Two problem cops have left the Berkeley Police Department, Chief Doug Hambleton told the Daily Planet Tuesday. 

Officer Steven Fleming and Officer Sean Derry, who had both been on administrative leave since August, are no longer with the department, Hambleton said. 

Fleming was charged by Berkeley police of at least four counts of stealing money or other property belonging to people he either arrested or booked into the Berkeley jail. The Alameda County District Attorney declined to charge Fleming, who refused to cooperate with the internal investigation. 

Fleming “no longer works for the Berkeley Police Department,” said Hambleton, who called in the Department of Justice to assist with the investigation. Fleming was put on paid administrative leave in August.  

“We interviewed as many people that he had arrested as we could over the past six months. Several people had credible stories,” Hambleton said. 

Fleming left the Richmond Police Department while on an initial probation period to come to Berkeley.  

Sean Derry was charged by San Francisco police with shooting his service revolver while intoxicated at his home in San Francisco. His case is yet to come to court, Hambleton said. His resignation is effective today (Wednesday). 

“The most important thing about my job is maintaining the integrity of the department,” Hambleton said. Last year former Sgt. Cary Kent resigned from the police force after pleading guilty to charges of stealing drugs from the evidence room of which he was in charge. 

As the Donahue Gym at Berkeley High School exploded in thunderous applause during the host school’s 63-14 win over El Cerrito High on Feb. 16, it was not the game that was the center of everyone’s attention, but the man who helped win it. 

Coach Gene “Nak” Nakamura, who had coached the Berkeley High girls’ basketball team for the last 25 years, retired that day, following his school’s last basketball game of the season. 

As students, parents, teachers and administrators gathered around Coach Nak to hug him and bid him farewell, he shot a parting word of advice to his team. 

“Move your feet,” he said. “Come on Yellow Jackets, you know you can do it.”  

Watching Nakamura in action with his team is like watching a tiger keep guard over his cubs. Fierce yet gentle, he stays with his students throughout the game and offers them advice from the sidelines. 

An alumni of the Berkeley High School Class of ‘62, Nakamura has dedicated 37 years of his life as a teacher and an administrator in the Berkeley Unified School District. 

Under him, the BHS girls’ basketball team went on to become Division I State Champions twice and Division I Northern California Champions seven times, with the most recent win in 2006. 

Coach Nak, as he is called, was named the 1997 NCS Honor Coach and 2006 BUSD educator of the year. He has a record of a total of 550 career wins. 

“A phenomenal human being and an exceptional coach,” was how School Board Director John Selawsky described Nakamura at the basketball game. 

Selawsky, an avid basketball fan himself, said that he had known Nakamura ever since he had started working with the school district. 

“He’s been a vice principal at Willard and an administrator at Longfellow,” he said. “He’s great with the kids and great with the administrators and a great asset to the girls’ basketball team. He’s just one of my favorite people.” 

Christine Glencher, athletic director at Berkeley High, said that Nakamura would be sorely missed. 

“When you think of girls’ basketball at BHS, you think of Coach Nak. Every tournament he goes to, people listen to him. Even high-level college and university coaches respect Nak. He is incredibly charismatic.” 

Coach to some, mentor to others, hundreds of BHS alumni were present at the gym that day to shake hands with Nak. 

“They are not going to be able to replace him,” said Chris Lim, superintendent of the San Leandro school district and a former colleague of Nakamura in Berkeley. 

“I had only one disagreement with him when I was principal at Willard. He wanted to do Saturday school,” she said smiling. 

As the girls’ team cheered Nak and offered him roses on the basketball court, current and former students shared memories with each other. 

“Nak is great. He teaches us everything. How to jump up, dunk the ball, you know all the moves. I am going to miss him a lot,” said Taylor Wallace, a ninth grader who was waiting to get her picture taken with her coach. 

Loren Nakamura, Nak’s daughter, described her dad as both a great father and a great coach. 

“He’s harder as a coach though, more critical,” she said grinning. 

Born in Colorado, where his father taught Japanese at the University of Colorado during WWII, Nakamura moved to Berkeley for high school and received his teacher’s credentials from California State Hayward. 

Basketball, Nak said, was something he picked up when he was teaching his daughters how to play church ball for the Asian Church League.  

“I was teaching 8th grade at Willard in 1981 when BHS girls’ coach Stelton Mitchell asked me to become the junior varsity girls’ basketball coach. The very next year the boys’ head coach retired and Stelton took over his position, leaving me as the girls’ head coach,” he said. 

Nak admits that girls are easier to coach than boys.  

“They are more willing to listen, and they have no ego,” he said. “But it’s a tough sport and you need to have the ability to play hard all through the game. In the process of playing above the rim, the fundamentals are sometimes forgotten.” 

Team manger Rebecca Amissah—who couldn’t try out for the team because of a leg injury—said that Nakamura always involved her in the game. 

“He treats me as one of the players and lets me go everywhere,” she said. “Coach Nak is more than a coach. He helps us with schoolwork and even talks to our teachers if need be. I hope he comes back to coach us soon.” 

Nakamura however decided that Friday’s game would be the last one of his career. 

“Basketball is my life but it is not my whole life,” he said. “If I ever come back to coaching, it will be to coach my grandkids.” 

Two protests—one Monday and another this Thursday—are adding new fuel to the growing controversy over the proposed $500 million pact between a British oil company, UC Berkeley and the University of Illinois. 

While hailed by politicians ranging from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, the proposal has drawn the fire of students and faculty on the Berkeley campus. 

The students have created their own website—www.stopbp-berkeley.org—and enlisted the support of a growing number of faculty members, said Maren Poitras, an organizer who is an undergraduate at the College of Natural Resources (CNR). 

“We come from a lot of different backgrounds and for different reasons,” she said. “We are opposed to the growing influence of corporate research at a public university.” 

In addition to a teach-in held Monday evening at Morgan Hall, the students have scheduled a second demonstration at 1 p.m. Thursday outside California Hall, the seat of university administration and Chancellor Robert Birgeneau. 

“We have a petition campaign online, and we are planning on taking our concerns to the chancellor,” Poitras said. 

“In the short term we are asking him not to sign the agreement, and in the long term we are looking for the development of a procedure for corporate funding of research projects that will assure more involvement by students, faculty and community organizations,” she said. 

Several of the critics of the proposed agreement with BP—the oil giant formerly known as British Petroleum—are faculty members at the College of Natural Resources who played leading roles in criticizing another corporate/academic research accord, the $25 million deal signed with Swiss agro-pharmaceutical firm Novartis, now known as Syngenta. 

Among the critics of that pact who support the students are CNR professors Ignacio Chapela and Miguel Altieri, both critics of the Novartis agreement. 

More questions are coming from off-campus environmental groups. 

Helen Burke, a Sierra Club activist and a member of Berkeley’s planning commission, was one of a group of environmentalists and downtown business representatives who met with the students Monday. 

“This really has national implications because research will be done [at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)],” she said. “A lot of people are saying they don’t want the university to sign, but that’s clearly the intent.” 

Burke said Monday afternoon that she planned to meet with Sierra Club members Monday night to discuss the notion of holding a public forum where all sides of the issue could be presented and discussed. 

“It sounds like a good idea on the surface, but the more I look into it, the more questions there are,” she said. 

Chapela, the CNR associate professor who had to take the university to court to keep his job after he challenged the Novartis accord, said he was glad to see the growing involvement of students in challenging the proposed BP agreement. 

“I think it’s great to see such incredible response,” he said. “As soon as students started hearing about it, they were outraged and shocked. As a result, my feelings have changed from despondency a few weeks ago to a sense that we can really do something about this.” 

The program proposed—dubbed the Helios Project at LBNL—will concentrate on creating ethanol from the cellulose of a strain of super-grass to be developed in the program by using microbes harvested from termite guts. Genetic engineering will be used to tweak both organisms for maximum efficiency. 

Chapela, Altieri and other critics of genetically modified organisms point out that GMOs have escaped into the environment, including engineered grasses. 

In response to criticism using colorful terms like “frankenfoods,” GMOs have been rebranded by corporations and academia. They’re now dubbed “synthetic biology,” a term Chapela mocks. 

The students also point to BP’s controversial environmental and human rights records. Earlier this month, the Environmental Integrity Project, a nonprofit activist group, declared that the BP refinery in Texas City, Tex., is the nation’s “largest emitter of carcinogens.” 

Zachary Running Wolf, the activist who launched the tree-sit at UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium, spent the weekend in jail, charged with threatening campus police. 

But other campus police actions against protesters fighting to protect a grove of trees strike an even deeper resonance with historic events in Berkeley’s past—the seizure of information tables.  

Held in lieu of $40,000 bail, Running Wolf had company in Berkeley’s city jail—a second protester, Leah Bass, who had been arrested earlier in the day for violating an order to stay off campus. 

A scheduled arraignment Monday afternoon was postponed until 9 a.m. today (Tuesday) in Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland. 

Police have been serving tree-sitters with stay-away orders and arresting violators who return before the orders expire. Running Wolf has been arrested twice, the first time Feb. 16 for failing to appear at a court hearing following his arrest for allegedly vandalizing stop signs, and again Friday evening for allegedly threatening officers during the previous bust. 

In addition to the arrests, campus officers made two sweeps of the grove last week, planted in honor of UC Berkeley’s World War I war dead, one late Thursday morning followed by a second 20 hours later. 

Among the items seized two tables which contained information about the protests, seized as part of what campus police Sgt. David Roby said was a move to seize “everything on the ground.” 

“They have repeatedly taken our information tables,” said Doug Buckwald, who has been coordinating support for the tree-sitters. 

“We went down and demanded our information back in January,” said Ayr, another member of the support team. “We haven’t done it this time because we’re concentrating on helping” Running Wolf. 

Ayr said he believed that the activist had been targeted because of his outspoken comments to the media. 

Seizing information tables evoked strong resonance among members of the Free Speech Movement (FSM) because it was a campus move to evict information tables that ignited the spark that led to the movement’s creation, said Jackie Goldberg, a retired member of the California Assembly and an FSM activist. 

“That really started it all,” she said. “It’s interesting that they haven’t quite figured it out yet. The random terror of the administration, as we called it then, only created more people interested in supporting the demonstrators. You would think the university had learned that the more you do stuff to these people, the more people will support them.” 

A Sept. 14, 1964, letter from Dean of Students Katherine A. Towle banning information tables from the sidewalk on Bancroft Way at the corner of Telegraph Avenue sparked simmering tensions on campus and ignited what was to become the FSM. 

“The growing use and misuse of the area has made it imperative that the University enforce throughout the campus the policy long ago set down by The Regents,” Towle wrote. 

Michael Rossman, a movement veteran who coordinated the FSM’s 40th anniversary commemoration, scoffed at the notion that the university might have learned anything from the events of four decades past. 

“The idea that the university has learned anything in humanistic terms is an illusion suited to the first half of the previous century,” he said. 

While the university sent a vice chancellor to the funeral of movement activist Mario Savio and sponsored anniversary celebrations, Rossman said, “the administration has to this day never admitted that it was wrong” in ordering removal of the tables and in the actions that followed. 

Rossman said he sees moves against the grove protesters and the university’s attack on the Free Speech Movements as two points of a triangle, with the third being the university’s expansion into downtown Berkeley. 

“They pay no attention to the town as a livable and humane community,” he said. “It’s a shame and a pity that we have a municipal government that lies down and rolls over for the university just as it does for developers.” 

Barbour promise  

The increased pressure followed a week after an email from campus Athletic Director Sandy Barbour announced to supporters that donors have pledged nearly $100 million to build a gym at the site of the grove. 

Referring to the four lawsuits that have been filed challenging university building plans at and near the stadium, Barbour wrote, “We cannot let the plaintiffs’ actions or the preliminary injunction slow down our momentum for this first phase of Memorial Stadium renovation.” 

Vice Chancellor Ed Denton, who is directing the campus building program, told University of California Regents in December that the stadium building plans were critical because of the memories evoked in alumni. 

Unstated but implicit in the statement was the university’s reliance on donations for all new construction except for seismic renovations of existing buildings. 

The university plans to kill most of the trees along the stadium’s western wall to make room for the 142,000-square-foot, four-story gym. 

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Barbara J. Miller has halted plans for construction that had been slated to begin last month after legal challenges were raised to the massive Southeast Campus Integrated Projects (SCIP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and allegations were raised that the project breached state laws governing construction in earthquake hazard zones. The stadium itself is split by the Hayward Fault. 

The threat of earthquakes along the fault federal geologists say is the most likely source of the Bay Area’s next catastrophic quake was triggered anew Friday afternoon when a magnitude 3.4 quake rattled the campus at 3:46 p.m. A second, smaller quake—a magnitude 2.6 temblor—followed Saturday morning at 9:34. 

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quakes originated in the same spot as a series of recent quakes to rock the East Bay, the Hayward Fault less than 2 miles to the southeast of Memorial Stadium.

Making Telegraph Avenue work for business owners and those who own the buildings the merchants rent, as well as for shoppers, students, street vendors, residents and folks who hang out in the area is a jigsaw puzzle whose odd-size pieces the City Council and the city’s various departments are constantly trying to make fit. 

At issue on tonight’s (Tuesday) council agenda is an evaluation of how effective spending $220,000 has been over six months—funding the city allocated in response to the closing of Cody’s Telegraph Avenue—before granting tonight’s $200,000 request for police, mental health, cleaning and beautification of the area. 

Councilmember Laurie Cap-itelli, who had asked for the evaluation, told the Planet he is concerned that, even with a $30,000 expenditure on a mental health team that funds two workers 3-9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, there hasn’t been adequate reduction in problematic street behavior on Telegraph.  

Written by the city manager’s office, the evaluation says police referred 60 individuals to the mobile mental health team, but “two thirds refused referrals despite persistent efforts by mental health outreach staff.” 

Capitelli says he doesn’t know what the answer is and is anxious to hear from those providing the services at the Tuesday council meeting. “Those people need help; it goes beyond shelter or a bed.” 

In an interview Monday, Mental Health Commission Chair Michael Diehl cited the need for long-term solutions. People are picked up and placed on a mental health hold for a few days. 

“We have to do something after they come out of John George [Psychiatric Pavilion],” he said, citing possible cuts in effective city mental health programs, such as housing programs coupled with intensive services, due to pending state cuts in mental health funds, known popularly as AB 2034. 

Capitelli said he is particularly concerned about the drug dealing on Telegraph. The report indicates that police made more than 45 drug possession and drug sales arrests. (The report does not distinguish between sales and possession of drugs and does not say how many among those arrested were eventually convicted.) 

The report indicates that merchants and bike officers report a decrease in drug sales and “a slight moderation” in problematic street behavior. It also points out, however, that some individuals exhibiting problematic behavior are now spending time downtown, rather than on Telegraph. 

Capitelli said he’d like to see the Berkeley Guides program revived. The Guides, which lost funding in 2005, were teams of young people whose goal was to de-escalate conflict in the downtown area and report problems to police as well as serving as “ambassadors” to visitors. 

Telegraph-area Councilmember Kriss Worthington said in an interview on Monday that the funding for police and social services should be part of the city’s regular budget, rather than something the council must approve every six months.  

And “there are still no dedicated officers on Telegraph,” he said. Worthington is an advocate of Community Involved Policing, where officers work regular beats and get to know the community they are patrolling. 

Worthington pointed out that the $100,000 spent for police is at the overtime rate. Also, he said, police tend to work in teams on Telegraph. If they worked separately—even a block or two apart from one another—they would be less likely to intimidate a person having a mental health crisis on the Avenue, he said, noting, “It’s much harder to have a conversation with two officers than with one.”  

Addressing problematic street behavior is also discussed in a separate report to the council by the city’s Mental Health Commission, which recommends that police officers get additional training in crisis intervention.  

Commissioner Diehl said some officers are very good at such interventions. One day he watched a person in a mental health crisis waving a stick around. “An officer showed up and talked to him calmly.” 

This was an officer who already knew the individual in question. “They had a connection,” Diehl said. “The officer did a wonderful job.”  

On the other hand, Diehl said he’s heard of instances when an individual is in crisis and an officer calls for backup; suddenly there are a half-dozen police cars. In a situation like this, the individual in crisis will not want to talk to the police. 

“And the situation can lead to negative consequences.” Neighbors see the police and begin to fear the individual, who could lose his housing, Diehl said. 

While most of the city’s budget questions are being referred to the months-long budget process that will end in June or July, the City Council will vote tonight (Tuesday) on disbursing a $3.3 million windfall. 

The serial council meetings begin at 5 p.m., with a workshop on proposed rules to curb underage drinking and rowdy parties. At 6 p.m., the council—plus two Housing Authority tenants—will meet as the Berkeley Housing Authority to talk about new rate structures for Section 8 voucher-holders and a new governance structure. 

The regular council meeting—with its 1,220-page agenda—will begin at 7 p.m. and address mobile fire protection, raising planner Vivian Kahn’s pay to $100 per hour, appealing a carry-out food outlet on Euclid Avenue, labor issues at the Shattuck Cinema, and joining the Center for Constitutional Rights’ lawsuit in Germany against former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and others.  

Mid-year allocations 

Flush with $3.3 million in higher-than-anticipated revenue, mostly from investments and parking fines, City Manager Phil Kamlarz has recommended the following expenditures: 

• $1 million to fully fund fire department operations through December 2008, ending the rolling fire station closures; 

• $200,000 for Telegraph Avenue improvements (see accompanying story). 

• $500,000 for economic development efforts. 

• $200,000 for public safety computer upgrades. 

• $100,000 for a Sustainable Berkeley grant for greenhouse gas reduction. 

• $1.3 million for deferred maintenance. 

While the city manager’s report indicates generally how the funds will be spent, the $100,000 grant proposed for Sustainable Berkeley to write a plan to reduce greenhouse gasses locally provides the councilmembers with no information about the organization. It is actually a collection of various participants: an environmental organization (the Ecology Center), UC Berkeley, a private dentist, a healthcare non-profit, a former city employee and the Community Energy Services Corporation (CESC), Sustainable Berkeley’s fiscal sponsor, which is a non-profit set up by the city and funded by the city and PG&E. 

“I think I need to know how the money will be spent,” said Councilmember Laurie Capitelli, who said he planned to ask questions about the expenditure at tonight’s (Tuesday) meeting. “The last thing we need is a really impressive report that sits on the shelf.” 

In an attempt to gather more information about Sustainable Berkeley—which received $133,000 from the city in the fall, but has apparently presented no report to the city on how those funds were spent—the Planet submitted a Freedom of Information request last week to the city manager for details about an organization that councilmembers and the public know little about.  

Among the documents the Planet requested were: the group’s agendas and minutes, contracts and work agreements with vendors and employees, documents that established the group; names of members of all committees and subcommittees, documents that relate to the group’s work, names of steering committee members, and documents showing how they were chosen. 

The city has yet to respond, with one city staffer telling a Planet reporter that the time to get the information will be longer than it would have otherwise been because it was submitted as an FOI request, which needs to go to the city manager and the city attorney before documents are released. 

Sustainable Berkeley has been put together by Mayor Tom Bates. His chief of staff, Cisco De Vries is working half-time for Sustainable Berkeley.  

BPD gets F- in public information 

The Contra Costa Times recently gave Berkeley’s police department an F- grade for not making public information available and councilmember Dona Spring is asking the department to change. 

The Times report says: “The personnel that our auditor contacted on the day of the audit were not helpful at all. They seemed very confused and ultimately refused to accept any part of the auditor's request. The department then denied that any auditor had visited.” 

Spring is asking the city manager to report to the council in 60 days “with a plan to provide the public access to Berkeley’s Police Department information, including police reports, as required by state law.”  

Euclid neighborhood wants hearing on fast food outlet 

More than 300 persons signed petitions saying they oppose adding “another take out food facility on Euclid Avenue…” Nonetheless, in November, the zoning board approved the new business. Neighbors are asking the City Council to set a public hearing on the issue and reverse the zoning board. 

Other matters 

• Supporting the workers at the Shattuck Cinema, working without a contract with Landmarks Theaters; 

• Supporting a boycott of Hornblower Cruises, including its Alcatraz Cruises subsidiary, to support the efforts of former Blue and Gold Fleet workers, displaced when Hornblower took over contract services for Alcatraz.  

• Supporting the Center for Constitutional Rights’ lawsuit in Germany against former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and others for alleged human rights violations. While the Peace and Justice Commission is supporting this effort, the city manager and city attorney are opposing it,because, they say, they lack experience in filing lawsuits in countries outside the United States. Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights, responded in a Jan. 3 letter to the city, saying: “There is absolutely no liability of any kind for signing on as a co-complainant.”  

BHA discusses new rents, new governance 

The Berkeley Housing Authority will consider approval of a new payment structure affecting about 200 of the 1,700 households benefiting from federally subsidized Section 8 vouchers. While the new rent structure officially begins March 1, the BHA will absorb the added costs and make the change May 1.  

The Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) limits the amount of money the BHA can pay for Section 8 apartments. In the past, it has been limited to an area standard of 110 percent of what is called fair market rents.  

On Jan. 25, the Housing Department received permission from HUD to pay up to 120 percent of the Fair Market Rents for two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, so most Section 8 renters will not have to pay anything beyond the current 30 percent of their income. 

That leaves about 200 households with studio and one-bedroom apartments who face up to $45 in out-of-pocket expenses. Some of these people who rent studio apartments will be given one-bedroom vouchers; that is, they will stay in the studios they already rent, but will be given subsidies as if they lived in one-bedroom apartments, said housing director Steve Barton. 

While the BHA is permitted to spend more money to absorb the higher rents for the two- three- and four-bedroom units, it does not receive increased funding from HUD. This could mean, eventually, that the city will have to decrease the number of subsidized units, as people come off of Section 8. 

BHA will also consider a new governance structure, in which the mayor would appoint seven members to the board, which would retain the two tenant members, and the council would approve the appointments. (City commissions are generally appointed by the mayor and individual City Council members according to the provisions of the 1975 Fair Representation Ordinance initiative.) HUD considers BHA a “troubled” agency, in part, because the City Council, sitting as BHA, does not have the time to properly oversee the agency.  

A group of neighbors vociferously opposed the construction of a proposed new two-story single-family dwelling at 161 Panoramic Way during the Zoning Adjustments Board meeting Thursday. 

Applicant Bruce Kelly has applied for a use permit to construct the proposed building (The Kelly House) 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 the meeting he described the Kelly house as a small, sustainable and affordable design—“the kind of development that Berkeley should encourage.” 

Neighbors fear that the construction is a threat to their health and safety because of the area’s poor access, potential fire hazard, and location on an earthquake fault. 

The proposed project is located on one of the few remaining vacant lots in the Berkeley Panoramic Hill neighborhood—a residential area with a mixture of single-family and nonconforming multifamily development—southeast of the UC Berkeley campus which is characterized by steep slopes and substandard infrastructure.  

The neighborhood is bounded to the north and west by lands owned by UC Berkeley, to the south by the East Bay Regional Park District’s Claremont Canyon Preserve, and to the east by the Berkeley-Oakland Border. 

Jerry Watchell, president of the Panoramic Hill Association, opposed the Kelly project on behalf of the association. 

“It is located where the infrastructure is deteriorating and the road itself is collapsing. The area of the site is the worst of the worst possible on Panoramic Hill,” he said 

Panoramic Way—a narrow, winding street that begins at Canyon Road and ends at the top of Panoramic Hill in Oakland—provides the only access to the neighborhood and to the homes in the adjacent residential area in the city of Oakland. 

Access to the two parking spaces at the Kelly house will be from the upper portion of Panoramic Way via a driveway structure built in the right-of-way subject to city approval of a encroachment permit. Primary access to the living quarters will be via an uncovered at-grade stairway extending from the front (northern) property line along the eastern side of the building. 

The Fire Department is requiring that there also be a fire access stairway from lower Panoramic Way, on the southern side of the property. 

Staff has suggested that granting the applicant an encroachment permit to use the public right-of-way would be useful to the many residents who drive up and down the section of the street at the north end of the property. 

A resident of 260 Panoramic Way strenuously opposed the development and said that it would impede regular access and emergency access to properties on the hill.  

“Any delay can be fatal,” said Richard Wright of 350 Panoramic Way. “We are mainly concerned about the emergency preparedness and disaster issues.” 

In a letter to the ZAB, Ann Reid Slaby, a resident of 345 Panoramic Way, reminded board members about the 1991 fire. 

“The several hundred feet of Panoramic Way from the intersection with Dwight to 208 Panoramic is Berkeley’s Charring Cross Road. As you may recall, a number of individuals attempted to escape the fire of 1991 through a narrow road named Charring Cross Road in Oakland. My understanding is that one car stalled and all occupants of following cars burned to death,” her letter said. “Can’t we learn from the mistake of allowing such a narrow road? With all the warnings and education in the world, if there is a fire, some residents will try to escape in their cars.” 

Kelly told ZAB members that he proposed to widen the road in front of his house from 15 to 20 feet at his own expense. 

“This widened road falls in the public right-of-way and is essential to traffic safety on Panoramic Way. That is the giant step we can take to make things better. We are doing what we can to make the area safer for the neighborhood,” he said. 

“I don’t think anybody will disagree that the house adds to the dangerous conditions already existing in the area,” said ZAB commissioner Bob Allen. “However it will also do two things to make the area a safe haven. First, it will widen the street by seven or 8.6 feet which will improve the safety conditions. Secondly, the addition of the emergency stairs will also be a positive feature. I applaud the applicant on coming up with such a responsible design.” 

The ZAB has received letters calling for a moratorium on building on the hill, a decision ZAB members said could only be made by the City Council.  

Kelly further said that the coast live oak trees on his property would be preserved, thinned, and the “fire ladder”—a tree that can carry fire from the forest floor into the crowns of the larger trees that would otherwise survive a ground fire—eliminated by an arborist.  

Commissioner Dave Blake said that he would like to see an arborist’s report before commenting. 

The board ruled to continue the matter until March 8 in order to obtain an arborist’s report. 

Other matters 

ZAB approved a request for a use permit modification by the City of Berkeley Mental Health and Human Services to change the hours of operation of the Health and Human Services mobile crisis team at 2433 Channing Way from 11 a.m. to 10 a.m. and until 11 p.m. daily. 

The commission approved a request by Michael Nilmeyer of Nilmeyer/Nilmeyer Associates for a use permit to construct a 7,245 square foot concrete block warehouse building with associated office space at 1230 Fifth St. 

It approved a request by Christopher Witherspoon to convert a daycare center back to a single-family residence on a 6,105 square foot lot at 1226 Rose St. that already contains a single-family residence. 

The board approved a request by Ken Renworth and Catherine Crowley for a use permit to construct a new three-story single family home with 2,880 square feet of floor area and a detached hot tub at 43 Senior Ave. 

In the wake of several citizen complaints about crashes resulting from high-speed Oakland police chases, the Oakland Citizens’ Police Review Board has recommended changes to the city’s police vehicle pursuit policy and has set up a multi-agency task force to make further refinements. 

The police chase policy task force, made up of representatives of the CPRB, the Community Policing Advisory Board, PUEBLO, and two families who lost children in Oakland police vehicle chases, holds its first meeting this Thursday, 6:15 p.m., in Hearing Room One at City Hall in Oakland.  

CPRB Executive Director Joyce Hicks said that her agency “thought it necessary to conduct a review of Oakland police chase policy” following the receipt of citizen complaints “so that we can move towards the adoption of more restrictive pursuit policies that will prevent unnecessary injury and loss of life to innocent citizens, while still maintaining the department’s ability to apprehend suspects. We believe that the department needs to strike a better balance between those objectives.” 

Rashidah Grinage of PUEBLO said that her organization hopes that as a result of the current effort, “we will develop a pursuit policy that gives less discretion to the officers.” 

Currently, Grinage says, when officers either cannot or don’t want to get their supervisors’ permission to initiate a chase, “they simply pursue a suspect’s car but don’t call it a chase in order to get around the policy. It means any policy on the books is irrelevant.” 

As well as making the issue of a police chase a “semantic exercise,” Grinage says this practice leads to a more dangerous situation, because an official chase requires the use of a siren and flashing lights, while officers merely “pursuing” a suspect use neither warning. 

“That makes the situation worse,” Grinage said. “That’s where it’s gotten all screwed up, and has led to situations where innocent drivers have been hit by cars because they had no advance warning that a high-speed chase was taking place. The city should have strict guidelines as to when they have to activate their flashing lights and sirens based upon the speed of the chase and the distance from the suspect being pursued.” 

In its five preliminary recommendations released earlier this month, the CPRB says that the Oakland police department should restrict its auto pursuits only to suspects fleeing from violent felonies, and the OPD should provide more pursuit training for its officers, require more accountability for officers to adhere to its chase policy, should look at policies in other police jurisdictions, and should review the adequacy of its reporting on police pursuits. 

Unlike the cities of Berkeley and San Francisco, which allow for high-speed vehicle pursuits involving violent felonies only, current Oakland police chase policy allows officers to pursue without supervisory approval suspects who have committed any felony or a firearms-related misdemeanor. Oakland officers may also initiate vehicle chases of suspects who have committed infractions or non-firearms-related misdemeanors, but only with supervisory approval.  

The task force’s final recommendations will be presented directly to the Oakland Police Department, which will be solely responsible for their adoption, modification, or rejection.  

According to OPD records, Oakland police were involved in 125 police vehicle pursuits in 2004, with 51 percent of them resulting in collisions and 38 percent resulting in injuries to officers, suspects, or innocent citizens. The CPRB report on Oakland police vehicle chases provided no statistics as to the nature of the original offense for which the police vehicle pursuits were initiated. 

The push for a modified Oakland police vehicle chase policy is not related to a recent allegation by a neighborhood witness that a high-speed Oakland police chase preceded the auto accident death of an innocent bystander at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and West MacArthur Boulevard earlier this month. Oakland police maintain that no high-speed chase was involved in that accident, which killed a 41-year-old Stockton woman. 

Instead, the decision to recommend pursuit policy changes came after the CPRB received five complaints between 2003 and the present. Two of those complaints are still pending, one of them from the June 17, 2006 auto accident death of Jessica Castaneda-Rodriguez and Salvador Nieves Jr., the other involving a March 29, 2006 injury accident to Lisa Sidorsky. Castaneda-Rodriguez, Nieves, Jr., and Sidorsky were all driving or riding in cars which were not being pursued by police, but were struck by vehicles which Oakland police were pursuing.  

In the Castaneda-Rodriguez/Nieves incident, outlined in a Berkeley Daily Planet UnderCurrents column on June 2, 2006, the two young Oakland residents were killed in a car that was struck on the corner of MacArthur Boulevard and 90th Avenue by a van driven by 33-year-old Oakland resident Amiri Bolten. Bolten was being chased by Oakland police for a suspected minor municipal code violation and, later, for the suspected smell of marijuana coming from his van. 

According to the CPRB report, “at the time the pursuit (of Bolten) began, officers were attempting to stop the suspect for a traffic infraction—loud music in excess of 50 feet. As the officers approached, they smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle. However, the police did not have any facts showing that a more serious crime had been committed at the time the pursuit started.” 

In the Sidorsky incident, Sidorsky was injured when her car was hit by a van pursued by police while she was waiting at the intersection of Harold Street and Coolidge Avenue on her way to get on the on-ramp to the 580 freeway.  

According to the CPRB report, Sidorsky “did not see any vehicle approaching, nor did she see the police or hear any sirens approaching. … After the van struck her car, it continued onward to shear a light pole. She observed that the van had struck yet another vehicle, crushing the other car. The van itself had overturned, trapping people inside. Several people in the other car also sustained injuries. Unbeknownst to Ms. Sidorsky.” 

The CPRB report continued: “The van was being pursued by Oakland police officers. At the time the pursuit began, officers believed that the suspect was driving a stolen van, which is a felony offense, but not a violent felony. There was no additional factual information for officers to reasonably believe that a violent felony had been committed.” 

The most famous recent allegation concerning a high-speed police chase involved the 2002 death of 22-year-old Oakland High graduate U’Kendra Johnson, who was killed when the car in which she was riding was struck on Seminary Avenue by an auto driven by Oakland resident Eric Crawford. Police said that Crawford was fleeing from nearby Foothill Boulevard after officers observed him participating in “sideshow” activities. 

While witnesses said that a high-speed police chase immediately preceded the accident, Oakland police denied that police were chasing Crawford when Crawford’s car hit Johnson’s. Johnson’s mother initially filed a wrongful death action against the Oakland Police Department and the officers who arrested Crawford, but later dropped the suit. In the months following Johnson’s death, State Senator Don Perata introduced and got passed anti-sideshow legislation which he named the “U’Kendra Johnson Law.” 

One of the most active campaigns in both California and the nation to put stricter limits on high-speed police pursuits is being conducted by the mother of Kristie Priano, the 15-year-old Chico girl who was killed when the Priano family van was struck by a 15-year-old girl who was being chased by police for taking her mother’s car without permission. 

On the website www.kristieslaw.org Candy Priano, Kristie’s mother, it explains that “one minute, Kristie Priano was a 15-year-old honor student laughing with her brother in the back of the family minivan on the way to her high school basketball game. The next, she was one of hundreds who die each year across the nation in high-speed police pursuits. More than a third are innocent victims. A teen fleeing from the police plowed into the Prianos' minivan, killing Kristie. Prior to the chase, officers knew the identity of the teen who took her mother’s RAV4 without permission. Officers violated their own pursuit policy by chasing her through a poorly lit residential neighborhood. This chase wasn't necessary to keep others safe. In fact, the fleeing teen went home with her mother while innocent Kristie died in the hospital.” 

The Priano website has gone far beyond the story of Kristie Priano’s death. The opening page provides a rolling list that names recent innocent police chase accident victims, including police themselves as well people who were not suspects of any crime and were not being pursued by the police, but who were struck by cars driven by pursuing police or the suspects they were pursuing. Included is the statistic that there have been 2,114 “blameless victims” of pursuit killed in the United States from 1982 to 2005, as well as the notation that “the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also received reports that 87 officers have been killed during this time period. These figures, while high, are under-reported for a number of reasons, most obviously because reporting is not mandatory.” 

The centerpiece of Candy Priano’s efforts to modify police chase policy is Kristie’s Law, introduced by State Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) in 2004 and 2005 which would, among other things, require stricter guidelines for police pursuits in residential neighborhoods throughout California and mandate that an independent agency investigate all accidents resulting from police chases. The proposed law would also loosen the restrictions on the compensation of victims of police chases. 

Rashidah Grinage of Oakland’s PUEBLO says that once changes are made in Oakland’s police chase policy, “the next thing we need to work on is the reactivation of Kristie’s law,” which was last defeated in the state Legislature in 2005. “Right now, cities in California have immunity from lawsuits initiated by innocent victims of police chase crashes so long as the city has a police chase policy on the books. That’s outrageous, and it leaves innocent victims with no civil remedy. That has to be changed. We need to work on Senator [Don] Perata and Assemblymember [Sandré] Swanson to get their support for a reintroduction of Kristie’s Law.” 

City Manager Phil Kamlarz announced Monday the retirement of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Director Marc Seleznow, who has been in the position for four years. 

“We will miss Mr. Seleznow and will continue building on his efforts to improve and enhance our parks, urban forest, marina and recreation programs and facilities,” Kamlarz said in a prepared statement. 

William Rogers, who has been in the Health and Human Services Department since 1999, will step in as acting director, Kamlarz said.  

Seleznow’s resignation is effective May 11.

The public hearing for UC Berkeley’s controversial plans to convert its historic six-acre Laguna Street Extension campus in San Francisco into a private rental-housing development is set for March 8. 

The San Francisco Planning Department will announce the time of the session next week. 

With the date of the hearing set—the only public process planned regarding the re-zoning of the campus—neighborhood groups and community activists are getting ready to voice their opposition to the proposed project. 

At a public screening of the documentary Uncommon Knowledge: Closing the Books at UC Berkeley Extension—a film which focuses on the Laguna Street property development—at the San Francisco Public Library on Saturday, director Eliza Hemenway put forward her concerns during a public forum. 

