UC Berkeley professor and former cabinet officer Robert Reich must be feeling prophetic today, since the warning he issued about the use of a university’s good name to greenwash an oil industry giant has just cost Stanford $2.5 million. 

During Thursday’s Academic Senate discussion of the half-billion-dollar planned pact between UC Berkeley and British oil giant BP, Reich cited ads run by Exxon Mobil shortly after it signed a 2002 agreement establishing a $100 million, 10-year research accord with the school across the bay. 

The ads, which ran on the op-ed page of the New York Times, announced Exxon’s alliance “with the best minds at Stanford,” and carried the university’s seal and the signature of the Stanford professor heading up the research. 

“One such ad read, ‘Although climate has varied throughout earth’s history from natural causes, today there is a lively debate about the planet’s response to more greenhouse gasses in the future,’” said Reich, drawing gasps from some in the audience. 

That ongoing ad campaign has just cost the university a $2.5 million donation already pledged by film producer Stephen Bing, a major Democratic contributor. He recently gave $50 million to Proposition 87, the failed November 2006 ballot measure that would have levied a 4 percent tax on oil companies to fund alternative energy research. 

The San Jose Mercury News reported Sunday that Bing killed his pledge in response to the ads. His father, real estate mogul Peter S. Bing, has served on Stanford’s Board of Trustees, and the family has given millions to the university. 

The speakers at Thursday’s discussion either lauded the UC-BP project as the hope for evading an unthinkable future or blasted the eagerness of administrators and academics to surrender to the lure of big corporate bucks at the possible loss of integrity and the sacrifice of alternative research. 

The project’s biggest booster, UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, scorned those who said the university should reject the half-billion-dollar package, labeling as “abhorrent” and “a violation of the most basic principles of academic freedom” any effort to halt the funding. 

The only cautionary notes among the seven designated speakers Thursday came from Reich and Associate Professor Ignacio Chapela, an outspoken critic of corporate/academic alliances as well as of the genetic tinkering that dominates the winning proposal UC Berkeley sent the oil company. 

While most of the faculty members in the audience applauded the proponents, graduate and undergraduate students and several faculty members from the social sciences had strong criticisms of the proposal that would create the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI). 

The project would be formalized by a contract between Cal and big oil, with Lawrence Berkeley National laboratory (LBNL) and the University of Illinois at Champagne-Urbana (UI) as subcontractors. 

New details 

A search of the original proposal selected by BP from five competing responses from Berkeley, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UC San Diego, Cambridge and the Imperial College, London, reveals no occurrence of the word “waste.” 

Instead, the document focuses on production of ethanol, with the main potential source listed as miscanthus, a tall, perennial grass that would be engineered to be super-prolific with little need for irrigation or fertilizers. 

Yet Jay Keasling, EBI faculty scientist and director of the Physical Biosciences Division of LBNL, told faculty Thursday that waste wood and paper waste from landfills would form a major source of biomass to be converted into fuels. 

He also said that ethanol—the primary fuel cited in the proposal—is expensive to distill, can’t be shipped in pipelines but must be trucked instead and yields low energy concentrations. “Why not produce fuels like we use in our cars right now?” he asked. “Why not produce oil, for instance?” 

While any examination of the human, environmental and social costs of converting land to producing genetically altered crops that may be refined with genetically altered microbes was relegated to last place in the proposal BP accepted, Keasling said during the questioning period that monitoring would be done throughout. 

He also faulted the draft for leaving oversight to the last. 

The proposal, a 93-page document, was drawn up with the assistance of the university’s media relations department. The document only contains one mention of the phrase “genetically modified organisms,” although creating gene-altered species to produce and harvest energy is at the core of the proposal. 

The proposal would also oblige the university’s media handlers to work with their counterparts at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the University of Illinois and—most controversially—the oil company itself “to ensure that the EBI maintains national and international visibility as the world’s premier energy research institute.” 

Origin of proposal 

Vice Chancellor for Research Beth Burnside said the proposal began in June of last year when BP announced it would fund an institute to research a “biomass conversion approach to energy conservation.” 

That approach dovetailed with already existing efforts at LBNL, where director Steve Chu was already spearheading efforts to use GMOs to create new fuel sources under the umbrella of the Helios Project, using the research facilities of the lab’s Joint Genome Institute. 

Chu acknowledged that biofuels aren’t the sole answer to climate change, “but if you could have a 10, 15 percent effect on this issue,” it would be “a huge part” of the solution. 

After sending a letter in September to “all deans, chairs and directors,” Burnside said 60 faculty members responded with ideas for proposals, and all were included in the document’s appendix. 

While Burnside said she then began working closely with the Academic Senate’s budget committee, under questioning she revealed that she didn’t consult with the Committee on Academic Planning and Resources Allocation about the seven new full-time hires proposed until after the proposal was submitted Nov. 22, two days after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had pledged $540 million toward a new building if UCSD or UCB won the contract—a sore point with some of the critics. 

“Our objective was to treat this as an ordinary though a little bit oversized industry-sponsored research project,” she said, a remark that led several back-of-the-hall critics to roll their eyes. 

The estimated $50 million a year that would flow from the agreement is more than three times the university’s current annual corporate research funding of $16 million, or 3.1 percent of the $550 million total in external research funding the university received, mostly from the federal government, in 2006. Assuming half the $50 million went to the lab—an affiliate of the university—and UI, the remaining $25 million would raise Berkeley’s corporate total to the 5 percent level, which Burnside said was still well below the 7 percent national average and the 12.1 percent levels of Stanford and MIT. 

Panelist Shankar Shastry, a professor of electrical and bioengineering and director of the university’s Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS), hailed the agreement as the latest in an ongoing series of joint academic/industrial collaborations. 

“That’s what we’re good at in Berkeley. There are few other places that I feel have this magic sauce to be able to put such coalitions together,” he said. 

Corporately responsible? 

Just how responsible a corporation is BP? David Vogel, a professor at Haas School of Business and the Goldman School of Public Policy, said, “On balance, BP is a relatively responsible institution and I’m delighted that it has chosen to associate itself with a relatively responsible university.” 

He cited the company’s adoption of a policy to disclose all payments to governments in developing countries and its efforts to clean up oil spills in Alaska and repair a Texas refinery where 15 people were killed and 200 injured in a 2006 explosion. 

He also cited the retirement benefits given Lord Browne, the CEO during the spills and the era leading up to the Texas disaster. Browne “retired with £5.3 million and an annual pension of £1 million ... this may seem like a lot of money, but his counterpart the same year, the CEO of Exxon Mobil, retired with a retirement package of $400 million. Even if you do the currency, there’s a big difference.”  

Vogel’s list of BP’s corporate sins neglected to cite allegations of murderous relations with repressive regimes in Africa and Latin America. 

Claudia Carr, a professor in the College of Natural Resources who specializes in energy issues in Africa, said the company had an “abysmal reputation” on human rights issues in the Niger Delta and was fully involved in massive human rights violations in Angola and Equatorial Guinea. 

Peace and Conflict Studies student Matthew Taylor faulted the university for dealing with a company which had aided in the CIA-planned overthrow of the democratically elected premier Mohammed Mossadegh of Iran in 1953 after he nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, BP’s earlier corporate name. 

Humanists respond 

Reich was the most cautious of the panelists except for Chapela, citing five major areas of concern in joint research agreements. 

The first was the one raised by Birgeneau, “the academic freedom of researchers to contract with whomever they wish in terms of funding,” including the issue of whether Berkeley researchers can take tobacco industry money, an issue “still pending before the regents right now.” 

Second was the question of prior restraints on publication of results of privately funded research, and Berkeley’s approach remains an open question, “a question I hope we have time to discuss,” he said. 

Third on Reich’s list was the ability of funding to distort the research agenda, an issue raised by agroecologist and Professor Miguel Altieri, whose research that he and Chapela do on eco-friendly farming techniques is doomed by corporate funding that looks to patents and rights. 

Reich also cited the $2.9 million Exxon Mobil handed out in 1998 “to researchers who would raise doubts about climate change” and pharmaceutical industry funding designed to “create an intellectual echo chamber of economists” opposed to regulation. 

His fourth issue was the potential impact of funding on hiring and promotion of university staff, and the possibility that critics of corporate funds would be discouraged or not hired at all. “The danger here is potential intimidation,” he said. 

The fifth issue, already cited, was exploitation of the university’s image and reputation on behalf of the corporate sponsor. 

Professor Timothy J. Clark of the university’s History of Art Department said he had “grave misgivings about this deal being struck with British Petroleum,” a name he insisted on using and which slipped into Vogel’s discussion at several points. 

The boardroom wants products and profits, he said, while scientists in the lab want the truth—setting the stage for an ongoing conflict and the need for oversight. 

“The evidence suggest so far that transparency has been notably absent,” he said. 

Burnside disagreed. 

Anthropology Professors Paul Rabinow and Laura Nader offered their own sharp criticisms of the way the proposal had been handled. 

Rabinow, whose specialty is medical anthropology and who has studied genomics extensively, said his main conclusion was “that what was damaged was faculty trust, but there’s not much of that left anyway.” 

Rabinow, who is working jointly on a project with Keasling, said he isn’t opposed to all GMO research and cited LBNL’s development of GMO production of the anti-malarial drug artemisinin as one positive use of the technology. 

Nader said she was “rather shocked by the cavalier attitude of the administration in discussing something as significant” as the commercialization of the university, which would now be devoted “to serving two masters, the bottom line and the truth.” 

Chapela’s statement  

The activist professor, one of the leading critics of Berkeley’s last major corporate partnership (the Novartis agreement), delivered an impassioned address that was ended by moderator Linda Schacht after he went two minutes over the eight-minute limit. 

Blasting the proposal as a document that would lead to the prostitution of the academy, Chapela was the only panelist to remind the audience that GMOs were at the heart of the proposal, while deriding the euphemisms it adopted to describe the highly controversial technology, 

“In the BP-Berkeley spirit, I would suggest we rename ‘science’ what we used to call ‘magic’ in my childhood,” he said. 

Chapela also charged that a Walnut Creek-based company called Mendel Biotechnology is a partner in the deal, a firm which has a $40 million alliance with Monsanto, a multinational corporation which has a vice president on Mendel’s board. 

Two professors included in the agreement are on the board of the firm, he said. 

He echoed Altieri’s concerns that the agreement would end research that focuses on non-patentable technology. 

“If we signed the agreement, can anyone seriously imagine that Berkeley would be in a position to undertake significant research to show the problems with the BP strategy?” Chapela asked. “Can anyone believe that after signing the contract we would be working on alternatives that do not involve patents, immoral profit margins, economies of scale and command-and-control governance?” 

A complete video recording of the senate meeting is available online at http://webcast.berkeley.edu/events.php.

Fix Moldy Condos First, Say Residents 

The 11-story-or-so train-bus connector, parking, retail, laboratory structure Wareham Development wants to build next to the Horton Street train station in the heart of Emeryville, will be “enveloped in green ivy” on part of its exterior, and in the evening the lighting coming from the building will cast a “soft glow through the leaves,” Wareham CEO Rich Robbins told some 50 people gathered for a community meeting in Emeryville Thursday evening. 

While some in the audience had nothing but praise for the developer who promised “green” construction and solar electricity for the project, many in attendance called on Robbins to first fix an earlier project on the 5800-5900 block of Horton Street, one that contains about 20 mold-growing condos their owners have not lived in since 2003.  

West Berkeleyan fears Emeryvillization 

Meanwhile at Wareham’s latest West Berkeley venture, the seven-story structure at 2600 Tenth St. known to many as the Fantasy Building, some tenants—mostly independent filmmakers—have signed leases that raise their rents 20 to 100 percent.  

Others have not and are looking with trepidation at the “Emeryvillization” of West Berkeley—the proliferation of labs and high rents that have forced artists out—and the looming April 1 date when tenants must decide to either sign the leases or leave the building, according to documentary filmmaker Alan Snitow, a tenant in the building.  

Minimally, the developer needs to give the artists time to decide whether they can pay the higher rents or if they have to move, Snitow said, arguing that the rents in the building are already market rate and that the city needs to step in to support the artists. 

After the Emeryville meeting, Robbins addressed the Planet’s questions about rent hikes at the Fantasy Building, explaining that they kick in over a period of two-to-three years and are necessary because of the upgrades he is doing at the building. 

Further, Robbins denied that he is considering developing a building that would incorporate nanotechnology uses, something asserted by more than one reliable city insider. The city has no permits on record that would indicate this kind of development is planned. 

At the Emeryville meeting, Robbins, his architect William L. Diefenbach of the SmithGroup and Emeryville’s Community Economic Development Coordinator Ignacio Dayrit spoke. Dayrit’s role was to address the $10-$12 million job necessary to address toxics—PCBs, benzene, methane, lead and more—contained in the ground beneath the project site and the city’s role in helping with the remediation effort.  

Then it was the community’s turn to weigh in on the project. (As Councilmember John Fricke explains it, community meetings such as this one are a mandatory step that precedes a development being formally addressed at the city’s Planning Commission.) 

First to be called upon was Betty Burri, the owner of a condominium at The Terraces, a 101-unit condominium development.  

“My condominium has mold. Wareham built a bad building and hasn’t fixed it,” said Burri. She and 19 other families have been displaced. Some are staying at the Woodfin Suites Hotel and others have been “temporarily” relocated elsewhere, most since 2003. Wareham’s insurance company pays Burri’s hotel bill and she pays the mortgage on the condo and homeowner fees.  

In a phone interview on Friday, Burri told the Planet that the problems started with leaking windows and then the mold set in. It affected about 25 units, and cannot be corrected by simply replacing the windows, she said. The Homeowner Association has sued the developer. The matter is in negotiation. 

Addressing the structure Wareham was proposing at the meeting, Burri said, “I wonder what will happen to the building in five or 10 years.” 

Another Terrace resident added: “I don’t think you should build anything until Terraces is fixed.”  

Robbins said that since the issue is in litigation, he was unable to discuss it. With him, however, were two attorneys, whom he pointed out, who he said would talk to anyone who wished.  

Calling The Terraces “a blemish” on his 30-year record as a developer, Robbins said, “Wareham takes complete responsibility,” and promised: “We’ll stay on course and get it done.”  

A couple of people sitting in the front row had nothing but praise for the developer, but many asked him to consider problems the new building could cause: additional traffic Emeryville residents would have to contend with and inadequate parking. 

Building over height limit 

In a phone interview Sunday evening, Fricke said a particular concern was the height of the building: 169 feet in an area zoned for 55 feet, with the possibility of the developer adding two floors when a public benefit to a project is added. 

“It’s an issue of fairness and uniformity,” Fricke said, noting the buildings near the project are 80-90 feet high.  

“If they want [the area zoned at] 170 feet, we should have that debate,” Fricke said. 

The Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board voted 6-3 to approve the controversial Wright’s Garage project at 2629-2635 Ashby Ave. on Thursday. 

Board members Jesse Arreguin, Dave Blake and Sara Shumer voted against the project, which had first appeared before the ZAB on Dec. 14. 

John Gordon had requested a use permit to convert the existing three-tenant commercial building (the Wright’s Garage building) into a four-to-seven-tenant commercial building and to change the uses to one restaurant, one exercise/dance studio and up to five retail spaces. 

In the past, some area residents had expressed concern that a large-scale full-service restaurant at the proposed building—currently zoned for a car repair shop—would add to the neighborhood parking and traffic problems. 

The building, which was bought and is being renovated by Gordon, is bordered on two sides by private homes.  

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

ZAB had asked city staff to work with the applicant to address parking concerns raised at previous meetings by area residents.  

Boardmember Blake told the Planet that this was probably the first time that a project had been approved without the city knowing the exact nature of the businesses it would be used for. 

Board co-chair Rick Judd said at the meeting that he appreciated the effort by Gordon to explain the uses, but that he would “like at least one use in the building that was not subject to quotas.” 

He added that he was unconvinced by the staff report which stated that the peak consumer parking for the Elmwood commercial district was during the day. 

Staff reported that neighborhood traffic would not be impacted by the new project. 

Judd said that the permit approval was subject to a condition where the applicant would have to show—through a survey—that he had established access to increased parking or accommodated the demand for parking. 

Blake called the project “unusual.”  

“What we are being asked to approve is a development agreement,” he said. “It foresees things in the future.” 

Blake said he took exception to the fact that city staff allowed postings on the Kitchen Democracy website, on which people can post opinions on city issues, to be used as evidence for neighborhood support for the project. 

“To resort to Kitchen Democracy is to give a poll on a website more credibility than public testimony,” Blake said. 

Kitchen Democracy—the brainchild of Elmwood residents Robert Vogel and Simona Carini—allows registered members to comment and vote on pertinent topics which often come up at the ZAB. The website currently has 1,741 members. It recorded 173 votes in favor of and 20 votes in opposition to the project as of Thursday. 

ZAB Chair Christiana Tiedemann spoke in favor of Kitchen Democracy at the meeting Thursday. 

“Generally people who oppose a project come to the meetings. At times members of the public have to stay late in order to comment and that is not always possible. As a board, if we listen only to those who speak at the meetings, we are not being democratic,” she said.  

Board member Shumer said that the website was not the alternative to public testimony. 

“Those who log on to Kitchen Democracy are a subset of the community,” she said. 

Judd added that the board needed help from the city attorney to figure out if Kitchen Democracy fits in as information to justify a finding. “We need to figure out how to handle this,” he said. 

City planning staff told the board that the city attorney had said that comments from the website were like any other forms of information that could be accessed, like media or similar forms. 

Board member Jesse Arreguin argued that city staff gave more weight to support for the project registered through the Kitchen Democracy website than to those who took the time to speak on the issue at the ZAB meeting. 

“This does not give credit to those who come here to give testimony,” he said. “An overwhelming amount of written testimony has shown opposition for the proposed project. Without having any specific knowledge of the tenants coming in there, we can get no idea of the specific impacts the project will bring. The proposed project is not in confirmation with the zoning in the district.” 

Board member Jesse Anthony voted in favor of the project and said criticism that parking is too scarce for the Gordon project is misguided. 

“When the merchants wanted customers in the Elmwood district, the city helped the theater to open there,” he said. “There will be stores opening in the neighborhood even after this project is built. It doesn’t make a lot of sense that only one person has to create parking. Everybody should create parking.” 

Board member Bob Allen said it he looked forward to having the property full of businesses. 

“We have a huge and wonderful opportunity in front of us,” he said. “This is the trigger that gets merchants organized to get the city lot behind the Wright’s Garage to handle special parking.” 

161 Panoramic Way 

The board voted 5-4 to approve a project at 161 Panoramic Way. Applicant Bruce Kelly had first applied on Jan. 11 for a use permit to construct a single-family residential structure with two off-street parking spaces on a 3,295 square foot lot. 

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. 

The Berkeley Fire Department had required there also be a fire access stairway from lower Panoramic Way, on the southern side of the property. 

City staff had 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 group of neighbors had opposed the construction, fearing that the building would be a threat to their health and safety because of the area’s poor access, potential fire hazard, and location on an earthquake fault. 

Board member Terry Doran supported the Kelly project. 

“The kinds of hazards put forward by the neighbors are real. But one more house on the block is not going to make the community more unsafe than they already are,” he said.  

ZAB members had asked the applicant to provide an arborist’s report at the hearing.  

A Feb. 16 report from Steve Batchelder, consulting arborist, said that the two Live Oak trees on the property “can be adequately protected and that the long term tree health can be assured through the proper implementation of the tree protection and health mitigation treatments recommended.” 

Arreguin opposed the project. 

“The applicant has not made a good faith effort to mitigate negative effects of the driveway by putting it on the north side of the property instead of the south side,” he said. 

Blake said that adding more homes on Panoramic Way was an irresponsibility. 

“The ridiculously narrow street combined with the dead-end frightens me,” he said. “Whatever the risk is, it’s the responsibility of the board not to increase it.” 

Tiedemann said that the board should not overlook the stairway the developer was going to put in. 

“If there is a fire, it will provide a great emergency access point,” she said. 

Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board members are divided about whether it is appropriate to use public comments from the website KitchenDemocracy.org to justify approval of the reuse of Wright’s Garage building at 2629-2635 Ashby Ave.  

The zoning ordinance for the Elmwood commercial district states that in order for ZAB to approve the project there has to be evidence of substantial neighborhood and merchant support for the proposed project. 

A Jan. 25 staff finding to ZAB for the proposed project states: “The Elmwood Merchants Association supports the reuse of the building and compliments the work of the project proponent, but have expressed hesitation with the proposed uses and lack of parking in the district.” 

A March 8 staff finding to approve the same project states: “Neighborhood and community support of a restaurant use is evidenced by the positive polling results posted on KitchenDemocracy.com,” leading some ZAB members to argue at the ZAB meeting Thursday that ZAB was not putting equal weight on opposition through letters and public testimony. 

“Before they could use Kitchen Democracy, the Jan. 25 finding was the only support ZAB had for the project,” ZAB commissioner Dave Blake told the Planet on Friday. “The board needed to make a finding because they wanted to approve the project, so they used the only thing that was available to them to justify it. ZAB ignored all of the testimony in opposition for Wright’s Garage, ignored letters from merchants and neighborhood associations and relied solely on the Kitchen Democracy website to make this required finding.” 

On Thursday Blake voted along with board members Jesse Arreguin and Sara Shumer to deny the project. 

“It’s not that the comments on Kitchen Democracy are not reliable,” he said. “It has some validity. But the decision is an insult to everyone who came to ZAB or wrote to us about the project,” he said, adding that ZAB had received more than 30 letters in opposition.  

KitchenDemocracy.org recorded 173 votes in favor of and 20 votes in opposition to the project as of Thursday. 

ZAB board member Michael Alvarez Cohen—councilmember Gordon Wozniak’s appointee to the ZAB—voted in favor of Wright’s Garage Thursday. 

Alvarez Cohen is listed as a board member and strategic advisor for KitchenDemocracy.org 

ZAB chair Christiana Tiedemann told the Planet that her decision on Wright’s Garage was based on zoning laws and the public hearing as well as the comments on KitchenDemocracy.org. 

“It’s completely incorrect that I didn’t listen to people at the hearing,” she told the Planet on Monday. “I read the comments on Kitchen Democracy. Many of the opponents who listed their message on it were those who showed up at the hearing. Consideration was given to all kinds of comments. Receiving written commentary and public testimony is very important. However, people who don’t oppose the project don’t often come to the meetings. Often they work late or have early morning schedules.” 

Tiedemann said the future use of Kitchen Democracy as a way to gather citizen opinions on issues would depend on whether neighborhood sentiment was required for a project. 

“I guess we have to wait and see how it works out,” ZAB co-chair Rick Judd told the Planet on Friday. “ZAB has always had a traditional set of rules for holding hearings. Now we have a new vehicle, a new technology that the previous set of bodies have not used before. As a retired lawyer, my concern is that everybody has access to the same information and it is preserved as recorded documents, that we not be each looking at something different on the computer screen. The idea of an administrative hearing is to base it on common facts.” 

Judd added that he would tend to give a little more weight to people he could see. 

Board member Arreguin remarked that he was very upset by the board’s decision Thursday. 

“I think it’s unfair that comments on a message board were given more importance then public testimony and letters of opposition. What the ZAB did was wrong,” he told the Planet. 

Robert Vogel—co-founder and president of KitchenDemocracy.org—told the Planet that the website was not a replacement for other methods of participation.  

“It merely adds another channel,” he said. “Equal weight should be given to all comments, whether it be made at City Hall hearings, through letters, or on the Kitchen Democracy website. If ZAB is ignoring comments made in opposition, then this should not be the case. It’s wrong not to give lots of weight to people who have taken the effort to come to City Hall. But it’s also wrong to ignore people who take the effort to read the issue on Kitchen Democracy and comment on it.” 

Vogel said the website followed the same process that was followed for public testimony at City Hall. 

“Just as you have to fill in your name and address at City Hall or ZAB, a person has to go online and register with his or her address. Ultimately, there is no way to verify whether this is the correct address for both City Hall or Kitchen Democracy,” he said. 

Vogel added that Kitchen Democracy’s membership had grown 70 percent in the last six months. 

“Diversity of our users has increased as well. Sixty percent are now living outside District 8, the district we had first started out with,” he said. 

District 8 councilmember Gordon Wozniak—who had supported Wright’s Garage publicly on Kitchen Democracy—said that the website reached out to a broad group of people. 

“I don’t understand why anyone would make the argument that ZAB favored the comments on Kitchen Democracy over public testimony. Board members are required to look at every kind of citizen input,” he said. 

Wozniak said that if Wright’s Garage were appealed to the City Council, he would ask the city attorney for advice on whether he should recuse himself from voting since he has already posted his opinion about the issue on the website.

At tonight’s (Tuesday) City Council meeting, city staff will ask the community concerned with Pacific Steel Casting emissions to wait until a health risk assessment based on known emissions is published in mid-April to ask for further studies and hearings. 

Also on the agenda is a discussion of enforcement against disruptive street behavior, limits on serving on key city commissions, open selection of library trustees and advisory measures against using military force in Iran, against raids involving undocumented workers and supporting a lawsuit in Germany against former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. 

Pacific Steel Castings’ emissions 

Steven Ingraham of the West Berkeley Alliance for Clean Air and Safe Jobs says the community does not want to wait for the health risk study, as staff has suggested. Once the study is released, it will take months more before the Bay Area Air Quality Management District takes action, he said, supporting the city’s Community Environmental Advisory Commission’s recommendations: 

• testing the neighborhood for lead and other compounds; 

• convening a public hearing to show the impacts of PSC emissions on the “quality of life, health, enjoyment of property, and potential long-term health risks” for the community; and 

• enforcing existing zoning and storm water codes and developing new codes to reduce or eliminate harmful emissions. 

In operation since 1934, Pacific Steel is a foundry with three plants near Second and Camellia streets in northwest Berkeley. The plant, with some 600 union workers, makes custom-made steel castings for such items as bridge components, water system valves and medical treatment equipment.  

“We should look at the health risk assessment first,” said Nabil Al-Hadithy, the city’s toxics manager, contending that future testing would be as problematic as in the past. 

A prior sampling was “not done following appropriate methodology,” Al-Hadithy said. The results may have included, for example, lead from house paint and not from the foundry. 

Similarly Al-Hadithy said a council workshop should be convened only after the health risk assessment is out.  

As for code enforcement, Al-Hadithy said that some issues could be taken care of in-house, but that others—drafting new laws—would have to be contracted out at significant cost. 

But Ingraham says once the health risk assessment is released the community may have to wait until the air district weighs in on it.  

“I’m looking to the city for more proactive role,” he said, adding that despite new emissions controls, people living within a mile or so of the plant continue to smell the “burnt pot-handle” smell, which indicates that emissions continue to leave the plant. 

Timing of BAAQMD presentation questioned 

Also of concern is the appearance on tonight’s agenda of a presentation by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District on a recent study “regarding diesel particulate impacts and port expansion.”  

“It looks like we’re being managed,” said Ingraham, explaining that he thought the BAAQMD, which oversees PSC’s emission controls, would address the PSC issue and take advantage of their time to address the council and counter some neighborhood concerns.  

Commission restrictions 

If the council approves the limits proposed for persons serving on the Zoning Adjustments Board, the Planning Commission, the Housing Advisory Commission and the Landmarks Preservation Commission, no individual will be allowed to serve on more than one of these key commissions and no person will be permitted to serve on any of these commissions for more than eight cumulative years. Term limits would be rescinded for other commissions, except the Youth Commission, where terms would be limited to four consecutive years.  

Additionally, in a paragraph included in the ordinance draft but not mentioned in the staff report, no commissioner would be allowed to serve both on a commission and on the Rent Stabilization Board, the Board of Library Trustees, the School Board or the Berkeley Housing Authority.  

Sitting on sidewalks addressed 

A proposal by Mayor Tom Bates, which, if approved, will go to various commissions before coming back to the City Council for final approval, will address disruptive street behavior, including sitting on the sidewalk. The proposal is called “Public Commons for Everyone Initiative.” 

Peace and Justice says no war in Iran, supports Truth Act, more 

As the world situation becomes increasingly volatile, the Peace and Justice Commission has come forward with a number of resolutions: 

• Opposing U.S. military intervention or use of force in Iran. 

• Supporting Rep. Barbara Lee’s Haiti Truth Act, which calls for an investigation into the removal of Haiti’s democratically-elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Feb. 29, 2004. While Aristide says the U.S. military forcibly removed him, the Bush government says he asked for their help to leave. 

• Supporting the prosecution in Germany of former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, former Director of Intelligence George Tenet, the former U.S. deputy assistant attorney general and others “for war crimes and torture perpetrated against Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib … and in Guantanamo Bay Naval Station.”  

The city manager, however, is recommending against this resolution, saying the city does not have the resources to evaluate whether the complaint is justified or whether the city would suffer a fiscal or legal consequence. 

Library trustee selection 

The council will be asked to recommend two of their members to join a committee that consists of two members of the Board of Library Trustees, to devise a process of trustee selection that is “more open and transparent.” Currently the trustees self-select new members when one member leaves, with the approval of the City Council. 

Condemning immigrant raids 

Councilmember Laurie Capitelli is calling on the city to condemn the current Homeland Security raids in which people without proper identification are sent to their home countries, sometimes picked up and jailed leaving their young children to fend for themselves. 

Supporting open citizen police review hearings 

The council will be asked to support AB1648, which would allow civilian review boards that operate outside of a police department to hold public hearings on complaints about police misconduct. Berkeley has not held police complaint hearings since mid-September, following a California Supreme Court decision that is interpreted by many, as eliminating open complaint procedures. 

Robberies up 

The police chief will give a report that shows that since July Berkeley has followed the nation-wide trend with the number of robberies increasing. While robberies, defined as taking of property by force or threat of force, were up, property crimes decreased during the same period. 

Tonight’s series of meetings begins at 5 p.m. with a workshop to discuss the 2008-2009 citywide work plan. At 6:30 p.m. the Redevelopment Agency will meet to look at adding $400,000 to the Oxford Plaza Apartment project. 

The regular meeting begins at 7 p.m. All meetings are at Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way and available via Cable TV Channel 33, KPFB-FM 89.3 and via the internet. 

The citizen planners shaping the new plan for downtown Berkeley are preparing to face a major decision about the city center’s streetscape. 

A second task awaiting discussion by the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC) is a new policy to encourage more economic development in the area. 

Members heard a report last week on options for street-level frontages on new multi-story buildings to be erected in the new, expanded downtown area encompassed by the plan. 

“The issue also has implications for urban design,” said Matt Taecker, the planner hired to draft the document mandated in the settlement of a city lawsuit challenging university expansion plans. 

While current requirements call for ground floor retail in new mixed-use buildings with housing or offices above, the downtown currently suffers from widespread shop vacancies. 

Deena Belzer, an economic consultant hired by the Downtown Berkeley Association, urged a change in the policy, as well as a plan that recognized some streets as commercial and others as residential or oriented toward the arts. 

Taecker said the entrances to residences are typically landscaped or raised above street level and set back somewhat from the streets, while retailers like big windows and immediate exposure to passersby so they can attract customers. 

“This is not a typical downtown,” said Taecker. “This is really a cultural center,” with civic and cultural uses predominating. 

Residences with street front entrances are concentrated in the northwest, southwest and southeast corners of the planning area. 

Belzer and the DBA have urge concentrating new commercial uses along Kittredge and Center streets and University Avenue, all largely east of Shattuck Avenue, as well as along Shattuck between University and Kittredge. 

Current sites that are either vacant or underdeveloped—and not counting properties owned by the university—could accommodate up to 300,000 square feet of new retail and restaurant uses, Taecker said. 

Economic future 

Members also worked their way through a draft Economic Development and Employment Element prepared by city staff, and Planning and Development Director Dan Marks led the discussion. 

The big question, Marks said, is “how much space do you want and where will it be?” 

One point agreed early on was that no more construction could take place under the city’s current cultural bonus, which has resulted in numerous complaints and at least one lawsuit. 

“The existing cultural bonus was very poorly drafted conceptually and we would not rely on it,” Marks said. A new version “will require sitting down with a lot of people and talking about it.” 

Helen Burke, a planning commissioner as well as a DAPAC member, said she liked the idea of spelling out the ways builders can get more density from their projects. 

“The issue for this group is whether you want to go beyond existing city policy and what types of bonuses you want,” Marks said. 

Architect Jim Novosel said he was concerned by the lack of a statement on the need for ground floor parking in new construction, a critical factor given the high costs of building spaces below ground level. 

Mim Hawley said she wanted something in the policy requiring that streets be maintained, which she said is a significant factor in attracting people to the downtown. 

Asked about the need for grocery stores, Marks said a major problem is that downtown rents are higher than grocers can afford—raising the possibility of creating a lower-rent density bonus incentive to attract them. 

“It’s very important to try to incentivize these things,” said Michael Caplan, the city’s economic development director. Caplan and Mayor Tom Bates have called for policies that give developers more certainty and faster processing in exchange for granting bonus for building in low-cost housing and other city needs. 

Jesse Arreguin, a UC graduate student who serves on several city commissions, said he was concerned about the lack of data in the element’s analysis.  

Linda Schacht, a DAPAC member and journalism instructor at the university, said she had hoped to see a bonus included for creating sustainable buildings, but Marks said that would be included in the plan’s separate section on sustainability—a concept DAPAC has already approved. 

One issue that has provoked ongoing debate is street safety, which some see as a measure targeting the downtown’s homeless. 

Rob Wrenn, a transportation commissioner, said he wasn’t sure the plan should include more jobs downtown, preferring more housing instead.  

While a new building fee was proposed to create more open space, Wrenn said the only new fee on downtown buildings should be a transportation services fee to help fund alternative transit and discourage passenger car use. 

In the end, no action was taken on either set of issues, leaving more work for the committee as its November deadline approaches slowly but inexorably.

The Berkeley Board of Education will meet Wednesday to approve the Berkeley Unified School District’s (BUSD) 2007 Summer School Program. 

“We have been trying to define summer school for the last few years,” said BUSD spokesperson Mark Coplan. “We don’t get any separate funds for summer school. Currently it is only available to those kids who require it to advance to the next grade level. In high school, if a student didn’t pass a class required for graduation, then the student would have to go to summer school.” 

BUSD is considering using the summer school model during the school year, after or before school. 

“The kids who have trouble at school, go to summer school. But, by the time they go back to school, they forget most of what they learned during the summer,” Coplan said. “So we are trying to implement the same learning process before or after school hours.” 

Other matters 

The board will also look at a plan to improve student achievement in mathematics as a way to narrow the achievement gap in mathematics at middle school. 

The board will review the positive certification of the second Interim Report, which certifies that the district will be able to meet its financial obligations for the current and subsequent two years. 

The board will also discuss and consider the elimination of grade six at Berkeley Arts Magnet, the only elementary school which has a sixth-grade level. 

Late Monday, Berkeley High School Principal Jim Slemp reported that he was feeling better but that he was still hurting following an accident on his bike.  

At 7 a.m. on Friday, an oncoming motorist at the intersection of Telegraph Avenue and Oregon Street hit Slemp as he rode his bike to school. 

“I was in a bike lane with a helmet,” recounts Slemp, “and a person on Oregon Street coming onto Telegraph looked like they were going to stop, but just slowed down, and hit me.” 

After the accident, the fire truck arrived, followed by an ambulance which carried Slemp to Alta Bates General Hospital on Ashby Avenue, just a few blocks away. He stayed under care at the hospital for two and half days, returning last Wednesday with a cast. 

“I broke three ribs, my shoulder in two places, and my thumb in two places,” says Slemp with a smile on his face, “but the recovery shouldn’t be too long. Ribs are the longest, taking about six weeks, according to my doctor.” 

During Slemp’s absence, Vice Principal Rory Bled took the role of principal for Monday and Tuesday of last week. Everything went smoothly and there weren’t any problems, according to the administration. 

When the City Council passed a resolution in December favorable to the Gaia building owner, councilmembers thought they had dodged a bullet. They were still under fire, however. 

Patrick Kennedy, a principal in Panoramic Interests, which developed the mostly-residential building at 2116 Alston Way, had threatened to sue the city unless it approved his interpretation of the requirement for cultural use of the two ground floors: cultural activities are required, but so are other profit-making ventures, he said. 

The council resolution that pleased Kennedy pushed his tenant, Boalt Hall alumna Anna De Leon, who owns Anna’s Jazz Island, to dig out her lawyer hat and and fire off a complaint against the city. The suit, filed in Superior Court last week, claimed that the city violated the building’s use permit by allowing anything other than cultural uses on the first two floors. 

Kennedy was allowed by the city to build two stories higher than he would have been otherwise permitted, because he promised cultural uses on the first two floors.  

De Leon’s lawsuit, brought on behalf of three residents deprived of the benefits of those uses, argues in the complaint that the building “was granted two extra floors of revenue-generating residential apartments in exchange for placing 10,000 square feet on the bottom two floors into 100 percent cultural use.” 

