The Week

Gray-haired elderly demonstrators, wizened veterans of sixties
          Berkeley, appear on the lawn of the western entrance to the
          Cal-Berkeley campus displaying information banners on the hydrogen
          bomb vis-a-vis the anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and
          Nagasaki. Out of frame, dozens of students, trickling back to campus
          at summer's end, sunbathe on the lawn nearby, separated by time from
          the memory.
Alfredo de la Rosa
Gray-haired elderly demonstrators, wizened veterans of sixties Berkeley, appear on the lawn of the western entrance to the Cal-Berkeley campus displaying information banners on the hydrogen bomb vis-a-vis the anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Out of frame, dozens of students, trickling back to campus at summer's end, sunbathe on the lawn nearby, separated by time from the memory.
 

News

Flash: Berkeley Police Benefit for Special Olympics at Skates Tonight

By Kristen Peters ( BCN)
Friday August 20, 2010 - 02:44:00 PM

Berkeley police will dish out service and smiles to customers at Skate's on the Bay restaurant at the Berkeley Marina today as part of the annual Tip-a-Cop fundraiser benefiting the Special Olympics of Northern California. -more-


Festivities Greet Restored Richmond Plunge

By Steven Finacom
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 10:52:00 AM
Crowds gathered in front of the Richmond Plunge for the August 14, 2010 reopening ceremonies.

The Richmond Plunge—one of the East Bay’s historic indoor swimming facilities—was formally reopened Saturday, August 14, 2010 with speeches by dignitaries and community leaders and eager enthusiasm from a large crowd that had come both to celebrate and to swim. -more-


Cal’s Genetic Testing of Freshmen: Retreat and Declare Victory

By Thomas Lord
Thursday August 12, 2010 - 12:44:00 PM

The University of California at Berkeley has been forced, by the California Department of Public Health, to abandon significant portions of its “Bring Your Genes to Cal” orientation program for incoming freshmen. The Department of Health informed UC Berkeley that major aspects of the orientation program – described as an “experiment” by the university – are unlawful. Today the university announced significant changes to the program to comply with the state’s demands – although questions remain concerning the program. -more-


First Person: Schizophrenia, Medication and Naivete

By Jack Bragen
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 02:36:00 PM

Schizophrenia is a widespread illness that has been around a long time. There are those who believe it is a biologically based condition requiring medication, and there are others of the opinion that the brain can recover on its own. There is a sometimes-fiery debate between these groups. -more-


Poetry for Political People

From Councilmember Kriss Worthington's Campaign for Re-Election
Wednesday August 18, 2010 - 09:58:00 AM

Poetry is Berkeley's newest addition to the generally prosaic realm of the Candidate Statement. Berkeley City Councilmember Kriss Worthington's 2010 re-election statement consists entirely of a poem. -more-


Opinion

Editorials

Playing by the Washington Rules

By Becky O'Malley
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 10:12:00 AM

Carthago delenda est.” Carthage must be destroyed. Generations of students of Latin used to learn that phrase as the example of the passive periphrastic construction, used to indicated that an action is an obligation. It’s attributed to a Roman senator,Cato, who is supposed to have used it as a tag line in all of his speeches before the 3rd Punic War, a century and a half B.C.E. (Before the Common Era.) -more-


Cartoons

Odd Bodkins: Nuke 'em all

Odd Bodkins: Nuke 'em all

Dan O'Neill
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 10:52:00 AM

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 02:28:00 PM

What Christians Know about Islam; Some Questions about the Fall School Bond Measure; Gay Marriage; Eyesore On Telegraph; Correcting My Mistake;Dorothy Bryant’s Letter on Mental Health -more-


An Open Letter To President Obama About Comments by Robert Gibbs

From The Officers of the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party:
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 11:45:00 AM

Dear Mr. President:

Your Press Secretary has recently been quoted as strongly criticizing those of us Democratic Party activists who feel that you have failed in some of the most important promises you made, stated or implied, during your campaign and that you are not steering our country in the right direction. He dismisses us as the “professional left” as if we were the ones making a living from politics. We worked very hard for your election as we do for all candidates who seem able and willing to work for progressive social change, and to make a better life for our citizens and for the world. Your rhetoric often suggests that you share this goal, but your actions frequently prove otherwise. We do not simply disagree with you on a single small issue. Unfortunately our unhappiness and disappointment has a broad scope. To name a few examples: -more-


