor decor and tea set (Rob Bradshaw’s) and Loralee Windsor’s exceptional costuming give the production just the right, slightly stagy, comfortable touch to ease the audience into the charming hysteria of these characters out of a family so famously mad, that the most triumphant note struck is a cry of discovery: “I’m a bastard!”  

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE 

Presented by Masquer’s Playhouse at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 24. $15. 

105 Park Playhouse, Point Richmond.  

232-4031. 

Luis Garcia and Richard Krech, two lifelong Berkeley poets, will read for Monday At Moe’s, the series produced by Owen Hill at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave., 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12. 

Admission is free. Books by the poets will be available. 

Garcia, a native of Berkeley, had his first book published in Chile, 1963, where he was studying with poet Nicanor Parra. Later books were published by George Hitchcock’s Kayak Press, Robert Hawley’s Oyez Press, and White Rabbit Press—three of the best-known Bay Area poetry presses of the ‘60s-’70s. 

In 1965, Garcia met poet Robert Creeley “by chance” at the Berkeley Poetry Conference. Some years later, after taking a course with Creeley through S.F. State, Garcia was invited to his home in Bolinas. “We didn’t discus writing poetry; he seemed relieved I didn’t ask about it! We just drank wine together, but I came away with more subliminal information than ever came out of any class or lecture.” 

Though he never stopped writing, Garcia withdrew from the poetry scene in the 80s, but has been active again since the 90s, His book The Token (Summit Press) came out last year. He also organized poetry events at the Berkeley Art Center in Live Oak Park, notably reading with poet James Schevill. 

Garcia says he’s not a metaphysical poet, but one who writes about feelings: “I feel my way through a poem.” Those poems play with shades of meaning and the musical assonance of words. “I’ve come to have a small body of work about process; some about time and mortality—and a few do a little muckraking.” 

Richard Krech grew up in Berkeley, producing a single issue mimeo magazine in 1965, then starting Undermine Press in ‘66, publishing the six issues of The Avalanche and a series of chapbooks, and running a free open reading series every Sunday at Shakespeare & Co. Bookstore. 

Meanwhile, his first book was issued by poet d. a. levy in Cleveland. He read at the Bowery Poets Co-Op in 1965 (“a bunch of anarchists sitting around, drinking wine!”) and at SF’s Rolling Renaissance in 1968. Further collections were published by Gunrunner and Runcible Spoon; in 1976, Litmus Papers put out The Incompleat Works of Richard Krech. That year, he entered law school and stopped writing poetry. “Ron Silliman, who I published first in my mimeo magazine, calls it a 25-year linebreak,” said Krech. “But I never stopped writing, just writing poetry.” 

After a trip around the world, from the journals of which a North African entry found its way into a poem last year, Krech opened his ongoing criminal defense practice in Oakland, representing clients charged with “everything from murder to shoplifting—but also antiwar and antiapartheid demonstrators, pro bono, and the only KPFA demonstrator arrested whose case went to trial [in 2000].” 

“Lawyers are considered bad writers,” Krech continued. “I liked to write appeals for others in my office. Some opponents may well have thought it was fiction.” 

In 2001, concerned about family health crises, he read about the demolition of the giant statue of Buddha in Afghanistan (“I once meditated while sitting in a cave atop the statue, looking over the Bamiyan Valley”), and thinking about life and death, wrote his first poem in a quarter century, “The Statue with No Face.” Since then, poems have appeared in chapbooks, magazines, and online. 

If you’ve ever dined in the rear portion of the Great China restaurant on Kittredge Street, you might have noticed that this space is markedly different from the front part. Redwood board-and-batten wainscots; redwood doors and window trim; a beamed tongue-and-groove ceiling with elegantly carved brackets; and a doorway incorporating a fan of Victorian spindlework all suggest that these rooms were part of a former home. 

A home is exactly what the building at 2117 Kittredge used to be. Behind the 1920s stucco façade and its two storefronts hides a late 19th-century house. Clad in shingles but sporting the cross gables and the square turret of a Queen Anne house, this hybrid creation was constructed in 1894, at a time when practically the entire block was residential. The designer-builder was prominent Berkeley contractor, pioneer civic figure, and amateur artist A.H. Broad.  

