Student artists display their work to friends and family at this year’s Youth Arts Festival. Photograph by Mark Coplan.
Student artists display their work to friends and family at this year’s Youth Arts Festival. Photograph by Mark Coplan.

Page One

BUSD Youth Arts Festival Showcases Student Creativity

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Six hundred and eighty six students were represented on the walls of the Berkeley Arts Center (BAC) Wednesday as part of the Berkeley Unified School District’s annual Youth Arts Festival. -more-



Chevron Access Needed for Richmond Bay Trail Link

By Geneviève Duboscq, Special to the Planet
Tuesday March 27, 2007

On Wednesday, March 21 the Richmond City Council voted 8-1 to have Mayor Gayle McLaughlin ask the California State Lands Commission (SLC) to require Chevron to allow San Francisco Bay Trail access to land on the south side of the I-580 corridor near its Richmond refinery. -more-



100 Condos Planned for Corner of Ashby And San Pablo

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday March 27, 2007

A four-story condominium-over-retail complex may soon be rising at the corner of two of Berkeley’s busiest streets. -more-



Oakland Zoning Proposal Reversal Reflects Long-Term Community Lobbying

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Tuesday March 27, 2007

The decision by the administration of newly elected Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums to delay going forward with an Oakland Planning Commission staff plan to alter industrial zoning in portions of West Oakland is the result of a political climate shaped by lobbying from Oakland housing advocates and positions taken by Mayor Dellums’ Housing Task Force, as well as by long-term efforts of one of Dellums opponents in last year’s mayoral race, West Oakland Councilmember Nancy Nadel. -more-



Commission Election Voided, Attorney Orders New Votes

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday March 27, 2007

While David Stoloff is out as Planning Commission chair, there’s no successor yet—despite the group’s election earlier this month. -more-



Features

Peace Notes: Code Pink at Camp Pelosi, Arrests at SF Federal Building

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday March 27, 2007

With screaming pink banners and a clear message demanding an end to the war in Iraq, from three to 50 Code Pink women and their supporters could be found over the past two weeks camped out in Pacific Heights in front of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s home. -more-


School Board Votes on Pre-K Centers, Arts Magnet Schedule

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday March 27, 2007

The Berkeley Board of Education will vote on Wednesday on hiring an architect to design the Berkeley Unified School District’s pre-kindergarten projects. -more-


News Analysis: Searching for Sunshine in Berkeley

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday March 27, 2007

There’s a contradiction often built into the job of public official—one I’ve observed over some 15 years reporting on various local governments in the Bay Area. -more-


Council Addresses Filmmaker Tenancy, Police Complaint Process

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Some 50 filmmakers, radio producers and writers renting studio space at the seven-story tower at Tenth and Parker streets hope that they will come away from the special City Council meeting tonight (Tuesday) with hope of minimal rent increases over six months or a year, rather than the significant increases the new landlord is demanding. -more-


Berkeley High Beat: BHS Students Celebrate Service Week

By Rio Bauce
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Last week was designated the Week of Service by Berkeley High School’s (BHS) student government. It was created to give students the opportunity to give back to their community. Friday was another Red and Gold Day with the Barbecue Club and the Baking Club at lunch. The Barbecue Club is a group of BHS male seniors who cook really good barbecue. Everyone at BHS likes it. A newer addition is the Baking Club, a group of BHS female seniors who make baked goods. The money raised will go to support charities. For those of you who don’t know, Red and Gold Day has traditionally occurred sometime in October once every school year, where students dress up in their school colors and show school spirit. It is typically followed by a homecoming rally. -more-


News Analysis: Japanese Prime Minister’s Apology for Sex Slaves: What Next?

