Spring Equinox: Celebrate at the Chavez/Huerta Sundial
Tuesday, March 19
6:30 to 7:30 pm
Sunset at 7:20 pm
Chávez/Huerta Tribute Site @ Solar Calendar -more-

How much has UCB's People's Park production cost the public so far? In an attempt to find out, on February 5 I submitted this Public Records Act Request to the Berkeley City Attorney:

The University of California has encircled People’s Park with a two-story-high wall of shipping containers. Section 23.304.080 of the Berkeley Municipal Code, entitled “Fences,” states that an AUP (Administrative Use Permit) is required for fences that are “More than 6 ft. in height and on lot line or within required lot line setbacks for main building” in all districts except ES-R. I ask to see documentation whereby the City authorized UC to encircle People’s Park with a fence that is more than six feet high.

The University has placed razor wire on top of the shipping containers that encircle People’s Park. Section 23.304.080 (C)(1) of the Berkeley Municipal Code, entitled “Fences,” states: “A fence in a Residential District may not contain strands of barbed or razor wire, sharp or jagged glass, sharp or jagged metal components (e.g., razor-spikes), or similar materials. People’s Park is in a residential district. I also ask to see documentation whereby the City authorized UC to place razor wire on top of the shipping containers that encircle People’s Park. [Note: the razor wire is only on the containers on Haste.]

The shipping container fence/wall covers the sidewalk. I ask to see documentation whereby the City authorized the University to place a wall on a sidewalk in a residential district.

On February 29, I received this reply:

The City has identified documents which are responsive to your request. A partial production of those records can be found attached to this letter. The City is in the process of compiling and reviewing additional documents and anticipates being able to produce additional responsive documents by March 21, 2024. If you have any questions concerning your request, please feel free to contact me at kperez@berkeleyca.gov.

Contrary to the city’s reply, I fail to see how the records it sent me on February 29 respond to my request. Those documents include: -more-

President Biden and the Democrats hope to run on the theme that they are defenders of American democracy. Would that it were true. The Dems undermine that theme as Biden refuses to act upon the clear public demand that the US stop the genocide against Gaza. For America’s future, Trump is surely the greatest threat in my adult lifetime. But both of these men threaten the peace and security of the entire world. Especially the US backing and lying about Israel’s genocidal behavior brings shame upon us all. A system that forces us to choose between two terrorist thugs for President is as far from democracy as one can possibly arrive. -more-

The first public Teach-In on the UC Berkeley campus about People’s Park that included perspectives from students, professors and the community was held on February 26, 2024. A video of the event can be seen at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4Jqt_PGV8Q. For the past 4 ½ years the UC administration has presented distorted facts about the need for the destruction of People’s Park. It has claimed widespread support but has never created a forum that actually allowed dissident voices to be heard. -more-

SMITHEREENS: Reflections on Bits & Pieces: Boats,Bullets&Boots -more-

I have taken antipsychotic medication for more than forty years--almost without interruption. The "new normal", brought about by always being medicated; it is torturous. And it never goes away. I can get some relief from it some of the time. I can distract myself from it. I can take medication intended to ease side effects. The medications intended to ease side effects--they have their own side effects. -more-

The Biden administration's ostensible concern for Palestinian welfare starkly contrasts its actions, notably the clandestine shipment of massive arms to Israel, as exposed by The Washington Post. This hypocrisy is alarming, especially when juxtaposed with the administration's lack of insistence on accountability for the ongoing severe Israeli offensives in the West Bank and the dire humanitarian blockade in Gaza. These actions, including the denial of essential resources like food, water, and electricity to Palestinians, have been deemed by the International Court of Justice as tantamount to genocide, raising profound moral and legal questions about the U.S.'s complicity through its unyielding military support to Israel. -more-

Worth Noting:

City Council Spring Recess is scheduled from March 27 through May 6, 2024. The two special elections are April 16 to fill the vacant District 7 Council seat and May 28 to fill the vacant District 4 Council seat.

This calendar is lengthy as it includes 3 City Council agendas: (1) the draft agenda for the March 26 City Council Meeting, (2) the Agenda for the March 12 City Council meeting, and (3) the Agenda for the March 19 City Council meeting.

• Sunday, March 10, 2024: Daylight Savings Begins – Spring forward
• Monday, March 11, 2024:
  • From 10 am – 12:30 pm Fatherhood Initiative Kick-off event.
  • At 6:30 pm the Youth Commission meets in person
• Tuesday, March 12, 2024:
  • At 11 am the Solano BID meets in person.
  • At 2:30 pm the Agenda Committee meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 4 pm the City Council meets in the hybrid format and receives the Berkeley Police Department annual crime report.
  • At 6 pm the City Council meets in the hybrid format for the regular meeting. All agenda items on consent.
• Wednesday, March 13, 2024:
  • At 5 pm the Commission on Disability meets in person.
  • At 6:30 pm the Police Accountability Board meets in the hybrid format.
  • At 7 pm the Housing Advisory Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Homeless Services Panel of Experts meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission meets in person.
• Thursday, March 14, 2024: At 7 pm the ZAB meets in the hybrid format.
• Friday, March 15, 2024:
  • From 9 am – 12 pm the CEMTF presents an online webinar on Climate & the Prison Industrial Complex.
  • At 7:30 pm is the Live Oaks Comedy Show. Parents Night Out accompanies the show for children ages 5 – 13,
• Saturday, March 16, 2024:
  • From 9 – 11 am is the Shoreline Cleanup.
  • From 11 am – 12 pm is a Tsunami Readiness Workshop

Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/

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BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS -more-