Richard Challacombe, 88, lets go of his walker and climbs down the steps
              of the warm water pool inside Berkeley High School’s landmarked Old Gymnasium
              Wednesday evening.
Riya Bhattacharjee
Richard Challacombe, 88, lets go of his walker and climbs down the steps of the warm water pool inside Berkeley High School’s landmarked Old Gymnasium Wednesday evening.

Extra

Departed City Manager Leaves Big Mess In Alameda

By John Geluardi Special to the Planet
Tuesday April 21, 2009 - 02:41:00 PM

Nearly two months after Alameda City Manager Debra Kurita resigned, the island city is still trying to sound the depths of the financial crisis caused by her falsely inflated budgets. -more-


Climate Action Plan: Chronicle Got it Wrong, Say Berkeley Officials

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Tuesday April 21, 2009 - 10:50:00 AM

Berkeley city officials are hitting back swiftly against a recent San Francisco Chronicle article which the officials say “mischaracterized” the city’s proposed Climate Action Plan (CAP). -more-


Berkeley High Plans Safety Overhaul

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday April 21, 2009 - 12:33:00 PM

Berkeley High School officials plan to ramp up safety and security measures as a result of multiple written complaints from members of the school’s Safety Committee earlier this year. -more-


City Council to Consider Climate Action Plan Tuesday

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday April 17, 2009 - 09:37:00 PM

Creation of Berkeley’s Climate Action Plan heads into its final phase Tuesday night when the City Council will consider whether to send the 139-page document for environmental review. -more-


Air District Releases West Berkeley Air Monitoring Results

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday April 17, 2009 - 09:34:00 PM

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District this week released the results of the air monitoring it carried out near West Berkeley's Pacific Steel Casting last year. -more-


Berkeley School District Will Receive Stabilization Funds

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 09:59:00 PM

The U.S. Department of Education Friday approved $4.9 billion in funds for California’s public schools over the next two years, which will help prevent teacher layoffs and improve student achievement. -more-


School District Sends Out Pink Slips to Classified Employees

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:25:00 PM

The Berkeley Unified School District sent out at least 62 pink slips to classified employees Thursday to offset cuts to state public education funding, district officials said. -more-


Students, Parents Thank School Board for Preserving Bilingual Program

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 09:40:00 PM
Angelica Perez talks with Franklin State Preschool and Parent Nursery students Isabella Perez and Amalia Flores at Wednesday night's Berkeley Board of Education meeting, just before they joined with many other students and parents in thanking the school board for preserving the school's half-day Spanish bilingual program.

A large number of parents and students from Franklin State Preschool and Parent Nursery showed up at the Berkeley Board of Education meeting Wednesday night to thank the district for not changing the school’s half-day Spanish bilingual program. -more-


School Board Tells City to Proceed With Pools Plan

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:40:00 PM

The Berkeley Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday night to ask the city to proceed with an environmental review of the citywide pools master plan. -more-


Planning Commission Approves New Downtown Plan

By Richard Brenneman
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:38:00 PM

Planning commissioners voted 7-2 Wednesday, April 15, to approve their taller, denser rewrite of the plan that will guide the development of downtown Berkeley for the next 20 years. -more-



Page One

Watchdog Group Sues Air District

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:12:00 PM

A Berkeley-based environmental group is suing the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, alleging that the agency violated the California Public Records Act by denying access to Pacific Steel Casting’s Odor Control Plan. -more-



City Pools Plan Goes Before City Council, School Board

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:14:00 PM

The Berkeley Board of Education and the Berkeley City Council were getting ready to vote on whether the city should proceed with an environmental review of plans to expand and improve the city’s pools as the Daily Planet went to press on Wednesday, April 15. If the board made its decision at its April 15 meeting, it will be found on the Planet website at berkeleydailyplanet.com. -more-



Council to Vote to Send Refuse Fee Increase to Property Owners

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:14:00 PM

Berkeley property owners may soon be asked to approve a 20 percent increase in city refuse fees in a somewhat controversial “majority protest” mail-in voting procedure. The unusual ballot process automatically counts votes not received as “yes” votes. -more-



Gaia Building Permit Review Postponed; Building’s Owners Given Month to Negotiate with Marsh Theater

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:15:00 PM
The Gaia Arts Center has been the subject of controversy following a few rowdy parties which drew police to the scene.

