Thanks to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recently submitted state budget, Berkeley will likely have to cut an extra $300,000 on top of its $10 million deficit in fiscal year 2005. But if the governor’s word is good, city finances could be structurally sound by 2007. 

City Budget Director Tracy Vesely delivered the mixed bag of news Tuesday night to the City Council, which will consider ways to address the new shortfall at next week’s meeting. 

In other budget-related news at the Tuesday meeting, Vesely warned that lower-than-expected growth in the Consumer Price Index would mean further shortages in city tax funds. Meanwhile, the Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees announced they were asking the council to place a $1.7 million tax measure on the November ballot to preserve library services. 

Also on Tuesday, the council approved a slew of new fees, rejected a resolution calling for decriminalization of prostitution statewide, and gave the green light to the David Brower Center—an ambitious project to build Berkeley’s most “green” building and largest affordable housing complex on the Oxford Street parking lot between Kittredge Street and Allston Way. 

Budget Shortfall 

The city had estimated that its total losses stemming from state takeaways of local revenue would amount to $1.6 million this year. But a deal reached last week between Gov. Schwarzenegger and the California League of Cities puts that amount $.3 million higher. However, in return for two years of givebacks by local governments, the deal would constitutionally guarantee repayment of last year’s Vehicle License Fee Backfill Loan to cities and counties in fiscal year 2007, as well as begin repayment that year of other previously deferred state reimbursements. 

For Berkeley, Vesely said that would add up to roughly $1.9 million, nearly enough to wipe out the projected structural budget deficit in 2007. 

However, she cautioned against assuming added state money would soon be flowing into Berkeley coffers. “Long term there’s a lot of uncertainty, we don’t know,” Vesely said. 

Schwarzenegger has pledged to work with the legislature to restore the funds. If that fails, the governor has promised to back a League of Cities November ballot initiative that would require voter approval for any state takeaway of funds earmarked for local governments. 

Vesely delivered more bad news on the 2005 fiscal year budget Tuesday night. While the city had estimated that the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (CPI) would grow two percent last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that it rose just 0.5 percent. The CPI considers various price indicators including food, clothes, rents and gasoline. Because city tax funds that are tied to increases in the CPI, that means more unexpected shortfalls in the city’s tax revenue.  

The parks tax will lose $160,000 in anticipated revenue from the CPI loss, and the paramedics tax will lose $25,000, Vesely said.  

“We were so shocked [by the federal statistics], staff contacted Washington D.C. and asked ‘are you serious,’” she said. 

Library Tax and Other Tax Measures 

The City Council offered a lukewarm reception to a proposal passed Tuesday morning by the library board of trustees for a 17 percent increase to the library tax to raise $1.7 million in new funds. If the proposal were to go through, the average homeowner would pay an extra $41 per year in library taxes.  

With the city in negotiations with its unions to pay three percent of the city’s contributions to their pension funds this year, Mayor Tom Bates hinted that negotiations with the library workers represented by Service Employees International Union Local 535 weren’t going well.  

“If the union is obstinate, maybe we shouldn’t put this out to voters,” he said. 

Councilmember Dona Spring added, “we can’t ask for this big of increase and not get some concessions from the union.” 

A three percent giveback by the library workers would amount to about $300,000—roughly 18 percent of the proposed tax, City Manager Phil Kamlarz estimated. 

Except for $240,000 that would be earmarked for its literacy program, the proposed library tax increase would pay to restore the library’s budget to buy materials and keep branches open mornings, evenings, and Sundays. Despite steady increases in tax revenues from cost of living adjustments, Library Director Jackie Griffin said the revenue hasn’t kept up with spiraling labor costs, primarily payments to employee retirement pensions. 

Since the money from a new tax wouldn’t be collected until next July, Griffin said that no matter the outcome of a ballot measure, she would have to lay off nine employees and, beginning in July, close libraries on Sundays and rotate evening and morning hours. 

The library tax—originally considered at $1.2 million—is just one of several proposed November tax measures that have increased over original projections. The emergency medical services tax—first estimated at $1 million—is now at $1.2 million and the Clean Water System Tax—first estimated at $1 million—is now at $1.2 million. The Youth Services tax—first proposed at $800,000—is now projected at $1.6 million. 

The increase to the emergency medical services tax comes from $200,000 to improve life support services and the increase in the clean water tax would pay to clean water in creeks that have been unearthed. 

In total the projected tax revenue from the four proposed measures has risen from $4.2 million last month to $5.7 million Tuesday. 

Additionally the council is now considering an increase to the Utility Users’ tax that would raise between $2 and $3 million. 

With the meeting running late Tuesday, the council didn’t discuss the remaining tax measures in depth, but councilmembers did receive a staff report that showed Berkeley property owners taxed themselves higher than their neighbors in Albany and Oakland. For fiscal year 2004 the average Berkeley homeowner paid $523.32 in city voter approved special taxes, compared to $180.92 in Oakland and $200.40 in Albany. 

Budget Public Hearing 

Homeless support groups dominated the first of two public hearings on the fiscal year 2005 budget. About 10 people spoke Tuesday night on behalf of the Berkeley Drop-In Center, which is slated to lose $15,000 in funding. Former director Sally Zinman says the center will need the money to successfully merge with the Alameda County Network of Mental Health Clients. 

The Drop-In Center offers services for mental health patients, who often are also homeless.  

Emmet Hudson echoed the sentiments of other speakers when he told the council that “without the Drop-In Center I would still be on drugs and still having severe mental health issues. It’s the first line of defense for people who have fallen on rock bottom.” 

The merger with the county agency was seen as a cost savings measure to save the program. 

The city budget proposal doesn’t cut overall funding for homeless programs, but it does propose moving $168,000—a portion of which went to the Drop-In Center—to programs that provide housing to at risk residents. 

David Brower Center 

By a 7-2 margin ( Wozniak, Olds, no), the council gave a green light to the proposed David Brower Center, with the caveat that the council hold a public hearing when the city and nonprofit developers Resources for Community Development and the David Brower Center have agreed to a Disposition and Development Agreement expected to be completed by July. 

The $47 million project would transform the city-owned Oxford Street Parking Lot into a consortium for environmental-based nonprofits and 96 units of affordable housing. The environmental groups, along with a restaurant and auditorium, would be housed in a four-story building which its developers hope will be the first on the west coast to achieve a platinum rating from the United States Green Building Council. 

The housing would be in a neighboring six-story building above-ground floor retail that would include outdoor apparel retailer Patagonia and a grocery store. 

Below the buildings, the developers plan to construct a 105 space underground garage, with parking revenues going to the city. 

In all, the city expects to receive about $425,000 a year in revenues from the project—$75,000 more than it currently receives in receipts from the parking lot. 

Critics of the project wanted more money generated from the property. 

“You’re going to kill the whole project by insisting on that housing in the most valuable piece of land that we own,” said Councilmember Betty Olds. The council rejected 7-2 (Olds, Wozniak, yes) her motion to put the project to the voters in November. 

John Clawson, a partner with Equity Community Builder which is managing the development, countered that the housing units known as Oxford Plaza will receive a subsidy of $26,000 per unit from the city’s housing trust fund—lower than typical affordable housing projects. 

Fees 

The council approved fee increases of 7.8 percent for Tuolumne Camp, 10 percent for services at the city Permit Center, five percent for sewer connections, and five percent for garbage services. 

Opposition was most vociferous to the proposed fee hikes at Tuolumne Camp, where the increases would make the cost of a week’s stay just under $2000 for family of four at the camp just east of Yosemite National Park. 

City Parks and Recreation Director Marc Seleznow told the council the fee increases were needed to comply with a city requirement to make all city camps self-sufficient by fiscal year 2007 and keep the city’s two other camps—Echo Lake Camp and Berkeley Youth Camp—avaiable to low income children. 

Decriminalizing Prostitution 

The Sex Works Outreach Program (SWOP) will continue with the petition drive for a city ballot initiative after the City Council balked at a resolution from Councilmember Dona Spring to urge the state to decriminalize prostitution. Had the council passed the resolution, SWOP would have withdrawn their measure, which also calls for Berkeley police to make enforcement of prostitution laws a low priority. 

Although most councilmembers expressed support for decriminalizing or legalizing prostitution, they instead chose to send it for review to the city’s Commission on the Status of Women. Should the commission—which has historically supported the easing rules on prostitution—return it to the council for action before SWOP’s June 21 deadline for submitting signatures for the ballot drive, the sex workers advocacy group could still pull the initiative from the ballot, SWOP’s Stacy Swimme said. 

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Union employees at the University of California’s nine campuses, including Berkeley, turned out Thursday to protest the university system’s attempt to scale back or eliminate their jobs as a way to deal with state budget cuts. 

According to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union (AFSCME), the UC system currently employees 17,000 service, maintenance and patient care workers whose jobs have been targeted because of budget cuts. Workers, the union and the university are currently re-negotiating the AFSCME contract that is set to expire in June. 

At UC Berkeley, workers and union officials said the cuts have contributed to a general decline in services provided to students as well as a decline in the structural upkeep of the campus. At other campuses that run university hospitals, workers and union officials said the quality of patient care has also declined.  

In the face of recently announced raises for several of the UC’s top executives, both workers and union representatives criticized the university for running a system with mixed priorities. 

“They say cut back, we say fight back!” shouted protesters who stood outsider California hall, revising an old ‘70s era chant while dressed in green AFSCME shirts and wielding signs and  

banners with messages such as “UC works because we do,” and “What’s good for workers is good for students.”   

As part of the demonstration, workers presented Eric Haemer, director of the physical plant and campus services, and Eddie Bankston, executive director of housing and dining services, with hundreds of signed pledge cards that said workers were united to demand better jobs.  

In an interview before the protest, union representatives cited several particular problems at UC Berkeley, including the janitorial jobs lost when UC Berkeley’s extension in San Francisco shut down last year, along with a number consolidations on the main campus where workers are being forced to do more work for the same pay. They also highlighted pay discrepancy, pointing out that union employees on campus have not received merit based raises since 1999 and have not gotten a cost of living increase since 2002. 

In contrast, according to figures released by the UC Office of the President, several top UC administrators recently received significant raises.  

Paul Schwartz, the spokesman for the UC Office of the President, defended the raises, saying they were a necessity to ensure UC can recruit and retain top candidates. He said UC salaries, overall, have also lagged behind comparable institutions.  

“We have to increase [the salaries] because there is no other way to attract the caliber of person needed to maintain institutional competition,” Schwartz explained. 

According to Schwartz, the university hopes to be able to offer system-wide raises again if Gov. Schwarzenegger’s recently released revised budget plan for UC is successful. He said he was glad AFSCME “shared our concern about maintaining institutional quality” and added the university would welcome any support “they can lend to our effort to secure adequate state funding.” 

But for UC workers, future promises are not good enough. Instead of looking to the future, worker representatives said yesterday they want the university to acknowledge their work and restructure the system so that everyone shares the problems of the budget cuts equally. 

On top of pay, union employees said they also have a number of other demands. They say the current system does not allow for much advancement, trapping some employees in jobs that do not pay well enough to survive on. They also said promotions are often based on favoritism instead of experience. 

Efren Palabrica, a senior maintenance worker on campus, said it took him five years of applying and re-applying to get promoted from the janitorial staff to the maintenance staff.  