Berkeley residents can weigh in with their concerns about the major expansion planned at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory during a 7 p.m. hearing Wednesday. 

Members of four city commissions will gather in the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. at Martin Luther King Jr. Way, for a hearing on the draft environmental impact report (DEIR) on the lab’s Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) through 2025. 

The lab, a joint partnership of the UC Berkeley and the federal Department of Energy, will be the site of much of the research to be funded by a $500 million agreement between the university and BP, the former British Petroleum. 

That proposal focuses on genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, and will incorporate nanotechnology—two political sensitive concerns shared by some members of Berkeley’s activist community. 

Members of the Planning, Transportation, Community Health and Landmarks Preservation commissions will take public testimony and raise their own concerns. 

Both the plan itself and the DEIR are available online at the lab’s website: www.lbl.gov/LRDP. 

Members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted March 1 to adopt a position that the DEIR failed to address the impacts of the loss of a community cultural resource in areas of Strawberry Canyon that will be included in the expansion plans. 

The commission also said the revised EIR should include mitigations to compensate for the loss. 

The LRDP calls for: 

• 980,000 square feet of new construction and the demolition of 320,000 feet of existing buildings, with a net increase of 660,000 square feet. 

• The addition of 375 to 500 new parking spaces, with the final number determined by development of alternative transportation programs. 

• The addition of 1,000 new employees above the current base of 4,375.  

At the March 8 meeting called by Wareham to show off its proposed transit cente-commercial-laboratory project, some 50 community members showed up—as well as two Wareham attorneys, a Wareham architect, a public relations consultant and a couple of helpers to operate the power point display. An Emeryville Police officer was stationed near the door. 

As the meeting progressed, the police officer appeared at the side of one member of the audience who was making an audio recording of the meeting and told the individual to turn off his recorder, as he did not have permission from Robbins to record. The individual hesitated and the officer told him that if he didn’t turn the recording off, he would ask him to leave. 

Robbins’ attorney Semha Alwaya, who was nearby, added to the insistence that the individual would have to turn off the recorder. In the end, he complied. 

Emeryville City Counclmember John Fricke, who did not attend the meeting, said in an interview Sunday evening, that he had received several complaints on the issue.  

Fricke, who is an attorney, said as he understands it, because the meeting was intended for the public and advertised as such, even though it was held by a private developer, it was a public meeting and any member of the public could record it.  

Reached Monday, Emeryville City Attorney Michael Biddle disagreed, saying he considers the meeting private, since it was called by the developer and not the city.  

Then why was a uniformed Emeryville police officer there apparently doing the bidding of the developer? the Daily Planet asked. 

“You’re kidding me,” Biddle responded, unaware an officer had been there. “I don’t know why we would have an Emeryville police officer there,” he said. 

Calls to Robbins’ attorney Semha Alwaya were not returned. 

Since they are something of a dying breed and I’m someone who grew up in Berkeley in the ‘60s and ‘70s, I seem to have hippies on the brain not infrequently.  

In the neighborhood I moved to three years ago there aren’t any, unlike the Southside digs I occupied for 18 years, and their absence was one of the first things I missed. It made me think, well, why do I think there aren’t any? Maybe there are some here and I didn’t recognize them. Are long hair, tie-dye, and anarchism visibly proclaimed on patches or signs required identifiers? 

A friend of mine recently said she asked her 13-year old son if he’d had a wet dream yet, and we laughed about her boldness and his shocked reaction. It sent me on a strange chain reaction of musings, so bear with me—there is a point at the end. 

First, it made me think about the role of moms in raising sons, and how explicit it’s advisable to be with them, and whether something like that is best coming from a dad. Or questions about menstrual periods coming from mom. But then I thought, well, fooey (or equivalent expletive), if you have a good relationship with your kids and you don’t want to cultivate secrecy and embarrassment around sexual issues, both parents can surely talk to their kids about that stuff. 

Then my mind jumped onto a tangential track (as it is wont to do) and I thought, what a mind-blowingly taboo thing that would be to ask on my in-law side of the family. My husband’s family is Muslim (though he’s atheist like me), and a mom asking her son if he’d had a wet dream would be just south (ahem) of Bizarro world. 

Then I thought, well, it isn’t fair to put that taboo in a cultural box, there are plenty of WASPy households that wouldn’t dream of such prying. But despite my own WASPy heritage I personally loved the free and easy nature of her inquiry and hope not to avoid any such topics with my own little son, whose only wet dreams for the moment are related to wet diapers. 

And I thought, well, duh, that’s because I’m still part hippie. Part professional working woman, with Chamber of Commerce-friendly blazer and leather-trimmed purse-slash-briefcase. Part mod-surf-punk weekend daytripper with silly logo T-shirts I should have given up wearing a decade ago and mini-shoulder bag with old concert pins. Part mommy, with spit-up stains on my sweatpants and baby bag permanently packed and ready to fly out the door. And yes, part hippie—the only part of me that doesn’t seem to leave a visible footprint. Sure, some hippies are visually unmistakable, but many aren’t. 

Would you always know from looking at someone whether they’ve gone to political protests or lived in a commune? I used to visit the Berkeley Living Love Center as a child with my dad, and my best friend lived in a nudist colony briefly with her parents, but it doesn’t show. I think nothing of walking nude around my apartment, to the chagrin of my husband, who reminds me that the window’s open. I just don’t care—that hippie childhood again. “So what, it’s just cloth,” we responded when the boys snickered that they saw our underpants when we swung from the monkey bars. Snickering over underpants, yeesh—how establishment. 

I still think love is all you need which seems garishly naïve to many and I think that war, for any cause, is only a short-term fix at best and violence to solve problems is nonsensical. To get all John & Yoko about it, just imagine—what if we took the $369 trillion we’ve spent in Iraq so far (check out http://nationalpriorities.org and click on “Cost of War” under Quick Hits to see the total keep rising in real time) and plunked it down to build schools, businesses, roads, and hospitals? Er, talk about winning hearts and minds… 

But I digress (again, as I am wont to do). Basically, my inner hippie still believes in Free to Be You and Me, and I mean really free, as in free to be ugly or geeky or quiet or a homebody, not free as in “free” to fit the carefully disheveled activist-student-artist Urban Outfitters mold. 

Peace-love-live and let live. It’s all so … dated. 

And why is that? If being punk or goth or rock or mod or even country is perennially retro-cool, why is being a hippie relegated to Hopelessly Un-cool Uncle Milt status in the pop-cultural family? Who knows. But fortunately, hippies don’t give a damn. Which is why I love them. In this image/status-obssessed world, thank god(dess/universe) for the ones that don’t give a damn. 

So you may never recognize the hippie in me if you see me on the street, big deal. Just remember, it’s more than tie-dye deep. 

Sonja Fitz, who still has her vinyl copy of the Living Love Center LP and, well, all her vinyl records, in fact, lives in Berkeley. 

Steve Cho, a Korean owner of a liquor store in the Pic-Union/Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles and a member of the U.S. National Guard, likes to listen to Spanish music and is currently learning Spanish. He admits, however, that there is hardly any communication between Koreans and Latinos. Others say the separation runs even deeper. 

In clubs, schools and the workplace Koreans and Latinos are increasingly sharing the same spaces, and yet there is little interaction between them. One public high school teacher here noted that his Korean and Latino students have “learned from their relatives to mutually ignore each other.” 

As the two communities continue to grow, they are becoming more dependent economically on one another. In major cities across the U.S. it is now common to find Korean-owned establishments employing predominantly Latino workers. While this opens opportunities for cultural exchange it also often leads to serious, sometimes violent, misunderstandings. 

Koreatown 

“The building I live in is predominantly Korean,” says Cho. In the next building nearly all of the residents are Latino. There are no links between residents of the two buildings, just the occasional glance and a resounding silence.” 

A recent article on Korean-Latino relations, in the Spanish-language daily La Opinion listed some of the similarities between the two communities. Among them is the high population of foreign-born, Korean and Latino alike, many of whom struggle with English. This limits not only their ability to communicate with one another, but also to participate in the political process and integrate into mainstream society, 

Alvaro Ramirez, who was born in Colombia and came to the United States in 1996, told La Opinion he believes Koreans exploit the Latino community through the high prices of goods sold in local stores and the low wages paid to Latino employees. 

According to Korean media in Los Angeles, which has one of the largest Korean and Latino populations in the country, nearly 60 percent of Koreatown’s labor force is Latino. 

Jae Hak Lee, a researcher at Koryo University in Seoul, Korea, says his studies reveal that nearly 65 percent of Latino workers employed by Koreans say they have a negative view of their employers. Two out of three Latino employees say they would prefer to work for non-Koreans, who would have more respect for labor laws. In contrast, 74 percent of Korean business owners say they prefer to hire Latinos. Why the discrepancy? For some, the reason is cultural. 

Many Korean immigrants tend to be entrepreneurs. They come from a society where a six-day work week is the norm; and because they often don’t speak English they use their savings to open small businesses here. The size of the Latino labor force and a burgeoning Korean entrepreneurial sector make it a given that these two communities are going to rely on each other, particularly in cities like New York and Los Angeles. 

Tensions between the two groups have been growing for several years. There has been a recent spike in court cases involving Korean business owners and their Latino employees . According to the New York-based National Mobilization Against Sweatshops, Latino immigrant workers filed a lawsuit against the Food Bazaar, a Korean supermarket chain for $1.5 million in unpaid wages. 

Nine Latino workers claim they received no wages for the duration of their employment as grocery baggers. Forced to live off customer tips that amounted to $100-200 a week, they say they worked an average of 50 hours per week, and were fired without notice. 

“Some Korean employers treat their Latino employees differently than Korean workers,” says Danny Park at the Korean Immigrant Workers Alliance. “They’ve been known to fire workers without any notice.” 

One story that caught the attention of both communities was the killing of a Korean man in late January by his Latino employee after his boss apparently criticized him for not working hard enough. 

The incident raised fears among Koreans, who are concerned over a repeat of the deadly Los Angeles riots of 1992, in which African Americans, angered by perceived racism from Korean storeowners, burned and looted Korean-owned establishments. This time, they say, any riots that break out could be between Koreans and Latinos. 

In 2002 a number of Latino employees were fired by their Korean employers after attempting to form a union. Last year many Latino workers expressed fear of losing their jobs after participating in mass rallies against planned immigration laws. 

Growing tensions have spurred leaders in both communities to call for increased dialogue and promotion of cultural understanding. Charles Kim, executive director of the Korean American Coalition, says the Korean community needs to make more of an effort to understand the Latino community. 

“Koreans need to change the way the see their Latino neighbors,” says Kim. 

Store owner Steve Cho says that while community leaders and activists call for unity and understanding, the divide is clear and not going away in the neighborhoods. 

“Ultimately,” says Cho, “Latinos and Koreans have to get along. We have to learn to respect our mutual cultures and see each other as human beings.” 

Aruna Lee is a writer for New America Media. Elena Shore of New America Media contributed to this article. 

After a camping hiatus of over ten years, here I sit, reclining in a canvas chair overlooking Wild Plum Creek, the Sierra Buttes rising as sentinels above me. After my children had grown, I’d sworn off camping. What am I doing here? 

Let’s face it, some camp and some don’t. You either love it or you hate it. Regardless of the value, you have to enjoy camping to put up with its detractions, and there are detractions. 

You might as well start with the dirt. From the moment you alight from your car, the particles begin to attach themselves to body and clothing. They’re on your tent, tablecloth and sleeping bag. You see, I’m talking about your basic campsite, no trailer or RV, just a tent and its accouterments. No matter how often you wash your hands, it’s hopeless, two minutes later they are again grimy and brown. Except for state parks, most public campsites do not have showers. Dirt soon becomes a second skin.  

Then there are the bugs, in numerous varieties. In the cool of dawn and the waning of dusk, mosquitoes emerge. Your ear instantly detects the high-pitched whine of the voracious female out for your blood. The appearance of food on the table acts as a signal for yellow jackets, anxious to sample both sweet and savory and any moist tidbits. Even when you’ve hidden all manner of edible morsels, they linger and buzz your person, just in case an ort has attached itself to your shirt. When lanterns glow, moths make a bee-line toward the light, dive-bombing and refusing to take no for an answer. It draws them like a magnet, so stay out of their way. 

If you’re a person who prefers to accomplish daily tasks at a rapid pace, camping is not for you. On the other hand, if you dream of slowing down, welcome. Simple tasks like brushing your teeth or brewing a cup of coffee stretch into the future. Preparing an entire meal, eating and cleaning up can seem monumental. There’s no getting around the fact that camping is work, from the planning and packing to arriving home with multiple loads of dirty camp gear. While setting up camp is part of the allure, breaking it down and somehow fitting everything back into the car seems to take forever. 

My memories of camping stretch back in time to when one or two dogs filled in for children. An International Scout, a Citroen 2CV, a Fiat Spider, several Peugeots and a Chevy Blazer doubled as transport vehicles. Even the arrival of babies didn’t deter me, though sleep was not a generous commodity. As the kids grew, roles were established. My son took up fishing at an early age, accompanying his dad and soon venturing out on his own. My daughter socialized as she roller-skated around the campgrounds, making friends wherever she went and usually being offered tastier vittles than anything we had brought.  

Last year, 48 million Americans occupied campsites in all 50 states. What is the allure that draws people of all ages in ever-increasing numbers? 

At Lassen Volcanic National Park, the scenery is spectacular—soaring volcanic peaks, hot, bubbling fumaroles, gurgling mud pots, untouched meadows, burbling creeks and serene lakes. Better yet, park attendance is low, making your experiences personal rather than mass-produced. 

There you can enjoy the solitude of an early morning walk around Manzanita Lake, when the air is crisp and breezes ruffle the reeds. Your only companions are families of ducks and geese effortlessly gliding and foraging while muskrats leave their burrows along the tree-shadowed shore. Eagle and osprey are secure in their aeries in towering pines. 

Return in the evening for “the rise” and you’ll share the lake with anglers casting their flies at trophy trout while the pink-hued light of the setting sun mirrors Lassen Peak upon the surface. Listen to the quiet “fish-talk” as anglers compare notes on which fly is hot and gently swear at the fish who got away. 

Closer to home, Samuel P. Taylor State Park even boasts showers. The one-hour drive makes an impromptu weekend escape possible. Pitch your tent below towering coastal redwoods and savor the quiet sounds of Papermill Creek tumbling across well-worn boulders. Hike the creek trail or watch raptors soar above the open grasslands. Your campsite can also serve as a perfect home-base from which to explore Tomales Bay, the Point Reyes National Seashore and nearby coastal treasures. 

If driving is not on the agenda, take advantage of the free time to cook up a breakfast scented with wood-smoke. Breathe in the tantalizing aromas of al fresco cooking as breakfast sizzles in the pan. Eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, bread toasted over graying coals, hot coffee—let the air sharpen your taste buds, accentuating every flavor. Nothing ever tasted so good. 

Back at Wild Plum Campground, off the north fork of the Yuba River, we sit bundled up around a warming campfire. After a busy day spent exploring the nearby Lakes Basin, we slowly roast marshmallows to place against squares of chocolate and graham crackers for the perfect s’mores. Millions of stars amid a shaft of moonlight crowd the inky night sky, a rare treat far from interfering civilization. Once again I share this time and place with my children, now grown and with friends and dogs of their own, one of which, the dog, is cozily ensconced in my camp chair. 

Having the time to fall into the rhythm of nature could be the allure for couples, families and even solo campers, enjoying a relaxed freedom not easily attainable in more controlled settings. With fewer attractions and lacking the electronic distractions that seem to have taken over our lives, time seems available to talk, just sit and watch sparks rise from burning logs, once the camp chores are done. 

Even as the years pile up, the simple lure of wilderness continues to call: forests of trees, the sound of water, the call of birds and time spent among family. As long as I can still manage to climb out of the tent each morning, I’ll endure the distractions and heed the call of the perfect campsite.  

LASSEN VOLCANIC  

NATIONAL PARK 

About 180 miles north of Sacramento, east of Redding via State 44 or Red Bluff on State 36. (916) 595-4444, www.nps.gov/lavo.  

SAMUEL P. TAYLOR STATE PARK  

Take the Central San Rafael exit off HWY 101 north and follow Sir Francis Drake Blvd. 15 miles to the park. 8889 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Lagunitas. (415) 488-9897. 

WILD PLUM CAMPGROUND (TAHOE NATIONAL FOREST) 

One mile east of Sierra City (Hwy 49) on Wild Plum Road. 100.miles northeast of Sacramento.  

Dated but not forgotten: This is the story of 16 seniors who have called South Berkeley home at different times in the last century. 

Some, such as Eva Bell—who arrived during WWII—still live around the corner from Malcolm X Elementary School. 

Others, such as Adam Jones, Jr., who arrived in California from San Antonio in July 1944, passed away in January. 

But their stories live on, through murals installed on fences at Malcolm X Elementary School in south Berkeley by HereStories—a community group motivated to create murals that honor place, spirit and community history.  

The outdoor art project was inaugurated at Malcolm X in February. The idea for the murals—known as the South Berkeley Senior Stories—was an afterthought of another mural. 

“It was the South Berkeley Shines mural on the corner store at Ashby Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way that was our inspiration,” said Sara Bruckmeier, artistic director for HereStories. “That and Mr. Charles,” she said, referring to Berkeley’s Waving Man, who stood on the corner of Oregon Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way every morning waving to passers-by for 30 years. 

“We remembered Mr. Charles’ portrait adorning that mural and thought of honoring more elders of the South Berkeley community,” she said. “We wanted to go past the houses in south Berkeley and connect to the people. Connect the broader political and social history with the personal. The murals tell stories in two ways. They tell it by the pictures and they tell it through the stories written next to it.” 

When Bruckmeier, along with muralists Bonnie Borucki, Leif Aamont, O’Brien Thiele and Lou Silva approached elders at the South Berkeley Senior Center three years ago, they were met with a bit of apprehension. 

“It was one of the seniors, Mary Trahan, who broke the ice,” said Bruckmeier. “And her story features in the ‘Social Clubs Support Social Change,’ mural. Very soon Gwendolyn Reed smiled at us, and Gerald Carter—who is in the WWII mural—talked to us after warning that he didn’t have much to say.” 

It turned out Carter had quite a tale to tell. Abandoned at the age of two, Carter was found at an orphanage in Los Angeles by his grandparents in 1930.  

“I worked at the Del Monte Cannery and the Naval Supply Center in Emeryville as a teenager. During WWII, manpower shortage permitted kids to work up to 8 hours per day,” Carter told a group of awestruck fifth-graders in front of Malcolm X last week. 

Carter transferred to UC Berkeley in 1952 under the G.I. Bill, which provides financial aid to WWII veterans, and got his B.A. in architecture. He then went on to work as a Naval Architectural Technician for thirty years till he retired with excellent benefits. 

Divided into three zones, the mural of the map offers a snapshot about the legacy of housing discrimination in Berkeley. Every stroke of the brush brings alive not just life’s triumphs, but also its struggles. 

“It tells us about housing distribution by race in Berkeley in 1960, the year of the last census before the 1963 Fair Housing Act,” said Bruckmeier. “It shows the areas open to people of color and those that were not. Neighborhood boundaries were enforced in several ways and property developers included ‘restrictive covenants’ in their deeds. During WWII, migrants of color were restricted to settling in South and West Berkeley. One such migrant was the late Adam Jones, Jr., who came to work on the South Pacific Railroad in 1944.” 

In a recorded interview with Bruckmeier, Jones says: “It was a nice job. During that time, there were not many jobs here for Afro-Americans. If you didn’t shine shoes or work for a railroad, wasn’t nothing else for them to do.” 

Funding for the project came from the East Bay Community Foundation and the CA Council of the Humanities California Stories Fund. Eco Home Improvement and Ashby Lumber donated paint and plywood respectively. Chuck Wollenberg, Social Science Chair at Berkeley City College, advised the project and reviewed materials for historical accuracy. 

“Jai Waggoner, Arts Coordinator of Malcolm X, brought some of the students to paint murals as well,” said Bonnie Borucki. “Storyteller Orunamamu dropped in to tell stories to the kids. But in the end they painted what was close to their heart. Fairies, monsters, nursery rhymes flowed from their paintbrushes.” 

Borucki added that she had been touched most by the stories of segregation in the Berkeley schools that was present till 1964. 

“Teachers, administrators, parents and students were all challenged by it,” she said. “In Betty McAfee’s mural, the idea of how the Berkeley Unified School District devised a plan where kids would go to school together comes across beautifully.” 

As 10-year-old Yasmeen Mussard-Afcari listened to octogenarian Minoru Sano talk about the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Army during lunch break at Malcolm X last week, Sano paused for a while. 

“I feel really good today,” Sano said, looking at the mural of him and his wife. 

Their story narrates the difficult times Japanese American residents went through during WWII. Yet Sano smiles at Yasmeen. 

“I look at my picture and I see that I am 86 years old today. I realize people in my parents’ generation used to dress up a lot more back in the 1920s. Today, no one cares that much,” he said grinning. “I also realize I have come a long way.”

Sustainable Berkeley, the mostly city-funded grouping of public and private individuals and institutions, promises to lead the local fight against global warming and at the same time “brand” Berkeley as the country’s leading green city.  

Poised to receive $100,000 in taxpayer money, Sustainable Berkeley is housed outside city government, where it is not subject to open meeting laws, union oversight or civil service protections, something that troubles open government advocates such as Councilmembers Kriss Wor-thington and Dona Spring. 

The City Council is likely to approve the funds Tuesday—a second, usually routine vote, part of a larger $3.3 million windfall spending package.  

A check will be cut to Sustainable Berkeley only after the council approves a Sustain-able Berkeley work plan to be addressed March 20, said City Manager Assistant Arietta Chakos.  

To date, the council has not been publicly briefed on the organization, although it gave the organization about $138,000 last year: three city councilmembers told the Planet they thought Sustainable Berkeley was a nonprofit corporation, which it is not.  

The Planet was able to learn about the group through documents obtained from the city through a Freedom of Infor-mation request and interviews with steering committee members. 

About the organization 

Sustainable Berkeley documents usually describe the organization as a “collaborative.” Its steering committee includes people from UC Berkeley, nonprofits, “green” healthcare professionals, and environmental consultants. City of Berkeley staff once sat on the board, but stepped off several weeks ago after the Planet contacted them with questions about the organization, saying that since they oversee the organization’s contract, it might appear to be a conflict for them to sit on the steering committee. 

Catherine Squire, former city of Berkeley sustainable development coordinator, now an “urban sustainability consultant,” co-chairs Sustainable Berkeley. As spokesperson for the organization, Squire spoke briefly by phone to the Planet Tuesday afternoon, declining a more thorough sit-down interview, as she was leaving town for a week. 

The Planet asked Squire about an Ecology Center contract with Sustainable Berkeley to research employment in “green” jobs. Because Ecology Center Executive Director Martin Bourque, who did not return calls for comment, sits on Sustainable Berkeley’s executive and steering committees, the Planet asked about the practice of Sustainable Berkeley steering committee members contracting with the organization. 

“It will probably continue to happen,” Squire said, adding, “People who are part of the partnership will get contracts. “ 

Also on the steering committee and the executive board is Nancy Hoeffer, executive director of Community Energy Services Corporation (CESC). “Nancy is paid to be our fiscal agent,” Squire said. 

She received $3,000, billed at $52 per hour, to help Sustainable Berkeley begin its work before staff came on board in January. In addition to its role as fiscal sponsor, the CESC helped write Sustainable Berkeley’s bylaws, facilitates hiring staff and shares some work with the organization.  

Another individual serving on the board is Gil Friend, CEO of Berkeley-based Natural Logic, Inc., which describes itself as “strategic advisors to the sustainable economy.” 

Friend, who was not available for a phone interview, has been involved in Sustainable Berkeley from the beginning, first as a paid consultant to the city and then as a member of the steering committee. 

Beginnings of Sustainable Berkeley 

In the document “Toward Sustainable Berkeley” Friend prepared for the city, as part of a $36,000 consultancy in which he was paid $200/hour for his work, according to city records, he describes the evolution of the organization. 

It goes back to 2004, when Mayor Tom Bates convened a Sustainable Business Working Group out of which, the report says, came a city staff-written plan, the September 2004 Sustainable Business Action Plan, which was endorsed by the City Council.  

Part of the Natural Logic contract (shared with Colorado-based What’s Working, Inc.) was to bring together people from three sectors: business, the community and nonprofits and UC Berkeley/Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. The goal was to begin to implement the Sustainable Business Action Plan. Sustainable Berkeley evolved from this effort. 

“In the course of the conversations we’ve convened, a Sustainable Berkeley coalition has formed to create an infrastructure to coordinate, partner and leverage resources across business, civic, city and academic stakeholders to meet sustainability goals,” says Toward a Sustainable Berkeley—available on the internet—which lists the names of advisory committee members, who would become the organization’s steering committee. 

Today’s steering committee is substantially the same as the original one of June 2006. There are two, rather than three members representing UC Berkeley: Judy Chess of Cal’s Capital Projects and Christine Rosen from the Haas School of Business; Gil Friend, not listed as a member of the original advisory committee, is a current member; Ina Pockrass who calls herself a “transcendentist” was among the original group, as was Alexander Quinn of the Livable Berkeley advocacy organization. 

The executive committee, all members of the original advisory group, is co-chaired by Squire and health-care educator Dr. Joel Kreisberg; the Ecology Center’s Bourque and CESC’s Hoeffer are members. 

Transparency 

The monthly steering committee meetings are open to the public, but executive committee meetings are closed, Squire said. Whereas meetings covered by open meeting laws are generally held in the evening when working people can attend, Sustainable Berkeley sessions are held in the morning. 

Councilmember Dona Spring said Sustainable Berkeley should have come out of the Energy Commission, which created the CESC and serves as its board of directors. “The Energy Commission should take the lead,” she said. 

The steering committee is limited by its present by-laws to 15 people, Hoeffer told the Planet, noting she is writing new by-laws, which might enlarge the committee. (The Planet was unable to get a copy of the Sustainable Berkeley bylaws.) After people come to four steering committee meetings, they can ask to be on the committee; its members vote on their membership, Hoeffer said.  

It is important that the three sectors—business, university/labs and community—be represented in a balanced way, she added. 

Asked to confirm whether all steering committee members were Caucasian, at least in appearance—as the Daily Planet had been informed—Hoeffer said she thinks they are. However, she said, “Our goals are [to balance] the sector, not the individual.” 

Councilmember Worthington noted that if the steering committee were a commission and abided by the Fair Representation Act whereby councilmembers each choose a commissioner, there would be an attempt on the part of some on the council to try to make the steering committee reflect the racial and ethnic makeup of the city.  

Hiring not transparent 

Because Sustainable Berkeley is not part of city government, it does not follow public information access laws or civil service hiring principles. Asked for the salary of newly hired Timothy Burroughs, Squire replied: “I’m not going to say.” The position was not advertised. Recommended to the executive committee by Mayoral Chief of Staff Cisco DeVries, Burroughs was the lone candidate. 

Two parts of Sustainable Berkeley 

Squire explained the two distinct parts of Sustainable Berkeley: One works on the programs listed on the organization’s website, including giving out sustainability awards, reaching out to large businesses and restaurants to encourage energy reduction and working with interns to do a green job study and a Berkeley School District energy efficiency audit. A city grant of $138,700 and a $134,225 PG&E partnership funds some of this effort. Sustainable Berkeley partners with CESC on these projects. 

The other part of Sustainable Berkeley is distinct. That’s the piece Burrough’s will work on – convening people from the community and using their input to write a plan to reduce greenhouse gases. It will be funded by the city’s $100,000; grant funds the mayor’s office has applied for are pending. This will be a “public process. It will be democratic and transparent,” Squire said. The final plan will be submitted to the city manager, then to Mayor Tom Bates, and finally to the City Council for approval, she said. 

DeVries said he will spend half his time working for Bates on greenhouse gas issues. “He will collaborate with us and Tom Bates on greenhouse gas reduction,” Squire said.  

A champion of Sustainable Berkeley, DeVries wrote Jan. 11 to the Sustainable Berkeley Steering Committee: “We are proposing that the city enter into a contract with Sustainable Berkeley and provide it with adequate resources to play this lead role. While additional fundraising efforts are underway, Mayor Bates will work with the council to provide up to $100,000 from the city general fund to Sustainable Berkeley for the 2007 fiscal year to ensure we have a minimum funding level to carry out the project.” 

Steering commttee meetings are 8:30-10:30 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the Promenade Building, 1936 University Ave., second floor, the UC Berkeley Capital Projects office. The next meeting is April 5. (Meetings are not posted on the Sustainable Berkeley website.) 

Critics who say UC Berkeley shouldn’t taken $500 million from a British oil company to develop alternative energy espouse an “abhorrent” attitude and threaten academic freedom, declared Chancellor Robert Birgeneau Thursday. 

He spoke during a meeting held for members of the University’s Academic Senate which was also attended by students and a few members of the Berkeley community. 

Most of the speakers on the panel praised the half-billion-dollar contract with the former British Petroleum, though one—Ignacio Chapela—came down clearly against the contract, and another—former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich—said it raised serious questions which remained to be answered. 

Moderated by journalism faculty member Linda Schacht—perhaps better known to Berkeley residents as a member of the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee—the panel spoke in response to criticism of the proposal unveiled last month by the chancellor, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a host of officials. 

While most faculty members, seated in the front of the audience, appeared to applaud speakers who praised the agreement, many others and a majority of the students cheered the critics. 

By the time the meeting ended, critics still hadn’t received what they promised—more open discussion among the faculty and students, and promises that the final agreement would be aired and discussed publicly before it was approved. The university had even held its winning proposal secret—a non-binding agreement offering generalities, only promising to release it after it had already leaked to the press, and then declaring that all names would be excised. 

The document was finally posted in its complete form this week at www.ebiweb.org, the website of the Energy Biosciences Institute, as the resulting institution will be known. 

Speakers included: Vice Chancellor Beth Burnside, a professor of Molecular and Cell biology: Jay Keasling, a designated EBI faculty scientist and director of the Physical Biosciences Division of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, where many of the institute’s functions will be housed; Ignacio Chapela, a professor of microbial ecology and a leading critic of corporate academic partnership; Haas School of Business Professor David Vogel; S. Shankar Shastry, a professor of electrical engineering and bioengineering, and Reich, who is a professor at the Goodman School of Public Policy. 

“I am extremely enthusiastic about the possibilities of this project,” said Keasling, who described it as “a moon shot for all of us ... we can’t afford to fail.” 

Chapela delivered an impassioned plea that Schacht ended after he went over the prescribed eight-minute time limit condemning an agreement that would bring “the tragic aspects out our insatiable consumption to the corners of the Third World.” 

He ended to enthusiastic cheers from students and some of the faculty. 

Vogel said that while no corporations could be said to wear white hats, BP—now renamed Beyond Petroleum—wears a paler shade of gray as the first oil company to acknowledge global warming and voluntarily reduce its emissions. 

Shastry, who is also director of the university’s Center for Information Technology in the Interest of Society, hailed the pact as one more in a series of academic corporate partnerships than had improved society through new technology.  

But Reich cautioned that academic freedom has always been endangered, first by the church and state, then by the corporation. 

But when it came time for the questions, the overwhelming number of speakers criticized the university’s handling of the agreement, the lack of faculty consultation and what they called the agreement’s potential to stifle other research into areas like conservation and alternative forms of energy. 

LBNL Director Steve Chu said his staff had already committed to working on global warming—the critical issue of the time—as well as biofuels before the possibility of the BP agreement had arisen.  

During the questioning Keasling acknowledged the proposal had flaws, including the placement of oversight at the end—promising that oversight of both social and environment impacts would be conducted throughout the project. 

But the answers didn’t satisfy critics like graduate student Ali Tonack, who had been arrested last week after dumping molasses in front of the campus administration building. 

He cited the significance of the misdemeanor charge for which he was arrested—“obstructing business”—and vowed, “If you think things are sticky now, I promise you, the situation is going to become a lot more stickier.” 

While the Academic Senate was meeting, President George W. Bush was flying to Sao Palo, Brazil, eager to promote an ethanol development deal in that largest of South American nations. 

According to a story posted on the New York Times website, Bush is using the agreement—which will result in more greater production of the alternative fuel from Brazilian lands—as an economic weapon against the oil reserves of Venezuela and its president, Hugo Chavez, one of Bush’s harshest critics in Latin America. 

A day earlier, 900 Brazilian women from Via Campesina in São Paulo state occupied a sugar mill after its sale to agricultural giant Cargill, which plans to use sugar cane for processing into ethanol. 

The protesters charged that monoculture impoverishes small farmers, the assertion also raised by UC Berkeley Professor Miguel Altieri during a teach-in held to protest the BP proposal.

It has come to this: The North Shattuck Association (NSA), the North Shattuck Plaza Inc. (NSPI) and the Live Oak Codornices Creek Neighborhood Association (LOCCNA) have agreed to appoint representatives to a newly formed committee that will help move the disputed $3.5 million North Shattuck plaza in Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto forward. 

The move has given the controversial proposed plaza another chance at life. Only this time with more community input. 

“It’s a lot better,” David Stoloff, chair of NSPI and the Berkeley Planning Commission, told the Planet on Wednesday. “The objective of the committee is to determine where the parties agree and disagree and come up with a process everyone agrees on.” 

After the Berkeley City Council approved a schematic design—by Berkeley-based planning firm Design Community and Environment—in 2001, architects Meyer + Silberberg reworked the proposed parking and pedestrian area in 2006.  

Responses to the proposed park-like area on the east side of Shattuck between Vine and Rose streets were mixed, with some merchants and area residents supporting the idea while others oppose it.  

“The concerns go beyond the plaza and we need to address them separately. Problems such as panhandling and public right of way on sidewalks have to be put on a different level of concern altogether,” Stoloff said. 

Heather Hensley, executive director of NSA, said that the idea was to get the community involved in a public improvement project that would look at street lighting, better bike racks and bus stops and landscaping. 

“The major issues are around parking and panhandling,” she said. “We are currently working with the city to lengthen the meter times from one hour to ninety minutes or even two hours on North Shattuck. You can barely have lunch in an hour as well as buy gifts. We want to create a positive pedestrian shopping experience for everyone.” 

Hensley said that there was talk of converting the meters into loading zones in the morning after which they would function as meters. 

“A lot of cities do this. We are also working with nearby churches and schools as well as Safeway to allow paid parking. If this happens, then employees will no longer have to park on the streets and take spots away from customers.” 

Hensley added that Mayor Bates would be giving the City Council what she called a referendum on street behavior issues Tuesday. 

“This is a sensitive topic but there is some aggressive behavior on the streets we would like to discuss. Cities such as Santa Cruz regulate street behavior more closely than Berkeley and we need to enforce that.” 

NSA has yet to announce the names of its representatives. Tom Ford from Design Community and Environment is the facilitator for the new coordinating committee which could have its first meeting next week. 

Mim Hawley, one of the representatives of NSPI and a former city councilmember, told the Planet she was hopeful the new committee would dispel a lot of the misapprehensions about the project. 

“There’s been a lot of worry that we have been trying to ramp up something without public approval but that is not the case,” she said. “Everybody on the committee needs to make a few adjustments and efforts to make this idea work. In the end, it will make businesses prosper.” 

Some area merchants however are not too sure about that. John Coleman, bookkeeper at the high-end clothing store Earthly Goods on North Shattuck, said their position on the proposed plaza hasn’t changed. 

“We have 30 merchants who have signed our petition saying they don’t want to see any changes,” he said. “The merchants were never consulted to begin with. There has been meeting after meeting but no one seems to be getting the message.” 

Bob Brown, co-owner of Black Oak Books on Shattuck Avenue, said that the six to nine months of construction for the proposed plaza would destroy their business. 

“Changing the parking would be disastrous for us,” he said. “People come in all the time to sell books and if they can’t find parking spots it would have a negative economic impact on us.” 

Black Oak announced they were up for sale in January. Brown’s partner Don Pretari said that the bookstore was doing “okay” at the moment. 

“It’s not like a panic situation for us. We wanted to see if anyone had a long term interest in the store if we retired. But we are pondering and will for a while whether it’s worth going on with the bookstore,” he said. 

Fred Dodsworth, one of the three representative of LOCCHNA, called the proposed plaza an attractive nuisance. 

“Some people would like to see a plaza,” he said. “Some people would like to see nothing. I am trying to create a middle way. Personally I think a flat one-level parking structure near Bel Forno at Rose Street is a good idea. We are talking about spending a huge amount of money for decoration. We have to see that it’s safe, aesthetic and creates spaces for everyone to enjoy.” 

Presented with three significant documents—recommendations on UC Berkeley downtown developments, ground-floor uses and a proposed economic development package—citizen planners held off any final action Wednesday. 