“We want to preserve the architectural significance of the place, especially the murals and the New Deal art inside it,” she said. “My main question is, Why is San Francisco even considering re-zoning it? What does the city have to gain from the redevelopment?” 

Hemenway added that the lack of media coverage on the important issue of rezoning the property on 55 Laguna St. was alarming.  

“We want UC to honor its mission as a land grant university and retain public use on it. The public hearing is the time to make that known,” she said. 

First used as a city orphanage from 1854 until the San Francisco State Normal School was established in the 1920s to accommodate public school teachers, the campus has also served as the original home of San Francisco State University (SFSU). SFSU will be screening the documentary on May 10 to raise awareness about preservation efforts for the campus. 

Citing prohibitive maintenance costs to bring the campus up to current seismic and disability codes, the UC Regents closed the UC Extension building in 2004 and it has been sitting empty since then. 

Warren Dewar, an attorney and board member of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association (HVNA), told the audience on Saturday that the portion of 55 Laguna St. where Waller Street formerly existed did not belong to the UC Regents. 

“After examining the real estate records on the property, my conclusion is that the city still owns the land where Waller Street crossed the property in the past. The city closed Waller Street in 1921 and according to the city charter, when the city closes a street, the title to the land remains with the city,” he said. “I have examined the records of deeds in the San Francisco registrar’s office, and no subsequent deed was executed by the city for Waller Street. If this be the case, then the Regents have no power to build on that 44-foot lot that runs right through the middle of the property.” 

Dewar told the Planet that he had sent this information to the UC Regents, SF Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi and A.F. Evans—the Bay Area developers to which UC Berkeley has leased the property for 75 years for the proposed development—in August but had not heard back from any of them. 

“Their silence is deafening,” he said. 

HVNA has passed a resolution stating their opposition to the proposed development. “The Regents have no business to convert it into private property,” Dewar said. “If they can’t use it for public use, they should transfer it to another government agency who can.” 

Urban planner and co-chair of San Francisco-based Friends of 1800 Mark Paez told the Planet that the developer was using the affordable rental units in the plan as a ruse to gain favor for the proposed project. 

“They are not being very truthful. In reality, only a middle-income person will be able to afford a unit there,” he said. “The current plan calls for two of the buildings to be demolished. No public process was held when the university decided to put the property out on a bid for private development.” 

Friends of 1800 has nominated the UC Berkeley Extension Laguna Street Campus to the National Register of Historic Places and is currently collecting donations to landmark it locally. 

Although the project has met with sufficient opposition, Ruthy T. Bennett, vice president of S.F. Evans Development, wrote to the Planet in November that more than 400 letters were sent in its support to the board of supervisors. 

Bennett could not be reached for comment by press time Monday. Charles Chase, executive director of the San Francisco Architectural Heritage , said Monday that his organization found the scale and mass of the new construction to be appropriate to that of the neighborhood.

Why did a state-mandated alliance of Bay Area governments lend $12 million to a secretive military think tank to expand its facilities in San Diego? 

Berkeley City Councilmember Dona Spring said she’d like to know the answer. 

“It’s an outrage,” she said. “It’s out of sync with the political sentiment of the Bay Area and it’s very questionable.” 

On Sept. 15, 2005, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) arranged for an $11,945,000 tax-exempt bond issue for the Institute of Defense Analyses (IDA) for ”expansion and renovation of existing facilities” in La Jolla. 

ABAG is a coalition of city and county governments formed under state law to address regional issues. The organization is presently preparing a housing needs assessment that will require Berkeley to make room for several thousand new housing units in the next three decades. 

Kathleen Cha, ABAG’s senior communications representative, said that her organization arranged for the IDA funding through its Finance Authority for Nonprofit Corporations. 

“We provided conduit funding for a non-profit group which is a government contractor to acquire and rehabilitate a building,” she said. “We’re a financing authority and we offer a full range of services.” 

ABAG has arranged for more than $3.2 billion in tax-exempt financing by linking governments and non-profits. Much of the financing goes outside the Bay Area, Cha said. 

ABAG connects the non-profits with lenders, in the case of the IDA arranging for a AAA-rated bond issue. 

The IDA is a Pentagon-funded think tank whose head at the time ABAG arranged the funds was subsequently forced to resign after a private watchdog group revealed he had advocated for a controversial jet fighter program in which he held direct financial interests. 

The IDA is a federally created non-profit based in Virginia. 

According to its own website, the organization is a think tank which traces its roots to 1947, when Secretary of Defense and Cold War architect James Forrestal created the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group. 

In 1958, the group tasked the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with creating a non-profit think tank to work with university scientists on critical national security problems. 

IDA is now entirely federally funded and conducts research for the Pentagon, much of it classified. 

In July 2006, the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), a non-profit private watchdog group, released a report called “Preying on the Taxpayer: The F-22A Raptor.” 

That study revealed that IDA President and retired Admiral Dennis C. Blair owned stock in two companies with financial interests in the jet fighter project during the time when IDA had urged the Pentagon to fund it in an analysis which the Defense Department paid for. 

As a result of the ensuing bad publicity, Blair resigned first from the board of EDO corporation, which manufactures missile-launching gear for the fighter, and then from IDA itself. 

POGO’s findings were confirmed in December in a report by the Pentagon’s Office of the Inspector General, which concluded that he had violated conflict of interest rules by his involvement in reports on companies in which he had financial interests. 

In September, 2006, one year after ABAG loaned the $12 million, Blair resigned from IDA. Replacing him was retired Gen. Larry D. Welch, a former Air Force Chief of Staff. 

According to a Dec. 20 report by R. Jeffrey Smith of the Washington Post, Blair donated his EDO stock to a fund for injured veterans and surrendered his stock options. 

One of the IDA’s specialties is communications security, and the organization helped the Pentagon implement battlefield command and control systems used in the occupation of Iraq, according to the Spring, 2006, issue of IDA Research Notes.  

The non-profit also analyzed communications systems used in the invasion itself. 

“ABAG is supposed to be working for cooperation and regionalism among Bay Area governments and not arranging for financing to be wasted on some military boondoggle,” Spring said, “especially when there are so many pressing needs here for housing, for health care and for emergency services. 

“It would be more understandable if something like this happened in someplace like Texas or Utah, but not the Bay Area,” she said. “But I guess everybody’s cashing in.” 

The ABAG Finance Authority for Nonprofit Corporations, or FAN, is governed by a five-member committee. None of the current members is from Alameda County or its cities. 

The decision to approve the IDA loan was approved by a unanimous vote during the committee’s Aug. 19 meeting, with Jim Kennedy, Contra Costa County community development director, moving for adoption, with a second from Novato City Councilmember Carole Dillon-Knutson. 

The oither three votes came from Santa Clara County investment analyst Paul Knofler, Sonoma County Treasurer Tom Ford and Marin County Clerk Michael Smith. 

Two representatives of IDA attended.

How can the city and UC Berkeley cooperate in planning uses in the university’s major downtown expansion plans that will benefit both town and gown? 

The subcommittee charged with figuring out possible answers is scheduled to wrap up its work tonight (Tuesday) before reporting back to the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC). 

The 7 p.m. session in the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave., is one of three meetings of Berkeley land use commission slated this week. 

Last Wednesday night, David Stoloff assumed the chair of the Planning Commission after ousting Helen Burke two weeks ago. The light agenda features two action items. a public hearing on Telegraph Avenue business hours and uses and a discussion of regional housing needs goals for the city soon to be imposed by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). 

That meeting begins at 7 p.m., also at the North Berkeley Senior Center, though in the downstairs dining room rather than upstairs, where DAPAC meets. 

Landmarks Commission 

Thursday’s meeting is downstairs also, though it begins a half-hour later, and features the fullest agenda. 

The Landmarks Preservation Commission will hold hearings on petitions to landmark Berkeley’s Iceland, a de facto landmark facing imminent closure, and to approve alterations to the Southern Pacific railroad station at 700 University Ave. and the former Dakin Warehouse at 2750 Adeline St. 

Commissioners will also set public hearings on applications to landmark the old Berkeley High School Gymnasium at 1920 Allston Way, the structure which houses the city’s Warm Water Pool and which is slated for demolition by the Berkeley Unified School District. 

Among the other items on the LPC agenda will be a discussion of the draft Environmental Impact Report for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Long Range Development Plan which covers the years through 2025. 

The LPC, along with the Planning, Transportation and Community Health commissions, will hold a joint March 14 public hearing on the lab’s plans to add 980,000 square feet of new construction, between 375 and 500 new parking spaces and 1,000 new employees. 

The lab will also house some of the research connected with the new $500 million agreement negotiated by the university, BP (the former British Petroleum) and the University of Illinois to create genetically modified grass and termite-derived microbes to produce ethanol.

The Berkeley school board voted last week to approve a resolution to honor Berkeley High Vice Principal denise brown and declared Feb. 15 as denise brown day. Brown died Feb. 2 following complications from knee surgery. 

Other matters 

The board also voted at its Feb. 21 meeting to approve a resolution proclaiming the first week of March 2007 as Week of the School Administrator.  

The board approved the memoranda of understanding between the Berkeley Unified School District and organizations supporting the district’s McKinney Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program. 

BUSD received a grant award notification from the California Department of Education regarding the Homeless Children and Youth program in August and it accepted in September. 

The district was funded for the three-year grant period in the amount of $90,000 for the first year while funding for the following two years was to be determined. The grant expires on June 30. 

The McKinney-Vento legislation requires that the BUSD help homeless students and parents get access to public education. 

BUSD’s McKinney-Vento program has partnered with local homeless organizations such as the Berkeley Food and Housing Project, Women’s Daytime Drop-In Center, and Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency to help students with registering, Medicaid, bus passes, backpacks and book supplies.  

In order to comply with a part of the legislation that specifies identifying and serving unaccompanied youth, BUSD will be partnering with Berkeley-based Youth Emergency Assistance Hostel (YEAH). 

$2,000 in funds from the grant will be allocated to YEAH to provide services to forty unaccompanied youth every evening. This includes information and referral services, emergency food and shelter, therapy, harm reduction groups and case management. A youth outreach worker will be responsible for relocating and identifying unaccompanied eighteen-year-olds and younger. 

Board member John Selawsky inquired about the sustainability of the program. 

“Is this going to end after three years?,” he asked. 

“We do not know the answer at this point,” said BUSD Superintendent Michel Lawrence. Selawsky said that it was important to track grants that were in a danger of running out and lobby to keep them going on.  

The board also approved the budget modifications to the grant award for Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems. 

BUSD was awarded $368,007 in grant money for Integrating Schools and Mental Health Systems (GISMHS) in January 2006 from the U.S. Department of Education, for a period of 18 months. 

The grant names BUSD as its fiscal agent and the Berkeley Alliance as the lead agency. A budget change was suggested to compensate the Alliance who will be taking over certain activities from the Office of Integrated Resources to relieve time and staffing constraints within the office. 

In the past BUSD received $155,407 and the Berkeley Alliance received $212,600 in total allocated grant money. The budget change would lead to BUSD transferring $19,000 from its allocated grant funds to the Alliance, bringing the total grant money for the Alliance to $231,600. 

The board received the preliminary 2007/08 student enrollment projections from Assistant Superintendent Neil Smith on Wednesday. 

Based on data from past years as well as a set of variables, BUSD’s enrollment for the next school year is expected to be 8,929 students. This figure represents a decline in enrollment of 158 students when compared to the October 2006 California Basic Educational Data Set. 

Before you lick your next postage stamp onto the electricity bill or a postcard from the latest family vacation, take a look at the variety of commemorative stamp choices you will have this year. 

There’s the Marvel Super Heroes stamps, the Disney-inspired ones, and a special “With Loves and Kisses” stamp just in time for Valentine’s Day. For history buffs there’s the Settlement of Jamestown stamp, and Ella Fitzgerald is featured in the ongoing Black Heritage series stamp collection. 

But missing again this year is a stamp honoring the heroic Japanese American World War II veterans—the 442nd Regiment, the 100th Battalion, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). 

For the past five years a group of individuals—many of them wives of JA WWII vets—have been working on a grassroots campaign to urge the United States Postal Service (USPS) and their Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) to issue a commemorative stamp in honor of these veterans. But so far only rejection letters have followed. 

“Why is our request being rejected when they are recognizing comic book characters and pop icons?” said 38-year-old Sansei Wayne Osako, the group’s California campaign organizer. 

For Osako, a former schoolteacher, the campaign holds special significance: five uncles in his extended family served in the 442nd and the MIS. 

“It’s something that’s close to my heart,” he said. “The history of the JA World War II vets is a key event for Asian Pacific American history. That’s why we’re really pushing for this.” 

Chiz Ohira, 79, wife of 442nd veteran Ted Ohira, believes the USPS needs to recognize this group of special men who volunteered out of internment camps even while their family members remained imprisoned. 

“This is a unique group of men,” she said. “I don’t think there will be anything like that again.” 

A coalition effort 

A petition letter to get a stamp for the JA World War II veterans now has close to 2,000 signatures. And some politicians have also thrown their support behind the effort, including Sen. Daniel Inouye. Still, the group’s efforts have not swayed the stamp committee. 

Last fall Osako learned that two other veterans’ groups were also proposing stamps with little success: the Tuskegee Airmen and the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. Soon the idea for a coalition effort began to take shape and now all three groups are collaborating to have the USPS issue a series of commemorative stamps to honor these veterans. 

“As for combining our efforts, I think it is an excellent idea,” said Sylvia Laughter of the Navajo Code Talker Memorial Foundation. “If indeed it is true that the U.S. postal stamp committee rejected these proposals previously, it makes sense that our combined efforts will gain greater support overall.” 

Laughter, a former Arizona state legislator, also introduced a successful Arizona state Senate resolution to garner support for the national stamp campaign. Now the groups hope to introduce similar resolutions in California, New Mexico and Utah. 

Nisei Aiko King, 79, has been involved with the JA World War II vets stamp efforts since its beginning and was at first hesitant about a coalition effort. But now she hopes the combined effort will finally show some results. 

“Sometimes I think, why can’t we have our own [stamp]? But if that’s the way we’re going to get on, then we’ve got to do it,” said King. 

“I just think it is so important ... before all the vets are gone.” 

The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee 

The JA WWII vets stamp proposal is just one of tens of thousands of requests the USPS receives each year. The requests are sent to the Postal Service’s CSAC—a group consisting of 15 appointed individuals from diverse backgrounds—who meet four times a year. 

The CSAC can either reject the proposal or keep it “under consideration.” Each year the committee recommends about 25 commemorative stamp selections to the Postmaster General that are “both interesting and educational.” 

“The decision is a process,” said Roy Betts, spokesperson for USPS, who noted that a Tuskegee Airmen stamp has been put “under consideration” but there are no current plans to issue a stamp. Stamps for the Navajo Code Talkers and the JA WWII vets are not currently being considered. 

“This united front is their choice but I cannot comment on the ineffectiveness or the effectiveness of it,” said Betts. “I encourage them to continue to take part in the process.” 

Honoring our veterans 

The USPS has a record of honoring its veterans with commemorative stamps. Latino veterans were honored with a stamp in 1984, and there was also a “Buffalo Soldiers” stamp honoring African Americans. In the 1990s a 50th anniversary World War II veteran stamp was issued although the stamp featured all Caucasian faces except for one African American man. 

So why isn’t there a stamp for the JA World War II vets, the Tuskegee Airmen and the Navajo Code Talkers? 

There’s no question the three veterans groups have made their mark on military history. The 442nd and 100th Battalions are the most highly decorated unit for its size and length of service in U.S. military history. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military airmen in history and flew over 200 combat missions without any casualties. And the Navajo Code Talkers used the Najavo language to produce the “unbreakable” code of the Pacific Theater. 

Those working on the grassroots stamp campaign believe a series of commemorative stamps for these heroic vets “would be a just way to continue to honor diversity in American military history.” 

“They deserve it, for what they did and why they did it,” said Mildred Ikemoto, 77, wife of 442nd veteran Henry Ikemoto. “These veterans need to have the visibility so our young people ... will know they should be proud of them.” 

A long-awaited honor 

Fusako Takahashi, 79, widow of a MIS veteran, had never felt the true impact of the JA WWII veterans’ story until she read a speech by Eric Saul, a noted historian and scholar. 

“I never realized what they went through,” she said. “I feel pretty strongly about it.” 

Now she is one of the many veterans’ wives and widows who are collectively pushing for a commemorative stamp for the JA World War vets. 

“I think this is really significant. But we can’t do this with just a few people. We need a popular effort,” said Osako, who urged people to sign their petition to support the stamp campaign. 

“We have to get the story out,” said Ohira, “before all of our vets are gone.” 

UC Berkeley officials announced Thursday that they will conduct an archaeological survey at the site of the Memorial Stadium oak grove. 

The announcement came two days after Native American representatives gathered at the site to protest plans to build a $125 million gym next to the stadium—which sits directly atop the Bay Area’s most earthquake-prone fault. 

Marie Felde, the university’s executive director of media relations, said the university would conduct a survey at the grove, and at all other southeast campus locations where excavations are planned as part of a major new construction campaign. 

“The timing is not yet determined,” she said. 

Meanwhile, at the same time Felde was sending an email response to a reporter’s queries, campus police were conducting their second raid of the grove site, hauling off the personal belongings of the supporters of protesters who have taken to the trees in hopes of stopping the university’s plans to ax the stand. 

“It’s outrageous,” said Ayr, one of the activists who has been caring for the tree sitters ensconced in platforms high above the earth where tribal representatives said Tuesday that they believe some of the their dead ancestors may be buried. 

Police and campus grounds crew staff gathered all the protesters’ belongings both from locations within the grove and from the sidewalk along Gayley Road, where Ayr said protesters had been told previously that they could use as long as they didn’t block pedestrian traffic. 

“Right now, we’re doing a cleanup here at the oak grove,” said Sgt. David Roby. “We’re picking up everything on the ground.” 

No arrests had been made, and no citations had been served, he said. 

It was the second time campus police had made a clean sweep of the grounds, gathering up the gear of protest supporters and hauling it off in a dump truck. The first raid was made before dawn Jan. 12. Tuesday’s raid came in the early afternoon, four days after campus cops arrested Zachary Running Wolf Friday, the former Berkeley mayoral candidate who launched the arboreal protest Dec. 2 when he took up residence in a redwood on the morning of the annual Big Game with Stanford. 

According to the police website, he was picked up on a charge of failure to appear to answer charges of vandalism, but Running Wolf said Thursday the actual charge was probation violation. 

The activist had been arrested and charged earlier for defacing stop signs in the area by stencil-painting the word “driving” beneath the octagonal signs’ STOP. 

Though he had been served at the time of Friday’s arrest with an order to stay off campus for the next 14 days, Running Wolf returned for a press conference and ritual held at the grove with other Native Americans, including representatives of the Ohlone nation, who once lived along the East Bay. 

Wounded Knee, an Ohlone leader, began events with a prayer and call for the university to halt construction plans at the grove. “They are here,” he said. ”We know, the Indian people, that our ancestors are here.” 

Fred Short, an American Indian Movement activist, joined in the call, as did Ohlone activist Corrina Gould. 

Just how many burials may have been unearthed during the construction of the stadium remains an open questions. 

A university press release issued Monday said that, despite the “several” skeletons mentioned in a contemporary news account, they had records of only one burial found during construction of Memorial Stadium—and that they don’t known if the bones belonged to a Native American. 

In the prepared statement, unnamed “university officials” also said the discovery and the location weren’t included in environmental documents for stadium area construction because of a state guidelines barring disclosure of Native American burial and cultural sites. 

The statement said nothing about other burials discovered nearby during construction of the university’s Faculty Club in 1925 which were identified at the time as Native American by University of Washington archaeologist Leslie Spier, who had been called in to examine the remains by the university, according to an article in the June 21, 1925, San Francisco Examiner. 

Despite prior discovery of human remains, Monday’s statement did not call for an archaeological survey prior to construction—unlike the city, which did require a survey at 700 University Avenue prior to approval construction at that site. 

The statement did cite the project’s Environmental Impact Report, which called for a survey in the event any artifacts are discovered after construction commences. 

The release quoted Dr. Kent Lightfoot, curator of archaeology at the university’s Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology, who said a partial skeleton had been discovered during stadium excavations, though there “is no indication from the records that this isolated skeleton is part of a larger archaeological site.” 

In a dramatic but not necessarily unexpected announcement, California Superintendent for Public Instruction Jack O’Connell said on Thursday that the proposed deal to sell more than eight acres of prime downtown Oakland Unified School District land to an east coast development team is dead, killed by overwhelming Oakland opposition. 

The proposed sale property included the district’s Paul Robeson Building administrative headquarters as well as five education institutions, including Dewey and MetWest high schools and La Escuelita Elementary and two child care centers, all of which sit near the soon-to-be-renovated Lake Merritt Channel. The developers had proposed putting up luxury high-rise condominium towers in their place. 

“Ultimately, Oakland community members made very clear that this project is not in line with their vision for their community, and I respect that point of view,” O’Connell said in a press release. “As a result, I have decided to end the discussion over the sale of this property.” 

O’Connell’s release said that the decision was made “by mutual agreement” between himself, the OUSD State Administrator, Kimberly aStatham, and the proposed buyers of the property, TerraMark/Urban America. 

Statham alerted OUSD Board President David Kakishiba about the decision on Wednesday night, and made the announcement herself on Thursday morning at a speech to the Oakland Chamber of Commerce. 

While the decision does not completely kill any chance that the OUSD properties will be sold off by the state, O’Connell’s press information officer said by telephone that “there is no consideration at this time to sell the property.” 

Authority allowing the state superintendent to sell OUSD land came in the State Senator Don Perata-authored legislation in 2003 that also authorized the state takeover of the Oakland public schools. 

In May 2006, the Planet broke the story that O’Connell was close to a deal on the sale of the property. Under the terms of the state takeover, O’Connell had sole authority to complete the sale on behalf of the Oakland school district. 

But led by parents from the five schools slated to be displaced by the sale, opposition in Oakland quickly jelled, leading to a rare show of political unity in which the newly-elected mayor, Ron Dellums, the incoming and outgoing assembly representatives, Sandré Swanson and Wilma Chan, the entire Oakland City Council and Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees, and the six of the seven members of the advisory OUSD Board of Trustees all either came out in opposition to the proposed land sale outright, or called for a slowdown in the sale negotiations. 

Last fall, Oakland trustees voted to recommend that instead of selling the property, a multi-grade educational center and new administration complex be built to replace the current five schools and aging administration building. 

OUSD Board President David Kakishiba says now that the TerraMark/Urban America deal is off the table, “it should clear the way toward building the new multi-school campus.” 

Kakishiba said that work to build community support for the educational center has been ongoing since trustees held public hearings on the proposed land sale last fall, and a March 1, 6:30 p.m. meeting with parents, community representatives, and local political leaders has been set for the Laney College Forum to discuss the education center proposal in detail.  

Kakishiba said that the decision to move forward with a community effort to support the education center proposal began in part with the Oakland Community Organizations (OCO) faith-based coalition, which Kakishiba said has “close ties” with MetWest High School “and wanted to conduct a listening campaign in the community to see what they wanted for the downtown land in place of the sale.” 

Kakishiba said that at the same time, he was meeting with parents of La Escuelita students following the public hearings on the land sale, telling them that “I’ve gone as far as I can on this issue as a board member, and if you want to save the school on this site, you are going to have to organize.” Kakishiba said to assist the organizing effort, he brought in the East Bay Asian Youth Center, where he works. The effort has also involved the school district’s Office of Community Accountability, which participated in the community survey and is helping to coordinate the March 1 Laney Forum meeting. 

Meanwhile, reaction to the decision to kill the TerraMark/Urban America deal was universally positive among Oakland political leaders who had been active in the fight against the land sale. 

Oakland attorney Dan Siegel, who served on the Oakland school board during the state takeover and chose not to run for re-election in last November’s election, said that “I’m glad [the sale] is not going forward. It was a terrible proposal that would have tied up the district’s land and resources.” 

Siegel credited the change in two political offices from last year to this—the 16th District Assembly seat from Wilma Chan to Sandré Swanson and the Oakland Mayor’s office from Jerry Brown to Ron Dellums—to helping kill the land deal. 

That was similar to comments by board member Greg Hodge, who credited the reversal on the sale “as a result of a lot of community pressure from political office-holders and the public, and just plain old good sense that led Jack O’Connell to actually make a good decision on this. Do I think [O’Connell’s] intentions were good? No. But I think it’s good for Oakland.” 

Both Siegel and Hodge said that they hoped that the land sale decision would help speed up the return to local control of the Oakland public schools. 

“One of the reasons many of us believed O’Connell was maintaining his authority over the Oakland schools was so that he could complete this land deal,” Siegel said, adding that O’Connell may be less enthusiastic on holding control over the Oakland schools now that the land deal is off the table. 

In a prepared statement, Assemblymember Swanson said, “I appreciate the Superintendent’s response to the Oakland community’s concern about the potential land sale of Oakland Unified School District property. I appreciate his acknowledgement of the importance of citizen participation in these very important decisions and the role that parents, teachers, and students play in developing a school environment where learning is in fact our top priority. I support the superintendent’s three goals [stated in O’Connell’s press statement announcing the end of the deal] of improving student achievement, developing sound financial systems for our district, and returning the district to local control as soon as possible. In that regard, I am moving forward with my legislation, AB45, which will begin an orderly transfer of educational responsibilities to the Oakland School Board in January of 2008.” 

Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums was out of town on Thursday and unavailable for comment. 

A spokesperson in the office of State Senator Don Perata said, “The Senator did not make any statement when the initial land sale deal was proposed, and we probably won’t make any statement now.” 

Should downtown Berkeley sprout a highrise-studded skyline, complete with 14 new 16-story “point towers” as a solution to regional government demands that the city add new housing? 

That was one of the solutions offered by city planning staff at Wednesday night’s meeting of the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee. 

The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) has issued preliminary figures that will form the basis of a new mandate that would force the city to prepare the way to add 2,700 new housing units over the next seven years. 

Though the figure isn’t final and Planning Director Dan Marks said his staff is appealing the figure, ABAG has decreed a “smart growth” policy that mandates cities with major transportation facilities and job access to accommodate the lion’s share of regional development. 

Under the proposed guidelines, the city would have to prepare for a total of 5,450 new housing units by 2035. 

ABAG doesn’t require actual construction—only that the city be willing to accept the totals if developers are willing to build the new housing. Failure to comply could mean the loss of some state funding and programs. 

The high-rises—called “point towers” because they are set back from lower street-frontages—would each be as tall as the Wells Fargo Tower, one of two tallest buildings in downtown Berkeley. 

Located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Shattuck Avenue and Center Street, that tower faces across Center Street Berkeley’s currently tallest urban structure, the Great Western bank building, otherwise known as the Power Bar building, located at the southwest corner. 

A third, even taller building is planned for the northeast corner of the same intersection, the UC Berkeley-promoted Berkeley Charles hotel and conference center, which would feature 19 stories of hotel rooms and condos atop three floors of meeting and dining space. 

The high-rises were presented as one of two scenarios for land use and housing, a baseline scenario based on current zoning and policies and the tower-studded high-intensity model. 

The baseline model assumes development limited to four- and five-story projects, the heights determined by current zoning as well as cost-effective construction techniques. Both models include the university’s requirements for 800,000 square feet of new downtown uses as well as 1,000 new parking spaces. 

The baseline model would add 1,800 new housing units, compared to 3,000 for the high-intensity plan, with an 850-square-foot average unit size. 

A new plan was mandated in the settlement of the city’s lawsuit challenging environmental documents prepared for the university’s Long Range Development Plan covering the years through 2020. 

Looking at the point tower scenario, member and architect Jim Novosel said “density for density’s sake sucks,” agreeing with fellow member Juliet Lamont that any plans should include greenery. Winston Burton agreed, and stressed the need to include larger, three-bedroom units among the affordable housing to be created. 

Marks said one possible source of the scarce larger units might be incentives granted to enable construction of the high-rises. 

Dacey asked how high-rises would impact already challenged city sewers and other municipal services, especially when added to impacts of other growth planned by the university on the campus itself. Marks said he would check with city staff. 

Member and Planning Commissioner Helen Burke said she could never support the high-density alternative, “but I would be prepared to support a range of options.” 

All the schematics provided to members, except for the sketch of one point tower at the site of the McDonald’s eatery at University and Shattuck Avenues, were two-dimensional maps, so Wendy Alfsen asked Marks to provide skyline illustrations to show how the 14 towers might impact views of the hills from nearby residences. Marks said he doubted that staff would have time to prepare them.  

No decisions were reached, though a preliminary vote might come soon, said Matt Taecker, the city planner hired with university funds to help draft the new plan. DAPAC must finish its work by November. 

Another chair setback  

DAPAC was created to guide city staff in developing the new plan, though the final decisions on the plan rest with the Planning Commission and City Council. A recent coup on the planning commission ousted environmentalist Helen Burke as chair at the end of a one-year term, replacing her with the more developer-friendly David Stoloff. Traditionally, chairs had served for two successive terms. 

Stoloff, if elected for a second term, would be at the commission’s helm while the new downtown plan is being shaped.  

Burke has been part of the DAPAC majority which has repeatedly challenged decisions by Chair Will Travis. She led the successful fight, opposed by Travis, to form a subcommittee focusing on Center Street, the site of two key university-backed projects, the privately built hotel and the university new Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive complex. 

The committee also voted overwhelming to open up meetings of the joint city/university committee advising city planning staff on technical issues of planned university development in the downtown, overriding the wishes of Travis and the city planning department. 

Members also voted against Travis’s wishes to expand the committee on City Interests in University Properties from seven members to eleven.  

The committee handed their chair yet another defeat Wednesday night when they rejected one of his two proposed nominees to a joint committee mulling the role preservation will play in the future of downtown Berkeley. 

Members rejected Travis’s nomination of Planning Commissioner and architect James Samuels to serve on the joint DAPAC/Landmarks Preservation Commission subcommittee. 

The vote was advisory only, with the power to make the actual appointments reserved by the city council. 

While Travis had proposed Samuels and Novosel, members insisted on separate votes on the recommendation, with Novosel winning on a unanimous vote. After that vote, former City Councilmember Mim Hawley moved Samuels’ name. 

“No reflection on Jim, but he’s already on every subcommittee we have,” said Wendy Alfsen. “I really think everybody ought to have a chance to be on a committee, and nobody should serve on all three.” 

“I didn’t volunteer,” Samuels said. 

“Jim’s knowledge will be very helpful,” said retired UC Berkeley Assistant Vice Chancellor for Property Development Dorothy Walker. 

But the nomination failed on a five-six vote, with five members abstaining. 

Gene Poschman, a member of the planning commission, said that in conformity with the practice of other city commissions, the members ought to have a vote on subcommittee appointments. 

Patti Dacey, like Samuels a former member of the landmarks commission, then nominated Jesse Arreguin, and received a second from Lisa Stephens. 

Arreguin was approved by with 12 votes, with only Walker and former City Councilmember Mim Hawley in opposition. Samuels, Novosel and Jenny Wenk abstained. 

Photograph by Richard Brenneman. 

Planner Matt Taecker showed Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee members one possible example of a 16-story “point tower” on the northwest corner of Shattuck and University avenues, one of 14 that might be erected in downtown Berkeley if planners opt for a high-intensity development model. 

The downtown panel subcommittee exploring possibilities for joint city/UC Berkeley coordination on the university’s downtown expansion plans steamed full speed ahead Tuesday, pushing towards a quick wrap-up. 

The group also heard from Dena Belzer, an economic consultant hired by the Downtown Berkeley Association to prepare recommendations for revitalizing a city center plagued with more than its share of vacancies and ailing businesses. 

Subcommittee Chair Dorothy Walker, who served until her retirement in 1995 as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Property Development for the university, presented members with an eight-page 38-point draft report, setting a Saturday morning for submission of changes. 

The group Walker chairs is the Subcommittee on City Interests in University Properties, and is comprised of representatives of the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC) and from the university. 

The only mild dissent to Walker’s report came from Helen Burke, former chair of the planning commission, who asked for more discussion and point-by-point votes. 

The final report will be presented to DAPAC, which is formulating policies to be incorporated into the new plan for an expanded downtown area mandated in the settlement of a city lawsuit challenging the university’s Long Range Development Plan 2020. 

According to Walker’s draft, “Downtown will not become a prime retail destination” and the university and arts and entertainment will serve as the two key engines of the downtown’s future. 

Among other key points, the draft calls for: 

• Transforming Oxford Street into a streetscape “to knit the campus and Downtown together and to orient the University population to use the Downtown”; 

• Attracting more university students to the downtown to spur economic revitalization; 

• Construction of new housing for current and retired university faculty in the city center; 

• Allowing the university to replace the old Department of Health Services building north of University Avenue with a taller building than would normally be allowed downtown in exchange for allowing retail uses along the Shattuck Avenue frontage; 

• Adding more intensive development at the location of private developments along Shattuck Avenue north of University Avenue and on University between Milvia and Oxford streets; 

• Adding new green space along the Oxford Street right of way, along with more street trees and a possible redesign of the crescent-shaped entry lawn at the university’s western edge along Oxford; 

• Relocating 300 of the parking spaces planned for the 911-space underground lot western of Memorial Stadium to a downtown location.; 

• Creating a new city parking structure at the site of the city’s Berkeley Way parking lot; 

• A joint city/university grant application to seek funds to plan new joint parking facilities, organize coordinated parking and transit fees, creation of ride-share programs and transit subsidies, creation of new bike facilities, new shuttle services and reorganizing AC Transit service; 

• Relocating the Haas business school executive education program from its projected Bowles Hall location to the downtown. 

Members will take up the plan again when they meet next Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Avenue at Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

DBA consultant 

“Our work is really to do strategic thinking and not the number crunching,” said Belzer. 

“One of our first conclusions is that downtown Berkeley is too big to define as an area,” she said. Rather, downtown is better conceived as several areas, with he best known being the arts district with its theaters. 

“We are focusing on the areas where there are good buildings and other things which offer the potential to focus activities,” she said. 

One question both the DBA and DAPAC are confronting is the possibility of attracting major retailers to the downtown, in hopes they will act as spurs to promote the health of smaller businesses. 

Matt Taecker, the city planner assigned to work with DAPAC, said one possibility is so-called junior anchors such as Circuit City or Pottery Barn, rather than a major department store like a Nordstrom’s. 

Major anchors aren’t locating in city centers anymore, instead preferring to locate in shopping malls, he said. 

“An anchor for the downtown will come from a good synergism of a lot of different uses,” Belzer said. “We won’t have a department store downtown.” 

Belzer also urged the city not to mandate ground floor retail on all downtown buildings. “It won’t work, and there are other ways you can make a pleasant streetscape,” she said. 

“We also shouldn’t be focusing all our eggs on the Shattuck basket. We should also focus on the arterial” streets. 

Belzer urged the city to concentrate more on office uses, rather than solely on developing housing as a means of bring potential consumers to downtown shops. 

Some DAPAC members want the university to include space for a significantly sized retail store in their plans for the Department of Health Services site, but Kerry O’Banion, the university’s principal planner for downtown projects, said that the city would have to provide parking because the university wasn’t in a position to provide parking for a business. 

Without the assurance of parking, he said, the university would probably build smaller retail spaces along Shattuck, possibly for an optical shop and other uses that would fit in with community health services that may be located at the site. 

The city of Berkeley could have a seven-acre zero waste transfer station at Second and Gilman Streets in the next three to five years. 

The plan—proposed by Berkeley-based Material Recovery Enterprise (MRE) Urban Ore founder and owner Dan Knapp—was presented to the Berkeley Zero Waste Commission at the current city-owned regional transfer station at Gilman Street on Tuesday. 

In 2006, the city hired the national firm Environmental Science Associates (ESA), who concluded that Berkeley’s transfer station complex on seven city-owned acres would need to be reorganized and rebuilt—an investment estimated at $20 to $30 million. 

