The Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) emerged victorious when an Alameda County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the school district Monday in a suit, American Civil Rights Foundation vs. Berkeley Unified School District, brought by Sacramento based Pacific Legal Foundation (PCL). PCL had sued BUSD in October, charging the district with violating California’s Proposition 209 by racially discriminating among students during placements at elementary schools and at programs at Berkeley High. -more-

Often when we’re in the locker room at the pool, my mother will say to me, ‘Do you hear the singing?’ And I’ll ask, “What singing?” “Don’t you hear the music?” she’ll say. And I’ll listen, and I’ll hear sounds bouncing off the walls and different voices, and as I focus in on them they get increasingly melodic... -more-

Former City Councilmember, attorney, neighborhood preservationist and humanitarian John Denton died peacefully in his sleep Sunday night at the age of 93. -more-

Iceland became an official Berkeley historical structure Thursday when a divided Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) voted its highest level of recognition to the threatened building. -more-

A major goof has temporarily stalled the approval process for one Richmond-area casino, while signs of movement have been detected for the second. -more-

Developers can buy property in West Berkeley, jack up the rents and force out long-time tenants and nobody can stop them. -more-

It’s tax time again. The cover of the New Yorker depicts IRS forms folded into the shapes of missiles, warplanes and tanks, in case anyone has any doubts about where most of their taxes are being wasted. On the inside, another cartoon: Robin Hood sitting in the office of his accountant, who says “You have to declare what you rob from the rich, but you can deduct what you give to the poor.” -more-