By Aruna Lee, New America Media
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s recent apology for his country’s involvement in the abduction of thousands of Asian women for use as prostitutes during World War II has drawn a swift response from Asian Americans. The issue has been a point of tension between Japan and its neighbors for decades, and many here question Abe’s sincerity. -more-


Virgina Silber, 1943-2007

By Lorie Brillinger
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Virginia Silber was born in New York City on August 30, 1943. She died at her sister’s home in Berkeley on March 16, 2007, from metastatic lung cancer. Between those two dates lived a remarkable woman: a loving mother of Adam, a creative early-childhood teacher in the Oakland School District, and a sister, relative and friend who will be missed more than words can convey. -more-


Truckers Can’t Stop the Pollution Their Trucks Cause

By Viji Sundaram, New America Media
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Oakland—When Erick Gaines leaves home for work in the morning, he makes sure he leaves with his inhaler. Gaines is a trucker and he likes it. He loves being able to set his own hours, and he enjoys the independence his job gives him. But he wishes driving a truck wouldn’t take such a heavy toll on his lungs. -more-


Words of Advice for Those Who Grow Their Own

By Shirley Barker, Special to the Planet
Tuesday March 27, 2007

It is idle to imagine that growing one’s own food saves money. Regardless of factoring in one’s time, the average Berkeley back yard is not sufficiently large and sunny to grow enough food for one person, let alone a family. -more-


Police Blotter

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Berkeley’s robbery rash still soaring -more-


Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday March 27, 2007

STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO -more-


Commentary: Community Courage

By Winston Burton
Tuesday March 27, 2007

The law of the jungle is survival of the fittest; the law of civilization is cooperation! -more-


Commentary: Saving Sixth Grade and the Arts at Berkeley Arts Magnet

By Diane Douglas and others
Tuesday March 27, 2007

By Diane Douglas, David Schweidel, Rachel Greenberg, Sunny Solis, Darryl Dickerhoff and Lori Simpson -more-


Commentary: Blaming the Poor — It Costs, But Oh, How It Pays

By Carol Denney
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Ten years or so ago, the new-born Downtown Berkeley Association flexed its taxpayer-funded muscle and pressured the City Council to pass a raft of laws against “problematic street behavior,” widely touted as responsible for local economic decline. -more-


Commentary: Fantasy Building Rent Hikes Threaten a Valuable Community

By Rick Goldsmith
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Regarding the current battle at the Fantasy Building, where its new owner, San Rafael-based Wareham Property Group, is threatening Berkeley’s community of independent filmmakers with skyrocketing rents and odious-termed leases: -more-


Editorial

ZAB Passes Big West Berkeley Project on Brennan’s Site

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday March 27, 2007

The Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board approved a mixed-use project at 700 University Ave. Thursday. -more-


Columns

Column: Music Teacher for a Day

By Susan Parker
Tuesday March 27, 2007

“We need a music teacher,” said the woman on the telephone in charge of hiring substitute teachers. “You know anything about music?” -more-


Green Neighbors: Spring is the Time to Buy And Plant Native Redbuds

By Ron Sullivan
Tuesday March 27, 2007

If you’re walking down University Avenue, or driving up the freeway to the Richmond Bridge, or taking a car or bike jaunt up around Clear Lake, you’ll have noticed that the redbuds are blooming. We’ve borrowed specimens of this gorgeous scarf that the Central Valley wears around its eastern and western foothills. Good idea, for landscape and ornament in the cities and for the most difficult spots along roads. -more-


Arts Listings

Arts Calendar

Tuesday March 27, 2007


Henry Wessel: Photographing the Physical World

By Michael Howerton
Tuesday March 27, 2007

New Books About Berkeley are Both Handsome and Informative

By Steven Finacom, Special to the Planet
Tuesday March 27, 2007

The Theater: African-American Shakespeare Co.’s ‘Lysistrata’

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Tuesday March 27, 2007

Events Listings

Berkeley This Week

Tuesday March 27, 2007

Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

ZAB Passes Big West Berkeley Project on Brennan’s Site 03-27-2007

Editorial: Educating Artists the Hard Way 03-23-2007

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor 03-27-2007

Commentary: Community Courage By Winston Burton 03-27-2007

Commentary: Saving Sixth Grade and the Arts at Berkeley Arts Magnet By Diane Douglas and others 03-27-2007

Commentary: Blaming the Poor — It Costs, But Oh, How It Pays By Carol Denney 03-27-2007

Commentary: Fantasy Building Rent Hikes Threaten a Valuable Community By Rick Goldsmith 03-27-2007

Letters to the Editor 03-23-2007

Commentary: Development Bonanza Behind Artist Housing By John Curl 03-23-2007

An Open Letter to Mayor Bates By Carlos Rivas 03-23-2007

News

BUSD Youth Arts Festival Showcases Student Creativity By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-27-2007