“When the city adopted a zero waste goal, Urban Ore decided to step in and suggest a design for a zero waste transfer facility,” said Knapp. “We want to influence the design as much as possible. We have 25 years of experience starting at the Berkeley landfill. We want to make material recovery activity a Berkeley tradition. Our ultimate goal is to create a Zero Waste City. The new station will be efficient, easy, convenient, pleasing and sustainable.” 

Knapp also said that the remodel would boost cash flow. 

“Urban Ore’s move across town to a redesigned site dramatically helped our business after construction was completed in 2004,” he said. “Since this site will be far more efficient to use, profits should increase for all.” 

Urban Ore has invested $10,000 of its own money on architectural services to carry forward the city-sponsored contractor work that concluded over a year ago. 

Team members for the Berkeley Zero Waste Transfer Station, called BIZWITS, include Urban Ore operations manager and Knapp’s wife Mary Lou Van Deventer, renowned green architect Greg VanMechelen and architect Mark Gorrell. 

“We have done this kind of design work both for our own sites and for several dozens around USA and in Australia, New Zealand, and England. So why not do it for Berkeley?,” asked Van Deventer. 

“This is a flexible design for achieving zero waste and maximum community and city income,” she said. 

The proposal is currently at its public comment design stage. The Berkeley Zero Waste Commission is scheduled to take its plans for rebuilding the transfer station to the City Council in May. It will ask the city for resources and put forward a request for qualification (RFQ).  

“It will take time, but we are definitely going to do it,” said Zero Waste Commissioner Nashua Kalil. 

“We want to make this a silver LEED [leadership, energy and environmental design] facility, something that acts as a model for the rest of the country. The grants which will go into paying to rebuild this facility will be generating revenue for the entire community,” 

Currently, the city’s collection of discard-related businesses has an annual budget of about $26 million. It has seen a profit of around 15 percent for the last three or four years. 

“Just like any other big garbage company, the city makes a profit on its waste and recycling activities. This is both a problem and an opportunity,” said Knapp. “To get to zero waste requires weaning garbage companies from the garbage disposal dollar, and this is not easy even to think about, much less do.” 

Jeff Belchamber, general manager of Community Conservation Centers (CCC) —one of the three biggest MREs which serves as a contractor to the city for salvage and recycling services—told the Planet that Berkeley’s Multi-Material Recycling Center was in dire need of upgrades. 

“The city needs to spend some money on the dilapidated facilities here,” he said pointing at one of the sorting facilities on Tuesday. “We have really small containers for storing stuff. Bailors would make things more efficient. Hopefully with the new facility, we will be able to keep the quality and increase the tonnage.” 

CCC along with Urban Ore, Ecology Center and recovery contractors generates more than six million from the discard supply. 

VanMechelen told the commission that the design was primarily looking at better customer service and higher traffic capacity for increasing income. 

“What the customer needs is clarity, easy access and simple extensive parking,” he said. 

“At the same time materials such as paper, glass, ceramics and others get processed inside and then come out to be used by the community. Therein lies the theory of zero waste.” 

According to VanMechelen, an airport-style unloading facility would dramatically improve customer service. 

“The customer interface is eight times longer—800 linear feet compared to 100 linear feet. As a result there is speedier unloading and more traffic capacity.” 

The design calls for a single big building with 85,000 square feet instead of several buildings with less covered space and more roadways. It encourages coherent interactive operations with less site space required for traffic queues and circulation. 

“As an architect, safety is my number one concern, especially with the abundance of forklifts and shopping carts around. Also, Gilman Street is a very busy street. So the idea of having multiple driveways is dangerous,” said VanMechelen. 

Offices and education centers face Gilman Street in the conceptual plan, while an elevated observation walkway permits public and professional tours.  

“We want to educate the community about the natural environment, recycling and material flows, create more jobs and protect the creek area,” he said. 

Gorrell talked about a bioswale pond, a greenhouse, nature trails and picnic areas for children and community members. 

“The distinct areas in the proposed area provide separation for service providers, while the open structures allows flexibility as these services expand or contract. A continuous canopy above protects users from rain and is a platform for locally made artwork from recycled materials to be displayed,” he said. 

Both Knapp and Van Deventer maintain that Urban Ore’s proposed plan is cheaper than that of ESA. 

“There are only four exterior walls, not 16, and none are below grade. There is also no excavation and no ramps. Most of the services can stay on site during construction, with only the equipment moving off site. The ESA design provides no phasing, creates unnecessary logistical challenges and service confusion,” said Knapp. “Most importantly, the preliminary estimated cost is $18-$20 million without equipment, as compared to ESA’s $30 million.”

Berkeley High School has partnered with Ann Cooper, Berkeley Unified School District director of nutrition services, to provide a free breakfast for all its students. Breakfast is served in the morning, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.  

“We have a school menu,” says Cooper. “We take into consideration the quality of the food, the nutritional content, the affordability—and most importantly, we want the food to taste delicious to the kids.” 

Using all of these components, Cooper and her staff produced a breakfast menu that rotates every few weeks. The menu includes things such as hot/cold cereal and yogurt, muffins, scrambled eggs, frittatas, turkey bacon, etc. Additionally, the majority of the food is organically grown and some is even purchased at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market. 

Cooper reports that many kids have been taking advantage of the program. She estimates that the number of kids eating breakfast is between one hundred and one hundred and twenty-five each morning. The program is funded by the reimbursements that the school receives from the state for free or reduced-price lunch programs. 

“I really like the breakfast program,” said junior Keenan Nelson-Barer. “I don’t always have time in the morning to get a good breakfast, so it’s helpful to be able to get it at school for free before I go to class.” 

When asked what his favorite food item was, Nelson-Barer responded, “The scrambled eggs are really good.” 

BHS Principal Jim Slemp reported that he enjoyed the food as well, especially the oatmeal. District Public Information Officer Mark Coplan agreed with Slemp on the program. “It’s really great,” remarked Coplan. 

Cooper was hired by the district last year to help reform the food services in all of the Berkeley schools. The School Lunch Initiative, a group independent from the BUSD started by restaurateur Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, pays for her salary. 

When we asked Cooper what she would say to a BHS student to convince them to eat the breakfast, she responded, “It tastes good and you’ll feel better, think better, and learn better in class. It’s a win-win situation.” 

As for the lunch program, there is a variety of options in the food court. There is an American/Italian/Asian food bar, an organic salad bar, a wraps station (sushi, egg rolls, etc.), and a gourmet pizza bar. Starting March 1, BHS plans to open the court to outsider food, to serve items like Chicken Wings, Sloppy Joes and others. 

Students have been giving the cafeteria food mixed reviews. Some students found it “really good” and “better than it used to be,” while others found it “too healthy” or “pricey”. Breakfast is free, while lunch is $4 for students not receiving free or reduced lunch. 

“We’re working really hard on the food at Berkeley High,” Cooper said. “I’m really trying to get the kids to eat it.” 

A Clayton man was formally arraigned by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office Tuesday, charged with two misdemeanors: making criminal threats to staff at Pacific Center for Human Growth and vandalism at the agency, a support center for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. 

Berkeley police said they took Darren Scott, 32, into custody last Friday. He was turned over to them by Concord Police, who had picked the suspect up on unrelated charges. He is free on $12,500 bail. 

Over the past several weeks, the Pacific Center, located at 2712 Telegraph Ave., 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, kicked in glass on the center’s front door. 

Center director Juan Barajas, who was not available for comment, said earlier that the suspect, believed to have been a client of the center in a Walnut Creek youth program, frightened staff because his e-mails targeted youth and referred to Columbine High School, where 12 young people were killed by two classmates in 1999. The suspect also made reference in e-mails to Matthew Shepard, a gay man brutally murdered in Wyoming in 1998, Barajas said. 

Galvan said Berkeley police originally arrested the suspect on felony threat charges, but on Tuesday, the district attorney charged him with misdemeanors. 

Scott will be back in court March 6.

There are laws on the books against underage drinking and loud parties, but they need more muscle, say advocates of two proposed ordinances that would crack down on adults who allow underage drinking and unruly parties on their premises. 

But students representing the Intra-Fraternity Council, the Associated Students of the University of California, the College Panhellenic Council and others say punishment is not the answer; in fact, it could discourage people from calling law enforcement when problems occur at private gatherings. Students can and do take responsibility through self-policing, they say. 

The City Council will hold a work session on the question on Feb. 27, 5 p.m., Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

At issue are two draft city ordinances, both supported by BAPAC, the Berkeley Alcohol Policy Advocacy Coalition, Students for a Safer Southside and UC Berkeley officials. 

One is a “social host” ordinance, designed to target adults responsible for hosting a gathering where minors consume alcohol. The threat of a fine will cause them to better regulate their parties, according to Elizabeth Van Dyke, a non-student and coordinator for Students for a Safer Southside. The council approved the social host ordinance on the first reading at the City Council’s Jan. 30 meeting, but Mayor Tom Bates removed the second reading from the Feb. 13 agenda, something Councilmember Darryl Moore, who sponsored the ordinances, said was a surprise, unilateral move. 

The “second response” ordinance was passed in concept by the City Council Jan. 30, strengthening a law already in place. It targets the person responsible for hosting an unruly or loud gathering, causing the location to be posted with an official warning after the first citation by police. Subsequent citations over a period of 180 days would cause the party host to be fined at $750, for the second citation, $1,500 for the third and $2,500 for all subsequent citations. The proposed law increased the fines and levied them over the period of 180 days, rather than the current 60-day period.  

The ASUC and fraternity groups say the 180-day period is unfair, given the frequent moves that students make from one living situation to another. 

The social host ordinance would impose fines of $250 for the first offense and increase penalties for subsequent offenses each time police are called and find underage drinking on the premises.  

Citing the difficulty of determining who is hosting the party, Nikhil Bhagat, president of the UC Berkeley Intra-Fraternity Council said that his organization would prefer that the city not enact a social host ordinance at all. But as a compromise, the students are calling for the inclusion in the ordinance of the phrase “knowingly and willingly” to underscore that it is the intent of the social host to serve minors.  

But Lori Lott, secretary of BAPAC said adding these words to the ordinance would “make it unenforceable—you’d have to prove there was intention,” she said.  

In support of the ordinances, John Cummins, UC Berkeley associate chancellor, wrote in a Feb. 22 letter to the City Council: “Research shows that strong local ordinances, consistent enforcement, and clear community expectations are vital in lowering the incidents of binge and underage drinking and the host of social problems that accompany those behaviors.” 

Underscoring that UC Berkeley does not have a greater drinking problem than many other universities, the chancellor cites the results of a study by Dr. Robert Saltz of the Berkeley-based Prevention Research Center that says a November 2006 study shows that: 

• 30 percent of the time students said they “drank enough to be drunk,” when attending parties at off-campus houses or apartments (a higher rate than at Greek parties or at local bars and restaurants), and  

• when asked about problems encountered due to other students’ drinking 11 percent reported they were ‘insulted or humiliated,’ and 8 percent reported being ‘pushed hit or assaulted.’ 

“Given that there are over 23,000 undergraduates at Berkeley, even modest percentages translate to hundreds, if not thousands of students whose lives and academic work are being affected [by alcohol] just in one semester,” Saltz concludes. 

Those opposed to the ordinances do not dispute that drinking is a problem, but they argue it should be approached in a way that puts the onus on the students. “The truth is that it actually takes away the responsibility of the underage drinker and focuses on the ‘host’ of the party,” writes Raza Campus Facilitator Daniel Montes in a Daily Cal op-ed. 

Bhagat points to ways the Intra-fraternity Council has begun to take responsibility for monitoring gatherings. A group that has a social event must notify police, the fire department and neighbors and provide its own security for the event. Students bring their own alcohol—limited to beer and wine—to the event and identification is checked at the door. The fraternities provide monitors who go out and make sure parties are under control. If violations are found, violators go before a student judicial council.  

While much of the discussion has been around the UC Berkeley student population, BAPAC’s Lott points out that the ordinance also will help curb problems associated with alcohol in all areas of the city. 

The City Council is yet to discuss other efforts to reduce alcohol abuse put forward in a report by the city Health and Human Services Department. 

A judge turned down a Woodfin Suites Hotel application Wednesday for a temporary restraining order intended to prevent an Emeryville city councilmember and labor leaders from coming within 500 feet of the hotel. 

The Woodfin, at 5800 Shellmound St. in Emeryville, is embroiled in a labor dispute with its workers. 

In a two-paragraph decision, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Winifred Y. Smith agreed with attorneys for Emeryville City Councilmember John Fricke, Alameda County Building and Construction Trades Council Secretary-Treasurer Barry Luboviski, Alameda County Central Labor Council Coalition Director Wendall Chin and the pro-labor organization East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, affirming that the complaint “arises out of the ongoing labor dispute” between the hotel and the labor organizers and did not warrant a restraining order. 

“Despite the fact that I’m a lawyer, I have faith in the judicial system—I had confidence that the judge would do the right thing,” said Fricke by phone after the decision was rendered.  

Labor organizers have been supporting Woodfin workers’ efforts to have the hotel implement Measure C, a Living Wage law for hotel workers passed by Emeryville voters in 2005, requiring a minimum wage and limiting the square-footage that housekeepers clean each day before they are paid overtime.  

Woodfin management says it is implementing Measure C, while workers argue they are asked to clean more than the law allows without being paid overtime. 

In their application for the emergency TRO, hotel attorneys said Fricke and the labor representatives “entered the Woodfin Suites Hotel … and acted in a threatening and harassing manner toward several young employees of the Woodfin Suites Hotel.”  

Attorneys for Fricke, Luboviski, Chin and EBASE responded orally Wednesday in an unusual hallway hearing outside offices that serve Alameda Country Superior Court Department 31, located above the post office at Jackson and 13th streets in Oakland. 

Because the application was presented as an emergency measure, it was not on the regular court calendar: a research attorney took written and oral testimony in the hallway, consulted privately with the judge, then made the judge’s ruling public to the attorneys and press waiting in the hallway. None of the defendants attended the hearing. 

At issue was whether the defendants’ actions and hotel response were part of the ongoing labor dispute or separate from that. 

Attorneys for Fricke and the labor representatives argued that the hotel’s aim was to squelch the labor organizers’ right to free speech and prevent them from carrying out their efforts to support the workers.  

But Woodfin attorney Jeff Ames, of San Diego-based Shea Stokes said the TRO, unrelated to the labor strife, was necessary because the “threatening” behavior 

of Fricke and the others had disturbed hotel guests and frightened employees. 

In a phone interview Tuesday, Fricke described how he saw the incident that sparked the hotel’s TRO application. On Feb. 13 Fricke said he led a delegation of labor organizers – Luboviski and Chin – into the hotel, asked to see the manager and, when informed that the manager was not there, gave the front desk employees his card and said, “I hope as a hotel you will abide by Measure C” and left. 

“It astounds me that they are using the courts to try to curtail the effort to get them to comply with Measure C,” said Fricke, represented at the Wednesday hearing by attorney Ben Stock at the behest of the city of Emeryville.  

But Woodfin attorney Ames asserted that hotel employees found Fricke’s behavior threatening. “[The employees] were distressed; they were shocked,” he told the research attorney. 

“This is not a labor dispute,” Ames further argued. “We’re not seeking to quell free speech.” He said the picketers were free to demonstrate on Tuesday and Saturday as they did every week, but they were not free to intimidate hotel guests. “We seek to stop them from interfering with business,” he said. 

Speaking for defendants Chin and Luboviski, attorney Stewart Weinberg, of Weinberg, Roger & Rosenfeld, contended: “Mr. Chin and Mr. Luboviski were not accused of opening their mouths. They were just walking into the Woodfin.” What was really going on was an effort to target demonstrators, he said. “They want to keep the demonstrators a football field away from the Woodfin.” 

Speaking after the judge’s decision was rendered, Woodfin manager Hugh MacIntosh reiterated that the charges “had nothing to do with the labor dispute.” 

EBASE organizer Nikki Bas said that while she was happy with the ruling, she thought the TRO application was a waste of time and money: instead of hiring a communications firm (Woodfin engaged Schellhorn Communications to alert the press to the TRO application) and lawyers, “Woodfin should have spent the money paying the workers what they are owed,” she said. 

Facing dropping student test scores and continued teacher turnover, Jerry Brown’s heavily-subsidized Oakland School For the Arts charter school has undergone an administrative overhaul in recent months. 

Gone is the longtime OSA Director Loni Berry, as well as the assistant director, Taura Musgrove. 

In their place in the position of “Head of School,” the OSA Board last November hired Boston native and Brandeis theater arts graduate Saul Drevitch.  

A press release on the OSA website says that Drevitch served as director of communications at Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass., and spent nine years as the director of the Exploration Intermediate Program, which it says is the country’s premier summer academic enrichment program for middle school students, but does not give a date for that employment. A Saul Drevitch was listed as the head of school of Berkeley’s private Arrowsmith Academy which closed its doors last June, but it is unclear whether it is the same person as the new OSA head of school. 

The president of OSA’s board of directors, Dr. Bruce Lawrence, could not be reached for comment as to why the administrative change was made, and the OSA administration did not return a phone call in regard to this story. 

The Oakland School for the Arts, which began as a high school but expanded to include middle school students in 2005, currently holds classes in portables behind the Fox Oakland Theater in downtown Oakland. The school is slated to move into the refurbished Fox in 2008. 

Administration of the school has come under frequent criticism from parents attending OSA. In the parent comment section of the Great Schools network last fall, in the period just before Drevitch was hired, two parents praised OSA, but five others blasted the school’s administration. "This school isn't managed very well," one parent wrote, while another said, "This school is a total mess. It is organized poorly and the administration is at times unapproachable. The kids suffer." Another said that “there is no communication between anyone and the administration is ridiculous.” 

But another parent, writing last September, had nothing but praise, writing that “we will be eternally grateful for the opportunities she was given, the education she received and the care she got from the administration and staff. No high school is perfect, and a new one has a straight uphill challenge to establish itself. This school was exceptional for our family.” 

But alongside the administration, teacher turnover at OSA has been the most frequent target of parent criticism. 

Earlier this year, the Great Schools network reported that OSA rated poorly in teacher turnover when compared with other schools in the state. 32 percent of the OSA faculty were first-year teachers in the 2005-06 school year, as opposed to only 7 percent in the rest of the state. 

A review of the OSA list of faculty on its website confirms those statistics. 

Of the 26 faculty members listed on the OSA faculty in July 2005, only five now remain at the school. The turnover was most severe in the Science, Social Science, and Theater departments, where no faculty member is currently listed who was listed two years ago. 

And after several years of high academic achievement, OSA test scores dropped off dramatically last year in certain areas. Last summer, the Planet reported that OSA student scores dropped 17 percentage points in the California Standards Test (CST) in ninth-grade English Language Arts between 2005 and 2006, and 8 percentage points in ninth-grade Geometry. Overall, the Planet reported, OSA students tested weaker than the statewide average in math and science and stronger in English Language Arts in 2006. 

Aims, no shot 

A 23-year-old man was strolling near the corner of Shattuck Avenue and Channing Way Monday when a fellow approached, pointed a gun at him then jumped into a white windowless van and sped away headed south on Shattuck. 

No arrest has been made. 

Student robbed 

A pair of bandits, both packing pistols, robbed a 21-year-old Cal student of his valuables as he was walking along the 2200 block of Warring Street moments after midnight Saturday morning. 

The two suspects then fled on foot, heading northbound on Warring. Despite a search by both Berkeley and campus police, the duo affected an escape, reports UC Berkeley Police Chief Victoria L. Harrison 

Rape suspect caught 

Alerted by the sounds of a woman crying for help at 1:22 a.m. Saturday, Berkeley police spotted a 51-year-old man as he was sexually assaulting a woman in the 2200 block of College Avenue. 

Seeing the officers, the suspect fled on foot, and officers set out in pursuit. The suspect was arrested moments later near the corner of Dwight Way and Bowditch Street. 

The injured woman was taken to Summit Alta Bates Medical Center for treatment, and the suspect was taken to jail and booked on suspicion of rape.

Valentine’s fire 

A wiring short appears to be the cause of the flames that damaged a home at 2014 Prince St. on Valentine’s Day, said Deputy Fire Chief David P. Orth. 

The fire was first reported at 9:11 p.m., and firefighters had finished their work by 10:34. 

Damage wasn’t extensive, reports an eyewitness, a certain Planet reporter who lives on the block. 

Too dry 

A clothes dryer in a residence at 2126 Haste St. got too hot for its own good Feb. 12, and managed to set itself on fire, reports Deputy Chief Orth. 

Residents had the blaze extinguished by the time firefighters arrived, and the crew aired hour the dwelling, took their report and departed.

February 14, 2007 

To: The Honorable Immigration Judge, 

I’m a 2nd-grade Two-Way Spanish Immersion (TWI) teacher at Rosa Parks school in Berkeley. Today is Valentine’s Day. It was my last day with one of my top students, Gerardo Espinoza. His father received an order of deportation and is moving the family to Mexico to comply with the law. Gerardo is a stunning seven-year old, with unusually wide, round brown eyes, a cute little nose, full lips and round pale baby cheeks—the kind of child that Japanese anime depict. He’s wedded to his knit cap. The behavior of Gerardo and his brother Felipe, whom I taught nearly a decade ago, has been an example to everyone, including myself. They are both reasons why I love my job. Whenever I had difficult students, I’d seat them in a group with Gerardo or Felipe for a month and their behavior would improve tremendously. I attribute the brothers’ outstanding comportment in large part to their close-knit family, especially the loving care of their mother, Norma, who spends every lunch time with Gerardo.  

Honorable Sir, I do not understand why Gerardo and José are being denied their rights as U.S. citizens to an education and parents, both; why, under the law, they are forced to choose. My colleagues and I envisioned their winning scholarships at U.C. Berkeley, eventually lifting them up to the middle class. Like their children, their parents are also model—I’d like to say citizens—but they’ve been denied this. Your honor is probably aware that their former attorney, Walter Pineda, was exposed on the news for defrauding immigrants and aiding in their deportation. He was disbarred on Nov. 1, 2006, State Bar No. 97293.  

Felipe Espinoza Senior has lived in the United States for 20 years. His wife Norma has lived here for 14. Felipe Sr. has worked five to six days a week in jobs from Skates by the Bay to a steel mill in Oakland. Today, when he dropped by for Gerardo’s farewell Valentine party, in which the other students read him their going away valentines, I commented that I hadn’t seen him since Felipe Jr.’s conference a decade ago. Felipe Senior still looked about the same: like a well-groomed, dignified banker or professional. “I’ve been working,” he said, which I knew was an understatement. He is the sole provider for a family of five, six if we include his former exorbitant lawyer, Pineda. 

Felipe Senior has always done everything by the book. He has always paid his taxes, car registration and insurance. He followed the letter of the law to apply for citizenship. And this, your honor is what I don’t understand. According to the SF Weekly (”The Asylum Trap” by Eliza Strickland, May 10, 2006,) immigrants are more likely to slip through the eye of a needle than they are to receive asylum or residency. Only 34 asylum applications were granted to Mexican immigrants nationwide. San Francisco Attorney Enrique Ramirez observes that immigrants can also apply for residency through work visas or petitions by family members who are residents. Mr. Espinoza was misled by Pineda, apparently like countless others, into falling for the “the ten-year pardon,” or cancellation of removal, though as you know less than 4,000 of these cases have been granted each year. Now I ask you, what is the goal of a system which punishes the vast majority of those who follow the letter of the law and which rewards those who manage to keep their identities off the books?  

The Espinozas met two of the three requirements needed for Mr. Espinoza’s cancellation of removal to Mexico:  

1.) 10 years of continuous presence in the U.S. and 2.) proof of “good moral character” including a clean police record. But Pineda didn’t bother to convince the judge that Felipe Espinoza ‘s deportation would cause 3.) “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship" to a spouse, parent, or child who is either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident—namely Gerardo and his other son José.  

Immigrations lawyers have since informed me that Mr. Espinoza likely lost his appeal because Immigration judges believe Gerardo’s rights as a citizen are not being violated since he is free to stay in the country himself--in foster care. (His mother has never worked and his father would be unable to support them from Mexico.) The lawyers tell me that no immigration judge would recognize tearing a child away from his parents and placing him or her in foster care as an “exceptional and extremely unusual hardship.” Dear Honorable Sir, have you and your colleagues really become so hardened? Is the reason that you believe such a trauma is not “unusual” because you have caused such horrendous circumstances to become the norm among this population, rather than the exception?  

If so, dear Honorable Immigration Judge, my question to you is, how can I go on teaching about equal rights and freedom of speech and all the things our constitution is supposed to defend, and that the very name of our school is supposed to represent, when the father of my students is deported simply because his skin is darker? Both my Latino and white students are U.S. citizens. So how do I explain to the class that one has the right to a family in the United States and the other citizens do not? Do you think they’ll understand why Felipe and Gerardo’s parents cannot gain citizenship in a country in which they’ve lived for 20 years and in which their children were born, yet it is all right for U.S. citizens to buy up all the beach front property in the Espinozas’ motherland? Do you think such an incident is going to convince my students and their families that the United States is the compassionate model of democracy for the rest of the world?  

Dear Honorable Judge, I ask you, what are you and your colleagues doing to shatter or foment these dreams and ideals?  

The last time I saw Gerardo, I asked him to let me make a video so I could remember him. He stands below the letters that read Rosa Parks School and recites by heart our Rosa Parks School pledge, which he and I still believe:  

“To this day, I believe, we are here on this planet earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for ALL people to enjoy freedom.”  

I’d like to conclude with a poem Gerardo wrote for his parents for their Christmas present: 

WITHOUT YOU 

Oh Mamá and Papá, 

Without you,  

I’d never be able to  

cook or eat your enchiladas again; 

we wouldn’t play “trains” together anymore, 

or go to the park  

without you.  

Without you,  

I wouldn’t be able to have any fun; 

I wouldn’t be able to feel even the breeze anymore, 

or love; 

I wouldn’t have anyone to play with 

Without you. 

Without you, I’d be as lonely as a baby abandoned  

and left to cry alone in a house, 

As sad as a little bird  

that can no longer sing. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, 

Margot Pepper 

Margot Pepper is a journalist and author whose work has been published internationally by the Utne Reader, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, City Lights, Monthly Review, Hampton Brown and others. Her memoir, Through the Wall: A Year in Havana, was a top nomination for the 2006 American Book Award. 

A new Cold War is under way, but unlike the conflict of the Reagan era it is not a fight for military supremacy but rather for gaining control, directly or through commercial proxy, of energy resources. 

At the heart of this new conflict are Western attempts to diffuse Russian President Vladimir Putin's drive to transform his country into a new oil and gas superpower with vast bargaining power with the European Community. Russia is already the world's eighth largest producer of crude oil and the first of natural gas. 

Most recently, UK authorities blamed Russian intelligence for the assassination of Alexander Litvinenko, a former KGB spy, who had accused Vladimir Putin of leading an autocratic, murderous and corrupt government. Litvinenko was a figure in the struggle between the Putin government and Russian oligarchs (whom Western powers favor) for the country's most prized possessions—the oil and gas fields controlled by the Russian oil companies, the state-controlled Gazprom and the privately held Yukos. 

Litvinenko's assassination nearly coincided with the signing of a commercial agreement between Gazprom and ENI-Italy's largest energy conglomerate—for the distribution of natural gas to Western Europe. The first of its kind, the agreement would allow Gazprom to operate independently under the supervision of the Italian partner, which would be tantamount to the Russian giant selling its product directly to consumers in Western Europe, bypassing EU's regulatory constraints. 

Western powers have come to despise what they see as Russia's heavy-handed form of capitalism, as in the case of mining rights to the Arctic sea floor, which is believed to hold vast oil reserves. According to Moscow, under the newly operating United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, more than 50 percent of those submerged resources belong to Russia. This assertion has compelled other powers -- such as Denmark, Norway, Canada and Iceland—to stake their own claims to some of the same underwater territories. The controversy is leading to an increased militarization of the Arctic, with Russian battleships often confronting the vessels of oil developers and Western navies. 

“Putin has decided to make a huge energy superpower out of Russia and there's almost nothing that can stop him,” says Robert Hueber, an analyst at the Centre for Security and International Studies. “Unless something slows him down, there's no way for the West to prevent him from putting his hands on some of the most prized resources of the planet.” 

Although China's higher profile in Africa is providing cause for concern to the United States and its allies, it is Russia that generates their strongest reactions. They believe Russia is using its energy clout for geopolitical gains, especially in the regions that were once under the Soviet control but are now independent countries. 

Western powers have been vehemently denouncing Russia for last year's rows with Ukraine and Belarus over the price of gas. Russia temporarily shut down its gas and oil shipments to these countries as a result of the quarrel. The action in turn caused great worry and anger in Western Europe, which imports respectively 30 percent of its oil and 40 percent of its gas from Russia. 

In some countries like Poland, Finland and Slovakia, imports account for more than 70 percent of consumption, and in Hungary the percentage soars above 89 percent. Reacting to the shutdown, Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel said Russia had lost its credibility as an energy partner. 

Western analysts have also accused Moscow of conspiring to turn the Shanghai Cooperation Organization—an intergovernmental body composed of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with India, Pakistan and Iran as invited observers, meant to foster good neighborly relations and deal with issues of Central Asian security—into a sort of “OPEC with nuclear weapons,” as described by Simon Sweeney, director of the International Studies Programme of York St. John University College in the United Kingdom. 

Not all analysts, however, are convinced that Russia wants to wage a New Cold War with the West and in particular with the United States. 

“Someone is still fighting the Cold War, but it isn't Russia,” Mark Almond, a professor of modern history at Oriel College, Oxford, wrote in The Guardian. “The chill is still coming from the West.” 

Thomas Friedman, a devout pro-West observer, agrees. Should Moscow, he writes, really decide to leverage its energy resources to subjugate the international community, it would have other, sharper arrows in its quiver. 

Russia could, as many of its hardliners have suggested, ban products from Moldova and Georgia or block the transit of their unemployed jobseekers to Russia, thus causing these countries' economic collapse. Moscow could also destabilize Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Kazakhstan and then agree to annex—as these populations have requested—their pro-Russian minorities living near the borders of the old Motherland. 

In the case of Georgia and Kazakhstan, destabilization could be extremely hard on the United States and its Western allies, as it would totally compromise direct access to the immense oil resources of the Caspian region—on which the West is greatly reliant—and their transfer to Western ports. 

Thus, for now, and short of an all-out confrontation with the Old Bear, the Western powers can only lash out at the feared expansionism of the New Oil Czar by accusing Moscow of renewed charges of murderous plots and dark conspiracies. 

Paolo Pontoniere is a New America Media European commentator. 

It happened that last weekend we had two excursions which took us out of the Berkeley Bubble and into the genuine suburbs, in fact into the old established bridge-and-tunnel suburbs, over a bridge to the Peninsula and through the tunnel to Lamorinda. On Saturday night in Palo Alto we were lucky enough to see two fine singers with local connections, Berkeley-born Alaine Rodin and current resident Kathleen Moss, in the West Bay Opera’s stunning production of Tchaikovsky’s Queen of Spades, which demonstrated conclusively that culture is alive and well outside the urban bay area. The Lafayette trip on Sunday was for a sadder purpose, a memorial for a friend who had died suddenly.  

On both trips we were struck, as we always are when we leave the city, by how much space, just plain space, there is in the suburbs, particularly in the ones which saw their major development between the ’50s and the ’70s. On a rainy Saturday night we drove (no possible alternative transit, needless to say) from 101 to Palo Alto, across wide boulevards with spacious median strips as big as some “parks” in flatlands Berkeley, to a smallish theater surrounded by a parking lot so close to the stage door we didn’t even get wet running in from the car. We couldn’t help but contrast it to Berkeley’s equivalent Julia Morgan Theater, walking distance from our house and on the 51 bus line, but where it’s almost impossible to park if those options don’t work for you. Even in the dark we could see that adjacent civic amenities—museums, schools and so forth—were in one-story buildings and surrounded by parking and parklands.  

On Sunday the 10-minute drive from Highway 24 through “downtown” Lafayette to our destination, a lovely rustic lodge in a verdant canyon setting, was also on wide boulevards, in this case leading to curving rural roads. Twice on our journey we had to brake for flocks of wild turkeys crossing in front of us. Twenty minutes from our Berkeley home, we were in the country.  

A quick peek at the invaluable Berkeley Parents Network website reveals many transplants from Berkeley rhapsodizing about Lafayette living. Numerous University of California faculty members and administrators enjoy living in the Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda area. They all drive past our house every weekday morning, and on weekends it’s even worse as they head for Elmwood shops. There’s a BART station in Lafayette, but not everyone seems to use it.  

“Downtown” Lafayette is a succession of strip malls gussied up in standard northern California pseudo-Hispanic stucco facades. Each one, and often each store, has its own right-by-the-front-door parking lot. Those who post to the Parents site make much of the fact that Lafayetters drive vans instead of the bigger and more expensive SUVs you might find in Danville, and judging by the parking lots we observed that’s true. Perhaps they also take the bus and BART, but no busses were in evidence on Sunday afternoon. You can’t get very far in Lamorinda without a car, it seems. 

What’s all this got to do with Berkeley? We’re here because we really enjoy the urban experience, right? We have BART stations (three, unless you want to come home from your event after midnight or go anywhere except the center of the city) and bus stops (many, though not necessarily all, served by frequent or comfortable busses). We even have the occasional wild turkey, if you live in the right neighborhood.  

But Berkeley now seems to be the target of a campaign to make it uninhabitable. The Planning Department is dominated by true believers who think that every flatlands back yard deserves a condo of its own, and who are bending the zoning laws to accomplish this. Such efforts won’t be needed much longer, of course, since Planning Commission purges have recently paved the way to change those same laws permanently. Zealots from ABAG to the oxymoronic Livable Berkeley seem to think that covering every square inch of the scant remaining open space in Berkeley, green or paved, with new construction will make more people want to live here and fewer people want to move to new subdivisions in former cornfields.  

Well, those who believe that urban legend should spend some time reading the Lafayette entries on the Parents’ website. They all seem to come from transplants from Oakland and Berkeley, people who finally got fed up with the stresses of living too close to too many folks. ABAG is dominated by representatives from the second-ring suburbs who are anxious to off-load the growth pressure on first-ring cities like Berkeley which long since achieved urban density. The result of putting condos in every backyard in Berkeley will be making everyone who can possibly afford it move to Lafayette or the equivalent, unless they just move all the way to Tracy. Some web-site-posters said that their new suburban homes were less expensive than their old ones in the first ring cities, and they boast of 25-minute BART commutes to San Francisco.  

They’ve even got culture out there. We passed a theater marquee touting a production of a rarely-seen Noel Coward play, and Berkeley’s favorite Philharmonia Baroque programs a Lamorinda night in addition to their two nights here. And there are acres and acres of soccer fields in evidence.  

We are going to be very sorry in five years when the vast number of shoddy Berkeley apartment buildings which were supposed to warehouse the Bay Area’s excess population have turned into poorly-maintained and often vacant rental condos, when the students who eagerly rented sparkling new units have established their families in Hercules or Fairfield. Wouldn’t it make more sense to get started now on modest density increments in all the sixties suburban towns like Lafayette? That Blockbuster Video we saw near the BART station and the central Lafayette freeway entrance could support four stories of apartments above the store and still have some parking for those who needed it. The Starbucks on the main drag would have more patrons if there were apartments above it, and AC transit could send them some buses. Of course, we have our one-story Blockbuster and our single-floor Starbucks here too, but we also have residents crowded much closer together in our neighborhoods, and they’re the ones that don’t need even more density. 

Going to the Tuesday Farmer’s Market is usually a pleasure, but this last Tuesday it was more than a chore, it was an annoyance. It’s become the battleground of choice for those who have differing views about the soon-to-be-launched Brower Center and Oxford Plaza projects. Only the Planet’s opinion pages (see today’s) and the flamemail circuit have seen more skirmishes. 

First shot was fired at the entrance by a pair of eager beavers (“we’re just volunteers”) handing out a yellow sheet signed by no one in particular, heavy on all caps, exclamation points and underlining: “PLEASE DO NOT SIGN THE REFERENDUM PETITION!” 

Irritant number one was the subhead: “Opponents of affordable housing….”  

