Teresa Mina was a San Francisco janitor, member of Service Employees Union Local 87, when she was fired because the company said she didn't have legal immigration documents.  Immigration and Customs Enforcement told her employer to fire 463 workers because they lack legal immigration status.  She told her story to David Bacon the day before she returned to Mexico.
David Bacon
Teresa Mina was a San Francisco janitor, member of Service Employees Union Local 87, when she was fired because the company said she didn't have legal immigration documents. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told her employer to fire 463 workers because they lack legal immigration status. She told her story to David Bacon the day before she returned to Mexico.

Extra

Berkeley Gets $1.8 Million for BART Plaza Improvements

By Bay City News
Wednesday July 28, 2010 - 11:09:00 PM

Berkeley has landed $1.8 million in funding from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to improve downtown's central BART plaza, according to the Berkeley mayor's office. -more-


Many AC Transit Employees Still Out

By Jeff Shuttleworth (BCN)
Wednesday July 28, 2010 - 11:07:00 PM

A high rate of employee absenteeism is continuing to plague AC Transit 10 days after it imposed a new contract on its employees, a bus agency spokesman said. -more-


Flash: Two More Arson Fires Hit Berkeley

By Jeff Shuttleworth (BCN)
Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 10:37:00 PM

Berkeley was hit by two more arsons overnight, a week after police arrested a man whom they believe could be responsible for a string of nine recent fires in the South Campus area of the city. -more-



Page One

Tenants’ Convention Nominates Rent Board Candidates

By Steven Finacom
Monday July 26, 2010 - 07:45:00 PM
Flyer for Tenants’ Convention

About one hundred Berkeley residents gathered at the South Berkeley Senior Center on Sunday afternoon as a Berkeley Tenants Convention to nominate “the next progressive Rent Board slate” for the November 2010 election. -more-



First Person: "This Law is Very Unjust!"

By Teresa Mina, as told to David Bacon, New America Media
Monday July 26, 2010 - 07:17:00 PM

I come from Tierra Blanca, a very poor town in Veracruz. After my children's father abandoned us, I decided to come to the U.S. There's just no money to survive. We couldn't continue to live that way. -more-



BAHA Opposes Library Demolitions; Council Approves Zoning Waiver for Library

By Peter Warfield (Partisan Position)
Monday July 26, 2010 - 06:13:00 PM

Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) has taken a formal position opposing demolition of Berkeley Public Library’s (BPL’s) South Branch Library, in a letter sent to the Planning Department earlier this month. -more-



Press Release: ArnieVille’s Next Incarnation

From: CUIDO, Communities United In Defense of Olmstead
Monday July 26, 2010 - 06:11:00 PM

It’s been a month. We slept under the streetlights, marched, and protested the California budget cuts to disability programs in every way we could think of. Along the way, we achieved the distinction of Longest Running Disability Protest in US History. -more-



UC Berkeley's Fall Schedule: A Primer for Locals

By Steven Finacom
Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:48:00 PM

While it is certainly possible to live in Berkeley without experiencing any direct connection to the University, the ebb and flow of campus life does influence life in the town, if only through the number of commuters on city streets or the amount of cheering coming out of Memorial Stadium. -more-



Public Comment

Letters

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:05:00 PM

To Oakland City Attorney John Russo:; Bell, CA: a lesson for us all;The Truth about Immigrants;
Immoral War; Department of Confusion;
A Film Worth Seeing; Sudan; Information Request;
ACT Transit Drivers Union Needs a Course in PR 101; Election in District 7;Health Care;Notes on Writing; -more-


Will the U.S. Use the Military Option to Prevent Iran's Nuclear Ambitions?