Chevron Access Needed for Richmond Bay Trail Link By Geneviève Duboscq, Special to the Planet 03-27-2007

100 Condos Planned for Corner of Ashby And San Pablo By Richard Brenneman 03-27-2007

Oakland Zoning Proposal Reversal Reflects Long-Term Community Lobbying By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-27-2007

Commission Election Voided, Attorney Orders New Votes By Richard Brenneman 03-27-2007

Peace Notes: Code Pink at Camp Pelosi, Arrests at SF Federal Building By Judith Scherr 03-27-2007

School Board Votes on Pre-K Centers, Arts Magnet Schedule By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-27-2007

News Analysis: Searching for Sunshine in Berkeley By Judith Scherr 03-27-2007

Council Addresses Filmmaker Tenancy, Police Complaint Process By Judith Scherr 03-27-2007

Berkeley High Beat: BHS Students Celebrate Service Week By Rio Bauce 03-27-2007

News Analysis: Japanese Prime Minister’s Apology for Sex Slaves: What Next? By Aruna Lee, New America Media 03-27-2007

Virgina Silber, 1943-2007 By Lorie Brillinger 03-27-2007

Truckers Can’t Stop the Pollution Their Trucks Cause By Viji Sundaram, New America Media 03-27-2007

Words of Advice for Those Who Grow Their Own By Shirley Barker, Special to the Planet 03-27-2007

Police Blotter By Richard Brenneman 03-27-2007

Inaugurating the Maudelle Shirek Building By Judith Scherr 03-23-2007

Artists Plead for City Help to Fight Rent Hikes By Judith Scherr 03-23-2007

West Oakland Zoning Change Plan Causes Uproar By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-23-2007

Corporate-Academic Web Entangles UC-BP Proposal By Richard Brenneman 03-23-2007

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant Turns 25 By Judith Scherr 03-23-2007

Willard Students Construct Outdoor Clay Pizza Oven By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-23-2007

City Council Backtracks on Limits for Commission Members By Judith Scherr 03-23-2007

BUSD Surplus Committee Looks to Add Community Members By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-23-2007

Remembering ‘The Waving Man’ on His 97th Birthday By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-23-2007

Elmwood Neighbors Unite Against Wright’s Garage Plan By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-23-2007

New Plan to Tackle Downtown Parking By Richard Brenneman 03-23-2007

AC Transit Approves Purchase Of Additional Van Hool Buses By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-23-2007

Peralta Holds Forum on Campuswide Sustainability By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-23-2007

Lecture Series Celebrates Artistry of Mills College Landscape By Steven Finacom, Special to the Planet 03-23-2007

Columns

Column: Music Teacher for a Day By Susan Parker 03-27-2007

Green Neighbors: Spring is the Time to Buy And Plant Native Redbuds By Ron Sullivan 03-27-2007

Column: Barack Obama and the Long, Winding Road of Race By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-23-2007

About the House: The Last 10 Percent Rule of Remodeling By Matt Cantor 03-23-2007

Quake Tip of the Week By Larry Guillot 03-23-2007

Arts & Events

Arts Calendar 03-27-2007

Arts and Entertainment Around the East Bay 03-27-2007

Henry Wessel: Photographing the Physical World By Michael Howerton 03-27-2007

New Books About Berkeley are Both Handsome and Informative By Steven Finacom, Special to the Planet 03-27-2007

The Theater: African-American Shakespeare Co.’s ‘Lysistrata’ By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 03-27-2007

Green Neighbors: Spring is the Time to Buy And Plant Native Redbuds By Ron Sullivan 03-27-2007

Berkeley This Week 03-27-2007

Arts Calendar 03-23-2007

Arts and Entertainment Around the East Bay 03-23-2007

Moving Pictures: ‘Kubrick’ Showcases Malkovich Mystique By Justin DeFreitas 03-23-2007

Pegasus Welcomes ‘Growing Local Value’ Author By Zelda Bronstein, Special to the Planet 03-23-2007

Altarena Playhouse Stages Edward Albee’s ‘Virginia Woolf’ By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 03-23-2007

About the House: The Last 10 Percent Rule of Remodeling By Matt Cantor 03-23-2007

Quake Tip of the Week By Larry Guillot 03-23-2007

Berkeley This Week 03-23-2007