Well, no. It just muddies the waters to charge that all or even the majority of those who have doubts about the wisdom of this particular enterprise are opposed to affordable housing in general. In fact, several of them have said privately that what worries them is that Berkeley is putting all of its housing trust fund money into this one leaky bucket. But such sentiments are rarely expressed in public because progressives who have such worries are afraid of being—the sixties’ term was mau-maued, but that must be politically incorrect by now—castigated by their friends with whom they disagree.  

Next annoyance, and here we certainly get into the realm of the politically incorrect, is the new catchphrase “workforce housing.” 

We’ve already learned that “affordable” housing can easily be priced in such a way as to exclude all but the comfortably employed lower middle classes, while leaving the genuinely poor and homeless out in the cold.  

“Workforce” housing is a phrase I first heard in affluent Aspen Colorado, where it most often referred to dormitories for the young skiers who wait on rich seasonal tourists. But in Berkeley our biggest ill-paid workforce is the service workers at the University of California, and the real scandal is that despite the workers’ vigorous organizing efforts the Big U still won’t pay them enough to afford decent local housing for their families. If this project works out, the 97 units (not all family-size, however) will help, but the Oxford Plaza will house very few UC workers as compared to the real need. This can’t be blamed on either the pro or the con faction, of course. But some might say that workers should be paid properly and that public dollars should go first to homes for those families who lack a breadwinner for some reason. 

Irritant number three is this sentence, which manages to contain offensive characterizations made by both camps: “They falsely claim the project is a bad deal for the city, saying the ‘City Council give a piece of land worth at least $5,700,000 to developers for $1.’” 

The most obvious problem here is that project opponents have foolishly fixated on the common real estate contract convention of using a $1 valuation for what is actually a swap. This mistake only serves to distract someone who actually wants to understand the deal. 

The value received, in the eyes of the proponents, is the garage, with the Brower Center office building and the apartment building as added sweeteners. But the real question is still outstanding: is it a “bad deal” as claimed by the referendum people, or a “good deal” as per the flyer?  

The financial impact is mighty hard for the average citizen to figure out. The letter sent to the council on November 9 by the city’s longtime financial consultant Christine Carr was worrisome, however. No matter how desirable these buildings might be, are they worth putting the city’s finances at the serious risk Carr foresaw?  

Her letter said, in part, “While there are two developers and two separate buildings, the project is interdependent from the city perspective and the [David Brower Center] could not be developed without the housing and the shared parking under both. The money the city is putting into the project as a whole is considerable, more than the city has ever expended on a site in the past. There is $4MM in Housing Trust funds which include past and future commitments precluding other affordable housing from being built for several years in Berkeley. There is also the BEDI grant of $1.7MM and the $4MM HUD 108 loan. In addition, if there are cost overruns on the housing or parking, the city, most likely, will be required to fill any gaps. The city’s total commitment is $9.7MM, without cost overruns.” Carr’s letter recommended that the city require the DBC promoters to guarantee more than the $1 million they’ve offered, but that hasn’t happened. 

Which brings us to the next concern the flyer raises: The DBC is described as “a cutting edge building with the latest in green design.” If new buildings are really needed, they should of course be designed according to the best environmental principles. But “re-use” is the mostly highly rated of the long established environmental principles, with “recycle” coming not far behind. Why do environmental organizations need a brand-new cutting edge building? I’ve worked in many a non-profit in my day, and they’ve always been housed in re-used older buildings which were not stylish but very functional. Fort Mason is a good example.  

Adapting old buildings for re-use generally employs more local workers and returns more money to the local economy than showcase new projects. There are many current vacancies in existing buildings in the downtown area. Rents are high, but what’s the per square foot cost as compared with updated DBC cost projections? 

The flyer says that the project is endorsed by Loni Hancock, Tom Bates and Linda Maio. Hancock, Bates and Maio have become notorious in recent years for never seeing a building project they didn’t like, leading the suspicious citizen to wonder if this might not be just another sop to their friends in the construction industry. Dona Spring and Kriss Worthington, the city’s last two consistently progressive councilmembers, have also voted for this project in the past, but their names were left off this particular piece. Is that significant? Who knows? 

All this angst, and we hadn’t even gotten past the market entrance yet. Further inside a table with referendum petitions on it was being maintained by two or three tired-looking project opponents, and there were many more yellow-sheet distributors trying to steer citizens away from it. I heard one middle-aged woman discussing the referendum with a perky young thing who was trying to talk her out of signing to put the question on the ballot. “Why not let the voters decide?” the older woman said. “Are you opposed to affordable housing?” the young woman asked her. “Of course not, I’ve supported it all my life,” the other said indignantly. “Well, this is Berkeley’s last chance to get affordable housing,” the younger woman said. The older woman shook her head as she walked away. 

The truly cynical say that if this project fails the city will sell the land to UC to use as office space for its new greenwashing contract with BP. One friend, a long time housing activist herself, says ruefully that all she can do at this point is stand back and watch the opposing camps fight it out. On any given day, she says, she’s likely to feel like agreeing with either side or to think that they’re both wrong.  

That’s how I felt at the Farmers’ Market on Tuesday. I’ve always supported affordable housing for families, but is this particular project the best way to get it? It’s one of those Cassandra moments. Is it the impending financial disaster that some predict, or just creative financing that will get the right results for everyone? Only time will tell. 

A FEW ERRORS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I would like to point out a several factual errors in Judith Scherr’s article regarding Measure G and Sustainable Berkeley. First, the contract with Sustainable Berkeley to help run the greenhouse gas effort is for one year, not two. Second, the Measure G planning meeting Mayor Bates held two weeks ago was, in fact, “put out publicly.” More than 2,000 people were e-mailed inviting them and anyone else they knew to participate in the Measure G process. Notice of the meeting was also published in a major local newspaper. The only item I did not have time to do was post it on the mayor’s website. Third, the Measure G planning process will be open and follow the public meeting and notice rules for this type of process as detailed in the San Francisco sunshine ordinance and the draft Berkeley Sunshine Ordinance. Fourth, while I was honored to recommend Timothy Burroughs for the job of organizing the greenhouse gas reduction effort, he was actually selected by Sustainable Berkeley after an interview process with their executive board. 

Cisco DeVries  

Chief of Staff  

Office of Mayor Tom Bates  

• 

CLARIFICATIONS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

While I appreciate the effort the Daily Planet has put into discussing the Sustainable Berkeley contract with the city (“Sustainable Berkeley Contract Questioned,” Feb. 20) my comments on the subject and my name were misrepresented in the article. My quotes were paraphrased to say that commissions shouldn’t “take on the task of reducing greenhouse gases.” I never said or implied that CEAC or other commissions shouldn’t take on climate change. I was asked if I saw a difference between CEAC and Sustainable Berkeley in coming up with a climate change plan. There is of course a difference. CEAC is a city commission filled with dedicated volunteers and has a very specific role as an advisory group to the council. An independent group can receive money, hire people, and publish their own findings. I further said that it was in the best interest of Berkeley citizens to have CEAC involvement and comments on a climate change plan. 

Jason Kibbey 

Chair, Community Environmental  

Advisory Commission 

• 

THANKS TO SUPPORTERS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I would like to thank all my supporters in the mayoral election. According to the Daily Planet (Nov. 10), I received 1,341 votes, or about 5 percent. The final count was 1,880 according to Berkeley’s official results available from their website.  

I received a great deal of support from potential voters who have been driven out of the election process. One friend of mine told me that she would have voted for me, if she voted. Untrustworthy counting methods and the lack of viable candidates who reflect the people’s interests make some Berkeley residents refuse to participate in the voting process at all. So I would like to thank those individuals who would have voted for me; they did in spirit. 

Though my campaign was people-powered and unfunded for the most part, one supporter did manage to donate financially after hearing about my campaign on the Internet. His name is George W. Rogers. 

Thank you also to Thunder who died mysteriously shortly before the election. He volunteered to be my campaign manager. I often say that he voted for me with his life since his death was not investigated by the Police Department. 

Zachary Running Wolf 

• 

PAPER BALLOTS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

There is absolutely no public interest in using computer to speed counting of votes. The ramifications of elections are enormous. The integrity of the vote is the foundation of our democracy. 

Computerized voting systems exist only to speed voting results to news media and candidates. The public needs accuracy, fairness and accountability in elections; not speed. 

Haste makes waste of elections. 

Stop corrupt, unreliable voting machines from undermining public trust. Amend HR811 to require paper ballots. 

RJ Godin 

• 

CHENEY’S REMARKS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Vice President Cheney is 180 degrees wrong when he besmirches Speaker Pelosi’s effort to end the war as “validating the al Qaeda strategy.” Al Qaeda’s strategy is to continue the war as long as possible. Their recruitment is up and higher than ever. Their opportunity for on-the-ground training against the best the United States has to offer is priceless. Every day that we occupy Iraq validates the insurgents’ claim that they are defending their homeland, and Islam itself.  

Come to think of it, every day that we try to hold Iraq fosters and fans the Cheney fear of terrorism. Every day our soldiers and civilian Iraqis get blown up validates Cheney’s idea that we need to continue down this disastrous path. Every day our country spends millions of dollars in Iraq, Cheney’s company, Halliburton, gets richer.  

Ignorance, arrogance, incompetence, and corruption, these are our enemies, manifest by Cheney’s misjudgments.  

Bruce Joffe 

Piedmont 

• 

SILENCED BECAUSE OF DISSENT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Regarding the “City workers appeal anti-gay fliers removal” article in the Feb. 16 Oakland Tribune:  

As a plaintiff in the case no one knows better than I do what my intentions were for posting the flyer to form the Good News employee association. I wasn’t implying that homosexuals lacked ethics or integrity. From a Biblical perspective all humans are created in the image and likeness of a loving creator—starting from that premise, homosexuals have dignity and worth. My focus is ideas: Marriage (one man, one woman), natural family and sexuality from a Christian world view. These Ideas are worth preserving. 

What’s disheartening is the psychological and emotional tactics used by some of the militant homosexuals to desensitize and bully the public into accepting the homosexual lifestyle as normal and natural. Why is it necessary to use elementary, middle and high schools as pulpits to teach our kids that homosexuality is an immutable characteristic when science has not discovered a gay gene? Promoting this idea in public schools amongst the most impressionable age group of society could mean only one thing. Recruitment is necessary to increase the homosexual population. 

Something is gravely wrong when all opposition on an issue is silenced politically, judicially and socially. 

What homosexuals want is complete social acceptance by any means necessary. 

Regina Rederford 

President, Emmanuel’s Coalition 

• 

NCLB REVISITED 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The 110th Congress is poised to revise, remodel and renew the No Child Left Behind act and all indications are that it will be guided by the findings of a star-studded commission on NCLB made public a couple of weeks ago. The 75 recommendations in this 225-page report could have been deduced, in general, from a careful analysis of the resumes of the commissioners catalyzed by the fact that not a single student was among them. 

There were 15 members assembled by the Aspen Institute. Ten hold degrees at the doctorate level. Four are women. One is a union organizer. No more than five have actually taught in public secondary schools and only one is currently so engaged. One of the co-chairmen is a White House Cabinet Secretary and the other is a state governor. There are two CEO’s (Intel and State Farm), and four college level professors. Most have held positions in government. Two are directors of private companies engaged in education. The group is blessedly bipartisan. 

Given that these commissioners are a fair sampling of the system’s brain trust, shouldn’t they bear some collective responsibility for its shortcomings? And, if so, how seriously should we treat their recommendations? Why ask the people who broke the system how to fix it? Or analogously: If you want to fix a broken car why ask the driver how to do it? 

Just as the recommendations of the report were predictable based on the experiences (and lack thereof) of its commissioners so, I think, we can predict the outcome of pending Congressional action. Full of sound and fury…. as usual. Very likely a good thing, too, for the nation’s students and teachers. 

Marvin Chachere 

San Pablo 

• 

CAMPAIGN OF DECEPTION 

AGAINST BROWER CENTER 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Regarding the petition against the David Brower Center and Oxford Plaza, it is disheartening to witness the deception being pulled by the referendum’s authors. Yesterday, another signer relayed being told that David Brower was opposed to the project using his name. As someone who knew David Brower well and personally worked with him at the inception of the Brower Center project, I know this to be patently false. The referendum authors’ claim that the office space will be rented to the UC is a similar falsehood. I know this because I am a staff member at Earth Island Institute, one of the many non-profit conservation groups lining up to be renters at the Brower Center. The petition drafters also continue to spew the falsehood that the property was sold for $1, while failing to reveal that the project is paying millions of dollars to replace the surface parking with an underground lot to be owned and operated by the city with all revenues going to the city. 

I have heard from a number of fellow residents who regret signing once they understood the false premises being used to justify the petition, and some have decided to remove their names. I think readers should know that they may have their names removed from the referendum petition. 

In order to do so, your request must be made in writing to the Berkeley city clerk, and received at least one day prior to the date the petition is filed. As the deadline to file the petition is March 1 at 5 p.m., your letter must be received by the city clerk no later than Feb. 28. 

In order to remove your name, request that the clerk withdraw your name from the referendum petition against “Ordinance 6,965 Oxford Plaza and David Brower Center project amendments to the disposition and development agreement.” You can mail your request to City Clerk, 2180 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704; fax to 981-6901, or e-mail the scanned image of the letter as an attachment: clerk@ci.berkeley.ca.us Your letter must include your signature, date, printed name and residential address where you are registered to vote. 

The City of Berkeley deserves better than the campaign of deception against the David Brower Center. The David Brower Center and Oxford Plaza will create a lively downtown, a meeting place and educational resource for those committed to social and environmental change, a model green building that will serve as an example for the region and other cities, and badly needed housing, all near public transportation. After so much work by so many people in our community, it is finally time to break ground and create the center. 

David Phillips 

Executive Director, Earth Island Institute 

Board Member, David Brower Center 

• 

OUSD LAND SALE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am writing regarding Oakland School Board Member Dan Siegel’s assertion that the proposal to sell OUSD surplus property failed, in part, because of my leaving office, implying my support or acquiescence of the proposal. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

In fact, when the proposal was made I wrote and spoke to California Superintendent of Education Jack O’Connell to share my problems with the educational and economic viability of the plan. I made it clear that unless the process was transparent and made sense for students, parent, teachers and the community, I would oppose it. Without community buy in and lack of detailed financials, it is not surprising that it did not go forward. 

Wilma Chan 

Assemblywoman, 16th District (ret.) 

• 

BCA SUPPORTS OXFORD PLAZA, BROWER CENTER 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am writing to report that BCA at its Feb. 25 membership meeting, unanimously voted to support the Oxford Plaza affordable housing project and the Brower Center. Specifically, BCA came out in opposition to the petition campaign now underway to delay the project, which may in effect kill it. 

BCA members reported that others had said that they had signed the petition because they were mis-informed by petition gathers. Participants learned that there is a procedure to get one’s name removed from the petition and that they should call BCA at 549-0816 for more information. 

Linda Olivenbaum 

Co-chair, BCA 

• 

PROPOSITION 83 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I have a good friend soon to be paroled from state prison and he will be subject to the provisions of Jessica’s Law. I don’t believe that they should be applied to him because he was already in prison when the law passed on Nov. 7, 2006. If it is enforced and he is subjected to the residency restrictions and the GPS monitoring it is a violation of the ex post facto clause of the United States Constitution. 

I believe that protecting our children is extremely important, I have children of my own, but I also believe that protecting out Constitution is important because without the framework it provides our society as we know it will collapse. Prop 83 was passed out of fear, without the majority of the electorate really reading and understanding it. It needs to be thrown out and other legislation, written clearly and concisely needs to be brought before the voters. 

Thank you for your consideration 

Sandy Port 

Sunnyvale, CA 

• 

WILLAR PARK 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Prior to my letter being printed in the weekend edition of the Daily Planet (Feb. 16-19), I received a phone call from our City Manager Mr. Phil Kamlarz, informing me that Berkeley is in the process of working on the Willard Park homeless encampment. I also was able to speak with an understanding representative from Berkeley’s Department of Parks and Recreation, who let me know of a new policy to remove all unattended carts/wheelchairs that are used to store personal possessions if the public calls to report it. 

Our city’s homeless service providers are quite familiar with the Willard campers and let me know that that they have attempted to work with them by offering shelter and that their offers are refused. What it boils down to is this: If the city really wants to be proactive in preventing the homeless from camping in Willard Park, then their actions will reflect this. 

Being born and raised in Berkeley, and attending public schools (where I now teach) has allowed me to both observe and take part in the senseless bureaucracy that entrenches every policy surrounding our wonderful city that is truly Berzerkeley. 

When I was a kid in the ’70s and ’80s, (yes, I am old-school Berkeley) Willard was a really fantastic park with a thriving after-school program (which is ironically where the homeless have made their encampment). There were family events and the Pickle Family Circus was a summer staple. We created a beautiful bench on Derby, and the bathrooms had gorgeous murals of fish painted on them. I was an active participant in those projects, and feel a connection to the park in a way that Cal students in the neighborhood never will. 

I want my daughter to feel safe playing in our neighborhood park. She sees the people who live in Willard panhandling daily in front of the 7-Eleven on College for their 40-oz. and recognizes them as the people who have chosen to live in the city’s park. Nobody can force any person to accept help if it is not wanted. If our homeless services have reached out and had their offers of shelter refused then it is time for the city to step up and take action. This is actually something that they can do if they want. It simply needs to become a public priority and then the police will be instructed to enforce the city codes. 

Sabrina Kabella 

• 

HABEAS CORPUS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Habeas Corpus. A term we’ve been familiar with since eight grade civics class. In essence, it (1) prevents the government from holding any citizen without informing him/her why they are being held, and (2) the person being held must be brought before the court to determine if they are being held unlawfully. As Americans, we have taken these constitutional protections for granted. After all, isn’t it true that “everyone has their day in court”? Not anymore.  

That’s right. We are no longer protected from unlawful detention.  

Thanks to the Bush administration and with the former Republican Congress’s support, over the past few years our rights have step-by-step been weakened. And ultimately, the right of habeas corpus was finally stripped from us last fall, just prior to the elections. The Military Commissions Act of 2006 not only affirms the government’s right to indefinitely detain people who are identified as having “supported enemy hostilities” but actually prohibits the courts to hear cases of habeas corpus. The person being held has no way to defend against the determination that they are supporting the enemy. 

Currently, at least three American citizens have been held for several years each—without being charged, without being allowed legal representation, and without having their “day in court.” Who knows how many more have been “disappeared,” just like in third world countries. 

You may want to believe that such things can’t happen to you. Keep in mind that by sending this letter or an e-mail or making a phone call, I myself could be determined to be “supporting” the enemy. And by receiving my e-mail or phone call, so can you.  

Read that again. So can you. By receiving an e-mail or phone call. By participating in a peace march. By writing a letter to the editor. By writing to your senator. By being overheard complaining about the government to your neighbor. 

This is how it starts. And if you are taken away in the dead of night, who would you tell your side to?  

We can’t let this happen.  

Please write your own letters protesting this usurpation of our rights. Write to your elected officials at all levels. Write to every newspaper, TV, radio, and cable station you can find. And encourage your circle of friends to do the same. Take some time away from your favorite guilty pleasure reality show, and use your energy to stop the machine from rolling over our rights. After all, they can’t detain us all. 

Can they? 

Sharon Graham 

• 

IRAN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The United Nations says Iran’s nuclear effort is in high gear and reports that Tehran may be capable of a nuclear warhead in a year. Big deal! How is Iran going to deliver its one nuclear warhead and even if the country’s religious aristocracy is crazy enough to do so it would mean sure nuclear suicide for the country. 

President Ahmadinejad and the world knows that if Iran did the unthinkable with its one nuclear weapon (if and when) there wouldn’t be a house or tree left standing in Iran and there goes Mahmoud’s religious crusade, boom.  

Ron Lowe 

Grass Valley 

We use many forms of communication to reach the parents, students and staff of the Berkeley schools, but when it comes to communicating with the larger Berkeley community, the one vehicle that reaches so many households and gets people’s attention, is the commentary and letters section of our local newspaper. Honestly, how many of you turned to this section immediately after scanning the front page? I have a couple of important updates for the community that I want to share with you here, because it is information that I think is important to everyone.  

As many of you have read here in the Daily Planet, the BUSD held two community meetings to receive public comment about the Closed Derby Street Plan, in December and January. The last action by the board was to direct staff to pursue the Closed Derby Option, and they directed staff to conduct these meetings for community input. The overwhelming comment voiced in the meetings was in support of a neighbor's Curvy Derby Plan, recommending it as an alternative to the Closed Derby Plan that would still allow for a larger field.  

The next step in the process is to deliver the information gathered in those meetings to the Board of Education for review. The report will come before the board in March, when the calendar will allow sufficient time to make it a conference item as opposed to an Informational Item. A conference item allows the board greater options once they receive the report, while an information item only allows them to receive the report for information. Staff listened to the community and believes that this is what they were asking for.  

Meanwhile, the BUSD Surplus Committee has completed their report to the board on the Hillside School site, and at least six of the members have agreed to continue with the committee as we begin looking at other surplus property questions. The board is looking for an additional five community members who are interested in the work of the Surplus Committee and are willing to serve. The committee is what is referred to as a “7-11” committee as it is required to have a minimum of seven, but not more than 11 members. Board members are also looking to fill vacancies in the Facilities Safety and the Maintenance Oversight Committee (FSMOC) and the School Construction Oversight Committee (SCOC). Information on all of these and applications are available on the BUSD website, www.berkeley.k12.ca.us or by calling 644-6320.  

At the school board meeting on Feb. 7, Superintendent Michele Lawrence expressed thanks to the mayor’s office, the City of Berkeley Health Department and the Albany School District who were quick to respond when we needed counselors for students and staff at four of our schools following the death of Berkeley High School vice principal denise brown (she used lower case). These are two critical partnerships that really came through when we needed them. 

Mark A. Coplan is the public information officer for the Berkeley Unified School District.

The Oxford Plaza / David Brower Center is a wonderful example of environmentally sound planning and responsible development that captures the best of Berkeley’s heritage and future. Together, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum-standard environmental conference center and office building plus 97 units of much-needed affordable housing comprise this visionary project that honors Berkeley’s own David Brower, a pioneer in the Green movement.  

Like most Bay Area cities, Berkeley has seen teachers, artists, janitors, store clerks, maintenance workers and many other middle- and low-income people unable to live in the city where they work. Berkeley needs affordable housing, and Oxford Plaza will help meet that need. 

Resources for Community Development (RCD) has been building affordable housing for those with the fewest options for over 22 years. This has been and continues to be our mission as a Berkeley-based non-profit organization. When ground breaks in April for the Oxford Plaza / David Brower Center, RCD will be building 97 homes in downtown Berkeley that a wide range of low- and very-low-income families and individuals will be able to afford.  

Here’s what “affordable” means at Oxford Plaza: Approximately one-third of the units are reserved for households earning less than 30% of Area Median Income (AMI). That’s just $22,620, for a family of three. One-third is for households earning less than half of AMI ($37,700 for a three-person household); the remaining third is for those earning less than 60% of AMI ($45,240). Ten units will be specifically set aside for special needs households. But these numbers represent more than statistics; they represent 97 families and individuals who will work, live and thrive in Berkeley. 

There are only about 1,600 below-market-rate housing units in all of Berkeley excluding student housing. RCD has created more housing for low-income Berkeley residents than any other developer—427 units, including our 28 newest apartments at Margaret Breland Homes for low-income seniors. When Oxford Plaza is complete, RCD will serve 524 low-income and very-low-income households throughout the City of Berkeley and will have developed more than one-fifth of all below-market-rate housing in our city.  

Throughout the East Bay, RCD has built 1,313 units of affordable housing in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties. About 45% of our units serve residents with special needs, including the frail elderly, people with physical and developmental disabilities, and people living with HIV/AIDS. They are award-winning, beautiful, well-managed properties that have positively affected their residents and improved the neighborhoods where they have been built. We have a solid, distinguished track record of completing excellent projects that are sound and sustainable investments for the cities that we have worked with, 

Some articles have portrayed the Oxford Plaza / David Brower Center as a costly project for Berkeley. But the housing component is actually cost-efficient for local government, with the City of Berkeley contributing just 16% of the total development cost. This percentage is lower than what most cities typically pay for affordable housing. The Oxford Plaza / David Brower Center will provide a nationally-recognized environmental center, well-built homes, offices and retail space within easy walking distance of BART, bus lines, major employers and shopping. It is a well-designed, innovative and cutting-edge mixed-use urban project that will set Berkeley apart as a leader in responsible, sustainable building and will further Berkeley’s downtown renaissance. 

Dan Sawislak is executive director of Resources for Community Development. 

The referendum against giving away the Oxford Parking lot for the “Brower Center” has certainly gotten some attention. A venomous disinformation campaign is being waged against the people involved in the referendum (well, mainly against me). 

Recent commentaries against referendum supporters are riddled with misrepresentations and lies. The “Brower Center”/Oxford Plaza project has not, as claimed, “undergone extensive public review.” Rather it underwent extensive collaboration among the project proponents, our corrupt Planning and Development Department, and the various commissions appointed by City Council to rubberstamp every big box that developers propose. 

It is true that an initial study was done for this project, but that is only the beginning of the state mandated review process—hence the term “Initial.” This preliminary step allows just 20 days for public comment. The next step should be the full review involved in an environmental impact report (EIR). A huge project partly over the original Strawberry Creek bed certainly deserves such scrutiny. 

For the “Brower Center,” as well as most of the other humongous projects proposed in Berkeley over the last five years, the environmental review process has been terminated after the initial study. Thereafter, the public’s chance to comment on a project’s environmental impacts is essentially over.  

I read with interest the geotechnical study of the site, prepared for Oxford Street Development, LLC, which was mentioned in several of the disinformation pieces. It raises more questions than it answers. The four exploratory borings to obtain information about subsurface conditions were backfilled immediately and, according to the study, “may not have been left open for a sufficient period of time to establish equilibrium ground water conditions.” What was the hurry? 

I wonder about the choice of locations for these borings. It appears from the 1890 and 1894 Sanborn maps that Strawberry Creek was only a few feet away from the northwestern corner of this project (that’s the real creek which was on Allston Way, not the “water-feature” planned for Center Street). Yet the closest exploratory boring to this corner was some 60 feet away from Allston Way. Wouldn’t one want to investigate the subsurface conditions closest to the creek bed?  

Had there been an EIR, citizens could have commissioned a more thorough geotechnical study by an expert not employed by the project applicant. 

What about the “extensive outreach” with nearby businesses? One merchant described a meeting about the project arranged by the Downtown Business Association. Merchants were not allowed to speak because they had failed to turn in speaker cards on some mysterious prior occasion. They were told they could speak at the end of the meeting, if any time was left. They were ultimately allotted 90 seconds total—three people got 30 seconds each to air their views.  

This merchant added that no one from the city or from the developers of the project had ever attempted to discuss it with him, and had he known how badly Berkeley treats small businesses, he would never have located his shop here. 

In May 2006, at a point when the City Council should have reopened the review process due to changes in the project, the Board of the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) wrote to the council, “The project, as currently planned and designed, would most assuredly have numerous environmental impacts upon its surrounding area, but has lacked, to date, the benefit of serious environmental review….”  

People have been voicing their opinions and explaining the need for an EIR for this project, and have been simply and totally ignored. 

Citizens hold two powerful tools, the power of the initiative to legislate, and the power of the referendum to suspend legislation. In this case the citizens of Berkeley are using our right to gather signatures for a referendum to suspend a legislative act by our City Council that many people believe to be illegal and detrimental to the town. 

Folks, they have given away the Oxford Street parking lot—the one with all the trees near the California Theater. There are only two days left to sign petitions to suspend this action so we can vote about it. It’s our land, and we don’t have to give it away. 

Gale Garcia is a native Berkeleyan who grew up on Berkeley Way. 

The Special AC Transit board meeting J. Douglas Allen-Taylor reported on (Feb. 9) was practically a secret meeting. Luckily, two reporters came. The other one, Erik Nelson, from ANG Newspapers, has a blog: www.ibabuzz.com/transportation. He says on his blog, “Van Hool, where have you been all my life (or short career as a blogger)? This hitherto ignored issue has become the biggest thing to hit the blog since its inception!” You can make it even bigger by logging on. 

AC Transit gets very little public scrutiny. Can you imagine the outcry if BART, or Caltrain or Muni tried to put in seating that requires a rock-climbing certificate?  

In fact, AC Transit has finally acknowledged the barrier these buses present for attracting seniors and the disabled as riders. So what is their solution? To purchase buses which don’t have such barriers? No, it is to go to senior homes, etc., and train people “how to step up the one foot riser, turn and place their fanny on the seat.” (Does this means hiring a lot of mobility trainers?) 

When staff was asked wouldn’t it be easier to purchase buses that don’t require training riders? The reply: “The board voted four years ago that they would only buy Van Hool buses.” These buses only went into service in June 2003, so this once and forever decision was made even before the buses had real battleground experience. 

Management has tried to get support for the buses through various fabrications. They claim to have a survey that shows 80 percent of the riders like the buses. (A small detail: The survey was done in November 2002 and the buses began service in June 2003!) A survey on the No. 51 line was intended to show that wheelchair loading was faster on the Van Hool than the low-floor NABI, the buses made in Alabama liked by riders and drivers. (A small detail: There are no low-floor NABIs on No. 51 line, only high-floor NABIs!)  

Another fabrication is the “Bus of the Year” 2003, 2004, etc., decal on all the Van Hool buses. Europe does give out “Bus of the Year” awards in odd numbered years. Only the 40-foot, three-door bus received such an award and only for performance, not seating arrangement. I’ve even seen a “Bus of the Year 2004” on a 601 articulated bus, easily the Worst Bus in the World. The irony is that changes have been made in the new 40-foot buses, like two doors and greater wheel span because of poor performance. 

One board member reported she heard some young riders say they liked the buses and suggested “maybe we can attract younger riders.” (And let the elderly use paratransit?) 

This same board member asked if some changes could be made. The new 40-foot bus, as well as the new 30-foot ones in service, has more floor level seats but the same bottleneck at the entry because bench seating was not located there.  

Although a proto-type is scheduled for delivery in December, nothing except minor changes can be made because, according to Kenneth Scheidig, General Counsel, it would “make Van Hool unhappy.” (If riders are unhappy that’s OK because, AC Transit is a bus-purchasing agency not a rider-servicing agency.) 

Furthermore, General Counsel informed the board they had already given approval for purchase of the 50 Van Hools last April and the bus’ frames are already under construction. This was news to the board. 

So it seems not only are riders, drivers and mechanics out of the loop, so is the board. In fact, the board is not even privy to the contracts; they only have summaries to rely on and do not know the actual costs. Despite this and the fact that the three new members didn’t even seem to have ridden the buses, the vote was unanimous. 

So how are they being paid for? Transit agencies have three pots-of-money, one limited to operational expenditures, one limited to capital costs and one that is flexible. Because funding for operational costs are harder to acquire, most agencies use the flexible funds for operations. The biggest source for capital costs are federal funds but they can only be used for domestically produced vehicles. So AC Transit has had to ask MTC to help with, as one board member described it, “creative fund swaps.” 

So are they dipping into funds that could be used for operations? Could this explain why as AC Transit receives more funding, it cuts back on service and increases fares? Could this and the fact that riders hate these buses, explain why, while ridership in other transit agencies is increasing, AC Transit’s local ridership is down. Even ridership on the much-touted 72R, the precursor of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, is down. 

The goal of the BRT is to attract new riders. Wouldn’t a bus people like help? And because of the time it takes people to get seated it will be BST, Bus Slow Transit. 

Remember the ads for the parcel tax in 2004, which pleaded that funds were needed for the elderly and disabled? They were seen getting into a Van Hool bus but it didn’t show them struggling to get into a seat. In fact, that parcel tax gave AC Transit funds that added a shell to their shell game that enables them to continue to buy buses that insult the elderly and disabled. 

And when the FTA, Federal Transit Agency, doesn’t fund a bus, they have no control over its quality or ADA compliance, as riders who complained to the FTA discovered.  

An MTC commissioner asked why they are importing buses. In the response from Rick Fernandez, General Manager, he claimed “the local manufacturer decided not to submit a bid.” How could they, the GM stacked the cards against domestic suppliers by requiring buses with three doors, which were not manufactured in the USA. The GM now realizes the three doors were not necessary and are, in fact, a problem. But the new buses still were not put out to bid. On some routes there are low-floor buses made in America that get good reviews from riders and drivers and don’t incur the cost of transatlantic shipping. So the commissioner’s question remains unanswered. 

Isn’t there a legal obligation for a public agency to put such purchases out to bid? One must always be suspicious of sole source purchases but one must particularly be suspicious of an obsession to continue purchasing a product that has proved to be such a failure. 

Who benefits from this Van Hool deal? It certainly isn’t the riders or drivers. As one driver put it, “when an agency keeps on buying buses the riders and drivers hate, there is definitely something going on.” 

Joyce Roy can be contacted at joyceroy@earthlink.net.

Telegraph just ain’t what it used to be. Once a beacon of a tolerance, hope, and historic significance that drew tourists from all over the world to the little city we all call home, it has more recently been victimized by a perception of decline, blight, and depravity—sometimes not fully deserved, but adverse to its image nonetheless. Almost a dozen reports, millions of dollars in studies, and hundreds of hours of discussion have been invested into addressing the causes at the heart of this avenue’s tarnished image, and yet few proposals have actually seen the light of day. 

Not all is lost, however. This Wednesday at 7 p.m., the Planning Commission will mull over a sensible proposal that has a real potential to reverse the economic travails of the area on and around Telegraph, while enhancing its safety and convenience. The proposal aims to extend the hours of several types of Telegraph Corridor businesses “by right” to 12 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  

Planning Commissioners have already spoken out several times about the inextricable interrelation between longer business hours and the redress of sundry challenges that plague Telegraph today. At last year’s Oct. 11 meeting, the commission decided, in a 6-3 vote, to send such a recommendation to the City Council. And a year prior, the Southside Plan Subcommittee of this body recommended that by-right hours of operation be extended to 12 a.m. and that the commission further explore the ability of businesses to remain open until 2 a.m. on weekends. 

The resolution that will sit at the desk of the commission this Wednesday is the most viable version of this proposal yet, forged through an extensive compromise process between the City Planning Department, the Berkeley Police Department, and Berkeley residents who have had multiple opportunities to make public comment on this item. One example of the intricate negotiations with which this resolution is suffused is language that limits businesses which serve alcohol to by-right operating hours of 10 p.m. on weekdays and 12 a.m. on weekends, with a categorical mandate to close at 1 a.m., even with a permit. Intended to greatly minimize whatever increase of demands there may be on the Berkeley Police Department, this measure also succeeds in allaying concerns for the potential of public nuisances. 

In fact, very few businesses that currently operate with alcohol permits on the Telegraph Corridor will be privy to the extension of hours. The four largest alcohol distributors in the area—Blake’s, Raleigh’s, Kip’s, and Henry’s—all have permits that allow them to remain open until 12 a.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends already. By a large margin, the primary benefactors of the proposal will be the type of quick-serve stores that cater to students at late hours as they walk from the library in the wee hours of the morning hoping for a quick bite and perhaps some coffee to aid their lucubration. 

The benefits of extended hours, of course, are not just parlayed among the students who make up over half of the Telegraph area population; they stand to benefit the entire Berkeley community. More lights in windows and more eyes on the street will greatly enhance the safety on and around Telegraph Avenue, particularly around People’s Park. Those who reside near the Telegraph-Dwight intersection have already borne witness to a marked reduction of undesirable behavior while Peet’s is open. Common sense dictates that the ability of such a store to keep its lights on beyond 10 p.m. will go an even longer way to furthering the security of these denizens. 

Lastly, we return to the economic viability equation. Lest we forget, the declining revenue available to both Telegraph businesses and, by extension, the City of Berkeley has been an indisputable fact for nearly two decades. We know the firm correlation of this recession to a combination of slackening sales, loss of clientele, and the city’s notoriously draconian zoning guidelines. We are also sadly aware of the symptoms; they greet us each time we pass a block with several vacant storefronts or recall the hole that is left in our soul by the passing of Cody’s. The proposal in question will benefit those same small businesses that most desperately need our help at this juncture. 