The Berkeley Zoning Adjust-ments Board last week postponed discussion on whether the Gaia Building was adhering to its use permit, in order to give its owners, Equity Residential, a month to negotiate leasing terms with the Marsh Theater. The zoning board will resume the discussion May 14. -more-



Award Will Help Animal Care Groups During Tough Times

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:15:00 PM

The Berkeley Alliance for Homeless Animals Coalition will receive $474,200 on April 23 for winning the Maddie’s Fund Lifesaving Award. -more-



Features

More Program Cuts Lined Up For Berkeley School District

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:09:00 PM

The Berkeley Unified School District is planning to eliminate at least 25 classified employee positions in response to state public education budget cuts, district officials said Wednesday. -more-


Activists Call on Police Union to Apologize for Disrespecting Dellums

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:11:00 PM

An ad hoc group of Oakland community leaders and activists demanded on Tuesday that the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) police union apologize for its role in preventing Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums from speaking at the joint funeral of the four Oakland police officers killed in the March 21 MacArthur Boulevard shootings. -more-


City Warns of Traffic Delays For University Ave. Repairs

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:01:00 PM
University Avenue will be subject to traffic delays through Oct. 30.

Berkeley’s Public Works Department last week announced anticipated traffic delays and possible street closures due to street repairs on University Avenue, between Sixth and Grant streets. -more-


Final EIR for Downtown Plan Released

By Richard Brenneman
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:08:00 PM

The final environmental impact report for the Downtown Area Plan, released Wednesday, April 15, has been posted online for public review. -more-


UC Berkeley Receives Record Number of Applications; Students Demand Increase in Minority Admissions

Bay City News
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 07:00:00 PM

UC Berkeley announced Tuesday, April 7, that the school had received a record number of applications for the 2009-2010 academic year and has accepted nearly 13,000 students to its fall freshman class. -more-


Police Blotter

By Ali Winston
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:58:00 PM

Glue in locks -more-


First Person: Hollywood Revisited

By Dorothy Snodgrass
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:57:00 PM

As an avid moviegoer since early childhood, I happily signed on for the Oakland Museum’s “Hollywood Revisited” tour, arranged through the History Guild this past March. The trip also included Los Angeles, about which I had misgivings, having been brainwashed by the late Herb Caen, who viewed this city with utter disdain. -more-


Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:40:00 PM

OFFICE DEPOT -more-


The Untold History of People’s Park

By Reverend Paul Sawyer
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:41:00 PM

Many of us are familiar with the Free Speech Movement on the Berkeley campus in 1964 that followed the Loyalty Oath Struggle of the 1950s, which cost the University of California 68 of its finest professors and teachers, who refused to sign it. The community movement to build People’s Park followed immediately after the drawn-out yet ultimately successful struggle to create ethnic studies programs both at the university and at San Francisco State College in the fall of 1968. The image of President Samuel Hayakawa tearing out the wiring on one of the movement’s loudspeaker trucks on the San Francisco campus at that time is still indelibly burned into the brains of those alive at the time. -more-


Quit Absolving Criminals

By Marty Price
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:42:00 PM

First off I would like to thank you for “Undercurrents.” J. Douglas Allen-Taylor generally hits the mark, and his stuff on Oakland has exposed Chip Johnson for the gossip columnist he is. I must take Jean Damu to task, though, for his recent commentary. I know Damu and admire his union work and his solidarity work, but his piece on “Black America and the Police” is almost embarrassing. I mean it was a step up from the garbage that was Mr. Anderson’s commentary, but in a way like it. -more-


Chronicle Should Heed Local Advice

By Rio Bauce
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:42:00 PM

The San Francisco Chronicle is here to stay! As a lifelong reader of the San Francisco Chronicle, I am pleased to hear the news that Northern California’s largest newspaper will not shut down. -more-


You Can’t Always Get What You Want

By Ted Friedman
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:43:00 PM

Even though you can’t always get what you want, you can’t even get what you need, try hard as you may. Not in Berkeley anyway. They not only tore down paradise, but also they tore down the parking lot (although later). -more-


Remembering Jeremiah Chass

By Sheridith Maresh
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:43:00 PM

I am writing in response to Joseph Anderson’s April 2 commentary, “The Karmic Justice of Lovelle Mixon’s Act.” In the commentary, Anderson mentioned Jeremiah Chass. I am a close family friend of Jeremiah’s and his family’s and I wanted to take the time to clear up some misrepresented information. Although Jeremiah’s mother appreciated the objective of your article she was deeply affected by the misinformation. -more-


Parties in Berkeley: Reducing Risks

By Tim Hansen
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:43:00 PM

Given the problems associated with the Jan. 30 party at the Gaia Building (“Another Gaia Building Riot—With Gun Fire,” Daily Planet, Feb. 4), it is appropriate and timely to take a step back and examine how we as a community address the social needs of our younger members. It is natural for people to seek social interaction with other people. This is particularly true for younger people. The type of interaction is varied, but parties usually play an important role. As with all social interactions, there are risks. It is appropriate for city officials—within the bounds of their authority—to attempt to reduce the risks. -more-


Editorial

Still More News About the News

By Becky O’Malley
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:39:00 PM

It’s time for another report on the state of the newspaper industry, Berkeley branch. This is beginning to look more and more like KQED’s pattern of incessant pledge breaks, but it’s unavoidable. Maybe it’s just our preoccupation, but it seems that every publication we pick up, every website we read, has a story on the dire and desperate fate of newspapers, which all over the country are dying like flies. Papers elsewhere, notably Europe and India, aren’t doing so well either. -more-


Columns

The Public Eye: Is the Recession a Teachable Moment?