“I’m lucky,” he said. He said he has seen others struggle for years, even as qualified candidates, and never get promoted. 

As a result of consolidations in many departments, which increase work loads, union representatives said campuses are falling into disrepair. At UC Berkeley, they said the decreased level of grounds and building maintenance is becoming readily apparent. 

Joe Pulido, a senior building maintenance worker who has worked at the university for 24 years, said his crew went from four to just himself in recent years. Now, instead of doing preventative maintenance to upkeep the building he runs, he said he barely has time to fix the various building components that break. 

Even though he has been a UC employee for 20 plus years, Pulido said he still only makes $39,000, and has to work two other jobs to survive. He said he has also topped out in seniority and has no room for advancement. 

“It’s sort of disheartening for me, said Pulido. “When I came to the university, I was so energetic, I wanted to do everything. But that’s wearing thin now. [Management] doesn’t understand that they have a lot of dedicated people giving out a lot of energy. They think we are money hungry.” 

Union representatives said the workers and union alike are concerned that students are facing rising tuition costs and in return are getting lower service quality. On Wednesday, students learned that the UC regents approved a 14 percent tuition increase for next year as part of the governor’s revised budget plan for the system. At the demonstration Thursday, several students also turned out to show their support. 



Reginald Zelnik, a much-beloved UC Berkeley professor of Russian history and a passionate defender of Free Speech Movement (FSM) activists in the 1960s, died on campus Monday afternoon. He was 68. 

“He was the conscience of the university campus when it came to issues of free speech, and his commitment never varied,” said New York University associate professor Robert Cohen, a Berkeley graduate who collaborated with Zelnik on a magisterial history of the FSM.  

Alameda County Coroner’s investigator Dan A pperson said Zelnik was struck by an Alhambra Water truck. The vehicle was backing up when it struck Zelnik, who was walking in the same direction in front of Moses Hall on South Hall Road east of Sather Gate. 

UC Police Lt. Mitch Celaya said that while t he investigation into the accident is continuing, preliminary evidence indicates that the truck’s backup warning bell was functioning properly at the time of the accident. 

Zelnik had chaired the History Department of the College of Letters and Science fr om 1994 to 1997 and served as vice chair and acting chair several times in the past two decades. 

He chaired UC’s Center for Slavic and East European Studies during the 1970s, and he was walking to the center at the time of his death, according to a famil y friend. 

“He was really very, very special,” said fellow UC history professor Yuri Slezkine. “He was incredibly generous—effortlessly generous. He was an incomparably wise man, both as a historian and as a human being. He was a great scholar, patient an d greatly respected by his colleagues.” 

Slezkine said Zelnik had more students across the country than any other teacher of Russian history. “A lot of people came to Berkeley to study with him. He’s the main reason the university is a major center for hi storians of Russia.” 

A Russian by birth, Slezkine said Zelnik was internationally renowned and highly respected in Russia, both now and during the Soviet era.  

Zelnik wrote numerous books and countless articles. His specialty was late Russian imperial history between the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, with a focus on blue collar workers, “how they lived, how they thought, and how they talked,” Slezkine said. 

Though his academic specialties were Russian and Soviet history, Zelnik was best known around Berkeley for his involvement in Free Speech Movement studies, an interest that began with shortly after his arrival on campus forty years ago. 

As a member of the “Committee of 200” of UCB faculty members forced to support Free Speech Movement acti vists, he fought for greater freedom of speech for students and challenged the repressive measures taken by campus administrators and the board of regents. 

“He was one of those responsible for the December 8 Resolution,” Cohen said. That 1964 measure, ad opted by the Academic Senate by a seven-to-one margin, affirmed the free speech rights of students over the wishes of administrators and UC Regents. 

“Ever since then, he was a defender of free speech rights for both Left and Right, and he took the lead i n defending the right of Jean Kirkpatrick to speak on campus,” Cohen said. 

Kirkpatrick, an outspoken hardline conservative appointed as ambassador to the United Nations by President Ronald Reagan, had been targeted by campus radicals intent on disrupting her appearance on campus. 

During the FSM era Zelnik formed what would become a lifelong friendship with Mario Savio, the best-known FSM activist.  

“Reggie was a leader of the faculty in support of the Free Speech Movement,” said Lynn Hollander, an FSM activist who was married to Savio until his death and worked with Zelnik on his history of the FSM. “He was instrumental in organizing the young Turks on the faculty. 

“I really can’t say anything more now,” she said, her voice resonant with grief.  

UC C hancellor Robert M. Berdahl called Zelnik’s death “a terrible tragedy for the campus.” 

“As a young faculty member in 1964 he courageously defended students during the Free Speech Movement,” Berdahl said, adding that he “was an extraordinarily popular pr ofessor. . .and a personal friend of mine.” 

“He was a wonderful man and an activist,” said Harold Adler, curator of the Free Speech Cafe on the UC campus. “He helped us get going. He was a brilliant man, a nice guy.” 

Adler said he last spoke to Zelnik w hen both were participating in a reading at Cody’s Books. “What a horrible, tragic loss. He’ll be missed by a lot of people.” 

“Oh, shit! This is just terrible,” sighed Todd Gitlin when a reporter informed him of Zelnik’s death. A former Berkeley activist and now a professor of journalism and sociology at the Columbia University School of Journalism, Gitlin said Zelnik “was a wonderful human being, a man of impeccable integrity, always respectful and clear-headed,” 

“I saw him in Berkeley in March and we agreed to meet in Dallas later this year at a conference on the Free Speech Movement.” 

After a moment’s pause Gitlin said, It’s horrible. I’m shaking. He was a dear, dear man and an honor to the university.” 

In addition to his personal defense of Free S peech Movement activists, Zelnik was a scholar of the movement, and co-editor of the definitive text on the era, The Free Speech Movement: Reflections on Berkeley in the 1960s. 

Cohen said the collaboration began when he organized a 1996 session of the Am erican Historical Association on Mario Savio shortly after the activist’s death. 

“It was originally going to be a small collection, but when people heard Reggie was working on it, they all wanted to contribute,” Cohen said. “That’s how it grew to over 50 0 pages.” 

Cohen said Zelnik’s contribution, a chapter on the faculty’s part in the Free Speech Movement, “is the best piece ever written on the role of faculty in an student movement. Because the media portrayed the events in Berkeley as a student revolt, people didn’t realize it was also a faculty revolt. 

“It was fabulous to work with him on this. He was a brilliant historian, very thoughtful and fair-minded, a fabulous editor, and he had a great sense about how to write history.” 

Cohen was nine years old in 1964, and hadn’t taken a course from Zelnik during the years he was earning his doctorate in American history at Cal. 

“The fact that he could write American history as well as he wrote Russian history was a testament to his brilliance,” Cohen sai d. “I know I couldn’t write Russian history.”  

Cohen said news of his colleague’s death “has been so upsetting. It’s been good to have a chance to talk about it.”  

Zelnik was born May 8, 1936, in New York City. He joined the Navy after receiving his bachelor’s from Princeton in 1956, and enrolled two years later at Stanford, where he received a master’s in 1961 and a doctorate five years later. 

He is survived by his spouse, Elaine, a son, Michael of Oakland, a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Zelnik and Mark Stuhr, a five-year-old grandson, Jaxon Zelnik-Stuhr, all of the Berkeley, and a brother, Martin, who lives in New York. 

No memorial services have been set, though a family friend said the event will be scheduled to enable his many friends and co lleagues from across the country to attend. à

FRIDAY, MAY 21 

Community Protest Against the Mass Destruction of Rafah, Gaza Strip at 5 p.m. at the Downtown Berkeley Bart Station at Shattuck and Center. Sponsored by the Middle East Children Alliance (MECA), American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, San Francisco (ADC-SF), and more. For more information contact Uda Walker at 548-0542. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Kaiping Peng, Prof. of Psychology, on “Cultural Ways of Thinking.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $12.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020. 

California Higher Education Budget Cuts A public hearing with The California Assembly Committee on Higher Education and Assemblymembers Wilma Chan, Loni Hancock, Ellen Corbett, Mark Leno, Carol Liu & Darrell Steinberg from 10 a.m. to noon at International House, University of California, 2299 Piedmont Avenue at Bancroft Way. www.democrats.assembly.ca.gov/keepthepromise 

Evening with George Lakoff, Prof. Linguistics, UC Berkeley, author of “Moral Politics: What Conservatives Know that Liberals Don’t,” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Sponsored by Wellstone Democratic Club. 418-2760. www.democraticrenewal.us 

“We Are Everywhere: The Irresistible Rise of Global Anticapitalism” with Andrew Stern and Jennifer Whitney who recently returned from Iraq, at 8:30 p.m. at the Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shattuck Ave.  

Street Skills Class for Cyclists Street Skills is a bicycle safety class for experienced and beginning cyclists from 6 to 9:30 p.m. followed by an all-day on and off bike practical skills session on May 22. Cost is $20, pre-registration required, 549-RIDE (7433). Funding for these classes is made possible through a generous grant from the City of Berkeley. 

Nature Sound Recording Workshop, presented by the Oakland Museum of California and the National Park Service. Workshop runs through Sunday. Cost is $185-$210. 238-7482. www.naturesounds.org 

Tilden Sunset Hike A hike down Laurel Canyon, up Wildcat Peak for sunset, and back along the ridge. Meet at 6 p.m. at Inspiration Point on Wildcat Canyon Road with warm layered clothing, flashlight and snack to share. Sponsored by Solo Sierrans, you need not be a member to attend an activity. 601-1211.  

Spanish Literacy Night at the Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way, from 7 to 9 p.m. with a special Latin American music performance with Grupo Colibri at 7:45 p.m. 665-3271.  

Berkeley Opera Fundraiser to support the premiere of Suprynowicz’s “Caliban Dreams” at 8 p.m. at Le Theatre, 1919 Addison St. Dinner and performances by tenor John Duykers, soprano/librettist Amanda Moody, and Ancora, of the Piedmont Childrens Choir. Cost is $90. Please RSVP to 444-6232. clarks@igc.org  

Benefit for Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride with a screening of “The Gatekeeper” at 7 p.m. at AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakland. Donation $8-$20. 208-1700. 

“Icons of the Matrix” a slide presentation by Max Dashú in a benefit for Suppressed Histories, at 6:30 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Players at all levels are welcome. 652-5324. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

Overeaters Anonymous meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Church at Solano and The Alameda. 525-5231. 

SATURDAY, MAY 22 

Himalayan Fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Live Oak Park, 1300 Shattuck Ave. Authentic Himalayan arts, antiques and modern crafts, live music and dance performances and exotic foods. Donation of $8 benefits humanitarian grassroots pro- 

jects in the Himalayas.  

Same-Sex Marriage: Essential Legal Information About Property, Parentage, and Taxes A free seminar from 10 a.m. to noon at the James Irvine Foundation Conference Center, Oakland. Please RSVP to Our Family Coalition at 415-981-1960. 

