North Berkeley’s major east-west thoroughfare is one step closer to shrinking in half for motorists. -more-

A backer of the campaign to pass three city tax measures has charged two of Berkeley’s anti-tax groups with violating city election law. -more-

When Max Anderson announced this summer he was challenging Councilmember Maudelle Shirek in District 3, he was prepared for the inevitable charges that he was an ingrate. -more-

Plans for the University Avenue Apartments, a five-story mixed use condominium and commercial project planned for 1698 University Ave., are scheduled to go to the Zoning Adjustments Board Thursday night. -more-

When the Regional Water Quality Control Board opens its Wednesday night informational meeting on the controversial marshland toxic waste cleanup at the site of the proposed Campus Bay shoreline residential project, Richmond workers and residents might well have questions about similar efforts underway at the adjoining UC Berkeley Field Station just to the north. -more-

Though soaring energy costs and overseas demand have driven up the prices of most building materials, the developer of a proposed nine-story apartment complex on Center Street said plans are moving ahead, with construction to commence after the first of the year. -more-

One of the most visible political signs in El Cerrito this year is a placard asking voters to support Measure K. The measure, placed on the ballot by the city, would approve an 8 percent utility tax that the city already charges, which provides $2.2 million, about 12 percent, of the city’s general fund. -more-

PROP 62 -more-

I came home to find the hot water in the downstairs bathroom running furiously from the spigot. “I can’t turn it off,” explained Hans, the man who lives with us and helps take care of my husband. “It’s been running since this morning when I gave Ralph a shower.” -more-

I am the current incumbent to the BART Board and am running on a limited campaign budget where my opponents are probably spending 20 to 30 times more than what I will spend. This will be my last term so I am using my reserve, which I had from former campaigns and am not seeking any contributions for this last campaign. -more-

Music is vitally important to the healthy development of young people. This artistic expression deserves encouragement and financial support from the community. Unfortunately, music programs in the Berkeley Unified School District suffer low priority in the budget. To stay alive, they require tremendous volunteer work and fundraising on the part of educators, students, and parents. Music is more than a pastime, pure entertainment; it increases a child’s IQ, it broadens his or her knowledge of the outside world, and it encourages positive personal development. These are all reasons why the Berkeley Unified School District music programs should not be thought of as a dessert, but as an essential part of the meal. -more-

Stick to the issues please. -more-

On Nov. 2, Berkeley voters will be asked to support an array of ballot measures. As a Berkeley Fire Captain, I can tell you that Measure M should be strongly supported by this city and community. -more-

Shooting on Carleton Street -more-

When I asked Allen Shearer how he got the idea for an informal concert by local poets, composers, singers, and instrumentalists, I expected to hear the familiar lament: that composers of new music have few opportunities to have their works performed. -more-

The signage above the door at 2430 Bancroft Way boldly proclaims “Ten Thousand Minds on Fire,” an apt description of what University Press Books/Berkeley set out to do when it opened in November 1974. -more-

TUESDAY, OCT. 26 -more-

I first saw the bats, as it happens, a few Halloweens ago. I had stopped by the main Berkeley library on the way from work, before heading home to hand out candy to the little extortionists, and it was dusk as I was leaving the building. Something caught my eye: what appeared to be birds—starlings? blackbirds?—flying away from the business school across the street. Birds with an odd flickering flight. -more-

TUESDAY, OCT. 26 -more-

Neighbors of an alleged Oregon Street drug-dealing two-house complex say they never suspected any illegal activity at the residences, but call it a “problem property” that they now want the owner to sell. -more-

One of Berkeley’s largest affordable housing developers has been stripped of its federal funding amid charges that it has engaged in nepotism and misallocated funds. -more-

In City Council District 5, running for the seat being vacated by Councilmember Miriam Hawley are Jesse Townley, a civic-minded musician who offers youth and a fresh perspective, Laurie Capitelli, a real estate broker, connected to the city’s establishment who hasn’t sought to make waves, and community activist Barbara Gilbert, who thinks that the establishment will tax and spend the city into the ground. -more-

Following complaints by neighbors of a controversial South Richmond development site, the top official of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Quality Control Board promised Thursday to order round-the-clock monitoring of potentially toxic dust and compounds escaping from the Campus Bay project. -more-

Backed by a crowd of some 40 sign-carrying union members, representatives of the Berkeley Unified School District’s custodians, maintenance and food service workers, and bus drivers told BUSD board members Wednesday night the district must change its stand on worker health care and salary needs in contract mediation talks scheduled to begin next week. -more-