By Bob Burnett
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:56:00 PM

The financial crisis has raised public awareness that corporations deemed “too big to fail” have to be broken into manageable units. And there is widespread anger about colossal CEO salaries. Clearly, big is no longer beautiful. What remains to be seen is how far this understanding will extend and whether this is a teachable moment, where Americans will embrace major social changes. -more-


UnderCurrents: Investigation Needed Into Who Sent Oakland SWAT Team In

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:55:00 PM

Interesting, isn’t it, what catches the interest of our local news commentators, and what does not. -more-


Wild Neighbors: The Berkeley Meadow — Restoration and its Discontents

By Joe Eaton
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:49:00 PM

I don’t know much about Pete Najarian, other than that he is a plein air painter and prolific writer of letters to the editor, and that he is chronically unhappy about what the East Bay Regional Park District has been doing at the Marina. What set him off this time was a pair of columns I wrote about what I thought was a hopeful instance of civic vigilance and official flexibility. These inspired a long diatribe that appeared in last week’s Planet. -more-


East Bay Then and Now: Captain Thomas Offered City Land for a Park

By Daniella Thompson
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:49:00 PM
he Samuel Hume Castle at 2900 Buena Vista Way is located on the
                    former site of Captain Thomas “Fort La Loma.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second in a series on Captain R.P. Thomas and La Loma Park. -more-


About the House: Notes on Civility

By Matt Cantor
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:47:00 PM

It’s a function of my age and m-m-m-my generation that I consider civility as important a societal imperative as I do. Not that I’m all that civil, mind you. I do have my bad days. I could excuse that by saying that everyone has their bad days, but I don’t actually think that’s adequately justifiable. I believe that it behooves each of us to do the best we can. I don’t expect someone with Tourette’s syndrome to spare me a litany of curse words (thought I’m usually writing them down as fast as possible to augment my woeful vocabulary) but I do expect those who don’t suffer from either limbic failings or horrible upbringings to do the best they can; to try to smile; to cheer those around them as best they can and to make the party (which eventually comes to an end) as pleasant as possible. -more-


Arts & Events

Philharmonia Baroque Presents Handel’s ‘Athalia’

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:46:00 PM

Philharmonia Baroque will close its season with Georg Frideric Handel’s third English oratorio, Athalia, at First Congregational Church this weekend. -more-


East Bay Symphony’s ‘Russian Easter Overture’

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:47:00 PM
Sara Beuchner.

The Oakland East Bay Symphony is performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring pianist Sara Buechner, and Igor Stravinsky’s ballet Petroushka, this Friday night at the Paramount Theatre with musical director Michael Morgan conducting. -more-


Around the East Bay: Mz. Dee at Blake's

Thursday April 16, 2009 - 12:41:00 PM

East Bay R&B vocal stylist Mz. Dee, a featured singer with the Johnny Otis band, and whose Medicine Show plays on local BETV Channel 28, is playing at 9 p.m., Friday, April 17, at Blake’s On Telegraph, with her band, The VIPs, for the first time in years, featuring her Blues Revival in advance of a European tour. Show $12 advance; $15 at the door. 2367 Telegraph Ave. 843-0886. blakesontelegraph.com. -more-


Around the East Bay: Crucible Open House

Thursday April 16, 2009 - 01:18:00 PM

The Crucible, West Oakland’s unique fire arts studio and performance space, is celebrating its Spring Open House this from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, with an art show, fire performance artists, a parade of art bikes, and demonstrations of glassblowing, blacksmithery and, bronze casting. Refreshments available. 1260 Seventh St., West Oakland. Free admission. 444-0919. thecrucible.org. -more-


Around the East Bay: 'Confessions of a Refrigerator Mother'

Thursday April 16, 2009 - 01:42:00 PM

East Bay performer Carolyn Doyle, a familiar face on local stages, is performing a challenging solo show she’s written, Confessions of a Refrigerator Mother, about a day in the life of raising an autistic 9-year-old boy. 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through April 25 at The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., San Francisco. $15 and up, sliding scale. (800) 838-3006. themarsh.org. -more-


Arts Listings

Arts Calendar

Thursday April 16, 2009 - 09:58:00 AM

‘The Last Five Years’ at Masquers

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:44:00 PM

A vivid “Speak out Against the War” poster is one of several
                    Vietnam-era examples in the exhibit.