19th Bay Area Storytelling Festival from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at Kennedy Grove Regional Rec. Area. A weekend of lively, entertaining and captivating storytelling. Cost for the whole weekend is $52 adults, $40 senior, $29 children under 15; tickets for individual events are also available. 869-4969, 650-952-3397. www.bayareastorytelling.org 

Lost Waterfall in Spring Join a seasonal 3.5 mile trek to Lake Anza as we explore the riparian flora and fauna. Bring a snack to enjoy as you hear the story of the waterfall that isn’t here. Meet at 1 p.m. at Tiden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Kids Garden Club We will design and carry out our own scientific experiments and learn by doing, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 7-12. Cost is $3, registration required. 525-2233. 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour “Thousand Oaks” led by Susan Cerny from 10 a.m. to noon. 848-0181. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc/ 

Berkeley Bicycle Boulevard Tour Meet at Constitution Plaza above the downtown Berkeley BART at 1 p.m. Wear a helmet and bring water. 827-7483. 

Edible Landscaping with Karen Talbott from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

Agricultural Roots Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Laney College Channel Park, between 10th and 7th Sts. With food, music, children’s activities and information about healthy eating, school gardens, local farms and more. 550-4945. www.sagecenter.org 

Relay for Life Runners, walkers, volunteers and cancer survivors are invited to the fifth annual El Cerrito/Berkeley/Richmond/Albany/Ken-sington Relay For Life at 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sun. at El Cerrito High School, 540 Ashbury Avenue, El Cerrito. To participate call 524-9464. jsbayat@comcast.net 

“Writers: Ready for Progress?” A free session with Elizabeth Stark and Nanou Matteson, at 5 p.m. at Boadecia's Books, 398 Colusa Avenue at Colusa Circle, Kensington. www.bookpride.com 

Saturday Night Sing-Along for all ages. Bring your family, neighbors and friends for an evening of campfire classics, silly and serious songs, rounds and movement activities. At 7 p.m. at 1216 Solano Ave. at Talbot, Albany. Sponsored by the Albany YMCA. Cost is $3 for adults, $2 for children. 525-1130. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

“Your Child’s Ayurvedic Constitution” Learn how your child’s body type determines their disposition, behavior and health, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Yoga Mandela, 2807 Telegraph Ave. Cost is $55-$60. 486-1989. 

“The Dark Side of the Moon” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Dream Institute of Northern California, 1672 University Ave. Cost is $85, includes lunch. 845-1767. 

SUNDAY, MAY 23 

Himalayan Fair from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Live Oak Park, 1300 Shattuck Ave. Authentic Himalayan arts, antiques and modern crafts, live music and dance performances and exotic foods. Donation of $8 benefits humanitarian grassroots projects in the Himalayas.  

Friends of Albany Seniors Annual Pancake Breakfast, a fund raiser, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. It will be cooked by volunteers from the Albany Firefighters. The meal will consist of pancakes, sausages, eggs, orange juice and coffee. 

Berkeley Boating Safety Day at the Berkeley Marina, from 10 a.m. on with free tours of a Coast Guard rescue boat and demonstrations of flares, fire extinguishers, life jackets and life rafts. Overboard recovery demonstrations will begin at 1 p.m., and the helicopter demonstration at about 2:15 p.m. A free hot dog and chili feast will be hosted by the OCSC Sailing School at 4 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the Berkeley Yacht Club, the City of Berkeley Marina, and the OCSC Sailing School.  

La Place du Marché, a traditional French marketplace, fundraiser for East Bay French-American School, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1009 Heinz Avenue and 9th St. Admission is $7, children 12 and under are free. www.ebfas.org 

Haitian Flag Day Celebration with video documentaries and a poetry reading at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $7-$12 sliding scale. 849-2568.  

On the Bluebird Trail Climb briskly up and over Wildcat Peak to hike a portion of our bluebird nestbox trail. Help with our nesting bird survey, and enjoy great views on this hilly, 3-mile hike. Bring water and snack. Meet at Tilden Nature Center at 10 a.m. For ages 10 and up. 525-2233.  

Mini-Gardeners A garden exploration program for ages 4-6 accompanied by an adult, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. Fee is $3. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Free Sailboat Rides between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club in the Berkeley Marina. Bring warm waterproof clothes. www.cal-sailing.org 

“Voices Against Violence” short videos by survivors and witnesses of violence, at 3 p.m. at Parkway Theater, 1834 Park Blvd. Oakland. Sponsored by the Center for Digital Storytelling. 653-2580. www.storycenter.org 

Learn Sufi Dances of universal peace at 7 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Donations accepted. 526-8944. 

“The Bionic Woman: How Far Can We Go with Biotech?” is the topic for experts in biotechnology and ethics at the Berkeley Cybersalon, at 6 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. $10 donation at door. 527-0450. www.berkeleycybersalon.com  

Maya Music Festival in support of children and adults with disabilities at 2 p.m. at the Richmond Convention Center, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. Admission is $5. 620-6788. 

“The Teaching of Sri Eknath Easwaran” with Michael Nagler at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensginton. 525-0302. 

“One with the Tree of Life” painting workshop for women from 1 to 5 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Cost is $65 plus $35 for materials. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

“Psyche and Spirit” presented by The East Bay Chapter of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists at 7 p.m. at Chochmet Ha'Lev, 2215 Prince St. Cost is $15. 526-0711. 

Berkeley City Club free tour from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are sponsored by the Berkeley City Club and the Landmark Heritage Foundation. Donations welcome. The Berkeley City Club is located at 2315 Durant Ave. For group reservations or more information, call 848-7800 or 883-9710. 

“Transitions: Embracing Menopause” from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Yoga Mandala, 2807 Telgraph Ave. Cost is $30-$35. 486-1989. 

Commemoration of Cambodian Martyrs and Survivors, a special service at 10 a.m. at St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church, 7900 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. The film “The Killing Fields” will be shown at 7 p.m. StCuddy@aol.com 

Tibetan Nyingma Open House from 3 to 5 p.m. with prayer wheel and meditation garden tour, yoga demonstration, and information on classes at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Tibetan Buddhism with Lama Palzang and Pema Gellek on “Ways of Enlightenment” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, MAY 24 

Teaching Credential Program Fair from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton Avenue, Hayward. Learn first hand about university intern programs, credentialing process, testing requirements and more. 670-4163. 

Tea at Four Enjoy some of the best teas from the other side of the Pacific Rim and learn their cultural and natural history. Then take a walk to see nesting birds and flowering shrubs, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. Registration required. Cost is $5 for residents, $7 for non-residents. Wheelchair accessible. 525-2233. 

“Schwarzenegger on Workers’ Compensation - Reform or Fraud?” A presentation by Steve Zeltzer, labor and community activist at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, Cedar and Bonita Sts. 798-8622. 

Benefit Golf Tournament for youth programs at Oakland’s Sequoyah Country Club. To become a sponsor or participant please call 632-2900. www.sequoyahcc.com 

Fitness for 55+ A total body workout including aerobics, stretching and strengthening at 1:15 p.m. every Monday at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5170. 

Baby Yoga at 11 a.m. and Yoga and Meditation for Children at 2:45 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, MAY 25 

Morning Birdwalk Meet at 7 a.m. just past the kiosk at the Bear Creek Rd. entrance of Briones. 525-2233. 

Return of the Over-The-Hills Gang Hikers 55 years and older who are interested in nature study, history, fitness, and fun are invited to join us on a series of monthly excursions exploring our Regional Parks. Today we’ll hike in Morgan Territory, enjoy grand vistas, sandstone mortars, and spring flowers. Meet at 10 a.m. at staging area on Morgan Territory Rd. Registration required 525-2233. 

Birding by Bike on the MLK Shoreline, Arrowhead Marsh. Now that the migrants are gone, see who stayed behind to raise their babies. We’ll look for Clapper Rails at the pier, then ride around the marsh to search for elusive owls. Bring your bike and a helmet. Meet at the last parking lot, by the observation deck at the end of the driveway off Swan Way at 4 p.m. For information or to reserve binoculars call 525-2233. 

Council Workshop on UCB’s Long Range Development Plan at the Planning Commission at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Copies of the plan and the draft Environmental Impact Report are available at http://lrdp.berkeley.edu 

Quit Smoking Class offered by the City of Berkeley for residents and employees on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. To register, call 981-5330. 

Tikkun Leyl Shavuot from 6:30 p.m. to dawn. Over 40 Rabbis and Scholars, whose backgrounds range from Orthodox to secular, will be teaching to several hundred participants. All ages welcome. Free. Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 925-979-1998. 

David Harris and others in an evening of politics and entertainment at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Wilderness Survival and Outdoor Safety with Gene Ward, U.S. Air Force global survivial instructor and wilderness guide, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Organic Produce at low prices sold at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon Streets from 3 to 7 p.m. 843-1307. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers We are a few slowpoke seniors who walk between a mile or two each Tuesday, meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Little Farm parking lot. To join us, call 215-7672.  

Phone Banking to ReDefeat Bush on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Bring your cell phones. Please RSVP if you can join us. 233-2144. dan@redefeatbush.com 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

Goddess Grace Moving Meditation at 10 a.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Cost is $7-10, bring a yoga mat or blanket. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

East Bay Theology on Tap meets to discuss “The Devil Made Me Do It” with Francis X. Mcaloon at 7 p.m. at 4092 Piedmont Ave. Contact Norah at St. Leo the Great 654-6177. 

ONGOING 

Volunteer Coaches Needed for Twilight Basketball, for the 13-15 year-old division on Saturdays at 5 p.m. beginning June 26. Please call Ginsi Bryant at 981-6678. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., May 25 at 5 p.m. to discuss UC Berkeley’s Long Range Development, and at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers, Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Parks and Recreation Commission meets Mon., May 24, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Deborah Chernin, 981-6715. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/parksandrecreation 

Solid Waste Management Commission Mon., May 24, at 7 p.m., at 1201 Second St. Becky Dowdakin, 981-6357. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/solidwaste 

Citizens Budget Review Commission meets Wed., May 26, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7041. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/budget 

Civic Arts Commission meets Wed., May 26, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Mary Ann Merker, 981-7533. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/civicarts 

Energy Commission meets Wed., May 26, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Neal De Snoo, 981-5434. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/energy 

Mental Health Commission meets Wed., May 26, at 6:30 p.m., at 2640 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. Harvey Turek, 981-5213. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/mentalhealth  

Planning Commission meets Wed., May 26, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Ruth Grimes, 981-7481. www. 

ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/planning 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., May 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, Barbara Attard, 981-4950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/policereview 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., May 27 at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning w

EMERYVILLE—In a unanimous vote Tuesday night in front of a divided community, the Emeryville City Council passed a resolution to help movie giant Pixar Animation Studios take a major step towards tripling the size of its Emeryville campus.  

While Amaha Kassa, a local environmental activist with the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE) accused the City Council of being “afraid to ask anything of businesses and as result businesses don’t feel they have to be accountable to the community,” the Emeryville city manager called the council decision “a step in the right direction for other businesses” considering locating in the city. 

At the meeting packed to the walls with community residents, the council heard presentations by city staff and Pixar along with several hours of public comment before adopting, 5-0, a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the expansion project. The decision means that Pixar will not have to file a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR), and is the largest potential city hurdle the project has to pass. 

Pixar wants to add three new buildings plus a six-story parking garage to its present Emeryville campus, expanding from 218,000 square feet to 750,550 square feet. 

The public reaction to the council decision was mixed at the meeting. While some cheered, saying that Pixar has continually shown its commitment to the community, others criticized city officials making concessions to the company without asking Pixar to give concessions in return. 

EBASE’s Kassa said the council’s decision sends “a clear message to Pixar and the public that they don’t support any greater requirements of Pixar. Generally people thought [the Pixar expansion] could be a good thing, but they are also thought it should be important to create standards.” 