Alphonso Herman Broad (1851–1930) was born in Maine to a farming family. He came to Berkeley in 1877, on the eve of the town’s incorporation, and immediately took an active part in its civic life. In 1878, he was elected to Berkeley’s first board of trustees on the Workingmens’ Convention slate and served for two crucial years in which the board put in place our property assessment mapping system (still in use); instituted the position of Town Engineer and the first infrastructure works; devised business licensing and tax collection systems; and created a police force. 

In 1887 and ’88, Broad would serve as town marshal and ex-officio Superintendent of Streets, in which capacities he would improve Berkeley’s sanitation by building an underground sewage system and forbidding the discharge of “offensive effluvia” into Strawberry Creek. 

Long after his death, Broad was remembered as a man of action. In the 1950s, when the city council was debating how to deal with the menace of pigeons in Constitution Square, it was goaded into action by a letter from Bertha Whitney Nicklin (1878–1964), who wrote: 

I only wish Mr. A. H. Broad were still a member of our City Council, as he would certainly do something about it. The Southern Pacific built a new station but they would not put a “Chic Sale” (rest room) inside. They left the old one outside. So when the last SP train roared down from North Berkeley at midnight one night, Mr. Broad tied a rope around the “Chic Sale” and fastened the other end to the train, and it was scattered all the way to Sixteenth St. station. They put one inside the Berkeley station. 

Having begun as a carpenter, Broad went into business as a building contractor and designer in 1880. Within five years, he was well-known throughout Berkeley and Oakland for his Eastlake cottages. Over the course of five decades, Broad not only supervised construction of a large number of structures in all parts of Berkeley but also designed many of them. 

For many years, Broad’s office was located on the east side of Shattuck Avenue between Center and Addison, across the street from the SP station. His display ad in the 1894 directory proclaimed, “Architect and Builder, Special Attention Given to Jobbing. Plans and Specifications Furnished. Houses Built on Installments. Cabinet Work of Every Description Neatly Done. SHOP, Near Odd Fellows’ Hall. RESIDENCE, Center St., near Shattuck Ave.” 

The Odd Fellows Hall had been built by Broad, a long-standing Odd Fellow himself. The building was razed to make way for the Mason-McDuffie building on the corner of Shattuck and Addison. 

In 1892, Broad built the Whittier School, the Le Conte School, and the Columbus School. After the San Francisco earthquake and fire, Mr. Broad became “superintendent of reconstruction of Berkeley Schools injured by the earthquake,” rebuilding various sections of Berkeley High School and other academic buildings. It was at this time that he gained the distinction of being the first city official ever to seek a reduction in salary, on the grounds that reconstruction work was almost complete. 

Broad kept up with the changing styles in home design, and his work ranges from the early Stick-Eastlake to the rustic Brown Shingle of the early 1900s. He often worked as Bernard Maybeck’s contractor, and his early 20th-century work reflects the influence of the First Bay Region Tradition architects. 

While constructing Maybeck’s Boke house (1901) at 23 Panoramic Way, Broad built next door a shingled house of his own design for Margaret A. Dean, grandmother of Dan Dean, retired Berkeley High School counselor and husband of our former mayor. 

A year earlier, Broad built a shingled Dutch Colonial house at 2683 Le Conte Ave. for Rev. Dr. Robert Irving Bentley of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The house is a City of Berkeley Landmark, as is Broad’s earliest surviving building, the George Edwards house, a Queen Anne-Eastlake cottage at 2530 Dwight Way (1886). Several years ago, the derelict Edwards house was rehabilitated as the anchor of an attractive housing development on the edge of People’s Park. 

Another designated landmark, the shingled Haste Street Annex of McKinley School, (1906), was similarly destined for demolition but is now preserved as the First Presbyterian Church McKinley Hall. 

Broad’s fourth landmark is his own residence at 2117 Kittredge St. This was just one of several houses he occupied over the years—all of them in downtown Berkeley. A few hundred feet away, at 2207 Atherton St. (now the site of Edwards Stadium), lived his close friend and artistic mentor, the famed landscape painter William Keith. The two made many joint sketching trips to the Sierras. 

