A campus police officer warns Miguel Altieri, center, to step back after the professor and BP agreement critic challenged the need to detain one of the two UC Berkeley students handcuffed after they dumped molasses in front of California Hall. A second student, Ali Tonack, was booked into Berkeley city jail. Photo by Richard Brenneman.
A campus police officer warns Miguel Altieri, center, to step back after the professor and BP agreement critic challenged the need to detain one of the two UC Berkeley students handcuffed after they dumped molasses in front of California Hall. A second student, Ali Tonack, was booked into Berkeley city jail. Photo by Richard Brenneman.

Page One

Week of Arrests, Protests Challenges UC/BP Accord

By Richard Brenneman
Friday March 02, 2007

The firestorm of controversy over the $500 million pact tying UC Berkeley to one of the world biggest and most criticized oil giants intensified this week, with a teach-in, a demonstration, a pointed exchange between students and a key administrator and at least one arrest. -more-



Correction: No BP/UC discussion on Monday

Friday March 02, 2007

The proposed agreement between a British oil company and UC Berkeley won't be discussed Monday during a presentation at the Berkeley Repertory Theater, as had been reported in Friday's paper. -more-



Filmmakers Say Wareham Rent Hikes May Destroy Community

By Judith Scherr
Friday March 02, 2007

More than four dozen writers, independent filmmakers, radio producers and technicians who tenant the seven-story tower at 10th and Parker streets are facing hefty rent hikes that could squeeze them out of Berkeley, said screenwriter Karen Folger Jacobs, an 18-year tenant at the Saul Zaentz Media Center, the only renter among several contacted by the Daily Planet willing to allow her name to be used for this story. -more-



After Dissent, Panel Adopts UC/City Downtown Plan

By Richard Brenneman
Friday March 02, 2007

With little dissent, the joint town/gown subcommittee charged with finding ways the city can capitalize on UC Berkeley’s massive downtown expansion adopted guidelines Tuesday that members hope will become part of the new downtown plan. -more-



Riders Knock New Van Hool Buses at MTC Meeting

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday March 02, 2007

A small but spirited group of AC Transit bus riders brought their case against the contract for new Van Hool buses to the Metropolitan Transit Commission this week, and got what they called a “surprisingly” more attentive and favorable hearing than they expected. -more-



Alleged Problem Cops Leave BPD

By Judith Scherr
Friday March 02, 2007

Two problem cops, apparently friends, have left the Berkeley Police Department. -more-



Features

Berkeley City Council Spends $3.3 Million Windfall

By Judith Scherr
Friday March 02, 2007

Among the decisions the Berkeley City Council made Tuesday night was to spend a $3.3 million windfall from unexpected revenues from investments and parking fines. -more-


Independent Body to Govern Housing Authority

By Judith Scherr
Friday March 02, 2007

City councilmembers voted themselves out of the job of running the Berkeley Housing Authority on Tuesday when they approved a new governance structure expected to be in place by July. -more-


State Administrator Agrees to Close East Oakland High

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday March 02, 2007

Despite protests and pleas from students, teachers, and parents who marched eight miles from the East Oakland Community High School in the Oakland hills to the Oakland Unified School District Administrative headquarters Wednesday afternoon, OUSD State Administrator Kimberly Statham ruled Wednesday night that she was following her staff’s recommendation to close the school. -more-


Berkeley School District Sued Over Warm Water Pool EIR

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday March 02, 2007

The Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) was sued by Friends Protecting Berkeley's Resources (FPBR) Friday for an inadequate environmental impact report (EIR) on the demolition of the gymnasium and warm water pool within its Berkeley High School South of Bancroft Master Plan. -more-


Local Booksellers Cheer Barnes & Noble’s Demise

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday March 02, 2007

The Barnes & Noble bookstore located in downtown Berkeley will close May 31, a piece of news that has left local independent booksellers ecstatic. -more-


Planners Look at Telegraph, LBNL Plans

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday March 02, 2007

The Berkeley Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to increase the hours of operation to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and midnight Sunday through Thursday for businesses on Telegraph Avenue that do not involve alcohol sales. These hours may be exceeded with a city administrative use permit. -more-


Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Friday March 02, 2007

WAGES IN EL CERRITO -more-


Commentary: Zero Waste: Easier Said Than Done

By Arthur R. Boone
Friday March 02, 2007

I thank the Daily Planet for providing such extensive coverage of the zero waste transfer station plan now seeking public attention. As the rhetoric about zero waste reaches forward to the “put up or shut up” phase, a few concerns rise to the surface. -more-