Members of the Downtown Area Planning Advisory Committee—DAPAC—face a November deadline to complete their work on recommendations for a new downtown plan designed to accommodate 800,000 square feet of UC Berkeley uses in the city center, along with 1,200 parking spaces. 

Dorothy Walker, chair of the Subcommittee on City Interests in University Properties, presented the report of that panel, along with Kerry O’Banion, a UC planner who has served as an ex officio representative to DAPAC. 

Watching from the audience was Emily Marthinsen, the university’s assistant vice chancellor for Physical and Environmental Planning Capital Projects. 

Walker’s subcommittee was comprised of representatives of the university and DAPAC, heavily weighted with committee members who have found themselves in the minority in votes on key policy issues. 

The panel’s only consistent dissident was Helen Burke, a planning commissioner and Sierra Club activist who has consistently voted with the DAPAC majority. 

“A huge change of mind occurred,” said Walker, “and it’s a tribute to us that we were open.” 

The central change was the realization that “downtown will be not be attractive to big retail” like the department stores many had hoped to entice to the city. Instead, Berkeley needs to build on its strengths as an arts and cultural center and as a center of learning. 

“The plan must encourage arts and education first,” and work on attracting youth and the large university population to downtown attractions, she said. 

Walker, a retired UC Berkeley assistant vice chancellor for property development, praised her former employer. “All the work was done very collaboratively,” she said. “The university representatives repeatedly asked how they should be using their land downtown. They were very responsive.” 

O’Banion devoted most of his presentation to the two-block-long site of the former state Department of Health Services building at 2151 Berkeley Way, awarded to the university by the state legislature in September 2005. 

UC sites 

That property is one of three key development sites in what the university’s Long Range Development Plan (LRDP)—the document that sparked the lawsuit resulting in DAPAC’s creation—dubbed the “west adjacent blocks” where downtown development would take place. 

The other two sites are the location of the planned Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive and the Tang Center parking lot, the square block at the southeast corner of the intersection of Fulton Street and Bancroft Way. 

The Tang site is where the university plans to erect a “surge building,” an office complex to house staff and functions displaced during mandated seismic retrofit of campus buildings—though the subcommittee has hopes that faculty housing might be built on the southern edge of the block. 

But the DHS building is the site of the most intensive planned development, once the existing structure is demolished, O’Banion said. 

The proposed new use is as a “Community Health Campus,” shared by the schools of public health and optometry and the departments of neuroscience and psychology. 

“All four have outreach programs and subjects coming in for assistance and diagnosis. The optometry clinic is very heavily used, and there is also a lot of outreach. They are all good, likely candidates to be off the main campus,” he said. 

The university even has a slogan for the project “From Publication to Public Action,” summarizing the range of services planned for the new facility, ranging from research (publication) to action (treatment and public health measures). 

Gene Poschman, a DAPAC member planning commissioner, raised immediate questions: first, how would the site handle the traffic? 

“Health care facilities are probably the greatest traffic generators, except maybe for Trader Joe’s,” he quipped. 

O’Banion said the necessary studies hadn’t been done.  

“One solution might be one level of parking under all or part of the building,” he said. 

The non-agreement 

While university officials have said all along they’re willing to grant the city retail uses along the site’s Shattuck Avenue frontage, Poschman pointed out that the legislation transferring the property from one state agency to another included requiring the grant of the first 75 feet of property depth along the street for retail use. 

While the university was recommending a depth of 100 feet, O’Banion said, there was no agreement to allow any commercial use, because the law also stipulated that the grant of retail use would only apply if approved by UC’s Board of Regents—an action never taken. “Therefore, it’s not a mandatory agreement,” O’Banion said, evoking murmurs from committee members and the audience. 

“But it’s a state law,” said DAPAC member Wendy Alfsen. 

“Unfortunately, the law said it takes effect only if there’s an action by the regents which has never occurred,” Walker responded. 

Subcommittee members had requested the 100-foot depth based on comments from business advisors and planning staff, who said that much depth would be needed to attract so-called “junior retailers” like Pottery Barn and major electronic stores, the types of businesses they said Berkeley might be able to entice. 

Housing questions 

Other questions centered on where to house the university population in light of the university’s declaration that no new housing would be built on the campus itself, as well as the question of whom to house. 

The subcommittee’s only reference was to faculty housing, something the university admits it sorely needs, and that was only mentioned as part of a discussion of the Tang Center lot, as a recommendation to build housing along the site’s Durant Avenue frontage. 

Jesse Arreguin, a Cal student and city zoning commissioner, said he was very concerned that housing for graduate and undergraduate students wasn’t covered in the subcommittee report, in light of recommendations in both the university’s LRDP and New Century Plan that both the Tang and the University Hall sites—the latter at University Avenue and Oxford Street—should be considered for student housing. 

“We’re not ruling that out, if we can show that student housing downtown is fully utilized, which it is not,” said Mim Hawley, a subcommittee and former city council member, citing vacancies in the recently completed Library Gardens apartments downtown. “There’s plenty of room on campus,” she said, which would be good for ailing Telegraph Avenue businesses. 

O’Banion later reiterated that the university would build no housing on campus, and said the university had two sites south of campus where new units could be built on university-owned parking lots. 

“As long as it’s within two blocks of campus on the south side, we don’t have to worry,” said Hawley. 

Arreguin said he was concerned because the LRDP projected housing as far from campus as San Pablo Avenue and Oakland, which raised questions of safety and access to campus services. 

Rob Wrenn, a transportation commissioner and a parent of college students, said off-campus housing not owned by the university was often a better deal for students, cheaper and without the obligation to sign a hefty contract that included meals. 

Other questions 

Alfsen asked if the university planned to install any facilities from its controversial $500 million biofuel program funded by the former British Petroleum in the downtown area.  

“We’re still working that out,” O’Banion said, though he didn’t anticipate that it would be included in any of the 800,000 square feet cited in the LRDP. 

Walker said the subcommittee had also considered recommendations that the university relocate its planned Student Athlete High Performance Center from the current planned site west of Memorial Stadium—where protesters have been lodged since Dec. 2, high in the branches of a grove of oaks and other trees that would be killed to make way for the $125 million high tech gym. 

Jim Novosel, a recent DAPAC appointee, said he would recommend that the university relocate the gym to the site of the old extension building next to Edward Stadium on Oxford Way. “I strongly recommend that we reserve that site for a building,” he said. 

The fate of the gym at the stadium is currently tied up in lawsuits, which have also stalled other projects in the area. 

After minor revisions, the subcommittee’s report will return to the full committee for more discussion and a vote—including a decision on whether or not it should form a university element many members want to see in the plan—but which Walker and Chair Will Travis have opposed.

The University Press Building—UC Berkeley’s doomed downtown landmark—will be granted one last fling before the wrecking ball comes. 

Slated for demolition to make way for a new university art museum and Pacific Film Archive building, the 1939 New Deal Moderne structure may soon serve as a projection screen for the digital animations of a trio of San Francisco artists whose work has made them Internet celebrities. 

The notion was floated last week to members of Berkeley’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). 

Creators of works that float in the aesthetic ether somewhere between Hollywood “high concept” and sixties-era Happenings, Rebar’s highest-profile project turned parking spaces into sod-paved metered micro-parks.  

A single mention of that project on the popular website boingboing.net drew five million hits to their website in one 24-hour period. Their work was back on boingboing three months later, featuring a new project in New Mexico. 

Lately, Rebar’s been featured in cyberspace and newsprint for another, edgier bit of high concept performance art—an artistic exercise designed to determine just what is public space. 

In an action that will certainly find some resonance with a number of Berkeley development critics, Rebar launched actions called COMMONspace, to test the limits of a San Francisco density bonus regulation. 

In exchange for creating “privately owned public open spaces” (POPOS), San Francisco builders can receive bonuses allowing them to build bigger buildings. But just how public is the space that results? Rebar teamed up with Snap Out Of It (SOOI), a performance troupe, to stage a series of events to find out. 

“We are staging the events to test implicit social codes and explicit government regulations,” said Blaine Merker, one of three black-shirted Rebar members who appeared at the Landmarks Preservation Commission last Thursday. 

One thing they’ve learned already is that owners don’t look kindly on folks who use their spaces to fly kites, one of the events staged by Rebar and SOOI in a San Francisco POPOS. “We were shut down,” said Merker as a photo of the event was displayed on-screen. 

BAM/PFA Deputy Director David Wheelan, said Rebar is the first of what is proposed to be a series of uses of a building which is currently “not making a major contribution to the vitality of downtown. 

“BAM proposes interim uses without physical alteration” to the structure, he said. 

“As we understand it, our job is to charge the site with potential that will bridge campus and community,” said Merker. 

One possibility, Whelan said, is to treat the building’s surface as an interactive medium “to communicate and alter the self-awareness of people passing by.” 

The plant is at the northwest corner of Center and Oxford streets. The white concrete structure witnessed the printing of the original copies of the United Nations Charter in 1945 for the signatures of delegates gathered in San Francisco in for the U.N.’s founding. The LPC declared the building a city landmark on June 7, 2004, after the university had announced its intent to build a new museum at the site. 

“Another concept is using these fantastic glass block windows as projection surface,” said Rebar’s Matthew Passmore. “It’s a fantastic way to just awaken the building,” he said.  

One possibility is to allow passers-by to enter text from Palm Pilots that would be projected onto the building’s surface—either unaltered or in combination with text entered by others.  

“The third component is setting the stage for habituation of the site,” said John Bela, the third member of Rebar’s team. 

Examples displayed ranged from the simple—pulsing lights—to the everyday—the image of a painter with a roller apparently in the act of blocking out the view—to the existentially absurd—a pair of divers swimming toward the blocks. 

Rebar’s work would be only the first in a series of programs designed to use the building as a medium during the two to three years the structure remains before demolition, said Wheelan. 

“It’s a landmark. There’ll be a lot of objection to tearing it down,” said LPC member Fran Packard. 

“Be careful what you wish for,” said Chair Robert Johnson. “If you raise the profile of the building, you’ll raise the profile of the building—and you’ll hear about it down the line.” 

“We feel the pride and the responsibility to promote the museum’s use,” said Wheelan, acknowledging that “we do worry” about the impact. 

Commissioner Lesley Emmington cautioned Wheelan that merchants on Center Street have worked hard to create an ambiance for the streetscape and might worry at changes that threatened it. 

“You need to consult the merchants across the street,” added Johnson, adding that “the idea of images in the windows could be very exciting.” 

Emmington worried that the projectors might consume excess electricity at a time of growing emphasis on conservation, and Packard suggested the use of LEDs. 

“A solar array could be an element,” said Commissioner Steven WInkel. 

For another look at Rebar, see their website at www.rebargroup.net. 

The three members of Rebar were smiling as they packed up their gear.

Though the UC Berkeley’s massive Memorial Stadium-area expansion plans have been stalled by a court order, the university is moving forward with a seismic study. 

In a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) posted on the university website, the university provided a first look at drawings of a proposed parking lot that would contain “700+ spaces in 5 to 6 underground levels.” 

A cross-section diagram for the Maxwell Field Parking structure also show a subsurface path for delivery trucks leading directly to the stadium itself, which sits directly astride the Hayward Fault, but another diagram from an aerial view is truncated before the stadium so the point of connection isn’t visible. 

Mandated by the Alquist-Priolo Act, which governs construction on and near active seismic faults, the study will determine whether or not the planned structure falls within the 50 feet of an active fault trace, the limit of the act’s ban on new construction. 

Critics have charged that another project, the $125 million Student Athlete High Performance Center planned along the stadium’s western wall, is attached to the stadium and therefore an extension, not a separate building—but university officials say the structures are separate.  

The RFQ also requires the consultant to cooperate with a second “independent peer reviewer reporting directly to the university and its agents” and to cooperate with the university’s Seismic Review Committee “to ensure a highly credible end product.” 

Museum RFQ 

In addition to the parking structure RFQ, the university issued a second document seeking a consultant to prepare a separate seismic evaluation of plans for the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive building, which is slated to be built downtown at the northwest corner of the intersection of Center and Oxford streets. 

Now being designed by internationally renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the new structure—likely to be the most innovative architecture in the city center in years—will be 82 feet high, Kevin Consey, the institution’s executive director, has said. 

Located on the site now occupied by the UC Printing Plant building, a city landmark where the United Nations Charter was printed, the new building will feature one or two levels of underground parking, according to the RFQ. 

The new consultant will work with Ito and project engineers during the design process, starting with a review of existing soil and geological conditions at the site and continue through construction, monitoring the work. 

Applications for both assignments must be submitted by Mar. 19.

The month-old administration of Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums did something this week that the predecessor administration of Jerry Brown failed to do in eight years of office, hold a full-blown City Hall press conference to which all media was invited and questions were raised and answered with equal access to all areas of the press. 

The subject of the late Wednesday afternoon press conference was a problem that the Brown Administration often fiddled with but never was able to fix, how to organize and deploy Oakland Police Department officers in a manner that puts a significant dent in Oakland’s crime problem. 

Saying that this was part of a “major reorganization” of the Oakland Police Department in order to bring “100 Percent Community Policing” to the department, Dellums, OPD Police Chief Wayne Tucker, and OPD Deputy Chief Jeffrey Israel announced Wednesday a plan to bring the department’s patrol division up to something approaching full strength, at the expense of immediately staffing the district’s Measure Y officers. 

Specifically, Tucker and Israel said that all of the graduates of the next two Oakland Police Academies would be sent directly to patrol duty, rather than having some of them assigned as problem solving officers as called for in the anti-violence Measure Y. 

Since Measure Y, passed by Oakland voters in 2004 to address Oakland’s soaring crime rate, had specifically called for the hiring of 63 new problem-solving officers with defined “community policing” responsibilities, Deputy Chief Israel took pains to explain how siphoning new officers away from these specific community policing assignments would actually move the department closer towards community policing. 

Community policing cannot be confined simply to a handful of community policing officers, Israel explained. “We have to move to reorganize the department so that all of our officers are involved in community policing.” 

Speaking in support of the reorganization, Mayor Dellums added that “community policing is not an officer or a unit. It is a mindset, a broad concept that has to be embraced by the entire department.” 

The city currently has no written definition of “community policing,” however, so it was not clear what exact model the department is moving towards. Dellums promised at the press conference that he would provide a written definition. 

Israel said that reversing the department’s past practice of pulling officers from patrol duty for other assignments will “increase response time and provide more opportunity by patrol officers to engage in meaningful, long-term problem solving” in the neighborhoods to which they are assigned. 

The deputy chief added that fully staffing the department’s patrol division “is necessary for implementing the geographic restructuring of the department.” 

That geographic restructuring—in which the city will be divided into five jurisdictions overseen by an individual commander—was announced by Chief Tucker late last month. Presently, OPD operates under a shift-based watch commander structure in which commanders oversee activities in the entire city on eight-hour shifts. A consultant’s report commissioned by former Mayor Brown while he was still in office had recommended the change. 

Tucker has said that under the new geographic division, officers will be able to hone in on issues of “quality of life, crime, and the social needs within the geographic areas they are patrolling.” 

Tucker said that because the restructuring does not involve the hiring of more police than previously anticipated, he is “not anticipating a significant increase in cost” because of the reorganization plan. What new costs will occur, he said, will be principally in the purchase of automobiles and radios. “We haven’t completely figured out the budget for all of this,” he said. 

Also appearing at the press conference was Oakland City Councilmember Jean Quan, one of the Measure Y co-authors. Quan said that while Measure Y supporters “are nervous about the fact” that hiring of specific Measure Y officers “will be held back for eight months, it is a step forward towards community policing. Often, right now, when you place a 911 call, the officer responding doesn’t know your neighborhood. 

“Moving to a geographic division-based department means “the officer is more likely to know your neighborhood,” Quan said. She added that the reorganization was a positive step, and said that while predictions are dangerous, “I am predicting that over the next couple of years, this will bring the crime rate in Oakland down.” 

Oakland City Council Public Safety Commitee Chairperson Larry Reid stood in the back behind the media at the press conference, but did not speak at the conference. 

The restructuring received warm praise from the man who holds hiring and firing authority over the chief of police and who will pay the political price if the project fails, Mayor Dellums. 

“The chief gets it, he understands the problem completely,” Dellums said. He called the patrol staffing move “the first step in a series of steps. This is an important day in the civic life of Oakland, in the community, and in the police department. This step turns a corner.” 

Meanwhile, the mayor showed two distinct and opposing sides to his personality at the first press conference of his administration. When a reporter asked why anyone should believe the new police deployment would work when there has been a series of failed reorganizations and redeployments and anti-crime plans in the recent past, Dellums snapped back that, “I know it’s your job to ask cynical questions, but I don’t accept the premise of your question. I don’t see that level of cynicism out in the community. People are hoping that we come up with something that will work. They desperately want us to succeed.” 

The mayor was considerably less snappish, however, when it was pointed out by his own staff members that several times during the press conference, while clearly intending to say that he had conferred with the chief of police, he said, instead, that he had conferred with the mayor. 

Once, when Dellums said that “I’ve talked with the mayor about this and he has my full confidence” and a reporter called out, “if the mayor doesn’t have your confidence, the rest of us are in trouble,” Dellums joined in the laughter from the rest of the media representatives.

“The people of this State do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies which serve them. The people, in delegating authority, do not give their public servants the right to decide what is good for the people to know and what is not good for them to know. The people insist on remaining informed so that they may retain control over the instruments they have created.”  

—Ralph M. Brown Act 

Berkeley citizens elect the mayor and council, but that doesn’t mean they give away their power to them. When they have the time, energy, inclination—or when something makes residents so mad they can’t restrain themselves—they will rush to City Hall to let the decision makers know what’s on their minds. 

But the door needs to be open for them when they walk in, say supporters of “sunshine,” a term often used to talk about transparency in government. Rules for addressing the city council (and commissions, task forces and more) need to be part of a process that welcomes citizens’ input and offers them the information they need in order to understand the problem they wish to address. 

The City Council will hold a workshop on a Sunshine Ordinance written by city attorney Manuela Albuquerque before the regular council meeting at 5 p.m., March 20.  

In recent years Berkeley has taken giant steps toward using the internet to broaden access to public information, such as posting meeting time and place on-line and giving electronic access to agendas and background information. Council and school board meetings are broadcast on cable television, over the radio and on the web. 

Faced with the threat of a lawsuit from SuperBOLD (Berkeleyans Organizing for Library Defense) working with the Oakland-based First Amendment Project, the mayor has recently sponsored new rules for public comment at city meetings, correcting a decades-old policy of limiting public speakers to 10 only, chosen by lottery. 

SuperBOLD members say that public comment rules should be written into the proposed sunshine ordinance. They insist that the Board of Library Trustees must also follow open meeting laws. The organization was formed when the Library Board voted to install radio frequency chips to track books without a public process to debate the controversial technology.  

Reacting to a failing grade in public information as rated by a Contra Costa Times study of many cities, Police Chief Doug Hambleton last week promised the City Council he would improve public service for those seeking police records. 

“Neighborhood groups have a hard time getting crime information,” said Councilmember Dona Spring, who is advocating for a strong Sunshine Ordinance. Spring said she never been able to get the police report on the death several years ago of Fred Lupke, well-known for his activism around disability and other issues. Lupke was killed by a motorist while riding in his wheelchair on Ashby Avenue. 

Another example of a problem that needs to be remedied, Spring said, is when the city applied for a grant to plan a development on the Ashby BART station parking lot, but did not involve the community. The grant proposal should have come to the council and been discussed publicly, she said. 

Other situations which a sunshine law might address include: 

• the city’s relegating policy development to nonprofits, organizations or advisory bodies whose meetings are not public; 

• delivering background documents to councilmembers at council meetings or on the same day as meetings, not allowing them or the public time to study issues they will vote on; 

• council meetings that extend beyond 11 p.m., when councilmembers made critical decisions after the public is asleep or when they themselves are tired; 

• closed session meetings which could be public; 

• lawsuits settled in closed session without the public being given advance notice of an intent to settle.  

How violations of a Sunshine Act will be adjudicated will be another issue that the City Council will have to consider. In her proposed sunshine law, the city attorney gives the power to the city manager.  

“Letting the city manager handle sunshine complaints is a horrible idea,” said Rick Knee in an e-mail to the Planet. Knee is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists Freedom of Information Committee and a member of the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance Task Force. 

“The ordinance should provide for a permanent task force or commission, or at least an independent ombudsperson, to adjudicate sunshine complaints, prescribe remedies and impose penalties on willful violators, gauge the effectiveness of the ordinance and recommend changes to it,” he said. 

The City Council will hold a Forum on a proposed Sunshine Ordinance March 20 at 5 p.m., 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

The draft sunshine ordinance and accompanying materials can be viewed at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee/2007/packet/031207/2007-03-20%20DRAFT%20Work%20Item%2001a%20BATES%20Panel%20Discussion%20and%20Workshop%20on%20Draft%20Sunshine%20Ordinance.pdf 

A little over a month after Oakland city officials were blamed for allowing a sideshow-abatement state law to lapse, the California legislature is quietly moving to reinstate the law on an “urgency” basis. 

Oakland’s inaction and the legislature’s fast-track action may mean that California’s five year experiment in suspending due process to permit the seizure of cars, aimed at curbing sideshows, could become a permanent part of state law without state officials or the public ever learning how it worked—or did not work—in Oakland. 

The first hearing on SB67, the sideshow car seizure law re-enactment bill introduced by State Senator Don Perata (D-Oakland) in mid-January, will be held on March 27 in Sacramento by the Public Safety Committee of the State Senate. 

Under the original ordinance that SB67 seeks to renew, SB1489, passed in 2002, cities can seize vehicles and hold them for a mandatory 30 day period without a prior hearing, and solely on the word of a police officer that the vehicle was being used in a “speed contest,” “reckless driving,” or an “exhibition of speed.” While no legal definition of sideshows existed at the time, SB1489 was specifically aimed at Oakland’s sideshows. 

The original law contained a sunset provision, causing it to expire on January 1st of this year. An Oakland Tribune article published last month said that Oakland “failed last year to document the law’s success in time to renew it.” 

Oakland Police Chief Wayne Tucker says that the sideshow car seizure law is necessary, both for the state and for Oakland. 

“We should not lose the ability to confiscate cars that are engaging in sideshows,” Tucker said in an interview this week. “That’s a huge deterrent.” 

And a spokesperson in the office of Senator Perata said that Oakland City Council Public Safety Committee Chairperson Larry Reid had contacted the Senator’s office requesting reinstatement of the bill, and the Oakland Police Department provided their office with information supporting its reinstatement. 

“It was so successful,” Perata Public Information Officer Alicia Trust said, “the City of Oakland asked us to do it again.” 

Trust said that Perata’s office has not received any communication in opposition to the reinstatement of the bill, and urged anyone with such views to forward their positions to Perata. 

There is opposition in Oakland to the sideshow car seizure bill, and some local activists and public officials are concerned that there has been no public review of the five-year law in Oakland, at which the original law was aimed. 

“I’m absolutely concerned that there are no hearings planned for Oakland,” Peralta Community College District Trustee Linda Handy said by telephone. Handy, who represents one of the East Oakland flatland areas that has been designated a “sideshow zone” by Oakland police, said that “if this was has been effective in doing what it says it was supposed to do, then substantial detail should be available to support its reauthorization. Tell us how it has reduced crime in our community.” 

Handy said her concern is that the sideshow car seizure law is “not being used in the manner in which it was intended,” causing “a direct impact on young African-American males, contributing to their disproportionate contact with the police. This bill has led to racial profiling. It has given the police carte blanche to ignore the civil rights of these young people.” 

And Rashidah Grinage, a longtime Oakland activist with PUEBLO organization who regularly monitors Oakland police activities, agreed, saying that “I don’t think the city has provided information about the efficacy of the law.” She said there was a pattern in similar legislation in the past dealing directly with Oakland’s crime problems, mentioning Oakland’s anti-loitering ordinance, passed in 2003. 

“It was supposed to stop crime by getting criminals off the streets and making our streets safe,” Grinage said. But once it was passed, after much fanfare, she added that “that’s the last we heard about it. The city never documented the effects. Nobody said a word about it since. Once they pass something, they take their eye off the ball. Should it be modified? Should it be scrapped? Nobody knows. It’s just nuts.” 

Grinage said Oakland’s anti-loitering ordinance quietly died by a sunset provision, without a public discussion. 

The sideshow seizure bill has led to a number of widely-publicized abuses by Oakland police. In 2005, Oakland officers seized the van being driven by a 41 year old Oakland resident, Eugene Davis, on an allegation that Davis was playing his car stereo too loud, one of Oakland’s definitions of a “sideshow violation.” 

Davis turned out to be a basketball coach who was driving two of his players home from a game. Both he and the two players were left on an Oakland street to figure out how to get home while his van was towed away. 

Talking about the towing and storage and ticket fees that resulted, Davis later said, “basically, I got jacked.” 

Davis was able to get the towing and storage fees rescinded after he went public about the incident, and an embarassed Chief Tucker intervened and publicly apologized to him. But the incident remains a black eye on the department’s implementation of the law. 

And a little over a year later, the Oakland Tribune reported an even more serious event, when two Sacramento Latino teenagers were shot, one of them critically, by rival gang members after the teenagers’ car was towed by Oakland police for an alleged sideshow offense and the driver and occupants were left by police on a late night, East Oakland street to try to find their way out. 

When can Berkeley police infiltrate political groups? What is the local police role when a government spy agency asks them for help? 

A Berkeley Police Review Commission subcommittee has begun looking at the issue in order to create policies that balance appropriate police behavior with maintaining civil rights. 

“People need to feel free to engage in and organize protests without the fear of being monitored,” said Mark Schlosberg, Police Practices Policy Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California. A former member of Berkeley’s PRC, Schlosberg is advising a PRC subcommittee which is writing the policy. 

Mike Sherman, PRC co-chair and member of the subcommittee, put the need to write the guidelines in a larger political context: They are necessary “in this era when civil and political constitutional rights are being systematically stripped away from the American citizen,” he said, adding, “We need to respond to [the erosion of civil liberties] the best we can to protect the citizens of Berkeley.”  

Schlosberg authored a 2006 ACLU report called “The State of Surveillance: Government Monitoring of Political Activity in Northern and Central California,” in which he describes a situation where such regulations were needed. 

On April 7, 2003 there was a peaceful protest against the Iraq war at the Port of Oakland targeting the role of two shipping companies protesters believed were transporting weapons to Iraq and facilitating the war. In the midst of a peaceful picket, police moved in with little warning, dispersing the picketers by shooting wooden dowels and shot-filled beanbags as protesters fled, according to the report.  

(Fifty protesters were hurt and Oakland was sued, eventually paying out some $2 million.) 

It turned out, according to the report, that the organizing group had been infiltrated by two Oakland police officers, who even helped plan the route of the march.  

“Infiltrating the protest would have been highly inappropriate in and of itself,” the report says. “Officers taking leadership roles and helping direct the protest is even more invasive….” 

Such abuse was more prevalent in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Schlosberg said, when there were no clear police guidelines.  

The Berkeley Police Department submitted draft guidelines to the subcommittee, which will work with police to modify some of their policy suggestions and eventually arrive at regulations acceptable to both police and PRC. Neither Sherman nor Schlosberg spoke directly to the police draft, which includes some of the following suggested guidelines: 

Information can be used to create an intelligence file when there is reasonable suspicion based on legally-obtained information that the subject may be involved “in definable criminal conduct and/or supports, encourages or otherwise aids definable criminal conduct.” 

Plainclothes officers can be used:  

• during investigations involving groups or individuals involved in First Amendment related activities “where there is reasonable suspicion to believe the individual or group involved was involved, is involved or is planning to be involved in criminal activity.” 

• “when crowds involved in First Amend-ment related activities are marching, only in order to determine the best response for police to safely address traffic-related issues.” 

Plainclothes officers shall not: 

• assume leadership roles in an organization or cause dissention within an organization. 

• attend meetings to obtain legally-privileged information such as reporters’ confidential sources, attorney-client communications or physician-patient communications. 

Police offered the following videotaping guidelines: “It is often difficult to ascertain whether criminal activity is going to break out during a protest, march or during other protected First Amendment-related activities. Additionally, due to the contentious nature of many of these events, there is often city liability involved. Videotaping these events serves to protect both the city and the various constituents involved….” 

The guidelines also say the department will cooperate with outside agencies “consistent with this policy.” 

Schlosberg offered some thoughts on appropriate police guidelines independent of the BPD draft. The use of undercover officers should be restricted to suspicion of criminal activity, he said. “It should be the last resort.” 

There should also be specific guidelines for the police to videotape demonstrators, including documenting criminal activity. “The video should be destroyed if it does not document evidence,” Schlosberg said, noting that not every demonstration should be videoed.

San Francisco-based MKThink Group presented an initial needs assessment plan for People’s Park to the park’s Advisory Board on Monday. 

The two main goals identified by MKThink—represented by planner Mark Miller, Art Taylor and Alesha Kintzer—centered on making the park a safer and more attractive place for a diverse crowd. 

“People’s Park is an underutilized urban setting,” said John Selawsky, People’s Park Advisory Committee co-chair. “I don’t see any vibrancy there most of the time. Look at some of the great parks of the world. Golden Gate and Central Park have young people flocking there all the time. We have 20,000 to 30,000 students within half a mile of the park and no one goes there. This has got to change.” 

Selawsky added that he was impressed with MKThinks presentation. 

“They are sensitive to community needs,” he said. “This is a challenging concept but if anybody can pull this off, it’s them.” 

“We are looking at a lot of outreach right now,” said Irene Hegarty, director of Community Relations at UC Berkeley. “Besides planners, the team also has sociologists and behavioral psychologists.” 

She added that MKThink would be implementing their plan for the needs assessment by partnering with a UC project manager. 

“We have to try a mixture of approaches. A lot of people won’t come to the meetings because of the different controversies surrounding People’s Park, so we will have to go to them,” she said. 

Discovery—the first step outlined in the plan’s flow-chart—is scheduled to go on until May. It involves exhaustive research into the history of the park by digging up relevant archives, newspaper clippings, interviewing park users and student groups as well as visiting the park itself. 

“The discovery phase will include confirming goals, doing historical reviews, conducting interviews and observation of the physical uses of the park,” said Selawsky. 

Board members have also come up with a list of stakeholders which includes residents and merchants on Telegraph Avenue, the City of Berkeley, constituents, student groups and non-profits. 

Selawsky suggested a historical review of the park. 

“You don’t go into a place without going into the history of the place,” he said. “MKThink needs to understand the richness, diversity and depth of People’s Park. Speaking to park activists who took part in demonstrations there will help to get an idea of the agreements and disagreements over the park. We want to go into this with eyes wide open and with as few preconceptions as possible.” 

He said there was also talk of holding an online survey. 

The second step would be a needs assessment process which would take into account all the information gathered. It would help identify conflicts, patterns, best practices and common principles. 

“There is some debate about how MKThink would make use of summer, but they hope to finish phase one before then and start on phase two by fall,” said Hegarty. 

Phase three is the conceptual phase which would articulate and evaluate options for a physical design based on the needs assessment. 

Selawsky told the Planet that he was skeptical about whether the $100,000 budget approved by UC Berkeley for the current process would get past phase two. 

The final two steps are planning and design and implementation. 

The planning and design phase includes concept advancement, landscape, universal and sustainable design and cost analysis. Details of the implementation phase have not been provided yet. 

Terri Compost, a community gardener at People’s Park, told the Planet that MKThink seemed genuinely interested in trying to hear all the concerns and learn about the significance of the park. 

“I am cautiously hopeful,” she said in an email to the Planet. “I believe the Park can benefit from attention and collective visioning.” 

Though hiring outside paid experts might go against the nature of the park, Compost said, “In some ways it is refreshing to have an outside entity's perspective searching out what really are the core issues of the park and what may be some common ground for improvement.”

What excites Willard Middle School eighth grader Naima Yi most about attending Berkeley High next year is its visual arts program, something the thirteen-year-old described as “super awesome.” 

Naima got a taste of BHS’s acclaimed visual arts program on Thursday, thanks to the high school’s annual Arts on the Run program, an hour long event which gives eighth graders an overview of the wealth of performing and visual arts programs available to them in the classroom. 

“I really really really want to go for the mixed media arts. It’s my super favorite thing in the whole world,” said Naima. 

Naima’s excitement is shared by students, teachers and administrators alike.  

Suzanne McCulloch, program supervisor for the Berkeley Unified School District’s Visual and Performing Arts curriculum, described Arts on the Run as a very important link between the high school and middle school. 

“It’s a showcase of Berkeley High School talent. It provides an opportunity for BHS students to present themselves in public and allows them to set a good example to the younger generation,” she said. 

“For the middle schoolers, it’s a good way to ask questions, to learn about all the wonderful things awaiting them in high school.” 

Started by Berkeley High dance teacher Marsha Singman almost a decade ago, the program underwent a hiatus for a few years, till it was revived by BHS Vice Principal Denise Brown. 

“Denise’s sudden death in February prompted me to make this happen once again. I hope to make this an annual feature. Next time the emphasis should be more on explaining the classes to the kids. We also want to focus on the sports programs.” 

Students from BHS’s jazz, modern dance and media arts divisions traveled on two school buses from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and made stops at Willard, King and Longfellow elementary schools for an hour each. 

“We are here to show the eighth graders what kind of dances they can get involved in when they get to Berkeley High,” said BHS senior Nina Gordon-Kirsch, who was practicing steps at Willard for the choreography “Hip Hop Thesis,” which would be performed by the Dance Production students. 

“I went to King but I never got to see BHS perform. I think it helps a lot in making up your mind about a program,” she added. 

Although hip hop does not feature on the list of dances in the classroom at BHS, “Hip Hop Thesis” was clearly the huge favorite among all the performances that day. 

Visual arts instructor Kimberly D’Adamo illustrated the various visual arts offerings—ranging from traditional and digital photography to ceramics—and the creative arts curriculum—which includes such media as 2D and 3D art, welding, sculpture, printmaking and magazine production—through a powerpoint presentation. 

Performances included scenes from the popular Disney movie High School Musical by the theater class, the solo song “One Night Only” from the Academy-Award winning movie Dreamgirls, and quartets by the BHS Jazz club. 

“It’s a great way to introduce students to artistic offerings at BHS,” said Willard eighth grade history teacher Richard Hourula. 

“They are not just spectators. They can start anticipating what they can expect at high school and how they can make best use of their time,” he told the Planet. 

As the Berkeley High Orchestra received a standing ovation for Dvorak’s 4th Movement from the New World Symphony, instructor Karen Wells said the purpose was to show students that high school was also about having fun. 

McCulloch told the Planet that research showed that students who participated in the arts went on to excel in their SATs and higher studies.  

“It’s important to find a niche for yourself in school. There are over 3000 students at Berkeley High but we have something for everybody. Students should know that collaborative efforts build strong personalities,” she said. 

McCulloch also supervises the Berkeley LEARNS after-school program, which provides students a chance to dabble in the creative arts after class hours. 

Efforts are being made to offer this program—primarily funded by state grants—to Berkeley Technology Academy (B-Tech) students as well.

“Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” How often in the reign of the current mayor will we find the opportunity to use that now-hackneyed quote from Lord Acton? Tomorrow’s Berkeley City Council agenda offers yet another one. It contains not one but at least two naked power grabs by Mayor Bates, aided and abetted by the so-called ‘moderate’ councilmembers and the sycophantic faction of ex-progressives who have joined them to create the new conservative majority on the city council. (Style note: when both “so-called” and single quotes are used, it means we think the word ‘moderate’ lost all meaning in Berkeley politics years ago, as did ‘progressive’.)  

Grab No. 1: The new ordinance aimed squarely at purging the most knowledgeable members of the city’s boards and commissions, the few who have offered token resistance to the mayor’s policy of all-development-all-the-time, on tonight’s council agenda (Tuesday).  

It wasn’t enough for whoever did the drafting at the mayor’s behest to bar commissioners from serving sequential terms on quasi-judicial commissions, just in case they might actually find out what’s going on. Then a provision was added to keep anyone from being on more than one such commission at a time (as if there were a huge citizen demand to attend tedious meetings). There were three prominent targets: Planning Commissioner Gene Poschman, a retired professor of political science who has forgotten more about drafting zoning regulations than anyone on city staff will ever know; Zoning Commissioner Dave Blake, a neighborhood organizer who manages to be both a small-scale landlord and a tenants’ rights activist; and Jesse Arreguin, a UC senior with a strong interest in affordable housing, who’s been active in local government issues since he was a teenager in San Francisco, who serves on both Zoning and Housing.  

This is a variant on the “first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers” school of political action. For those of you who missed the Shakespeare course, Dick the Murderer proposed getting rid of lawyers to make sure that no one was around to thwart his nefarious schemes—he was not a good government kind of guy. The targeted three are not actual lawyers, but they’ve made it their business to become knowledgeable about the way zoning regulation works, and they’ve used that knowledge on behalf of citizens to curb the excesses of the building industry as much as possible. 