Largely self-taught, Broad was influenced by the Barbizon school of plein-air painting. He specialized in landscapes of California and his native New England. One of the many A.H. Broad stories circulated by Berkeley Gazette columnist Hal Johnson recounted that “Keith once said he wished he could paint trees as well as Broad. ‘If you had sawed and pounded as many trees into houses as I, you might be able to paint them better,’ replied Broad.” 

As his artistic skills developed, Broad began to paint a “signature” picture to be hung in each of the houses he completed. Many of his paintings are prized in Berkeley homes. Examples of his art are to be found at the Oakland Museum’s collection of California Art, the Shasta Collection at the College of the Siskiyous, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association, and the Elks Club building. Broad’s name is mentioned in several art history books, and he is now better known for his art than for his buildings. 

Broad, his wife Julia (1850–1921), and their two daughters, Ursula and Julia Luella, lived at 2117 Kittredge St. from 1907 until 1915. Daughter Julia was married twice during this period but remained in the parental home with her successive husbands. In 1915, Broad built his final residence, a 3-story, 6-unit apartment building at 2030 Bancroft Way. The move may have been prompted by the building of the California Theater next to his Kittredge home, but Ursula continued to live there for the rest for the her life, and the Broad family kept the house as income property until the younger Julia’s death in 1962. 

It was Broad himself who added the storefronts to the Kittredge house in 1926. He was a practical man who adapted to the circumstances and often built two houses on one downtown lot, as was also the case at 2117 Kittredge. 

While Broad and his wife appear to have occupied one of the apartments at 2030 Bancroft, Julia and her second husband, Leslie Graham, lived at 2032 Bancroft, a Victorian house at the rear of the same lot. In 1930, the year of Broad’s death, the family was landlord to numerous tenants residing in various downtown buildings, including the houses occupied by the Broads themselves. 

The tenants represented a wide spectrum of the lower middle class and working class, including salespeople, bookkeepers, truck drivers, restaurant employees, a railcar upholsterer, a nurse, a sign painter, a telephone operator—people who today would be squeezed out of Berkeley. 

A Broad-designed Victorian at 2232 Haste St., now divided into 14 units, was the childhood home of Sierra Club leader David Brower. Brower planted the large redwood tree in the front yard. 

Daniella Thompson publishes berkeleyheritage.com for the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA). 

CORRECTION: The following sentence has been omitted from the original version of this article: 

A Broad-designed Victorian at 2232 Haste St., now divided into 14 units, was the home of Sierra Club leader David Brower’s parents in the 1940s and ’50s.  

It has been replaced by: 

A Broad-designed Victorian at 2232 Haste St., now divided into 14 units, was the childhood home of Sierra Club leader David Brower.  

A couple of months ago, I wrote about Berkeley Indoor Gardens, an indoor gardening (surprise!) store down at the tidal end of University Avenue. I got to feeling bad because I hadn’t written about the other indoor gardening store across the street. This one even advertises on KPIG, my favorite radio station. (So does Memphis Minnie’s, home of the best Sunday brunch in San Francisco. Don’t take my word for it—go eat!)  

So here’s the other side of the street, Berkeley’s Secret Garden, just to be fair. Also because I enjoyed visiting both. 

Both places have the requisite cute dog. At Secret Garden, we were greeted by a youngish smooth-coated somebreed-or-other with decent manners and a short attention span. Both places have prominent wall décor alluding to perfectly legal™ applications for their technology: here, more orchids; across the street at Indoor Gardens there were a few more references to the likes of home-grown salads.  

Both have the (also requisite) space-station arrays of silvery foil, fat PVC piping, moving water, whirring fans, and psychedelically whirling light arrays nurturing lush green tropicals and houseplants. Both sell sacks of soil replacements and amendments, and a great many supplements.  

Both are conveniently located in the neighborhood of Templebar and a number of Indian clothing and jewelry stores for a certain flavor of one-stop shopping. (I used the occasion of the scouting visit to discover that not only do those little bangle bracelets, the ones made to wear in multiples, come in designated sizes, but I need the largest one. No surprise, I guess. My glove size went up measurably after I’d spent a few years with my Number Eight Felco shears practically imbedded in my right hand, pruning for a living.)  