By Ralph E. Stone
Monday July 26, 2010 - 07:16:00 PM

In my considered opinion, the United States will do everything in its power to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, possibly including military action. Few, if any, in the West and the Arab world, believes that Iran is not developing a nuclear weapon. And it is clear that civilian nuclear technology can easily be diverted secretly to weapons purposes. -more-


Stone Soup Instead of Housing

By Sonja Fitz
Monday July 26, 2010 - 06:52:00 PM

The 2010 Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness, “Opening Doors”, has a lot of data about the interwoven socio-economic causes of homelessness and affected subpopulations, and sets lofty goals — Ending chronic homelessness and homelessness among veterans in five years, and homelessness for families, youth, and children in ten. Spiced with calm analysis and peppered with carefully crafted ‘Logic’ introductions to each objective, somehow it still tastes suspiciously like stone soup…warmed over nuggets of existing wisdom from service providers around the country floating in a pale federal broth. -more-


WEBAIC Concise Points for Wednesday, July 28th Planning Commission Meeting

From WEBAIC Steering Committee
Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:54:00 PM

Master Use Permit proposals and the proposal to open protected Warehouse and Wholesale Trade space to R&D are Wednesday's key issues. The WEBAIC steering committee considers Points 1- 4 the most critical. -more-


Propaganda vs. Propaganda

By R.G. Davis, Ph. D.
Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:27:00 PM

Comments on the Oliver Stone film “South of the Border” accompanied by a Carmen Miranda tune, at Berkeley’s Elmwood Theatre, July 17, 2011, with economist and scriptwriter Mark Weisbrot (with Tariq Ali-in the film) fielding questions: -more-


Thank You, Council, for Standing Up for Alameda!

By Eugenie P. Thomson, P.E.
Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:54:00 PM

I was among the many Alameda residents who attended the city council meeting last Tuesday, July 20, to urge the council to reject SunCal’s Optional Entitlement Application (OEA) and refuse to extend SunCal’s Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA). The ENA was to expire on July 20, and the recent application included a plan that was substantially similar to what 85 percent of Alameda residents voted against last February. It called for 5,000 residential units, as did the defeated proposal, and now includes an even larger commercial component, with a proposed 4.6 million square feet of commercial buildings. -more-


Obituaries

Kenneth Harlan Simmons,Professor Emeritus of Architecture,June 28, 1933 – July 6, 2010

By Gloria Burkhalter
Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 09:39:00 AM
Kenneth Harlan Simmons

Kenneth Harlan Simmons was born on June 28, 1933, in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and died July 6, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He received a degree in Biology from Harvard University and a degree in Architecture from the University of California. He became a faculty member at Berkeley’s School of Architecture in 1969. Professor Simmons played a lead role in helping the University to divest from South Africa. After retiring from U.C. Berkeley in 1994, he relocated to Johannesburg where he taught at the University of the Witwatersrand and pioneered numerous community projects. -more-


Ronald Harold Stevenson III, August 3, 1951 – July 19, 2010

By Sonia Waters
Monday July 26, 2010 - 07:45:00 PM
Ronald Harold Stevenson III

Ronald Harold Stevenson III, a Berkeley community leader for over 30 years, died suddenly on the afternoon of July 19th as a result of a brain aneurysm. Mr. Stevenson is survived by his wife of 33 years Linda, and their three children Sonia (Waters), Tania Jean (TJ) and Ronald IV. -more-


Editorial

Living Out Life Right Up to the End

By Becky O'Malley
Monday July 26, 2010 - 10:02:00 PM

Sorting through my desk this week as part of the annoying process of vacating the Planet office, I came across a little spiral bound book entitled Folio. It is a lovely privately printed book of personal and political essays sent to me last year by a frequent Planet correspondent, and I realized I hadn’t gotten anything from him for a month or so. With a feeling of apprehension, I did a Google search, which quickly confirmed my worst fears.

From nola.com, the website of the New Orleans Times Picayune: Marvin Chachere, teacher and jazz saxophonist, dies at 82. The obituary reported that Mr. Chachere had died on June 17 in a San Pablo nursing home, and went on to describe a long and varied life that had spanned several states and at least three continents, as well as listing a host of family members left behind. -more-


Columns

Dispatches from the Edge: Korean Ship Sinking: A Rush to Judgment?