Case in point: after last Thursday’s Zoning Board meeting I got a frantic late night call from an Ashby Avenue neighbor, a long-term political activist on the state and national level, who’d paid scant attention to local issues (not even reading the Planet!) until they appeared on her doorstep. She was shocked at the way the proposal to transform Wright’s garage into a bar was ramrodded through ZAB with nary a word of protest from most of the commissioners. She did say that “some guy named Dave” laid out exactly what was happening to them for the benefit of the alarmed neighbors, but that he was on the wrong end of the vote, along with a “Jesse” and “some woman.” When I told her that said Dave and Jesse were being kicked off the ZAB, as a card-carrying Prog she was even more shocked.  

But killing the shade-tree lawyers wasn’t enough. (Old-timer’s slang translation: cf. the shade-tree mechanic, who fixed cars in his backyard.) Now someone is trying to drive a stake through their hearts. Into the draft has crept a further refinement, not openly requested at the council meeting where the commissioner-crippling scheme was first discussed. Now those who serve on the Rent Board, the School Board, the Library Board and the newly created Housing Authority are also to be barred from commission service. Not coincidentally, Blake and Arreguin were just elected to the Rent Board. Doesn’t this one violate the constitutional guarantee of freedom of association? 

Looking for possible defenses against this kind of wholesale attack on commissioners, I dredged up the history of the Fair Representation Initiative, placed on the ballot by citizens in April 1975. Its purpose was to give minority councilmembers Ying Lee and Loni Hancock the opportunity to appoint their own commissioners, at that time the exclusive right of the then council majority, the ancestral tribe of today’s moderates. It said nothing about limiting service to one commission.  

The mayor’s proposal will now curtail the ability of all councilmembers to appoint the commissioners they prefer. I asked someone who was active in the initiative campaign whether this violates the Fair Representation ordinance, and he said it’s “certainly against the spirit of the ordinance,” if not the letter.  

A poignant historic irony is that one of the people who might now be barred from serving on city commissions is former councilmember Ying Lee herself, who agreed to join the Library Board at a time when her presence was needed to restore eroded public confidence in library management. And former-councilmember former-mayor now-assembymember Hancock is the now-wife of then-assemblymember now-mayor Bates, under whose watch the fair representation ideal is being done in. Ah, power! Ah, Berkeley! 

Power Grab No. 1 is so complicated that there’s little space left here for Power Grab No. 2, the Public Commons for Everyone Initiative. Who dreamed up this triply-redundant name? The PCE Initiative doesn’t seem to be a real initiative in the legal sense, just a tricky name in the unhallowed tradition of the Bush administration’s Healthy Forests Initiative, which many Berkeleyans know meant just the opposite of what its name implies.  

And it’s the same kind of Orwellian double-speak. What the name really means is Public Commons for Everyone Except You, if you should happen to be the tired, the poor or the huddled masses. Let’s hope it’s not a real initiative in the tradition of the disastrous anti-speech ballot measures N and O of about ten years ago, which cost the city a fortune in election spending and legal fees before they were properly struck down in federal court. Bates was an avid sponsor of that expensive boondoggle. Pray that he’s not poised to try it again.  

Why shouldn’t public universities welcome big grants from big corporations? After all, times are tough, and they need all the money they can get to keep tuition costs down, right? Well, maybe, but let’s take a look at the real costs of inviting the fox to sleep over in the henhouse.  

In California the state-supported University of California is granted a privileged independent position under the state constitution. This was originally intended to protect the academic freedom of faculty members, but it’s been used as the excuse for other more dubious claims of sovereignty. UC’s branches now answer only to themselves, and claim that they don’t have to follow any local laws regarding, for example, zoning. That’s why the University of California at Berkeley plans to build a couple of big new labs and a gymnasium right on the Hayward fault while thumbing its august nose at local attempts to raise safety questions regarding disaster evacuation and other details.  

These days only about a third of UC funding, depending on how you count, comes from the state, so all the rest is raised from outside sources. That includes grants from governments and foundations, and also big contributions from those with financial interests in what the university is up to. Barclay Simpson, a big time manufacturer of construction widgets, has both been board chair of the school’s art museum and is lending his name and presumably his bucks to the proposed gym. Elsewhere in this issue you can read about Richard Blum’s revolving door relationship with UC as regent, contractor, spouse of senator, and donor. 

But the new deal with British Petroleum (now cozily called just BP) puts all of that in the shade. Presumably Mr. Simpson may put in a good word from time to time on behalf of a favorite artist or athlete, but he surely has acquired no contractual right to control the organizations he supports with his dollars. The BP deal, like others similar which have attracted less publicity, will have all sorts of links in it which give the corporation control over things they should never be allowed to influence. The proposal which won the prize for UC included an offer to bend the university’s s public relations effort to tout the virtues of the products produced by the joint venture. Corporate scientists will be working cheek-by-jowl with academic researchers in Strawberry Canyon, creating an atmosphere not conducive to reporting any bad news about the results. 

Many years ago, courtesy of the National Science Foundation, I had the privilege of participating in a seminar at Stanford sponsored by what was then called the program on Ethics and Values in Science and Technology (EVIST). It had two major goals. The first was stimulating “research on ethical aspects of contemporary issues involving scientific and technological research and development and on social values that influence and are influenced by the work of scientists and engineers.” The second was improving “discussion, understanding, and policies and practices affecting and affected by science and technology.”  

Seminar members came from many fields: medicine, history, business and ethics, to name a few. At that time I was a journalist at the Center for Investigative Reporting and recently admitted to the California Bar, so I looked at the several case histories we studied from both angles. Two of the most interesting were the crash program attempting development of an artificial heart, described by Wikipedia as one of the long-sought scientific Holy Grails, which is still not close to success, and the widespread use of the synthetic estrogen DES on pregnant women, which resulted in many problems for their offspring. The most striking lesson I learned from our studies was how often the profit motive contaminated the results of what should be scientific research.  

The project produced one major book, Worse Than the Disease: Pitfalls of Medical Progress, written by principal investigator Diana Dutton with Thomas Preston and Nancy Pfund. I wrote a couple of magazine articles myself on related topics, and learned a lot in the process. One was about the role of drug companies in promoting dangerous kinds of birth control pills to doctors, and another was about how cigarette companies successfully avoided dealing with the fires caused by their products. They were hot news at the time, but now many people are well aware of the dangers posed by the involvement of what we’ve come to call Big Pharma and Big Tobacco in what should be unbiased scientific study. Many recent stories have exposed pressure put on researchers by both industries to conceal risks created by their products. 

But it’s a different story when it comes to Big Green. Intelligent people desperately wishing for an easy fix to the real problem of climate change are suckers for greenwashing, the practice of painting dubious for-profit projects and companies as environmental salvation. Our state university’s new partner BP has frequently appeared on Top Ten lists of the world’s worst greenwashers compiled by non-profit environmental watchdogs, but you didn’t see that in the public relations blitz which accompanied the announcement of the deal. You also didn’t see anywhere except in the Planet that the planned research was exclusively aimed at producing fuels from genetically modified organisms—GMOs—now causing almost as much concern in authentic environmental circles as global warming itself. 

Politicians were quick to jump on the BP bandwagon, with both Mayor Bates and Assemblymember Hancock (who should know better) appearing on the platform at the press conference which led off the campaign. The mayor’s city-funded publicity blog, the Bates Update, trumpeted the news on Feb. 27 that an organization called SustainLane Government “analyzed U.S. cities to see which led in combining Cleantech investments, infrastructure and supportive policies into a physical ‘cluster.’ Berkeley was named the third best in the United States.” 

You had to click through the included link to discover that the award was given only because of the BP-UC deal, which didn’t involve the city. “The city of Berkeley’s participation ... is in the planning stages,” the SustainLane report said.  

Before those plans go much further, Bates and the City Council might want to consider whether their constituents are likely to be fans of one of the biggest GMO projects ever conceived. And if there are still people at the University of California—faculty, students, even administrators—who still care about the tattered remnants of what used to be called academic freedom, they might still think about whether taking half-a-billion dollars from Big Green could pose any ethical or environmental problems downstream. The contract technically still hasn’t been signed, not that there’s much doubt that it will be.  

FUELS RUSH IN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

It was with growing apprehension that I watched my 13-year-old daughter whip through her advanced math and science homework last night. Because of her interest in science, I had been hoping that she might want to attend UC Berkeley in a few years, a close-to-home university with a world-class reputation. But judging on the track that they’re on lately, UC Berkeley’s reputation will be down the drain by the time she’s ready for college. 

The latest news from a gushing UC President Robert Dynes is that for $500 million, British Petroleum is more than welcome to the energy and resource research and development at Cal for the next 10 years. UCB is on its way to becoming BP University. 

Playing back the clip of the Feb. 1 press conference, I watched in fascination as Gov. Schwarzenegger, Chancellor Birgeneau and President Dynes stood, in turn, at the BP podium flanked by the flags of the nation, state and BP. They elaborated on how proud and honored they were that BP had “picked” California and UC Berkeley. It felt like a bad dream. I would never want my daughter to think she was attending a public university and instead be put to work for a giant corporation with a terrible international track record for human rights violations. But that’s beside the most important point, which is that it doesn’t matter what kind of track record it has: a corporation should not be taking over a public institution’s research and development. I want my daughter to be able to attend a reputable public institution that does its research for the betterment of humankind, not a corporation. 

This is not just a campus issue. BP’s corporate interest is taking precedent over scientific research for the public good. This is unacceptable. Taxpayers should not subsidize research for private companies. Chancellor Birgeneau, do not sign the contract with BP. Keep Berkeley’s reputation clean. 

Kirstin Miller 

Oakland 

• 

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL! 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Humans have a large capacity for hope, and it’s a good thing. But along with hope comes a tendency for self-deception. It is fascinating to watch people struggle to deal with this actually very simple issue! 

We need to immediately reduce the burning of carbon-based fuels to a minimum. That is crystal clear. There are only three possible sources of energy large enough to replace petroleum: coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy. Burning coal or natural gas pollutes our air and causes global warming. Since natural gas is relatively clean, it should be reserved, if it is to be burned at all, for heating our homes. Nuclear energy is expensive, and unsafe in many ways, including the risk of radiation poisoning, genetic damage, and of course atomic warfare. 

That leaves energy conservation (reducing energy consumption) as the only viable alternative. And we know how to do it: public transit, bicycling, and walking. So why to we need BP and an Energy Biosciences Institute to tell us these obvious facts? 

Mike Vandeman 

San Ramon 

• 

GLOBAL WARMING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

All the concern at UC Berkeley for the BP grant is misdirected because no one is pointing out that the grandiose program will do little to get global warming under control. Why? Because it proposes nothing to remove the excess of carbon dioxide already causing warming and poisoning the oceans, perhaps irreversibly. 

A recent scientific paper cited in the July 6 San Francisco Chronicle indicated that that gas is raising ocean acidity to be killing off corals and their associated flora and fauna. This acidity effect was reported on in considerable detail in The New Yorker by E. Kolbert in her Nov. 20 article “The Darkening Sea.” Another report given ink by the Chronicle on Dec. 7 2006, indicated that the warmest parts of the oceans, now having temperatures above historic averages due to global warming, are showing diminished levels of phytoplanktons that used to take up 50 percent of the total carbon dioxide load on the globe. Those microorganisms are also the basis of the whole open ocean food chain so diminishing levels of phytoplankton eating krill have to occur leading to diminishing levels of whales, as most whales are built to eat only krill. So several effects from that gas are showing up now including a reduction in natural uptake of that gas resulting in increasing the excess. 

What has to be done to give the oceans a chance to recover from the poisoning excess of that gas is go black; that is, make charcoal from our most of our organic wastes that are becoming messy and costly problems with contamination from germs possibly getting a chance to spread in the environment. The pyrolysis process to make charcoal also distills off a considerable amount of organic fuel compounds with little if any carbon dioxide being released. Much of our organic waste now gets composted, which speeds rapid recycling of carbon dioxide back onto the globe after it had been trapped in biota. We may be feeding back as much of that gas by our waste handling, especially by doing composting, as by our car emissions. So pyrolyzing most of such wastes would give us a way to stop recycling some of that gas from the globe. All the biofuel crops could be pyrolyzed giving the fuel distillate and charcoal without useless emission of that gas that occurs with any kind of microbial degradation. Also we could pyrolyze collected solids from sewage and farm animal excreta. The fuel distillate would be burned to provide the pyrolysis heat with any extra being connected to steam driven electric power plants. The burying of charcoal, done to prevent waste-tire-like fires, would be doing what Nature did eons ago in burying biota to become coal with the result of removing some carbon dioxide from recycling. 

Nothing in the BP grant program will be doing removal of some of the excess of that gas from the globe to allow our oceans a chance to recover. If you want to see what doing nothing about the excess of carbon dioxide leads to, read the Chronicle’s March 11 story on page A6.  

James Singmaster 

UC Davis Environmental Toxicologist, Retired  

Fremont 

• 

ENSURE SAFEGUARDS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

There is no doubt that the program of research proposed by the BP contract entails significant risks to the academic quality of the university, to local public safety, and to the global environment. Yet, it is equally true that this research is vital and urgent in its very plausible aims to contribute significantly to energy independence (for the United States and other nations), to an environmentally sound energy supply, and consequently to global security and peace among nations. 

It is a strength of the university’s contribution to the proposal that, while yes, Cal is especially strong in its qualifications for research in synthetic biology and related topics, at the same time, Cal (and the larger community) is also particularly rich in experts on the potential ecological impacts, food supply impacts, justice implications, and so forth. Those other strengths—the ability to bring well-informed skeptics into the research—gave an extra boost to the bid for the contract. Those other strengths make Berkeley uniquely qualified to intelligently manage the risks while pursuing the urgent needs. What better place to conduct this research? 

I suggest that the skeptical voices being raised now are best spent not in trying to drive the contract out of town but, rather, to welcome it under conditions that ensure the research is conducted openly and with ample safeguards to public safety. 

Thomas Lord 

• 

LBNL LONG-RANGE PLAN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

People opposed to the controversial energy research being proposed in Strawberry Canyon might weigh in on the bricks-and-mortar underpinnings currently under review as part of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s (LBNL) 2006 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP).  

Up for review is the land use plan that will guide development at the LBNL hill site over the next 20 years. Commonly known as the Berkeley Lab, it is a government owned and contractor operated federal laboratory. 

As recently as 2003, the Bush administration required competitive bidding of the national laboratories financed by the Department of Energy (DOE). To keep the contract with the federal government the university has, it would seem, bought into the federal government’s research agenda.  

How this plays out locally is expanded development in Berkeley’s backyard.  

The acknowledged significant and unavoidable impacts include alterations in the site’s visual character (aesthetic impacts), toxic air contaminants resulting in an excess cancer risk (air quality impacts), a substantial adverse change in historical resources (cultural resources impacts), constructions noise impacts that cannot be mitigated (noise impacts), and degradation of level of service at local intersections (transportation impacts).  

The 2006 LRDP DEIR can be accessed on-line at www.lbl.gov/lrdp. 

The City of Berkeley is receiving public comment at a joint commission meeting on Wednesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center.  

Written comments on the 2006 LRDP DEIR should be received at the Berkeley Lab by March 23 and mailed to either of the following addresses: lrdp-eir@lbl.gov (attention: Jeff Philliber) Jeff Philliber, Environmental Planning Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, MS 90J-0120, Berkeley, CA 94720. 

The 2006 LRDP is a land use document and not a mission statement or policy document. It is tucked in and neat and tidy. But there are assumptions underneath that are less clear, more messy, and highly controversial. Perhaps we can together connect the dots.  

Janice Thomas 

• 

DELLUMS’ POLICE PLAN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Your story on Oakland’s police reorganization, announced at Mayor Dellums’ press conference (“Dellums Pledges to Reorganize Oakland Police,” March 9), was the most informative and detailed report to appear in the local press. 

A bit of context helps understand what happened and, more important, what is not being done. Oakland has half a police department, compared by population with Atlanta, Boston, Cleveland and most major cities (Department of Justice statistics can be found at www.orpn.org/staffing.htm). Are we to believe that a reorganization will make OPD as effective as these cities? Incidentally, New York City and some others use the same area-based administrative setup that Oakland just adopted. It is hardly credible that all these cities are wasting money on police departments twice as large as needed. OPD is simply understaffed.  

Less than two weeks ago Mayor Dellums referred to Oakland’s $1 billion budget as “chump change” (Oakland Tribune, Feb. 28). Using a liberal figure for police salary, benefits, and overhead, it would take $72 million to bring Oakland up to the minimum of 1,100 officers that we need—7 percent of the budget (an increase of 400 officers at $180,000 per officer, the approximate figure used in the city budget). Public safety should be the first priority of city government, but neither the mayor nor the other officials at the press conference has offered a solid plan to get to 1,100 police. 

No wonder Oakland has a national reputation for sideshows, violence on the streets, and routinely places among the top half dozen cities in the country for vehicle theft. 

Charles Pine 

Oakland Residents for  

Peaceful Neighborhoods 

• 

LENNAR’S TRACK RECORD 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

If the city of Alameda is seriously considering Lennar Corporation as a leader for the Naval Air Station project, they need to do a bit of research about Lennar’s track record. Spend some time on www.DefectiveHomes.org and read about how Lennar turns the American Dream into the American Nightmare for thousands of homeowners throughout the country, including California. 

Sen. Elizabeth Dole said it best when she was on the Federal Trade Commission: “... for too many Americans, the dream home has turned into a nightmare. You know as well as I do that as families move into their own little Garden of Eden, more and more are finding the apple full of worms. As a result, some homebuyers believe they are being bilked for thousands of dollars, and they are expressing not only anguish but outrage. Shoddy building practices can be concealed from many purchasers who cannot be expected to have the technical expertise to evaluate the structural soundness of a home or the quality of electrical, plumbing, or air conditioning systems…The patience of the American consumer is rapidly running out. . . . Consumers are demanding more protection from the government, not less. The consumer movement is no longer made up of small bands of activists with no troops standing behind them; the consumer movement is now part of our culture—it embraces every one of us. And it will not be denied over an issue so fundamental as decent housing . . .” 

This statement was made in 1979, but nothing has changed. If anything, with the raging housing boom, and the inability of local inspectors to keep up with inspections, this problem has become a national virus, and Lennar is the poster child for defective homes. 

If the city does select Lennar, they will need to implement a very aggressive inspection policy throughout the entire construction phase, not just final inspections, when the worst defects are already covered up with walls and roofs. 

One of the most egregious examples of Lennar’s callous disregard for the American Homeowner was the electrocution of a man in a new Lennar home that recently received a clean inspection. Now the widow and her children are involved in a lawsuit with Lennar, and Lennar is not accepting responsibility. The lawsuit details can be found at www.DefectiveHomes.org 

Mike Morgan 

• 

REGRETTABLE ACT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The attempt to limit and restrict participation on city commissions is yet another regrettable act by our current City Council. City Councilmembers have the right and obligation to appoint, and if they choose to, re-appoint, members to city commissions. Any individual councilmember who chooses to limit participation on our city commissions has every right to make that individual decision; to make that decision for every other councilmember is nothing short of arrogant. At the very least please do not enact this proposal until it has a chance to be vetted by every commission that would be or could be impacted. 

John Selawsky 

• 

DON’T TAKE AWAY OUR RIGHTS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Last month five members of the Berkeley City Council asked for legislation to be drafted that would impose term limits on members of four major commissions (Zoning, Planning, Housing and Landmarks) and would prevent anyone from serving on those commissions if they also serve on any other Berkeley commission. 

On Thursday the city attorney produced the actual wording of the ordinance. We were shocked to see that language has been added that bans rent board commissioners (and library trustees, and school board members) from serving on what Mayor Bates refers to as the “power” commissions. 

We never knew that serving on the rent board would deprive us of the right to serve our city and our councilmembers in the same capacity as any other Berkeley citizen. 

We don’t understand why the council majority has been trying to reduce citizen participation in public life, but for them now to propose limits on the civil rights of citizens over whom they have no appointment power begins to make their action look even less like the “good government” procedure they’ve billed it as and more like an attempt to evade the clear provisions of the Fair Representation Ordinance enacted by the citizens of Berkeley at the polls. Given that the city attorney has written legislation substantially different from what the council majority proposed, we ask the council not to act tonight, and to (1) inform the members of the three affected bodies of the proposed action as is traditional in these circumstances, (2) publicly notice their new language, and (3) hold a proper public hearing. 

Commissioners Howard Chong, Jason Overman and Eleanor Walden could not be reached in time to participate in this letter. 

Rent Stabilization Boardmembers: 

Jesse Arreguin, chair,  

Jack L. Harrison, vice-chair 

Chris Kavanagh, Dave Blake,  

Lisa Stephens, Pam Webster

Those who object to a new ferry terminal along the Albany or North Berkeley shoreline can relax. After last Thursday’s scoping session conducted by the Water Transit Authority, it appears that the two northern locations are likely to be ranked a distant third and fourth behind the other two candidate sites in the Berkeley Marina. The northern sites are Buchanan Street (really closer to Fleming Point next to the race racetrack’s underutilized north parking lot) and Gilman (really a little to the north of Gilman, across from the stables area). 

There may or may not be significant negative environmental effects caused by a ferry transiting Eastshore State Park waters every half hour during the morning and afternoon commutes. Personally I suspect that it would be difficult to demonstrate that the narrow band of intermittent disturbance adjacent to a ferry route is a measurable threat to any local species. But this is really being driven by Albany’s ongoing debate about land use policy on the Albany waterfront. 

Those who see the benefits of a mixed-use urban waterfront with appropriately scaled commercial and recreational activities tend to want the ferry. Those with a vision of an unbroken, continuous shoreline park are in strong opposition. The ferry is viewed as the camel’s nose in the tent, leading the way to further commercial development. In any case the question is all but moot with respect to this round of ferry planning, as the advocates of the open space monoculture seem to be carrying the votes in Albany, and we can focus the debate on the options available for Berkeley. 

Unfortunately, the graphics presented at last week’s scoping meeting were somewhat misleading. Despite assurance from WTA staff that no marina berths would be displaced by the ferry terminal, the large site plan of the Doubletree terminal shows about 40 berths of F-dock (one of the newest docks in the marina) mysteriously vanished to make room for the ferry. 

“It’s only a concept sketch” is the excuse given, but really, the consultants who draw these finger paintings should be capable doing their homework a little better than that. 

The Doubletree location makes economic sense only if the new terminal is integrated into the existing Hornblower docks—or at least designed to co-exist with existing marina facilities. There are several ways to do this without significantly disrupting either the Hornblower operation or revenue-generating marina berths, but none of these options are shown. 

What about the other site, near Hs. Lordships restaurant? For some reason the technical difficulties of the open water location are being soft-pedaled. A thin line labeled “wave attenuator” substitutes for a breakwater. A floating breakwater may in fact be feasible, but this will have a much larger footprint than shown. It will be a significant engineering and construction cost, and might or might not prove to be more economical than a new fixed breakwater over time. 

The problem here is that both these errors combine to give the casual observer the impression that both of the marina sites are more-or-less equivalent in terms of cost and time-line. This is extremely misleading when the real-world economics are taken into account. The Doubletree hotel site has the potential to become a ferry terminal with minimal additional infrastructure. Indeed, it already is a ferry terminal for the Hornblower operation. 

Most of the required dock, parking, dredging and breakwater are already there. Environmental review would be streamlined by the fact that the ferry uses an existing maritime facility and transits water already heavily-traveled by vessels of approximately the same size or larger. We might even be able to begin the service sooner than first-quarter 2011 as now anticipated by WTA. 

If you attend the second scoping meeting (Albany library, Thursday March 15, 6:30 pm), check out the site plans carefully and ask questions about the assumptions behind them. 

Why does WTA insist on spending millions to duplicate facilities that are already in place? Perhaps the systemic problem is that WTA, because of its assured bridge toll revenue funding, is planning an over-subsidized service. 

Ferries are wonderful additions to our mix of public transportation options, and can improve the quality of life even for occasional users. But let us not delude ourselves into believing that ferries will reduce congestion or improve air quality in any significant way. As such, it is hard to justify a per-trip subsidy that is any higher than the subsidies for more practical options like Transbay bus service or increased parking at BART stations. 

And, transportation policy aside, we also need to avoid heavy subsidies for the Berkeley ferry because an artificially low ticket price is likely to generate artificially high passenger volume, and this would strain the capacity of either of the two Berkeley Marina locations. Pricing the tickets closer to actual cost will keep the scale of the service small, and the number of cars well within what our existing infrastructure can support. 

Cost-based pricing will avoid using subsidies better spent on more efficient modes of transportation, and it will avoid the necessity to spend many millions on parking structures and other high-volume terminal facilities. 

But the best argument for keeping the subsidy level low and the scale of the service small is to reduce risk. Despite WTA’s projections, there really is no reliable way to anticipate the passenger demand. By avoiding high terminal costs, we will not have committed millions of public transportation dollars to a service that might not be viable. Too few riders makes it economically wasteful. Too many riders means it will have to move to a location that can support more parking. 

Another example of the effect of over-subsidizing is the design spec for the two new ferries: The distance from the marina to SF is only 5.6 miles; you only need to go 17 knots to cover that distance in 20 minutes. But WTA has ordered two new 25-knot designs, requiring engines that are more than twice as powerful as what would be required for a slower speed that matches the route, even with reasonable margins. (Power varies by speed cubed.) Cost, weight and emissions implications are clear. This is a very high price to pay for the ability to swap out the ferries to longer and less viable routes that require the higher speeds. 

Not to mention that the higher speed also appears to driving a switch from compliance with the 46 CFR Subchapter T standards to which virtually all U.S. ferries are built, to the more stringent International Maritime Organization code for high speed craft. (Okay, WTA is petitioning for an exemption from the seat belt requirement, but it demonstrates how inappropriate the ISO standards are for a boat that only needs to go 17 knots.) More weight, more cost, and totally unnecessary if the speed were matched to the route. 

WTA has the resources to do this right. Regional Transit Measure 2 provides funding from Bay Bridge toll revenue. Follow the progress of the contract with shipbuilder Nichols Brothers—these 25-knot 149-passenger catamaran ferries are contracted to cost about $6 million and be delivered sometime this year. If this first major real-world acquisition by WTA is delivered significantly late and over budget, I fear that WTA will be well on its way to creating a legacy of technical and administrative errors that will rival those of BART in its early years. 

Paul Kamen is a naval architect.

Sustainable Berkeley formed last year to help foster collaborations towards a more sustainable future across sectors in Berkeley. It offers a rare glimmer of hope that people from business, government, universities, and the community can work together towards common goals in spite of the many divisions, which continually prevent the success of such efforts.  

While the Daily Planet has focused its reporting on the nature of the contracts between Sustainable Berkeley and the City of Berkeley, it has missed the amazing outcomes to date. 

Community sustainability internships 

Sustainable Berkeley leveraged a strong partnership with the Chancellor’s Advisory Commission on Sustainability to provide internships to community efforts outside the University. These are now supporting efforts towards increasing green collar job opportunities, exploring the solarization of the Berkeley Unified School District, making access to healthy foods more affordable by developing a natural grocery cooperative, and to reducing the harmful impacts of pharmaceutical disposal at our medical facilities. 

Sustainable business outreach 

Sustainable Berkeley has been providing outreach and education to restaurants and the largest energy users with funding from PG&E, under contract with the city. Sustainable Berkeley offers a single point of contact to businesses, while reducing the inefficiencies of having representatives from multiple agencies competing for the limited time of these business leaders. 

The Berkeley Sustainability Summit 

In October of last year Sustainable Berkeley provided logistical and other support to the Ecology Center in launching the Berkeley Sustainability Summit. This one-day event included 24 brief presentations on successes in business, housing, gardening, creeks, youth engagement, food justice, health care, university, city government, and many other sectors. The report and DVD from the summit are available at www.ecologycenter.org.  

Green Gathering 

Sustainable Berkeley co-sponsored the city’s third Green Gathering last year with more than 160 local leading organizations, agencies, businesses, and individuals celebrating the achievements of local entities towards reaching a city-wide triple bottom line: environmental protection, economic development, and social equity. Keynote speakers included Dan Kamman of the Berkeley Institute for the Environment and Van Jones of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. This gathering allowed deep cross sector networking to occur, building a foundation for future collaborations.  

Champions of Sustainability Awards 

Sustainable Berkeley’s awards program received over 30 nominations from business, education, and community groups working to make Berkeley a model of sustainability. The winners represent the best work in combining environmental excellence and economic vitality with social equity efforts. Awardees include: Vital Vittles, the Alameda County Computer Resource Center, Sun Light and Power, The BioFuel Oasis, Rising Sun Energy, and Cal Dining. 

Climate protection 

The contract under current consideration by city staff and elected officials is to lead a multi-stakeholder process to identify and evaluate the many options our community can take towards meeting the Measure G climate protection goals. Whether this should be untaken by a city staff, a pubic commission, or task force, or by Sustainable Berkeley or some other group, is up to Council to decide. Regardless of where or how it happens, this critical work must be completed quickly if we are going to reduce our disproportionate climate impacts. 

It is unfortunate that no reporting has been offered by the Daily Planet on any of the above successes, and that the collaboration has been portrayed as being intentionally exclusive and self-serving.  

I believe it is time for our many uncoordinated sustainability initiatives to work in a more collaborative, efficient, and effective way. I believe that no one sector (government, business, academic, community) can take the lead on this alone. I believe that Sustainable Berkeley is the best chance we have towards those ends. I hope you will join Sustainable Berkeley in making Berkeley a leader in climate protection and environmental sustainability. 

Martin Bourque is the executive director of the Ecology Center. 

NORTH SHATTUCK PLAZA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

David Stoloff in his March 6 commentary is misleading the public once again about what is happening on North Shattuck Avenue. 

After two highly contentious community meetings, Stoloff’s North Shattuck Plaza concept was “off the table” according to Councilmember Laurie Capitelli and Heather Hensley, executive director of the North Shattuck Merchants Association. 

The plaza idea met with vehement opposition from more than 30 merchants in the Vine-Rose area including Earthly Goods, Black Oak Books, Peets, Chester’s Cafe, the Laundromat, Masse’s, Toyo, the Produce Center, Terrestra, the Bel Forno Cafe and Andronico’s. 

On top of this, neighborhood residents are clearly divided about the plan. Some want no change, others want some sprucing up or more trees and flower boxes, but almost no one wants to remove the angled parking that now runs from Black Oak Books to Longs. If the angled parking remains, as most people want, there is no room for Stoloff’s plaza. 

Yet he keeps pushing his soundly rejected idea in different guises, hoping, I suppose to manipulate the process, just as he manipulated himself into the chairmanship of the Planning Commission. 

Art Goldberg 

• 

RUNNING WOLF’S WORDS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Message to Zachary Running Wolf: You do a disservice to activists everywhere when you claim the Berkeley campus police arrested you for sitting in the campus tree to knock you out of the 2008 Berkeley mayor’s race.  

You could have proudly proclaimed right to exercise your right of free speech, and to call more attention to UC Berkeley’s completely insane plan to convert Bowles Hall into a glorified guest room for the business school, build a multi-million-dollar gym directly on an earthquake fault, and knock down several perfectly fine trees, 

Instead you give further fuel to those who would disparage the good name of my wonderful home, Berkeley, by claiming there is a police conspiracy, when it is clear there is none. 

Massimo Introvigne 

• 

TIMES ARE A-CHANGIN’ 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

After almost a year of avoiding your editorials I read the March 3 gem. Things never change, do they? Old gal Becky still has her head lodged way up her anal canal. Everyone else on the planet knows that Berkeley streets are a living disgrace because of the presence of large numbers of bums. Telegraph is the worst. Why go to one of our “independent” overpriced bookstores when you can safely and cheaply order books from the privacy of your home via Amazon and Alibris? You can get anything you want and you don’t have to be at the mercy of the particular prejudices of local store buyers. And, no, Becky another goofy local law won’t stop this welcome trend. Horsesmiths were en masse displaced by the automobile industry and the overpriced local market fell victim to the large chains. For most consumers this is a good deal. We live in an ever-changing global economy that has no place for Berzerkeley NIMBYs. Some industries like second-hand bookstores and daily newspapers aren’t going to make it. There are a very few exceptions here that I’d like to see survive at least among the bookstores, in Oakland but not Berkeley, and none among the daily liepapers. Let’s be honest, liberalism has killed Berkeley, and now itself is dying an overdue demise. KPFA has lost listeners galore in the past decade and the Daily Planet is barely hanging in there despite narcotics-induced hallucinations that most “thoughtful” people around here read it.  

Michael P. Hardesty 

Oakland 

• 

CO-OP BOOKSHOPS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Many people share your concern for the demise of our Berkeley bookshops. Last year, at a community meeting in response to the closing of Cody’s on Telegraph, several people suggested that we form a co-op and take over Cody’s. 

Well I am a member of a co-op, a worker co-op, a rare breed in the co-op community, but not in the Bay Area, which has the largest concentrations of worker co-ops in the country. 

The worker co-op model is not uncommon in the book community and in fact for over 30 years two stores in San Francisco have used this model: Bound Together and Modern Times. The co-op model can take several forms, but the common thread is that those who run these shops see their work as vital to the intellectual vibrancy of the community. 

The sense of mission enables the core staff to attract volunteers to help with the venture and often that extra, unpaid, assistance makes it possible for the shop to pay its bills by relieving core staff paid hours. This model is very common in food co-ops. And in fact the bookshop volunteers can be rewarded with perks as a “thank you” for their gift of hours, just as food co-op members get discounts on their food purchases. 

The biggest stumbling block with implementation of a bookstore co-op is not however the lack of passion, but the lease. Hand in hand with an innovative collective structure must come an innovative approach to land ownership. Just as we preserve wilderness through land trusts, it seems that a similar approach must be introduced to maintain community resources. 

We live in an age when public services are increasingly privatized much to the determent of the community. The irony is that the market can no longer maintain those aspects of the life of a community that add quality to the experience. Isn’t it time to think creatively about taking the market, and its drive for profits, out of the business of meeting peoples’ needs? I personally think it never did adequately in the first place. Neither did those working people in Rochdale, England who set-up the first co-op store in the mid-19th century. 

B. Marszalek 

• 

BERKELEY’S FAR LEFT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Maybe the bookstores are all closing because every one I have ever been to in Berkeley seems to only want to cater to the far left of the city. The liberal (read communist/socialist) leanings of the 1960s generation is finally being discovered as the trash that it is. People want to return to reading normal things and not about some nutcase’s diatribe on what is wrong with this country, etc. 

The biggest problem we have in this country and specifically Berkeley is that these freaks from the ’60s, many who are still on acid just hang around and accomplish nothing but taking up space and urinating/defecating on business’ doorsteps. That makes it highly improbable that people with money would shop there. Berkeley has become a museum piece on the failure of the ’60s. 

The idea sounds great when discussed, however, it is just not going to work. You have smelly, wild-haired freaks sitting in the bookstores all day reading for free and true buying customers do not like that kind of ambiance when looking for and buying books. 

I suggest time limits for browsing, unless buying, of 10 minutes, then clear out. Don’t start with “These people have rights, too.” They have none when it comes to the private sector and the manager or employee of a bookstore can throw out anybody he wants and should. Berkeley needs to set apart an area where only the leftover flower children and the like can stay and not bug people who have jobs and money to spend at these establishments, 

Clean up Telegraph already, it is a shithole. Why Berkeley allows the nuts to run rampant on its streets is beyond me. I think we need to place a whole bunch of them in psych institutions whre they belong. Can’t do that though because the nut jobs from the ACLU will raise a stink. 

No total solution here but some things to look at to move Berkeley to the city it was before the flower-power peace-freak drugheads took it over and decided how they wanted their little Camelot. 

Spare change seekers are another one. Get them the hell out of town! What is so hard about that? When one comes up to me, which is rare, I tell them to back off and do it quick or you will need more than money to fix your problem. You see, I will have stomped his face into the pavement. 

Christopher Fuller 

• 

EYES OF THE BEHOLDER 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

It goes without saying that where our side sees a terrorist the opposing side sees a hero, a patriot, sometimes a martyr. To think otherwise requires an independent active mind because separating Us from Them is innate and persistent. And yet, the need to overlook differences and accept the oneness of mankind has never been more urgent because the alternative, descent into barbarity, is where the Bush administration is taking us under the absurdly named “war on terrorism.”  

Terrorism is spreading intense fear and the people who do it do not identify themselves as terrorists. 

Attila terrorized Rome. Genghis Khan terrorized a continent. Senator Joe McCarthy terrorized Hollywood actors and script writers. 

But it isn’t only individuals who use terror to achieve their purposes. Organizations use it: the Algerian Freedom Fighters used it against the French, the Irish Republican Army against the English and the Klu Klux Klan used it to keep Negroes in their place. 