EBASE and other environmental groups have called for a full EIR on the project, citing a contention that such a review was necessary to deal with potential community impacts such as increased traffic. An analysis by an independent traffic engineer and a letter from AC Transit, both posted on EBASE’ website, challenge some of the findings in the Negative Declaration. 

But beyond the environmental impacts, EBASE said a full EIR would also force Pixar to respond to needs as stated by Emeryville citizens, rather than the company simply being able to state on its own what it intends to contribute to the community. 

Part of the new land Pixar will expand onto, an EBASE website report says, was slated for 120 new housing units, including 20 percent reserved for low to moderate incomes. 

The EBASE report said their recent study of development in Emeryville found “signs that many residents in the older parts of Emeryville are being displaced due to rising housing costs. This displacement has occurred hand in hand with Emeryville’s commercial transformation and the Pixar project may also indirectly put upward pressure on the local housing market in the Triangle neighborhood,” they said. 

“According to the company’s recent reports, Pixar is in very good financial shape, with over $650 million in cash assets,” EBASE reports on their website. “Compared to these amounts, the benefits the community is asking for are tiny. It’s very unlikely that Pixar would leave town rather than provide them.” 

Tom Carlisle, the facilities director for Pixar, defended the company in his presentation for the City Council Tuesday night, listing a number of Pixar’s community programs. 

“Pixar is very involved in the community,” Carlisle said. “We do it because we like doing it, not because someone is telling us.” Carlisle also listed a number of environmental programs sponsored by the company, including several ride-share and mass transit options that their employees use to cut down on the environmental affects of the company. 

City Manager John Flores openly encouraged the expansion project in his brief summary during the meeting.  

“If you haven’t looked around, the economy is in the tank,” Flores later told the Berkeley Daily Planet. He said the Bay Area has lost 400,000 jobs since 2001. 

On top of their current contributions, the city manager said Pixar has agreed to donate $500,000 to the city after all three of their new construction phases. Flores also said up to $600,000 of the new property tax generated by the expansion will be used towards affordable housing.

The embattled Berkeley Housing Authority (BHA) took another body blow this week when it learned that it will lose about $200,000 in federal funding, a 12.5 percent cut. 

In a letter received by public housing authorities across the country Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), revealed that it was reducing the administrative fees it pays to administer Section 8 housing units. 

The news is especially tough for the BHA, which has exhausted its reserves in recent years to stay afloat. Although the housing authority has balanced its books this year, it faces looming deficits of $87,000 in 2006 and $156,000 in 2007. 

“This [cut] is the outer limits of what’s survivable for us,” said Berkeley Housing Director Steve Barton. 

HUD’s new formula would reduce the BHA’s administrative budget for Section 8—the federal government’s largest affordable housing program—from $1.8 million to $1.6 million. With staff costs alone gobbling up 1.4 million, Barton said he would likely have to eliminate two or three positions from the 17-member staff and reorganize the agency to keep it afloat. 

News of the funding cut comes on the heels of a blistering report, commissioned by HUD, that charged the housing authority has mismanaged the Section 8 program in Berkeley and routinely failed to comply with HUD regulations.  

Among other problems, the report found that the agency’s three housing representatives were responsible for overseeing 1,800 housing vouchers, double the average workload. 

Barton said the housing authority has already begun to redeploy employees to implement HUD recommendations, but that layoffs could complicate the reform effort. 

Announcement of HUD’s new formula for administrative fees, which stems from a congressional appropriations bill signed last January that capped fee increases, came as little surprise to several area housing directors. 

“We knew that the language was there and we’ve been staring at it for months” said Ophelia Basgal, director of the Alameda County Housing Authority. She said she had corresponded with directors of housing authorities throughout the state and that every authority reported cuts of at least 10 percent to their Section 8 budgets. 

Under the previous formula, the BHA received a monthly administrative fee of $76 for the first 600 vouchers it rented, and $71.96 for the remaining vouchers up to the agency’s 1,841 voucher limit. Under the new pro-rated plan, the housing authority will only receive $64.01 per voucher. 

In addition to the new administrative fee formula, HUD has also alerted housing authorities that it will not cover increased rents on Section 8 units for the next year. Barton said the new policy doesn’t appear likely to affect Berkeley because rents have been stable. 

However, Berkeley voucher holders remain vulnerable to future cuts. President George W. Bush’s proposed new budget recommends a $1.6 billion cut to the voucher program. In addition, last month, HUD announced that it is basing funding for next year’s voucher program on the total number of vouchers housing authorities had rented by last August. For Berkeley, that means the BHA Section 8 program would be underfunded by nearly 400 vouchers. HUD has given assurances that authorities can appeal for more funding, but whether or not the BHA will receive full funding remains uncertain. 

Should the federal government cut funds, the BHA could be forced to either offer fewer vouchers or force tenants to make sacrifices, including paying a higher percentage of their rent or moving into cheaper apartments. 



To honor the legacy of Berkeley-born environmentalist David Brower, architects of the complex that will bear his name are using state-of-the-art “green” building techniques, while next door on the site, affordable housing developer Resources for Community Development (RCD) is employing the most innovative financing plan Uncle Sam has to offer. 

To fund 96 units of affordable family housing—the most under one roof in Berkeley—RCD is using 24 project-based Section 8 housing vouchers from the Berkeley Housing Authority as collateral to leverage $1.5 million from a private lender, said RCD Executive Director Dan Sawislak. 

With a weak economy and a high federal deficit drying up traditional sources of funding for nonprofit developments, the leveraging scheme has increased in popularity since the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development established it four years ago. However, even some of its staunchest supporters fear that with the federal housing budget under siege, the leveraging program might prove to be as sustainable as a Styrofoam cup. 

Under the leveraging program, the Section 8 vouchers guarantee RCD a market rent for the 24 apartment units. With the guaranteed revenue stream, RCD can leverage a larger loan from a private lender. That means it needs less money from the city’s housing trust fund, which is freed up to fund other projects. 

Project-based vouchers gained an unfavorable reputation nationwide from a discontinued HUD program in the ‘70s and early ‘80s that funded some cheaply made buildings and often didn’t include controls to make sure they were well maintained, or accessible to the disabled. The current incarnation of the program, however, has so far won favorable reviews. 

“People in the housing world think it’s generally a really good thing,” said Linda Couch, deputy director of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Standard subsidies alone don’t allow most affordable housing complexes to serve extremely low income tenants, she said, but with Section 8 units—required by law to house three-quarters of tenants who make less than 30 percent of median income—more elderly and disabled are able to find homes. 

So far this year, Berkeley has only used 18 vouchers to help fund affordable housing projects, but more are on the way. The city has committed a total of 93 vouchers to three upcoming projects by Affordable Housing Associates in addition to those set aside for Oxford Plaza. Only nonprofit developers are eligible for the vouchers, and the city can’t devote more than 20 percent of its vouchers to projects.  

Developers receive the vouchers when individual Section 8 tenants voluntarily leave the program, Berkeley Housing Director Steve Barton said. 

Although Berkeley still has room to expand the program, nationally there are already warnings of an untimely demise. With the federal government contemplating massive cuts to the Section 8 program, Wanda Remmers, executive director of Berkeley-based Housing Rights, said that in recent months some banks have pulled back because it’s unclear if HUD will continue to pay for the vouchers. 

“Right now the whole world of Section 8 vouchers is on quicksand,” Remmers said. Although Remmers supports the concept of program-based vouchers, she questioned if the climate was right to do it in Berkeley. 

“I don’t think it’s prudent to go into construction with a nonprofit when you don’t know how much money you have,” she said. 

›

Formed to provide free treatment for the injuries inflicted on protesters during the People’s Park riots of 1969, the Berkeley Free Clinic is still going strong 35 years later and looking for volunteers from years past to help them celebrate their anniversary. The private celebration will be held during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. 

“We pride ourselves on not having evolved at all in terms of the core values of the original founders,” said Catherine Swanson, who is coordinating the anniversary fete. “Some services have been added, some have died, and some have spun off, but the original vision remains constant. Our commitment to that original vision makes us very unique, our anti-establishment raison d’être.” 

The clinic shares space with the Trinity Methodist Church at 2339 Durant Ave. and can be reached by telephone Mondays through Fridays from 3-9 p.m. at 548-2570. 

An estimated 10,000 visitors a year call or drop by the clinic to avail themselves of the various services. 

“We’re one of the last clinics in the country to remain truly free,” Swanson said. The Bay Area’s best-known counterpart, the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic, recently began asking patients for donations based on their ability to pay. 

The clinic is funded by an all-volunteer staff. “There are about 200 of us at any given time, and there have been thousands over the years,” Swanson said. Current volunteers include about 20 physicians and nurses. “People don’t understand that we provide services to all comers, regardless of ability to pay. We’re very pluralistic. A lot of people think we only serve one group, like the homeless, but we’re here for everyone.” 

The clinic’s funding comes from three principal sources, each contributing about one-third of their annual budget: government grants, foundation grants, and donations from the general public. 

“We can always use money,” Swanson said, “but we need volunteers, too,” adding that anyone considering a volunteer stint with the clinic is welcome to attend the monthly All-Clinic Orientations, held the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Swanson herself has been a regular at the clinic for seven years. 

Among the services available are basic medical care, treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV testing, the nation’s most comprehensive hepatitis testing program, peer counseling, an information and referral hotline, and dental care. 

Andrea Zeppa, a long-serving clinic veteran and an organizer of the anniversary fete, said “most people don’t realize that the silent service of the Berkeley Free Clinic is education of members. We have educated hundreds of folks in the basics of medicine, collectivity, counseling, dissident politics—you name it.” 

Zeppa said many volunteers who started without a thought of a medical education have gone on to medical school. 

“The people who have worked here over the years are amazing,” he said, “and we would like to see them again to talk to them about the history of the clinic and have them help celebrate with us.” 

Past volunteers are urged to contact the clinic about the anniversary events by e-mail at bfc_alumni@yahoo.com. For more information on the clinic, see their website at www.berkeleyfreeclinic.org. 

ˇ

An overwhelming number of University of California professors have indicated that they want the university to compete for the management of Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Los Alamos National Lab, according to the results of a faculty poll released Wednesday to the UC Board of Regents. 

Of the 3,271 faculty who responded to the poll, 67 percent favored a bid, 21 percent opposed, and 13 percent took no position. Roughly nine percent favored bidding for Livermore, but not Los Alamos. 

The university has managed the two labs for more than 60 years, but after recent management scandals, President George W. Bush signed legislation mandating the Department of Energy to hold a competition to operate the laboratories. The two labs’ primary mission is the stewardship of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile as well as doing both classified and nonclassified research in the area of such weapons. 

A third laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab above the UC campus, will also go out to bid this summer, but since the laboratory conducts nearly no classified research, it was not considered controversial and not included in the poll. 

A 1996 survey found 61 percent of the faculty in favor of retaining the labs and a 1990 survey found 36 percent in support. 

“The UC faculty has now given a clear message to the regents and the Department of Energy about our desire to retain the labs within UC,” said Vice Chair of the UC Academic Senate George Blumenthal in a prepared statement. 

For those who were in favor of bidding for the lab contracts, their primary reasons for support included the quality and national benefits of the unclassified research and the research collaborations that the labs have with faculty and students. Those opposed cited incompatible missions of the labs and the University of California, as well as concern that UC’s name and reputation are devalued by being associated with the controversial nuclear labs. 