Secret Garden might have the edge on sheer numbers of arcane secret recipes. You could theoretically assemble everything a sane plant would need, from minerals and micronutrients to the best approximations of a number of mycorrhizal fungi, and add a few ecogroovy pesticides besides: several predatory bugs, including pirate bugs (Yo ho ho!) and a bacillus I hadn’t heard of: B. subtilis, used pretty much the way B. thuringiensis is and apparently as a disease control for lawns, of all things.  

Places like this seem to be cutting-edge for low-toxin gardening in general, maybe because people are touchy about introducing nasty stuff into their own homes. No doubt the Green Triangle granola culture has an influence too; there are handmade glass jars and “potpourri grinders” in the window, and a Seeds of Change rack.  

There’s also a bewildering variety of plant “nutritional” supplements—the scare quotes here are because plants do photosynthesize their own food. It’s evidence of a hundred lines of inquiry and theorizing about what plants and soils do together. One interesting product was a tank array of Humtea, a version of manure tea that has never seen the inside of a herbivore.  

Might be fun to use, but I’m still not drinking it, thanks.  

Berkeley’s Secret Garden 

921 University Ave. 

486-2117 

Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 

Saturday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 

Sunday: Noon-5 p.m. 

www.berkeleyssecretgarden.com/ 

Ron Sullivan is a former professional gardener and arborist. Her “Garden Variety” column appears every Friday in the Daily Planet’s East Bay Home & Real Estate section. Her column on East Bay trees appears every other Tuesday in the Daily Planet.

Breakers of the space-age: In 2003 there were over 73,000 electrical fires and nearly 600 resulting deaths, not to mention about a billion dollars in property loss. Most of these fires were caused by electrical “arcing.”  

Now what IS arcing and why does it cause fires? 

When I think of arcing, I always think of those early science fiction movies where an electrical current can be seen bridging across a pair of metal prongs held upright (they call this a “Jacob’s ladder”). The arc climbs up and disappears, replaced by a new shorter one that then also climbs up and out of sight. “It’s ALIVE!” screams Gene Wilder. Yes, that’s an arc, although that particular one is under control and doing what we wish it to do. There are also tiny arcs occurring inside of motors all the time as the little copper brushes sweep across the magnetic core, causing the whole thing to rotate. Motors seen in the dark usually issue some flecks of orange light. Get down on the kitchen floor and look beneath the fridge at night and you might see what I’m talking about. Now, all arcing is not good. In fact, most arcing isn’t good at all and the majority of electrical fires are caused it.  

When two wires are separated by a tiny space, the power attempts to jump the gap. This gap creates resistance and this creates heat. This effect can built upon itself (heat melts metal creating more of a gap and more resistance and so on) until wires begin to melt and nearby combustibles, such as insulation or wood, catch fire. These gaps can be caused by a cord that has been worn from repeated bending or from prolonged heat. A cord or wire may have been stepped on or punctured in use or a pair of wires in a “wire-nut” (these are used to join wires in most houses) may have pulled just a teensy bit apart.  

Any of these conditions can begin to create heat and lead to a fire. If you notice that you have an outlet that glows or gets hot, it has likely developed an “arc-fault,” A cord may also feel hot in one place and the same might well be true. There are lots of ways and places that this can occur and for years, the only thing we could do was to rely upon our wits and sluggish old style breakers and fuses to eventually notice the increased heat on the circuit. Sadly, these devices are not good at detecting arc-faults and fires continued to break out. But wait, computer technology is here to save you, Mr & Mrs. Ludd. 

Just as electrical engineering has learned to “see” and “hear” for robots, cars and so many other devices in our brave new electronic world, circuit breakers, too, have begun to think in a very exciting new way. They have learned to hear the sounds of arcing, which I think is incredibly cool.  