Our governing officers find terror useful and sometimes actively stimulate public awareness with “chicken little” announcements of “barbarians at the gate.” Spreading fear helps them suppress opposition, enabling the enactment of measures—the mis-named Patriot Act and the new military tribunals—that they would not otherwise dare. To paraphrase Santayana, if we do not remember the Cold War we will be condemned to repeat it. 

Given nature’s many capricious acts of destruction—hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, plagues, etc.—and given the fragility of human life (made more delicate by ubiquitous cars and airplanes), fear is unavoidable.  

To live at all means restraining and containing our fears.  

Marvin Chachere 

San Pablo 

• 

THE PUPPET MAN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I would like to thank you for helping me to reach the public with my desire to find out more about Tom Roberts, aka The Puppet Man. I have had good responses to my request published in the letters column and would like to summarize the info thus far. It turns out that other people have used my information published in your paper to look up this much-loved street performer. 

Again, Tom Roberts performed a puppet act on the streets of Berkeley. Many students from the early to mid 1970s recall him on the Sproul steps and his act his with affection. He would give flowers to young women and quip, “Berkeley is so liberal, I have to have to pass out two hats!” He wrote books of poetry, which were published locally and/or by him. One such title: I Gotta Hunger—I Gotta Need, inscribed and signed by Tom Roberts (The Puppet Man), Berkeley local folk artist and puppeteer. 44 pp illustr. soft cover, Cody’s Books, Inc. Berkeley, CA, 1971. 

Other books by Tom Roberts: To Chico With Love, Mosaic Mexicano, and Bridge to Berkeley. 

Roberts lived at 1010 Bush St., San Francisco, which is now the Balmoral Residence Club. I called to see if they have always been the BRC but I only got the voicemail. No response as of yet. If I had $40 and a dream (I have the dream end of it) I’d try to find his Social Security number, birth date, and when he died. I’d like to think he had a hundred people flood the street at his funeral, but it seems unlikely. 

So folks, please contact me with any memories, photos (I have one), or what have you by contacting me at rhubarbfarm@hotmail.com. 

Nathaniel Rounds 

• 

TAKING RESPONSIBILITY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The new fad way to say that you’ve screwed up on the media is to say: “I take responsibility” for this or that. Or even more dramatically, “I take full responsibility” for etc. What ever happened to “I was wrong and I regret it.” Or, “I’m guilty” for this or that. Or, even more explicitly:” I’m a jerk, or stupid.” “Taking responsibility” for something is evasive and meaningless nonsense when it comes to the horrors of Walter Reed or the tragedy of the Iraq War. It sounds like you’re a good guy, not a screwup, or a lackey, or a criminal, or a scoundrel.  

Robert Blau 

• 

A NEW KINDNESS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In this season of hacking, sweating, coughing, sneezing, sputum spitting, joint-aching-seizures, a new kindness was invoked: At the Berkeley Bowl grocery store, near the neat rows of disciplined shopping carts awaiting commands, are stands holding dispensers of 5” x 8” size chemically treated handi-wipes (like the smaller ones we put in our purse for awkward moments). 

Couple of swishes over the handle of the cart you select with the disposable wipes, and the season-of-sharing (germs) is partially aborted. 

What happens at your grocery store? Safeway? Albertsons? Andronicos? Luckys? Monterey Market? 

Len Holt 

• 

FAITH-BASED PROGRAMS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The Supreme Court is considering a case on White House faith-based programs. What would George Washington have thought about George Bush’s pet project of bringing religion back into politics under the guise of faith-based initiatives and of using U.S. tax dollars to support programs in tax-exempt churches? 

Ron Lowe 

Grass Valley 

• 

THANKS, COMRADE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Retired anthropologist Dr. Eugene Ruyle’s March 2 letter regarding Zachary Running Wolf seems to justify blatantly illegal behavior on the grounds that Running Wolf is “a dedicated and respected activist for the local community and for Native American issues.” Well, good for Running Wolf, a known vandal who regularly defaces public signage and whose latest arrest was for threatening police officers with violence. 

Much of Ruyle’s letter is taken up with irrelevantly patting himself on the back for his activist role in stopping development at Puvungna, a native “sacred creation center” on the property of Cal State Long Beach. He implies that the oak grove near Memorial Stadium involved in the current controversy fueled largely by Running Wolf’s political agenda is somehow equivalently “sacred,” apparently because Running Wolf says so. This simply is not true. In fact, it is a lie. 

A cursory Internet search about Dr. Ruyle reveals that he is a Marxist ideologue whose so-called “anthropology courses” at Cal State Long Beach were criticized by students as rants on the evils of capitalism, bourgeois culture and Euro-American guilt for the problems of the world. His online course notes for an introduction to cultural anthropology class contain such gems as “The sociobiology of Marxism is a sociobiology of hope, for it tells us that we humans can solve our problems, and are in fact solving them in revolutionary societies such as Nicaragua, Cuba, China, and the Soviet Union.” Despite the reactionary leftist politics of many Daily Planet readers who may agree with him, most informed people not only in the United States but around the world recognize the absurdity of pairing “hope” with the Soviet Union, and doubt that revolutionary Marxism has “solved” anything, ever. And if some see “hope” in China, it exists only because the Chinese have rejected revolutionary Marxism in favor of rampant capitalism. 

Finally, Ruyle states “Campus officials need to listen to the people.” This implies that the opposition to removing the oaks and getting on with the proposed athletic center is monolithic. In fact, it is not. Not even close. In addition to the “evil capitalists” who have pledged more than $100 million in private, personal funds for construction, nearly 7,000 people have signed an informal online petition in support of the University’s position. You don’t see that reported in the local media. I wonder why? 

Michael Stephens 

Point Richmond 

• 

SCHOOL FOOD 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As a chef, and the current director of Nutrition Services in Berkeley School District, I want to thank so many in our community for their insights and understanding of the importance good nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and fresh foods can play in the health of the community. This is so evident in our many farmers markets and other organizations supporting these efforts. We too, in Berkeley schools share this value.  

The district’s vision is to have every child to seek, grow, prepare and eat nourishing, delicious and sustainable grown food. To teach them to make choices that have a positive influence on their personal health, family, community and surrounding environment. To this end, dramatic changes are being made in the lunch program. 

We have salad bars in every school, so children can have salad with every meal or they can make a meal from the salad bar (in the high school the organic salad bar is a major offering). Fresh fruit and vegetables are served daily; a quarter of our produce is now locally farmed and/or organic. Almost all of the food is made from scratch; that which isn’t cooked in our kitchens is made by Bay Area businesses. Breads served are organic and/or whole grain. Schools serve only hormone- and antibiotic-free low-fat and non-fat milk. 

Lunches at school are a very affordable and convenient option, costing $3 in the elementary schools, $3.50 in the middle schools, and $4 at the high school. But we still don’t have the rate of participation that gives me the confidence all our students are eating a healthy lunch. We need our parents and members of the community to encourage students to take advantage of our school cafeterias. The more students we serve the more improvements can be made, most importantly, the better chance we have of combating the escalating obesity and diabetes issues facing our nation’s children. 

If you are a parent of a Berkeley Unified School student, I urge you to have your child try the new school food.  

Ann Cooper 

Director of Nutrition Services 

Berkeley Unified School District 

Let us first set aside the potential ad hominem attacks against BP Amoco PLC. So what if it is the corporation that pleaded with Washington and London to remove the democratically elected prime minister of Iran from office which resulted in a violent coup d’etat in 1953 because of concerns over control of Iran’s oil resources? So what if it is the corporation that deliberately failed to adequately maintain its Alaskan pipeline so it could drive up the price of oil, and which, upon discovering the whistle blower, hired a CIA operative to break into the employee’s office? So what if it is the corporation who, along with oil giants ExxonMobil and Shell, heavily influenced the new Iraq Oil and Gas Law which would give Big Oil a 75 percent concession to Iraq’s oil resources in a so-called “Production Sharing Agreement”? Yes, let us put BP’s past (as well as its recent past) behind us and look towards the future of renewable energy so that, in the words of Berkeley National Laboratory’s Steve Chu, we can “help save the world.” 

Before wholeheartedly embracing Chu’s messianic vision, it would be wise of us to realize what industrial-scale biofuel and ethanol production would entail. Take a gander at a nation that has already shifted its gasoline consumption to a 40 percent reliance on ethanol—Brazil. Since 1973 the South American nation has intensively cultivated sugarcane for the production of ethanol, and since then Brazil has witnessed some dire results: massive deforestation, increased air and water pollution, and loss of life in some of the world’s most biologically diverse regions. A preeminent Brazilian environmentalist, Fabio Feldman, adds: “Some of the cane plantations are the size of European states... In order to harvest you must burn the plantations which creates a serious air pollution problem in the city.”  

But those are Brazil’s problems. What problems does the United States face? First, the United States has only 625,000 square miles of arable farmland. In order to fully supplant fossil fuels with biofuels at our current consumption levels, we would need 1.4 million square miles of land—land we do not have, and land that would be seized from developing countries. Second, we need to also consider that nearly all of the fertilizers and pesticides used in massive agricultural projects are oil-based products. Intensifying agricultural projects using these products does not ameliorate our dependence on oil. And third, according to research done by UC Berkeley scientist Tad Patzek and Cornell University professor David Pimentel, ethanol production from corn and switchgrass would, respectively, require 29 and 45 percent more fossil fuel energy than produced. Biodiesel production from soybean would require 27 percent more.  

However, Berkeley researchers and scientists are assuring us that such negative-return projects will not be the focus of the Energy Biosciences Institute. Instead, those working in the laboratories will study the use of cellulosic plants such as Miscanthus weed. Much of the research with such plants will necessitate the application of genetically modified organisms—a technological field which is in itself shrouded by controversy. 

Finally, what can be said about the corporatization of our public university? The role of the university in the context of the global economic order coincides with the advent of the Cold War. The Eisenhower administration in the 1950s increased funding for “educational” programs in the domain of the sciences and technology and installed additional programs so that it could cement the United States as a dominant power and remain competitive with the Soviet Union in both the global political and economic landscapes. At this juncture of human history we begin to see the role of the university as a key component of ensuring that U.S. students would be fully integrated with this hegemonic scheme. Part of that scheme includes the realization of US citizens as trained, well-disciplined adults who are eager to jump the corporate bandwagon.  

The University of California has since then churned out such “contributions” of “societal good” as the atomic weapon and the “Berkeley Mafia” who were essential in providing Indonesia’s Suharto regime with the game plan for the New Order (It’s quite ironic how the proposal equates the value of the EBI with the development of the atomic bomb). If the University and the State of California were truly committed to higher learning in the purest sense, why then has Governor Schwarzenegger planned to increase student undergraduate fees by 7 percent, graduate fees by 9 percent, and cut academic preparation by $33 million, all while pledging $40 million in California tax-payer dollars to the construction of the EBI? The trend is obvious: profit before education (unless the two coincide). With $500 million over the course of ten years, the University will double its corporate endowments and solidify a semi-unilateral dependency on a single corporate entity. 

If students are at all concerned about the fate of public higher education for our generation and the generations to come, we must challenge proposals that threaten our access to education. We must engage colleagues and faculty who are concerned about this threat. And we must see behind the gossamer veil of the university which purports a progressive solution to energy usage. 

Nathan Murthy is a UC Berkeley student. 

I write in response to J. Douglas Allen-Taylor’s recent column about the infamous slur word that is America’s pride and joy. The ignoble word that bigoted, racist, vulgar, people will continue to use. They use it in secret and public to try and make inferior a certain group of American and world citizens. 

Your paper performed a disservice to all your readers, especially your young readers and recent immigrants who may not know the origin and use of this slur. Other people, like the writer Allen-Taylor, also are misinformed and ignorant to whom this word really belongs. The Daily Planet’s editorial staff also will be able to find some light in the following truths. 

This vicious slur word can never be our word (I am an American citizen with African heritage who is nearly 60 years old, born and reared in California). I want to keep our American history in perspective. My grandfather’s father and mother were born in 1860 in Marion County, Mississippi. My great-grandmother lived nearly 100 years and she shared her history with her family, never once did she ever refer to herself nor her people using the “N word.” Mr. Allen-Taylor does himself and many other people a great harm by writing about something he obviously knows little about. And to use two failed comedians for your reference and support…shame on you Mr. Allen-Taylor. Now, some history for Daily Planet readers: 

The slur word originated and first was used by the scum who made their money trading in human beings. This country began oppressing African people early on in its history. As early as the 17th century laws began appearing that plainly discriminated against and offered no protection to Africans on the American continent. The human traders at that early time began referring to African people with the corruption of the Spanish word for black: “Negro.” This was their common identifier for people from the African continent. The human trading and human owning vulgar people were identifying Africans with their slur word, while the Africans were still speaking their tribal language. And even today the slur word is used by racist and other vulgar people in combination with other words like sand (slur word) etc. to denote any so called non-white humans. It is not our word. 

Throughout American states and cities in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries various racist segregationist laws passed. These laws identified the American citizens of African heritage anyway and however they desired. The U.S. census designated their citizens with African blood either B for black M for mulatto, of course cities and states were more creative and would use words like Colored, Black, African, Negro, Negra, on and on. Read for yourself, the laws that were written used whatever word they felt like using to identify us. We were not calling ourselves anything vulgar, any name we were called came from the white rulers, not from the oppressed. When my grandfather needed medical care in Mississippi in the early 1900s from an on the job injury, it was the racist who said we do not allow “slur words” in our hospital. It is the law. We don’t treat colored people. Of course he died from lack of medical care. Him and along list of other. It is not our Word. 

More recently, Gov. George Wallace of Alabama, and of course other segregationist racist white rulers of states in our union, declared on national television, “There will be no [slur word] admitted to the University of Alabama while I am alive.” The governor’s face was twisted and he meant what he said, but he failed. Yet, his stance was nothing compared to the evil racist citizens of Little Rock, Arkansas. Children going to school caused the whole town of white people to become a violent dangerous Mob, and they were calling the teenage students (girls and boys) every slur word you could ever imagine, along with threats that hopefully no one reading this will ever have to endure. Do you not remember? Restoring civil order required the 101st Airborne Division sent by President Eisenhower from Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. It is not our word.  

Now Mr. Allen-Taylor, what group of people was calling who what? You say you are not going to allow white people to use the word. You are either ignorant or inexperienced, if you are ignorant to truth; there is hope, why write to justify, write for truth. White people invented the word and use it whenever the hell they please. It is not our word. 

Friday Night High School football is an institution in California. In 1964 our team traveled to the town of Glendale, about 10 miles from Pasadena. As the football team stood by waiting to run on the field, what name do you think the racist scalawags were calling us? “Slur word” and “Slur word lovers.” We fielded a team, an integrated team of mixed human tribes, but those dumbos in Glendale were sick with their sickness. It is not our word. 

I spent 12 months in the Airborne Infantry in Vietnam, shot five times and a survivor simply to be a witness for all time, against war. Believe me Mr. Allen-Taylor, there is not a word you can use or say to make me blink. I see you, and others like you, on the bus, the BART, on the street, all misinformed and lost from your own great history of survival. Stop being ashamed to say “African!” “Africa!” Say it loud….that is your heritage and you need not try and hide from it. Singing songs with and calling yourselves by names invented by the worst human beings displays very clear you have what is known as a slave mentality. Bob Marley reminded us all: Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery. None but ourselves can free our mind. 

“Tell that guy I don’t board dogs, and I refuse to stay at somebody’s house and pet sit.” 

“Dad— 

“Tell him that the customers have to provide their own plastic bags. I’ll pick up poop, but with their bags, not mine.” 

“Dad— 

“What did you say his name was?” 

“Craig. It’s craigslist, and— 

“Well, tell Craig List I’ve got experience with all kinds of animals, not just dogs and cats, and— 

“Dad, it’s not Craig List. It’s craigslist. It’s not a person, it’s a website. I’m putting your ad in cyberspace.” 

“How much does it cost?” shouted Mom from the kitchen. “I don’t want to waste good money on the impossibility of finding an old man a job.” 

“I can work!” yelled Dad. “I’ve got plenty of skills— 

“It’s free,” I said. “Running a community ad on craigslist is free.”  

“Free?” asked Dad. “How can that be?” 

“Run the ad,” shouted Mom. 

I was visiting Las Vegas, trapped in the desert with two argumentative octogenarians. My father had once again been complaining about his lack of employment. A decade ago, back in New Jersey, he’d been retired for six months. Then he’d gotten a job as a divot replacer on a nearby golf course. He had dreams of driving powerful tractors and complicated lawn mowers, but after a few years of carrying a bucket and replacing holes in putting greens, he’d quit. Now he was locked up with my mother in a retirement community in northwest Las Vegas. There seemed to be no employment opportunities for an energetic, feisty 81-year-old who spent half a year in Nevada and the other half in New Jersey.  

“Let me see what you wrote,” said Dad, peering over my shoulder at the computer screen. “I wanna make sure you listed all my best qualities.” 

I read the ad aloud to him. Mom hovered outside the doorway, eavesdropping. 

“Need someone to walk your dog, or look after your pet/s while you’re gone? I’m a retired biologist who is up early and available to exercise dogs, feed pets, give medicines, run errands. I’m well acquainted with all species, including reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and furry creatures, big and small (pet rats, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, hamsters, etc.) Fee negotiable. Respond via e-mail.” 

“I don’t want your father walking big dogs,” said Mom. “It’s not safe.” 

“Nonsense,” said Dad. “Leave it in. I can walk any dog, big or small. Hell, I could walk a wolf or a mountain lion.” 

Mom rolled her eyes. 

“Remember that time I wrestled a bear? I was in the Army, and— 

“That was over 60 years ago,” said Mom. “You were drunk.” 

“It was a big, smelly bear,” said Dad. “From Texas.” 

“Look,” I said, interrupting an argument I’d heard on and off for the past 50 years. “We’ll run the ad. What can it hurt? You can screen potential customers on the telephone. If you don’t want to walk their dog or feed their mice, you don’t have to. What do you have to lose?” 

“Tell Craig to run it,” instructed Dad. 

“Are you sure it’s free?” asked Mom. 

Later that day Dad and I took a walk. We ran into a couple following a small gray Schnauzer, a dog who looked just like my beloved, departed Whiskers.  

“I’m a professional dog walker,” Dad announced while I petted their little pooch. 

“Really,” said the woman. “How interesting.”  

“Yes,” said Dad. “I’d give you one of my cards but I left them at home.”  

“Dad,” I said. “You— 

“I’m good with any kind of animal,” said Dad. “I can do anything.” 

“Really,” said the man. 

“The only thing I don’t do is provide plastic bags,” said Dad. “You’ll have to do that.” 

The man and woman nodded. They appeared anxious to continue their walk. Dad and I headed in the opposite direction, but after a few steps Dad turned and shouted after them. “You can look me up at Craig’s,” he said with unabashed, youthful enthusiasm. “It’s free!” 

Most of Ron’s columns have featured street trees. I’m making an exception for Michelia doltsopa; the few specimens we know about are in private gardens and storefront planters. I would have passed off the one on our street as some odd magnolia, but she recognized it for what it was. One clue: the flowers are borne among the leaves rather than at the ends of the branches.  

The accompanying photograph, taken after a long siege of rain, doesn’t really do the tree justice. At its peak, the white flowers glow against the leathery dark-green leaves. Frank Kingdon-Ward, the celebrated plant hunter who saw M. doltsopa in bloom in the Adung River valley near the Tibetan-Burmese frontier, wrote: “Its oyster-white shallow cups have a nacreous gleam, and it is a more beautiful tree than any magnolia, except perhaps the peerless Magnolia campbelli.” And this is coming from a man who knew his magnolias. The flowers are also fragrant. 

Kingdon-Ward wasn’t the first to come upon this tree, which grows wild through the Eastern Himalayas, from Nepal to India’s North East Frontier Area. That honor goes to Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, an earlier botanical explorer who may have been the first western scientist in Nepal, in 1802-03, with a diplomatic mission led by a Captain Knox. He gave the type locality for M. doltsopa as Narainhetty or Narayan Hetti, near Kathmandu. His Account of the Kingdom of Nepal also mentions other trees “hitherto unnoticed by botanists.” 

Trained in medicine in Scotland, Buchanan-Hamilton was surgeon to the British governor-general in Calcutta, somehow finding time also to organize a zoo and catalogue the fish of the Ganges. In addition to Nepal, he made plant-collecting forays all over India before settling down to run the Calcutta botanical garden in 1814.  

You have to hand it to those Indiana Joneses of botany. Prospecting for plants on the borderlands of China and India could be a dicey business. There were precipitous mountain trails and steamy leech-infested lowlands, endemic diseases, and local folk who had never seen a westerner and were none too happy to meet their first. Neither were the dogs, the large and surly Tibetan mastiffs.  

The explorers left behind some great books—many of Kingdon-Ward’s travelogues are still in print—and enriched our gardens with a bounty of rhododendrons, primroses, poppies, maples, and more. Michelia doltsopa is a standout among them. In the wild, it reaches a height of 90 feet and is harvested for its timber. “For carpenter’s work a preference is given to the Champa or Michelia, which is certainly a good kind of timber,” wrote Buchanan-Hamilton. Cultivated specimens are much shorter, 25 to 30 feet. Growth habit can be bushy or narrow and upright; older trees have broader crowns. Michelias in general prefer full sun or partial shade and well-drained, humus-rich, neutral-to-acid soil. 

Like their magnolia relatives, Michelias—there are some 50 species—flower in winter. Theirs is a venerable family. Magnolias and their kin have been traced back to the Cretaceous era, 95 million years ago, when the flowering plants were just emerging. Darwin considered the origin of flowering plants “an abominable mystery,” and their history is still murky. It appears, though, that the oldest flowering trees may have been magnolias or something like them. 

Before the advent of bees or butterflies, they were probably pollinated by flies or beetles as many magnolias still are. 

Now found only in East Asia and eastern North America, the magnolia family once had a much wider distribution. Their fossils have turned up in Idaho, England, even Greenland. But the world was warmer then, and climate change—the drying of the American west, the glaciation of Europe—pushed the magnolias into their present refugia. The remnant distribution of the family is paralleled by other plants, including ginseng, and a few animals, notably the alligators, paddlefish, and giant salamanders. We’re lucky to have these beautiful survivors, bringing a touch of the Mesozoic to city streets and yards.  

Photograph by Joe Eaton:  

At its peak, the white flowers of Michelia doltsopa glow against the leathery dark-green leaves. 

I have reported elsewhere on the history of U. S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s 2001-2005 conflict of interest due to her husband Richard C. Blum’s former stake in two war contractors, URS and Perini corporations. Unfortunately, the senator is not the only one in her family with an ethics problem. In March 2002, Gov. Gray Davis appointed Blum to a 12-year term as a regent of the University of California. For the next three years, both URS and Perini benefited from construction contracts awarded by the regents.  

A “conflict of interest” is defined as using a governmental position for personal gain. But since the laws governing official ethics are written by people who often have actual or potential conflicts, they are packed with loopholes and are basically unenforceable. So if you’re waiting for Feinstein or Blum to be indicted, dream on. Nevertheless, we serve history by documenting such trespasses.  

In 1992, former regent Willis Harman talked enthusiastically to the San Jose Mercury News about the pleasures of appointment: “this is definitely a great club to belong to because the majority of members travel in fairly high circles. Through them, you tend to meet others in high financial, business and society circles.” The current crop of regents is full of politically savvy business folks such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s personal financial adviser and longtime business partner Paul Wachter. Blum was a genuine catch for the club, which, it turns out, was already doing business with him.  

In May 2001, URS announced the award of “a contract from the University of California at Los Angeles to perform construction-management services for the $150 million replacement project for Santa Monica Hospital.” URS, which designs and sells advanced weaponry, also held a $125 million design and construction contract at UC’s Los Alamos nuclear weapons lab. So URS had substantial interests in UC capital projects when Blum, its principal owner, became a “decider” on construction planning and awarding contracts.  

Perini was similarly situated. When Blum became a regent, the construction firm of Rudolph & Sletten was midway through building dorms and a dining hall for UC San Diego under a contract with the regents. After Blum’s appointment, the Lawrence Berkeley National Laborator, which is also managed by the regents, hired Rudolph & Sletten as the construction manager and general contractor for a $48 million nanotech laboratory, the Molecular Foundry.  

Construction management and general contracting are not normally awarded to the same firm, as the construction manager is supposed to oversee general contracting costs. By the nanolab’s dedication in March 2006, the project had gone over budget by $4 million.  

On Oct. 4, 2005, Perini Corp. announced the acquisition of Rudolph & Sletten while it was still building the regent’s nanolab. It paid $53 million cash for the $700 million-a-year construction firm. Shortly thereafter, Blum divested his Perini stock at a substantial profit.  

Back to URS: On May 26, 2005, 50 UC Berkeley students interrupted a meeting of the regents to protest the Blum-URS-Los Alamos conflict of interest. Nevertheless, UC’s general counsel ruled that Blum’s ownership of a university contractor while a sitting regent was not a conflict—which is illogical but not surprising given that the regents have a long history of tolerating ethical conundrums. But the Los Alamos and Santa Monica Hospital deals were only part of Blum’s ethical problems. Public records available at the UC Berkeley Facilities Services website show that, after Blum joined the board, URS wrote portions of the Long Range Development Plan for UC Berkeley: the sections on hydrology, air quality and hazardous materials. These construction projects will change the face of the campus and cost hundreds of millions of dollars through 2020.  

In an expensive act of privatizing a governmental function, Blum’s URS was hired by the Regents on July 29, 2005, to provide “program management services” for the development of a $200 million Southeast Campus Integrated Project, which includes a seismic retrofit of Memorial Stadium and a substantial expansion of the Haas School of Business. The university delegated URS to manage the planning, design, contracting and construction of the mammoth project for an initial fee of $4.5 million. So far, according to a UC Berkeley spokesperson, URS has been paid $1.7 million.  

In November 2005, Blum resigned from the URS board of directors and also divested his investment firm of about $220 million in URS stock. In April 2006, the Feinstein-Blum family made a $15 million “gift” to UC Berkeley. The expanded business school is slated to house the Richard C. Blum Center for Developing Economies, which will encourage students to study the effects of global poverty upon political radicalism.  

Words fail me. 

Peter Byrne is a investigative journalist based in the Bay Area. Research for his investigative series on U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein is supported by a grant from the Investigative Fund of the Nation Institute.

Interesting, isn’t it, how much of the country continues to react to the complications surrounding the issue of race like the little boy who finds himself amazed, after multiple trips to the zoo, that the zebra continue to have stripes. The zebras have always had stripes, since they have been zebras, and the stripes have been there on the zebras each of the times the boy comes to visit. But each time, upon viewing the phenomenon, the little boy’s mouth drops in amazement, his eyes open wide, and he stands on tiptoe and leans over the railing to get a better look at this wonderful curiousity which has never been pointed out to him before, except for all of the many other times it was pointed out in the visits prior to this. 

So it is with (most) Americans and race, particularly—though not exclusively—in those matters which involve the race which used to define America’s race issue, African-Americans. 

Some thoughts growing out of recent controversies on the issue. 

There has long been the myth—fostered both inside and outside the South—that there was no social contact between African-Americans and their Southern white neighbors during the days when segregation of the races was the law of the Southern land. Actually there was quite a bit, not all of it under the table or under the bedsheets, which was how Elvis Presley was able to spend so much of his youth time in the Black churches of his native rural Mississippi listening to gospel groups and choirs, and so, therefore, how the inflections and cadences and accents of Black music ended up so much a part of his own.  

So, too, did the young Bill Clinton have much contact with his African-American neighbors in his days growing up in Arkansas, and experience that rubbed off on his ways and mannerisms so much that it led to the remark—lately attributed to the novelist Toni Morrison, but you’ll have to do your own Google search to confirm it—that Mr. Clinton was our “first Black President.” Whoever first said it, it was always meant as an insider’s Black joke, not to be taken for the truth of the matter asserted, as they say in the courtroom, but only a wry comment on the nature of race and race perceptions in America and the ways of white folks who sometimes act more Black than is popularly perceived. Lately, however, with the growing contest between the U.S. Senators, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, for the Democratic Presidential nomination, the Clinton-as-first-Black-President comment has begun to be repeated, ad infinitum, ad nauseum, by various television anchor-type personalities to the point where it has lost both its original meaning and humor, so that now one wants to emulate one of the above-mentioned Mr. Presley’s most infamous acts and take pistol to hand, thence projecting out and away towards the offending television screen. 

It was always meant to be a joke, folks, nothing more, and to try to give it more meaning makes it virtually meaningless. 

But there are worse offenses to the senses of some of your African-American neighbors and friends coming out of recent media fascinations, if you’d care to hear about them. 

The other race-based issue in the news of late is the revelation that the great-great-grandfather of African-American leader Rev. Al Sharpton was once enslaved by a descendant of an ancestor of the late U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond (I purposely use the word “enslaved” here rather than “owned,” since you can take someone from their home at gunpoint, brace them in chains and make them work your fields against their will, which is enslavement, but you cannot “own” another human being, no matter how much you assert it or have it placed within your statutes or your national Constitution). 

In any event, what we cannot abide full-force and full-face, we seek to minimize through farce. The images of Mr. Thurmond flashed over the television screens in connection with the Sharpton-Thurmond connection story show the late Senator in his last days when he was well over a hundred years old, a fleshless cadaver-like figure, almost like the Skeletor character from the comic books, which makes about as much sense to understanding the issues involved as using one of Mr. Sharpton’s baby pictures at the same time, leading to snickerings in the Daily Show audience and wonderings why someone so weak and wasted could ever have possibly scared anyone at all, except little children, or the toked-out taking in a low-grade horror movie. 

Coupled with the parched-face picture of the Senator in the recent stories was almost invariably the title “the segregationist, Senator Strom Thurmond.” What exactly does that term mean to modern viewers and readers, “segregationist,” one wonders. Does it limit what was denied to African-Americans in the 100 years between the fall of Reconstruction and the rise of the civil rights laws to a loss of right to socialize with their white neighbors as if, in Malcom X’s famous phrase, the only important issue in the day was the fact that we could not sit down on the toilet next to white people? 

A better word needs to be fashioned for a more bitter time. 

Parting the races was by far the last and the least of it. The destruction of African-American political and economic power was the real goal, segregation one of the means to keep that destruction in place. 

A brief history lesson, for those who missed it. Immediately after Lee surrendered at Appomatox Courthouse and the Confederacy collapsed, a brief era of relative equality bloomed in the Southern states in which African-Americans voted and took political office as well as opened businesses and took ownership of large sections of land. In response, former Confederate soliders formed rifle clubs and secret societies—the Ku Klux Klan under former Confederate cavalry commander Nathan Bedford Forrest, for example—for the purpose of driving the former African captives out of their political offices and businesses and homes and land and back into semi-slavery on the old plantations. 

There followed a period of the worst sustained terrorist violence this country has ever seen, with lynchings and political assassinations against African-Americans a common occurrence on Southern streets and country lanes. One of the centers of this counter-revolution was in Edgefield County, in which cabals of former Confederate terrorists devised plans to prevent Black voters from going to the polls by any means necessary, those means including house-burnings, beatings, economic intimidation, or killings. One of the leaders of this white terror, “Pitchfork” Ben Tillman, at one point governor and then later United States Senator from South Carolina, boasted on the record at the 1895 South Carolina Constitutional Convention that white forces “retook” the state from Black officeholders in the 1860’s and 1870’s through “fraud and violence.” 

If the name of Edgefield County sounds at all vaguely familiar to you, it is the home of Strom Thurmond, whose father, J. William Thurmond, was a close friend of and advisor to Ben Tillman, and Thurmond later said, with some pride, that he learned his first political lessons sitting on Mr. Tillman’s knee. 

In the late 1860’s, when Union troops guarded their right to vote, African-Americans held a majority in the South Carolina State Legislature, and had large representation in legislatures and other political offices in the rest of the Southern states. When, in the infamous compromise that won him the disputed 1876 Presidential election, Rutherford Hayes withdrew the federal troops from the South, the white supremacist terrorists had a free hand, and before the century was out, Black voting in the South was virtually nonexistent, and the African-American presence in Southern legislatures and other Southern offices had vanished. 

It is no coincidence, therefore, that a hundred years later, in that two-year period following the 1980 election when Republicans took over brief majority in the United States Senate and Mr. Thurmond ascended to the chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee, he made it one of his top priorities to try to kill the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which was sunsetting that year, and needed reauthorization by Congress. At that point, there was only a smattering of black officeholders in the South. Had Mr. Thurmond prevailed, it would have remained that way, probably down to this day. 

I purposely waited until the end of Black History Month to talk about these things because, after all, this is not Black History, but American History. Our failure to read it and understand it means that some of us, at least, will continue to be constantly surprised and amazed as the issue of race continues to resurface in America, like the little boy at the zoo, wondering over and over and each time afresh, why the zebra continues to show up with those stripes. It does because it was born with them, and painting them over does not make them go away. 

It really annoys me when I see a real estate listing with a picture of a bungalow which announces something like “fabulous Victorian”—you would think there are enough bungalows around here that agents would get a clue, but apparently not. So herewith I shall answer the question “What is a Bungalow?” 

The question is fundamentally rather complicated. Dictionaries provide these definitions: “A low house having only one story or, in some cases, upper rooms set in the roof, typically with dormer windows”; “a usually one storied house with a low pitched roof”; “a small house all on one level”; “a small house or cottage usually having a single story and sometimes an additional attic story”; “a thatched or tiled one story house in India surrounded by a wide verandah”; “a usually one storied house of a type first developed in India and characterized by low sweeping lines and a wide veranda.” 

Bungalows and other Arts and Crafts houses, and the design philosophy that shaped them began in 19th Century Britain. The Arts and Crafts Movement was a reaction to the many changes in society brought on by the Industrial Revolution. Although advancements in technology were beneficial in many ways, producing the sewing machine, the cookstove, and indoor plumbing, there was a serious downside: pollution, sweatshops, and mass production of shoddy, badly designed goods. The Arts and Crafts reformers believed that a return to handcraft would restore the dignity of labor, that good design in homes and furnishings would result in an improved society. The most famous of them was William Morris, a gifted designer whose textile and wallpaper designs have been in continuous production since the 19th Century. 

The message of the Arts and Crafts Movement had spread all over the world by the turn of the 20th century. In the United States, it took on distinctive characteristics and was in many ways more successful here. When the ideas reached these shores around 1900, they were taken up by progressive idealists in many cities, and popularized by people like Gustav Stickley, through his magazine, The Craftsman, Elbert Hubbard at the Roycrofters, and Edward Bok at The Ladies Home Journal. There was just one problem with the movement as imported from Britain—Americans had no medieval tradition to look back to, being a young country. So we opted for incorporating various alternative ideas either involving traditional ways of building like log cabins, Spanish missions, and native American dwellings, or things considered exotic, such as architecture and decorative arts from Japan, which had only recently opened up to the outside world.  

It is generally agreed that bungalows descended from thatched Bengali peasant huts in India, called variously “banggolo,” “bangala,” or “bangla” (depending on who’s translating). The British altered the native dwelling into something that conformed better to their idea of what a house should be, and built these Anglo-Indian bungalows in compounds outside of the cities and towns, as well as in “hill stations” where the Europeans would go in the summer to get away from the heat. Eventually the bungalow was exported to all corners of the British Empire as being the proper sort of house for Europeans in the tropics.  

The bungalow’s initial use as vacation architecture meant that it came to be associated with leisure and informality, in a natural setting. This association continued even as bungalows began to be built in cities. Architectural styles used for resort houses in the nineteenth century, such as the Shingle Style on the East Coast (so called because of the shingle siding used), the rustic Adirondack style in the mountains (featuring rustic wood and log detailing), and even the Spanish haciendas of the West and Southwest had a lasting influence on bungalow architecture. 

The other thing that distinguished the American Arts and Crafts Movement was a more practical and democratic approach to the whole thing. Rather than throwing the machines out with the bathwater, so to speak, we viewed machines as useful tools that could be used to relieve drudgery, and do the tedious and repetitious parts of the work, freeing up time and thought for the artistic part, and allowing the hand labor to be devoted to artistry. Having no medieval tradition, we opted to celebrate simplicity, natural (especially local) materials, and honesty of structure. Of course much of this was lip service, because honesty of structure, especially on houses, was often a sham. This hypocritical aspect of the movement in no way diminishes the beauty of both the objects and the houses. In fact, it was probably what allowed the movement to succeed, and allowed the middle and working classes for the first time to own houses that were both economical (so they could afford them), artistic (they were beautiful), and practical (bungalows and other Arts and Crafts era houses were the first truly “modern” houses, with indoor plumbing, central heating, and electricity.  

The bungalow’s popularity spread from the West Coast to the East, contrary to the way that architectural styles had traveled across America in the past. In fact, the first bungalow-style house was built in Piedmont in 1876 by the Reverend Joseph Worcester, three years before the first house to be actually called a bungalow was built on Cape Cod. Certainly the West Coast, particularly California, embraced the ideal of the bungalow, and unquestionably ran with it. Hooray for us! Because of plan books and pre-cut houses, California-style bungalows were built across the U.S. sharing stylistic similarities even though there are regional differences in climate, locally obtainable building materials, the skills of available workmen, and the innate preferences of builders and owners.  