By Conn Hallinan
Monday July 26, 2010 - 10:02:00 PM

The narrative around the Mar. 26 sinking of the South Korean Navy Corvette Cheonan, and the death of 46 sailors, seems pretty straightforward: the ship was sunk by a North Korean (DPRK) torpedo. That was the conclusion by a South Korean (ROK) panel of 47 military and military-research experts and three international representatives. The only question left unanswered was the DPRK’s motive, with fallout from an internal power struggle holding the inside track. -more-


The Public Eye: Is America on a Losing Track?

By Bob Burnett
Monday July 26, 2010 - 07:46:00 PM

Returning from an extended vacation in Europe, it’s been impossible for me to ignore the dark cloud of pessimism hanging over the United States. Americans are depressed about the economy, the BP/Gulf oil spill, and the war in Afghanistan. A majority of voters feel the US is on the wrong track. Is it? And has that perception made President Obama’s job impossible? -more-


Blogbeat: What?! Those are the Leftists?!?

By Thomas Lord
Monday July 26, 2010 - 05:34:00 PM
Tom Bates strolling down the streets of Oakland with John George, Ron Dellums, and Cesar Chavez  as they campaign door to door.

Today’s items from the Wild Wild Web: Valuable histories of Berkeley politics, and wallflower Mayor Bates speaks out. -more-


Wild Neighbors: What, if Anything, is a Reptile?

By Joe Eaton
Monday July 26, 2010 - 06:24:00 PM

I don’t know how I got on the Center for North American Herpetology’s mailing list, but the traffic has been interesting so far. You get announcements from researchers with surplus boas to give away, notices of Florida sand skink post-doc opportunities, abstracts of new journal articles on euthanizing lizards, that kind of thing. Last week there was something a bit startling: a press release for a new book on the amphibians, turtles, and reptiles of Kansas.

Turtles and reptiles? Turtles have always been considered reptiles in good standing. If they weren’t reptiles, what would they be? What’s going on here? -more-


Senior Power: “Death hath so many doors to let out life”--Beaumont & Fletcher

By Helen Rippier Wheeler
Monday July 26, 2010 - 10:14:00 PM

An M.D. of my acquaintance assumes that an aged person who does not have money or family will end up in a nursing home. Some folks, including “professionals,” assume that hospice provides assisted suicide. It is currently possible to obtain physician-assisted suicide, albeit not easily, in three states. Think Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Popular literature conveys two hospice pictures— an at-home service and a building/program somewhere else. Think Art Buchwald. -more-


Odd Bodkins: The turning point

Dan O'Neill
Monday July 26, 2010 - 09:54:00 PM

Arts & Events

Theatre Review: Pretty Good STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Alameda’s Altarena

By John A. McMullen II
Monday July 26, 2010 - 05:32:00 PM
Catherine Bucher, Analisa Svehaug (with curlers) and Jacqui Herrera (as stylist) are half the ensemble cast of STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

There is a pretty good community theatre production of Steel Magnolias playing at the Altarena Playhouse in Alameda. -more-


Events

Don't Miss This: Music at Crowden

By Dorothy Snodgrass
Monday July 26, 2010 - 06:53:00 PM

A long time Berkeley resident, I venture to say that over the years I must have driven past the Crowden Music Center dozens of times. I've always been attracted to this handsome building at Rose and Sacramento Streets, but until this past Saturday had never entered its hallowed halls. Then came an invitation to attend a Chamber Music Workshop Recital at which my friend, Debbie Carton, and a bevy of youthful, extraordinarily talented young musicians presented a marvelous program of traditional and modern composers, from Handel and Brahms to a Jazz/Improvisation Ensemble arranged by Jeremy Cohen. -more-


Arts Listings

Classical Music-San Francisco Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:13:00 PM

Classical Music-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:13:00 PM

Readings-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:45:00 PM

Professional Dance- Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:45:00 PM