Historical Society Exhibits 1960s Berkeley Poster Art

By Steven Finacom, Special to the Planet
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:45:00 PM

Aurora Stages Strindberg’s ‘Miss Julie’

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:45:00 PM

Dorothy Bryant Honored With Fred Cody Lifetime Achievement Award

By Estelle Jelinek, Special to the Planet
Thursday April 16, 2009 - 06:46:00 PM

Events Listings

Community Calendar

Wednesday April 15, 2009 - 07:16:00 PM

Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

Still More News About the News 04-16-2009

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor 04-16-2009

The Untold History of People’s Park By Reverend Paul Sawyer 04-16-2009

Quit Absolving Criminals By Marty Price 04-16-2009

Chronicle Should Heed Local Advice By Rio Bauce 04-16-2009

You Can’t Always Get What You Want By Ted Friedman 04-16-2009

Remembering Jeremiah Chass By Sheridith Maresh 04-16-2009

Parties in Berkeley: Reducing Risks By Tim Hansen 04-16-2009

News

Departed City Manager Leaves Big Mess In Alameda By John Geluardi Special to the Planet 04-21-2009

Climate Action Plan: Chronicle Got it Wrong, Say Berkeley Officials By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 04-21-2009

Berkeley High Plans Safety Overhaul By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-21-2009

City Council to Consider Climate Action Plan Tuesday By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 04-17-2009

Air District Releases West Berkeley Air Monitoring Results By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-17-2009

Berkeley School District Will Receive Stabilization Funds By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

School District Sends Out Pink Slips to Classified Employees By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

Students, Parents Thank School Board for Preserving Bilingual Program By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

School Board Tells City to Proceed With Pools Plan By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

Planning Commission Approves New Downtown Plan By Richard Brenneman 04-16-2009

Watchdog Group Sues Air District By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

City Pools Plan Goes Before City Council, School Board By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

Council to Vote to Send Refuse Fee Increase to Property Owners By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 04-16-2009

Gaia Building Permit Review Postponed; Building’s Owners Given Month to Negotiate with Marsh Theater By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

Award Will Help Animal Care Groups During Tough Times By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

More Program Cuts Lined Up For Berkeley School District By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

Activists Call on Police Union to Apologize for Disrespecting Dellums By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 04-16-2009

City Warns of Traffic Delays For University Ave. Repairs By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-16-2009

Final EIR for Downtown Plan Released By Richard Brenneman 04-16-2009

UC Berkeley Receives Record Number of Applications; Students Demand Increase in Minority Admissions Bay City News 04-16-2009

Police Blotter By Ali Winston 04-16-2009

First Person: Hollywood Revisited By Dorothy Snodgrass 04-16-2009

Columns

The Public Eye: Is the Recession a Teachable Moment? By Bob Burnett 04-16-2009

UnderCurrents: Investigation Needed Into Who Sent Oakland SWAT Team In By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 04-16-2009

Wild Neighbors: The Berkeley Meadow — Restoration and its Discontents By Joe Eaton 04-16-2009

East Bay Then and Now: Captain Thomas Offered City Land for a Park By Daniella Thompson 04-16-2009

About the House: Notes on Civility By Matt Cantor 04-16-2009

Arts & Events

Arts Calendar 04-16-2009

‘The Last Five Years’ at Masquers By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 04-16-2009

Historical Society Exhibits 1960s Berkeley Poster Art By Steven Finacom, Special to the Planet 04-16-2009

Aurora Stages Strindberg’s ‘Miss Julie’ By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 04-16-2009

Dorothy Bryant Honored With Fred Cody Lifetime Achievement Award By Estelle Jelinek, Special to the Planet 04-16-2009

Philharmonia Baroque Presents Handel’s ‘Athalia’ By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 04-16-2009

East Bay Symphony’s ‘Russian Easter Overture’ By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet 04-16-2009

Around the East Bay: Mz. Dee at Blake's 04-16-2009

Around the East Bay: Crucible Open House 04-16-2009

Around the East Bay: 'Confessions of a Refrigerator Mother' 04-16-2009

East Bay Then and Now: Captain Thomas Offered City Land for a Park By Daniella Thompson 04-16-2009

About the House: Notes on Civility By Matt Cantor 04-16-2009

Community Calendar 04-15-2009