The Week

A recent photo of the Arpeggio project-- Construction has been halted and scaffolding has been removed from upper stories even though they are not finished.
A recent photo of the Arpeggio project-- Construction has been halted and scaffolding has been removed from upper stories even though they are not finished.
 

News

Updated: Downtown Berkeley's Arpeggio Building is in Trouble

By the Berkeley Daily Planet
Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:42:00 PM
Exterior of the Arpeggio Building in December, 2010.

It looks like the nine-story SNK Realty Group’s Arpeggio building, under construction on Center Street in downtown Berkeley, is on hold, at least for the moment. Passersby have noticed that construction has been halted for several weeks. The sales office on the site has closed, and the Planet’s calls to the sales number listed on the project’s website instead reached an independent Oakland real estate broker, who said that units would not be for sale until at least June. -more-


Updated: Fire in Telegraph Apartment Building Extinguished Quickly by Berkeley Firefighters

By the Berkeley Daily Planet
Tuesday February 22, 2011 - 04:55:00 PM
One of the Berkeley Fire Department trucks which responded to Telegraph fire on Tuesday.

The Sequoia Apartments at the corner of Telegraph and Haste, the building which housed Mario's La Fiesta for more than 30 years, experienced a big, smoky fire two-alarm fire Tuesday afternoon, attracting fire crews from all stations in the city of Berkeley. -more-


White Elephant Sale Next Week Benefits Oakland Museum
Donors Can Shop This Week

By Steven Finacom
Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 02:06:00 PM
Items from women's hats, to wall art, stuffed animals, ceramic pigs, unusual fish, and furniture await in the White Elephant Sale warehouse on the Oakland Estuary.

You would think a 52-year-old garage sale might have run out of things to sell. But the White Elephant Sale (WES) keeps restocking and plugging along, annually offering tens of thousands of objects, from odd to ordinary, in the cause of raising money (some sixteen million, so far) to benefit the programs of the Oakland Museum of California. -more-


Berkeley City Counci Fails to Pass Controversial Resolutions

By Charlotte Perry-Houts
Tuesday February 22, 2011 - 10:08:00 AM

Last Tuesday (February 15) the Berkeley City Council discussed open government, Bradley Manning, the Affordable Housing Impact Fee, and PG&E's pipelines in Berkeley. -more-


PG&E Smart Meters Might Have Higher Radiation Levels

By Bay City News
Monday February 21, 2011 - 06:33:00 PM

A new study could show that the radio frequency radiation levels of some PG&E SmartMeters is significantly higher than previously thought, a spokesman for an environmental health coalition said. -more-


Driver Hits Four Cars on Solano Avenue in Berkeley and Albany

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 01:50:00 PM

Shahram Farshchi, 56,the driver of a car which crashed on Sunday into at least four other cars on Solano Avenue in Berkeley and Albany was arrested by Berkeley police, according to a series of stories in the Albany Patch online newspaper. The driver told the paper that he believed he might have suffered a seizure, but this theory has not yet been confirmed by police or physicians. Three people were taken to the hospital with possible injuries, but all were released after treatment. -more-


Opinion

Editorials

The Council Majority Builds Fantasyland in West Berkeley

By Becky O'Malley
Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 08:56:00 AM

Well, I almost went to yesterday’s City Council hearing on the future of West Berkeley. For a retired serial entrepreneur like me, the glib discussion by the council majority and their complacent staff of the marvels of what we’re now supposed to call “spinout” businesses is galling. It makes it all sound so easy and natural, just take your campus research project, rent a cute little incubator space and voila! No figures sought or offered as to the probability of success of such ventures or their chances of producing long-term steady jobs for Berkeleyans (slim to none, I’d wager, based on experience). -more-


The Editor's Back Fence

Check Out These Links.

Sunday February 20, 2011 - 10:26:00 PM

Angela Hill laments the demise of the Olde Bezerkeley in the Trib.

George Lakoff reveals What Conservatives Really Want on the Truthout website.