The proposal to extend business hours is at once the most beneficial, achievable, and prudent of the cadre of recommendations which the City Council asked the Planning Commission to create. Whether one eyes the suggestion from the standpoint of economics, safety, or convenience, its benefits are as multifaceted as they are intertwined. Please contact the Planning Commission or attend Wednesday’s 7 p.m. meeting at the North Berkeley Senior Center to request a speedy passage of this solution. 

Igor Tregub is a UC Berkeley student and member of the student advocacy group ACCESS.

A reparations bill currently floating around Congress and being debated in the House Judiciary Committee may, for the first time since it was hatched two decades ago, actually have a chance at passing. The idea to establish a reparations commission is the brainchild of Michigan Democrat John Conyers. It has been kicked around Congress since 1989, but supporters are optimistic that it will pass since Democrats now have control of the House. Several cities, including Chicago and New York, have passed resolutions in support of the bill. Los Angeles City Council vote on a resolution Tuesday. 

On the surface, the bill is straightforward, and even innocuous. It calls for establishing a commission to study reparations proposals for African-Americans, not for doling out money. But as the past hyper-charged and contentious history of this debate has amply shown, when it comes to talking about reparations it’s anything but simple and straightforward. Yet there are ten reasons why Congress should back the commission. 

1. The U.S. government, not long dead Southern planters, bears the blame for slavery. It encoded it in the Constitution in article one. This designated a black slave as three-fifths of a person for tax and political representation purposes. It protected and nourished it in article four by mandating that all escaped slaves found anywhere in the nation be returned to their masters. In the Dred Scott decision in 1857, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed that slaves remained slaves no matter where they were taken in the United States. 

2. Major institutions profited from slavery. Several states and cities now require insurance companies to disclose whether they wrote policies insuring slaves. This is recognition that insurance companies made profits insuring slaves as property. The insurance industry was not the only culprit. Banks, shipping companies, and investment houses also made enormous profits from financing slave purchases, investments in southern land and products, and the transport and sale of slaves. 

3. The legacy of slavery endures. In its 2006 State of Black America, the National Urban League found that blacks are far more likely to live in underserved segregated neighborhoods, be refused business and housing loans, be denied promotions in corporations, suffer greater health care disparities, and attend cash-starved, failing public schools than whites. 

4. Former Federal Reserve Board member Andrew Brimmer estimates that discrimination costs blacks $10 billion yearly through the black-white wage gap, denial of capital access, inadequate public services, and reduced Social Security and other government benefits. This has been called the “black tax.” 

5. Since the 1960s the U.S. government has shelled out billions to pay for resettlement, job training, education, and health programs for refugees fleeing Communist repression. Congress enthusiastically backed these payments as the morally and legally right thing to do. 

6. The reparations issue will not fuel more hatred of blacks. Most Americans admit that slavery was a monstrous system that wreaked severe pain and suffering on the country. Also, there was no national outcry when the U.S. government made special indemnity payments, provided land and social service benefits to Japanese-Americans interned during World War II, Native-Americans for the theft of lands and mineral rights, and Philippine veterans who fought with the American army during World War II. 

7. No legislation has been proposed that mandates taxpayers pay billions to blacks. The reparations commission bill is primarily a bill to study slavery effects. The estimated cost is less than $10 million. 

8.There is a precedent for paying blacks for past legal and moral wrongs. In 1997 President Clinton apologized and the U.S. government paid $10 million to the black survivors and family members victimized by the syphilis experiment conducted in the 1930’s by the U.S. Public Health Service. In 1994, the Florida legislature agreed to make payments to the survivors and relatives of those who lost their lives and property when a white mob destroyed the all-black town of Rosewood in 1923. Public officials and law enforcement officers tacitly condoned the killings and property damage. The Oklahoma state legislature has agreed that reparations payments are the morally right thing to do to compensate the survivors and their descendants for the destruction of black neighborhoods in Tulsa by white mobs in 1921. 

9. Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Michael Jordan and other mega-rich blacks will not receive a penny in reparations. Any tax money to redress black suffering should go into a fund to bolster funding for AIDS/HIV education and prevention, under-financed inner-city public schools, to expand job skills and training, drug and alcohol counseling and rehabilitation, computer access and literacy training programs, and to improve public services for the estimated one in four blacks still trapped in poverty. 

10. A reparations commission may well conclude that reparations payments would do more harm than good. That slavery compensation would be too costly, too complex, too time consuming, and too dated. And that it would create too much public rancor. Yet, a reparations commission that examines the brutal consequence of slavery and its continued tormenting impact on race relations in America is a good thing. We can all learn something from that. 

Hutchinson is a political analyst and social issues commentator, and the author of The Emerging Black GOP Majority (Middle Passage Press, September 2006). 

FACELIFT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I was so pleased to hear that the North Shattuck area was getting a facelift to include a plaza of some sort, so I attended my first meeting last Wednesday night. I was shocked to see the meeting literally overtaken, then shut down by a group of very angry, domineering few who seemed to be opposed to the plaza or at least the process. The lack of civility and outright rage sent the many “innocent” homeowners who populate the back of the room scurrying for cover, and wondering if we had entered a parallel universe. 

I am thrilled at the idea of beautiful improvements to that area, and hope the city allows the process to continue. Please keep in mind that there are hundreds of us who have heard about the project and are quietly happy about it but don’t have the time to attend meetings or plot shutdown strategies. Please don’t let the loud voices of a few stop this progress. Our neighborhood needs that plaza! 

Robin Galer 

• 

HUMAN CARING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Last week I was traveling on the bus and I noticed four commuters in dire need of medical attention. I felt helpless. I didn’t have a car. I didn’t have much money. To whom could I turn and say, “Please help me get these people to a doctor?” If we lose a sense of human caring—a sense of human responsibility—for the needy person next to us, what good is it if we bring democracy to the wider world? 

Romila Khanna 

• 

FLOODING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Underground parking structures at the proposed Brower Center and Oxford Plaza apartments would not be at risk of flooding, nor would they interfere with Strawberry Creek. Except for occasional localized debris blockages, the storm drainage system in Berkeley has adequate capacity, in fact better than was projected by analysis in the city’s 1994 Storm Drainage Master Plan. 

There has never been an overflow event at the inlet to the Strawberry Creek culvert one block north of the Brower Center site, and local runoff from streets and rooftops in that area is adequately handled by gutters and drop inlets to the storm drain system. 

The geotechnical study of the site (http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/planning/landuse/2200Oxford/2200_Oxford_geotech_report_feb_05.pdf) encountered the water table at a depth of about 16 feet. 

If the underground parking garage will extend below that depth, the report prescribes appropriate, standard construction methods (sealing of the garage building envelope and/or installation of an interceptor drain and sump pump). Thus, groundwater would not cause “flooding” of the proposed buildings. Excavation on the Brower Center site would be no closer than 60-100 feet from the existing Strawberry Creek culvert (which passes diagonally beneath the buildings on the opposite side of Allston Street) and would pose no structural threat to the culvert. 

The bottom of the culvert is above the water table, so groundwater does not contribute to flow along that reach of the culvert. 

Gus Yates, PG, CHg 

Professional Hydrogeologist 

Berkeley, CA 

• 

OBFUSCATION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

“The city’s housing trust fund contribution is lower on a per-unit basis that is the case for contributions by other cities to similar affordable housing projects in the East Bay in the current environment of rapidly rising construction costs. The city is getting a good deal.” (Rob Wrenn, Daily Planet 2-20-07) 

You don’t have to do any math to figure out what’s wrong with a fishy-sounding paragraph like this one.  

Rob Wrenn singles his Brower building opponents out by name for personal attack, but breezes by the issue of the dubious use of the Housing Trust Fund for this expensive, showcase “green” building, an absurd way to capitalize on an environmentalist’s legacy.  

No one who looked at the pretty plans for this building during the planning process was given a chance to choose an alternative use for the Housing Trust Fund money, which years ago would never have been used for a project like this, which benefits well-connected politicians and political groups more than the poor.  

Rehabilitating run-down rental units in dire need of retro-fitting or asbestos removal is not nearly as sexy as this showcase “green technology” monstrosity, but none of the boosters for the building are willing to weigh the human impact of wresting priorities away from obvious community needs, preferring the name-in-lights architectural prizes waiting at the other end of construction.  

Rob Wrenn’s inelegant celebration of the “per-unit basis” cost of the Brower building is absurd, considering the hundreds of low-income renters whose soft-story units will not survive the next earthquake, only some of which are noted on an official city map.  

These people are already here, already paying taxes, already hoping that city officials and planners have better sense than to drain the Housing Trust Fund for political purposes.  

Carol Denney 

• 

RATES OF RETURN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The opposition to Berkeley's Brower Center ("Referendum Drive Seeks to Halt Brower Center Project", 02-09-07) is disingenuous in the extreme. Far from losing out by transferring the City-owned parking lot over to the Center, the City is getting for one dollar an underground garage worth $2 million more than the land value. Not a bad rate of return. The insinuation that local environmental groups aren't going to move into the building is ludicrous. My own non-profit, International Rivers Network, is looking forward very much to moving into what will be one of the greenest buildings in the US, and an exciting community center for Berkeley's environmentalists. Many other organizations are not as lucky and have had to be turned away for lack of space. 

But worst of all is that the Brower Center's misguided opponents are trying to stop construction of 96 units of desperately needed housing for low income working families. 

The developers of the Brower Center fully deserve the support the City Council has given them, and the support of all who live and work in Berkeley. 

Patrick McCully 

Executive Director 

International Rivers Network 

I am writing to urge Berkeley citizens to refrain from signing the petition being circulated by a few opponents of affordable housing to reverse the Berkeley City Council’s repeated approval of the David Brower Center/Oxford Plaza.  

The organization of which I am executive director, the Center for Ecoliteracy, has been deeply involved in education and environmental work in Berkeley over the last decade, including providing funding and support for many organizations and schools in Berkeley. We are strong supporters of the David Brower Center/Oxford Plaza. We believe that the project will make a vital contribution to maintaining Berkeley's position as a leader in worldwide efforts to create environmentally and economically sustainable communities. The Brower Center/Oxford Plaza will create a Berkeley-based home for the environmental movement, while demonstrating the potential for environmentally sensitive development that combines office space for nongovernmental agencies with retail commerce, restaurants, and affordable housing for downtown workers.  

This project will be a model for environmental, commercial, and civic cooperation that will also generate long-term revenue to the City and vitalize the downtown business district. It represents a multi-million dollar investment in downtown Berkeley that will ensure revenue to the City, increase the viability of the business district, and attract visitors to environmental conferences and events that will expand Berkeley's national and international position as a leading center for environmental thinking.  

Sincerely, 

Zenobia Barlow 

Executive Director  

Center for Ecoliteracy 

JOURNALISTIC  

REPORTING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I’m probably not the only Planet reader who deplores its continuing erosion of the traditional distinction between journalistic reporting and editorial opinion. But it’s still important to document when that deliberate policy takes another step toward all-editorial-all-the-time, as we have been seeing lately. Two patterns are worth noting: 

1. One-sided “news.” The stories about the new UC-BP research relationship—especially in the Feb. 17 issue—were notable in quoting only opponents of the arrangement. Traditional responsible journalism seeks out and publishes a diversity of opinion, so that readers can reach conclusions on their own. One-sided stories presume that conclusion and insult the intelligence of readers who rightly expect to hear multiple views.  

2. “Concerns” become the story—even the headline about the story. It seems that whenever anything new is “reported”—especially anything that has to do with potential positive change or development in Berkeley—the Planet story is not about the content of the proposal but primarily about the “concerns” some citizens have with it. With that cheap trick, nothing new can gain a fair hearing or any legitimacy in the public realm: one citizen with a “concern” is made more important than any dozen finding favor with an innovative idea. 

I have no problem with the Planet publishing anything it chooses to as clearly-labeled editorial opinion. But let’s not forget that actual news reporting is supposed to be its reason for existence—the objective reporting of factual occurrences along with comments about them that reflect a diversity of views. Failure to meet that standard means we need pay even less attention to a source that fails to serve the whole community. 

Alan Tobey 

• 

HUMANS OVER  

VEGETABLES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The University needs to be defended against the irresponsible attacks by the motley cabal of superannuated hippies and others who value vegetables over humans. The well known fact is that Indians never buried bodies in groves of oak trees because they considered them sacred. Actually, the University’s scientific researchers in the Athletic Department have determined that native Americans never lived in the East Bay. If you look at the university’s research conducted by the UC President, there really never were any native Americans who lived anywhere in California. As a matter of scientific fact, well established by the architects planning the new athletic complex, North America was completely uninhabited before Columbus, except for a handful of Vikings living in Minnesota who invented the modern game of football and the University of Minnesota fight song. Thus, if one looks at this situation in a truly scientific way, the rooting out of useless trees and the construction of an athletic complex is a continuation of one of the oldest of American-Aryan traditions. The university bases its reputation on it. 

Carl Strand 

• 

IRAN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I would like to call attention to the Name Withheld letter in your last edition from the correspondent who called attention to the Anjomane Padeshahi organization which is calling for the overthrow of the present Iranian government. Although the present Iranian government is awful and treats its people badly and its women worse, the Anjomane Padeshahi organization itself is a front for a group of rich exiles who want to put the Shah back into power in Iran. Do we need another dictatorship to replace the one that is already there?  

John Parman 

Washington DC ( & Berkeley) 

• 

HELEN BURKE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Defending David Stoloff’s sleazy election as chair of the planning commission, planning commissioner Harry Pollack asserts that the 2006 election of ousted chair Helen Burke violated a commission tradition of making the vice chair the next chair. “‘The last time she benefited’ from breaking tradition,’ he said,” referring to the fact that Burke had not previously served as vice chair. “‘This time she didn’t.’” (Daily Planet, Feb. 16).  

In fact, the planning commission has no such tradition. I was vice chair before I became planning commission chair in 2002. But the previous chair, Rob Wrenn, did not move up from vice chair, and neither did my successor, Harry Pollack! If in 2004 Pollack had practiced what he is now preaching, he should have supported then-vice chair Gene Poschman for chair. Instead, he cast the decisive fifth vote for himself.  

On the other hand, the commission has customarily allowed each chair to serve out a two-year term. Thanks to Stoloff’s deceitful machinations, Burke is the first chair to be denied a full term in recent memory.  

Who’s chair is important; the chair sets the commission’s agenda. Disturbingly, David Stoloff’s standard operating procedure seems to be the backroom deal. Indeed, it appears that to get elected vice chair in 2004, he had someone manipulate ailing councilmember Margaret Breland into abruptly removing her then-planning commissioner, John Curl (who also planned to run for vice chair), the day before the election of commission officers.  

Curl recounted the sordid affair in “An Open Letter from John Curl to Mayor Bates,” (Daily Planet, March 16, 2004). He addressed the mayor because Stoloff was and is Bates’ planning commissioner. Curl reported that after being ousted, he was called by Bates, who said that he had not been involved. “I believe you,” Curl wrote. But he also emphasized that the mayor was responsible for and implicated by his appointee’s undemocratic tactics. “The manipulation of a councilmember and the abrupt termination of a commission member because of a vote for a vice-chair is reprehensible….Are you going to shrug and do nothing” about your commissioner’s “sleazy manipulation”? he asked. 

In 2004 the mayor did shrug off Stoloff’s chicanery. So far he has issued no public statement about his planning commissioner’s latest subterfuge.  

“If this is what the future holds for Berkeley,” wrote Curl, “I shudder for the fate of my city.” 

Isn’t it time we all shuddered? 

Zelda Bronstein 

• 

NATION OF TORTURERS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I visited the art gallery on UC campus where the work of Fernando Bolero is on display. His work shows Iraqis are being tortured by the American soldiers. It is quite shocking. Thanks to Botero who has created these paintings to show the atrocities and crimes committed by the United States in Iraq. Of course, it is not only in Iraq, it is global now. 

I was thinking who these American soldiers are who have been committing these crimes. Whose sons and daughters are these soldiers who happily torture innocent Iraqis? Do you remember the photo of the female American soldier wearing a blue latex glove who was gleefully making a thumb up on the body of an Iraqi who had died under torture? It was all over the Internet two years ago. Whose daughter or wife is this American woman? Is she a mother?  

These folks are monsters in disguise of humans. I wonder what they do when they come back home. Do they bring photos of tortured Iraqis and share them with their relatives and neighbors for a laugh? How do the relatives and neighbors of these soldiers receive them? Are they proud to know these monsters? Do they care if one of these monsters is their neighbor? 

It does not end there. Americans are torturing people in the infamous secret torture flights. They kidnap people in Europe. Recently, an Italian court ordered the arrest of some 13 American kidnappers. A German citizen was kidnapped and tortured sometime back, gang rape of an Iraqi teenage girl by the US Marines and murdering her and her entire family, etc., etc. It is too many to mention. It stinks. What America has become? A nation of torturers? We even have a professor of law who justifies all this: John Yoo. 

Last week, a proud American was questioning where was Mr. Botero to make paintings of those being tortured by Saddam Hussein? Saddam Hussein was a dictator. Americans are the ones who claim they are bringing freedom, democracy, and justice to Iraqis and the entire world. But, yet they commit the most heinous crimes. This is exactly where Botero, Harold Pinter, and many others come in to reveal what the United States is doing. As we have been witnessing, Americans have been very quiet about this war and the media is even cheering. I believe that Americans should seriously look into themselves. 

Mina Davenport

On the surface, the fuss over a plaza on Shattuck Avenue between Vine and Rose Streets seems silly. Asphalt abounds, the parking and circulation patterns in the area are chaotic, there is interest, and green is in. Beneath the surface, however, lies a cautionary tale about privatizing the development of public assets and resources. What happens when the City entrusts its development agenda to intermediaries? Does this represent a new way of doing business in Berkeley? If so, is it widespread? And, does this practice promote or retard the prospects for good governance?  

In 2001, the City Council passed Resolution #60,911-N-S approving “in concept” a plan for the reconfiguration of North Shattuck. Subsequently, The North Shattuck Association Business Improvement District (NSA/BID) was formed and became the fiscal agent for the project. In 2005, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to the 2001 plan. In May of 2006 it blessed a union between the BID and North Shattuck Plaza Inc. (NSP Inc.) which had been formed to secure funds to design, plan, and fund the initial concept plan.  

It appears that NSP Inc., a completely private entity, took the permission granted in a sense that the Council did not intend. Contrary to the Council’s intent, NSP Inc. used the BID’s money and totally redesigned the project. Moreover, it did so without much, if any, thought about the necessity for widespread inclusion and participation by the merchants and neighborhoods that would be affected. NSP Inc. seems to have assumed that the new plan would be received with such acclaim that any procedural missteps would be ignored and the decision making bodies on which its members sit would, if the project went to full review, approve its new plan over any objections.  

It is important to note that NSP Inc.’s Board Members, and principal project boosters, include former and current Council Members Mim Hawley and Laurie Capitelli; and, David Stoloff, the newly elected Chair of the Planning Commission. It seems that the Council dealt its own members and appointees the right to redevelop a public right of way while they also sit on the decision making bodies that will rule in its favor. Okay, we’re not talking Haliburton. Still, the presence of City government insiders coveys the inevitable perception that the “fix is in.”  

The sheer arrogance of NSP Inc. replacing the plan approved “in concept” by the Council with one approved only by themselves is bad enough. But the inability to listen, the lack of competence and meeting skills displayed by David Stoloff ( NSP Inc.’s chair) when he tried to sell the new plan to the public, and the fact that NSP Inc. used the BID’s money to design a plan that had to be abandoned all strain credulity. The fact that the BID went along with NSP Inc. in this endeavor raises questions about its own awareness of the capacities that need to be in place in order to partner with others. Considering the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the decision making process, one has to wonder how the City Attorney approved this arrangement in the first place.  

While the Council reserved the right to review and approve the final plan, it is not clear that full public review was contemplated. In January, Jill Martinucci (Council Member Capitelli’s aide) offered her perception that the plan was on a fast track to the City Council. On February 17th, however, Laurie Capitelli said that the project had gone “awry” and that he would now insist that the project be vetted through a full process of public comment and review. Further, he added the condition that his support would be granted only to a project that had secured the “consensus” of all of the stakeholders.  

But if “consensus” is now an additional requirement and outcome, people are needed who really understand what consensus means—not the sort of facilitation that transpired on February 7th, where the managers of NSP Inc.’s meeting failed to acknowledge the difficulties that had brought the project to a logjam and, instead of recognizing the lack of consensus, attempted to vote the meeting into agreement.  

The first step on the road to fairness is for the Council to withdraw the authority that it granted to NSP Inc. Clearly, NSP Inc. assumed permission it did not have, and Commissioner Stoloff’s leadership in this affair has undermined the legitimacy of this project along with that of the Planning Commission. He should resign from both positions.  

Accountability does not stop with Commissioner Stoloff and Council Member Capitelli. The Council’s ability and willingness to suspend its oversight responsibilities in favor of the pet projects of its members and appointees needs to be examined. The stewardship of public assets and resources is too important to be contracted out to the spontaneous and haphazard creations of public officials and others. The opportunities to make mischief abound and one has to wonder if this practice widespread. 

All of this reminds me of Prof. Robert Reich's remarks at Berkeley City College a few weeks ago. (Robert Reich was the Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration and now teaches at UCB). He was asked to speak about the future of the City of Berkeley and how to get there. At one point he demonstrated his political adroitness when, after commending Mayor Bates on his leadership, he spoke about the critical need for Berkeley to find the voice of its “WE” as a City. As an example, he observed that the new apartments all over town were “ugly,” and asked why the profession of architecture had been left out of their design! Why, indeed, has there been a pattern of decision making where the concerns of so many are dismissed in favor of the interests of so few?  

Welcome to Berkeley Citizen Reich. Any ideas about how Berkeley can walk its talk of “good governance?”  

Daniel Caraco lives in Berkeley.

I guess by now I shouldn’t be surprised by every slanted article written about the UC Stadium Project. Your Feb. 20, 2007 article (“Oak Grove May Be Native American Burial Site”) was no exception in the continued disingenuous anti-stadium project rhetoric and misinformation campaign using the BPD as their mouthpiece. Basing this article on the biased opinions of a plaintiff lawyer and an “activist” with obvious agendas presents only the story you apparently want your readers to hear. 

Your article paints the usual sinister picture of the UC and this project. However, several statements in your own article actually paint a different picture, one that you apparently don’t want to include or never bothered to verify. The EIR correctly states that “Cultural remains may have been impacted by prior construction”. How was that omitted from documents as you claim if it was in the EIR? Per your article, the EIR goes on to include the language “but does require work to be stopped if remains are discovered until impacts to the sites can be mitigated. Mr. Brenneman, that IS “standard operating procedure” today and the EIR meets the full disclosure requirement. An “archaeological survey” is impossible to do at a site such as the stadium because it has been a highly disturbed site for many years. You only do such surveys on virgin ground. Maybe the city of Berkeley operates in a different manner (which wouldn’t surprise anyone at this point), but that’s how it works everywhere else in the state. You refer to CEQA and several other codes and regulations as maybe applying, but only under circumstances not discovered in this “finding” if you read the text without adding your own interpretations.  

I previously used the word “disingenuous” to describe the anti-stadium project effort. With the possible exception of the California Oaks Association who at least started with a semi-coherent purpose (no longer), the other plaintiffs continue to hide their true intentions behind other “concerns.” I won’t even talk about the Tightwad Hill group since their issues are ludicrous. 

The city of Berkeley seems to be looking for a payoff based on the mayor’s implications that the city is still “willing to negotiate.” 

Is he kidding? Berkeley would be nothing without the university, and the university obviously puts far more money into city coffers than used in city services. The Panoramic Hill Association talks “safety,” but can’t seem to bring themselves to just come out and fully admit that they really prefer that the stadium just disappear in its entirety because they consider it a nuisance. Members of the association have stated this numerous times in the past. 

And if this is really about safety as they argue, when do these residents plan to move off the hill since their homes are in as much, and potentially more danger from natural threats than the stadium? Seems a little hypocritical, don’t you think? Not to mention that pictures from the 1920s show that very few homes even existed in the area at the time that the stadium was built. Seems to me that they all knew a stadium was there when they purchased.  

With regard to our Native American “activist” buddy, Mr. Running Wolf, can you ask him more about his heritage the next time you go to him for quotes?  

“Running Wolf” is a decidedly non- 

California Native American name so I was surprised to hear that “our” people could be in this supposed burial site. Or was he referring to Native Americans in general? Isn’t it odd that this “important archaeological discovery” was hidden for 80 years and suddenly comes up now? What timing! 

And Mr. Running Wolf suspected that this site existed all along but never bothered to check out his vastly important hunch. It’s also amazing that this took place with the world-renowned UC Berkeley Archaeological Department located right down the street no less. You’d think that they would have known about this site long ago, archives or not, if something truly remarkable had been there.  

Just more smoke for the smokescreen. 

Vince Tancreto probably doesn’t live in Berkeley.

The Oxford/Brower Project is not only about affordable housing and a green center for environmental activists. It is also about municipal fiscal responsibility, sound downtown economic development, crucial downtown parking, respect for the taxpayer, and honest accounting on the part of public officials. 

I have been following this project for several years and, yes, I did speak out about my increasing concerns, as did many other persons, including Former Mayor Dean, Councilmember Olds, even other councilmembers (who however, subsequently fell into line with the bosses). These concerns fell mostly on deaf ears, as the political powers-that-be and their temporary progressive allies were determined to shepherd this trophy project to completion—no matter the cost or complexity or risk. Arguably a plausible project at its inception, the Oxford/Brower Project has grown into the biggest boondoggle and public giveaway in city history, and has become a real estate transaction so malleable and so stupefyingly complex that I dare our mayor or any councilmember or any ardent proponent to accurately describe its legal and financial structure.  

The Bait and Switch 

Following are just some of the changes between the project’s inception (2003-2004) and the project’s fruition (2005-2007). 

THEN, the project was to cost $43.7M, with a $6M city subsidy. NOW, the cost is $70M and rising, and the city subsidy is more than $25M (details below). THEN, there were to be 150 replacement public parking spaces, NOW there are 97. THEN, any risks associated with the project were to be borne mostly by the developer and a “guarantor”, while NOW most of the risk is borne by the city, and the multimillionaire Mill Valley guarantor is resisting any substantial commitment to shortfalls. THEN, there were purported lease commitments from several environmental nonprofits, eco-retailer Patagonia, and for an Alice Waters-assisted eco-restaurant. NOW, there are no known lessees (and hence no known cash flow), and a strong likelihood that our prime downtown space will be occupied by UC. THEN, Housing Director Barton said “the project is feasible and realistic”. NOW, he is hedging and hawing and protecting himself, and talking about the huge risks to the city. As late as December 2006, Mr. Barton said “the staff does not yet have clarity on all potential costs and risks”. As with the ill-fated Brower Spaceship Earth sculpture, Mayor Bates (along with his new progressive allies) is determined to make this flashy project happen. Luckily, Spaceship Earth exploded elsewhere, but, unluckily, the Oxford/Brower Project will explode right here! 

Let’s get to the nitty-gritty—the true cost of the project. Note that a full tally of these costs has never been presented to our City Council or to the public by Mr. Barton or by our city manager or by the project proponents. All numbers are approximate, based on reasonable interpretation of conflicting, confusing and changing data, and reasonable speculation as to future potential costs. 

Total one-time city costs range from $19.8M to $29M (if CDBG collateral and cost overrun coverage required) and more if other worst-case scenarios materialize. Ongoing city opportunity costs are also in the multi-millions of dollars. 

One-time Costs to City 

Housing Trust Fund $4.7M 

Berkeley Redevelopment Agency $1.5M 

(monies primarily intended for West Berkeley) 

General Fund $1.5M 

City Staff and Consultants $2.0M 

Lost Parking Revenue (2.5 years) $1.36M 

(based on 11/16/04 Council Report on  

Oxford Lot Receipts of $545K annually) 

Lost Sales Tax Revenue (2.5 years) $500K 

(due to disruption of local business dependent  

on Oxford Lot parking 

Public Land Donation $8M 

(appraised for $7M in 2005) 

Ongoing 

Annual interest on $11.6M above $690K  

(excluding land)  

Additional One-time City Money  

Unlikely to Be Recovered 

Community Development Block Grant $4M 

(pledged as collateral)  

Liability for Cost Overruns $5M  

Liability for Underground Garage $Unknown 

Construction Maintenance/Leakage Problems  

Opportunity Costs of Not Selling Property to For-Profit Developer  

One Time  

Transfer Tax on Land (1.5% of $8M) $120K  

Ongoing 

City Share of Annual Property Taxes $500K  

on $100M project  

Annual Business License and $500K 

Sales Tax Revenue from New Uses  

Nonmonetary Opportunity Costs 

Creation of more appropriate use for prime downtown real estate.  

Availability of millions more dollars for affordable housing at less expensive site(s).  

Locating Oxford/Brower type project in area more in need of this type of revitalization. 

Several concerned residents, including me, are circulating a referendum petition that might cause this project to be reconsidered. I hope that we are successful and that our City officials respect the referendum process. Even if the petition fails to get the required signatures, the numbers should give serious pause to our officials, who may want to reconsider the huge financial commitment and lost opportunities. It is not at all a sure thing that our highly-taxed populace will approve the any new taxes to make up for the Oxford/Brower expenditure, the $10-15M in free services to UC, and any compensation increases for City employees. And if new taxes should be approved, Berkeley’s dwindling middle-class homeowning population will further dwindle away. 

Barbara Gilbert is active in several Berkeley citizen organizations and follows local government more closely than is good for her mental health.

The David Brower Center and Oxford Plaza Housing www.browercenter. org/ is quite possibly the best land use project proposed in Berkeley in this generation. It will serve as a model for other developers and cities who are considering building green; the way forward in building sustainably. 

Affordable housing for families in the downtown means less vehicle miles traveled to the downtown. This means less traffic congestion. Back to the more sustainable “old” days, when all our needs were within walking distance, sometimes called infill development, or smart growth. The point is to stop the unsustainable sprawl, where families can only afford to live far away from basic amenities, and therefore create a reliance on the fossil-fueled, air-polluting vehicle. 

A LEED-Platinum certified building is the current industry-acknowledged pinnacle of sustainable building, especially in an urban setting. LEED-certified buildings are environmentally responsible, profitable AND a healthy place to live and work. Imagine having this model building in Berkeley. The David Brower Center will be such a building. Anyone wishing to learn more about this new standard, can read about it at: www.leedbuilding.org/  

So, it was dismaying to me that anyone would be protesting this project. I began to notice petition-signature-gathering at the Farmers Markets. I asked why the protest? 

Here’s what the signature gatherers told me: 

I was told that the city “sold” the property for $1. But the parking under the property will revert to city ownership once the parking structure is complete. The city will resume parking income. The statement that the city sold the property for $1 is a misrepresentation of the facts.  

I was told that all the city’s “affordable housing money for two years” will be expended on this project. Well, considering what the city and it’s citizens are getting, isn’t this a good investment? Isn’t real estate one of the best investments anyone can make? 

I was told that an environmental impact report (EIR) wasn’t done. Was one needed I asked? Yes, because of the project proximity to Strawberry Creek, I was told. The only part of the project that is close to the creek is the awning created to hold solar panels, and the solar panels themselves. This is allowable under the Creeks Ordinance. Strawberry Creek is considered for daylighting on Center St., but even this consideration isn’t jeopardized by the Oxford/David Brower project. 

A negative declaration was issued, meaning it was determined that an EIR was not necessary for this project. See this report for details: www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/planning/landuse/2200Oxford/2200_Oxford_IS_20050606.pdf 

I was told there would be maintenance issues related to the creek. The project includes a retaining wall at least 30 feet from the culverted creek (the creek itself doesn’t flow freely, but is encased in a concrete culvert as it travels from campus through downtown), there has never been an overflow problem with the creek, and a hydrologist has determined the structure poses no threat, nor would flooding be likely.  

I was told that staff of the non-profit manager of the project, Resources Community and Development, were being paid high salaries, as a reason for the project proposal, support and approval. Does the opposition prefer a FOR-profit developer? Would the opposition like to report, publicly, what the salaries are for those who have worked hard to walk this project through years of public process and all necessary levels of government? The opposition had no factual information to provide on this point. 

One more thing the opposition to this project told me: That there is vacant, affordable housing all over Berkeley and we don’t need any more. I would like anyone who has been searching for affordable housing for their family to comment on this. I am not a realtor, landlord, nor have I been searching. However, the point in this instance is that the affordable, family housing will be downtown. 

A flat piece of asphalt currently in use as a surface parking lot will be turned into a state-of-the-art green demonstration project, office rental for environmental groups and others, retail, affordable family housing, AND a new city-owned parking structure and I’m telling you, the opposition doesn’t have a good enough reason to collect one signature.  

While at the Farmers Market, one woman told me she had the opposition remove her name from their petition because, she said, they aren’t “saying anything.” Their argument is devoid of reason.  

I have listened to both sides. I did my own research. This project will demonstrate the way forward. In all aspects of our lives, we must learn and figure out ways to counter global warming.  

The Sierra Club, Mayor Tom Bates, City Councilmembers Linda Maio, Darryl Moore, Max Anderson, Dona Spring and Kriss Worthington support the project and urge everyone NOT to sign the petition.  

The only thing I can’t understand is why Gale Garcia and others are standing in the way of our society’s fight against global warming.  

Marcy Greenhut is a Berkeley resident.

In an eleventh hour attempt to derail Berkeley’s first ever downtown affordable family housing project and “green” nonprofit office and meeting facility, signature gatherers appearing at Berkeley Farmer’s Markets are telling people that the David Brower Center’s underground parking facility would likely flood during a storm event or as a result of culvert failure due to its proximity to the Strawberry Creek underground culvert and that that is a reason to oppose the project. A few people have also expressed concernthat the Brower Center would make future creek restoration more difficult. 

In actuality, the likelihood of Straw-berry Creek flooding the proposed garage (the creek now flows underground down Allston Way from campus) is extremely low. In addition, the garage construction includes an underground retaining wall about 30 feet from the centerline of the culvert. So chances for flooding at that particular location are already slim and are going to be much less than the many other buildings along the culvert’s pathway that don’t have underground reinforcement like the Brower Center garage will have. 

For those concerned about creek restoration potential, there is a plan under discussion that would daylight that portion of Strawberry Creek on Center Street between Oxford and Shattuck Avenue as part of a beautiful public plaza. It’s a vision that is getting increasing support within the current Downtown Area Planning Advisory Committee (DAPAC). The proposal to daylight Strawberry Creek on Center Street, not Allston Way, follows the conclusions and recommendations of the ‘999 City Council funded study on creek daylighting in downtown. In a current plan being submitted by Citizens for a Strawberry Creek Plaza, the above ground channel on Center Street would be sized to carry the full flow, but initially, overflows would still go down the Allston Way main culvert. However, it is a big step in the direction of being able to abandon that portion of the Allston underground culvert altogether in exchange for a beautiful partial creek restoration and plaza in the heart of downtown, there for everyone’s enjoyment. 

People who are considering signing a petition against the Brower Center project because they are worried about flooding or the project blocking future creek restoration can rest assured that neither are valid reasons to sign. In addition, the project finally brings affordable family housing to downtown, instead of the usual student sized units. We in Ecocity Builders would have preferred that the building have a view and orientation to the Berkeley Hills and the redwood tree on Haste Street that David Brower planted as a child. But overall, the benefits of the Brower Center are significant, and should garner public support, not opposition. 

Kirstin Miller is the Executive Director of 

Ecocity Builders.

It is shocking that the massive Brower development, which includes approximately 18 commercial businesses accompanied by approximately 100 housing units, is not being required to have an environmental impact report (EIR).  

An EIR protects the community by pointing out problems such as parking, traffic, and flooding. An EIR must be done so that these impacts can be mitigated or corrected. 