Arcing has a particular sound or wave-form, if you speak oscilloscope. The amazing thing is that these devices can ignore the arcing of a motor but attend to the wave form of a wire that has begun to spark and overheat. If they sense this particular kind of arcing going on, they kill the circuit, preventing a deadly fire. This new breaker, the Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter or AFCI is new and not in widespread use … yet. These are not required in older houses that have electrical repairs and is only required for the bedrooms in new houses. Even this requirement is only true where city inspectors are using the 2002 code book and amazingly enough, many cities are 7-10 years behind on code enforcement.  

One might also ask why we’re not using this life-saving technology on all of our circuits and one should! The truth is, it’s being discussed in those gray rooms that you and I are never invited into. Might be a security clearance thing. Nevertheless, those who write the codes are doing what they can to push this technology forward and get it into homes across the U.S. and Canada. I have no idea where the EU stands and can find nothing on AFCIs in the U.K. either. 

The good news is that you can go forth and procure these lovelies for your home and put them in as a means of decreasing your fire risk. There are, however, some things you need to know about them since nothing is ever as sweet as it seems from across the street through the shop window. 

Older homes tend to have lots of tiny/minor arc-faults and installation of an AFCI breaker on your bedroom circuit might result in a breaker that trips when energized and will not reset. I’ve seen it myself. You can then set about to find the tiny arc-faults, which is certainly a worthy, if not valiant attempt but you may find it beyond your purse size or the skills of your electrician to complete such a task. Nonetheless, I think it’s worthwhile.  

Be aware that old, worn electrical cords and certain appliances are more likely to be the cause of an arc-fault than your old knob and tube wiring. An old outlet may be the cause or perhaps an old poorly wired lamp or switch. In short, it’s easier to put these in a new house but worthwhile to try to use in an old one. I think one could even argue that this is good way to challenge the most problematic portions of an older electrical system. 

Sometimes an inspection client will jokingly tell me that they don’t want to hear what’s wrong with the house but if I challenge them, they will typically smile and say that they really DO want to know. I think they just want me to be gentle, which, of course, I always am (he smiled to himself). I think this is a similar issue. It’s better to find out and now there’s a really good way to do it. By the way, I’d very much recommend using our new friend the AFCI in all parts of the house. There’s no reason not to use them in bathrooms, kitchens or garages as well, although you may find out that your toaster oven needs to be tossed out. 

AFCIs cost about 100 bucks a piece so they’re not cheap but I’m sure they’ll be coming down in price, just as the GFCI has. (That’s the Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter, the AFCIs shock preventing cousin, seen in baths across America.)  

So installation of AFCIs, including the troubleshooting they can induce, may cost hundred or even thousands of dollars. For now, you’ll have the be the judge of their value since you’re not likely to have them foisted upon your older home. If you buy new, you may be buying them any way. 

So, whether you retrofit them into your older home or receive them with your new one, please do take advantage of these space-age sentinels and you won’t have to keep the home-fires burning. 

Got a question about home repairs and inspections? Send them to Matt Cantor at mgcantor@pacbell.net.

FRIDAY, FEB. 9 

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 Ed Klinenberg on “Dramatic Impressions of China.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

Forum on Bullying In The Workplace and The Role of The Unions In Fighting It from 4 to 6 p.m. in Room G-209, Laney College, Oakland. Go up the stairs where Eighth St. ends at Fallon St. and turn right. 464-3181. 

First Annual Chinese New Year Sidewalk Parade at 6 p.m. starting at the top/east of Solano Ave. 527-5358. 

“On the Wealth of Nations” A evening with humorist P.J. O’Rourke at 6:30 p.m. at The Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Reception at 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m. Cost is $15-$30. For reservations call 632-1366. 

Womansong Circle A participatory circle of song for women at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing. Donation $15-$20.  