Josh Kosman in the Chronicle outs the Vienna Philharmonic, coming soon to U.C. Berkeley's Zellerbach Auditorium, as being STILL a notorious bastion of racism and sexism--and I thought they'd reformed! -more-


Berkeley Chamber of Commerce is Electioneering Again

Sunday February 20, 2011 - 03:06:00 PM

The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is entitled to its opinion. But we don't have to agree with it, and we don't. -more-


Cartoons

Cartoon Page: Odd Bodkins, BOUNCE

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 10:32:00 AM

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Sunday February 20, 2011 - 02:40:00 PM

Global Warming; Book Vans: Mental Illness; The Role of Aladdin? In response to your op-ed re: the Berkeley Public Library; In Response to the Letters about the Libraries -more-


Who Watches the Watchmen? UC Berkeley Launches Video Surveillance

By Nathan Pitts
Tuesday February 22, 2011 - 12:36:00 PM

UC Berkeley has unceremoniously announced its intention to wire "properties owned, leased, or controlled by the campus" for video surveillance. The campus policies website (campuspol.chance.berkeley.edu/newpolicies.cfm) has been updated with the pdf file titled "Video Security Applications". As listed on the document, the responsible executive behind the surveillance plan is the [now former]vice-chancellor. Oddly though, he left his name off the form. The man who wants to scrutinize everybody, didn't want his name on a publicly scrutinized document. For the record his name is Nathan Bromstrom. If people want to take video footage of him (fair is fair), he lives on Canyon Road (thanks Google). -more-


Protect Independent Media in the U.S.--
Please Give Your Financial Support to KPFA Now.

By Marc Sapir
Sunday February 20, 2011 - 02:57:00 PM

Today was the fifth day of KPFA’s annual major winter fund drive. In a previous article I wrote with great concern for the future—the financial viability--of the station and the Pacifica Network of which it is a part. My concern has not lessened as both the network and KPFA remain close to insolvency, and so the outcome of this present fund drive is particularly important, although a mini-fund drive in December was a great success bringing in 150% of projections. -more-


Columns

Dispatches From The Edge: Israelis Divided on Whacking Iran

By Conn Hallinan
Sunday February 20, 2011 - 10:35:00 PM

Behind the recent appointment of Israel’s new military chief of staff are several months of bitter infighting among Israeli generals and intelligence agencies over whether to attack Iran, and, in the event of such an attack, how to rope the U.S. into the war. -more-


The Public Eye: What Can Americans Learn From Egypt?

By Bob Burnett
Sunday February 20, 2011 - 02:49:00 PM

As the world watched, millions of Egyptians engaged in an eighteen-day democratic revolution. For those of us fortunate enough to live in the United States, there are five lessons to be learned from the insurrection in Egypt. -more-


Eclectic Rant: Is Qaddafi's Libya Next?

By Ralph E. Stone
Sunday February 20, 2011 - 02:32:00 PM

Demonstrations led to the downfall of President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia. There are protests in Bahrain, Yemen. Jordan, Algeria and new demonstrations in Iran, a nd minor incidents have occurred in Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Morocco. Repressive regimes around the world must be very nervous. Is Colonel Muammar Qaddafi's Libya next? -more-


On Mental Illness: Caring for A Mentally Ill Family Member

By Jack Bragen
Tuesday February 22, 2011 - 01:18:00 PM

Persons with mental illness may suffer an episode of acute symptoms even if taking medications as prescribed. An acute episode or in some cases, a longer period of severe mental illness affects the afflicted person, but also puts a strain on family members. -more-


Restoration Comedy #5- Chinks in the Armoire

By Jane Powell
Sunday February 20, 2011 - 02:54:00 PM

After a few months delay, we rejoin my ongoing and probably fruitless quest to get a mortgage modification under HAMP, the Home Affordable Modification Program, rolled out with much fanfare by President Obama, wherein he promised it would help four million homeowners to reduce their mortgage payments so they could stay in their houses instead of losing them to foreclosure. Number of at-risk homeowners who have received permanent modifications so far? 549,620. Number of homeowners kicked out of the program? 729,109. Number of permanent modifications cancelled? 44,972. Therefore, actual number of permanent modifications? 504,648. Number of at-risk homeowners jerked around by their mortgage servicers, the Treasury Department, and the White House? 100%. And note, these modifications aren’t actually permanent-the way the name implies- they only last for five years. Meanwhile, there were 3.9 million foreclosures filed in 2010- that is one for every 45 households. -more-