Stage-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:44:00 PM

Galleries-San Francisco Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:09:00 PM

Museums-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:51:00 PM

Museums-San Francisco Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:50:00 PM

Popmusic-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:49:00 PM

Stage-San Francisco Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:43:00 PM

Galleries-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:09:00 PM

Events Listings

Exhibits-San Francisco Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:12:00 PM

Highlights-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:07:00 PM

Exhibits-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:11:00 PM

General-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:07:00 PM

Kids-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:05:00 PM

Outdoors-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:49:00 PM

Dance-East Bay Through August 8

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 01:12:00 PM

Tours And Activities-East Bay Through August 31

Tuesday July 27, 2010 - 12:41:00 PM

Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

Living Out Life Right Up to the End 07-26-2010

Cartoons

Odd Bodkins: The turning point Dan O'Neill 07-26-2010

Public Comment

Letters 07-27-2010

Will the U.S. Use the Military Option to Prevent Iran's Nuclear Ambitions? By Ralph E. Stone 07-26-2010

Stone Soup Instead of Housing By Sonja Fitz 07-26-2010

WEBAIC Concise Points for Wednesday, July 28th Planning Commission Meeting From WEBAIC Steering Committee 07-27-2010

Propaganda vs. Propaganda By R.G. Davis, Ph. D. 07-27-2010

Thank You, Council, for Standing Up for Alameda! By Eugenie P. Thomson, P.E. 07-27-2010

News

Berkeley Gets $1.8 Million for BART Plaza Improvements By Bay City News 07-28-2010

Many AC Transit Employees Still Out By Jeff Shuttleworth (BCN) 07-28-2010

Flash: Two More Arson Fires Hit Berkeley By Jeff Shuttleworth (BCN) 07-27-2010

Tenants’ Convention Nominates Rent Board Candidates By Steven Finacom 07-26-2010

First Person: "This Law is Very Unjust!" By Teresa Mina, as told to David Bacon, New America Media 07-26-2010

BAHA Opposes Library Demolitions; Council Approves Zoning Waiver for Library By Peter Warfield (Partisan Position) 07-26-2010

Press Release: ArnieVille’s Next Incarnation From: CUIDO, Communities United In Defense of Olmstead 07-26-2010

UC Berkeley's Fall Schedule: A Primer for Locals By Steven Finacom 07-27-2010

Kenneth Harlan Simmons,Professor Emeritus of Architecture,June 28, 1933 – July 6, 2010 By Gloria Burkhalter 07-27-2010

Ronald Harold Stevenson III, August 3, 1951 – July 19, 2010 By Sonia Waters 07-26-2010

Columns

Dispatches from the Edge: Korean Ship Sinking: A Rush to Judgment? By Conn Hallinan 07-26-2010

The Public Eye: Is America on a Losing Track? By Bob Burnett 07-26-2010

Blogbeat: What?! Those are the Leftists?!? By Thomas Lord 07-26-2010

Wild Neighbors: What, if Anything, is a Reptile? By Joe Eaton 07-26-2010

Senior Power: “Death hath so many doors to let out life”--Beaumont & Fletcher By Helen Rippier Wheeler 07-26-2010

Arts & Events

Classical Music-San Francisco Through August 8 07-27-2010

Classical Music-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Readings-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Professional Dance- Through August 8 07-27-2010

Stage-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Galleries-San Francisco Through August 8 07-27-2010

Museums-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Museums-San Francisco Through August 8 07-27-2010

Popmusic-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Stage-San Francisco Through August 8 07-27-2010

Galleries-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Theatre Review: Pretty Good STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Alameda’s Altarena By John A. McMullen II 07-26-2010

Exhibits-San Francisco Through August 8 07-27-2010

Highlights-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Exhibits-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

General-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Kids-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Outdoors-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Dance-East Bay Through August 8 07-27-2010

Tours And Activities-East Bay Through August 31 07-27-2010

Don't Miss This: Music at Crowden By Dorothy Snodgrass 07-26-2010