“An Inconvenient Truth” screening at 8 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Unit 4 Dorms, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com (code UCB) 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 7:30 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. at University. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253. www.circledancing.com 

SATURDAY, FEB. 10 

Berkeley Path Wanderers Exploration of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park with ethnologist and wildlife biologist Jim Hale. The walk includes several rock sites used by Native Americans and is followed by an optional drive to see rock art at nearby Poinsett Park in El Cerrito. Meet at 10 am at the Wildcat Canyon Staging Area, Park Ave. 0.1 mile northeast of McBryde Ave., Richmond. Bring water and lunch. Dress in layers and be prepared for rain and mud. 925-939-4304. www.berkeleypaths.org  

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11:30 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 $3-$5. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class “Demystifying Tofu and Tempeh” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $45, plus $5 materials fee. To register call 531-2665. www.compassionatecooks.com 

Grandmothers Against the War Come and sign Valentine post cards urging Congress to Bring the Troops Home Now from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at various locations, including College and Ashby, Farmers Market at Civic Center, and the Flea Market and Ashby and Martin Luther King. 

“Taking Out Country Back From the Right: A Strategy for Liberals and Progressive for the Coming Two Years” with Rabbi Michael Lerner at 7:30 p.m. at Twin Towers United Methodist Church, Oak and Central, Alameda. Presented by the Alameda Public Affairs Forum. www.alamedaforum.org 

“Principles and Controversies of Evolution” with David Seaborg, evolutionary biologist, to Celebrate Darwin Day at 1 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., midtown Oakland. 393-5685. 

“Conservation Biology” A symposium from 8 a.m. to 7 pm. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Register on-line www.bacbs.org 

“Ethnography of Roses” with horticulturist Peter Klement from 10 a.m. to noon at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $15-$20. Registration required. 643-2755. 

“The Orchid Guy” Brian Petraska will give an overview of orchids and their culture, at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. Bring an orchid that you want to re-pot. 704-8222. 

“Does Humor Belong in Buddhism?” A conference beginning on Fri. at 4 p.m. with a lecture by Donald Lopez on “What’s So Funny About the Laughing Buddha?” in the Toll Room, Alumni House, UC Campus. Conference continues on Sat. For details call 643-6536. http://buddhiststudies.berkeley.edu/events 

Great War Society, East Bay Chapter, meets to discuss “German & British Military Revisions, 1917-1918” by Robert Deward, at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

Origami for Valentine’s Day from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Art and Music Room, 5th Flr., Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org 

Friends of the Albany Library Book Sale Sat. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room of the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. To volunteer call 526-3720, ext. 5. 

Choosing Green Building Materials For Your Remodel from 9 to 11 a.m. at Truitt & White, 1817 Second St. Free, but registration required. 649-2674. 

Healing Muses Balkan Dance Workshop with Catherine Sutton from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

Healing Muses Workshop on Songs from the French Renaissance from 4 to 6 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

“Love Stories From the Heart” at 9 a.m. at Dramatically Speaking Toastmasters, at 1950 Franklin St., Room 2F. RSVP required, ID needed to get into building. 581-8675. 

Petite Pooches Playgroup for small dogs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., one block north of Solano on Ensenada at Talbot. 524-2459. 

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. www.nativeplants.org 

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

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, FEB. 11 

Rainbow Berkeley’s 8th Annual Berkeley Pride Celebration at 5 p.m. at the Gaia Building, 2120 Alston Way. Suggested donation at the door is $10 to $20. No one turned away for lack of funds. 658-8143. 

Berkeley Hiking Club Explores Berkeley Pathways This 8-mile hike begins at 9 a.m. For information on how to join, please call 524-4715. 

“Open Garden” Join the Little Farm gardener for composting, planting, watering and reaping the rewards of our work, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cancelled only by heavy rain. 525-2233.  

Oakland 2007 Tet Festival Celebrate Vietnamese New Year from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Clinton Park, Oakland, with food, entertainment, and traditional cultural rituals. 436-5391. www.vaced.org 

Workshop on Rounds and Harmony Singing at 1:30 p.m. at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington St., Albany. Tickets are $15-$20. 524-5661. www.healingmuses.org 

“A Rabbi’s Consideration of the Da Vinci Code” with Rabbi Harry A. Manhoff at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. 535-0302, ext. 306.  

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

Tibetan Buddhism with Robin Caton on “I Can’t Meditate!” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, FEB. 12 

“The Evolution of Influenza Viruses in the 20th and 21st Centuries” with Dr. Arnold Levine at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Free. www.msri.org 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, FEB. 13 

History of San Francisco’s Bayview/Hunters Point at 10:30 a.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St. Free. 238-2200. 