Senior Power:“… something special for seniors -- like a visit to a senior center...or simply researching a family tree. ...” Dale Carnegie (1888-1955)

Sunday February 20, 2011 - 03:06:00 PM

In high school, I was placed on something called the Regents Diploma track. Almost everyone there was headed for college or the military. It was rumored that the Daughters of the American Revolution chapter provided college scholarships for members’ daughters. My mother trekked up to a Poughkeepsie, New York cemetery to document family history that would help to establish her, and thus, my, DAR eligibility. -more-


Arts & Events

Stage-San Francisco Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:48:00 PM

BEACH BLANKET BABYLON This long-running musical follows Snow White as she sings and dances her way around the world in search of her prince. Along the way she encounters many of the personalities in today's headlines, including Nancy Pelosi, Condoleezza Rice, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harry Potter, Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, Britney Spears, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Hillary Clinton, George and Laura Bush, Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart, Tom Cruise, Angelina, characters from Brokeback Mountain and Paris Hilton. Persons under 21 are not admitted to evening performances, but are welcome to Sunday matinees. -more-


Professional Dance Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:47:00 PM

ZELLERBACH HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY -more-


Readings-East Bay Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:47:00 PM

BOOKS INC., ALAMEDA -more-


Classical Music-San Francisco Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:41:00 PM

AUDIUM -more-


Classical Music-East Bay Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 11:54:00 AM

CHABOT COLLEGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER -more-


Popmusic-East Bay Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:46:00 PM

924 GILMAN ST. All ages welcome. -more-


Theater Review: A Man's Home

By Ken Bullock
Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 11:56:00 AM

"Time for you to leave ... " -more-


Theater Review: Eye from the Aisle: A Man’s Home

By John A. McMullen II
Monday February 21, 2011 - 06:33:00 PM
Marissa Keltie, Theo Black & Sylvia Kratins.

There are two words that cause confusion because they have but one letter difference: tortuous and torturous. The former means full of twists, turns, or bends, perhaps like a labyrinth; the latter, painfully difficult or slow. For Aaron Henne’s A Man’s HomeCentral Works’ first offering of their season— both words apply. -more-


Eye from the Aisle:Josh Kornbluth at Shotgun—
Good for a Laugh and a Sigh

By John A. McMullen II
Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:08:00 PM

Josh Kornbluth has become a near-icon in the Bay Area with his drollery and reminiscences of growing up Pinko, and observations of the culture. As a non-observant, cultural Jew reared with professions of atheism, his perspective of a displaced outsider give him special standing. -more-


Theater Review: Pinole Community Players Do The Full Monty.

By Ken Bullock
Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:05:00 PM

A call from a theater friend took me to Pinole a couple of weekends ago to catch the Pinole Community Players production, in the Community Playhouse downtown on Tennant Avenue, of The Full Monty. -more-


Tours And Activities-East Bay Through March

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:49:00 PM

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM ongoing. 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-


Museums-San Francisco Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:45:00 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. "In a New Light," ongoing. There are some 2,500 works displayed in the museum's new galleries. They cover all the major cultures of Asia and include Indian stone sculptures, intricately carved Chinese jades, Korean paintings, Tibetan thanksgas, Cambodian Buddhas, Islamic manuscripts and Japanese basketry and kimonos. -more-


Outdoors-East Bay Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:45:00 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-


Kids-East Bay Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:44:00 PM

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS -more-


Museums-East Bay Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:44:00 PM

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY AT OAKLAND ongoing. 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-


General-East Bay Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:43:00 PM

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS -more-


Highlights-East Bay Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:43:00 PM

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS -more-


Exhibits-East Bay Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:42:00 PM

CARMEN FLORES RECREATION CENTER -more-


Exhibits-San Francisco Through March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:42:00 PM

"SUN SPHERES," -- ongoing. "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 March 6

Wednesday February 23, 2011 - 12:41:00 PM

ELKS LODGE, ALAMEDA -more-