The Tom Bates and Loni Hancock machine has arbitrarily decided that massive projects in Berkeley should not be made to give the same environmental protections that other cities give to their citizens. This allows the developer to maximize his profit and to create the most massive development possible and at the same time save all the money that would be needed to correct the problems that it causes for the city of Berkeley and its citizens.  

It’s obvious that this project will cause severe parking problems for the city of Berkeley that will not be corrected. You should also know that the underground parking that will be put at this site will be much smaller than the current parking and will be built very close to underground creeks and susceptible to flooding.  

Both the housing and the commercial units at the massive Brower project are being subsidized by the citizens of Berkeley. I believe that when all is said and done, the new underground parking will also be subsidized by the city of Berkeley and will be primarily for the use of those commercial and residential units. The city has already paid about two million dollars into this project. The city of Berkeley has also guaranteed approximately ten million dollars in loan guarantees for this project.  

In addition, I believe that the giving away of this property costs the citizens of this city approximately seventeen million dollars. I base this last number on the fact the city currently receives approximately $850,000 on the income from this one acre site of parking. Once the city gives this property away to the developer, they will in effect lose income of $850,000 per year. 

The City of Berkeley would need to have 17 million in bonds or cd’s in order to generate that same $850,000 per year of income.  

Who decides that an EIR is not needed? The high-level Berkeley city staff decides. These people make $160,000-$200,000 per year in salary plus benefits, each one of them. They, of course, agreed with the Bates and Loni Hancock machine that no mitigations should be considered for the community. 

This is not the only massive project that is being pushed by the high-priced staff and the Bates-Loni Hancock machine at this moment. You have probably also heard about the massive proposed project at the corner of University Avenue and MLK, Jr. Way. This enormous project will have approximately 130 housing units plus a very large Trader Joe’s. Trader Joe’s itself will cause massive traffic problems on both University Avenue and MLK, if it goes in at this spot.  

Unfortunately, this development also will not have an EIR and, therefore, will not be asked to mitigate the huge traffic and parking problems that it creates. This project is also being pushed by the very expensive Berkeley city bureaucrats and the Tom Bates-Loni Hancock machine. For your information, the owner of Trader Joe’s is a billionaire German industrialist who owns it outright. He will not be asked to pay for his environmental impacts on the city of Berkeley and its citizens.  

Citizens of Berkeley, you only have one week left to sign or circulate the petitions to allow the city of Berkeley to simply vote on whether or not this is wise development for this city. True environmentalism embraces an honest look at the environmental impacts of any development scheme and tries to address these impacts. This project does not do this. 

Barry Wofsy is a Berkeley resident.

In his op-ed promoting the Brower Center (Feb 20-22), Rob Wrenn makes such a concerted, personal attack on Gale Garcia and her efforts to expose and oppose the foolhardiness of the City’s giveaway of the proposed Brower Center land that one has to consider what might be his interest in this venture and whether he’s actually a shill for Mayor Bates and the developers. 

Mr. Wrenn asserts that to do a full Environmental Impact Report for a project of this size in this location would be a waste of resources. Oh, really? Whose resources? If not an EIR for this, one of the larger projects in recent Berkeley history, then what size development, if any in his mind would necessitate one? He claims that various studies have separately addressed all the issues that would have been addressed in an EIR. Perhaps…but not likely. 

An EIR gives the public the right to be involved in questioning the efficacy of all aspects of the project and the requirement to have those questions satisfactorily answered—before approval. Mr. Wrenn’s scattershot method of addressing relevant issues undermines the publics right-to-know by compartmentalizing issues and forcing citizens to expend much more time and effort going to sundry meetings and reviewing disparate documents in hopes of discovering and questioning details of the proposal before approval. Even then there is/was no requirement to have answers to legitimate concerns. 

For instance, Ms. Garcia has raised an engineering issue which hasn’t been adequately addressed. What about Strawberry Creek running very near and perhaps, in an extremely wet winter, under the property? Given the site is a seismic liquefaction zone just how will such a challenging engineering problem be addressed to ensure that the subterranean garage remain free of flooding? Or that the building will withstand the expected major Hayward Fault quake given these conditions? And what is the financial risk to the City if the engineering doesn’t work? 

I also notice that Mr. Wrenn in his zeal to promote the ‘affordable’ housing component of the project provides a projection figure for household income considered adequate for market rate housing (“at least $70,000 to $95,000”). However, he does not show the numbers for the so called ‘affordable’ Brower Center units. Could it be that the figure would reveal these units are hardly affordable for truly low income families in need of housing? 

There are just a few Berkeley citizens left who have the inclination to keep up the good fight to keep Berkeley from becoming the urban tenement, shadow filled nightmare it is fast becoming. Recently completed Library Gardens is a fine example of that dark vision. In all of her efforts to preserve what little remains of Berkeley’s charm and livability, I consider Gale Garcia a champion of, and for, the citizens of Berkeley. I’ve signed the petition and urge all Berkeley residents to do same. In these strained fiscal times, it is not prudent for the City Council to be giving away 6 million of our hard earned tax dollars - and potentially risking much more. 

Peter Teichner is a Berkeley resident. 

Before November’s election it was impossible to imagine the current debate in the House and the Senate. Nancy Pelosi supervised the creation of an outstanding resolution on Iraq for the House of Representatives. For those who have not yet seen it, the text reads:  

“Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), that— 

(1) Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and  

(2) Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on Jan. 10 to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.”  

The pledge in clause (1) stands in complete opposition to the record of this incompetent and cruel administration. John Murtha, acting in accord with it, has promised to attach amendments to military funding bills to specify that no unit can be “deployed to Iraq until it is fully trained and equipped with all the latest armor and other measures designed” to neutralize roadside bombs. This will be real “protection and support” for the troops—or, at least, for those the legislation covers before they are sent overseas.  

I don’t think there can be any question as to whether the administration knows that some of the units it is sending are inadequately trained and under-equipped; i.e., intrinsically unable to accomplish the mission. It must also know that these units will suffer inordinately high casualty rates.  

When I was in the service, I always thought it quite possible that I would be killed or wounded. Consequently, to me “support” for the troops always includes their medical care as well as their equipment. Today's troops will be incurring real injuries, and in too many cases these will last throughout their lives. This administration has made several attempts to reduce funding for the Veterans hospitals. On its record, the Bush administration can not be counted on to meet its obligation to these men and women.  

Of course, only someone who deliberately blinds himself to reality could imagine that a few thousand under-trained, under-equipped soldiers will be able to reverse the outcome of a war we have already lost. A couple of years ago I wrote that when Bush defends his policy and tries to convince us we’re winning in Iraq, he looks like a mortuary make-up artist trying to give the illusion of life to a corpse. He still does. But we’ve gone beyond that. Clause (2) of the Pelosi resolution puts the House on record publicly in opposition to Bush's delusional policy. It is the beginning of the end of the war.  

But there is a long road ahead, and it won't be easy. It is worth remembering some words from Molly Ivins’ last column: “We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war.”  

But even as we continue our efforts, we must begin looking to the future. It is not too soon to begin defining the lessons of this war. Here are some that occur to me:  

1. The armed forces are our armed forces. They belong to us collectively—not to the President or to the Republican Party or to the right wing. We have a duty—a responsibility—to see that they are used correctly.  

2. We need to make real estimates of the dangers facing our country. The fighting in Iraq has not (as the President says) kept “them” from “coming over here after us.” They’ve already been here: where is New York City? What happened there on 9/11/02?  

3. Even though many of us have religious beliefs, we operate as a secular people. We have to realize that Saddam Hussain was also a secular person. We may believe the Muslim religion is nonsense, but we have to recognize that, along with Saddam, we have given secularism a bad name in the Middle East.  

4. We need to look at historical failures as well as successes. We are overextended militarily and economically, and we are involved in commitments that are not in our national interest. We have a lot of military bases scattered around the world that we don't really need. Have we begun to resemble the Spanish empire when it ruined itself by engaging in unnecessary and destructive religious wars? Could we be risking the same kind of spectacular collapse?  

5. We need to reexamine the idea of national interest. Not every foreign intervention has merit, and even those that seem compelling may be beyond our abilities. Shouldn't we give deep consideration to what we can do and what we can't?  

So, in addition to ending this war, we need to learn from it. That includes looking back at how we got into this mess and forward to our real responsibilities. It may take awhile to work it all out.

It was just over a year ago that neighbors of Ashby BART rose up in protest against plans to put a 300-unit “transit village” on the station’s west parking lot. At stake in the ensuing, nearly yearlong struggle was something more basic than land use, namely citizens’ right to have a meaningful say in the public decisions that affect their lives.  

If the Ashby BART debacle were an isolated incident, it would be disturbing enough. What’s truly alarming is that that scheme now looks part of a movement to privatize Berkeley government. Two other projects coming out of City Hall, North Shattuck Plaza and Sustainable Berkeley, have recently generated controversy about lack of public notice and accountability.  

With North Shattuck Plaza, the council has again authorized a private entity to develop public property. The rationale for this delegation of authority was the same as the one used to justify the Ashby BART arrangement: the city doesn’t have the resources to do this work itself, so we’re turning it over to the private sector. 

As with the transit village, the city did not issue a request for proposals but simply contracted with a familiar party—in this case, very familiar: North Shattuck Plaza Inc.’s board includes both a sitting and a former councilmember (respectively, Laurie Capitelli and Mim Hawley) as well as the current chair of the planning commission (David Stoloff). Once again, the neighbors, including many merchants, were left out of the loop, with the same, predictable result: an explosion of resentment at the developers’ failure to consult the community.  

Thank in part to its name, which incorporates the most politically disarming adjective of the day, Sustainable Berkeley (SB) has provoked less criticism, even though it has the potential to affect the city’s future, including its future land use, far more radically than a pedestrian plaza or even a transit village. In July 2006 the council gave the newly formed organization $133,700 on consent (no discussion). The city manager’s report described SB as “a multi-stakeholder partnership between the City, business, civic and education institutions … to leverage resources and improve coordination among Berkeley’s sustainability efforts, and to implement the Sustainable Business Action Plan.” As far as I can tell, the council’s action was ignored by the press and the public.  

Not so Mayor Bates’ current request to give Sustainable Berkeley another $100,000 to help the city prepare a greenhouse emissions reductions plan. That request appears on the council’s Feb. 27 consent agenda. 

In last weekend’s Planet, reporter Judith Scherr delved into the propriety of SB’s administration and funding. Scherr cited the list of questions sent to the council on Feb. 18 by community member Sharon Hudson. Was the contract open to competitive bidding? If not, why not? If so, why was Sustainable Berkeley chosen? What is SB’s track record of successfully completed projects? (To all appearances, none.) What is its relationship to UC? (Two of its eight board members are from Cal, both in development positions.)  

Unbeknownst to Hudson, on Feb. 15 I had sent my own questions to the mayor’s chief of staff, Cisco DeVries. DeVries began working half time with Sustainable Berkeley on greenhouse gas reduction as of Feb. 1, a month before the council was scheduled to act on the $100,000 allocation that would pay his salary and, presumably, then some. (Unlike the July 2006 funding request, the mayor’s appeal doesn’t come with a budget.) I’d heard through the grapevine that Sustainable Berkeley had held a meeting on Feb. 8, but I’d been unable to find any notice on either SB’s website or the city’s community calendar. Was the meeting noticed? I asked, and if so, where? DeVries replied that notice had been sent out to various email lists compiled by the mayor’s office, and that he’d also told a few reporters about the meeting. 

After four years in City Hall, DeVries ought to know that mentioning a meeting to reporters and alerting the people on his boss’s email lists hardly constitutes adequate public notice. When I suggested that future Sustainable Berkeley’s proceedings should be noticed like commission meetings, he emailed back: 

“Part of the reason to have Sustainable Berkeley on contract is to avoid the problem of it coming down to me having the time to post things on the web. The San Francisco sunshine ordinance has a provision for these types of meetings. (We also imported the provision into Berkeley’s draft ordinance.) It has pretty clear rules about posting and public participation. They have worked well in the past and the folks at Sustainable Berkeley were planning to follow them.” 

I guess a brazen admission—was SB really set up so as to accommodate his personal schedule?—is better than no admission at all, though I’m not sure DeVries realized that he’d admitted anything, much less anything brazen. As authorization for Sustainable Berkeley, he and Tom Bates point to Measure G. Approved by 81 percent of Berkeley voters last November, Measure G authorized the mayor to “work with the community” to adopt plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Berkeley by 80 percent.  

But Measure G said nothing about creating a costly bureaucratic fiefdom that operates outside the city’s regular procedures and laws or about hiring a consultant, Timothy Burroughs, who, Scherr reported, has already been engaged via a sole-source contract and whose salary remains a secret. Berkeley has an active Office of Energy and Sustainable Development, as well as at least six relevant commissions—Energy, Environment, Solid Waste, Transportation, Public Works, Planning—that could and should collaborate in overseeing the preparation of a bold emissions reduction plan.  

Berkeley also has a Fair Representation Act, which says that each councilmember has an appointee to each commission. By contrast, Sustainable Berkeley is a creature of the Mayor’s Office, filled exclusively with Bates appointees. If the mayor really wants to work with the community—the whole community—then he should do so through the commissions and the Office of Energy and Sustainable Development. And instead of citing another city’s sunshine law or a draft of a Berkeley sunshine ordinance that’s been seen by nobody except the insiders of Sustainable Berkeley, he and his associates should abide by the Brown Act, which governs commission and council proceedings. If DeVries doesn’t have time to post meeting notices on the web, then he doesn’t have time to do his new job right. 

The truth is that Sustainable Berkeley is only the latest, the biggest and potentially the most egregious of Tom Bates’ mayoral task forces, all of which violate the spirit and likely the letter of the Fair Representation Act. Which raises the question: Why hasn’t city attorney Manuela Albuquerque advised the mayor and the council that these bodies are improper, if not illegal? Even more troubling, why has the council repeatedly rubber-stamped the mayor’s self-aggrandizing initiatives and other disenfranchising projects such as the Ashby BART transit village and the North Shattuck Plaza?  

On Feb. 27 the council has an opportunity to start reversing the movement toward a privatized City Hall, and at the same time to take a stand for open public process, fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship. Councilmembers, ask Mayor Bates to come back with a proposal that implements Measure G in a democratic manner and that includes a reasonably detailed budget. If you approve his $100,000 gift to Sustainable Berkeley in its present form, you will have moved us a lot closer to a Berkeley that doesn’t deserve to be sustained. 

People keep giving me advice. It is useful and appreciated. (Well, maybe I exaggerate just a little, but I’m in a charitable mood.)  

“Write another book,” suggests Dad.  

“You didn’t like the last one,” I say. 

“That’s not true,” he shouts. “It was all right.” 

“Write about politics,” advises Mom. “On how Bill and Hilary ruined this country.” 

“No,” says Aunt Jeanie. “I think Susan should write about Grandpop. He was a semi-professional boxer and baseball player. He collected frogs and turtles, and sent us to college. He was really quite amazing.” 

“I didn’t know he was a boxer,” I say. “I only remember him sitting in a La-Z-Boy, yelling at Grandma.” 

“Yes,” says Aunt Jeanie, “he was good at that, too. But he was also an excellent tennis player.” 

“Finish your novel,” says Corey. “You know, the one you started five years ago. What was it about?” 

“I can’t remember,” I lie. It was about me, disguised as an attractive blonde, successful at everything she does. 

“Write about caregiving,” says Sonja. “I know you already wrote a book about it, but I mean a real book.” 

I stare at her. 

“You know what I mean. A resource book, one that gives solid information.” 

I understand. She’s envisioning a manual filled with useful facts, not a memoir chronicling the good and bad times on Dover Street: the morning we dropped Ralph on the floor and couldn’t get him back into bed; the day Andrea and I figured out how to fix the broken pipe in the upstairs bathroom; the Thanksgiving when Jerry brought home two free turkeys, one frozen and one pre-cooked; the rainy days I drove Willy to his part-time job at the barbecue joint; the time Whiskers ran down to Mrs. Scott’s house and spent the night covered in homemade quilts, snuggled against her warm body; the day Harka saw an ATM machine for the first time; the quiet April afternoon when Leroy died in our back bedroom.  

I think about those times and grow sad. Then I remember when Hans let a “friend” into our house and she stole my credit cards, cell phone, driver’s license, and passport. 

I suddenly feel the way I did then, lost, without an identity. All the people who have populated my life and given it purpose for the past 12 years are gone and scattered: Jerry and Willie out on the streets; Andrea at her mother’s house; Hans living here and there; Harka married and happy in Los Gatos; Ralph, Mrs. Scott, Leroy, (and Whiskers), hopefully raising hell together somewhere nicer than here. 

“Write about me,” says my housemate Jernee, when she finally gets up at the crack of noon. “Write about how I met you and my Dad when I was seven, and how now I’m almost 17, and we’re still friends, kinda.” 

She opens the refrigerator door and stares at the contents inside. “How come we don’t have any food around here anymore? You don’t ever feed me and I think your public should know.” 

“Not true,” I say. “Five dollars a day, everyday for lunch, plus late night runs to McDonalds and Jack In the Box. And look at the shelves, they’re filled with your favorite things: Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms, microwave popcorn.” 

“I’m talking real food,” she says. “Remember Mrs. Scott’s fried chicken and bread pudding? Remember Andrea’s collard greens, and how Harka blew up the microwave? And my Dad’s specialty, Eggs A La Jerry: bacon, fried potatoes, and eggs-over-easy.” 

“Yes,” I say. “I remember.” 

She sighs and closes the fridge door. “Those were the days. I kinda miss ‘em.” 

“Me too,” I say.  

“Well,” she says, as she opens a cabinet and scrutinizes its meager contents. “I’m still here. You can at least be thankful for that.” 

“I am,” I say. I want to hug her, but I know she won’t like it, so I don’t. 

A few columns back I touched on the chemical arms race between newts and garter snakes: the newts loaded with a fugu-like toxin to which the snakes have evolved resistance. Well, there are complexities to that story that I wasn’t aware of, some of which are described in a 2004 Journal of Chemical Ecology article entitled “A Resistant Predator and its Toxic Prey: Persistence of Newt Toxin Leads to Poisonous (Not Venomous) Snakes.” The lead author, Becky Williams, is a UC Berkeley graduate student; she collaborated with Edmund Brodie, Jr. of Utah State University and Edmund Brodie III, now at the University of Virginia. 

For one thing, it isn’t just any old newt or any old garter snake. The only species known to be resistant to the newt toxin (tetrodotoxin, TTX for short) is the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), in respect to the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). And there seems to be a great deal of variation in patterns of toxicity and resistance. Some rough-skinned newt populations pack higher doses of TTX than others.  

It’s unclear whether this reflects the newts’ diet or has a genetic basis; other toxic amphibians, the arrow-poison frogs, have been shown to acquire their toxin from the insects they eat. Research appears to have ruled out symbiotic bacteria as a TTX source. In any case, garter snake populations that prey on supertoxic newts have evolved higher levels of resistance. 

Oregon’s Benton Couny in the Willamette Valley, where Williams and the Brodies got their specimens, is one of those coevolutionary hot spots. I’m not sure what the picture is in the Bay Area, which has its own populations of common garter snakes (of which the beautiful San Francisco garter snake is a subspecies) and rough-skinned newts, as well as other garter snake and newt species. 

The hypothesis Williams and her co-authors were interested in had to do with whether the Willamette snakes made any use of the newt toxin themselves. There was a precedent: a Japanese snake species that feeds on toads, stores the toad toxin in glands on the back of its neck, and displays the glands when threatened by a predatory bird. Was something similar happening with the garter snakes? 

After feeding newts to snakes, then sacrificing the snakes and assaying their organs, the biologists concluded that TTX stayed in the garter snakes’ livers for at least seven weeks. Three weeks after a newt meal, the average dose in a snake’s liver was 42 micrograms. 

Consuming more newts would crank up the toxicity. Even the one-newt toxin load would be enough to kill typical avian predators of garter snakes, like crows (which are particularly fond of snake livers), northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, and American bitterns. Predatory mammals seem less susceptible. 

But here’s a paradox: a defense that does in the attacker has no evolutionary advantage for the prey species. Death short-circuits the learning experience. Toxic defenses only make sense if a predator’s reaction is sublethal: it feels terrible and avoids such prey in the future. Williams and the Brodies say TTX acts quickly enough to cause an emetic response—so a crow might well survive a bite of toxic snake liver, sadder but wiser. 

They also speculate that the garter snakes’ coloration may aid that process. Most populations of the species are boldly patterned in red and black; like the monarch butterfly’s orange and black, this could function as a warning to predators with color vision, notably birds. The snakes of Benton County, which would have atypically high TTX levels, also have brighter red coloration. (The newts’ vivid orange underbellies serve to warn their own predators, and are mimicked by nontoxic salamanders like the ensatina). 

And the snakes appear to accentuate the visual signals with defensive displays that highlight their red lateral markings. The foul-smelling musk they emit when threatened may contain chemical cues to their unpalatability. 

As a sidebar, it seems that resistance to newt toxin involves tradeoffs: resistant snakes can’t crawl as fast as nonresistant ones. Why this should be is unclear—maybe one of those genetic linkage deals. But it would give resistant snakes more of a window of vulnerability to predation.  

It’s a complicated world out there, and the ancient dance of predator and prey has infinite variations. The Brodies are still working on the newt-snake interaction, but Becky Williams has moved on to other toxic creatures and is now studying the notoriously venomous Australian blue-ringed octopus. Let’s wish her luck.  

Joe Eaton’s column runs every other Tuesday, alternating with Ron Sullivan’s “Green Neighbors,” a column on East Bay trees. 

The serious presidential run of Senator Barack Obama—son of a Kenyan father and white American mother—has given the country an opportunity to hold an adult discussion on the issue of race. Here’s hoping. 

A major portion of that discussion has quickly begun to settle on the question of whether or not African-Americans consider—or should consider—Mr. Obama to be one of our own, considering that what African-Americans have meant, historically, when we call somebody “African-American” is somewhat different than the offspring of an African and an American couple. 

Some of that debate has occurred between and among African-Americans ourselves, in many cases using the mainstream press as a vehicle. And so, on the one hand, Roland S. Martin, the executive editor of the African-American newspaper The Chicago Defender, recently used his column in the non-African-American Detroit News to note that ‘because [Obama’s] mother is white and his father is Kenyan, and because he grew up in Hawaii (that's still the United States for the map-challenged folks) and Indonesia, his blackness is somehow under review.” Mr. Martin goes on to conclude flatly that “this is offensive because anyone who has ever sat down and listened to Obama can tell that he fully understands what it means to be African American—because he is!” 

The opposite position, however, has been taken by conservative black columnist Stanley Crouch. In a column written for the New York Daily News last November entitled “What Obama Isn't: Black Like Me,” Mr. Crouch writes, in part, that “when black Americans refer to Obama as ‘one of us,’ I do not know what they are talking about. In his new book, The Audacity of Hope, Obama makes it clear that, while he has experienced some light versions of typical racial stereotypes, he cannot claim those problems as his own—nor has he lived the life of a black American.” Writing a couple of months before Mr. Obama formally decided to enter the presidential race, Mr. Crouch concluded that, “if [Obama] throws his hat in the ring, he will have to run as the son of a white woman and an African immigrant. If we then end up with him as our first black President, he will have come into the White House through a side door—which might, at this point, be the only one that's open.” 

In the past, such a debate would have worked its way out within the African-American community as an entirely African-American discussion, through the pages of the black press, or on stoops or porches in black neighborhoods, in bars, or barbershops, or out in the yard following church services. But America has opened up a bit since the days of segregation, and so the African-American discussion to define and determine what is African-American has quickly been picked up in the non-African-American press. 

Most recently, this week in the San Francisco Chronicle, staff writer Leslie Fulbright writes in an article “Obama's Candidacy Sparks Debates On Race—Is he African American If His Roots Don’t Include slavery?” that “people across the political and racial spectrums started discussing presidential candidate and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's race after he spoke at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Some insist he is not African American and is unsuited to be a black candidate, because he is not a direct descendant of slaves and hasn't had what they see as an authentic African American experience.” One can only assume that the “some” refers to African-Americans. Ms. Fulbright, who writes on general topics for the paper but often focuses on African-American issues, does a credible job on the subject, drawing on a wide variety of African-American voices from activist leaders to politicians to college professors whose focus in Black Studies. 

And there is great temptation to join that debate within this column. I’ll resist that temptation, however, for the reason that while I understand that at least insofar as it determines whether or not African-Americans embrace the Obama candidacy, the greater nation has a great stake in how African-Americans define what it is to be African-American, to paraphrase the old Bessie Smith song, it really ‘tain’t nobody else’s business how we do it. 

That’s how we treat other races and ethnicities, after all. 

Scattered throughout the multi-cultural milieu that is Oakland, there are large numbers of ethnically-based community centers: Chinese, Vietnamese, Pacific Islander, Latino. How do the people who run these centers determine who is eligible, and who is not, to partake of their services? Is it based upon a level of percentage of ethnic heritage? Is it based upon appearance? Self-identification? Or are these centers open on a whomsoever-shall-let-them-come basis, on the theory that there will be so many Chinese-Americans at the Chinese Community Center, for example, that the few non-Chinese won’t matter or make a dent. I have no idea, because those types of discussions, which certainly must take place, take place out of the eye of the general public. 

Meanwhile my Jewish friends, for a couple of millennium or more, have been hotly debating the issue of who is a Jew and who is not, without asking for or needing our help in drawing their conclusion. It is right and proper for them to do so. 

Sadly, however, leaving the business of self-determination up to those particular selves to do the determining only seems to become an issue when it involves African-Americans. 

There is a sordid history to this. The first national discussions on what we would now call the “African-American question” involved the issue of slavery, and in that debate those most affected—the enslaved Africans and their free brethren—were uninvited bystanders. None of us were asked to come to Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 to speak to the assembled delegates when the Constitution was hammered out, and with it the decision made both to let slavery remain “Constitutional” and the Congressional voice and vote of the slavemasters bolstered by counting their disenfranchised bondsmen in the apportionment.  

During some of the later national debate over slavery, even some of the staunchest opponents of slavery did not think the enslaved themselves were capable of speaking or deciding for themselves. The great abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison was happy to have Frederick Douglass—escaped from slavery—speak against the institution at gatherings, but fell out with Douglass when Douglass decided that he wanted to get out his ideas, unfiltered, in his own newspaper, The North Star. 

While all of this was going on, however, African-Americans were busy, on our own, defining and deciding the meaning of who we were. Logic easily tells us that there was no such thing as “African-American” before the first enslaved black folk were brought here, but it is not generally understood that at the time of the beginning of the slave trade, there was no such people as “Africans,” either, if by that we mean people who self-identified in that way. At the time of the slave trade, those who were stolen into slavery identified themselves not as one people—Africans—but as members of the various kingdoms and tribes and kinship groups from which they came. Most were purposely divided and separated by the slavetraders on the slave ships during the Middle Passage, so that few of the black captives in the passage-groups even spoke the same language, and most came from different cultures and religious beliefs. It is out of this diverse, boiling pot into which black captives were dumped that what we now know as African-Americans was forged, not at the dictates of the slavemasters, but almost entirely by the decisions and practices of the enslaved themselves. 

One of the first great debates in the slaverytime Quarters—the cabin communities where the enslaved Africans lived—was how to treat the children of enslaved African women and the white slavemasters. Thomas Jefferson represented the overwhelming slavemasters’ opinions and actions by adamantly and consistently refusing to acknowledge his children by Sally Hemings (a refusal immortalized in Gore Vidal’s novel “Burr,” in which Mr. Vidal has Mr. Jefferson pointedly deny one of his own grandchildren, remarking that “that is a child of the place. A Hemings, I believe.”)  

Though there was considerable disagreement within the Quarters on this issue, leading to class and color distinctions the echoes of which exist down to this day, the captive African communities eventually accepted the children of these white-black unions and made them their own, for the most part, so that the color and features of those considered by African-Americans to be African-American now range from Scotch-Irish-white on the one end of the spectrum to Congolese-black on the other. 

And while Ms. Fulbright in her Chronicle article includes the paraphrased opinion of an Assistant University of Maryland African American Studies professor that “a personal connection to slavery and Jim Crow laws is still a common measure of who is and who isn't African American,” the fact is that the self-definition of African-American has always included numbers of blacks who came to the Northeast as free people, and were never put into slavery. 

My guess is that, left to our own devices, African-Americans will make a similar inclusive decision about people whose ancestry resembles that of Barack Obama, bringing them into the fold and expanding the meaning of African-American. But that is not guaranteed and it is, after all, and respectfully, our decision to make. 

Meanwhile, I do have some thoughts as to why Mr. Obama’s candidacy is playing so well among the white brethren, and if you’re interested, I will be glad to share them. But that will have to wait for another column. 

When the Spring Mansion first appeared in the nearly tree-less Berkeley Hills, almost 100 years ago, it was more than a home for one of the East Bay’s most successful real estate speculators, the man behind Thousand Oaks, the Claremont Hotel, and the town of Albany. It was a gleaming white advertisement for John Hopkins Spring’s newest suburban development, which surrounded the house. And it could be seen from San Francisco. 

But when architect Glen Jarvis recently visited, he says, “I thought it looked like an abandoned school building.” 

The John Hopkins Spring Mansion, built from 1912-1914, with its 12,000 square feet of interior space surrounded by sprawling terraces on just over three acres, is one of Berkeley’s largest residential properties, and one of the city’s legends. Its future is also in play.  

Its owner, John Park of Monument Properties, hopes to subdivide the site, build a cluster of five new houses, provide lots that could handle two more new houses, and rip down several outbuildings, including a gym. The plan also calls for remodeling a former carriage house for residential use, and for renovating the mansion itself.  

Monument is based in Monterey Park, in Los Angeles. Park formerly lived in the Berkeley Hills. 

Both mansion and carriage house were designed by a man equally as renowned as Spring—John Hudson Thomas.  

The Spring Mansion might, at a glance, resemble the White House. But to Thomas’s many fans, his hand is evident: fat columns; endearing, decorative buttresses shaped like scrolls; terraces and exterior walls that project the house into the landscape; a combination of irony and bombast; a sense of strength married to whimsy; and his signature motif of four little squares placed on walls, at corners, and by doorways both inside and out. 

Inside, living areas and bedrooms surround a skylight-topped, two-story atrium and a grand oak staircase. Walls are lined with original damask and tapestries. 

“For years people have talked about the mansion being a white elephant,” says Jarvis, who is working for Monument. “We’re trying to bring it out of that category.” Jarvis is an experienced historic architect who has worked on homes by Thomas, Julia Morgan, and Bernard Maybeck. He also designs new houses, often in a Craftsman mode. 

“We’re trying to bring this house and the grounds around it up to the standards of a mansion,” Jarvis says. “We’re trying to make it attractive for some high-end buyer to buy it, and feel good about the place.” 

Jarvis says the project would preserve the most important architectural and historical elements of the site. 

The plan would rehabilitate the mansion for use by a single family, says Paul Pohlman, real estate development manager for Monument. It would add an entrance canopy and remodel Thomas’s carriage house, which years ago received an unsympathetic second story addition. The carriage house would be remodeled into a single-family home and retain the existing Thomas-designed exterior features. 

The façade of the mansion would be retained, and a damaged porte-cochere would be restored, Pohlman says. Thomas’s terraces would be restored. One fountain that was added years later would be removed, and so would one pool that was part of Thomas’s original design. A new trellised carport would be added to improve access to the front of the house. 

The mansion is at 1960 San Antonio Avenue. The carriage house is just beyond, at 1984 San Antonio. The gym is at 639 the Arlington. A building once used as a dorm, Farley Hall, is at 641 Arlington. 

Neighbors who oppose the development argue that their concern is less with traffic impacts, crowds, and other standard neighborhood issues than with something more important—preserving one of Berkeley’s landmarks. Surrounding the mansion with smaller houses, reducing the size of its lot, and removing trees will alter its relation with its site, thus diminishing its impact. 

“Our single biggest objection is that we’re taking this magnificent historical property that has history in the people who designed and built it and the people who lived there, and we’re squeezing it in,” says Bruce Clymer, head of the group Friends of the Spring Mansion. “Squeezing it in is going to ruin it.” 

“The grandeur of the house,” says Larry Gray, also a member of Friends, “deserves some space around it.” Opponents are also afraid the developer may change the mansion’s façade. Pohlman says they may add a door to allow easier access to the terraces. The developer had discussed modifying the porte-cochere, but that probably won’t happen, he says. 

The mansion, its landscaping, boulders that dot the site, and some of the outbuildings were declared Berkeley landmarks in 2000. Included as land-marked elements were one fountain the developer plans to remove, and the gymnasium. 

Clymer, who lives next door to the mansion, is a builder who has restored and renovated many historic houses in the city, Marin and the Peninsula by such architects as Albert Farr and Carr Jones. 

He says the Monument plan is opposed by the 65-member Friends and by neighbors who make up the 28-home San Luis Court Homes Association, whose subcommittee on the mansion he heads. 

Spring (1862-1933), whose marriage collapsed shortly after he moved into the mansion, moved out around 1915. The mansion was soon operating as the Cora Williams Institute of Creative Development. It again became a private residence around 1975. 

Monument’s plan call for removing all evidence of the Cora Williams’ era—not because the developer wants to erase the memory of what Clymer calls “the first New Age Institute,” but because it deems the structures—Farley Hall, the gym/dance studio, and several smaller buildings, too dilapidated to repair.  

The tennis court next to the gym is slated for demolition. A room added by Cora Williams beneath the mansion’s terrace would also go. Neither are land-marked, nor is Farley Hall. 

A cluster of five new houses with “a lot of John Hudson Thomas appearance to them,” Jarvis says, will replace the tennis court and gym, and reach Arlington via a C-shaped driveway.  

The plan also calls for another residential lot to be created next to the carriage house, but doesn’t call for house to be built there now. An existing residential lot – between the mansion’s new parking lot and Clymer’s house – would eventually be home to a new house, Pohlman says. The lot currently houses the derelict “music building” from the Cora Williams days. 

None of this pleases the neighbors, Clymer says. He would rather see no new housing, and no property subdivision. “We would like to see the whole thing restored,” Clymer says, and preserved as one single-family lot. “The gym could be rebuilt and be spectacular,” he says 

Friends of the Mansion is also concerned about losing evidence of the Cora Williams era, Clymer says, arguing that it was an important Berkeley educational and cultural institution, and that many prominent people taught or lectured there, including dancer Isadora Duncan and psychiatrist Alfred Adler. In making the property a landmark, the city cited the property’s connection to the institute as providing “historical and cultural value.” 

Besides their interest in preserving history, Clymer says, neighbors are concerned about traffic on Arlington and on narrow San Antonio Avenue, part of which is private and owned by the association. They argue that a new driveway needed for five houses clustered beneath the mansion would be steep and dangerous, and that too many trees would need to be removed to make way for new homes. 

They are also worried that the development would remove trees that provide privacy for a park owned by the San Luis Association, a lovely hillside of oaks and boulders, picnic tables, a tennis court, and a small swimming shaped like the map of California. The private gated park was originally part of the Spring estate.  

“I don’t want to come off sounding elitist,” Gray says, “but this is a very special place.”  

So far, discussions between the developer and neighbors have been relatively cordial. But neighbors remain suspicious. They’re not convinced, for example, that Monument Properties plans to retain the mansion as a single-family residence. The developers say that is their intention, and the property is zoned for single family. 

But why is the proposed parking lot so large and institutional looking? Clymer wonders. Pohlman counters that the four new covered parking spaces “are what houses of that size demand.” Some existing pavement used for sparking will be removed, he adds. 

And some neighbors note that Park owns a company that provides services to the gambling industry. 

Neighborhood rumors have suggested that the developer plans to turn the mansion into a casino. But Friends of the Mansion has not been making that argument. And Pohlman says that’s not in the cards. “There is no way to put anything on that site except residential,” he says. “There’s never been talk of turning that thing into a casino or card room.” 