ª

After giving residents their third opportunity in three weeks to comment on UC Berkeley’s Long-Range Development Plan, the five members of Berkeley Planning Commission present at Wednesday night’s public hearing offered a few comments of their own to listening UC representatives. 

The plan, along with a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) released last month, guides future university development both on the central campus and on city streets through 2020. It projects 2,600 new dormitory beds, 2,300 new parking spaces, and an additional 2.2 million square feet of administrative space, along with 5,320 more students, faculty, staff and visitors traveling to the campus daily. 

With increased traffic a major concern expressed by residents, Commissioner Tim Perry suggested the university consider satellite parking lots with shuttles to the main campus to ease traffic congestion in the city. 

Commissioner Gene Poschman criticized the plan’s call to build up to 800,000 square feet of academic and administrative space on the adjacent city blocks west of campus.  

“Anything they want, they can do in that area. It’s a blank check,” he said. 

Poschman also noted that a proposal to build faculty housing in the Berkeley Hills fell outside the university’s one-mile radius for new housing construction. 

Commissioner Jerome Wiggins told university officials that although no dormitories had been built in South Berkeley, university growth had changed the dynamics of his neighborhood by bringing in more students and displacing longtime residents. Wiggins wanted UC to also consider social justice issues in their long range plan. 

Although the commission did not vote on any formal recommendations, Berkeley Planning Director Mark Rhoades said the commissioners’ individual suggestions would be forwarded to the City Council. 

The university is required to respond to all comments in a final Environmental Impact Report scheduled to go before the UC Board of Regents for approval in the fall. 

—Matthew Artzˇ

The story “Residents Blast UCB’s Long Range Expansion Plan” in the May 14 edition mistakenly reported that under UC Berkeley’s long range development plan, over 75 percent of new academic space would be built on the main campus or adjacent blocks. The 75 percent figure only counts the main campus and adjacent blocks to the west. 

Also, the story mistakenly reported that UC Planner Kerry O’Banion said that 95 percent of university research funding has come from “public or non-private sources.” O’Banion actually said the funding came from public or nonprofit sources. 

The Story “Brower Center, Budget Issues on Council Agenda” in the May 18 edition mistakenly identified David Brower as the founder of the Sierra Club. John Muir founded the Sierra Club. Brower was its first executive director.›

How can a person survive in today’s high-rent, high-unemployment Bay Area, especially when that person is a single mother without a college degree? Indeed, with plenty of highly credentialled types are pounding the pavement in search of work, how do you survive even with a college degree? 

One way, says Berkeley resident Madeline Mixer, is to become an apartment building manager. It’s a part-time job, but your rent’s paid, and you can spend more time with your family. 

Mixer, a labor economist who administered the U.S. Department of Labor’s regional office of the Women’s Bureau in San Francisco from 1962 to 1996, spent a good deal of her own career promoting vocational training that, in her words, helps women “to pay the rent and feed the kids.” Now retired, she continues to pursue that goal. “Once a woman starts working with her hands,” Mixer says, “she can go anyplace and do anything.” 

Last summer, Mixer asked Berkeley resident and veteran plumber Naomi Friedman to teach a short-term class in apartment building management at the Building Education Center in West Berkeley. Friedman agreed, and the first session took place last summer. Fifteen people, including three men, enrolled. 

“It’s not a women-only class,” says Mixer. “The challenge, though, is getting women to enroll….Men will take a class that’s intended for women. They don’ t care!” By contrast, women have to be encouraged to sign up. That’s why Mixer asked Friedman to put her first name in the catalog—“so that women would know that the instructor was a woman.” 

The course covers repairing and installing locks, and basic electrical and plumbing maintenance. “I brought in several buckets of faucets,” says Friedman, “and we took them apart and put them together.” The students learn how to find a building’s utility shut-offs and sewer clean-outs. There’s also a segment on emergency preparedness—what to do in case of a fire or an earthquake. 

In addition, there’s a three-hour session on fair housing law taught by a representative of Sentinel Fair Housing in Oakland, a non-profit organization that helps tenants, owners and managers to understand rental law. 

To make lessons even more vivid, Friedman invites current apartment building managers to share their on-the-job experiences. 

This is a hands-on class with no homework and no tests. Materials and tools are provided by the instructor. Students who complete the course receive two certificates, one from Friedman, the other from Sentinel Fair Housing. On the back of the certificate she hands out, Friedman lists the skills that have been covered in the class. 

Friedman says that “at least four or five out of the thirteen who completed the course last summer got positions as apartment managers. Several decided they didn’t want to do it. This was a good way to find out—much better than finding out on the job.” 

One student who decided she did like it, and who subsequently became an apartment building manager is Glendy Cordero, a thirty-two-year-old single mother with two young daughters. Cordero came to this country from Guatemala over fourteen years ago; for thirteen of those years,  

she’s been working as a housecleaner. 

“From that course,” she says, “I got a lot of changes in my life.” Crodero’s talking about more than her job as a manager. Equally important is a new confidence in her own abilities. “In my culture,” she says, “women are not supposed to be doing these things”—fixing leaky faucets, painting walls, fixing furniture, changing tires. Now, “I’ m not just doing housecleaning. I’ m helping at school. I’ m running our parents’ group. It grows my self-esteem and my kids’self-esteem. They see their mom doing that, and they think they can do it, too.” 

Cordero wants to learn more plumbing and locksmithing. “I see Glendy becoming a locksmith down the line,” says Friedman. 

The next session of the apartment building management class begins on June 8 and has six meetings—two Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and two Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Building Education Center is located at 812 Page Street in Berkeley, easily accessible by the No. 72 bus on San Pablo. The cost is on a sliding scale ranging from $250 to $25, depending on need. 

The biggest challenge, say Friedman and Mixer, is getting the word out so that enough students—fifteen—sign up for the class will run. A session scheduled for January had to be canceled due to insufficient enrollment. So far only three have enrolled for the session that begins on June 8. 

Last summer, students came from as far away as Half Moon Bay, Vallejo and Hayward. When asked to account for this far-flung interest, Friedman says that “the only other place where you can get this kind of training is through apartment owners’ associations, where it is expensive and lengthier.” In other words, the Building Education Center course offers a rare opportunity. 

People who are interested in the upcoming class should call Naomi Friedman at 525-1031. 

Jury Convicts Killer of Berkeley Driver 

Lyle Norbert, who three years ago led police on a high speed chase that ended when he plowed his car into an oncoming vehicle, killing the driver, was convicted of second degree murder, possession of hashish and possession of marijuana by an Alameda County jury Wednesday. 

On March 14, 2001, the California Highway Patrol attempted to stop Norbert on I-80 near Richmond for suspicion of driving under the influence. Traveling at speeds in excess of 75 miles per hour, Norbert led the officers into Berkeley, where he ran a red light at Ashby and San Pablo avenues and broadsided a car in the intersection. 

Bank Robber Caught on Film 

Ronald Wayne Tyson is wanted for robbing the Wells Fargo Bank at 1095 University Ave. at approximately 3 p.m. Saturday. 

Tyson is suspected of the commission multiple bank robberies throughout the Bay Area recently. He is considered as “armed and dangerous” and may be staying in local area hotels. 

Tyson, 52, is approximately 5’11’’, weighing 160 pounds with a gaunt build. 

Anyone with information on Tyson’s location is urged to contact the Berkeley Police Robbery Detail at 981-5742 or e-mail police@ci.berkeley.ca.us. 

Bottle Basher and Home Invaders Sought 

Berkeley Police are seeking a robber who bashed a pedestrian over the head with a bottle shortly before 6 p.m. May 11 on San Pablo Avenue at Oregon Street. 

An hour later, three home invasion robbers struck a house on Ward Street near McGee Avenue, brandishing a pistol as they looted the male occupant of his cash and grabbed up other possessions. No arrests have yet been made. 

Undercover Johns Bust 11 Sex Workers 

Following complaints from residents along the San Pablo Avenue corridor, police conducted a late afternoon and evening undercover prostitution sting May 13, collaring 11 suspects ranging in age from 20 to 45. One suspect was also busted on drug and probation violation charges. 

Robber Strikes Twice on Russell 

A strong-arm robber struck twice along Russell Street shortly before midnight on the May 13, police said. The first victim was approached at Russell and Shattuck and managed to escape without loss or injury. Minutes later, the robber struck again, this time at Russell and Adeline Street, making off with a woman’s purse. 

Another Bank Robber Flashes Note, Gets Cash 

Four days after a trio of Berkeley banks were hit by a note-wielding bank robber, a teller at the 1095 University Ave. Wells Fargo branch complied with the note presented by a cap-wearing bandit. 

Four Juvies Busted for Assault, Gun Seized  

Responding to a call about a possible gunshot at Sixth Street and Dwight Way Saturday evening, police pursued fleeing suspects to the 2200 block of Allston Way, where they arrested four juveniles on charges of assault with a deadly weapon. Officers also confiscated a firearm and a car that turned out to have been stolen, said Officer Okies. 

Note-Flashing Bandit Hits Critter Store  

A bald man presented a note to a clerk at Pet Food Express at University and San Pablo Avenue shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, threatening to pull a pistol if he wasn’t given the contents of the till. 

The clerk complied, and the note-taker fled. 

Confronted With Knife, Victim Complies  

A Berkeley woman found herself confronting two men, one brandishing a knife, on San Pablo Avenue near Harrison Street late Monday evening. After she handed over her belongings, the robbers escaped. 

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While Berkeley voters seem inclined to support a new tax to boost funding for public schools, they give the school district mixed grades on achievement, according to a school district-commissioned survey released Wednesday. 

Three out of four likely Berkeley voters would support a $6.5 million tax—a $144 per year increase for the average homeowner—and about 70 percent of voters would support an $8 million tax—a $177 per year increase for the average homeowner. 

The survey, conducted by Goodwin Simon Strategic Research, interviewed 600 randomly selected, likely Berkeley voters between May 14 and 18. It has a plus or minus error of four percent. 

“A campaign will be necessary, but probably result in success,” Paul Goodwin, the survey director, told the school board Wednesday. The measure must win two-thirds voter approval in order to pass. 

The district is currently crafting a two-year tax measure expected to range from $6 million to $9 million to fund lower class sizes, more librarians, a stronger music program, teacher training, research and analysis services, and parent outreach programs. The measure will complement the current Berkeley Schools Excellence Program tax, which the district plans to return to voters in 2006. 

Voters backed all of the district’s priorities. Restoring the music program won 81 percent support in the survey, while boosting library services garnered 80 percent approval, reducing class size got 77 percent, and funding teacher training received 71 percent. 

In other good news for the district, 67 percent of those polled said that the amount of money being spent on the school district was too low and 50 percent named a lack of state funding as the district’s most serious problem. 

However, the district earned only a 35 percent positive job rating in the survey and 41 percent negative rating, virtually unchanged since the last survey in 2000. 

Evaluations for the quality of instruction (38 percent positive and 35 percent negative) and spending money efficiently (15 percent positive and 47 percent negative) were also almost unchanged from 2000. 

Surveyed Berkeley voters, however, now give the district much higher ratings for maintaining and repairing school buildings and grounds. Forty-one percent now view the district’s efforts positively compared to 18 percent in 2000. BUSD has renovated every school in the past 12 years. 