Commentary: By Definition, Downtowns are Populous

By Erin Bradner
Friday March 02, 2007

I typically find the critical coverage of Berkeley development and city planning issues reported by the Daily Planet polemical yet comforting since this type of in-depth coverage of planning issues reassures me that our community is taking a critical and balanced look at growth in our unique city. -more-


Commentary: Fix Van Hool Busses and Improve Service, Too

By Steve Geller
Friday March 02, 2007

The AC Transit General Manager says the Van Hools are the best bus we’ve ever had. But some riders are calling these nice new buses “Van Hell.” -more-


Commentary: Democracy in North Shattuck Planning

By Helene Vilett
Friday March 02, 2007

Your recent article on the North Shattuck Plaza Forum left out many supportive statements made at the workshop, and seemed to emphasize the negative ones, many based on misrepresentations that need correction. -more-


Editorial

Editorial: It Looks Like They Plan to Bomb Iran

By Becky O’Malley
Friday March 02, 2007

Sometimes it’s hard to keep your eyes on the big picture. Sy Hersh was on Terry Gross’s Fresh Air radio program, which ran twice on Tuesday, and both times I managed to listen only to the first half. He was pumping his latest New Yorker piece, which explains one more time and in even greater detail how mad dogs at the top of the current national administration, notably Dick Cheney and Elliott Abrams, really are planning to bomb Iran. Since he’s predicted this at least twice before, he knows that some are going to regard him as more Chicken Little than Paul Revere, but he convinced me. -more-


Columns

Column: Dispatches From the Edge: The Strategy of Destruction

By Conn Hallinan
Friday March 02, 2007

“The Supreme Lord said: I am death, the mighty destroyer of the world, out to destroy.” -more-


Column: Undercurrents: Oakland School District Land Sale Plans and Local Control

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday March 02, 2007

Given the almost universal community and political opposition inside Oakland to the proposed deal between State Superintendent Jack O’Connell and a group of east coast developers for the sale of the Lake Merritt-area Oakland school properties, it shouldn’t be surprising that there was almost universal relief expressed in Oakland with the announcement last week that the deal had been killed. -more-


East Bay Then and Now: Maybeck’s First House Was a Design Laboratory

By Daniella Thompson
Friday March 02, 2007

In March 1933, the Long Beach Earthquake destroyed 70 schools, and another 120 suffered major structural damage. The Great Depression was at its height, leaving 25 percent of the nation’s work force unemployed. Things couldn’t have looked grimmer, but one creative mind was busily churning out solutions. -more-


About the House: Confessions of a House Inspector

By Matt Cantor
Friday March 02, 2007

I have a terrible confession to make. I feel really bad about it, but it’s probably not going to change any time soon. I don’t care if your roof leaks. O.K., I know that I’m supposed to make a big deal about this sort of thing but I’m not going to. There, I said it and I feel a whole lot better. -more-


Arts Listings

Arts Calendar

Friday March 02, 2007


Le Bateau Ivre Celebrates 35 Years

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Friday March 02, 2007

The Theater: Jackson’s ‘American $uicide at SF’s Thick House

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Friday March 02, 2007


Events Listings

Berkeley This Week

Friday March 02, 2007

Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

Editorial: It Looks Like They Plan to Bomb Iran 03-02-2007

Editorial: How About Some Density in the ‘Burbs? 02-27-2007

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor 03-02-2007

Commentary: Zero Waste: Easier Said Than Done By Arthur R. Boone 03-02-2007

Commentary: By Definition, Downtowns are Populous By Erin Bradner 03-02-2007

Commentary: Fix Van Hool Busses and Improve Service, Too By Steve Geller 03-02-2007

Commentary: Democracy in North Shattuck Planning By Helene Vilett 03-02-2007

Letters to the Editor 02-27-2007

Commentary: Notes on Derby Street Field And School Board Committees By Mark A. Coplan 02-27-2007

Commentary: Capturing the True Spirit of Berkeley for Tomorrow By Dan Sawislak 02-27-2007

Commentary: Environmental Study Needed for Brower Site By Gale Garcia 02-27-2007

Commentary: AC Transit’s Obsession With Van Hool Busses By Joyce Roy 02-27-2007

Commentary: Proposal Extends Economic Benefit, Safety And Convenience of Telegraph Avenue By Igor Tregub 02-27-2007