Unlike many of his contemporaries, the architect John Hudson Thomas has not been forgotten—at least not completely. He has fans who compile lists of his houses, which liberally dot the Berkeley Hills, are also common in Oakland and Piedmont, and can be found as far afield as Los Gatos and Woodland, in the Sacramento Valley. 

Perhaps most tellingly, whenever one of his homes comes onto the market, realtors brag that it’s by Thomas. 

Nonetheless, when I put together my book, Signature Architects of the San Francisco Bay Area, about residential architects who are too little known, Thomas made the cut. In fact, I concluded, there are only two Bay Area architects who escape that fate—Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan. 

My thinking was: Could the average, well-educated Bay Area person, the sort who knows about novelists and artists, recognize the name of a given architect, or tell you anything about his or her architecture? This was excluding, of course, other architects, architectural historians and fans, and real estate brokers who focus on fine architects.  

There were people who told me that Thomas was simply too famous for my series. But is he really? 

The more I looked into his life and career, in fact, the more mysterious he grew. What do we really know about Thomas (1878–1945), besides the basics? Born in Nevada, an undergraduate at Yale, studying architecture at UC Berkeley with John Galen Howard and Maybeck, designing houses first as part of a partnership, then on his own, marrying the daughter of

Alert To Renters & Landlords 

I’ve done earthquake consults for folks who are renting their homes/apartments, and had them tell me they knew the house’s retrofit was not adequate, but what could they do: they don’t own the place.  

Don’t landlords want to protect their investment? Like so many others, most landlords are living with a false sense of security: “I’ve seen some bolts, so it looks okay.”  

Talk to your landlord about having the retrofit evaluated: about 80 percent of them are wrong or incomplete. And what about an automatic gas shut-off valve? It’s the cheapest insurance around, giving protection and peace of mind both to you and your landlord.  

Larry Guillot is owner of QuakePrepare, an earthquake consulting, securing, and kit supply service. Call him at 558-3299, or visit www.quakeprepare.com.

TUESDAY, FEB. 27 

CHILDREN 

Introduction to Musical Instruments with musical storyteller Deborah Bonet at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. For age 3 and up. 524-3043. 

THEATER 

“Civil Rights Tales” A Black History Month celebration with Stagebridge at 1:15 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 981-5190. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“New Work” Paintings and intaglio prints by Carol Dalton and Seiko Tachibana opens at the Cecile Moochnek Gallery, 1809-D Fourth St. and runs though March 31. 549-1018. 

FILM 

Alternative Visions “Pine Flat” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Leonard Susskind, Stanford physicist, talks about “The Cosmic Landscape: String Theory and the Illusion of Intelligent Design” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

ProArts Juried Annual Artists’ talk at 1 p.m. at 550 Second St., Oakland. 763-9425. www.proartsgallery.org 

Christopher Phillips introduces “Socrates in Love: Philosophy for a Passionate Heart” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Motordude Zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun/ 

Zydeco dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Singers’ Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The David Munnelly Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Randy Craig Trio at 7:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Myra Melford & Be Bread at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$14. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28 

THEATER 

Berkeley Rep “To the Lighthouse” opens at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. and runs through March 25. Tickets are $45-$61. 647-2917. 

FILM 

History of Cinema “Sunset Blvd.” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Jewish Science Fiction and Fantasy” A conversation with Grania Davis at the JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$20. Sponsored by Aquarian Minyan. 465-3935. 

Yael Hedaya, Israeli journalist, reads from her novel “Accidents” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

China Miéville introduces “Un Lun Dun” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Ann Hood reads from her new novel “The Knitting Circle” at 3 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Bayswater Book Club meets to discuss “I’m OK, You’re OK” by Thomas Harris at 6:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, El Cerrito. 433-2911. 

Freight and Salvage Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $4.50-$5.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

“Writing Teachers Write” monthly student/teacher readings at 5 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus, through March 4. Tickets are $32-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Music for the Spirit Music celebrating African-American composers at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

UC Jazz Ensembles at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $6. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Tamsen Donner Band at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. West Coast Swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Orquestra Candela at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Salsa dance lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

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

Beckett’s Family Reunion with Nicole and the Sisters in Soul at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Willie Jones III Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, MARCH 1 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Through Women’s Eyes” featuring works by Frances Catlett opens at the Prescott Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, 920 Peralta St., Oakland, and runs through May 3. 835-8683. www.prescottjoseph.org 

“Gossamer Worlds & Quilted Quandries” Mixed media works by Patricia Gillespie, Bethany Ayres and Hillary Kantmann on display at Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St. at Telegraph to April 2. 444-7411. 

“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. 

FILM 

“Las Madres: The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo” with filmmakers Susana Muñoz and Lourdes Portillo at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free screening. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Lunch Poems with Myung Mi Kim at 12:10 p.m. in the Morrison Library, in the Doe Library, UC Campus. http://lunchpoems.berkeley.edu 

Elmaz Abinadar and Suheir Hammad, Arab-American spoken word, at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Anne Barrows reads from her new poetry at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Stuart Skorman on “Confessions of a Serial Entrepreneur: Why I Can’t Stop Starting Over” at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Len Lyons talks about “The Ethiopian Jews of Israel: Personal Stories of Life in the Promised Land” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Uptones, ska, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Mary Youngblood & the Sisters of the Earth at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Elise Lebec, solo piano, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Or, the Whale, at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Tourettes with Regrets at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $8. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Kurt Elling at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Headnodic & Raashan Ahmad at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5. 548-1159.  

FRIDAY, MARCH 2 

THEATER 

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 11. 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. 

Berkeley Rep “To the Lighthouse” at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. and runs through March 25. Tickets are $45-$61. 647-2917. 

Black Repertory Group “Phyllis” Fri. and Sat. at 3201 Adeline St. Call for time and ticket information. 652-2120.  

Central Works Theater Ensemble “Lola Montez” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. through March 25. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1381. www.centralworks.org 

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.  

Impact Theatre “Cartoon” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid, through March 10. Tickets are $10-$15.  

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 

TheatreFirst “Nathan the Wise” Thurs.-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 

UC Dept. of Theater “Dolly West’s Kitchen” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $10-$14. 642-9925. http://theater.berkeley.edu 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Genetic Memories of Graffiti” performance art at 7 p.m. at Lobot Gallery, 1800 Campbell St., Oakland. www.weekendwakeup.com 

All Colors Oakland Celebration with recent art by Raymond Saunders. Opening reception at 5:30 p.m. at Joyce Gordon Gallery, 406 14th St., Oakland. 465-8928. 

Overhung 3 Over 500 works of art in a garage-sized gallery. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at Boontling Gallery, 4224 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 295-8881. www.boontlinggallery.com 

“The Stories We Tell Ourselves” works by Robert Tomlinson and Anna Vaughan. Reception at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave. at Broadway.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Robert Lassalle-Klein discusses “Love That Produces Hope: The Life and Thought of Slain Salavadoran Jesuit, Ignacio Ellacuria” at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker School, Marian Hall, 2nd Flr., 2125 Jefferson St. Not wheelchair accessible. 499-7080. 

Creative Aging: Bay Area Women Artists Aged 85-105 With Amy Gorman, author of “Aging Artfully” and Greg Young’s DVD, “Still Kicking” at 4 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant. 527-4977. 

Marisa Handler reads from “Loyal to the Sky: Notes from an Activist” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus, through March 4. Tickets are $32-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Dance IS Festival at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. 925-798-1300. 

Organists Ed Teixiera and Ann Callaway perform Lizst’s Via Crucis at 11:15 a.m. at Saint David of Wales Catholic Church, 5641 Esmond Ave. at Sonoma, Richmond. 237-1531. 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $8-$12. 642-9988. 

The Edmund Welles Bass Clarinet Quartet at 8 p.m. at 1510 Eighth Street Performance Space, Oakland. Cost is $5-$15 sliding scale. events@thejazzhouse.com 

William Beatty, piano, Richard Saunders, bass, Alan Hall, drums at 8 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Tickets are $12. 848-1228.  

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 

Country Joe McDonald Tribute to Woody Guthrie at 7:30 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. 287-8700. 

Manicato & Umoverde at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568.  

Gadget, No Strangers, Jokes for Feelings, Sentinel at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10. 848-0886.  

Mo’Fone at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

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

Prince Diabate & His Band in a benefit for Darfur at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Sherry Austin at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

The Edlos at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Cyndi Harvell and Mike Eckstein at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Verbal Abuse, A.D.T, Eskapo at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

The P-PL at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Facing New York, Panda, Tempo no Tempo at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Kurt Elling at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, MARCH 3 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Gerry Tenney at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Maggie the Clown celebrates National Reading Month Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. 452-2259. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Art of Living Black” Self-guided art tour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond. Directories available from the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. 620-6772. www.richmondartcenter.org 

8 in 07 A group show of East Bay artists opens at the Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave., to April 1. Gallery hours are Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 848-1228. 

California College of the Arts 100th Anniversary Art Show opens at 3 p.m. at Montclair Gallery, 1986 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Exhibition runs to April 30. 339-4286. 

Jessamyn Lovell talks about her work “Catastrophe, Crisis and Other Family Traditions” at 4 p.m. at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. 620-6772. www.richmondartcenter.org 

FILM 

Women of Color Film Festival “Corpus: A Home Movie for Selena“ with fimmaker Lourdes Portillo at 7 p.m. and “The Devil Never Sleeps” at 9 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Andy Couturier on “Writing Open the Mind: Tapping the Subconscious to Free the Writing and the Writer” at 5:30 at at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Bay Area Poets Coalition Open Reading at 3 p.m. at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street. 527-9905. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 2 and 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus, through March 4. Tickets are $32-$56. 642-9988.  

Dance IS Festival at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$15. 925-798-1300. 

Nexus: Volti a capella at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $8-$20. 415-771-3352. www.voltisf.org 

The Streicher Trio “Music and Dance in 18th Century Spain” at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725. 

American Bach Soloists Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin, and Mary Wilson, soprano, at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $16-$42. 415-621-7900.  

Sacred & Profane “Springtime in Paris” at 8 p.m. at All Souls Episcopal Church, 2220 Cedar St. Tickets are $15-$18. 524-3611. 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $8-$12. 642-9988. 

Poulenc Trio, with Vladimir Lande, oboist, at 7:30 p.m. at Regents Theater, Holy Names University, 3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $35-$40. 601-7919.  

Country Joe McDonald Tribute to Woody Guthrie at 7:30 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. 287-8700. 

Oakland Assault at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146.  

Altipampa, traditional sounds from the Andes at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568.  

Eric Swinderman Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Bulgarika at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Balkan dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $15. 525-5054.  

Sotaque Baino, Brazilian music, at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Jon Roniger and Theo Harman at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe. 595-5344.  

Gemini Soul with Ajamu Akinyele at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Rustler’s Moon with Kathy Kallick & Bill Evans at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Gaucho, gypsy jazz, at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473.  

Nicole McRory at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Pete Madsen, folk, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Flip the Switch, A Class Act, Chris Murray at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 4 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Art of Living Black” Self-guided art tour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond. Directories available from the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. 620-6772. www.richmondartcenter.org 

“Earth in Flowers” Chinese paintings by Y. C. Chiang and Hui Liu, and hand-blown glass by Michael Sosin. Reception at 3 p.m. at the Community Art Gallery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2450 Ashby Ave. 204-1667.  

“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. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Conversations on Art with Ira Nowinski at 1 p.m. at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. 549-6950.  

Serena Bartlett introduces “Grassroutes Travel Guide to Oakland” at 2 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Chad Lejeune talks about “The Worry Trap: How to Free Yourself from Worry and Anxiety Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” at 6 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Abby Seixas on “The Deep River Within: Finding Balance and Meaning in a 24/7 World” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Chamber Music Sundaes with San Francisco Symphony musicians and friends at 3 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets at the door are $18-$20. 415-753-2792. 

Rudolf Buchbinder, piano at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $42. 642-9988. 

Betty Fu, vocals, Ben Stolorow, piano at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center 1275 Walnut St. Csot is $10. 644-6893. berkeleyartcenter.org 

California Bach Society “Consolation and Comfort” at 4 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $10-$25. 415-262-0272.  

Golden Key Piano School Recital at 2 p.m. in Berkeley. Call for location 665-5466. 

Liliana Herrera & Rafael Herrera, satirical socio-political songs, at 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $7-$15 sliding scale. 849-2568. 

David Lindley at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Bulgarika Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Country Joe McDonald Tribute to Woody Guthrie at 7:30 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. 287-8700 

Sambajah, Brazilian, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

My Last Day on Earth, Almost Dead, River Runs Black and others at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

MONDAY, MARCH 5 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Studio Man Ray” Photographs by Ira Nowinski opens at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. and runs through August 5. 549-6950. 

“A Visual Journal” Oils and works on paper by Lisa Bruce opens at Bucci’s, 6121 Hollis St., Emeryville, and runs to March 30. www.lisabruce.com 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Actors Reading Writers: “Unusual Circumstances,” works by Lorrie Moore, Wallace Stegner, and Jessamyn West at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Free. 932-0214. 

Readings from Golden Handcuffs Magazine with contributors David Bromige, Laynie Browne, Richard Denner, Michael McClure, David Meltzer and Michael Rothenberg at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Cara Black reads from “Murder on the Ile Saint-Louis“ at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Dinaw Mengestu talks about “The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Nalo Hopkinson introduces her new novel, ”The New Moon’s Arms” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Poetry Express with MK Chavez at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

David Lindley at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Ramon & Jessica and Michael Musika at 6 p.m. at Mama Buzz Cafe, 2318 Telegraph, at 23rd, Oakland. 

Trovatore, traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Natasha Miller at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$14. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

MYUNG MI KIM AT UC’S DOE LIBRARY 

Myung Mi Kim will read from her work at the Morrison Library (inside Doe Library) at noon Thursday as part of UC Berkeley’s Lunch Poems series. Born in Seoul, Korea, Kim goes to the root of language, connecting speech and culture in a rich web of immaculate phrases. She strips words to the bone, using fragments and white space to enhance her themes of dislocation and first language loss. She is the author of four books of poetry, including Under Flag, winner of the 1991 Multicultural Publishers Book Award, and Commons (2002). http://lunchpoems.berkeley.edu. 

ARAB-AMERICAN POETRY AND MUSIC 

Elmaz Abinader and Suheir Hammad will present an evening of Arab-American spoken word, with music by Tony Khalife and Kamal Ghammache-Mansour, at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Mills College professor Abinader is an Arab American author, playwright and poet and was the recipient of the 2002 Goldies Award for Literature. Her poetry collection In the Country of My Dreams... won the 2000 Josephine Miles/ Pen Oakland Award. $12. 3105 Shattuck Ave. 849-2568, www.lapena.org or www.elmazabinader.com. 

‘THE ART OF LIVING BLACK’ 

A self-guided art tour of The Art of Living Black, featuring the work of local black artists, takes place this Saturday and Sunday (March 3-4). The show includes the work of over 90 emerging and established artists in a group exhibition (through March 16) at the Richmond Art Center. Additional work is featured by the 2006 Jan Hart-Schuyers Artistic Achievement Award recipients: Aaron Carter, Patricia Patterson and Roosevelt Washington. 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. Open noon-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 620-6772.

It’s tough being king ... Ludwig of Bavaria is a proactive, very public monarch. Nothing, whether extensive engineering projects such as roads and canals, or grandiose museums and other monuments to the arts, is too good for his people, and the exchequer be damned. He’ll find a way to make Munich the envy of even Paris and Vienna. 

The private king (if that’s not an oxymoron) is a different man from the capricious, headstrong visionary ever in the limelight. Ludwig is a sensitive, searching soul, a would-be poet of Romantic verses. His decades-long marriage to his queen, celebrated in a gala repetition of wedding vows just before Oktoberfest each year, has become a loveless one. Is this just another sublimation, a sacrifice he should accept for the good of his kingdom, as his minister suggests? Or is there another free spirit, a kindred soul with whom he could soar, eagle-like, into the light? 

His unspoken plea seems to be answered by the advent of an itinerant Spanish dancer, the title character of Gary Grave’s Lola Montez, Central Works’ newest production. Is this the Platonic (or maybe not-so-Platonic) soulmate for whom Ludwig has been yearning, prefigured in his verses—or an impulsive femme fatale and wastrel, a self-made mythic figure cutting a swath across Europe in a scenario which could lead to fiscal ruin, at least—or to a revolutionary Gotterdammerung? 

In a series of scenes laid out in the Julia Morgan-designed salon in the City Club where Central Works plays, mostly dialogues between the king and his minister or his queen, or between queen and minister, or tete-a-tetes with Lola Montez (especially once they’ve become Lolita and Luis to each other), the play delineates Ludwig’s progress from fascination to rapture to besottedness. His own soliloquies (and sometimes a kind of self-narration) highlight his steps along a road that lead him further and further away from the regal life he’s known, a road that never seems to end, even with disenchantment. 

Louis Parnell plays Ludwig with great charm, sometimes courtly, sometimes boyish. But he also shows the paternalism so deep in the king’s soul that he’s oblivious to the possible political effects of his conduct—otherwise, his Romanticism would make him seem almost bourgeois. The focus is on him throughout the play, and Parnell carries it with grace, even when his character’s shoulders begin to sag under the weight of events. 

Central Works co-founder Jan Zvaifler makes of Lola an intriguing woman, perhaps in both senses of the word, though it’s left open how much of the rout the faux-Espanola leaves in her wake is considered or just impulsively willful. She’s seen as Ludwig sees her, a hounded free spirit of femininity seeking shelter, an understanding companion of culture and insight, a tempestuous fighter, holding off a mob at her door with a pistol—or as a forbidding idol, offering her foot to her devoted worshipper.  

Otherwise, Lola’s character is ambiguously drawn by inference, the minister’s reports on her activities, or the rumors of her activities. Gary Graves calls his play a romance, and there is an intensity to the scenes between Lola and Ludwig, especially with the excellent lighting which seems to silhouette or halo them, devised by Graves, who also directed. But the burden of the tale is expressed in the character sketch of the king, who goes from building monuments to his ambitions for his people, to an intoxicated idealist lover raising shrines to the object of his affections, finally to a spent Romantic, sculpting the air with his disillusioned words. 

This is the subtler approach and allows us, for instance, to see Lola miming the Tarantella that made her famous through the eyes of the gently smiling king, already hypnotized, soon to be in over over his head. 

It’s difficult to communicate the effect such women as Lola Montez had in their time, the female equivalent of Lord Byron plus his corsair. Maybe a bit more of the showy element of surprise could be shown early on, as later, when Lola appears, triumphantly feminine and loving, in a dragoon’s uniform she’s put on to sneak into an insurrection-plagued Munich, connecting with her kingly admirer. 

Like that later idol, Lillie Langtry, an habitue of the Bay Area, Lola was borne up on the winds of the 1848 revolutions, eventually to be deposited, at least for a while, in Grass Valley, where she was mentor to little Lotta Crabtree, whose fountain still stands, a cast-iron anachronism, on Market Street in San Francisco. 

Sean Williford, as the gimlet-eyed minister who serves the crown with increasing distaste, and Ludwig’s common sense Queen, who presides with the dignity of the matter of fact, perfectly bookend the pair of lovers with their skepticism becoming alarm.  

From performances to costumery, to the conception of this chamber play that attempts to skirt melodrama and the maudlin in depicting both a historical and an intimately emotional situation, Central Works shows once again their high standards as a resident company committed to the collaborative mounting of new works. 

LOLA MONTEZ 

Presented by Central Works at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and at 5 p.m. Sunday through March 25 at the City Club Theatre at 

Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 

www.centralworks.org. 558-1381.

Berkeley has long been famous for starting revolutions—especially revolutions that come from the political left. The purpose of this editorial is to make the heretical proposal that Berkeley launch a revolution from the right—a revolution drawn from the heart of the free-enterprise system.  

I have to admit that I am a poster child of the capitalist system. I come from a family of business owners, and I have spent a lifetime making (and losing) millions of dollars as a start-up entrepreneur. The truth is I may not be good at anything else beyond starting innovative new businesses.  

But whatever your background, it’s hard to deny that socialism will never take root in the U.S.. This means that our only hope for making the world better for everyone is to revolutionize the capitalist system.  

The kind of businesses I really like to start are socially-conscious businesses, businesses that have a double bottom line. By that I mean a business that measures its success by both making a profit and also by helping the community to become a better place. Elephant is the best example of a double line business that I’ve ever started. 

At Elephant, for instance, we provided free wellness classes and also free advice from a variety of health practitioners. This extensive program both helped Berkeley become a healthier place and it also helped Elephant by attracting thousands of new customers.  

Socially responsible capitalism is not a new venture for me. I’ve been doing it for 30 years. With every business that I’ve started throughout my decades of entrepreneurship, my goals were not only to make money (for an enterprise that is not profitable does not survive) but also to revolutionize industries and enrich people’s lives. And it is the opportunity to enrich people’s lives that has given me the most satisfaction. 

At Reel.com, the first Web-based video rental service, I had the good fortune to become an Internet pioneer (and also very wealthy). With Elephant Pharmacy, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help make Berkeley a healthier place—and to spark drugstores throughout the country to follow suit and become healthier places by emphasizing customer education, natural products, and community outreach. (That Elephant Pharmacy also had a positive impact on other business in our North Shattuck neighborhood was also very important to me.)  

But my biggest motivation and inspiration was customer education. I envisioned a revolutionary store that would not only have a unique product mix from around the world but also be the first big-box retail concept focused on education.  

As most of you know, the dream became a reality. Not just the dream of creating a revolutionary pharmacy, but the leading the world to better things … from Berkeley, California. The first eight customers who waited in line for Elephant on our grand opening day were all Walgreen’s managers — and they were just the beginning of a daily pilgrimage of pharmacy executives visiting Elephant from all over the world. We called them “the suits,” and they stuck out in Berkeley like Deadheads at an NRA convention. The nation’s largest drug store chain, CVS Pharmacy, kept very close tabs on us from their headquarters in far-away Rhode Island. How do we know? Because when we visited Chris Bodine, a very senior CVS executive, he not only knew that we had moved our flower department the previous week, he also knew every detail about the flower’s new location (and was willing to debate us on every detail of the move in the first place!). After our flower debate finally ended, Chris smiled and congratulated us for creating such an incredible new business model and said that CVS could never have done what we did.  

I am writing this guest editorial to encourage the Berkeley community to embrace, welcome, and nurture new businesses that have a double bottom line. I call this new type of capitalism “gentle capitalism.” My dream is for Berkeley to become known throughout the country as a center for gentle capitalism and for incubating new socially-conscious businesses. Berkeley has a national reputation—we capitalists might call it a brand—for leading revolutions. (When Elephant opened wellness boutiques in the Saks Group department stores, our tagline was: “A radically healthy idea from Berkeley, California,” and the people in the Midwest loved that tagline).  

Berkeley has many other assets to attract vibrant, socially conscious startups besides its powerful brand and legacy. We have excellent political leadership with Tom Bates and his dedicated team. The Haas Business School can provide great leadership in many ways and gives us an academic infrastructure that is second to none. Other assets that can attract start-ups are relatively cheap office rents, our great school system, and our biggest asset of all—our strong diverse community of spirited, multi-talented people.  

Berkeley, let’s put out the welcome mat for new innovative double-line businesses that will do a lot more than just help Berkeley’s tax base. These colorful, dynamic, young businesses will add to the vitality and creativity of our community in many ways. Just as we’ve done in the past in the areas of free speech, civil rights, and peace movements, we can set an example for the rest of the country. It’s time for another revolution. 

Since I am much more qualified to start new businesses than I am at managing a more mature business, I have moved on from my leadership role at Elephant. I would like to thank many hundreds of Elephant employees and customers for their incredible support. Now that my job at Elephant has ended, I’m already working on my next start-up—a revolutionary new online movie recommendation engine.  

Confessions of a Serial Entrepreneur 

By Stuart Skorman 

Jossey-Bass Publishers 

A few columns back I touched on the chemical arms race between newts and garter snakes: the newts loaded with a fugu-like toxin to which the snakes have evolved resistance. Well, there are complexities to that story that I wasn’t aware of, some of which are described in a 2004 Journal of Chemical Ecology article entitled “A Resistant Predator and its Toxic Prey: Persistence of Newt Toxin Leads to Poisonous (Not Venomous) Snakes.” The lead author, Becky Williams, is a UC Berkeley graduate student; she collaborated with Edmund Brodie, Jr. of Utah State University and Edmund Brodie III, now at the University of Virginia. 

For one thing, it isn’t just any old newt or any old garter snake. The only species known to be resistant to the newt toxin (tetrodotoxin, TTX for short) is the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), in respect to the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). And there seems to be a great deal of variation in patterns of toxicity and resistance. Some rough-skinned newt populations pack higher doses of TTX than others.  

It’s unclear whether this reflects the newts’ diet or has a genetic basis; other toxic amphibians, the arrow-poison frogs, have been shown to acquire their toxin from the insects they eat. Research appears to have ruled out symbiotic bacteria as a TTX source. In any case, garter snake populations that prey on supertoxic newts have evolved higher levels of resistance. 

Oregon’s Benton Couny in the Willamette Valley, where Williams and the Brodies got their specimens, is one of those coevolutionary hot spots. I’m not sure what the picture is in the Bay Area, which has its own populations of common garter snakes (of which the beautiful San Francisco garter snake is a subspecies) and rough-skinned newts, as well as other garter snake and newt species. 

The hypothesis Williams and her co-authors were interested in had to do with whether the Willamette snakes made any use of the newt toxin themselves. There was a precedent: a Japanese snake species that feeds on toads, stores the toad toxin in glands on the back of its neck, and displays the glands when threatened by a predatory bird. Was something similar happening with the garter snakes? 

After feeding newts to snakes, then sacrificing the snakes and assaying their organs, the biologists concluded that TTX stayed in the garter snakes’ livers for at least seven weeks. Three weeks after a newt meal, the average dose in a snake’s liver was 42 micrograms. 

Consuming more newts would crank up the toxicity. Even the one-newt toxin load would be enough to kill typical avian predators of garter snakes, like crows (which are particularly fond of snake livers), northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, and American bitterns. Predatory mammals seem less susceptible. 

But here’s a paradox: a defense that does in the attacker has no evolutionary advantage for the prey species. Death short-circuits the learning experience. Toxic defenses only make sense if a predator’s reaction is sublethal: it feels terrible and avoids such prey in the future. Williams and the Brodies say TTX acts quickly enough to cause an emetic response—so a crow might well survive a bite of toxic snake liver, sadder but wiser. 

They also speculate that the garter snakes’ coloration may aid that process. Most populations of the species are boldly patterned in red and black; like the monarch butterfly’s orange and black, this could function as a warning to predators with color vision, notably birds. The snakes of Benton County, which would have atypically high TTX levels, also have brighter red coloration. (The newts’ vivid orange underbellies serve to warn their own predators, and are mimicked by nontoxic salamanders like the ensatina). 

And the snakes appear to accentuate the visual signals with defensive displays that highlight their red lateral markings. The foul-smelling musk they emit when threatened may contain chemical cues to their unpalatability. 

As a sidebar, it seems that resistance to newt toxin involves tradeoffs: resistant snakes can’t crawl as fast as nonresistant ones. Why this should be is unclear—maybe one of those genetic linkage deals. But it would give resistant snakes more of a window of vulnerability to predation.  

It’s a complicated world out there, and the ancient dance of predator and prey has infinite variations. The Brodies are still working on the newt-snake interaction, but Becky Williams has moved on to other toxic creatures and is now studying the notoriously venomous Australian blue-ringed octopus. Let’s wish her luck.  

Joe Eaton’s column runs every other Tuesday, alternating with Ron Sullivan’s “Green Neighbors,” a column on East Bay trees. 

TUESDAY, FEB. 27 

“Civil Rights Tales” A Black History Month celebration with Stagebridge at 1:15 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 981-5190. 

Watershed Council Presentation on Pacific Lumber and an update on the thereat to the Memorial Stadium Oak Grove at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-3113. www.HeadwatersPreserve.org 

“Quakes, Quacks, and Conquistadors” A slide presentation of the Bay Area’s natural and cultrual history at 10 a.m. at Shorebird Park Nature Center, 160 University Ave, at the Marina. 636-1684. 

Community Celebration for Black History Month at 6:30 p.m. at James Kenney Recreation Center, 1720 Eighth St. 981-5158. 

Holocaust Remembrance Day Planning Meeting at noon at 2180 Milvia St., 5th Floor Redbud Room. Come help plan for Berkeley’s 5th Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. 981-7170. 

“Project Censored” with Peter Phillips on how and why the mainstream corporate media make decisions about which stories to cover, at 7:30 p.m. at the mmeting af the El Cerrito Democratic Club, Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Asbury Ave., El Cerrito. 835-2727. 

Alaska’s Wilderness Rivers A slide show with Oliver Steinfels on rafting the Tatshenshini and Alsek rivers at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Free Eating Disorders Screening from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Herrick Campus, CC Conference Room (Level A), 2001 Dwight Way. 204-4580. 

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. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. 848-1704.  

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991.  

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28 

Teach-In and Vigil Against American Torture every Wed. at noon at Boalt Hall, Bancroft Way at College Ave.  

Disaster Preparedness for Seniors: Lessons from Katrina at 1:30 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. 548-9696. 

“What’s at Stake in the Ecology of Berkeley’s Strawberry Canyon” A walk at 5 p.m. with Joe McBride, UC Forestry Professor on the significance of the Oak Grove in Strawberry Canyon. http://canyonwalks. 

blogspot.com 

“Grassroots, Nonviolent Resistance in Palestine” with Feryal Abu Haikal and Mohammed Khatib at 7 p.m. at 145 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by Students for Justice in Palestine.  

“Immigration Reform: Problems and Prospects for the Community” a panel discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library’s Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza in central Richmond. 620-6561. 

Progressive Democrats of the East Bay meets at 7 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline, to discuss against the war, electoral reform, and other issues in California and local politics. 636-4149. www.pdeastbay.org 

“Sustainability Education for Inspired Lives and Healthy Communities” with Trathen Heckman at 1 p.m. at Wurster Hall, 315A, UC Campus. Part of the Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Colloquium. http://laep.ced.berkeley.edu/events/colloquium 

Live Free Box Clothing Swap from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. 

Exploring Jewish Responses to Big Questions at 6:45 at JGate near El Cerrito Plaza and BART station. Suggested donation of $5. Call for reservation and address. 559-8140. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

El Grupito, a group for practicing and maintaining Spanish skills, meets at 7:30 p.m. at Diesel Books, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. 653-9965. 

WriterCoach Connection seeks volunteers to help students improve their writing and thinking skills. Training from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. 524-2319.  

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil e at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www. 

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, MARCH 1 

“Feminism Transcends Borders” A panel discussion for Women’s History Month with Paola Bacchetta, Purnima Madhivanan and Beatríz Pesquera at 6 p.m. at the Free Speech Movement Cafe, UC Campus. 643-6445.  

Alameda County Transportation Authority Public Meeting on the Local Business Enterprise Program at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Mariott City Center, 1001 Broadway. 267-6111. 

What to Eat with Marion Nestle at 5 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Teen Book Club meets to discuss wordy books at 4:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. Bring a book to share. 981-6107. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at Unit 4 Dorms, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com (code UCB) 

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. 

FRIDAY, MARCH 2 

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 Leonard Syme on “Preventing Disease and Promoting Health.” 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.  

“The Life and Thought of Slain Salavadoran Jesuit, Ignacio Ellacuria” with Robert Lassalle-Klein at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker School, Marian Hall, 2nd Flr., 2125 Jefferson St. Not wheelchair accessible. 499-7080. 

“Famine in North Korea: Markets, Aid, and Reform” with author Stephan Haggard at 4 p.m. in the IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th Floor. 642-2809. 

“Power Trip” a film about electricity in the Republic of Georgia at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., midtown Oakland. Donation $5. www.HumanistHall.net 

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, MARCH 3 

Turtle Time Meet the turtles of Tilden Park and learn the difference between native and non-native, male and female, at 11 a.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Kids Garden Club for ages 6-9 to explore the world of gardening, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

Sick Plant Clinic Dr. Robert Raabe, plant pathologist, and Dr. Nick Mills, entomologist, will diagnose plant illnesses and recommend remedies. Bring a piece of the plant in a securely sealed container. A zipperlock bag is ideal. From 9 a.m. to noon at Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755. 

Bay Area Seed Interchange Library Annual Seed Swap potluck hoedown to share music, food, and home grown garden seeds. From 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10, free if you bring seeds and a dish to share. 548-2220 ext. 233. 

The Architecture of Oakland’s Downtown Walking Tour Meet at 10 am at the below-street-level fountain just outside the 12th St. BART station. Walk ends at the 19th Street BART. This is a moderately paced, level walk. Wear comfortable shoes, dress in layers, and bring water and snack. 848 9358. www.berkeleypaths.org  

Kayak and Walking Tour of Brooks Island with Save the Bay. From 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $85-$95. To register call 452-9261, ext. 109. 

Gardening Basics: What is Really Important with Aerin Moore at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursey, 729 Heinz Ave., off 7th St. 644-2351. 

“Christian Responses to the World Water Crisis” a workshop with Marian Ronan, professor at the GTU from 1 to 5 p.m. at American Baptist Seminary of the West, 2606 Dwight Way. Sponsored by Corporate Accountability International. 644-4956. 

“Immigration: The Impact Beyond Mexico” with Arnoldo Garcia, National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Larisa Cafilla, Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition, Nunu Kidane, Africa Priority Network at others at 11 a.m. at the Prescott Joseph Center, 920 Peralta St., Oakland. Sponsored by the John George Democratic Club.  

Making Sense of the Medicare Enrollment Period a free workshop at 2 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, 125-14th St. Presented by Jess Strange of Health Insurance Advocacy Program. 238-3138. 

“The Legacy of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade” A luncheon with the men and women who volunteered to defend the Spanish Republic against fascism in 1936 at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 27th and Harrison Sts., Oakland. Tickets are $35. 582-7699.  

Fundraiser Crab Dinner for Golden Gate Boys Choir at 6:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church, 6013 Lawton, Oakland. Tickets are $35. For reservations call 887-4311. 

“Finding the Creative and Spiritual in Everyday Life” a conference from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Bade Museum, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. 527-2935. www.ahimsaberkeley.org 

Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Party at 11 a.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. All ages welcome. Free but reservations required. 524-3043. 

Oakland Museum of California White Elephant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 333 Lancaster St. at Glascock, Oakland. free shuttle bus from the Fruitvale BART. 238-2200. 

Hopalong Animal Rescue Come meet your furry new best friend from noon to 3 p.m. at 2940 College Ave. 267-1915, ext. 500. www.hopalong.org  

Produce Stand at Spiral Gardens Food Security Project from 1 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon St. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

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. 

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, MARCH 4 

Shoreline Discovery Walk along San Pablo Bay with Bethany Facendini, naturalist, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Call for meeting place. 525-2233. 

“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. www.ebparks.org 

“Climate Change” the first of a series of Sunday talks on Climate Change by Karen Street at 1 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Meeting, 2151 Vine. 653-2803. 

Salon in the Grove Discussion of the tree-sitting protest at 2 p.m. at the Memorial Oak Grove, east side of UC campus just off of Gayley Rd. 548-3609. 

Berkeley Playreading Group meets at 2 p.m. at 1471 Addison St. at the rear of 1473 Addison. 655-7962.  

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club, Berkeley Marina. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. www.cal-sailing.org 

Cyber Salon with Scott Rosenberg, founder of Salon.com on his new book “Dreaming in Code” at 5 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Donation $10. 

Holistic Pet Evaluation with animal crisis consultant from 1 to 3 p.m. at Rabbit Ears, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. To schedule an appointment call 525-6155. 

“The Spiritual Journey of a Lifelong UU” with Sue Amgidson at 9:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Sandy Olney on “Walking on the Roof of the World” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, MARCH 5  

“Tule Elk: Biggest Wild Animals in the East Bay” A slide show with Mike Moran on one of California’s largest land mammals, at 7:30 p.m. at Montclair Presbyterian Church, 5701 Thornhill Rd., Oakland. Cost is $5, children free. 655-6658.www.close-to-home.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at East Pauley Ballroom, MLK Student Union, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com (code UCB) 

Free Diabetes Screening from 9 to 11 a.m. at the West Berkeley Senior Center.Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours beforehand. 981-5332. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Feb. 27, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Energy Commission meets Wed., Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5434.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Feb. 28, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., March 1, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5400.  