Asked to identify their most serious concerns about the district, 57 percent of surveyed voters cited low academic standards, 55 percent cited large class sizes, and 52 percent cited lack of student discipline. 

—Matthew Artz

The recently filed lawsuit by certain Oakland politicians and taxpayers to try to overturn the state seizure of the Oakland schools has drawn a flurry of criticism and complaint from predictable sources. Me, I’ve always thought that for a man bound hand and foot in a closet, any movement is a good movement. But let’s examine the issue to make sure. 

Sometime last year, the Oakland Unified School District discovered that, in an attempt to bring up the educational standards in the Oakland public schools to a minimally acceptable level, it had inadvertently overspent its budget. The OUSD was given no legal choice but to accept a considerable loan from the State of California, with the added indignity that the state (in the form of State Superintendent Jack O’Connell) stepped in to take control of the operation of the Oakland public schools. 

The California Superior Court lawsuit, filed by attorney Dan Siegel (a member of the Oakland School Board) and representing a small knot of Oakland citizens, some of them recognizable public figures (former School Superintendent Dennis Chaconas, present School Board Member Paul Cobb, and former Oakland City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Wilson Riles, Jr.), names Superintendent O’Connell as defendant. The complaint charges that the school takeover should be overturned because it “represents an unconstitutional abridgement of the rights of the city’s electors under the Oakland City Charter.” 

On to the predictable responses: 

Robert Gammon and Alex Katz of the Oakland Tribune write that State Senator Don Perata, who wrote the legislation that put through the loan and the school takeover “did not return a phone call seeking comment” concerning the lawsuit. This, of course, is no surprise, as Mr. Perata has perfected the habit of bailing on involvement in political issues at the precise point at which they reach a stage that might cause Mr. Perata some political problems (see “Raider deal” for details). 

Mr. Gammon and Mr. Katz then report O’Connell spokeswoman Hilary McLean as saying “we” (presumably she and the state superintendent) are “disappointed by the filing of this lawsuit. It’s our hope that rather than spending precious taxpayer dollars on lawsuits, we can all focus our time and energy where it’s needed the most -improving the schools for Oakland students.” 

One wonders, of course, where Ms. McLean and Mr. O’Connell may have been during the long years when Oaklanders were, in fact, attempting to improve the schools for Oakland students, and when Oaklanders were complaining that the money simply was not available to do such simple things as pay the teachers a decent salary, buy books and supplies for every child, heat the classrooms, and clean the toilets. But we will leave Ms. McLean to her disappointments, and move on. 

Then comes Mr. Chip Johnson, East Bay columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, writing, at length, that “the lawsuit is disappointing [there’s that word again; it seems Oaklanders are making a habit of disappointing people] and suggests a repeat of the petty infighting and internal confusion that paved the road to the district’s collapse.” Mr. Johnson then makes an allegation that Mr. Siegel has “vot[ed] against nearly every cost-reduction plan presented by State Administrator Randy Ward to balance the district budget” and therefore concludes that “given all that’s transpired since the takeover, it’s a long leap of faith to believe that Siegel—or any other school board member—should be given the go-ahead to lead it.” 

Facts, it appears, should never be allowed to get in the way of Mr. Johnson’s conclusions. 

Try as I might, I can find no evidence—whatsoever—that it was “petty infighting and internal confusion that paved the road to the district’s collapse.” But given that we have yet to have a public accounting of what actually led to the district’s takeover (collapse? when did the district collapse? I missed that part), I suppose one can get away with saying anything one wants. 

(This has nothing to do with Mr. Johnson’s comments, by the way, since it occurred after the takeover crisis began rather than before, but what I have always found the most remarkable—and what, in fact, made me proud once more to be an Oaklander—was how the members of the Oakland School Board, each and every one of them, submerged their many differences and presented a united front during the period of the school takeover. There were many ways that the board could have done it wrong in those difficult times, and they did none of them. That was one of our finest moments as a city. That the board has now taken to some internal bickering—with the recent ouster of Board President Siegel and Vice President Greg Hodge—is only a testament to how notable it was their holding together before.) 

The allegation that Mr. Siegel “vot[ed] against nearly every cost-reduction plan presented by state administrator Randy Ward to balance the district budget,” if it is true, overlooks the fact that in the weeks preceding the school takeover, the school board presented a balanced budget to correct the mistake that had been made. When Mr. Ward was appointed by Mr. O’Connell to run the Oakland schools, Mr. Ward explicitly rejected that balanced budget proposal on the grounds that, since he had a $100 million state loan to draw on, a balanced budget was neither necessary nor legally required. You can look up his quotes on the matter in the Tribune, if you’d like. 

Finally, to Mr. Johnson’s conclusion, that it requires a “long leap of faith to believe that Siegel—or any other school board member—should be given the go-ahead to lead” the Oakland Unified School District. Any school board member? It’s sounding, here, very close to an assertion that Oaklanders are too dumb or too corrupt to run our own schools. But I’ll leave that to Mr. Johnson to clarify. 

All that being said, there are two problems with the Siegel-led lawsuit, the first legal, the second, political. 

The Siegel lawsuit is filed on the grounds that Oakland’s status as a charter city—under which the school board was formed—trumps state law. Case law, however, may not support that assertion. There is also the charge that Siegel may be merely using this lawsuit as a way to gain publicity for a possible run for mayor of Oakland. 

But even if both are true, the idea that Oakland has a constitutional basis for a challenge of the school takeover should not be so quickly dismissed. There is considerable fire smoldering beneath this first, small indication of smoke. 

HOUSING AUTHORITY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I read with interest that the Berkeley Housing Authority is paying over $400 per unit to manage its 75 units of public housing in the city of Berkeley. I would respectfully submit that there is a source of expertise in the city to manage property for little or nothing, and perform repairs and maintenance at a fraction of their market prices. The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board knows how to accomplish this feat, and only charges $136 per unit per year to encourage the housing providers of Berkeley to do it.  

Perhaps the Housing Authority could contract with the Rent Board to manage their properties, and the board could subcontract out the work to some of the many hundreds of housing providers who would be happy to get even $200 or $300 a month to manage an apartment unit. These people could even ensure that the units in question pass the requirements of the Berkeley Rental Housing Safety Program, and complete all the paperwork involved in that, and perhaps even arrange for timely maintenance to be done so that major reconstruction is not necessary after 20 or so years. 

With the Rent Stabilization Board in charge, we can be sure that costs will not escalate, the process will be completely fair, and the amount of bureaucracy will be kept to a bare minimum, if we extrapolate from their past record. 

Mike Mitschang 

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UC LONG RANGE PLAN 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Berkeley residents may benefit from the intellectual and cultural resources of the university, but we also are affected by its planning decisions. I hope Daily Planet readers will take the time to check out the university’s new 15-year Long Range Plan (http://lrdp.berkeley.edu) and express their concerns before the comment period ends on June 14. 

Instead of facilitating a reduction of automobile use by faculty and staff, the Long Range Plan provides for a 30 percent increase in parking places on campus, which will ensure a significant increase in traffic and pollution in Berkeley. This is totally unacceptable. Instead of adding parking spaces, the Long Range Development Plan should raise campus parking rates to more than the cost of public transportation to discourage driving to campus. The very substantial amount of money saved by not building and maintaining more parking garages can help subsidize staff and faculty transit passes and support public transit to ensure convenient transportation for faculty, staff, and students and a reduction in traffic jams, accidents, and air pollution. 

For planners at one of the world’s great universities to ignore global warming is simply unacceptable. The UCB Long Range Plan must act upon the clear evidence that global warming is exacerbated by the burning of fossil fuels. Failure to do so, especially in light of efforts already made by the city of Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford to reduce auto use, would shame the university and represent a tragic loss of the opportunity to reduce air pollution and educate Californians to that necessity. 

Charlene M. Woodcock 

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Editors, Daily Planet:  

Rob Wrenn and Andy Katz argue in the May 4-6 Daily Planet that free or discounted transit passes for UC employees would significantly reduce the number of people commuting to campus alone in their cars.  

However, while free bus passes seem politically, emotionally, and environmentally appealing, there doesn’t seem to be much, if any, objective local evidence that would back up the assertion that they get people out of cars in appreciable numbers. In fact, some evidence indicates the opposite. 

The most relevant example is the much-cited Class Pass for UC students, who taxed themselves through a small fee to enable every student to ride AC Transit “for free”. 

What were the results among student commuters? Some students who were previously walking to campus got on the bus instead, using their free bus pass. Some students who were already riding BART to campus stopped buying expensive BART tickets and shifted to the free bus in measurable numbers. Some students who were previously bicycling to campus left the bike at home and got on the bus. These changes all showed up in campus surveys of student commute habits. 

The only group that didn’t seem affected in appreciable numbers were students who drove to campus. Most continued to drive, despite the free 

bus passes. This indicates to me that for those already commuting by some means other than private automobile, a free bus pass was enticing. For those already driving their own cars, it wasn’t enough. Another way to look at this is that one unintended effect of the Class Pass was to further crowd buses with commuters who would otherwise be commuting pollution-free, on foot or by bicycle. 

The same logic might well apply to offering faculty and staff commuters free transit passes. Those bicycling, taking BART, or (like me) walking 

to their UC jobs would be glad to have the option of a free bus pass. Those driving would, most likely, continue to drive because they tend to be driving for reasons other than cost. 

(When considering cost, it is worth noting that a UC staff member currently pays more than $900 per year for what is essentially a “hunting permit” in off-campus UC parking lots. A faculty member pays about $1,300 per year for a similar permit to compete each day for one of the few spaces on the campus proper. These are not insignificant amounts of money, particularly for the lower-echelon staff.) 

Another question worth asking about transit passes is whether there is any reliable statistical evidence to show that the City of Berkeley’s recently instituted “Eco-Pass” for City employees has actually decreased the number or percentage of city staff commuting to work by car, or whether, like the Class Pass, it has mainly subsidized those already riding the bus or walking, bicycling, or using BART? 

If the latter is the case—as I suspect it is—then transit passes should be primarily regarded as rewards for those who already commute “alternatively” rather than a meaningful way to get committed drivers out of their cars. 

Steven Finacom 

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Editors, Daily Planet:  

Kevin Powell in his recent opinion piece suggested that Berkeley should learn from Santa Monica. That’s a good idea, because Santa Monica is an interesting and creative urban place. Having recently attended a discussion in Southern California on this topic, I’m particularly interested in it. But we need to learn the real lessons, which are quite the opposite of what Powell stated. 

Powell stated that Santa Monica reopened its pedestrian street—the Third St. Promenade—to cars. Not so. Santa Monica did something much more valuable—they improved it as a pedestrian street. They added public art, provided performance spaces, formed a Business Improvement District to provide revenue for maintenance and publicity. Santa Monica reinvested in its pedestrian realm. Businesses loved it—they flocked to the street. Now the only space left in downtown Santa Monica is on streets long deadened (and still physically menaced!) by the old garages Powell refers to. Reinvesting and improving the pedestrian realm is a good lesson for Berkeley. 