In a bungalow home the front door often opens directly into the living room, or to a small entry off the living room, because these houses were informal. No fancy parlors here. Often you can see into the dining room as well, which may be separated only by bookcases or columns. The main feature of the living room is the fireplace, which was the center of family life. In the evening, the family gathered around the hearth to read, play music or games, embroider, or just talk.  

Natural wood and colors from nature were the order of the day. Textiles helped to soften the room (as well as the furniture). The embroidery could also be purchased as a kit, and both women and men were encouraged to do some sort of handcraft to personalize their home, and to decorate with materials from nature. 

Homes were built with an eye to bringing the outdoors in- French doors opened from the formal rooms onto porches, which often were covered with vines or wisteria. 

Unlike today, meals were eaten in the dining room, which usually had a built-in china cabinet, as well as paneling and a plate rail for displaying plates and other artful objects.  

The food came from the first truly modern kitchens. Indoor plumbing, electric lighting, gas stoves, and refrigeration, some of the better products of the Industrial Revolution, first came together in the kitchens of the Arts and Crafts era. Homemakers were demanding more labor saving devices and convenience, now that they no longer had servants to do the housework.  

The bedrooms in a bungalow tended to be much simpler and lighter than the formal rooms, and often had painted woodwork. Children’s rooms often had special wallpaper or borders illustrating nursery rhymes or other themes. Stenciled or embroidered bed linens were fashionable. Closets were small because people had fewer clothes. 

In between the bedrooms was the bath, in a small house usually only one. A wall-hung or pedestal sink was the norm, and a clawfoot or built-in tub. 1” white hexagonal tiles were a common flooring material. These bathrooms were distinguished by their whiteness, coming during a time of obsession with sanitation and cleanliness. Later on in the 1920s and ‘30s there was an explosion of color in bathrooms, so houses from that time are more likely to have wildly colored bathrooms. 

Many bungalows had sleeping porches off the bedrooms, as it was believed that sleeping in the fresh air year-round was good for you, and in warm climates, that was probably true. 

Okay, that’s all well and good but it still doesn’t tell you what a bungalow is. At least part of the problem is that it’s a “know one when you see one” kind of thing. Of course, the good thing about being an author is that you get to make up your own definition. So here’s mine: A bungalow is a one or one-and-a-half story house of simple design, expressed structure, built from natural or local materials, with a low-slope roof, overhanging eaves, and a prominent porch, built during the Arts and Crafts period in America (approximately 1900-1930). If it’s two stories it’s no longer a bungalow, though it can still be Arts and Crafts or craftsman (often known in Berkeley as a “brownshingle”). 

Although there are many people who allow for Spanish, Tudor, Colonial, Cape Cod, and even ranch houses as bungalows if they are one or one and half stories, I’m drawing the line there. Well, sort of. Because everything in the above definition has an exception- for instance, the dates. There were bungalows built after 1930, and in fact the National Park Service maintained the style for park buildings long after the bungalow era was technically over. And here’s another thing- there’s no such thing as architectural purity. So a bungalow may have some classical detailing normally found on a Colonial Revival house- things like neoclassical columns or dentil molding. Or a bungalow may have arched windows or a Mission-style gable that would normally be found on a Spanish Revival house. Many bungalows have a medieval English influence as reflected in half-timbering or diamond-pane windows. And don’t even get me started about the cognitive dissonance between the outside architecture of a house and the interior style.  

Bungalows and Arts and Crafts houses were, and still remain, one of the most pleasant, livable styles of houses built in the 20th century. There’s been much talk lately about “the New Urbanism”- new towns being built that are walkable, houses with front porches and architectural details from the past. But in bungalows we already have the “Old Urbanism,” and it still works. Life is far more complex these days than it was back then, and these houses still serve as a haven from the demands of the world outside, they still nurture us and our families, and will continue to do so. This saying appeared in a magazine of the time: “A small house, a large garden, a few good friends, and many good books.” That’s my definition of a good life.  

Photograph by Jane Powell. 

A bungalow in Oakland’s Laurel District. 

Lately I have been known to make outbursts over my Sunday morning cup of tea. It’s usually because I’m reading an article in a local paper purporting to give an update of our real estate market. Some of the articles come from wire services and describe a totally irrelevant national picture. Other times the article is describing the “local market,” but what they’re really discussing is the entire East Bay, from Hayward through Hercules. 

“Which planet are these people on?!” is a common question I ask whomever will listen. But mostly I am asking myself: how do I best counter this misinformation for my new buyers? 

I am someone who likes a challenge, but lately several articles in the print media have made the task of educating my clients all the more difficult. This Sunday’s example was a headline declaring: “Home buyers now have the market advantage.” Explain that to the 18 buyers who competed on a fixer this week in Albany. 

When I visited the brokers’ open the agent was standing in a flooded kitchen wielding a mop. Two of the offers she received a week later ranked as “ridiculously high.” A lovely traditional home in North Berkeley listed at just under a million received nine offers and went “really high.”  

The week before, a home in a coveted block of the Claremont that had been listed in the fall but did not sell, came back on the market. It received three offers and supposedly went from just under $2 million to $2.5 million. In the same area and same week a home listed for $1.35 million, fully updated, received three pre-emptive offers. Multiple offers, pre-emptive offers, contingency-free offers, concessions to the sellers such as free rent-back: we’re seeing it all again. 

To make any simple declarative statement about our market is always risky. To declare what we’re experiencing locally as a buyers’ market is just inaccurate. In my role as a director of the California Association of Realtors, I speak with many colleagues throughout the state. I certainly hear about communities where much of the inventory sits for several months before receiving an offer. 

I’ve heard about the huge number of condos for sale along that long beach in Long Beach. And I know that outside of California there are areas of true market devaluation. I also know that you don’t really have to go very far from Berkeley to find pockets of inactivity. In Richmond there are currently 150 two bedroom, one bath properties on the market. That’s more than the entire inventory of Berkeley. And indeed things were slower even here last autumn. 

But right now, in the first part of March, in all price ranges in Berkeley and the immediately adjacent communities, we are experiencing an active market. And it’s following a familiar pattern: the buyers are ready before the sellers. It makes perfect sense: buyers must decide that they are ready to make a move, and ideally speak with a responsible realtor and a trusted loan broker. 

The seller, on the other hand, must not only prepare mentally and emotionally, but must start disposing of possessions, pack the rest, choose a listing agent and make the myriad other decisions required to effectively sell one’s home. And they may also be involved in buying on the other end. It is not shocking that the basic equation of supply vs. demand is producing, in the early spring, a little flurry of activity and the return of multiple offers in many cases.  

The imbalance between buyers and sellers seems especially acute this spring. My guess is that all those buyers who were sitting on the fence in the fall, hoping that prices might actually drop, have realized that’s not going to happen. So we have the holdover buyers from 2006 joining some number who would normally have joined the fray in 2007 anyway, producing an especially high number of buyers ready to pounce on a small amount of inventory. 

The sellers who either had no choice but to sell now, or who were contrarian enough to believe that there never was a bubble, have benefited from being ready early in the year. The question no one can answer is: once this “glut” of buyers has made their purchases, will the market continue to be strong? 

It’s true that not all properties are experiencing blissful results for the sellers. A house with a quirky floor plan, or one needing major structural work, or one that appears over-priced will sit around in any market. You’ve probably heard it before, and it’s still true: homes that are priced appropriately, and perhaps a wee bit low for what they are, that are presented attractively and marketed actively by a trusted agent will do well in any market. If they are in a desirable neighborhood, and are mostly updated, then they have even more advantage.  

When people learn that I’m a realtor it is common for their next question to be “So, how’s the market?” The only truly valuable market update is the one provided by your agent, who knows your priorities, who knows what neighborhood you want to live in, who knows your price range, your taste, your ability to accept risk and how quickly you need to move.  

The good news is that the annoying article, having proclaimed a buyers’ market in the headline, went on to urge sellers to choose an agent who was a good communicator, someone who could present a solid market plan and would market the property extensively. That’s good advice in any market. 

Arlene Baxter is the 2007 President of the Berkeley Association of Realtors, and an agent at Berkeley Hills Realty. You may reach her at baxter@pobox.com. The opinions expressed are her own, and not necessarily those of the BAR. 

Okay Matt, I have been thinking about this for a while. There is a design feature I’ve noticed while looking at open houses these past years. 

Many times, when an older but small house is “remodeled” or “updated” walls are removed so that living/dining/kitchen all become one big room. Real estate descriptions often say “open floor plan” as though really, it just is the best (kinda like they say granite or stainless steel with the same final-statement tone). 

So, do we assume the masses really prefer an “open floor plan”? Does this structurally compromise the house in earth-quake terms? What is actually wrong with a separate kitchen? What about noise and smells? Is this just a style preference? What do you, someone who appreciates historical homes, think of this type of remodel? 

Your thoughts please! 

—Tina always-thinking-about-floor-plans Laxar 

Dear Tina,  

What a great question. The removal of interior walls is a subject worth at least a few words so here goes: 

First, from a seismic standpoint, interior walls produce very useful “shear resistance” and can be critical in preventing collapse of portions of a building. While it is possible to build large open spaces suitable for earthquake forces, our buildings are generally not built that way and depend to a large extent on interior walls to transfer those forces between the planes of the building and to help hold walls up as they move to and fro. 

I’ve often seen interiors that have been “opened up” to give a more modern feel and better flow and wondered if there had been any engineering applied to the remodel. Usually there had been none and those homes were left vulnerable to increased damage when the big one hits. By the way, one group from UC Davis is claiming that a major earthquake will hit Northern California in the next year to 18 months so these issues may be more pressing than previously considered. I have no idea how accurate this data is but it will doubtless beg these questions more than before. 

Another issue regarding the removal of walls is that they are often done without consideration for roof or ceiling loads. All walls cannot be fully removed without some serious alterations and here are some basic concepts that one can apply to the question if you’re thinking about doing such a removal.  

First, it’s essential that one determine what loads rest upon the wall. If you have a living space above the room in which you plan to remove a wall it’s less likely you can get away with it. You’ll have to determine if the floor joists (the planks that stand on edge and run from wall to wall below the floor boards) are resting upon the wall. If they do not, and run parallel to the wall, then the wall may be considered a “curtain wall.” If you have a roof or attic directly above the room you’re planning to change, it’s more likely you’ll be OK, but again, you have to find out what rests on the wall you want to eliminate. If loads are bearing on the wall, you’ll have to find a way to carry them down to the foundation other than via that wall and there are several things to consider. My first question always would be, “Do you really need to remove the entire wall?” If not, a header or beam can be run across the part of the wall you want to remove. This can be fairly small and the effect can be dramatic without any major structural change. An opening of eight feet can feel much the same as a complete removal but may only require a 4” x 8” beam as substitution. 

Each situation is different and an expert does need to look and be sure that the removal doesn’t have nasty consequences. This job is also fairly cheap so it might be just the thing to turn two small dead spaces into one that changes the way your home feels and functions. Another way to manage a wall removal (either partial or complete) is to open up a large archway. I’ve done this in my own home and it creates an airy feeling while keeping wall space and adding architectural interest. We have both full arches and partial archways that have cabinetry and counters from waist height down. The latter gives views and resolves claustrophobia without losing the practical elements of storage and division.  

This is a good point at which to stop and discuss those issues. Loss of wall space isn’t just an engineering issue. It’s also practical and aesthetic. While the 1960’s edict of all plans as open plans may have once seemed sophisticated and free, a wall is not really a bad thing. Walls shape space and provide surfaces on which to develop storage and work-space. Walls provide a modicum of privacy and generate hubs of activity. One of the reasons large commercial open spaces are often so dead is that they lack as sense of place created by barriers.  

Don’t get me wrong, I opened my own house up quite a bit but it’s very important to consider the effect of each wall either kept or ushered away since the effects on the space can be dramatic. A small section of wall can make a huge difference and a big empty space might not work as well as it looked in the magazine. 

Before I finish with the structural stuff let me talk about one last strategy since it’s a really good one and might help you get what you’re after. It’s often possible to remove a wall in a room directly below an attic by adding a beam which rests above the ceiling joists. Now, this may sound nutty but it actually works quite well. A “strongback” is a beam that connects with the ceiling joists that lose support through the loss of a wall. The strongback must rest at either end on a wall or post that remains in place and the ceiling joists then hang off of it. It’s pretty simple really and the effect is such that you can remove a large section of wall and have the ceiling run smoothly from space to space without any visible change or bump. This won’t work in every house but if you have a fairly accessible attic, I’ll bet it will work for you. The only hard part will be getting the strongback into the attic in the first place. This sometimes requires punching a hole in the roof and, of course, repairing said hole. 

I’ll finish with the last part of Tina’s question, that having to do with historical homes. It’s a rare remodel on an older home (say 1930’s on back) that looks right with major walls removed. Division of spaces is a critical component in design and snatching one arbitrarily out of an antiquarian residence often (but not always) doesn’t feel right. It may be that a partial removal or a half-height arch might be enough. This is where architects shine and are well worth their fees, so consider one if you’re going down this road. Also don’t forget our friend the structural engineer. If you’re planning on removing more than one short wall, you might want this gal/guy to lend a hand. 

Whatever your final decision, don’t rush through the design process. Take your time and make it fun. There are few things in my life that have ever proved as much fun as playing games with walls. Yes, I know. I’m really weird. 

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

Are you ready to make personal contact with your wild neighbors? Ready to go eye-to-eye with the swiveling head of a great horned owl, outstare a magnificent Bald Eagle, chuckle at an opossum burrowed head-deep into a cereal box, count the leaves being pulled out of a Trader Joe’s Indian Fare carton by a California ground squirrel? 

In a perfect world, we’d prefer meeting most wild animals roaming free and independent on their home-ground. Unfortunately, injuries and habituation prevent some animals from enjoying that option. Fortunately, there’s an organization that rehabilitates injured wildlife and provides homes for those which have become too tame to be returned to nature. 

Located in the heart of Walnut Creek, surrounded by quiet residential neighborhoods and an expansive community park, the Lindsay Wildlife Museum connects us to animals living in nearby open spaces and our own backyards. Since 1955 this non-profit organization has reached out to children and adults through changing natural history and art exhibits, hands-on activities, classes, outreach education and community programs, Wildlife Ambassadors and its rehabilitation hospital.  

After an absence of several years, I returned to the Lindsay Museum one cold winter weekday. The low slung building of natural-toned stone, white tubular accents and large expanses of tinted glass are almost camouflaged amid its surrounding gardens. In one section bony oak woodland branches harbor massive bird nests and bulbous galls above a thick blanket of tanned leather leaf litter. Additional natural communities foster a “living with nature” theme highlighting meadows, chaparral, redwoods, wildlife gardens, drought-tolerant and deer-resistant specimens. 

I followed the resident Great Horned Owl inside to the Thomas J. Long Exhibit Hall, ready to get acquainted with Wildlife Ambassadors and explore. Tethered high atop exhibit cases I gazed up at raptors – hawks, kestrels, owls, falcons and eagles, each occupying its own space. Below them mammals are housed in roomy enclosures hung with greenery and various wood structures, each designed to keep the animal comfortable and safe. 

Information placards provide biological details and explain the reason for each animal’s presence. An adult coyote never learned how to be wild, being raised by humans. A turkey vulture suffers from arthritis, while a common king snake is missing an eye. Materials engage young viewers. Children circle drawings on “What can you find?” sheets. Volunteers join you at exhibits, answering questions and teaching about wildlife. 

An impressive two-story replica of Mt. Diablo’s balancing rock gives voice to the distant past while illustrating present inhabitants. Fossils share sandstone pushed upward from an ancient seabed with native plants, deer, gray fox, whipsnake and quail. The Discovery Room offers hours of engagement with hands-on activities for anyone small enough to occupy pint-sized tables and chairs. Animal puzzles, a puppet stage, pelts and rocks to touch and shelves of animals promise a good start toward fostering compassion for nature. 

The Lindsay Museum excels in its daily stage presentations, combining entertainment with education and awe. Joining a group of first and second graders I was introduced to a Bald Eagle whose collision with an electrical wire in Bozeman, Montana resulted in an amputated wing. Using morsels of food as lures, the trainer encouraged exercise as the eagle hopped from perch to perch, ending at the pool where he was showered with refreshing water. The kids were questioned about nest size, eyesight, social calls and what they could do to help wildlife. We came away better informed, inspired by the museum’s commitment and the eagle’s will to survive. 

Nature seen through the eyes of an artist adds another dimension to the Lindsay Museum. “A Natural Inclination”, the art of Andrew Denman, combines the observation skills of the naturalist with the creativity of the artist. Denman paints wildlife, still life and landscapes as realistic depictions, often overlaid with abstract and stylized elements, including the artist’s perceptions and interpretations.  

A landscape of eucalyptus forms the backdrop to long strips of bark, leaves and squares of solid color. Likewise, a small ocean landscape of Bodega Head is only one element among the still life of crabs and shells. Graphite drawings, of wolves and red-tail hawk, focus on Denman’s skill as an illustrator.  

The thirty works on display provide clear evidence of Denman’s respect for the natural world and his thoughtful juxtapositioning of the original with the experimental. 

Occupying a small but well-stocked area within the exhibit hall is the museum gift shop, both browse and purchase-worthy. For budding birders, Audubon stuffed birds with bird calls serve as both tactile and auditory companions. If Monopoly has become passé, try Bug-opoly, Ocean-opoly and Dino-opoly. Wildlife themed hats, t-shirts, socks, jewelry, toys, puzzles and books happily share shelfspace. 

Along with education, the beating heart of the Lindsay Museum is its onsite rehabilitation hospital, the oldest and one of the largest in the United States. Open everyday for injured and orphaned wildlife, all services are free. Whether it’s a ruddy duck with a fractured bill, an arboreal salamander suffering from chlorine toxicity or a badger with head abscesses and body punctures, staff and volunteers treat and care for each one. During the busy season, they might see up to 150 animals per day.  

The year 2006 was a busy one for the museum. Over 500 classrooms and 50,000 visitors toured the museum. Docents brought exhibits to an additional 8,000 students and 15,000 community members. Almost 6,000 injured animals were brought to the wildlife hospital. Six hundred volunteers donated over 70,000 hours. 

Set a date for visiting the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, adding your stats to the year 2007. Watch the gray fox curled up in a ball, marvel at the dexterity of the opossum’s tail, listen for the raptor’s cry. Spread the word about how to help injured wildlife and avoid future problems. Contribute to keeping our wild neighbors safe and reducing the hospital’s workload.  

Getting There: Take Hwy 24 east to Hwy 680 north. Take the Treat Blvd/Geary Road exit and turn left over the freeway. Turn left on Buena Vista and right on First Ave. The museum is halfway up the block on the left. Park in the parking lots, not on the street. 

Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek (925) 935-1978, www. wildlife-museum.org. Open Wed.-Fri. noon-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $7, seniors $6, ages 2-17 $5. 

“A Natural Inclination” is on exhibit through March 18.

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 

FILM 

Alternative Visions “When a Stranger Comes to Town: Recent Animations” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Stehen Hawking on “Origin of the Universe” at 7:30 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $15-$32. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Gordon Ball and Hilton Obenzinger read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Mike Farrell reads from his memoir “Just Call me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Susan Snyder, author of “Past Tents: The Way We Camped,” reads at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Rohini Hensman reads from “Playing Lions and Tigers” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

GiveWay at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Courtableu, Cajun/Zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Ellen Hoffman and Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Danny Hoch Hip Hop Workshop at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $7-$15. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

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

Kim Nalley at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 

FILM 

Film 50: History of Cinema “8 1/2” with a lecture by Marilyn Fabe at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Understanding Tibetan Monastic Music in the 21st Century” at 4 p.m. in the Seaborg Room, Faculty Club, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Center for Buddhist Studies. 643-6536. 

Kim Stanley Robinson introduces “Sixty Days and Counting” a trilogy of near-future eco-thrillers at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Carol Cosman reads from her new translation of Albert Camus’ “Exile and the Kingdom” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera Company “The Seraglio” at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$40. 925-798-1300.  

Gyuto Monks Tibetan Tantric Choir at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Harvey Wainapel Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Eric & Suzy Thompson, Del Ray & Steve James at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Billy Dunn & Bluesway at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Orquestra La Verdad at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

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

Machina Sol at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra with special guest Faye Carol at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, MARCH 15 

EXHIBITIONS 

“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. 

“A Visual Journal” Oils and works on paper by Lisa Bruce. Reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bucci’s, 6121 Hollis St., Emeryville. Exhibition runs to March 30. www.lisabruce.com 

“Somebody” The New World of Figurative Art Works by seven artists exploring the human form at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Khalil Bendib, editorial cartoonist will present a slide show and talk about his work. Reception at 6 p.m., presentation at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Dave Eggers, author of “What is the What” will read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Sisters in Crime Panel discussion with local mystery writers at 6 p.m. at the South Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1901 Russell St. 981-6149. 

Antonia Juhasz, Steven Hiatt, and Jonathan Schwartz discuss “A Game as Old as Empire: The Secret World of Economic Hit Men and the Web of Global Corruption” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Jazzin’ Up Mama's Hymns: A Socio-Historical and Cultural Interpretation of Gospel Blues with Mark Wilson at 7 p.m. at 125 Morrison Hall, UC Campus. 642-4864. 

Ken Alder discusses “Lie Detectors: The History of an American Obsession” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jewish Music Festival “Ensemble Lucidarium” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $22-$26. 800-838-3006. www.jewishmusicfestival.org 

Eda Maxym’s Imagination Club with Stephen Kent at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Ben Flint Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Travis Jones and Chojo Jacques at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Me & My Arrow, Merch, The Swamees at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Headnodic & Raashan Ahmad at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5. 548-1159.  

Randy Westons’s African Rhythms Quartet, featuring Billy Harper at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $16-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, MARCH 16 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Through Women’s Eyes” featuring works by Frances Catlett. Reception at 6 p.m. at the Prescott Joseph Center for Community Enhancement, 920 Peralta St., Oakland. Exhibition runs through May 3. 835-8683. www.rescottjoseph.org 

Paintings of Michael Murphy Reception for the artist at 5 p.m. at The LightRoom, 2263 Fifth St. Exhibition runs through April 13. 649-8111. 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” Fri and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda, through April 1. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Seldom Seen Acting Company, a group of homeless actors who share their life stories through theater perform at 10:30 a.m. at The SVdP Downtown Services Center, 675 23rd St., Oakland. To RSVP call Christine at 636-4255.  

Berkeley Rep “To the Lighthouse” at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. and runs through March 25. Tickets are $45-$61. 647-2917. 

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 

Virago Theatre “Orphans” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at BridgeHead Studio, 2516 Blanding Ave, Alameda, through March 31. Tickets are $10-$15. 415-439-2456. www.viragotheatre.org 

FILM 

Asian America Film Festival “American Zombie” with director Grace Lee in person at 9 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is TBA. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Alfred Brendel in Conversation on Music and Culture with Prof. Anthony J. Cascardi at 5 p.m. at the Bancroft Hotel, 2680 Bancroft Way. 643-5694. 

Ruth Wilson Gilmore introduces her book “Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California” at 6 p.m. at Uptown Body & Fender, 401 26th St.., Oakland. 444-0484. 

Kate Greenstreet and Janet Holmes read from thier poetry at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

A Talk with Valentino Achak Deng one of Sudan’s “Lost Boys” at 7:30 p.m. at JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera Company “The Seraglio” at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$40. 925-798-1300.  

Music from Iraq with Rahim Alhaj, part of the Beyond Walls, Beyond Wars series, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15-$18. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Remembering Rachel Corrie concert with the Georges Lammam Ensemble, Huwaida Arraf & Francisco Herrera at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Fellowship, Cedar and Bonita. Donation $10-$20. 236-4250. 

Music that Cooks with singer/songwriters: Jamie Jenkins, Chris Berkner, Sharon Michelle, to raise funds for meals for the less fortunate at 7:30 p.m. at College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Ave. Donation $5-$10, all ages welcome. 

Stomp the Stumps benefit for Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters with Workingman’s Ed, Funky Nixons and Gary Gates Band at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Lady Bianca CD Release Party at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Free Jazz Fridays with The Troublemakers Union at 8 p.m. at 1510 Eighth St. Performance Space, Oakland. Cost is $5-$15 sliding scale. 415-846-9432. events@thejazzhouse.com 

Lost Trio CD release party at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Adrianne, singer/songwriter, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Black Brothers at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The B Stars, Real Sippin’ Whiskeys, The Cowlicks at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Spectacle, Ultra Gypsy, Zoe and others at 9:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $30. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Mario DeSio and Alex Walsh at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Dave Matthews BLUES Band at 8 p.m. at The Warehouse, 402 Webster St., Oakland. 451-3161. 

This is My Fist, Love Songs, Final Fight 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. 

Wayward Sway at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Roots Reggae from St. Croix at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $25-$28. 548-1159.  

Swoop Unit at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Randy Weston’s African Rhythms Quartet, featuring Billy Harper at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $16-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 

CHILDREN  

St. Patrick’s Day Songs with Tara Reinertson at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Part. 525-2233. 

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Gary Laplow at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Jacqueline Lynaugh as Lady Emerald 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. 

THEATER 

“Thieves in the Temple: The Reclaiming of Hip Hop” by Aya de Leon at 8 p.m. at Laney College Theater, 900 Fallon St. Oakland. Part of Women HerStory Month. Cost is $10-$15. http://laney.peralta.edu/womensherstorymonth 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Bad Intentions” Counterculture expressed though painting, music and film, a collaboration by Scott J. Taylor and Clayton Glinton. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Float Gallery, 1091 Calcot Place, Unit # 116, located in a store front loft of the historic cotton mill studios, Oakland. 535-1702. www.thefloatcenter.com 

“Ancient and Modern Tatoo Art” opens with a reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Art Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Luck: How it Applies to the Writing Process” with Cheryl Dumesnil, at the 81st Annual Poets’ Dinner, at noon at Francesco’s in Oakland. Tickets are $26-$27. For reservations call 841-1217. 

“Berkeley One and Only” with photographer Jon Sullivan at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6107. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Schola Cantorum San Francisco “In Exitu Israel” at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $12-$20. www.scholasf.org 

Cantare Con Vivo perform Maurice Durufle’s “Requiem” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $25. 925-798-1300. 

Norma Gentile, soprano, sings the songs of Hildegard von Bingen at 8 p.m. at Unity of Berkeley, 2075 Eunice St. Tickets are $15-$20. 528-8844. 

Ensemble Masques "Mensa Sonora: Biber and his Contemporaries" at 8 p.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College at Garber. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725. www.sfems.org 

Jewish Music Festival “Tribute to Tzadik Music” at 2 p.m. at the Jazzschool, 2087 Addison St.. Tickets are $5-$10. 800-838-3006. www.jewishmusicfestival.org 

Jewish Music Festival “Pharoh’s Daughter” at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theater, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $20-$25. 800-838-3006. www.jewishmusicfestival.org 

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration all day at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082.  

Martin Crthy in Concert at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Juan del Gastor, Luis Pena, Lakshmi, gypsy flamenco, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $30-$40. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Lisa B. & Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com  

The Venezuelan Music Project at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Roots Reggae from St. Croix at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $25-$28. 548-1159.  

Katie Knipp and Buxter Hoot’n at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

The Cave Painters at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

Melanie O’Reilly & Aisling Gheat at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Frank Martin Group at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Blind Duck, Irish music, at 7:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Sweet Crude Bill and Fun with Finnoula St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Joey Lent & Chuck Steed, folk rock, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Spectacle, Ultra Gypsy, Zoe and others at 9:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $30. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

The Jury at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Resistant Culture, Naked Aggression, Mouthsewnshut at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 18 

CHILDREN 

Celebrating 100 Families Oakland and make art with others from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” Guided tour at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Growing Hunger: The Struggle of Small Farmers in the 21st Centruy” Artist talk at 2 p.m. in the 3rd flr Community Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. through April 18. 981-6241. 

Michael Kammen, author of “Visual Shock: A History of Art Controversies in American Culture” will talk and show slides at 5 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Sylvia Boorstein, author of “Pay Attention for Goodness’ Sake: The Buddhist Past of Kindness” and Edie Hartshorne, author of “Light in Blue Shadows” in conversation with Arisika Razak, and Betsy Rose at 7 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Clare Langley-Hawthone reads from her mystery novel “The Consequenses of Sin” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera Company “The Seraglio” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$40. 925-798-1300.  

“Jazz at the Chimes” with John Calloway at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Oakland. Tickets are $10. 228-3218. 

Chamber Music Sundaes, San Francisco Symphony musicians and friends, at 3 p.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $18-$22. 415-753-2792. www.chambermusicsundaes.org  

Jeanne Stark-Iochmans, pianist, at 4 p.m. at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Tickets are $30-$40. 601-7919. www.fourseasonsconcerts.com 

“Spirituals and the African/American Experience” with soloist Marilyn Reynolds at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway, Oakland. Suggested donation $10. 444-3555. 

Ricks Knudson, piano, works by Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, Chopin, Rachmaninoff at 4 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Free. 849-2103. 

Univ. of Chicago Motet Choir Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Lakeshore Babtist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Free. 893-2484. 

Cantare Con Vivo perform Maurice Durufle’s “Requiem” at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $25. 925-798-1300. 

Classic Jungle Jazz Piano Concert with Seth Montfort, at 5:30 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Cost is $15. 415-362-6080. 

Cantabile Chorale Rachmoninoff’s Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $6-$25. 650-424-1410. www.cantabile.org 

Alfred Brendel, piano, at 5 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $38-$76. 642-9988. 

Jewish Music Festival “Diaspora Blues” with Steven Bernstein and Peter Apfelbaum at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $20-$25. 800-838-3006. www.jewishmusicfestival.org 

Jewish Music with Baguette Quartet members Odile Lavault, accordion and Rachel Duling, violin, at 1 p.m. at Afikomen Judaica, 3042 Claremont Ave. 

Fundraiser for Young People’s Symphony Orchestra with Phil Lesh at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $75. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Robin and Linda Williams at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

MONDAY, MARCH 19 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

PlayGround Six emerging playwrights debut new works at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $18. 415-704-3177. 

Allan Brandt describes “The Cigarette Century: The Rise, Fall, and Deadly Persistence of the Product That Defined America” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Page to Stage A conversation with playwright Adele Edling Shank at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. 647-2949. 

Bill McKibben and Michael Pollan in Conversation on McKibben’s new book “Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and The Durable Future” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $10-$12. 415-255-7296, ext. 253. www.globalexchange.org 

G.P. Skratz and Summer Brenner read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Jacob Needleman talks about “Why Can’t We Be Good?” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Poetry Express with Lenore Weiss at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Katherine Heater and Friends, viola de gamba and harpsichord at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100. www.lebateauivre.net 

Palor Tango at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

West Coast Songwriters Showcase at 7:30 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $5. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

Ralph Alessi & This Against That, featuring Ravi Coltrane, Ben Street, Andy Milne and Gerald Cleaver at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

THE GREAT UNCLOTHED OAK GROVE  

PHOTO PORTRAIT 

Shed your clothes to support the oaks! Join photographer Jack Gescheidt for the Unclothed Oak Grove Photo Portrait from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Memorial Oak Grove in Berkeley to create a photograph for the TreeSpirit Project—naked humans in communion with trees—depicting our interdependence with trees in general, and with this specific grove of native oak trees threatened by state plans to uproot them.  

Gescheidt's photographs celebrate the connection between human beings and trees through portraits of unclothed people among trees. All ages and sizes and shapes and physical ability of human are welcome. The photographer is expecting hundreds of participants to attend, showing their reverence for nature by posing nude safely, peacefully, tenderly for a few minutes among this specific grove of native oak trees threatened by state plans to uproot them. For details, jack@treespiritproject.com. 

www.treespiritproject.com. 

AN ITALIAN CLASSIC AT  

PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE 

One of Federico Fellini’s greatest films, 8 1/2 (1963), will be screened at 3 p.m. Wednesday as part of UC Berkeley’s Film 50 lecture series, hosted by Marilyn Fabe, at Pacific Film Archive. The series is open to the public as space permits, but it’s generally a good idea to get tickets well ahead of time, as the screenings often sell out. $4-$8. 2575 Bancroft Way.

There is no sound quite like that of an orchestra warming up before a performance. Even for the classical music novice, the scattered sounds of violins, tympani, cellos and brass running through a chaotic mesh of notes and rhythms is enough to build anticipation for what awaits, for the drama and emotive power of supreme musicianship. 

But for many, the experience of a symphonic performance often seems out of reach, either financially or intellectually. The common perception, right or wrong, is that classical music is for the elite, for those with more time and money than the rest of us. 

The San Francisco Symphony, aware of this perception, has sought to mitigate it with their 6.5 Series, an ongoing program of Friday night performances with several features geared to bridge the culture gap. The performances start early, at 6:30 p.m., and tickets start at $25, a nearly 50 percent discount off the regular starting price.  

That’s all well and good, and it certainly helps to bring the experience of the symphony closer to many who otherwise might not have the cash to venture into Davies Hall, but it does little to break down the intellectual barriers. Thus the symphony has added another touch: The evening’s conductor will actually talk to you, introducing each piece, explaining the circumstances behind its creation, its place in the pantheon of the classics of classical, as well as its themes and instrumentation and the pleasures and difficulties that confront the modern orchestra that attempts to perform it. In other words, they’ll tell you just what the hell is going on here and why you should care.  

The San Francisco Symphony has an advantage in this area, for music director Michael Tilson Thomas is not only one of the nation’s foremost conductors but is also considered one of classical music’s greatest ambassadors. His “Young People’s Concerts” with the New York Philharmonic have been compared to Leonard Bernstein’s concerts of the 1950s that inspired a generation of classical music lovers.  

On Feb. 9, Thomas, or MTT as he is known, conducted the orchestra in a performance of Hector-Louis Berlioz’s Les Nuits d’été (Summer Nights), Opus 7, a program of six love songs setting to music the poetry of Théophile Gautier. To perform the pieces, Thomas introduced mezzo-soprano Susan Graham. 

In his introduction, MTT explained the circumstances behind the songs and briefly discussed their musical and lyrical themes before asking the audience to hold their applause between the songs, stating that the silences between were as much a part of the performance as the music itself. He requested that the audience use that pause to reflect on what they’ve just heard and to clear the mind in preparation for the next—a prospect made challenging by a scattered chorus of several hundred long-suppressed coughs from throughout the auditorium.  

But that too was entirely in keeping with the evening’s light tone, a tone set early by MTT’s impromptu opening remarks, which roused a wave of laughter as the conductor botched the title of Berlioz’ Roman Carnival Overture and had to be gently corrected by the string section. If you could cram an orchestra into your living room for a casual performance, this is what it might feel like. 

The evening’s all-French program also included Debussy’s Nocturnes and Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.  

The Jan. 26 performance featured Lawrence Foster conducting Gerhard’s Concerto for Orchestra. As he stepped up to the podium, Foster pre-emptively pardoned himself for his expository talents, deferring to Michael Tilson Thomas as the master of audience relations. 

“It is intimidating to be on the same box as MTT, who is the master of explaining pieces,” Foster said, but made the point moot just as quickly, with a lucid and informative introduction to Gerhard’s piece that included demonstrations by various sections of the orchestra as to how the piece would highlight each instrument. Again, the mood was casual, the musicians clearly enjoying the chance to spotlight the talent and work that goes into their performances.  

The evening also included Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20, with Foster conducting and featuring the acclaimed pianist Radu Lapu. Lapu delighted in the opportunity to present the virtues of Mozart; the performance emphasized the dynamics between the pianist and the orchestra, with Lapu turning toward the musicians as their parts echoed and commented on his own. At one point Lapu ran a scale of notes down to the lower register and glanced at the orchestra as the musicians perfectly blended their sound with the fading piano note, an appreciative smile sliding across Lapu’s face as the sound drifted into silence. The audience was appreciative too—they called for three encores. 

Beginning Wednesday, Associate Conductor James Gaffigan will lead the symphony and pianist Yundi Li in a series of performances running through Saturday that will feature Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2. The Friday performance will again be part of the 6.5 Series, with Gaffigan culling pieces from the other programs and leading the orchestra and soloists through examples that will help provide context for and insight into each work.  

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY’S 

6.5 SERIES 

6:30 p.m. Friday, March 16 at Davies Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. $25-$114. (415) 864-6000. www.sfsymphony.org.  

Photograph: James Gaffigan will lead the orchestra and pianist Yundi Li in the San Francisco Symphony’s next 6.5 Series performance. 

