News

Carousel Shut Down

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday February 16, 2007
The historic 1911 Herschell-Spillman “Menagerie Edition” carousel at Tilden Park was closed earlier this month after state officials said that under state law it is unsafe without a guard fence around it. -more-

UC Academics Excluded From BP Contract Vote

By Richard Brenneman
Friday February 16, 2007
UC Berkeley’s Academic Senate probably won’t have a vote about the planned half-billion-dollar alternative fuel program now being negotiated with BP—the company formerly known as British Petroleum. -more-

BP/UC Deal Raises Concerns

By Richard Brenneman
Friday February 16, 2007
The proposed agreement between one of the world’s largest oil companies, BP (formerly British Petroleum) and UC Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Illinois has ignited a firestorm that promises to burn long and hot. -more-

Planning Chair Ousted in Surprise Move

By Richard Brenneman
Friday February 16, 2007
Ousted Berkeley Planning Commission chair and environmentalist Helen Burke, defeated in a carefully staged coup Wednesday night, said Thursday that David Stoloff, her replacement, told her after the vote that he knew the only way he could beat her was by lying. -more-

City Revenue Up, But New Tax Still Possible

By Judith Scherr
Friday February 16, 2007
While Berkeley’s revenue is higher than expected and the city will be able to write checks for $3.3 million above budgeted expenditures, the City Council may need to go to the voters to pay for essential services such as police and fire, City Manager Phil Kamlarz told the council at a budget workshop, part of the council’s regular Tuesday meeting. -more-

Next Steps in Closed Police Misconduct Hearings Case

By Judith Scherr
Friday February 16, 2007

Legislation Takes Aim at Police Hearings

By Judith Scherr
Friday February 16, 2007

Tree Sitters Hang In There Despite UC Pressure

By Richard Brenneman
Friday February 16, 2007

Berkeley High Marks Valentine’s Day with Trash Heap

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday February 16, 2007

West Oakland Fatal Crash Raises Questions

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday February 16, 2007

Berkeley High Beat: Advisory Program Created At Berkeley High School

By Rio Bauce
Friday February 16, 2007

Visitors to Tilden Park’s historic carousel on Thursday found the gates locked. Photograph by Richard Brenneman.
Visitors to Tilden Park’s historic carousel on Thursday found the gates locked. Photograph by Richard Brenneman.

Editorials

Bates Gives His Annual Assessment of the City

By Judith Scherr
Friday February 16, 2007
Mayor Tom Bates praised the city’s role in protecting the environment and the economic growth in many of Berkeley’s shopping districts, but spent most of his State of the City address Tuesday evening setting the stage for the future: -more-

Reader Commentaries

Letters to the Editor

Friday February 16, 2007

Commentary: Young People Need Help When Foster Care Ends

By Tony Thurmond
Friday February 16, 2007

Commentary: Brower Center, Oxford Plaza Separate but Linked

By Peter K. Buckley
Friday February 16, 2007

Commentary: Rent Increase Too Much for BHA Tenants

By Eleanor Walden
Friday February 16, 2007

Commentary: Center Street Closure Needs Careful Scrutiny

By John N. Roberts
Friday February 16, 2007

Columnists

Column: Dispatches From the Edge: Anatomy of a Massacre

By Conn Hallinan
Friday February 16, 2007

Column: Undercurrents: The Last Word on the Dellums’ Paramount Incident

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday February 16, 2007

About the House: Secondary Drains and the Very Scary Porch

By Matt Cantor
Friday February 16, 2007

Arts & Entertainment

Arts Calendar

Friday February 16, 2007

Arts and Entertainment Around the East Bay

Friday February 16, 2007

The Theater: ‘Shopping for God’ at The Marsh-Berkeley

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Friday February 16, 2007

Events Calendar

Berkeley This Week

Friday February 16, 2007