Santa Monica also improved conditions dramatically for bus passengers. On several blocks of downtown streets, it dedicated travel lanes to buses, widened sidewalks, improved waiting areas and installed upgraded informational kiosks. The bus stop signs not only tell you where the bus goes, they give you a map of the system. Businesses were fearful at first, but now support the project. The bus stops are used by both the “Big Blue Bus” (Santa Monica’s award-winning municipal bus service) and regional MTA buses. Santa Monica is also the western end of the famed Wilshire Rapid bus—which provides a ride to Westwood, Beverly Hills and downtown Los Angeles at almost the speed of light rail. Improve transit services and facilities--another good lesson for Berkeley. 

Santa Monica has also brought people within walking distance of 3rd St. and downtown businesses. It has brought permanent residents by welcoming the construction of new housing—both affordable and market rate. Indeed Santa Monica’s largest private developer said that the proximity of restaurants and stores was a big draw—“Walking is sexy.” By supporting the construction of hotels, it has brought thousands of free-spending tourists within walking distance. Make it possible and attractive for people to walk to and in the downtown—another good lesson for Berkeley. 

When Santa Monica’s garages were built—decades ago during the Cheap Oil Age—cars seemed to be the only important mode of transport. Now an increasingly popular and urbane Santa Monica realizes that it must support other modes. That’s a good lesson for Berkeley too. 

Nathan Landauˇ

Donald Rumsfeld’s alleged comment (“...consistent with the Geneva Convention.”) is familiar to me, as heard from commanders of POW Stalags in Germany in WW-II. They lied to the International Red Cross Protective Power Teams from Geneva assigned to inspect Allied POW camps. Get used to it people! Military establishments lie, “pass the buck” and lie again when ever it is strategically appropriate for the mission at hand. It has always been so, for thousands of years; it is the nature of the beast. 

I was there, 1944-45, along with approximately 80,000 British and American airmen prisoners of war. The German government had signed the Geneva Accord on prisoner treatment and routinely passed the orders down the ranks. As a POW for one year I observed treatment by Werhmacht and Luftwaffe captors ranging from basically consistent with the Geneva Convention to abusive and life threatening, to fatal. 

The guards at the infamous Frankfurt interrogation headquarters terrorized us by allowing giant snarling mastiff attack dogs to come so close I could feel their hot breath and drivel. In August, 1944 several thousand POWs evacuated from Stalag VI were forced to run from the train depot to Stalag IV. They were bitten by dogs and jabbed with bayonets held by young Nazi Marine Youth commanded by a fanatical S.S. Officer. We heard their cries and I saw the wounds. I would not be here today if top German officers had not been good soldiers and obeyed international law and moral judgment by refusing to kill allied POWs as Hitler and the S.S. had desired. 

Shootings, brutality, overcrowded boxcar trips, and food and water deprivation can be cited. Although most of us POWs lived in minimally tolerable conditions, any degree of reasonable treatment was due to selective compliance of the Geneva Accord by various commanders. The attitude and behavior of the guards towards prisoners mirrored that of higher command. Military establishments learn from the past for how to subdue the enemy and more effectively use force again: that is a historical precedent. Apparently in Cuba, Afghanistan, and Iraq, under Bush’s military-industrial-complex (MIC) team, the standards of prisoner treatment have been sharpened to a vengeful ideological zeal: nothing new. 

The Bush higher-ups knew what was going on with the Geneva Convention and prisoner treatment long enough ago to act. Those insults are added to the ineptness and inadequacy of the occupation of Iraqi and Afghanistan that has increasingly turned the Iraqi and Arab society against the U.S. thus adding to the death rate of soldiers and civilians. The abuse and humiliation of Arab captives in a volatile Islamic region may be a calculated strategy and a deliberate ploy to fuel another terrorist act against the U.S.A. at home or elsewhere: exactly what the MIC is expecting before the national elections. We must remove our troops now and turn the rebuilding job over to an United Nations international contingent. 

Berkeley resident Ken Norwood served in aerial combat in World War II. 

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Editors, Daily Planet:  

Today, we are ashamed to live in Berkeley. Today, we read an article by your reporter, Richard Brenneman, that completely lets go of something we hold dear: accurate, unbiased reporting. His story (“Pagans on Parade Cavort in Downtown Berkeley,” Daily Planet, May 18-20) insults an entire community, the readers, and his profession. 

From the onset, this article is filled with ignorant and inaccurate statements, derogatory implications, and judgment. (The particulars are pointed out bellow.) It makes fun of 1,500 people that came together in a positive display of community unity, peace and pride. This event has become a Berkeley tradition three years in the making. With this event, the Interfaith Pagan Pride Parade and Celebration, people of many spiritual traditions put themselves out there for the public to see in order to further understanding among neighbors. For their brave efforts, they were called “polytheistic peddlers”! Allow us point out that these “peddlers” include Native Americans (both North and Central), Hindu, Konko, Indigenous Philippine and Hawaiian, several neo-Pagan traditions that revive the old European beliefs, and others. There were serious authors sharing their work and encouraging a new generation of readers and connecting with their current supporters. There was free music, dance and poetry for all to enjoy. One group voluntarily set up a children’s rest area where they gave away toys and played with young kids in the shade. 

None of this was mentioned in the article. All we read was that the parade route (determined by the City of Berkeley, not the organizers) grossly disrupted traffic. There was also an implication that the vendors, most of whom were artists and craftspeople selling their own hand made goods, were nothing short of tax evaders! This was the conclusion that Mr. Brenneman came to when one person questioned him about taking a photo of her booth. Never mind that every single event that happens at Civic Center Park includes vendors, which helps the organization pay for the event and make it free to the public. 

Mr. Brenneman did find “one notable exception to the commercialism,” a group of Christians giving away free water because “God’s Love is Free...” They were certainly welcome. They did provide a service. However, the implication that they were a cut above the rest because they were Christian was not appreciated! Forget the fact that we are endorsed by the Interfaith Center at the Presidio headed up by a Paul Chaffy, a Christian minister, The Alameda Green Party, the Berkeley ACLU, and Councilmember Dona Spring. 

A few more inaccuracies: 

“Shinto and devotees...” The priest, Rev. Masato Kawahatsu, is a member of the KONKO Church of San Francisco, a different yet related belief system of Japan. Had Mr. Brenneman bothered to get a program for the event, or receive our press kit at the information table, he would have been educated enough not to make that mistake. 

In the next paragraph: “Nowhere in the parade literature did it say what a ‘Pagan’ was....” If Mr. Brenneman had taken a second to read the program, he would have noticed that on page two, we said: 

“Today, it has evolved into a bright and shining example of cooperation and celebration of Earth-based, nature centered, and polytheistic faiths and traditions. Endorsed by the Interfaith Center at the Presidio, the Alameda Green Party, San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade and Celebration, Councilmember Dona Spring of Berkeley, Covenant of the Goddess, and Reclaiming….(Whew!)… this event has become a blossoming new tradition that brings together community, family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate the ‘Spirit’ of Mother Earth.” 

But wait! There’s more! To top off this excuse for accurate journalism, this reporter then falsely labeled the entire Interfaith Community in a single bound, with the following misrepresentation: “Recruiters for the Covenant of the Goddess....and legalized prostitution (itself a fine old pagan tradition.)” First of all, those were information tables about traditions, since education is the primary purpose for the event. Secondly, how dare he make the assumption that legalized prostitution is “Itself, a fine old pagan tradition,” and further, assume that these people were with our event! In this, he is accusing the other participating groups—such as the Native American group “Eagle Spirit,” the Oddissi Indian Group, “Jyoti Kala Mandir,” the Brazilian group, “Brasarte,” the Aztec group, ‘Tezkatlipoka,’ and the many others that took part in this event—of supporting legalized prostitution!! This ‘legalized prostitution’ group was actually part of the Saturday farmer’s market next door, and not part the Interfaith Pagan Pride Parade and Celebration. 

Shall we even continue? Yes, because the assumptions and half truths continue. He finalizes the article by stating “No animals (or humans) were offered up as sacrifice, and the closest thing to ritual scarification on view were tattoos.” What kind of ignorant yellow journalism does your paper support? Because this is certainly a display of it! How could this happen in Berkeley, of all places in the world??! He finalizes his assault on our community with the following epithet: “There were no temple prostitutes, and no orgies....” What audience does he think he is writing for? This event is sponsored by KPFA, 94.1, the SF Bay Guardian, and BCM Channel 28. At least these media organizations understand what community they are part of—an event of openness and tolerance. Your reporter, Mr. Richard Brenneman, clearly does not want to live in that kind of world. 

Finally, he concludes his article by stating, “And the only equivalent of the All-Seeing Eye was the tripod mounted video camera run by a red-coated gentleman from atop the tower of old city hall building.” If he had bothered to ask a simple question of our helpful and informative staff, he would have found out that this was one of our sponsors, BCM Channel 28, recording the event for the community of Berkeley. We think Mr. Brenneman would rather make it out to be something secretive and perverted for the public eye, just to make this community look worse, from the place of his own personal judgment. 

Personally, we will never support a paper that continues this sort of “rogue, inappropriate” journalism. We will make sure that all of our hundreds of supporters and our media affiliates know of the ignorance that the Daily Planet wishes to spread to our community. Congratulations on alienating an entire, peaceful community, with the stroke of one, ignorant pen. 

We demand nothing short of a public, printed apology for this sloppy journalism, for its inaccurate and stereotypical coverage of what has otherwise become a beautiful Berkeley display of peace and cooperation amongst like-minded traditions. 

Should you be inspired to write a second, intelligent article about the Interfaith Pagan Pride Parade and Celebration—and we hope that you do—we would be pleased to provide you with plenty of information that the bigoted Mr. Richard Brenneman never bothered to gather. 

With regret and disdain, 

Micha Dunston and Katya Madrid, 

co-directors, 2004 Interfaith Pagan Pride Parade and Celebration 

www.paganparade.org 

Each year since 1999, the Composers In the Schools Program, administered by the American Composers Forum, has provided instruction in composition to Bay Area high school students, and has given these students a chance to hear their music played and perfo rmed by professional musicians. As I’m finishing my fifth year of teaching in this program, and as there is nothing else like it that I’m aware of in the public school system, I thought I’d provide a brief report from the frontlines.  

The students are in spirational. Turn out at Trinity Chapel this Saturday afternoon, and you’ll hear fresh, imaginative music from Katy Wreede’s second-year class, performed by the Pegasus Quartet. The composers this time around are Erika Oba, Nicholas Brandley, Aliyah Simco ff, Cody Rose and Daniel Holtmann-Rice.  

In my experience there’s a terrific directness and honesty that comes with these young composers’ work. We who occasionally find ourselves at concerts of new music know they can be a mixed bag. For every fresh new piece that falls welcome on the ears, there seems to be another that seeks to fulfill some arcane agenda. I’ve got complaints with the way America treats the arts, but composers who write tedious, irritating music have something to answer for, as well. T hankfully, these young composers are unaware that there is a musical academy out there, an academy replete with tendentious precepts and doctrines. While a sense of the repertoire may be lacking (more on that in a moment), these students are not much inju red by their naïveté. When self-consciousness goes away, it turns out, all sorts of terrific things are free to emerge. Wit, for instance. One of my favorite student pieces of recent years is a woodwind quintet called “Do You Want Soda and Fries With That?” (Toby Hargreaves, I have your parts!) 

What has happened as a result of the good efforts of the American Composers Forum is that an idyllic, if fragile, world has been created where the major obstacles that composers face are temporarily circumvented. For a few hours each week, young people with a musical bent get help making their musical flights of fancy coherent, legible, and playable. At the end of the line, they hear their work performed, and performed well, at a concert attended by enthused friends and family. 