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Tom Bates delivered a proposal that could bridge the city’s creek divide. -more-

The first two weeks of October saw political contributions skyrocket for citywide ballot measures and slow down for City Council candidates, according to campaign contribution and expense reports released this week. -more-

On Sept. 29 the Governor signed SB 1818, which City of Berkeley planner Mark Rhoades has called a “bombshell.” Despite strong concerns expressed by the League of California Cities, the bill had sailed through its final votes: no nays at all in the Senate and only four (including Loni Hancock) in the Assembly. It makes many changes to crucial Section 65915 of the state’s density bonus law. -more-

Voters in the city of Albany, one of Alameda County’s smallest cities (18,000 population), will be asked to choose three City Councilmembers out of six candidates. All of the candidates are running at-large. -more-

UC Berkeley officials issued a statement of regret about a computer hacking that may have exposed the names and social security numbers of about 600,000 people. -more-

The talk around town this week is that the sudden decision of Richard Word to resign his job as chief of police of big-city Oakland to take up the same position in little-city Vacaville is a terrible step down for Mr. Word and, therefore, a significant personal defeat. I don’t know. The assumption, here, is that bigger is always better, and that in order to demonstrate career progress, an Oakland executive must necessarily move on to places like Atlanta, Detroit, or Los Angeles, where national reputations can be made. In fact, not knowing the state of either Mr. Word’s mind or his heart, we can’t be sure that he doesn’t consider a transfer of responsibility from the 400,000 citizens of Oakland to the 90,000 citizens of Vacaville as nothing short of a breath of fresh air. -more-

28. Federal Judicial Branch -more-

Editors, Daily Planet: -more-

Retired Chief Dies in Venice -more-

Armed Duo Cops Cash -more-

SCHOOL FUNDING -more-

With the friendly assistance of the late Edward Lear: -more-

This November election voters in the Berkeley and neighboring communities have a chance to improve our East Bay Regional Parks by voting Yes on Measure CC. This is a funding measure to raise money to pay for habitat restoration and improvements in the parks. -more-

As a longtime Berkeley resident and employee of a non-profit organization, I support Measures J, K, and L. I believe that front-line services, our libraries and programs that support youth and safety in our communities must be protected. -more-

If Measure Q passes, the Berkeley Police will be told to make the enforcement of existing laws against prostitution their lowest priority. Supporters say that this will help women. -more-

Editors, Daily Planet: -more-

The following small sampling of articles regarding DUI caused deaths from metropolitan newspapers is only the tip of the drunk driving catastrophe that continues unabated just in the Bay Area: “Motorist convicted in teacher’s death” “3 vehicular deaths on Memorial Day” (at least two DUI cases) “Driver slams mailbox, rider killed.” The Sept. 7 SF Chronicle reports “eight dead in Bay Area car accidents over holiday weekend—37 in state.” At least five of the drivers responsible were alleged to be DUI. In the article CHP Sgt. Wayne Ziese said, “Obviously, drinking and driving is still a problem here in the Bay Area.” -more-

Coming off a successful run of Love and Taxes in Seattle and with a film version of his earlier monologue Red Diaper Baby premiering today (Friday) at SF’s Roxie and Marin’s Rafael theaters, solo performer Josh Kornbluth has declared a “Joshtoberfest” wi th the opening of Ben Franklin: Unplugged at SF’s Magic Theatre in Fort Mason in advance of a national tour. -more-

FRIDAY, OCT. 22 -more-

We’ve gotten a number of requests from readers that the Planet endorse ballot proposals and candidates in the upcoming election. Some of these, of course, came from candidates and proponents, but others were from sincere individuals who just wanted a little help in deciding how to vote. Our principal response to this request has been to expand our opinion section as much as we can, to let candidates and advocates speak for themselves. We think we’ve learned a lot by doing that, and we hope readers have too. -more-

If 2000 was the year of the soccer mom, 2004 is the year for flip-flops: as fashion footwear, waving props (at the Republican convention) and taunting yells (at Bush rallies). This strategy was the brainchild of Karl Rove, Bush’s chief political strategist, who decided that the way for Bush to win was to destroy Kerry’s credibility and to attack his leadership qualities, largely by focusing on his alleged inconsistencies about the war in Iraq. -more-

The soft light of autumn. Vibrant color. The sun overhead but the days crisp. The time of year when nature begins to slow down, to begin preparations for the cold and darkness of winter. A perfect time to spend a weekend soaking up the light and beauty around the Sierra Buttes. -more-

FRIDAY, OCT. 22 -more-