Evolve! Darwin Day at Revolution Books featuring the book “Science of Evolution and The Myth of Creationism” by Ardea Skybreak at 7 p.m. at 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196 

“Faith Under Fire” with Bishop Eli Pascua on human rights violations in the Philippines at 5 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion Chapel, 1798 Scenic Ave. www.pana.psr.edu 

“The Wit, Wisdom and Life of Richard Pryor” Videos, at 7 p.m. at The Grassroots House, 2022 Blake St. mumiache@yahoo.com 

New Tax Saving Strategies with Dorotha Bradley, of H&R Block, at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512.  

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Books and Ideas Group will discuss “The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s Eye View of the World” at 1 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 981-5190. 

WriterCoach Connection seeks volunteers to help students improve their writing and thinking skills. Commit to 1-2 hours per week during the school day and work one-on-one with students in their English classes. Training from noon to 3 p.m. For information call 524-2319. 

Berkeley High School Governance Council meets from noon to 4 p.m. in the Berkeley Community Theater lobby to finalize the advisory proposal. 644-4803. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14 

“New Era/New Politics” A walking tour of Oakland which 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.  

Teach-In and Vigil Against American Torture every Wed. at noon at Boalt Hall, Bancroft Way at College Ave.  

Fine Press, Artists’ Books and Fine Art Editions at the Codex International Bookfair, Wed. and Thurs. from noon to 6 p.m. at the ASUC Pauley Ballroom, UC Campus. Cost is $5-$15. www.codexfoundation.org 

Poetry Writing Workshop with Alison Seevak at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors 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. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

Knitting/Crocheting Bee and Yarn Swap at 6:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. 

Stitch ‘n Bitch at 6:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, FEB. 15 

“Where Have All the Frogs Gone? Amphibian Decline in the Sierra Nevada” with Dr. Gary Fellers at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. 238-2200. 

“The Birds and Wildlife of Botswana” A photographic journey with Grant Reed at the Golden Gate Audubon Society meeting, at 7 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, 843-2222. 

East Bay Wildlife and Native American History with wildlife biologist and ethnologist Jim Hale at 7 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Le Conte Neighborhood Association meets at 7:30 p.m. at the LeConte Elementary School, Russell St. entrance. Agenda includes a report from Beat Officer Bartalini, updates on the cell phone antennas, the mixed use building proposed for 2701 Shattuck/ 

2100 Derby, zoning/hours changes on Telegraph Ave., the “Save the Oaks” success, and board elections. 843-2602. 

Rebuilding with Straw Bale in Earthquake Affected Pakistan A talk and slideshow with Berkeley architect Martin Hammer at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233.  

“Transgender Meets Pagan Spirituality” Brown Bag lunch and discussion at 12:30 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion, Mudd Bldg, Room 100, 1798 Scenic Ave. www.pana.psr.edu 

“Did God Have a Wife?” with Prof. William G. Denver on the archeology and folk religion of of ancient Israel, at 7 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion Bade Museum, 1798 Scenic Ave. www.pana.psr.edu 

Teen Book Club discusses favorite gory and creepy books at 4:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. Bring a book to share. 981-6107. 

Parents and Teens: Getting Beyond the Fight Learn techniques to resolve conflicts at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Family Story Time for children ages 3-7 at 7p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, North Branch, 1170 The Alameda, at Hopkins. 981-6107. 

Storytime for Babies and Toddlers at 10:30 a.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

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. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline. namaste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

ONGOING 

Berkeley Winter Campaign for Cats We are providing free trapping assistance and spay/neuter to feral and homeless cats in Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville and Piedmont, through March 2007. The cats will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas and returned safely back to their neighborhoods. To report a neighborhood in need or to volunteer, please contact Caitlin at 908-0709. 

Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League Open to girls in grades 1-9. Spring season begins March 3. To register call 869-4277. www.abgsl.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Feb. 13, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Feb. 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jane Micallef, 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Feb. 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. J981-7484. 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Feb. 14, at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Feb. 14, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6740.  

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 644-6128 ext. 113.  

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 15, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7010.