On the eve of the first (and only) scheduled City Council hearing on the proposed March parcel tax increase, a loose federation of Berkeley neighborhood associations declared their opposition to the tax. -more-
The Berkeley Repertory Theater has pulled out all the stops (discretely, of course) as well they should, in publicizing its new production “Continental Divide.” -more-
Berkeley City Council asked citizens to come out to the regular meeting last Tuesday to air their opinions on the proposed March, 2004, parcel tax increase ballot measure. A large number of Berkeley citizens complied, packing Council chambers Tuesday night, and pretty much telling Council to take their tax and shove it. -more-
Berkeley Schools Superintendent Michele Lawrence doesn’t pull punches when expressing her disdain for President George W. Bush’s landmark No Child Left Behind law. -more-
UC Berkeley plans to develop a downtown hotel and convention center which Mayor Tom Bates hopes will capture both millions in tax revenue in the near future and the imagination of residents by restoring Strawberry Creek sometime later. -more-
While a proposed parcel tax increase has dominated news accounts of Berkeley City Council in recent weeks, it is three proposed election-altering charter amendments that might actually have most significant long-term affects on the city. -more-
To Mayor Bates, City Councilmembers, City Manager: -more-
Critics of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) gave lab officials an earful Monday, arguing that planned expansion at the lab threatens to pollute their lungs, clog their streets and devour their tax dollars. -more-
Vista College is ushering in a new era by bringing down the house—in this case, the old Berkeley City Services Center at 2020 Center St. -more-
Editors, Daily Planet: -more-
Oakland shoppers were surprised to encounter what many thought was only a Southern California phenomenon when they tried to enter one local Safeway Friday and were met by a group of 30 striking workers. -more-
California Nursing Association (CNA) organizers and member registered nurses (RNs) met outside Alta Bates and Summit Medical centers Friday to protest what they call a scheme to sidestep a new law that takes effect on Jan. 1 mandating patient-to-nurse staffing ratios. -more-
Not sure how many burglaries occurred on your block last month? Neither are the police. -more-
The high wind country sends its strong gusts roaring through the 20 acres of loblolly pines that are up to 14 feet since their harvesting in 1990. Raising trees is a big business in this part of Texas. The pines grow a foot and a half a year, and the wind’s sound increases as they get higher. The trees are in rows as they grow. -more-
FRESNO—The scene at the Rainbow Ballroom on a crisp fall evening three years ago wasn’t unlike that offered at other popular nightspots in Fresno. -more-
The security of nuclear power plants against terrorist attack has been hotly debated since 9/11. Less has been said about another threat that could compromise the viability of nuclear plants and seriously damage their surroundings. It is a menace largely ignored by power plant designers, utility companies and the U.S. government. -more-
Recently I attended a going away party for a friend. At the age of 52, Karen is heading for New York City. She’s given up her wonderful Potrero Hill apartment with its city and Bay views and is moving to a ground-floor, furnished sublet on the corner of 145th and St. Nicolas Avenue in the middle of Harlem. The company she writes for, Dance Magazine, is leaving Oakland and finally putting down roots in Manhattan. It makes sense, I suppose. Still, I’m going to miss her. -more-
Now that the nation’s schools have had a year to adjust to President Bush’s much vaunted education law, the No Child Left Behind Act, its real consequences are beginning to surface—and it’s not looking good. Various governors and state officials, including those from Republican-leaning states such as Florida, West Virginia and Tennessee, are noticing that the president has treated them to the ultimate bait-and-switch: He has demanded more of their schools while cutting the money needed to do the job. -more-
As he awoke for the first time as chief executive of the largest state in the greatest country in the world, The Governator smiled his famous smile, lighting up the room. -more-
When George Soros, one of the world’s richest men, announced this week that he’s made getting rid of George W. Bush “the central focus of my life,” it was good news for Berkeley-based MoveOn.org. -more-
Tom Ross says he’s been trying to bring “Lobby Hero” to the Aurora Theater ever since he first saw it in New York three years ago at the Playwright’s Horizon. He’s finally made it: The play opens this weekend on Friday night and runs through Dec. 21. -more-
In a distinct escalation of the ongoing battle between Berkeley developers and some Berkeley citizens, Councilmember Dona Spring has called for what amounts to a full city investigation of the way major developers do business in Berkeley. -more-
The Berkeley City Council will consider a proposal Nov. 18 to form a BID (Business Improvement District) on Solano Avenue in Berkeley. -more-
When a North Oakland “troublemaker” was released on bail, Oakland Police Officer Robyn Clark e-mailed over 200 neighbors the following: Hi everyone! Mr. [Name withheld] is NOT currently wanted by the police. This information is being disseminated to you, because everyone needs to be very cautious of [Name withheld]. -more-
The University of California—under court order—finally posted all of the investment data for their risky venture capital funds, and the numbers aren’t pretty. -more-
Eleven years after the California State Legislature created the privately-run Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) to help keep the state’s at-risk school districts from going under, the California State Auditor’s office is about to take its first formal look at just how well the rapidly expanding, Bakersfield-based agency is actually living up to its job. -more-
Though more than two weeks have passed since three UC Berkeley students presented their arguments to an independent tribunal that was to recommend appropriate university punishment for their participation in an anti-war sit-in last March, they’re still waiting to learn their fates. -more-
Knowing firsthand what it’s like to face student conduct charges, I have to admit I find myself sympathizing to some degree with the students who stand accused of violating the UC Berkeley student code of conduct. -more-
Berkeley residents can voice their concerns about the future of Lawrence Berkeley National Lab at a scoping session at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. -more-
When Solano Avenue Restaurateur Juan Romo saw the hired security guard napping while the party promoter pocketed fistfuls of bills from dozens of teenagers overflowing his 80-person capacity party room, he knew he’d made a mistake. -more-
They built the nation’s capital on the banks of the Potomac River to satisfy the powerful Virginia lords of the time who, presumably, did not want to travel far from home to assume the presidency and other perks which they considered their own peculiar destiny. What the Virginians failed to let on before the plans were drawn up—clever fellows—was that the Potomac ran through the midst of a sickly swamp bottom. -more-
EDITOR’S NOTE: As the situation in Iraq deteriorates, President Bush has outlined a grand vision for democracy in the Middle East. But the U.S. will have to change tactics quickly if legitimate elected bodies are to rule in Iraq. -more-
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of an ongoing series of articles by UC Berkeley journalism students on the paths of Berkeley. -more-
“I thought this started at 11 a.m. They’re late, just like the army,” grumbled the veteran leaning against his bike. A woman turned and reminded him, “They start at eleven minutes after eleven o’clock to observe Armistice Day.” -more-
In 1970, recycling was one of those odd things that granola heads did, schlepping their newspapers and maybe their bottles and tin cans to a site behind a co-op market and tossing it all into marked bins. -more-
Yes, Berkeley people do read the San Francisco Chronicle on occasion. It’s always amusing to know what Chris Daly is up to. Sad to say, there’s less and less to read in the Chronicle these days. The Datebook section is increasingly pathetic. If the budget permits an occasional excursion to The City, Joshua Kosman’s reviews, though sometimes irritatingly choleric, are the best way to make sure you get some bang for your buck at the major SF performances. Otherwise, today’s Chronicle is pretty forgettable. -more-