Jobs and Climate Change

By R.G.Davis, PhD
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:07:00 PM

A particularly onerous obstacle to any lowering levels of atmospheric pollution CO2, CO, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs, aerosols and black soot into the air leading to any reduction of effects on climate intensity, avoidance of sea level rise, ecological flora and fauna protection and saving habitat for humans is the use of the term “jobs.” -more-


The Unreported Consequences of New Trends in Graduate Education

By Richard Thompson
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 12:11:00 PM

Westwood, a 17-campus system based in Denver, allegedly deceived prospective students by employing admissions representatives whom it puts forth as academic counselors but who are actually hired for their sales skills. At for-profit colleges, nearly two-thirds of borrowers couldn't pay back their student loans. At the University of Phoenix alone, that amounts to $2.8-billion in federal student loan debt that isn't being paid down -more-


Columns

Blogbeat: How to Keep Up on Prop. 8

By Thomas Lord
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 12:44:00 PM

Today’s theme: The latest on Prop. 8 and pointers to sources to help you keep up on the legal proceedings. -more-


The Public Eye: The Jobs Crisis: What Hit Us?

By Bob Burnett
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 10:27:00 AM

The US is stuck in an economic quagmire featuring near ten percent unemployment. As politicians argue about the solution – massive tax cuts or increases in Federal spending – what’s missing is a succinct analysis of the problem. Why has America lost 8 million jobs? -more-


Senior Power : A Conversation With Two Old-Timers…

By Helen Rippier Wheeler
Monday August 16, 2010 - 09:24:00 PM

Old-timer is a noun used informally to refer to (a) an elderly person, and (b) a person with considerable tenure or experience in a given place or activity. Recently I met with two senior citizens who have retired from positions of leadership and responsibility at City and County levels. Suzanne Ryan, former Director of the North Berkeley Senior Center (NBSC), retired early at age 60 in 2007. Louis Labat, Program Financial Specialist of the Alameda County Area Agency on Aging (AAA), retired at age 62 in 2003. -more-


Wild Neighbors: Perky’s Folly and Other Bat Encounters

By Joe Eaton
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 10:26:00 AM
Townsend's big-eared bat in flight.

The bat should not have come as a surprise, given that the old house in Sonoma County had been uninhabited for a couple of decades. Some bats like to hang out in old houses. Still, we were startled when it bolted from its roost on the upper landing and flew a couple of circuits of the ceiling. It was a good-sized specimen of bathood, larger in the body than a mouse, with overall grayish fur, paler on the belly, and enormous ears. Eventually it took cover, but we found it tucked behind a beam with just its head and ears showing. We decided not to startle it again with the camera flash. -more-


Arts & Events

Stage-San Francisco Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 09:28:00 PM

ACTORS THEATRE OF SAN FRANCISCO -more-


Classical Music-San Francisco Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:26:00 PM

GOLDEN GATE PARK -more-


Galleries-San Francisco Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:20:00 PM

A440 GALLERY -- -more-


Galleries-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:20:00 PM

"BAY AREA HEART GALLERY," -- Exhibit consists of photographs of children, youth and families, accompanied by their compelling stories. The joint exhibit opens in the Alameda County Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street, Oakland and at the Eden Area Multi-Service Center, 24100 Amador Way, Hayward. -more-


Professional Dance-San Francisco Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:15:00 PM

HERBST THEATRE -more-


Stage-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:14:00 PM

ASHBY STAGE -more-


Readings-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:14:00 PM

BOOKS INC., BERKELEY -more-


Museums-San Francisco Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:17:00 PM

ASIAN ART MUSEUM OF SAN FRANCISCO The Asian Art Museum-Chon-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture recently unveiled its new building in San Francisco's Civic Center. The building, the former San Francisco Public Library, has been completely retrofitted and rebuilt to house San Francisco's significant collection of Asian treasures. The museum offers complimentary audio tours of the museum's collection galleries. -more-


Museums-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:17:00 PM

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY AT OAKLAND The Oakland Public Library's museum is designed to discover, preserve, interpret and share the cultural and historical experiences of African Americans in California and the West. In addition, a three-panel mural is on permanent display. -more-