Most of Ron’s columns have featured street trees. I’m making an exception for Michelia doltsopa; the few specimens we know about are in private gardens and storefront planters. I would have passed off the one on our street as some odd magnolia, but she recognized it for what it was. One clue: the flowers are borne among the leaves rather than at the ends of the branches.  

The accompanying photograph, taken after a long siege of rain, doesn’t really do the tree justice. At its peak, the white flowers glow against the leathery dark-green leaves. Frank Kingdon-Ward, the celebrated plant hunter who saw M. doltsopa in bloom in the Adung River valley near the Tibetan-Burmese frontier, wrote: “Its oyster-white shallow cups have a nacreous gleam, and it is a more beautiful tree than any magnolia, except perhaps the peerless Magnolia campbelli.” And this is coming from a man who knew his magnolias. The flowers are also fragrant. 

Kingdon-Ward wasn’t the first to come upon this tree, which grows wild through the Eastern Himalayas, from Nepal to India’s North East Frontier Area. That honor goes to Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, an earlier botanical explorer who may have been the first western scientist in Nepal, in 1802-03, with a diplomatic mission led by a Captain Knox. He gave the type locality for M. doltsopa as Narainhetty or Narayan Hetti, near Kathmandu. His Account of the Kingdom of Nepal also mentions other trees “hitherto unnoticed by botanists.” 

Trained in medicine in Scotland, Buchanan-Hamilton was surgeon to the British governor-general in Calcutta, somehow finding time also to organize a zoo and catalogue the fish of the Ganges. In addition to Nepal, he made plant-collecting forays all over India before settling down to run the Calcutta botanical garden in 1814.  

You have to hand it to those Indiana Joneses of botany. Prospecting for plants on the borderlands of China and India could be a dicey business. There were precipitous mountain trails and steamy leech-infested lowlands, endemic diseases, and local folk who had never seen a westerner and were none too happy to meet their first. Neither were the dogs, the large and surly Tibetan mastiffs.  

The explorers left behind some great books—many of Kingdon-Ward’s travelogues are still in print—and enriched our gardens with a bounty of rhododendrons, primroses, poppies, maples, and more. Michelia doltsopa is a standout among them. In the wild, it reaches a height of 90 feet and is harvested for its timber. “For carpenter’s work a preference is given to the Champa or Michelia, which is certainly a good kind of timber,” wrote Buchanan-Hamilton. Cultivated specimens are much shorter, 25 to 30 feet. Growth habit can be bushy or narrow and upright; older trees have broader crowns. Michelias in general prefer full sun or partial shade and well-drained, humus-rich, neutral-to-acid soil. 

Like their magnolia relatives, Michelias—there are some 50 species—flower in winter. Theirs is a venerable family. Magnolias and their kin have been traced back to the Cretaceous era, 95 million years ago, when the flowering plants were just emerging. Darwin considered the origin of flowering plants “an abominable mystery,” and their history is still murky. It appears, though, that the oldest flowering trees may have been magnolias or something like them. 

Before the advent of bees or butterflies, they were probably pollinated by flies or beetles as many magnolias still are. 

Now found only in East Asia and eastern North America, the magnolia family once had a much wider distribution. Their fossils have turned up in Idaho, England, even Greenland. But the world was warmer then, and climate change—the drying of the American west, the glaciation of Europe—pushed the magnolias into their present refugia. The remnant distribution of the family is paralleled by other plants, including ginseng, and a few animals, notably the alligators, paddlefish, and giant salamanders. We’re lucky to have these beautiful survivors, bringing a touch of the Mesozoic to city streets and yards.  

Photograph by Joe Eaton:  

At its peak, the white flowers of Michelia doltsopa glow against the leathery dark-green leaves. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

DEAR Day: Drop Everything and Read Come read in a Berkeley Public School at 9:30 a.m. For information or to sign up call 644-8833. bsv@berkeley.k12.ca.us 

National Nutrition Month Cooking Demonstrations at 2:30 p.m. at the Tuesday Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Derby St. at Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 548-3333. 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds, at 3:15 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Berkeley High School Governance Council will discuss Student Support Plans, Advisories, and Common Assessment Measures at 4:15 in the Berkeley Community Theater. 644-4803. 

“Religion and Freedom of Speech: Cartoons and Controversies” with Robert Post, Prof of Law, Yale Univ. at 7:30 p.m. at the Lipman Room, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 643-9670. 

Women’s HerStory “HIV/AIDS and the Down Low” Lecture and discussion at 6 p.m. at Laney College Forum, 900 Fallon St. http://laney.peralta.edu/womensherstorymonth 

A Talk with Valentino Achak Deng one of Sudan’s “Lost Boys” at 7:30 p.m. at JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

“Late Pleistocene to Holocene Evolution of the San Francisco Bay” at 5:30 p.m. at the Goldman School of Public Policy, Room 250, corner of Hearst and LeRoy. 642-2666. 

St. Patrick’s Day Party with Irish Songs at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

“Past Tents: A Portrait of Camping in the Early West” with author Susan Snyder at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 

Teach-In and Vigil Against American Torture every Wed. at noon at Boalt Hall, Bancroft Way at College Ave.  

Walk, Talk, Buck the Fence 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 to discuss what is at stake in the proposed steps for the filling of the Canyon by the UC-LBL Rad-Labs, and now British Petroleum. http://canyonwalks.blogspot.com  

“Solving the Klamath Crisis” in commemoration of the 10th Annual International Day of Action for Rivers, at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Free. 849-2568.  

Special Meeting on UC’s Berkeley Lab’s Proposed Development in Strawberry Canyon at the Planning Commmission at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, Hearst at MLK, Jr. Way. The plans are available on-lone at www.lbl.gov/lrdp 

“Stromwater Designs: Designing a Soft Path” with Rosey Jenks 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 

“Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace: From Crisis to Hope: Making Peace an Urgent Priority for U.S. Policy” with Ronald Young of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative, at 9:45 a.m. at Giesy Hall, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, 2770 Marin Ave. 559-2731. www.plts.edu  

“Genocide Widows and Survivors in Rwanda” A lecture and discussion with Laura Frazier at 1 p.m. at Laney College Forum, 900 Fallon St. Oakland. Part of Women HerStory Month http://laney.peralta.edu/womensherstorymonth 

“Photography for EBay” Learn professional quality studio lighting techniques for use at home, with instructors from the Pacific Center for Photographic Arts, at 7 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Cost is $35. Registration required. 428-2463. 

Poetry Writing Workshop with Alison Seevak at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Building Connections Through Rhythm A drumming workshop for Women HerStory Month at noon at Laney College Theater Building Room 319, Oakland. http://laney.peralta.edu/womensherstorymonth 

Kentro Body Balance Movement Class at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

New to DVD: “Borat” at 7 p.m. at JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. Discussion follows. 848-0237. 

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. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

Stitch ‘n Bitch at 6:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

THURSDAY, MARCH 15 

Tilden Mini-Rangers An afterschool program with hiking and nature-based activities for children aged 8-12, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Dress to get dirty. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Women’s History Month “Rosie the Riveter” a lecture with the National Park Service on the World War II Home Front National Park at 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. Optional pot-luck dinner follows. Registration required. 636-1684. 

“Hardy Californians: A Woman’s Life with Native Plants” A discussion of the new expanded edition of Lester Rowntree’s book with Rowntree’s grandson at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 525-0689. 

Proposed New Berkeley/ 

Albany Ferry Terminal Public Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 1247 Marin Ave. For information see www.watertranist.org 

LeConte Neighborhood Association meets at 7:30 p.m. at LeConte School. We will discuss gang tag graffitti, the mixed-use building proposed for 2700 Shattuck/2100 Derby, changes proposed for Telegraph, the Save the Oaks issue and more. Please use Russell St. entrance. 843-2602. 

Environmental Justice Symposium “Conserving Indian Country” Tribal leaders, Indian Law and Environmental Law experts will meet to discuss environmental and land use law in Indian Country, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fri. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Boalt Hall School of Law, UC Campus. Cost is $10 per day. 415-863-8688. http://ej.boalt.org 

“Shellmound” A documentary on the transformation of the Emeryville Shellmound from a native burial ground into the Bay Street shopping center at 7 p.m. at the Inter-tribal Friendship House, 523 International Blvd., Oakland. 486-0698. www.shellmoundthemovie.com 

“Understanding California’s Tsunamis: Where Do They Come From and How Are They Formed?” at 12:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. 

Simplicicty Forum on Simple Taxes and Living Without a Car at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Library, Claremont Branch, Benvenue at Ashby. 549-3509. 

“Sustainable Residential Interiors” with authors Debbie Hindman, Kari Foster, and Annette Stelmack at 7:30 p.m. at Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St. 845-6874. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Sisters in Crime Panel discussion with local mystery writers at 6 p.m. at the South Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1901 Russell St. 981-6149. 

Teen Book Club meets to discuss underrated and overrated books at 4:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. Bring a book to share. 981-6107. 

“Eat at Bill’s: Life in the Monterey Market” a new documentary by Lisa Brennis at 7:30 at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar Street at Arch. Cost is $5. 843-8724. 

“Keeping Kosher on the Prairie, Keeping Chickens in Petaluma” with Eleanor Kaufman at 6:30 p.m. at Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St Cost is $6-$8. 549-6950. 

“Travel to Greece” with Lonely Planet author Michael Stamatios Clark at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Public Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. Free. 526-7512. 

Family Story Time for children ages 3-7 at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, North Branch, 1170 The Alameda, at Hopkins. 981-6107. 

FRIDAY, MARCH 16 

Interfaith Candelight Prayer Vigil for the 4th Anniversary of the US occupation of Iraq at 5 p.m., at First Congregational Church lawn on Dana St. 

“Killowat Ours” a documentary on our use of electricity, and “The Vineyard Energy Project” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., midtown Oakland. Donation $5. www.HumanistHall.net 

“Blowin’ in the Wind” A documentary on depleted uranium by David Bradbury at 5 p.m. 215 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus. 415-485-9528. http://ucnuclearfree.org 

“Golden Gulag: Prisons, Surplus, Crisis, and Opposition in Globalizing California” with author Ruth Wilson Gilmore at 6 p.m. at Uptown Body & Fender, 401 26th St., Oakland. 444-0484. 

Rakkasah West: Middle Eastern Folk Festival from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Richmond Auditorium, Richmond. Tickets are $12. Festival continues all day Sat. and Sun. www.rakkasah.com/west 

Seldom Seen Acting Company, a group of homeless actors who share their life stories through theater perform at 10:30 a.m. at The SVdP Downtown Services Center, 675 23rd St., Oakland. To RSVP call Christine at 636-4255.  

Free Diabetes Screening from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the West Berkeley Senior Center. Do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours beforehand. 981-5332. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Fed Collignon on “Famous Berkelyans in the Arts” 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.  

“Who Killed the Electric Car?” a documentary followed by discussion at 6:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. 

“Globalization in Africa: The Catholic Church’s Response” with Rev. Dr. Patrick Kalilombe from Malawi at 7 p.m. at JSTB, GTU, 1735 Leroy Ave. Followed by symposium on Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 549-5028. 

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 17 

Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations (BANA) meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Sproul Room, 2727 College Ave. All welcome.  

St. Patrick and the Snakes Learn the story of St. Patrick and meet our snake at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Canoe at Arrowhead Marsh in Oakland with Save the Bay. From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Cost is $30-$40. To register call 452-9261, ext. 109. 

Tinkers Workshop Spring Used Bike Sale at 84 Bolivar Drive, West Berkeley. All types of bikes available, and proceeds benefit Tinkers Workshop programs form youth. www.tinkersworkshop.org 

“Starve War, Feed Peace” Fourth Anniversary March and Rally Against the War, in Walnut Creek. Progressive Democrats of the East Bay will meet at 11 a.m. at the Walnut Creek BART and march to Civic Park, Civic and Broadway, for a noon rally. 925-933-7850. 

Mt. Wanda Wildflower Walk Join a Park Ranger for a walk in the hills where John Muir took his daughters. Terrain is steep, wear walking shoes and bring water. Rain cancels. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Cal-Trans Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Ave. and Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez. 925-228-8860. 

“The Ground Truth” Iraq war documentary at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists 1924 Cedar St. 528-5403. 

Lead-Safe Painting and Remodeling A free class on how to detect and remedy lead hazards in the home, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

“Developing Livable Communities” A forum sponsored by Urbanists for a Livable Temescal Rockridge Area, The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and The Sierra Club, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North Oakland Senior Center, 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, entrance at parking lot at 58th St., Oakland. Please bring a brown bag lunch. Pastries, drinks and other snacks will be provided. 925-376-0727. www.ultraoakland.org 

California Writers Club meets to discuss “A Celebration of Local Color” with Annalee Allen, at 10 a.m. at Barnes and Noble, Jack London Square. 272-0120. 

Rakkasah West: Middle Eastern Folk Festival from 11 a.m to 11 p.m, Sun. from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Richmond Auditorium, Richmond. Tickets are $15. www.rakkasah.com/west 

African Dance Class at 11 a.m. at Black Repertory Group, (Purple Bldg.), 3201 Adeline St. Open to all. Cost is $11. 368-2475. www. 

youmustdance.blogspot.com 

Celebrate Women’s History Month on the USS Hornet Events from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Tickets are $6 for children, $14 for adults. The Hornet is berthed at 707 W Hornet Ave., Pier 3, Alameda. 521-8448, ext. 237. 

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. 

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 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

SUNDAY, MARCH 18 

Shoreline Discovery Walk along Lone Tree Point Regional Shoreline with Bethany Facendini, naturalist, from 3 to 4 p.m. Call for meeting place. 525-2233. 

First Signs of Spring A five mile hike in the Crockett Hills from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at the Crockett Ranch Staging Area. Bring water and a lunch. 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 

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m., Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. 526-7377. 

“Dancing Through My SPiritual Journey” with Roger Dillahunty at 9:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack van der Meulen on Tibetan yoga “opening to Kum Nye” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, MARCH 19 

Berkeley Partners for Parks presents a panel of local grant-givers to help aspiring activists start and fund community projects at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Works Green Room, 1326 Allston (below Acton). 848-9358.  

Bill McKibben and Michael Pollan in Conversation on McKibben’s new book “Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and The Durable Future” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $10-$12. 415-255-7296, ext. 253. www.globalexchange.org 

Women for Peace with Loulena Miles, staff attorney for TriValley CAREs at 10 a.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. 

“The Story of Rosa Parks” video at 1 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 6 to 7 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

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) 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

ONGOING 

Tax Help at the Berkeley Public Library Sat. from 11:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the South Branch. Call for appointment. 981-6260. Also every Tues. and Thurs. at the West Branch from 12:15 to 3:15 p.m. Call for appointment. 981-6270. 

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Girls Basketball Age 15 and under league begins April 11 and 18 and under begins April 13. From 5:30 to 8:30 at Emery High School, 1100 47th St. Emeryville. Cost is $175 per team. 845-9066. www.byaonline.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., March 13, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., March 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., March 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., March 14, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. Cliff Marchetti, 981-6740.  

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., March 15, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., March 15, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6950.  

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., March 15, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7010.

FRIDAY, MARCH 9 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” Fri and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda, through April 1. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre Company “The Birthday Party” Wed. - Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through March 11. Tickets are $38. 843-4822 

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. 

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 

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 

“Triumph” A one woman show by Vanessa McDaniel at 3 p.m. at Black Repertory Group, 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $10. 652-2120. 

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 

Virago Theatre “Orphans” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at BridgeHead Studio, 2516 Blanding Ave, Alameda, through March 31. Tickets are $10-$15. 415-439-2456. www.viragotheatre.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Somebody” The New World of Figurative Art Works by seven artists exploring the human form. Reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

“Person Place and Thing” Paintings by Susan Kendall, Renie McDonough and Pam Wright opens with a sidewalk reception at 6 p.m. at the Addison St. Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison St. 981-7533. 

FILM 

Women’s Film Festival and Disgital Arts Club, selected screenings at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 981-2884. 

“Boris Eifman: Work in Progress” A documentary by Alex Gutman at 7 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Mr. Eifman will be present to introduce the film and will answer audience questions afterwards. 642-9988. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Tom Odegard and John Rowe read their poetry at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid at Hearst. 841-6374. 

Alfred McCoy, author of “A Question of Torture: CIA Interrogation, From the Cold War to the War on Terror” at 7:30 p.m. at at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Sharon Lamb describes “Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters from Marketers’ Schemes” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Christy Dana Quartet Plus Three at 8 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $20. Sponsored by the Berkeley Arts Festival. 524-1124. 

Trillium, harp trio, celtic, world, classical at 8 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Tickets are $15, children $5. 526-9146. 

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 

MamaCoatl & Cihuatl Tonali for International Women’s Day, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Danny Hoch Hip Hop Workshop at 8 p.m. at 2116 Allston Way. Tickets are $7-$15. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Classical with a Twist Vicki Trimbach performs at 8 p.m. at the Jazzcafe, 2087 Addison StTickets are $15. 1-800-838-3006, event 6103. 

Carla Zilbersmith & Allen Taylor Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.  

Womansong Circle Celebrating International Women’s Day in song at 6:45 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Donation. $15-$20. 525-7082. 

Swingthing at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. 

Houston Jones, Americana, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Willie Porter at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

The Nomadics, jazz, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

The Freak Accident, The May Fire, Space Vacuum from Outer Space at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082.  

Behind Enemy Lines, Born/Dead, Bumbklatt at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

The Brothers Lekas at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

B-Side Players, Raw Deluxe at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7. 548-1159.  

Suburban Legends, 5 Days Dirty, All the New at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10-$12. 763-1146.  

Chroma, electro-groove jazz, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Stanley Clarke at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $24-$28. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, MARCH 10 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Colibri and Nancy Raven at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Owen Baker Flynn and his “Act in a Box” 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 

8 in 07 A group show of East Bay artists. Reception at 4 p.m. at the Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Gallery hours are Wed.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibition runs to April 1. 848-1228. 

Recent Works of Changming Chen Artist reception at 2 p.m. at Alta Galleria, 2980 College Ave., Suite #4. 421-1255.  

“Sexicon: The Art and Language of Erotica” from noon to 4 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at Living Room Gallery, 3230 Adeline St. www.myspace.com/livingroomcollective 

“A Rose Has No Teeth: Bruce Nauman in the 1960s” Guided tour at 1:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

THEATER 

“Facing the Mountain” Armenians and Turks Share Their Stories A Playback Theatre Performance at 8 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Tickets are $10. For reservations call 642-9460. 

Butchlalis de Panochtitlan, queer theater and comedy, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568.  

FILM 

Women of Color Film Festival “Sidestepping the Eternal Repetition” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Feminist Art” a lecture by Lousie Stanley at 10 a.m. and “Feminist Postmodern Installations” at 11 a.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 981-2884. 

“The Bay Area Concept: Bruce Nauman and the Late Sixties” Symposium from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

Joe Hill discusses his scary novel “Heart-Shaped Fox” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Jessica Livingston describes “Founders at Work: Stories of Startups’ Early Days” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera Company “The Seraglio” at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$40. 925-798-1300.  

West Coast Blues Hall of Fame Awards Show at 7 p.m. at Kimball’s Carnival, 522 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $30. For reservations call 836-2227. www.bayareabluessociety.net 

The Albers Trio “Eastern European Masters” at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra “Violin and Viola Virtuosity” at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Free. 415-248-1640. 

Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg at 2 and 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32-$56. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Jewish Music Festival “Klezmer Buenos Aires” 8 p.m. at Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison St.. Tickets are $22-$26. 800-838-3006.  

Moment’s Notice Improv music and dance at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. Coat is $8-$10. 847-1119. 

Steve Tayor-Ramirez, at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

Faye Carol & Her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Sila and the Afrofunk Experience at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is TBA. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

John McGaraghan and Scott Waters at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Cascada de Flores at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Clarinet Thing with Beth Custer, Ben Goldberg, Sheldon Brown, and Harvey Wainpel at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Polkacide, The Kehoe Nation, The Whoreshoes and others at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $8-$10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

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

The Ravines, rock, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Ten Ton Chicken, 7th Direction, Powel St. Jon and Friends at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Cyril Guiraud Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Insect Warfare, California Love, Reagan SS, Noisear at 6 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $8. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 11 

CHILDREN 

Oakland Hebrew Day School “Into the Woods, Junior” at 1 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5 children, $7 aduults, at the door.  

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. 

Works by Ellen Oppenhiemer and Peralta Elementary Students Opening reception at 4 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

FILM 

“Thieves in the Temple: The Reclaiming of Hip Hop” written and performed by Aya de Leon at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jack Tillmany and Jennifer Dowling on “Oakland Theaters: A Pictorial History” at 2 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive Theater. 642-0808.  

Mitchell Schwarzer describes “Architecture of the San Francisco Bay Area: A History and Guide” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Poetry Flash presents poets David Roderick and Rebecca Black at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Aaron and David Requiro, chamber music, at 4 p.m. at Crowden Music Center, 1475 Rose St. Tickets are $12, free for children under 18. 

Soli Deo Gloria and Orchestra Gloria at 3:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 5201 Park Blvd., Piedmont. Tickets are $20-$25. www.sdgloria.org 

Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32-$56. 642-9988.  

Classic Flamenco and Mariachi Dive Bar Piano with Seth Montfort, at 5:30 p.m. at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. Cost is $15. 415-362-6080. 

Alarm Will Sound Works by composer Conlon Nancarrow at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32. 642-9988. 

Soul at the Chimes with harpist Destiny and Sonata Pi at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes,4499 Piedmont Ave. Oakland. Tickets are $20-$25. www.brownpapertickets.com 

The Hot Club at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Danny Hoch Hip Hop Workshop at 7 p.m. at 2116 Allston Way. Tickets are $7-$15. 647-2949. 

Tinkture, Kumbulus, Storm Temple and others at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Cost is $10. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Ellen Seeling/Susan Muscarella Group at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

MONDAY, MARCH 12 

EXHIBITIONS 

Paintings of Michael Murphy opens at The LightRoom, 2263 Fifth St. and runs through April 13. 649-8111. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Writing for the Greater Good” a panel discussion on the recent issue of Greater Good magazine at 5:30 p.m. at 105 North Gate Hall, UC Graduate School of Journalism, Hearst at Euclid Ave. http://journalism.berkeley.edu 

Fred Alvarado on “Urban Dreamscapes” creating community murals at 5:30 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, César Chávez Branch, 3301 E 12th St. Oakland. 535-5620. 

Jennifer Baumgardner discusses “Look Both Ways: Bisexual Politics” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Debra Di Blasi and Paul Vangelisti read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Dinah Lenney reads from “Bigger than Life: A Murder Memoir” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Poetry Express with Jan Dederick at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Classical at the Freight with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Danny Hoch Hip Hop Workshop at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $7-$15. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Trovatore, traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Skyline High School Jazz Ensemble at 8 and $10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com  

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 

FILM 

Alternative Visions “When a Stranger Comes to Town: Recent Animations” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Stehen Hawking on “Origin of the Universe” at 7:30 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $15-$32. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Gordon Ball and Hilton Obenzinger read at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Mike Farrell reads from his memoir “Just Call me Mike: A Journey to Actor and Activist” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Susan Snyder, author of “Past Tents: The Way We Camped,” reads at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Rohini Hensman reads from “Playing Lions and Tigers” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

GiveWay at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Courtableu, Cajun/Zydeco at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Ellen Hoffman and Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Danny Hoch Hip Hop Workshop at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $7-$15. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

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

Kim Nalley at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 

FILM 

Film 50: History of Cinema “8 1/2” with a lecture by Marilyn Fabe at 3 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Understanding Tibetan Monastic Music in the 21st Century” at 4 p.m. in the Seaborg Room, Faculty Club, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Center for Buddhist Studies. 643-6536. 

Kim Stanley Robinson introduces “Sixty Days and Counting” a trilogy of near-future eco-thrillers at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

Carol Cosman reads from her new translation of Albert Camus’ “Exile and the Kingdom” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

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

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera Company “The Seraglio” at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $15-$40. 925-798-1300.  

Gyuto Monks Tibetan Tantric Choir at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $22-$42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Harvey Wainapel Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Eric & Suzy Thompson, Del Ray & Steve James at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Billy Dunn & Bluesway at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Orquestra La Verdad at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

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

Machina Sol at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra with special guest Faye Carol at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, MARCH 15 

EXHIBITIONS 

“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. 

“A Visual Journal” Oils and works on paper by Lisa Bruce. Reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bucci’s, 6121 Hollis St., Emeryville. Exhibition runs to March 30. www.lisabruce.com 

“Somebody” The New World of Figurative Art Works by seven artists exploring the human form at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Khalil Bendib, editorial cartoonist will present a slide show and talk about his work. Reception at 6 p.m., presentation at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Valentino Achak Deng on the situation in the Sudan at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Sisters in Crime Panel discussion with local mystery writers at 6 p.m. at the South Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1901 Russell St. 981-6149. 

Antonia Juhasz, Steven Hiatt, and Jonathan Schwartz discuss “A Game as Old as Empire: The Secret World of Economic Hit Men and the Web of Global Corruption” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Jazzin’ Up Mama's Hymns: A Socio-Historical and Cultural Interpretation of Gospel Blues with Mark Wilson at 7 p.m. at 125 Morrison Hall, UC Campus. 642-4864. 

Ken Alder discusses “Lie Detectors: The History of an American Obsession” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jewish Music Festival “Ensemble Lucidarium” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $22-$26. 800-838-3006. www.jewishmusicfestival.org 

Eda Maxym’s Imagination Club with Stephen Kent at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Travis Jones and Chojo Jacques at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Me & My Arrow, Merch, The Swamees at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

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

Headnodic & Raashan Ahmad at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5. 548-1159.  

Randy Westons’s African Rhythms Quartet, featuring Billy Harper at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $16-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

UC PERFORMING ARTS’ ‘DOLLY’S WEST KITCHEN’  

Final performances of Dolly’s West Kitchen, Frank McGuinness’s play about a family in Donegal (just across the border from Ulster) in the closing days of World War II, will be staged at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at Zellerbach Playhouse. The play, which documents rising tensions in the neutral Republic of Ireland (including rumors of a British invasion) and in Dolly’s home, with divided loyalties and the scandal of adultery brewing, is the latest example of UC Performing Arts’ new, eclectic and ambitious production schedule. Christine Nicholson directed this piece by the noted playwright and screenwriter of Dancing at Lughnasa. $8-14. 642-8268. http://theater.berkeley.edu. 

PFA HOSTS ANTONIONI RETROSPECTIVE 

Pacific Film Archive is presenting a retrospective of the work of modernist director Michelangelo Antonioni. Antonioni had his roots in the neo-realist school of Italian filmmaking but soon moved beyond it into the langorous, minimalist films that would make his reputation, a body of work that often depicts the world and the human soul as vast, empty landscapes. The series runs through April 22. $4-$8. 2575 Bancroft Way. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

THE NEW WORLD OF FIGURATIVE ART 

“Somebody: The New World of Figurative Art” opens today (Friday) at ACCI Gallery with a reception from 6-8 p.m. The show features works by a group of artists in various mediums and runs through March 31. 1652 Shattuck Ave. Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. www.accigallery.com.

San-Francisco-born, Los Angeles-based poet and translator Paul Vangelisti will give a rare East Bay reading from his new book, Days Shadows Pass (Green Integer 129, Los Angeles), and share the rostrum with “multimedia fiction” writer Debra Di Blasi and her The Jiri Chronicles (FC2 Books/U. Alabama Press), part of her sprawling “transmedia” project of over 400 individual works taking many forms, 7:30 p.m. Monday at Moe’s Books on Telegraph Ave. Admission is free. 

“Both writers are on the edges of the avant-garde,” said Owen Hill, programmer of the Monday at Moe’s series. “They’re not particularly members of any group, and are unusual, sounding different to the ear than much experimental writing. The influence of the Italian Neo-Avantgarde on Paul’s poetry gives it a different sound, more musical than we’re used to. Debra’s work is more lyrical, too, than most contemporary prose. They’re both different, yet both are, I think, easier to pick up on for those who don’t normally read experimental writing.” 

Debra Di Blasi is based in the Midwest, although she lived in San Francisco in the late ’80s, contributing to SOMA Magazine. Edward David Hamilton of the Iowa Review coined the “multimedia fiction” monicker for her writing, which the New York Times Book Review characterized as “clear, resonant prose, laced with bittersweet humor.” Previous books include novellas Drought and Say What You Like (New Directions), which won the Thorpe-Menn Book Award, and short stories Players of an Accidental Nature (Coffee House Press). Di Blasi founded Jaded Ibis, a transmedia corporation, and also produces work in poetry, music, painting, video, visual art, websites, audio interviews, clothing, jewelry and, most recently, “celebrity scents.” 

Paul Vangelisti was born in SF’s North Beach, brought up in the Marina, attended USF and Trinity College in Dublin, and has lived in Los Angeles since 1968. He’s published over 20 books of poetry and almost as many of translation, as well as co-editing Invisible City/Red Hill Press with John McBride (of Berkeley) in the ’70s. 

Currently, he edits the New Review of Literature and heads the Creative Writing Program at Otis College of Art and Design. His visits to San Francisco are called “elusive,” though recently he was heard reading Jack Spicer’s poetry with his co-editor Luigi Ballerini at New College during a program of readings by San Francisco contributors to their remarkable bilingual anthology of postwar American poetry, in volumes city by city, published by Mondadori in Italy, Nuova poesia americana. 

Days Shadows Pass is “a different book from my others,” said Vangelisti, “Only two of which are made up of short poems, the others being longer work or long sequences. It looks elegiac—several poems are inspired by, dedicated to, dead poet and artist friends who were important to me—but they’re really about exile. Not exile from anything, but towards a hope for meaning. In the elegiac sense, they’re full of different forms of constraint—and we live in a time of absolute constraint. The only way I can approach a political question like this is to deal with constraint as a poet, perpetrate poetry like perpetrating a crime. To situate the strength of poetic language in a given time and place—that is exile, my natural position.” 

Sound of hard freight before dawn 

a few lights and chill in the arroyo, 

considering the lie of the strangers 

and later on the flock of pigeons 

at noon soaring and tumbling 

silver then white then sunlight 

against the weight of air. 

—Paul Vangelisti 

an excerpt from “Absolutely Like Spring,” Days Shadows Pass

The San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra will present a panoply of music by Bay Area composers Katrina Wreede, Lisa Scola Prosek, Alexis Alrich, Loren Jones, Erling Wold, and Chris Carrasco, this Saturday at Old First Church in San Francisco. 

Mark Alburger, himself a Bay Area composer, and conductor for many of the pieces, commented on the program, “Katie Wreede’s piece, ‘Children’s Garden,’ will be performed by Alexis Alrich on piano, the composer (who’s from the East Bay) on viola and Lisa Scola Prosek, voice--an ongoing trio.” 

“That will be the only chamber music,” said Alburger. “The rest will be chamber orchestra. Lisa Scola Prosek is a composer of Bel Canto for the 21st century, and there will be two selections from her opera, Bel Sagor, which will be premiered at the end of May, about the devil meeting his match in a witchy woman--and having a horrible time of it! There’s a duet and full ensemble, with soprano Eliza O’Malley in full voice and Maria Mikheyenko also up in the stratisphere, plus Aurelio Viscarra, tenor, and Micah Epps, bass.” 

The third composer will be Loren Jones, “with selections from his continuing 12-movement essay about life and times in San Francisco, Dancing on the Brink of the World, from brothels and barrooms on the Barbary Coast, and the Panama-Pacific Exhibition, like carny music, going to ‘the outer districts,’ in chilly, muted tones.” 

Alexis Alrich also is “serially introducing a larger piece, which she will conduct, with Matthew Cannon as soloist on a five-octave marimba. For Alexis, tonality is the music of the future!” 

Erling Wold’s revival of an older piece, “Baron Ochs,” will follow. “Erling’s one of the most wonderful post-Minimalist composers around,” said Alburger, “whose music is played in Europe. When Alexis Alrich premiered her piece, ‘California Oaks,’ Erling joked that ‘I’d better revive “Baron Ochs”’—and now he is!” 

The concert will be concluded by “a 19-year-old up-and-comer,” as Alburger put it—Chris Carrasco, with “The Mind Suite,” which Alburger describes as “a descent into madness! Chris is a fine percussionist, with a drum and bugle corps background. He played with The Blue Devils. But he’s Philip Glass-influenced. We wanted the grand finale to be a lot of fun, with some real in-your-face rhythmic music.” 

SAN FRANCISCO COMPOSERS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA 

8 p.m. Saturday. $12-$15. Old First Church, 1751 Sacramento St. and Van Ness, San Francisco. (415) 474-1608. 

www.oldfirstconcerts.org or www.sfcco.org.

When, in her final column, Molly Ivins called for the people to get out in the streets, bang pots and pans and raise hell, lefties all over the country responded with tributes and clarion calls to heed her message. Meanwhile, for more than six years, many of these same self-described liberals have excoriated the most accomplished and tenacious hell-raiser of them all, Public Pot-and-Pan-Banger Number One, Ralph Nader. 

An Unreasonable Man, a new documentary opening this weekend at Shattuck Cinemas in downtown Berkeley, examines the career of the controversial consumer advocate-turned-presidential candidate, giving much needed context and perspective to a lifetime of public service. 

The film argues that it has almost become axiomatic, despite much evidence to the contrary, that Nader cost Al Gore the 2000 election, his 19,000 votes in Florida spanning the 537-vote differential between Gore and Bush many times over. The inconvenient truth of the matter, however, is that there were 10 third-party candidates on the Florida ballot and every one of them received more than 537 votes. And nation-wide, more than 10 million registered Democrats forsook Gore in favor of Bush. Mean while Nader, once a left-wing hero, became a pariah almost overnight, trashed by progressives for defending the very same values and truths for which they claimed to stand. Finally, Democrats could speak with one voice. 

An Unreasonable Man documents the efforts, from both the right and the left, to undermine Nader and his causes, from General Motors’ blundering attempts to smear him in the 1960s as well as the more concerted and successful maneuvers by the Republican and Democratic parties to keep him from even attending, much less participating in, the presidential debates. For the most part it’s a simple and straightforward film, presenting the views of Nader’s supporters as well as his opponents, including many who once counted themselves among the former but have since joined the latter. But, even though directors Henriette Mantel and Steve Skrovan have ostensibly attempted to present a balanced portrait of Nader’s career with the intent of letting the viewer make his own evaluations of the man and his record, at times they tip their hand, revealing their own sympathetic views. For instance, towards the end of the film, as Nader, in an interview, gives voice to the principles that drive him, the directors find it impossible to resist the urge to back his words with a soaring, patriotic score. 

But for the most part the filmmakers are able to stay in the background and simply let their subjects do the talking. And they do plenty. Journalist Eric Alterman says it’s time Nader left the country; he’s done enough damage here. Phil Donahue takes issue with those who criticized Nader for claiming in 2000 that there wasn’t a dime’s bit of difference between the two political parties; the Democrats then spent the next six years proving him right, Donahue says, caving in to the Bush administration’s every whim. Some former Nader’s Raiders say their erstwhile leader has lost his way; others consider the man an American hero. 

Among the more humorous moments are the appearances of Michael Moore, a man who has made a name for himself with films in which he juxtaposes bits of footage to reveal the hypocrisy of those he targets. Here the tables are turned as we see Moore campaigning for Nader in 2000, asking his audience “If you don’t vote your conscience now, when will you start?”, then spinning 180 degrees around by 2004 to chastise those who took his advice, equating a vote for Nader as a transitory moment of pleasure that can only lead to a lifetime of pain. 

One of the more fascinating dynamics that have arisen from Nader’s clash with his one-time loyalists is the pressure that has been brought to bear on the many public interest organizations he has founded. Some of these groups have found it more difficult to do their work; fundraising and outreach efforts have suffered due to the diminished reputation of their figurehead, who, in many cases, is no longer even involved with these groups. It’s ironic that former President Jimmy Carter should count himself among Nader’s critics, as a similar effect was repeated recently with the publication of Carter’s book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. Just as some of Nader’s colleagues feel their work has been hindered by his political campaigns, the backlash against Carter’s book led to the resignation of several Carter Center staffers who felt Carter’s decision to speak his mind on the Israel-Palestine conflict undermined the efforts of the center to continue its role as a mediator and non-partisan monitor of elections in the Middle East. 

It’s an interesting question: Should one pursue one’s long-term goals even when that strategy jeopardizes one’s own short-term tactics? Both men are acting on the principle that truth always wins out, no matter the immediate consequences, and that ultimately history will rule in their favor. And both seem secure in the knowledge that their legacies, far from being tarnished by these actions, will one day be defined by them.  

AN UNREASONABLE MAN 

Directed by Henriette Mantel and Steve Skrovan. 122 minutes. Not rated. Playing at Shattuck Cinemas. 

Photograph: Consumer advocate-turned-presidential candidate Ralph Nader is the subject of  

An Unreasonable Man, a new documentary by Henriette Mantel and Steve Skrovan.