Commentary: 10 Reasons Why Congress Should Back a Reparations Commission By Earl Ofari Hutchinson, New America Media 02-27-2007

News

Week of Arrests, Protests Challenges UC/BP Accord By Richard Brenneman 03-02-2007

Correction: No BP/UC discussion on Monday 03-02-2007

Filmmakers Say Wareham Rent Hikes May Destroy Community By Judith Scherr 03-02-2007

After Dissent, Panel Adopts UC/City Downtown Plan By Richard Brenneman 03-02-2007

Riders Knock New Van Hool Buses at MTC Meeting By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-02-2007

Alleged Problem Cops Leave BPD By Judith Scherr 03-02-2007

Berkeley City Council Spends $3.3 Million Windfall By Judith Scherr 03-02-2007

Independent Body to Govern Housing Authority By Judith Scherr 03-02-2007

State Administrator Agrees to Close East Oakland High By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-02-2007

Berkeley School District Sued Over Warm Water Pool EIR By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-02-2007

Local Booksellers Cheer Barnes & Noble’s Demise By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-02-2007

Planners Look at Telegraph, LBNL Plans By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-02-2007

Flash: Bad Cops Out By Judith Scherr 02-27-2007

BHS Basketball Coach Retires By Riya Bhattacharjee 02-27-2007

Students Protest Controversial BP-Cal Accord By Richard Brenneman 02-27-2007

Tables Seized At Oak Grove; Running Wolf Jailed By Richard Brenneman 02-27-2007

Telegraph Has Improved, But Could Be Better, Report Says By Judith Scherr 02-27-2007

Council Considers Sustainable Berkeley, Fire Department Funding By Judith Scherr 02-27-2007

Zoning Board Studies Panoramic Hill Development Proposal By Riya Bhattacharjee 02-27-2007

Review Board Backs Chase Law Changes By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 02-27-2007

Priano Family Continues Fight for Chase Limits By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 02-27-2007

Seleznow to Retire As Parks Dept. Chief By Judith Scherr 02-27-2007

UC Berkeley’s Lease of SF Extension Subject of March 8 Hearing By Riya Bhattacharjee 02-27-2007

Association of Bay Area Governments Helps Fund Pentagon Program By Richard Brenneman 02-27-2007

University Projects, Iceland Top Land Use Agendas By Richard Brenneman 02-27-2007

BUSD Addresses Homeless Youth Programs in Schools By Riya Bhattacharjee 02-27-2007

News Anaysis: Campaign Fights for Japanese American WWII Vets By Caroline Aoyagi-Stom, New America Media 02-27-2007

Columns

Column: Dispatches From the Edge: The Strategy of Destruction By Conn Hallinan 03-02-2007

Column: Undercurrents: Oakland School District Land Sale Plans and Local Control By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-02-2007

East Bay Then and Now: Maybeck’s First House Was a Design Laboratory By Daniella Thompson 03-02-2007

About the House: Confessions of a House Inspector By Matt Cantor 03-02-2007

Column: The Public Eye: The Privatization of Berkeley Government By Zelda Bronstein 02-27-2007

Column: Get a La-Z-Boy and Write a How To Manual By Susan Parker 02-27-2007

Wild Neighbors: Chemical Weapons: Skin of Newt and Liver of Snakes By Joe Eaton 02-27-2007

Arts & Events

Arts Calendar 03-02-2007

Arts and Entertainment Around the East Bay 03-02-2007

Le Bateau Ivre Celebrates 35 Years By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 03-02-2007

The Theater: Jackson’s ‘American $uicide at SF’s Thick House By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 03-02-2007

Moving Pictures: Killing Spree’s Aftermath Takes its Toll in ‘Zodiac’ By Justin DeFreitas 03-02-2007

East Bay Then and Now: Maybeck’s First House Was a Design Laboratory By Daniella Thompson 03-02-2007

About the House: Confessions of a House Inspector By Matt Cantor 03-02-2007

Berkeley This Week 03-02-2007

Arts Calendar 02-27-2007

Arts and Entertainment Around the East Bay 02-27-2007

The Theater: Central Works Stages ‘Lola Montez’ By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 02-27-2007

Books: Author Commentary: Elephant, Reel Founder Tells How He Did It By Stuart Skorman, Special to the Planet 02-27-2007

Wild Neighbors: Chemical Weapons: Skin of Newt and Liver of Snakes By Joe Eaton 02-27-2007

Berkeley This Week 02-27-2007

Correction 02-27-2007