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs., March 1, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Gisele Sorensen, 981-7419.  

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., March 1, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. J981-6406.

• The Feb. 9 story “Peralta Trustee Questions Financial Priorities of District, Debate Grows over Bond Funds” misquoted Peralta Trustee Abel Guillen following last week’s trustee meeting. Guillen said his vote against the audio visual contract for the renovation of the Peralta Administration Building boardroom was “on principle,” not “symbolic,” as was reported.

FRIDAY, FEB. 23 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “Not a Genuine Black Man” with Brian Copeland, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda. Tickets are $35-$45. 800-838-3006. 

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 11. 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 “Phyllis” Fri. and Sat. at at 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $10. 652-2120. 

Central Works Theater Ensemble “Lola Montez” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. through March 25. Tickets are $9-$25. 558-1381. www.centralworks.org 

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.  

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” Thurs.-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. 

EXHIBITIONS 

Tony Bellaver “Interventions” Performance art from 1 to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Donations accepted. 644-6893.  

FILM 

“Who is Bozo Texino?” The Secret History of Hobo and Railworker Graffiti. Film Screening with film-maker, Bill Daniel at 7 p.m. at AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakland Cost is $5, no one turned away. 

Human Rights Watch Film Festival “Total Denial” at 7 p.m. and “Black Gold” at 8:50 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Ishmael Beah describes “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Suggested donation $10, benefits Human Rights Watch. 559-9500. 

Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan describe “Memories of Philippine Kitchens” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“The Forsythe Company” the West Coast premiere of the ballet “Three Atmospheric Studies” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32-$58. 642-9988.  

Oakland East Bay Symphony premieres Pierre Jalbert’s ”Fire and Ice” at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Pre-concert lecture at 7 p.m.. Tickets are $15-$62. 652-8497. www.oebs.org 

The Kymata Band, songs of Greece at 7:30 p.m. at Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St. Tickets are $10-$15. 868-0695. www.bayareabach.org 

Amina Figarova Group at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

La Muñeca y Los Muertos, Latin ska/punk, at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Jai Uttal & The Pagan Love Orchestra at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$18. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Martine Locke, singer/songwriter at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

The Junius Courtney Band, swing jazz, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Sara & Swingtime at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Robin Galante, Mario De Sio and Mary Elizabeth Beckman at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Wil Blades vs. Scott Amendola, Jessica Lurie Ensemble at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Ceremony, Verse, Allegiance, Internal Affairs at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

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

Radio Suicide, Broken October at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. All ages. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Gris Gris, Restaurant, Oh Sees, indie rock, at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is TBA. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

George Duke at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, FEB. 24 

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 Abby and the Pipsqueaks at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“All Heart” A collaborative show with Children’s Hospital Oakland and Art For Life Foundation. Afternoon tea at 3 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Runs through March 9. 644-4930. 

Photographs by Hilary Marckx “50-Year Retrospective” a conversation with the photographer at 4 p.m. at the Pacific School of Religion’s Bade Museum, 1798 Scenic Ave. 849-8239.  

Berkeley City College Digital Arts Show Photographs on display at 1947 Center St., Lobby Gallery, through May 1. 981-7533. 

THEATER 

“Touch” a gospel music play on a young woman’s battle with breast cancer, at 7 p.m. at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. Tickets are $25-$35. 466-5987. www.totallyled.org 

FILM 

LGBT Film Festival from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the César Chávez Branch, Oakland Public Library, 3301 East 12th St. 535-5620. www.oaklandlibrary.org 

Human Rights Watch Film Festival “The Camden 28” at 6:30 p.m. and “My Country, My Country” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Flight Out of Time” Gallery talk on the exhibition of contemporary prints by Barbara Foster, Jimin Lee and Tadayoshi Nakabayashi at 2 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

California West Coast Blues Summit and Seminar in celebration of Black History Month, from 1 to 6 p.m. at 554 Grand Ave., 2nd flr. Cost is $5. 836-2227. 

Poetry Flash with Rick Barot and Paisley Rekdal at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Woodruff Minor presents a slideshow on “The Architecture of Ratcliff” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Bay Area Community Chorus in celebration of Black History Month at 3 p.m. at the African American Museum and Library, 659 154th St., Oakland. 637-0200. 

Life is Grand Oakland performers including music and dance from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland.  

Lizzy and the Redbirds A concert of the music of Laura Nyro at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. 549-3864 www.trinitychamberconcerts.com 

Susie Laraine and the Jazz Express at 8 p.m. at The Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave., behind Peet’s. 848-1228. 

Rhythm & Muse open mic series features Boundless Gratitude’s CD release party, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., between Eunice and Rose. 644-6893. 

The Hot Club, gypsy jazz, at 2 p.m. at Downhome Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 525-2129. 

Karen Horner and Friends at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

Seth Montfort and Thomas Penders, piano, at 5:30 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228. 

Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras, premiere of “Sabores” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $28-$56. 642-9988. 

Conjunto Karabali, salsa, at 9:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Medea Sinkas at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. All ages. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

San Francisco’s Summer of Love Revue at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $14. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Frankye Kelly & Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Rich Hubbard and Serenity FIsher at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cost is $32.50-$33.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Eric Swinderman Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Tim Duarte, Latin jazz, at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Moh Allieche, world, folk, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Johnny Dilks & his Country Soul Brothers, 77 El Deora, Gerard Landry & the CA Cajuns at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. All ages show. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Go it Alone, Killing the Dream, Internal Affairs, The First Step at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

George Duke at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, FEB. 25 

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. 

THEATER 

“Touch” a gospel music play on a young woman’s battle with breast cancer, at 8 p.m. at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeside Dr., Oakland. Tickets are $25-$35. 466-5987. www.totallyled.org 

FILM 

Human Rights Watch Film Festival “KZ” at 3:30 p.m. and “Source” at 5:20 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Jubilee Singers and the Rebirth of the Negro Spirituals” educational forum with Dr. Sandra Graham, musicologist and Assistant Professor of Music at UC Davis at 3:30 p.m. at West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline St., Oakland. Sponsored by Friends of Negro Spirituals. 869-4359. 

Bilingual Mushaira, South Asian spoken-word poetry performance at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Montessori School, 1310 University Ave. Sponsored by the Center for the Art of Translation. 415-512-8812. 

Diane Wolf reads from “Beyond Anne Frank” at 3:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Scott Rosenberg describes “Dreaming in Code: Two Dozen Programmers, Three Years, 4,732 Bugs, and One Quest for Transcendent Software” at 5 p.m. at the Hillside Club, Cedar St. Sponsored by Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Rudolf Buchbinder, piano, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $42. 642-9988. 

Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $28-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

“Songs We Love To Sing” Gospel concert with Bobby Hall & Friends at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., corner W. Richmond Ave., Point Richmond. 236-0527. 

Cantare Chamber Ensemble “My God is a Rock” Spirituals by African-American composers, at 3 p.m. at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. 836-0789. 

Jack Gates Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $10. 644-6893. 

Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cost is $32.50-$33.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Olivia Corson “Whale Tales” improv movement, at 7 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. Cost is $10-$20 sliding scale. 649-1791. 

Brazilian Soul at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $9. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Sara Ayala and Riquezas, flamenco, at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Evelie Posch and Brook Schoenfield at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

MONDAY, FEB. 26 

THEATER 

Shakespeare Intensive “As You Like It” staged reading at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship, Fireside Room, 1925 Cedar at Bonita. Cost is $5. 276-3871. 

Woman’s Will 24-hour Playfest Playwrights, directors and actors write, rehearse, memorize and perform seven new plays in 24 hours. Performance is at 8 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$25 sliding scale. 420-0813. www.womanswill.org 

FILM 

“Jazz on a Monday Afternoon” Films and discussion on the Jazz Age and the Harlem Renaissance at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., 3rd flr. 981-6100. 

“Brotherly Jazz: The Heath Brothers” A screening of the documentary followed by a discussion with the porducer at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Caille Millner describes “The Golden Road: Notes on my Gentrification” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Floyd Salas and Reginald Lockett, poets, at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Poetry Express with Damnyo with open mic theme “when I was a teenager” at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Ed Neff and Friends, bluegrass, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100. www.lebateauivre.net 

Musica ha Disconnesso, 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 

West Coast Songwriters Showcase at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $5. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

CSU East Bay Jazz Ensembles at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$25. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, FEB. 27 

CHILDREN 

Introduction to Musical Instruments with musical storyteller Deborah Bonet at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. For age 3 and up. 524-3043. 

THEATER 

“Civil Rights Tales” A Black History Month celebration with Stagebridge at 1:15 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 981-5190. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“New Work” Paintings and intaglio prints by Carol Dalton and Seiko Tachibana opens at the Cecile Moochnek Gallery, 1809-D Fourth St. and runs though March 31. 549-1018. 

FILM 

Alternative Visions “Pine Flat” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Leonard Susskind, Stanford physicist, talks about “The Cosmic Landscape: String Theory and the Illusion of Intelligent Design” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

ProArts Juried Annual Artists’ talk at 1 p.m. at 550 Second St., Oakland. 763-9425. www.proartsgallery.org 

Christopher Phillips introduces “Socrates in Love: Philosophy for a Passionate Heart” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Motordude Zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun/ 

Zydeco dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Singers’ Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The David Munnelly Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Randy Craig Trio at 7:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Myra Melford & Be Bread at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$14. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28 

THEATER 

Berkeley Rep “To the Lighthouse” opens at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. and runs through March 25. Tickets are $45-$61. 647-2917. 

FILM 

History of Cinema “Sunset Blvd.” at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Jewish Science Fiction and Fantasy” A conversation with Grania Davis at the JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$20. Sponsored by Aquarian Minyan. 465-3935. 

Yael Hedaya, Israeli journalist, reads from her novel “Accidents” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

China Miéville introduces “Un Lun Dun” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Ann Hood reads from her new novel “The Knitting Circle” at 3 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Bayswater Book Club meets to discuss “I’m OK, You’re OK” by Thomas Harris at 6:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, El Cerrito. 433-2911. 

Freight and Salvage Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $4.50-$5.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

“Writing Teachers Write” monthly student/teacher readings at 5 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus, through March 4. Tickets are $32-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Music for the Spirit Music celebrating African-American composers at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

UC Jazz Ensembles at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $6. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Tamsen Donner Band at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. West Coast Swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Orquestra Candela at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Salsa dance lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

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

Beckett’s Family Reunion with Nicole and the Sisters in Soul at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Willie Jones III Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, MARCH 1 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Through Women’s Eyes” featuring works by Frances Catlett opens at the Prescott Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, 920 Peralta St., Oakland, and runs through May 3. 835-8683. www.rescottjoseph.org 

“Gossamer Worlds & Quilted Quandries” Mixed media works by Patricia Gillespie, Bethany Ayres and Hillary Kantmann on display at Esteban Sabar Gallery, 480 23rd St. at Telegraph to April 2. 444-7411. 

“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. 

FILM 

“Las Madres: The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo” with filmmakers Susana Muñoz and Lourdes Portillo at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free screening. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Lunch Poems with Myung Mi Kim at 12:10 p.m. in the Morrison Library, in the Doe Library, UC Campus. http://lunchpoems.berkeley.edu 

Elmaz Abinadar and Suheir Hammad, Arab-American spoken word, at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Anne Barrows reads from her new poetry at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Stuart Skorman on “Confessions of a Serial Entrepreneur: Why I Can’t Stop Starting Over” at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Len Lyons talks about “The Ethiopian Jews of Israel: Personal Stories of Life in the Promised Land” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Uptones, ska, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Mary Youngblood & the Sisters of the Earth at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Elise Lebec, solo piano, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Or, the Whale, at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Tourettes with Regrets at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $8. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Kurt Elling at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Headnodic & Raashan Ahmad at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5. 548-1159.  

OEBS PREMIERE OF ‘FIRE AND ICE’ 

The Oakland East Bay Symphony presents the world premiere of “Fire and Ice,” the next Magnum Opus commission by Pierre Jalbert on Friday at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland, with a preconcert lecture at 7 p.m. Jalbert has been awarded two BMI and three ASCAP Foundation prizes, a Guggenheim fellowship, and the coveted Rome Prize in composition. Several years ago, he was the Young Composer-in-Residence with the California Symphony. In addition, this concert will showcase the winner of this year’s Young Artist Competition, violinist Margot Schwartz. Tickets are $15-$62. For details, 652-8497,www.oebs.org. 

PHOTOGRAPHING  

CALIFORNIA, 50 YEARS 

The Pacific School of Religion’s Bade Museum, 1798 Scenic Ave., presents a ‘50-year retrospective’ conversation with the California photographer Hilary Marckx, who has photographed the state’s varied terrain and topography for the past half century, on Saturday at 4 p.m. Marckx approaches his photographs as prayers and contends that his images gather divinity as they gather the reflected light that transforms film into photography, producing focal points for deep contemplation. For details, 849-8239, hilaryfmarckx.com. 

RALPH STANLEY 

Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys come to St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave, on Sat. and Sun at 8 p.m. Berkeley High alum Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands open the show. Tickets $32.50-$33.50. For more information, 548-1761 or www.frieghtandsalvage.

“A barber had a wife—and she was beautiful!” So sings Sweeney Todd at the start of the eponymous musical by Sondheim, in its last two weekends at Contra Costa Civic Theater in El Cerrito. 

The unlikely lyric from a weary traveler is addressed to a friendly sailor on Todd’s arrival at the London Docks—the sailor unaware that he’s returning under a pseudonym after being transported Down Under. And back with a vengeance, to settle with those he blames for his misery. 

But the audience is in the know, thanks to the remarkable chorus that frames the show right from the start, declaiming Sweeney’s bloody reign o’er the barber chair, seething behind the many enclosures of the splendid set, flowing around the audience with song, or sprawling in the beer garden of Mrs. Lovett’s, clamoring for more of the toothsome, fleshly meat pies they just can’t get enough of. 

Sondheim’s great hit (which many consider his magnum opus) seemed an unlikely one, but the black humor of a vengeful barber whose bile engulfs all humanity, and the baker-manque he goes into business with in order to stuff her pies with his victims (‘farci’—or sick farce?) is leavened with a love story of the sailor with the lovely ward of a lewd judge--the magistrate Todd’s object of wrath and the girl his absconded daughter. 

Sondheim clearly is setting himself up to go head-to-head with that other great, dark crowdpleaser set in the underbelly of old London--and set to modern dissonance and sonorities—Brecht and Weill’s Threepenny Opera and its spinoff, Happy End. Sondheim’s entry didn’t attain to the subversive subtlety of its predecessor, but shows considerable mastery of the idiom, especially in its first half, as well as many little touches which the CCCT production catch very well. It set the standard for years afterwards, influencing the many musicals that aimed at a kind of epic theater, if not a Brechtian one. 

Derrick Silva and Anna Albanese are well-cast as dour Todd and his cheery helpmeet; Jennifer Stark as the ever-recurrent Beggar Woman is a strong presence with an interesting voice, though always seen and heard in quick sallies onstage and off. Eric Neiman and Allison Ward as Anthony Hope the sailor and his love Johanna put on an attractive show as ingenues amidst all the squalor and evil--the evil well-turned out by Ray Christensen as Judge Turpin and Steve Yates as Beadle Branford. There’s even a nice cameo for CCCT’s founder, 85 year-old Louis Flynn as the birdseller who blinds his birds so they sing night and day. 

CCCT runs a tight ship, from the cheerful, efficient house management to Daren A. C. Carollo’s stage direction (and set design) and the hard-working cast of 21, of which 12 serve in the dynamic chorus. 

It’s hard to catch a better local production of Sweeny (and Silva, as well as other cast members, has light opera experience). Sometimes higher registers lose comprehensibility, the lyrics lost up in the flies--a problem the management’s aware of and working to correct. 

But the solid technical quality of the show, its fine musicians (musical director Michael O’Dell and three others) and the choreography by Sharnee Nichols—as well as Adam Fry’s lighting and Michael A. Berg’s costumes—make this Sweeny Todd an entertainment which amuses the audience with its outrageous, off-kilter story and lyrics while massaging its sensibilties with Sondheim’s adventuresome—if, like the celebrated meat pies, sometimes gamey—score. 

Sweeny Todd 

Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m. 

Contra Costa Civic Theatre 

951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito 

through March 3 

524-9132, www.ccct.org 

Asleep in a heap under blue skies with fleecy clouds, the cast of Cartoon is jangled awake and into manic song and dance by an alarm clock, squelched by a mallet-wielding gal, who turns out to be the dictator of the grinning, ‘toonish clan. 

The play by Steven Yockey is onstage down under LaVal’s in the Subterranean Theater Impact has for its home. Not exactly a musical, Cartoon is full of songs, some reprised from familiar sources, though there are long, untuneful stretches dedicated to the Cartoon form of character development, usually tongue-in-cheek. The cast is wired, and works hard under Mark Routhier ’s direction to achieve something akin to one of the side effects of Who Killed Roger Rabbit of yore—that is, exploit the irritating, even frightening aspect of Looney Tunes-type moving caricatures for dramatic purposes. 

It’s successful in spurts, rushes of nonsensical activity, or sometimes in quiet humor, as when the strange, strutting, roaring character with feathery arms and talons, known as Rockstar, who the twin dolly schoolgirls swoon over, seriously explains why he seldom utters a single sound besides his variously-nuanced "grawr!’ 

Other times, it’s just a bit too schematic, a symbolic equation with adolescent or post-adolescent life in a security state, losing its cartoonish quality for the texture of the news, or a taste of the soaps. 

But watching Damsel, the wind-up doll heroine, with meticulous clockwork movements, in a constantly frustrated courtship, initiated by Suitor, who presents her with a bouquet of dynamite sticks and other Warner Bros. gestures of tendresse, only to be blown away by a .45 when he finally overcomes his gaucherie and does the right thing with a bunch of roses, it’s possible to see where this exercise might have gone if the playwright had been consistent with the two-dimensional hysteria of his smiley brood.  

Perhaps some of the rolling gait of that big band jazz that used to accompany Mickey Mouse & co. would give a little more of the eyeball-rolling, toothily grinning schizophrenia that seems to be missing from these frames out of a little controlled universe. Maybe it’s the soundtrack, but the show, despite a lot of gratuitous hard work, needs something more. 

Cartoon 

La Val’s Subterranean Theater 

1834 Euclid Ave. 

through March 10 

Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m. 

Tickets $15 general/$10 students, seniors 

www.impacttheatre.com

When the Spring Mansion first appeared in the nearly tree-less Berkeley Hills, almost 100 years ago, it was more than a home for one of the East Bay’s most successful real estate speculators, the man behind Thousand Oaks, the Claremont Hotel, and the town of Albany. It was a gleaming white advertisement for John Hopkins Spring’s newest suburban development, which surrounded the house. And it could be seen from San Francisco. 

But when architect Glen Jarvis recently visited, he says, “I thought it looked like an abandoned school building.” 

The John Hopkins Spring Mansion, built from 1912-1914, with its 12,000 square feet of interior space surrounded by sprawling terraces on just over three acres, is one of Berkeley’s largest residential properties, and one of the city’s legends. Its future is also in play.  

Its owner, John Park of Monument Properties, hopes to subdivide the site, build a cluster of five new houses, provide lots that could handle two more new houses, and rip down several outbuildings, including a gym. The plan also calls for remodeling a former carriage house for residential use, and for renovating the mansion itself.  

Monument is based in Monterey Park, in Los Angeles. Park formerly lived in the Berkeley Hills. 

Both mansion and carriage house were designed by a man equally as renowned as Spring—John Hudson Thomas.  

The Spring Mansion might, at a glance, resemble the White House. But to Thomas’s many fans, his hand is evident: fat columns; endearing, decorative buttresses shaped like scrolls; terraces and exterior walls that project the house into the landscape; a combination of irony and bombast; a sense of strength married to whimsy; and his signature motif of four little squares placed on walls, at corners, and by doorways both inside and out. 

Inside, living areas and bedrooms surround a skylight-topped, two-story atrium and a grand oak staircase. Walls are lined with original damask and tapestries. 

“For years people have talked about the mansion being a white elephant,” says Jarvis, who is working for Monument. “We’re trying to bring it out of that category.” Jarvis is an experienced historic architect who has worked on homes by Thomas, Julia Morgan, and Bernard Maybeck. He also designs new houses, often in a Craftsman mode. 

“We’re trying to bring this house and the grounds around it up to the standards of a mansion,” Jarvis says. “We’re trying to make it attractive for some high-end buyer to buy it, and feel good about the place.” 

Jarvis says the project would preserve the most important architectural and historical elements of the site. 

The plan would rehabilitate the mansion for use by a single family, says Paul Pohlman, real estate development manager for Monument. It would add an entrance canopy and remodel Thomas’s carriage house, which years ago received an unsympathetic second story addition. The carriage house would be remodeled into a single-family home and retain the existing Thomas-designed exterior features. 

The façade of the mansion would be retained, and a damaged porte-cochere would be restored, Pohlman says. Thomas’s terraces would be restored. One fountain that was added years later would be removed, and so would one pool that was part of Thomas’s original design. A new trellised carport would be added to improve access to the front of the house. 

The mansion is at 1960 San Antonio Avenue. The carriage house is just beyond, at 1984 San Antonio. The gym is at 639 the Arlington. A building once used as a dorm, Farley Hall, is at 641 Arlington. 

Neighbors who oppose the development argue that their concern is less with traffic impacts, crowds, and other standard neighborhood issues than with something more important—preserving one of Berkeley’s landmarks. Surrounding the mansion with smaller houses, reducing the size of its lot, and removing trees will alter its relation with its site, thus diminishing its impact. 

“Our single biggest objection is that we’re taking this magnificent historical property that has history in the people who designed and built it and the people who lived there, and we’re squeezing it in,” says Bruce Clymer, head of the group Friends of the Spring Mansion. “Squeezing it in is going to ruin it.” 

“The grandeur of the house,” says Larry Gray, also a member of Friends, “deserves some space around it.” Opponents are also afraid the developer may change the mansion’s façade. Pohlman says they may add a door to allow easier access to the terraces. The developer had discussed modifying the porte-cochere, but that probably won’t happen, he says. 

The mansion, its landscaping, boulders that dot the site, and some of the outbuildings were declared Berkeley landmarks in 2000. Included as land-marked elements were one fountain the developer plans to remove, and the gymnasium. 

Clymer, who lives next door to the mansion, is a builder who has restored and renovated many historic houses in the city, Marin and the Peninsula by such architects as Albert Farr and Carr Jones. 

He says the Monument plan is opposed by the 65-member Friends and by neighbors who make up the 28-home San Luis Court Homes Association, whose subcommittee on the mansion he heads. 

Spring (1862-1933), whose marriage collapsed shortly after he moved into the mansion, moved out around 1915. The mansion was soon operating as the Cora Williams Institute of Creative Development. It again became a private residence around 1975. 

Monument’s plan call for removing all evidence of the Cora Williams’ era—not because the developer wants to erase the memory of what Clymer calls “the first New Age Institute,” but because it deems the structures—Farley Hall, the gym/dance studio, and several smaller buildings, too dilapidated to repair.  

The tennis court next to the gym is slated for demolition. A room added by Cora Williams beneath the mansion’s terrace would also go. Neither are land-marked, nor is Farley Hall. 

A cluster of five new houses with “a lot of John Hudson Thomas appearance to them,” Jarvis says, will replace the tennis court and gym, and reach Arlington via a C-shaped driveway.  

The plan also calls for another residential lot to be created next to the carriage house, but doesn’t call for house to be built there now. An existing residential lot – between the mansion’s new parking lot and Clymer’s house – would eventually be home to a new house, Pohlman says. The lot currently houses the derelict “music building” from the Cora Williams days. 

None of this pleases the neighbors, Clymer says. He would rather see no new housing, and no property subdivision. “We would like to see the whole thing restored,” Clymer says, and preserved as one single-family lot. “The gym could be rebuilt and be spectacular,” he says 

Friends of the Mansion is also concerned about losing evidence of the Cora Williams era, Clymer says, arguing that it was an important Berkeley educational and cultural institution, and that many prominent people taught or lectured there, including dancer Isadora Duncan and psychiatrist Alfred Adler. In making the property a landmark, the city cited the property’s connection to the institute as providing “historical and cultural value.” 

Besides their interest in preserving history, Clymer says, neighbors are concerned about traffic on Arlington and on narrow San Antonio Avenue, part of which is private and owned by the association. They argue that a new driveway needed for five houses clustered beneath the mansion would be steep and dangerous, and that too many trees would need to be removed to make way for new homes. 

They are also worried that the development would remove trees that provide privacy for a park owned by the San Luis Association, a lovely hillside of oaks and boulders, picnic tables, a tennis court, and a small swimming shaped like the map of California. The private gated park was originally part of the Spring estate.  

“I don’t want to come off sounding elitist,” Gray says, “but this is a very special place.”  

So far, discussions between the developer and neighbors have been relatively cordial. But neighbors remain suspicious. They’re not convinced, for example, that Monument Properties plans to retain the mansion as a single-family residence. The developers say that is their intention, and the property is zoned for single family. 

But why is the proposed parking lot so large and institutional looking? Clymer wonders. Pohlman counters that the four new covered parking spaces “are what houses of that size demand.” Some existing pavement used for sparking will be removed, he adds. 

And some neighbors note that Park owns a company that provides services to the gambling industry. 

Neighborhood rumors have suggested that the developer plans to turn the mansion into a casino. But Friends of the Mansion has not been making that argument. And Pohlman says that’s not in the cards. “There is no way to put anything on that site except residential,” he says. “There’s never been talk of turning that thing into a casino or card room.” 

Unlike many of his contemporaries, the architect John Hudson Thomas has not been forgotten—at least not completely. He has fans who compile lists of his houses, which liberally dot the Berkeley Hills, are also common in Oakland and Piedmont, and can be found as far afield as Los Gatos and Woodland, in the Sacramento Valley. 

Perhaps most tellingly, whenever one of his homes comes onto the market, realtors brag that it’s by Thomas. 

Nonetheless, when I put together my book, Signature Architects of the San Francisco Bay Area, about residential architects who are too little known, Thomas made the cut. In fact, I concluded, there are only two Bay Area architects who escape that fate—Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan. 

My thinking was: Could the average, well-educated Bay Area person, the sort who knows about novelists and artists, recognize the name of a given architect, or tell you anything about his or her architecture? This was excluding, of course, other architects, architectural historians and fans, and real estate brokers who focus on fine architects.  

There were people who told me that Thomas was simply too famous for my series. But is he really? 

The more I looked into his life and career, in fact, the more mysterious he grew. What do we really know about Thomas (1878–1945), besides the basics? Born in Nevada, an undergraduate at Yale, studying architecture at UC Berkeley with John Galen Howard and Maybeck, designing houses first as part of a partnership, then on his own, marrying the daughter of

Alert To Renters & Landlords 

I’ve done earthquake consults for folks who are renting their homes/apartments, and had them tell me they knew the house’s retrofit was not adequate, but what could they do: they don’t own the place.  

Don’t landlords want to protect their investment? Like so many others, most landlords are living with a false sense of security: “I’ve seen some bolts, so it looks okay.”  

Talk to your landlord about having the retrofit evaluated: about 80 percent of them are wrong or incomplete. And what about an automatic gas shut-off valve? It’s the cheapest insurance around, giving protection and peace of mind both to you and your landlord.  

Larry Guillot is owner of QuakePrepare, an earthquake consulting, securing, and kit supply service. Call him at 558-3299, or visit www.quakeprepare.com.

FRIDAY, FEB. 23 

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 

Free Compost for Berkeley Residents First priority is given to Berkeley Unified School District and Berkeley Community Gardens. Self-serve for the general public from 11:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Berkeley Marina Maintenance Yard, 201 University Ave. 644-6566. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Frayda Bruton on “Elder Options.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For reservations call 526-2925.  

Chinese New Year Celebration at 1:15 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 981-5190. 

“Jews and Arabs: Past, Present and Future” a weekend seminar led by Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. To register call 415-543-4595. www.kolhadash.org 

Circle Dancing in El Cerrito, beginners welcome. Potluck supper at 7 p.m., followed by dancing, at the Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St.El Cerrito. 528-4253.  

Kol Hadash Humanistic Judaism Family Pot Luck Shabbat at 6 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Please bring dinner food appropriate for children, and non-perishable food for the needy. 428-1492. 

SATURDAY, FEB. 24 

“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. and the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

“Cerrito Creek Work Party” Join Friends of Five Creeks to help remove invasive weeds to restore a creekside willow grove. Wear shoes with good traction and clothes that can get dirty. Meet at 10 a.m. at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara Ave., El Cerrito. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Mt. Wanda Bird Walk Join Park Ranger Cheryl Abel for a walk up Mt. Wanda. The terrain is steep, so wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Bring water and binoculars. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Ave. and Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez. 925-228-8860. 

David Seaborg, environmental leader and son of Nobel Laureate and UC Chancellor Glenn Seaborg will be at the Memorial Oak Grove at 2:30 p.m. to present copies of the “Earth’s Ten Commandments” to a delegation of local leaders and children. www.saveoaks.com 

Recycled Art Reuse some of your regular throwaways to make birdhouses, collages, masks, and more during this “open art”opportunity. All ages welcome. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

War Tax Resistance Workshops More than half of our federal income taxes are used to wage war. Come find out about your options for conscientious objection from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at 3122 Shattuck Ave. 843-9877.  

African American Quilters’ Workshop from noon to 3 p.m. at the West Oakland Branch Library, 1801 Adeline St. Free. For information call 238-7352. 

LGBT Film Festival from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the César Chávez Branch, Oakland Public Library, 3301 East 12th St. 535-5620. www.oaklandlibrary.org 

Know Your Rights Training from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CopWatch, 2022 Blake St. For information call 548-0425. 

Tea Tasting Learn about the horticultural and cultural history of tea from 2 to 5 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $12-$15. Registration required. 643-2755. 

Lead-Safety for Remodeling, repair and painting of older homes. HUD & EPA approved class held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, 2000 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. 567-8280.  

Write for Your Life A workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $40. 524-2858.  

Music and Sacred Space from 1 to 3 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $10. 236-0376.  

“Jews and Arabs: Past, Present and Future” A Kol Hadash Scholar-in-Residence Seminar with Rabbi Sherwin Wine, Sat. and Sun. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. For registration information, visit www.kolhadash.org 543-4595. 

Picket at Woodfin Suites from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 5800 Shellmound, Emeryville. 548-9334. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 841-8732.  

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755.  

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. 25 

Tour of EcoHouse’s Greywater System Learn how to use waste water from your bathroom sink, shower and washing machine to safely irrigate your garden. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Berkeley EcoHouse, 1305 Hopkins St. Cost is $15 sliding scale, no one turned away. 548-2220 ext. 242. 

Hoot with Winter Owls Learn the night-time calls of owls that inhabit Tilden's forests and discover fact, fiction and fables about owls at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233. www.ebparks.org  

“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.  

French Broom Removal Lend a hand pulling out exotic broom plants so our native grasses and shrubs have a fighting chance. Bring gloves. We’ll provide hand tools and refreshments. From 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233.  

Seed Propagation and Sustainable Gardening from noon to 3:30 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $40. Registration required. 643-7265. 

Berkeley City Club Tour of the “Lilttle Castle” designed by Julia Morgan at 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15 p.m. at 2315 Durant Ave. 883-9710. 

Hypertension Sunday Free Blood Pressure Screenings at churches and senior centers in Alameda County. For times and locations call 869-6763. 

“Karma: Do We Have Control Over Our Destiny?” Meditation and talk with Elizabeth Diamond at 12:30 p.m. at 7th Heaven Yoga Studio, 2820 Seventh St. 

Spartacist Forum: Black Liberation Through Socialist Revolution at 2 p.m. at 213 Wheeler Hall, UC Campus. 839-0851. 

“Duality and Non-Duality: Liberation” 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 Mark Henderson on “The Nyingma Mandala: A Dynamic Meditation for Peace” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, FEB. 26 

Lawrence Berkeley Lab Expansion Plans Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. A CD version of the Long Range Development Plans is available. Call 486-4181. 

Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s State of the District Address at 6 p.m. at the Ron Dellums Federal Building Auditorium, 2nd floor, 1301 Clay St., Oakland. 763-0370.  

“Jazz on a Monday Afternoon” Films and discussion on the Jazz Age and the Harlem Renaissance at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., 3rd flr. 981-6100. 

“Brotherly Jazz: The Heath Brothers” A screening of the documentary followed by a discussion with the producer at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, FEB. 27 

“Civil Rights Tales” A Black History Month celebration with Stagebridge at 1:15 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 981-5190. 

Community Celebration for Black History Month at 6:30 p.m. at James Kenney Recreation Center, 1720 Eighth St. 981-5158. 

Holocaust Remembrance Day Planning Meeting at noon at 2180 Milvia St., 5th Floor Redbud Room. Come help plan for Berkeley’s 5th Annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. 981-7170. 

“Project Censored” with Peter Phillips on how and why the mainstream corporate media make decisions about which stories to cover, at 7:30 p.m. at the mmeting af the El Cerrito Democratic Club, Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Asbury Ave., El Cerrito. 835-2727. 

Alaska’s Wilderness Rivers A slide show with Oliver Steinfels on rafting the Tatshenshini and Alsek rivers at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Free Eating Disorders Screening from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Herrick Campus, CC Conference Room (Level A), 2001 Dwight Way. 204-4580. 

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. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. 848-1704.  

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991.  

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28 

Teach-In and Vigil Against American Torture every Wed. at noon at Boalt Hall, Bancroft Way at College Ave.  

Disaster Preparedness for Seniors: Lessons from Katrina at 1:30 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. 548-9696. 

“What’s at Stake in the Ecology of Berkeley’s Strawberry Canyon” A walk at 5 p.m. every Wed. with Ignacio Chapela and expert guests Gray Brechin, Robert Hass, Brock Dolman, Gary-Paul Nabhan, Dan Siegel, Joe McBride and more to discuss what is at stake in the next proposed steps for the filling of the Canyon by the UC-LBL Rad-Labs, and now British Petroleum. http://canyonwalks.blogspot.com/  

“Immigration Reform: Problems and Prospects for the Community” a panel discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library’s Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza in central Richmond. 620-6561. 

Progressive Democrats of the East Bay meets at 7 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza, 3290 Adeline, to discuss against the war, electoral reform, and other issues in California and local politics. 636-4149. www.pdeastbay.org 

“Sustainability Education for Inspired Lives and Healthy Communities” with Trathen Heckman at 1 p.m. at Wurster Hall, 315A, UC Campus. Part of the Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Colloquium. http://laep.ced.berkeley.edu/events/colloquium 

Live Free Box Clothing Swap from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. 

Exploring Jewish Responses to Big Questions at 6:45 at JGate near El Cerrito Plaza and BART station. Suggested donation of $5. Call for reservation and address. 559-8140. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

El Grupito, a group for practicing and maintaining Spanish skills, meets at 7:30 p.m. at Diesel Books, 5433 College Ave., Oakland. 653-9965. 

WriterCoach Connection seeks volunteers to help students improve their writing and thinking skills. Training from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. 524-2319.  

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil e at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www. 

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, MARCH 1 

“Feminism Transcends Borders” A panel discussion for Women’s History Month with Paola Bacchetta, Purnima Madhivanan and Beatríz Pesquera at 6 p.m. at the Free Speech Movement Cafe, UC Campus. 643-6445. 

What to Eat with Marion Nestle at 5 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Teen Book Club meets to discuss wordy books at 4:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. Bring a book to share. 981-6107. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at Unit 4 Dorms, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com (code UCB) 

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. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Zero Waste Commission Mon., Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., at 1201 Second St. 981-6368.  

City Council meets Tues., Feb. 27, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Energy Commission meets Wed., Feb. 28, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5434.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Feb. 28, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.