Some films carry with them the burden of their own achievements, their reputations so ingrained in the public consciousness that often those who have never seem them convince themselves they have. And when they finally do see those films the expectations can be almost insurmountable, rendering the experience underwhelming. Try explaining to the uninitiated the allure of Casablanca, or the innovation and genius of Citizen Kane. For many younger viewers these films are merely overhyped relics from a pitiful, technologically challenged era. 

Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves (1948) is one of those films. Those seeing it for the first time, stripped of its historical and political context, may be slightly baffled, and not by its slice-of-life documentary approach, its focus on the everyday lives of common people and ultimate lack of closure. Instead, the problem stems from the fact that these techniques have become commonplace and too often employed in lesser films that only aspire to the humanity and depth of a film like Bicycle Thieves, one of the classics of Italy’s vaunted neo-realist movement.  

Criterion has released the film in a new DVD edition that features a pristine transfer as well as extra features that help locate this enduring masterpiece in the cinematic pantheon.  

The plot is simple: In Rome, during the aftermath of World War II, when out-of-work men roam the city like dogs, Antonio Ricci gets hired to put up posters around the city. The only requirement is that he own a bicycle. Things are looking up for him and his family for about a day or so, until his bicycle is stolen. The rest of the film largely consists of Antonio and his young son desperately scouring the city for the stolen bike. 

De Sica did not embrace the neo-realist label, though this and several other of his works have come to define it. The movement began as a reaction to the rather staid environment in Italian filmmaking at the time. It was a complacent industry, modeled to an extant after the American film industry, manufacturing light escapist fantasy for the masses. The Italian film industry had been built up in the years before World War II by Mussolini as a method of shoring up the fascist narrative, but the machinery he put in place would, once the war was over, serve as a powerful means of documenting the tragic effects of that narrative.  

The neo-realists’ idea was to take this unique medium and turn its gaze on the real world, to eschew manufactured sets, tidy plotlines, ornate photography and camera movements and instead simply confront everyday life. The conceit even extended to the casting, as it did in Bicycle Thieves, with De Sica hiring non-professional actors for the lead roles.  

Simple touches are sprinkled throughout the film, details which may not seem especially subtle today but certainly were by the standards of most Hollywood fare of the time: The posters Antonio must plaster along the backalleys of Rome feature glamorous images of Rita Hayworth in luxuriant repose, in stark contrast to the run-down environs and egos of the main characters; and when Antonio lifts his wife to a window to peer into the headquarters of his new employer and admire the building’s relative opulence, the window is abruptly closed from within. Thus the message is clearly and effectively conveyed that the finer things in life are not to be had by these down-and-out folks, though optimism and ambition still glitter in their eyes.  

Bicycle Thieves presents a moving and compassionate portrait of the working class struggling in the face of deprivation and poverty, and though the film’s reputation may precede it, at times to the point of distraction, the film’s techniques are ultimately as poignant and as timeless as its content. 

BICYCLE THIEVES (1948) 

Directed by Vittorio De Sica. 89 minutes. In Italian with English subtitles. Criterion Collection. $39.95. www.criterionco.com.

It really annoys me when I see a real estate listing with a picture of a bungalow which announces something like “fabulous Victorian”—you would think there are enough bungalows around here that agents would get a clue, but apparently not. So herewith I shall answer the question “What is a Bungalow?” 

The question is fundamentally rather complicated. Dictionaries provide these definitions: “A low house having only one story or, in some cases, upper rooms set in the roof, typically with dormer windows”; “a usually one storied house with a low pitched roof”; “a small house all on one level”; “a small house or cottage usually having a single story and sometimes an additional attic story”; “a thatched or tiled one story house in India surrounded by a wide verandah”; “a usually one storied house of a type first developed in India and characterized by low sweeping lines and a wide veranda.” 

Bungalows and other Arts and Crafts houses, and the design philosophy that shaped them began in 19th Century Britain. The Arts and Crafts Movement was a reaction to the many changes in society brought on by the Industrial Revolution. Although advancements in technology were beneficial in many ways, producing the sewing machine, the cookstove, and indoor plumbing, there was a serious downside: pollution, sweatshops, and mass production of shoddy, badly designed goods. The Arts and Crafts reformers believed that a return to handcraft would restore the dignity of labor, that good design in homes and furnishings would result in an improved society. The most famous of them was William Morris, a gifted designer whose textile and wallpaper designs have been in continuous production since the 19th Century. 

The message of the Arts and Crafts Movement had spread all over the world by the turn of the 20th century. In the United States, it took on distinctive characteristics and was in many ways more successful here. When the ideas reached these shores around 1900, they were taken up by progressive idealists in many cities, and popularized by people like Gustav Stickley, through his magazine, The Craftsman, Elbert Hubbard at the Roycrofters, and Edward Bok at The Ladies Home Journal. There was just one problem with the movement as imported from Britain—Americans had no medieval tradition to look back to, being a young country. So we opted for incorporating various alternative ideas either involving traditional ways of building like log cabins, Spanish missions, and native American dwellings, or things considered exotic, such as architecture and decorative arts from Japan, which had only recently opened up to the outside world.  

It is generally agreed that bungalows descended from thatched Bengali peasant huts in India, called variously “banggolo,” “bangala,” or “bangla” (depending on who’s translating). The British altered the native dwelling into something that conformed better to their idea of what a house should be, and built these Anglo-Indian bungalows in compounds outside of the cities and towns, as well as in “hill stations” where the Europeans would go in the summer to get away from the heat. Eventually the bungalow was exported to all corners of the British Empire as being the proper sort of house for Europeans in the tropics.  

The bungalow’s initial use as vacation architecture meant that it came to be associated with leisure and informality, in a natural setting. This association continued even as bungalows began to be built in cities. Architectural styles used for resort houses in the nineteenth century, such as the Shingle Style on the East Coast (so called because of the shingle siding used), the rustic Adirondack style in the mountains (featuring rustic wood and log detailing), and even the Spanish haciendas of the West and Southwest had a lasting influence on bungalow architecture. 

The other thing that distinguished the American Arts and Crafts Movement was a more practical and democratic approach to the whole thing. Rather than throwing the machines out with the bathwater, so to speak, we viewed machines as useful tools that could be used to relieve drudgery, and do the tedious and repetitious parts of the work, freeing up time and thought for the artistic part, and allowing the hand labor to be devoted to artistry. Having no medieval tradition, we opted to celebrate simplicity, natural (especially local) materials, and honesty of structure. Of course much of this was lip service, because honesty of structure, especially on houses, was often a sham. This hypocritical aspect of the movement in no way diminishes the beauty of both the objects and the houses. In fact, it was probably what allowed the movement to succeed, and allowed the middle and working classes for the first time to own houses that were both economical (so they could afford them), artistic (they were beautiful), and practical (bungalows and other Arts and Crafts era houses were the first truly “modern” houses, with indoor plumbing, central heating, and electricity.  

The bungalow’s popularity spread from the West Coast to the East, contrary to the way that architectural styles had traveled across America in the past. In fact, the first bungalow-style house was built in Piedmont in 1876 by the Reverend Joseph Worcester, three years before the first house to be actually called a bungalow was built on Cape Cod. Certainly the West Coast, particularly California, embraced the ideal of the bungalow, and unquestionably ran with it. Hooray for us! Because of plan books and pre-cut houses, California-style bungalows were built across the U.S. sharing stylistic similarities even though there are regional differences in climate, locally obtainable building materials, the skills of available workmen, and the innate preferences of builders and owners.  

In a bungalow home the front door often opens directly into the living room, or to a small entry off the living room, because these houses were informal. No fancy parlors here. Often you can see into the dining room as well, which may be separated only by bookcases or columns. The main feature of the living room is the fireplace, which was the center of family life. In the evening, the family gathered around the hearth to read, play music or games, embroider, or just talk.  

Natural wood and colors from nature were the order of the day. Textiles helped to soften the room (as well as the furniture). The embroidery could also be purchased as a kit, and both women and men were encouraged to do some sort of handcraft to personalize their home, and to decorate with materials from nature. 

Homes were built with an eye to bringing the outdoors in- French doors opened from the formal rooms onto porches, which often were covered with vines or wisteria. 

Unlike today, meals were eaten in the dining room, which usually had a built-in china cabinet, as well as paneling and a plate rail for displaying plates and other artful objects.  

The food came from the first truly modern kitchens. Indoor plumbing, electric lighting, gas stoves, and refrigeration, some of the better products of the Industrial Revolution, first came together in the kitchens of the Arts and Crafts era. Homemakers were demanding more labor saving devices and convenience, now that they no longer had servants to do the housework.  

The bedrooms in a bungalow tended to be much simpler and lighter than the formal rooms, and often had painted woodwork. Children’s rooms often had special wallpaper or borders illustrating nursery rhymes or other themes. Stenciled or embroidered bed linens were fashionable. Closets were small because people had fewer clothes. 

In between the bedrooms was the bath, in a small house usually only one. A wall-hung or pedestal sink was the norm, and a clawfoot or built-in tub. 1” white hexagonal tiles were a common flooring material. These bathrooms were distinguished by their whiteness, coming during a time of obsession with sanitation and cleanliness. Later on in the 1920s and ‘30s there was an explosion of color in bathrooms, so houses from that time are more likely to have wildly colored bathrooms. 

Many bungalows had sleeping porches off the bedrooms, as it was believed that sleeping in the fresh air year-round was good for you, and in warm climates, that was probably true. 

Okay, that’s all well and good but it still doesn’t tell you what a bungalow is. At least part of the problem is that it’s a “know one when you see one” kind of thing. Of course, the good thing about being an author is that you get to make up your own definition. So here’s mine: A bungalow is a one or one-and-a-half story house of simple design, expressed structure, built from natural or local materials, with a low-slope roof, overhanging eaves, and a prominent porch, built during the Arts and Crafts period in America (approximately 1900-1930). If it’s two stories it’s no longer a bungalow, though it can still be Arts and Crafts or craftsman (often known in Berkeley as a “brownshingle”). 

Although there are many people who allow for Spanish, Tudor, Colonial, Cape Cod, and even ranch houses as bungalows if they are one or one and half stories, I’m drawing the line there. Well, sort of. Because everything in the above definition has an exception- for instance, the dates. There were bungalows built after 1930, and in fact the National Park Service maintained the style for park buildings long after the bungalow era was technically over. And here’s another thing- there’s no such thing as architectural purity. So a bungalow may have some classical detailing normally found on a Colonial Revival house- things like neoclassical columns or dentil molding. Or a bungalow may have arched windows or a Mission-style gable that would normally be found on a Spanish Revival house. Many bungalows have a medieval English influence as reflected in half-timbering or diamond-pane windows. And don’t even get me started about the cognitive dissonance between the outside architecture of a house and the interior style.  

Bungalows and Arts and Crafts houses were, and still remain, one of the most pleasant, livable styles of houses built in the 20th century. There’s been much talk lately about “the New Urbanism”- new towns being built that are walkable, houses with front porches and architectural details from the past. But in bungalows we already have the “Old Urbanism,” and it still works. Life is far more complex these days than it was back then, and these houses still serve as a haven from the demands of the world outside, they still nurture us and our families, and will continue to do so. This saying appeared in a magazine of the time: “A small house, a large garden, a few good friends, and many good books.” That’s my definition of a good life.  

Photograph by Jane Powell. 

A bungalow in Oakland’s Laurel District. 

Lately I have been known to make outbursts over my Sunday morning cup of tea. It’s usually because I’m reading an article in a local paper purporting to give an update of our real estate market. Some of the articles come from wire services and describe a totally irrelevant national picture. Other times the article is describing the “local market,” but what they’re really discussing is the entire East Bay, from Hayward through Hercules. 

“Which planet are these people on?!” is a common question I ask whomever will listen. But mostly I am asking myself: how do I best counter this misinformation for my new buyers? 

I am someone who likes a challenge, but lately several articles in the print media have made the task of educating my clients all the more difficult. This Sunday’s example was a headline declaring: “Home buyers now have the market advantage.” Explain that to the 18 buyers who competed on a fixer this week in Albany. 

When I visited the brokers’ open the agent was standing in a flooded kitchen wielding a mop. Two of the offers she received a week later ranked as “ridiculously high.” A lovely traditional home in North Berkeley listed at just under a million received nine offers and went “really high.”  

The week before, a home in a coveted block of the Claremont that had been listed in the fall but did not sell, came back on the market. It received three offers and supposedly went from just under $2 million to $2.5 million. In the same area and same week a home listed for $1.35 million, fully updated, received three pre-emptive offers. Multiple offers, pre-emptive offers, contingency-free offers, concessions to the sellers such as free rent-back: we’re seeing it all again. 

To make any simple declarative statement about our market is always risky. To declare what we’re experiencing locally as a buyers’ market is just inaccurate. In my role as a director of the California Association of Realtors, I speak with many colleagues throughout the state. I certainly hear about communities where much of the inventory sits for several months before receiving an offer. 

I’ve heard about the huge number of condos for sale along that long beach in Long Beach. And I know that outside of California there are areas of true market devaluation. I also know that you don’t really have to go very far from Berkeley to find pockets of inactivity. In Richmond there are currently 150 two bedroom, one bath properties on the market. That’s more than the entire inventory of Berkeley. And indeed things were slower even here last autumn. 

But right now, in the first part of March, in all price ranges in Berkeley and the immediately adjacent communities, we are experiencing an active market. And it’s following a familiar pattern: the buyers are ready before the sellers. It makes perfect sense: buyers must decide that they are ready to make a move, and ideally speak with a responsible realtor and a trusted loan broker. 

The seller, on the other hand, must not only prepare mentally and emotionally, but must start disposing of possessions, pack the rest, choose a listing agent and make the myriad other decisions required to effectively sell one’s home. And they may also be involved in buying on the other end. It is not shocking that the basic equation of supply vs. demand is producing, in the early spring, a little flurry of activity and the return of multiple offers in many cases.  

The imbalance between buyers and sellers seems especially acute this spring. My guess is that all those buyers who were sitting on the fence in the fall, hoping that prices might actually drop, have realized that’s not going to happen. So we have the holdover buyers from 2006 joining some number who would normally have joined the fray in 2007 anyway, producing an especially high number of buyers ready to pounce on a small amount of inventory. 

The sellers who either had no choice but to sell now, or who were contrarian enough to believe that there never was a bubble, have benefited from being ready early in the year. The question no one can answer is: once this “glut” of buyers has made their purchases, will the market continue to be strong? 

It’s true that not all properties are experiencing blissful results for the sellers. A house with a quirky floor plan, or one needing major structural work, or one that appears over-priced will sit around in any market. You’ve probably heard it before, and it’s still true: homes that are priced appropriately, and perhaps a wee bit low for what they are, that are presented attractively and marketed actively by a trusted agent will do well in any market. If they are in a desirable neighborhood, and are mostly updated, then they have even more advantage.  

When people learn that I’m a realtor it is common for their next question to be “So, how’s the market?” The only truly valuable market update is the one provided by your agent, who knows your priorities, who knows what neighborhood you want to live in, who knows your price range, your taste, your ability to accept risk and how quickly you need to move.  

The good news is that the annoying article, having proclaimed a buyers’ market in the headline, went on to urge sellers to choose an agent who was a good communicator, someone who could present a solid market plan and would market the property extensively. That’s good advice in any market. 

Arlene Baxter is the 2007 President of the Berkeley Association of Realtors, and an agent at Berkeley Hills Realty. You may reach her at baxter@pobox.com. The opinions expressed are her own, and not necessarily those of the BAR. 

Okay Matt, I have been thinking about this for a while. There is a design feature I’ve noticed while looking at open houses these past years. 

Many times, when an older but small house is “remodeled” or “updated” walls are removed so that living/dining/kitchen all become one big room. Real estate descriptions often say “open floor plan” as though really, it just is the best (kinda like they say granite or stainless steel with the same final-statement tone). 

So, do we assume the masses really prefer an “open floor plan”? Does this structurally compromise the house in earth-quake terms? What is actually wrong with a separate kitchen? What about noise and smells? Is this just a style preference? What do you, someone who appreciates historical homes, think of this type of remodel? 

Your thoughts please! 

—Tina always-thinking-about-floor-plans Laxar 

Dear Tina,  

What a great question. The removal of interior walls is a subject worth at least a few words so here goes: 

First, from a seismic standpoint, interior walls produce very useful “shear resistance” and can be critical in preventing collapse of portions of a building. While it is possible to build large open spaces suitable for earthquake forces, our buildings are generally not built that way and depend to a large extent on interior walls to transfer those forces between the planes of the building and to help hold walls up as they move to and fro. 

I’ve often seen interiors that have been “opened up” to give a more modern feel and better flow and wondered if there had been any engineering applied to the remodel. Usually there had been none and those homes were left vulnerable to increased damage when the big one hits. By the way, one group from UC Davis is claiming that a major earthquake will hit Northern California in the next year to 18 months so these issues may be more pressing than previously considered. I have no idea how accurate this data is but it will doubtless beg these questions more than before. 

Another issue regarding the removal of walls is that they are often done without consideration for roof or ceiling loads. All walls cannot be fully removed without some serious alterations and here are some basic concepts that one can apply to the question if you’re thinking about doing such a removal.  

First, it’s essential that one determine what loads rest upon the wall. If you have a living space above the room in which you plan to remove a wall it’s less likely you can get away with it. You’ll have to determine if the floor joists (the planks that stand on edge and run from wall to wall below the floor boards) are resting upon the wall. If they do not, and run parallel to the wall, then the wall may be considered a “curtain wall.” If you have a roof or attic directly above the room you’re planning to change, it’s more likely you’ll be OK, but again, you have to find out what rests on the wall you want to eliminate. If loads are bearing on the wall, you’ll have to find a way to carry them down to the foundation other than via that wall and there are several things to consider. My first question always would be, “Do you really need to remove the entire wall?” If not, a header or beam can be run across the part of the wall you want to remove. This can be fairly small and the effect can be dramatic without any major structural change. An opening of eight feet can feel much the same as a complete removal but may only require a 4” x 8” beam as substitution. 

Each situation is different and an expert does need to look and be sure that the removal doesn’t have nasty consequences. This job is also fairly cheap so it might be just the thing to turn two small dead spaces into one that changes the way your home feels and functions. Another way to manage a wall removal (either partial or complete) is to open up a large archway. I’ve done this in my own home and it creates an airy feeling while keeping wall space and adding architectural interest. We have both full arches and partial archways that have cabinetry and counters from waist height down. The latter gives views and resolves claustrophobia without losing the practical elements of storage and division.  

This is a good point at which to stop and discuss those issues. Loss of wall space isn’t just an engineering issue. It’s also practical and aesthetic. While the 1960’s edict of all plans as open plans may have once seemed sophisticated and free, a wall is not really a bad thing. Walls shape space and provide surfaces on which to develop storage and work-space. Walls provide a modicum of privacy and generate hubs of activity. One of the reasons large commercial open spaces are often so dead is that they lack as sense of place created by barriers.  

Don’t get me wrong, I opened my own house up quite a bit but it’s very important to consider the effect of each wall either kept or ushered away since the effects on the space can be dramatic. A small section of wall can make a huge difference and a big empty space might not work as well as it looked in the magazine. 

Before I finish with the structural stuff let me talk about one last strategy since it’s a really good one and might help you get what you’re after. It’s often possible to remove a wall in a room directly below an attic by adding a beam which rests above the ceiling joists. Now, this may sound nutty but it actually works quite well. A “strongback” is a beam that connects with the ceiling joists that lose support through the loss of a wall. The strongback must rest at either end on a wall or post that remains in place and the ceiling joists then hang off of it. It’s pretty simple really and the effect is such that you can remove a large section of wall and have the ceiling run smoothly from space to space without any visible change or bump. This won’t work in every house but if you have a fairly accessible attic, I’ll bet it will work for you. The only hard part will be getting the strongback into the attic in the first place. This sometimes requires punching a hole in the roof and, of course, repairing said hole. 

I’ll finish with the last part of Tina’s question, that having to do with historical homes. It’s a rare remodel on an older home (say 1930’s on back) that looks right with major walls removed. Division of spaces is a critical component in design and snatching one arbitrarily out of an antiquarian residence often (but not always) doesn’t feel right. It may be that a partial removal or a half-height arch might be enough. This is where architects shine and are well worth their fees, so consider one if you’re going down this road. Also don’t forget our friend the structural engineer. If you’re planning on removing more than one short wall, you might want this gal/guy to lend a hand. 

Whatever your final decision, don’t rush through the design process. Take your time and make it fun. There are few things in my life that have ever proved as much fun as playing games with walls. Yes, I know. I’m really weird. 

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

Are you ready to make personal contact with your wild neighbors? Ready to go eye-to-eye with the swiveling head of a great horned owl, outstare a magnificent Bald Eagle, chuckle at an opossum burrowed head-deep into a cereal box, count the leaves being pulled out of a Trader Joe’s Indian Fare carton by a California ground squirrel? 

In a perfect world, we’d prefer meeting most wild animals roaming free and independent on their home-ground. Unfortunately, injuries and habituation prevent some animals from enjoying that option. Fortunately, there’s an organization that rehabilitates injured wildlife and provides homes for those which have become too tame to be returned to nature. 

Located in the heart of Walnut Creek, surrounded by quiet residential neighborhoods and an expansive community park, the Lindsay Wildlife Museum connects us to animals living in nearby open spaces and our own backyards. Since 1955 this non-profit organization has reached out to children and adults through changing natural history and art exhibits, hands-on activities, classes, outreach education and community programs, Wildlife Ambassadors and its rehabilitation hospital.  

After an absence of several years, I returned to the Lindsay Museum one cold winter weekday. The low slung building of natural-toned stone, white tubular accents and large expanses of tinted glass are almost camouflaged amid its surrounding gardens. In one section bony oak woodland branches harbor massive bird nests and bulbous galls above a thick blanket of tanned leather leaf litter. Additional natural communities foster a “living with nature” theme highlighting meadows, chaparral, redwoods, wildlife gardens, drought-tolerant and deer-resistant specimens. 

I followed the resident Great Horned Owl inside to the Thomas J. Long Exhibit Hall, ready to get acquainted with Wildlife Ambassadors and explore. Tethered high atop exhibit cases I gazed up at raptors – hawks, kestrels, owls, falcons and eagles, each occupying its own space. Below them mammals are housed in roomy enclosures hung with greenery and various wood structures, each designed to keep the animal comfortable and safe. 

Information placards provide biological details and explain the reason for each animal’s presence. An adult coyote never learned how to be wild, being raised by humans. A turkey vulture suffers from arthritis, while a common king snake is missing an eye. Materials engage young viewers. Children circle drawings on “What can you find?” sheets. Volunteers join you at exhibits, answering questions and teaching about wildlife. 

An impressive two-story replica of Mt. Diablo’s balancing rock gives voice to the distant past while illustrating present inhabitants. Fossils share sandstone pushed upward from an ancient seabed with native plants, deer, gray fox, whipsnake and quail. The Discovery Room offers hours of engagement with hands-on activities for anyone small enough to occupy pint-sized tables and chairs. Animal puzzles, a puppet stage, pelts and rocks to touch and shelves of animals promise a good start toward fostering compassion for nature. 

The Lindsay Museum excels in its daily stage presentations, combining entertainment with education and awe. Joining a group of first and second graders I was introduced to a Bald Eagle whose collision with an electrical wire in Bozeman, Montana resulted in an amputated wing. Using morsels of food as lures, the trainer encouraged exercise as the eagle hopped from perch to perch, ending at the pool where he was showered with refreshing water. The kids were questioned about nest size, eyesight, social calls and what they could do to help wildlife. We came away better informed, inspired by the museum’s commitment and the eagle’s will to survive. 

Nature seen through the eyes of an artist adds another dimension to the Lindsay Museum. “A Natural Inclination”, the art of Andrew Denman, combines the observation skills of the naturalist with the creativity of the artist. Denman paints wildlife, still life and landscapes as realistic depictions, often overlaid with abstract and stylized elements, including the artist’s perceptions and interpretations.  

A landscape of eucalyptus forms the backdrop to long strips of bark, leaves and squares of solid color. Likewise, a small ocean landscape of Bodega Head is only one element among the still life of crabs and shells. Graphite drawings, of wolves and red-tail hawk, focus on Denman’s skill as an illustrator.  

The thirty works on display provide clear evidence of Denman’s respect for the natural world and his thoughtful juxtapositioning of the original with the experimental. 

Occupying a small but well-stocked area within the exhibit hall is the museum gift shop, both browse and purchase-worthy. For budding birders, Audubon stuffed birds with bird calls serve as both tactile and auditory companions. If Monopoly has become passé, try Bug-opoly, Ocean-opoly and Dino-opoly. Wildlife themed hats, t-shirts, socks, jewelry, toys, puzzles and books happily share shelfspace. 

Along with education, the beating heart of the Lindsay Museum is its onsite rehabilitation hospital, the oldest and one of the largest in the United States. Open everyday for injured and orphaned wildlife, all services are free. Whether it’s a ruddy duck with a fractured bill, an arboreal salamander suffering from chlorine toxicity or a badger with head abscesses and body punctures, staff and volunteers treat and care for each one. During the busy season, they might see up to 150 animals per day.  

The year 2006 was a busy one for the museum. Over 500 classrooms and 50,000 visitors toured the museum. Docents brought exhibits to an additional 8,000 students and 15,000 community members. Almost 6,000 injured animals were brought to the wildlife hospital. Six hundred volunteers donated over 70,000 hours. 

Set a date for visiting the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, adding your stats to the year 2007. Watch the gray fox curled up in a ball, marvel at the dexterity of the opossum’s tail, listen for the raptor’s cry. Spread the word about how to help injured wildlife and avoid future problems. Contribute to keeping our wild neighbors safe and reducing the hospital’s workload.  

Getting There: Take Hwy 24 east to Hwy 680 north. Take the Treat Blvd/Geary Road exit and turn left over the freeway. Turn left on Buena Vista and right on First Ave. The museum is halfway up the block on the left. Park in the parking lots, not on the street. 

Lindsay Wildlife Museum, 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek (925) 935-1978, www. wildlife-museum.org. Open Wed.-Fri. noon-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $7, seniors $6, ages 2-17 $5. 

“A Natural Inclination” is on exhibit through March 18.

FRIDAY, MARCH 9 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Spreck Rosekrans on “Hetch Hetchy” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

Help Restore Native Oysters Volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Marina and at other sites in the Bay Area to help Save the Bay gather information about our native oyster population. For information call 452-9261 ext. 109.  

“Quality Education through Arts Learning” Workshops, panels and resources from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Sat. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Mills College Concert Hall, Oakland. Tickets are $35-$45. Register online at www.artseducation.org 

“The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation of $5 accepted. www.HumanistHall.net 

“Reconnecting with the Root” Spiritual health and empowerment workshop from 3 to 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. 

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 10 

Tibetan Flag Raising Ceremony at 9 a.m. at Berkeley City Hall, 2180 Milvia St. March for Tibetan Freedom continues at 11 a.m. at Justin Herman Plaza, S.F. www.freetibetmarch.org 

Let Worms Eat Your Garbage A free worm compost workshop to learn an amazing way to recycle fruit and vegetable scraps. From 10 a.m. to noon at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class “Hearty Homestyle Italian Cuisine” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $45, plus 435 for food and materials. Registration required. 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com  

Bird House Gourd Crafting Learn the natural history of gourds and how to make a bird house out of one, from noon to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $20-$29. Registration required. 636-1684. 

“Art in the Garden” a drawing class with Karen LeGault from 1 to 4 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $25-$35. Registration required. 643-2755. 

Help “Save The Bay” Plant Natives Volunteers will restore some of the last remaining wetland habitat in the East Bay at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland from 9 a.m. to noon. RSVP to 452-9261 ext. 109. www.savesfbay.org 

Emergency Summit to Prevent War with Iran with a panel of speakers followed by workshops, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Evans Hall, Room 10, UC Campus. Donation $10. 836-7961. www.handsoffiran.org 

“Facing the Mountain” Armenians and Turks share their stories at 8 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Tickets are $10. For reservations call 642-9460. 

“The Fight Against Capital Punishment: From Baghdad to San Quentin” with Barbara Cottman Becnel, advocate for the late Stanley “Tookie” Williams at 7 p.m. at The Home of Truth, 1300 Grand St., Alameda. Donations accepted. www.alamedaforum.org 

“If Women Ruled the World: Waging Peace in the U.S. and the Middle East” at 12:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 981-2884. 

NAACP Berkeley Branch meets at 1 p.m. at 2108 Russell St. All are welcome. 845-7416. 

African American Basketball Pioneers Panel Discussion and exhibition at 2 p.m. at the African American Museum and Library, 659 14th St., Oakland. 238-6713. 

Haiti Action Committee with Haitian activist and former political prisoner So An at 7 p.m. at The Uptown, 401 26th St., Oakland. Donation $5-$50. 483-7481.  

Burma Human Rights Day Benefit with documentary “Inside the Secret City,” speakers and dinner, at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Cost is $15. RSVP to 220-1323. www.badasf.org  

East Bay Atheists meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Main Library, 3rd Floor Meeting Room 2090 Kittredge St. Burt Bogardus will speak on “The Teachings of Jesus Christ.” 222-7580. 

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  

Luna Kid Dance 15th Anniversary Celebration at 10 a.m. at Haas Pavillion, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. www.lunakidsdance.org 

Dramatically Speaking Toastmasters Club meets at 9 a.m. at 1950 Franklin St., Room 2F. RSVP required, ID needed to get into building. 581-8675. 

Petite Pooches Playgroup for small dogs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., one block north of Solano on Ensenada at Talbot. 524-2459. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 11 

“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 

Clouds and You Learn the names of clouds and their families on a short hike, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Herstory of the Bay Celebrate Women’s History Month on a five mile walk honoring women who have made a difference in our community. From 2 to 5 p.m. at Point Isabel. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Meeting to Plan the People’s Park Anniversary Folks interested in helping with this year’s celebration (to be held April 22) are welome to come to the planning meeting at the Park’s Stage at 4:30 p.m., at Cafe Med if it is raining. 658-9178. 

Celebration of the Memorial Grove tree-sit 100th day at noon at Memorial Grove with music, food and activities for children.  

Community Party for KPFA from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Fellowship, corner of Cedar and Bonita. Food donations appreciated. 525-3583. 

St. Patrick’s Day at the Kensington Farmer’s Market with Irish music, soaps, soda bread, marmalade and more from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kensington Farmers’ Market, 303 Arlington Ave. 684-6502. 

Summer Programs for Children Information Fair Learn about all types of camps and day programs for sports, music, drama, computers and more, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. www.aauw-op.com 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. Call to confirm. 841-8732.  

“Sacrifice and Blood: Biblical Images and Their Relevance Today” with Beth Glick-Rieman at 9:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack Petranker on “Opening to Light” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, MARCH 12 

“Women Trailblazers” A panel discussion in celebration of Women’s History Month at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

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) 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 13 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

DEAR Day: Drop Everything and Read Come read in a Berkeley Public School at 9:30 a.m. For information or to sign up call 644-8833. bsv@berkeley.k12.ca.us 

National Nutrition Month Cooking Demonstrations at 2:30 p.m. at the Tuesday Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Derby St. at Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 548-3333. 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds, at 3:15 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Berkeley High School Governance Council will discuss Student Support Plans, Advisories, and Common Assessment Measures at 4:15 in the Berkeley Community Theater. 644-4803. 

“Religion and Freedom of Speech: Cartoons and Controversies” with Robert Post, Prof of Law, Yale Univ. at 7:30 p.m. at the Lipman Room, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 643-9670. 

Women’s HerStory “HIV/AIDS and the Down Low” Lecture and discussion at 6 p.m. at Laney College Forum, 900 Fallon St. http://laney.peralta.edu/womensherstorymonth 

A Talk with Valentino Achak Deng one of Sudan’s “Lost Boys” at 7:30 p.m. at JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

“Late Pleistocene to Holocene Evolution of the San Francisco Bay” at 5:30 p.m. at the Goldman School of Public Policy, Room 250, corner of Hearst and LeRoy. 642-2666. 

St. Patrick’s Day Party with Irish Songs at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

“Past Tents: A Portrait of Camping in the Early West” with author Susan Snyder at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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. www.ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14 

Teach-In and Vigil Against American Torture every Wed. at noon at Boalt Hall, Bancroft Way at College Ave.  

Walk, Talk, Buck the Fence 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 to discuss what is at stake in the proposed steps for the filling of the Canyon by the UC-LBL Rad-Labs, and now British Petroleum. http://canyonwalks.blogspot.com  

“Solving the Klamath Crisis” in commemoration of the 10th Annual International Day of Action for Rivers, at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Free. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Stromwater Designs: Designing a Soft Path” with Rosey Jenks 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 

“Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace: From Crisis to Hope: Making Peace an Urgent Priority for U.S. Policy” with Ronald Young of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative, from 9:45-10:45 a.m. at Giesy Hall, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, 2770 Marin Ave. 559-2731. www.plts.edu  

“Genocide Widows and Survivors in Rwanda” A lecture and discussion with Laura Frazier at 1 p.m. at Laney College Forum, 900 Fallon St. Oakland. Part of Women HerStory Month http://laney.peralta.edu/womensherstorymonth 

“Photography for EBay” Learn professional quality studio lighting techniques for use at home, with instructors from the Pacific Center for Photographic Arts, at 7 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Cost is $35. Registration required. 428-2463. 

Poetry Writing Workshop with Alison Seevak at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Building Connections Through Rhythm A drumming workshop for Women HerStory Month at noon at Laney College Theater Building Room 319, Oakland. http://laney.peralta.edu/womensherstorymonth 

Kentro Body Balance Movement Class at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

New to DVD: “Borat” at 7 p.m. at JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. Discussion follows. 848-0237. 

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. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes and a warm hat. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

Stitch ‘n Bitch at 6:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

THURSDAY, MARCH 15 

Tilden Mini-Rangers An afterschool program with hiking and nature-based activities for children aged 8-12, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Dress to get dirty. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Women’s History Month “Rosie the Riveter” a lecture with the National Park Service on the World War II Home Front National Park at 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. Optional pot-luck dinner follows. Registration required. 636-1684. 

“Hardy Californians: A Woman’s Life with Native Plants” A discussion of the new expanded edition of Lester Rowntree’s book with Rowntree’s grandson at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 525-0689. 

Valentino Achak Deng on the situation in the Sudan at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Proposed New Berkeley/ 

Albany Ferry Terminal Public Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 1247 Marin Ave. For information see www.watertranist.org 

LeConte Neighborhood Association meets at 7:30 p.m. at LeConte School. We will discuss gang tag graffitti, the mixed-use building proposed for 2700 Shattuck/2100 Derby, the cell phone antennas, changes proposed for Telegraph, the Save the Oaks issue and more. Please use Russell St. entrance. 843-2602. 

“Understanding California’s Tsunamis: Where Do They Come From and How Are They Formed?” at 12:30 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Sisters in Crime Panel discussion with local mystery writers at 6 p.m. at the South Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1901 Russell St. 981-6149. 

Teen Book Club meets to discuss underrated and overrated books at 4:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. Bring a book to share. 981-6107. 

“Eat at Bill’s: Life in the Monterey Market” a new documentary by Lisa Brennis at 7:30 at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar Street at Arch. Cost is $5. 843-8724. 

“Keeping Kosher on the Prairie, Keeping Chickens in Petaluma” with Eleanor Kaufman at 6:30 p.m. at Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St Cost is $6-$8. 549-6950. 

“Travel to Greece” with Lonely Planet author Michael Stamatios Clark at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Public Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. Free. 526-7512. 

Family Story Time for children ages 3-7 at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, North Branch, 1170 The Alameda, at Hopkins. 981-6107. 

ONGOING 

Tax Help at the Berkeley Public Library Sat. from 11:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the South Branch. Call for appointment. 981-6260. Also every Tues. and Thurs. at the West Branch from 12:15 to 3:15 p.m. Call for appointment. 981-6270. 

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Girls Basketball Age 15 and under league begins April 11 and 18 and under begins April 13. From 5:30 to 8:30 at Emery High School, 1100 47th St. Emeryville. Cost is $175 per team. 845-9066. www.byaonline.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Youth Commission meets Mon., March 12, at 6:30 p.m., at City Council Chambers, Old City Hall. 981-6670.  

City Council meets Tues., March 13, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., March 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., March 14, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., March 14, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. Cliff Marchetti, 981-6740.  

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., March 15 , at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., March 15, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6950.  

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., March 15, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7010.

Michelle Wasserman, president of the Cal Berkeley Democrats, says she was misquoted in the March 6 story “Edwards Brings Presidential Campaign to Berkeley.” Although she was supportive of Edwards’ positions, she has not yet made an endorsement for the 2008 Democratic nominee for president. 

Also, the quote attributed to Wasserman, “Edwards cares about the people. He cares about the lives of women—as a lawyer, a senator, a husband and a father of two daughters,” was spoken by someone else.