Popmusic-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:15:00 PM

"DOWNTOWN BERKELEY MUSICFEST," -- Aug. 20 through Aug. 29. More than 50 performances will take place at 11 different venues across Berkeley's Downtown Arts District, with bands and artists such as The Blasters, Terence Brewer Trio, Dawn Drake, Turtle Island Quartet, Mark Hummel and more. Visit website for complete lineup and locations. -more-


New: Deconstructing Hef

By Justin DeFreitas
Friday August 20, 2010 - 12:13:00 PM

Haven't we seen enough of Hugh Hefner in his smoking robe and pajamas? Hasn't it been a couple of decades since we'd seen enough? Well, perhaps we can take one last look. His heyday may be long gone, his image and impact reduced by self-caricature and the sort of privilege that allows the wealthy to drift into irrevelance and senility with all their illusions intact; but whatever your take on the man, his mission and his achievements, Hefner has had a significant impact on American culture. -more-


Film Reviews: Now Available on DVD

By Justin DeFreitas
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 02:12:00 PM

Four good choices of films on DVD: -more-


Theatre Review: The Prince at Berkeley City Club ends this Sunday!

By John A. McMullen II
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 11:49:00 AM
Colin Alexander Smith & Mark Farrell in The Prince

Gary Graves has written a masterful 70-minute duet and duel between Lorenzo de’ Medici and Niccolò Machiavelli. You should grab a ticket quick to this Central Works production since it closes its run at Berkeley City Club this weekend. -more-


Cabaret Review: “DIVALICOUS” MISS BORGHESI —catch her while you can!

by John A. McMullen II
Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 12:06:00 PM
LEANNE BORGHESI’s “DIVALICIOUS” at the NEW CONSERVATORY THEATRE
                CENTER

Everywhere I looked, this was a week for superstars.

The History Channel has a new program called “Stan Lee’s Superhumans” which may add to your perspective of the Darwinian stipulation regarding mutation.

Next, ten-year-old Jackie Evancho of Pittsburgh PA stopped the show and jaws dropped around the nation when she sang “O Mio Babbino” on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” (Yes, you too will think it’s lip-synching, but it’s not; find a link to this video clip at the bottom of the review---don’t get distracted, just keep reading).

Then, upon the recommendation of a Critic’s Circle colleague, we went to the cabaret performance of Leanne Borghesi’s “DIVALICIOUS” at the New Conservatory Theatre CENTER in San Francisco. NCTC has become the leading Gay Theatre in San Francisco, and Cabaret singing in San Francisco is the domain of gay culture. Think Judy, think Barbara, think Liza, think Bette and her beginnings with accompanist Barry Manilow entertaining in gay bathhouses. -more-


Exhibits-San Francisco Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:25:00 PM

"SUN SPHERES," -- "Sun Spheres'' is a trio of mosaic sculptures by artist Laurel True at the intersection of Ocean and Granada Avenues in the OMI District of San Francisco. -more-


Dance-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:25:00 PM

ASHKENAZ -more-


Exhibits-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:23:00 PM

CARMEN FLORES RECREATION CENTER -more-


General-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:19:00 PM

"LASTSUNDAYSFEST," -- Aug. 29. A street fair featuring live music, crafts, artisans, mechanical bull riding, clowns, bounce houses, face painting and more. Event takes place along Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley between Dwight and Bancroft. -more-


Highlights-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:18:00 PM

"DOWNTOWN BERKELEY MUSICFEST," -- Aug. 20 through Aug. 29. More than 50 performances will take place at 11 different venues across Berkeley's Downtown Arts District, with bands and artists such as The Blasters, Terence Brewer Trio, Dawn Drake, Turtle Island Quartet, Mark Hummel and more. Visit website for complete lineup and locations. -more-


Kids-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:18:00 PM

"LASTSUNDAYSFEST," -- Aug. 29. A street fair featuring live music, crafts, artisans, mechanical bull riding, clowns, bounce houses, face painting and more. Event takes place along Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley between Dwight and Bancroft. -more-


Outdoors-East Bay Through August 29

Tuesday August 17, 2010 - 01:16:00 PM

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission. -more-