It might be nice if we could keep this world insulated from the other one, the world where there are often no funds to pay musicians; the world where most people are unaware of, and indifferent to, what artists do. Historically, of course, attempts to create utopias apart from the outside world seem to wind up in some sort of trouble. Ivory towers have poor security. 

First, I have to report that young people walk into these classes knowing almost nothing of our musical history. It’s not t heir fault. It takes only a moment’s thought to realize that it’s impossible, as things stand now, for it to be otherwise. If you were 15 years old today, how would you become familiar with the period during which America came into its own as a major forc e in classical music, our last one hundred years. Would you get exposure to this from the radio? Billboards? Magazines? Textbooks? School concerts? Field trips? None of the above, I’m afraid. Sorry. They’re not dishing it out. Even the Internet—with its m uch-vaunted instant, democratized access—doesn’t offer up contemporary classical music unless you are scouting for it, and scouting hard. Clips of new music aren’t leaping off the i-Tunes website, vying for market-share.  

One of the results of this is t hat a young person who has some tangential exposure to modern music—say, through the soundtrack to a movie—doesn’t know how that music came to sound as it does. They have, in my experience, no sense that composers try new things, that some of these things stick and others go; that music is, in other words, an evolving art-form. 

I want to say, again, that this is not the fault of the kids in these classes. They are getting on in our pin-headed society as best they can. But, since there’s no backstory and there are no role models, we are greeted with blank expressions every fall when we make the rounds of the schools to let kids know about the program. A composer? By and large, they don’t have any idea what that is, really, or why they would want to be on e.  

It’s cool to be a rapper, of course. It’s cool to play the electric guitar. It is somewhat cool to play jazz. But putting notes on paper—is that cool? Miraculously, a few of the curious drift into our classes to find out what it’s all about. Meanwhile we ask ourselves “Where’s the radio-programming? The class trips to see the Berkeley Symphony? How hard can this be?” 

Michael Tilson Thomas addressed the issue of “What is cool” head-on when he began the Maverick series with the San Francisco Symphony a few years ago. There was a sold-out house the night that I went to see Ives’ Fourth Symphony at Davies Hall. This would have pleased Ives, who, during his lifetime, averaged one performance of his work per decade. But, to the point, it doesn’t take much to get across the idea that amazing people have contributed to our vast library of modern music…a library that is now being almost entirely forgotten. Ives, like Edgar Varese, like Aaron Copland, like Leonard Bernstein, was an original thinker who applied himself to creating a whole new galaxy in our musical universe. 

While my students don’t know about the 20th century, or about contemporary classical music, they do have a handle on the technology that has become part of what we mean, now, when we say “New Music.” 

ProTools, Acid, and other music-editing software, with a small collection of gear, can turn anyone these days into a record producer. It is machines, of course, that will be playing your music if you go this route. But that is—have you notice d?—the music we hear all around us, now. Take the vocals and the raps away, and we are all being serenaded by choirs of smoothly coordinated machines in the movie theaters, in stores, in our bedrooms, on the street, in our cars. Machines rehearse for free, will play anything for anybody without complaint over and over again. As these machines begin to sound more and more like real musicians (and they are), there is bound to be an effect on the way people compose music (and there is). Inevitably, the Compo sers In The Schools Program will look different in a few years. There is talk going on now about the role that the computer lab must play in the future if we aren’t to be hopelessly out of step with what composing has come to mean.  

Here and there, meanw hile, a few young composers are writing for the sort of instruments that sit warmly in your hand, that require strings and reeds and a good embouchure. Leaving aside for today troubling questions about both musical literacy and the mechanization of an art form, let’s get back to the topic at hand—this year’s crop of young Bay Area composers: 

The final performance of the Composers in the Schools Program this year will be at 2 p.m. May 22 at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Admission is free. Works presented include premieres by students Erika Oba, Nick Brandley, Aliyah Simcoff, Cody Rose and Daniel Holtmann-Rice. Also on the program is Katy Wreede’s new work, “The Pegasus Quartet,” commissioned by the American Composers Forum. 

Clark Suprynowicz and Katy Wr eede are composers living in the East Bay. This is their last year teaching in the Composers in the Schools Program. Next year new faculty will rotate in, taking positions at Berkeley High School and in the San Francisco public schools. For more informati on about the Composers in the Schools Program, call the American Composers Forum, Bay Area Chapter: (415) 864-0400. 

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You’d think that 15 years as artistic director of the Subterranean Shakespeare Company would have cured Stanley Spenger’s enthusiasm for producing major plays on minor budgets. This is, after all—or, more accurately, was—the company that first baptized the cellar at La Val’s pizza parlor as a near-requisite initial location for the East Bay’s fledgling theatrical groups. But the man seems to be addicted to the work. 

The Subterranean Shakespeare Company is no more; it has morphed into the “New Shakespeare Company,” which is celebrating its arrival on the theatrical scene by presenting the greatest of all the English plays, Shakespeare’s Hamlet. What they’re doing that is new is called “environmental theater.” Spenger describes it as a “bold experiment.”  

He says “site-specific, environmental theater does not use traditional staging…the features and character of whatever space in which the play is performed determine its staging…” For this production, this means that the play’s action is expanded into the significant open space in the center of the lovely gallery at the Berkeley Art Center, located behind John Hinkel Park at 1275 Walnut St. The audience is seated in a single row of chairs circling the action. 

The company has reason to be proud of their production. There isn’t a weak performance in the lot. Spenger has a group of highly talented actors who are well-suited for their roles. And he himself has done a tremendous job of directing. “Site-specific” may sound like just another little theater use of an unconventional location but, at least in this case, the comparatively large, multi-sided space enables aspects of meaning in the drama to seem new. 

That’s rather startling with Hamlet. 

Perhaps appropriately for this particular drama, the same setting which enables so much innovation and richness in the production may also present a problem in acoustics for some members of the audience. But in view of the quality of the production and the remarkable ticket price ($12 for regular tickets, $10 for seniors and children), it could definitely be worth your while to take your chances. 

For this viewer, the production—admittedly only partly heard—presented the extraordinary (even embarrassing) experience of “getting” the tragedy in an entirely new way. It is more than just seeing the carnage of the last scene in a multi-dimensional way—although that in itself is unforgettable. Hamlet himself, as created by Eric Moore, was a new invention.  

Yes, we all know that he was a college student returned home because of his father’s unexpected death and angered to his core by his mother’s abrupt remarriage, but to know that, and to “get” it in a role which is so frequently played by famous—and older—actors are entirely different things. So many of the traditional “unresolved problems” with Hamlet’s actions and inactions make sense if he is recognized as a sophomore in a situation “way over his head.” 

It was a remarkable experience.  

Regretfully, it is impossible in this space to go through the entire cast and comment on the various very strong portrayals. Something must be said, however, about Miranda Caleron’s portrayal of Ophelia. Her character’s youth is flagged by the symbolic costuming—an exaggerated school girl’s uniform—which may be just a reaffirmation of Hamlet’s own immaturity. Whatever is signaled by the costuming, Caleron’s performance in the mad scene is little short of extraordinary. (Certainly the rest of her work is good, also, but wow!) 

Problem acoustics and all, this is a production well worth seeing.

FRIDAY, MAY 21 

CHILDREN 

Storytime with Pancake Pig and at Barnes and Noble at 10:30 a.m. 644-3635. 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

Berkeley Art Museum reception for current exhibits at 6:30 p.m., 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“From Isolation to Connection” a reception honoring the artists from Berkeley Creative Living Center and Berkeley Mental Health from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2340 Durant. 

THEATER 

Berkeley Rep “Master Class” with Rita Moreno at The Roda Theater. Runs through July 4. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “The Mystery of Irma Vep,” Charles Ludlam’s theatrical cult classic at Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage, and through May 23. Tickets are $39-$55. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Impact Theatre “Money and Run” an action serial adventure with different episodes on Thurs., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Runs through June 5 at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid. For tickets and information call 464-4468. www.impacttheatre.com 

New Shakespeare Co., “Hamlet” directed by Stanley Spenger, at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, through June 5, no show June 3. Tickets are $10-$12. 234-6046. www.geocities.com/spoonboy_sf/hamlet.html 

FILM 

“City Of Lost Children” at 8 p.m. at the Long Haul, a reading room, library and community center in South Berkeley located at 3124 Shattuck Ave. Wheelchair accessible. 540-0751. www.thelonghaul.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Robert Reich explains “Reason: Why Liberals will Win the Battle for America” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books. www.codysbooks.com  

John Stauber, author of “Weapons of Mass Deception” returns with “Banana Republicans” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Rogen Ballen offers a walk through his exhibition of photographs at 3:30 p.m. followed by a conversation with Orville Schell at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant. 642-1295. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “Le Bal des Graduées” at 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are available from 843-4689. www.berkeleyballet.org 

Berkeley High Choreographers present “HumanBeingHuman” at 8 p.m. at the Little Theater, Allston Way. Cost is $5-$10. 

Berkeley Opera Fundraising Concert and dinner at 8 p.m. at Le Theatre, 1919 Addison St., to support the premiere of Supryn- 

owicz’s new opera, “Caliban Dreams.” Cost is $90. 444-6232. 

Oakland Opera Theater “Akhnaten” by Philip Glass at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Tickets are $15-$27. Also Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun at 2 p.m. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Edward Delgado “Music that Fascinates” piano recital at 7:25 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $25-$30. www.sequoiaconcerts.com 

“Let Us Break Bread Together” with Oakland East Bay Symphony, Oakland Symphony Chorus, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and Lucy Kinchen Chorale at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. 625-TIXS. www.oebs.org 

Folksinger Faith Petric at 7:30 p.m. at the Fellowship Café at Fellowship Hall, Cedar and Bonita Sts. Donation of $5-$10 is requested. 

Ray Anderson & Mark Helius, out jazz duo, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donations of $8-$15 suggested. 649-8744. www.thejazzhouse.org 

The Lovejoy Lounge with Allison Lovejoy at the 1923 Teahouse at 7 p.m. Donation of $7-$15. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Kris Delmhorst performs contemporary folk at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Hip Hop Exchange at 9 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

East Coast Swing with Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums 9:30 p.m. with a dance lesson with Nick & Shanna at 8 p.m. at Ashkenez. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Lavish Green, Griswald, The Glow at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

All Ages Show with Go Jimmy Go, Treephort and Teenage Harlots at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

www.starryploughpub.com  

Danny Caron at 8:30 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Them!, jazz trio, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Will Bernard & Motherbug at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Thriving Ivory at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Voetsek, Lights Out, Despite, Case of Emergency at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

SATURDAY, MAY 22 

CHILDREN 

“Wild About Books” storytime with Gary Lapow, musician and song-writer at 10:30 a.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6223. 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

“Vulnerability” CollectivEye’s debut exhibition reception from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Gravity Feed Gallery,1959 Shattuck, at University. www.gravityfeed.net 

THEATER 

Stagebridge “The Hypochon- 

driac” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison, Oakland. Tickets are $15. 444-4755. 

“Primo” a play by Ed Davidson, on the last days of Holocaust author, Primo Levi, at 7:30 PM Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut Street. Also June 3 and 6. Cost is $15-$20. 925-798-1300. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Gallery Talk on “The Big Picture” with artists Johnna Arnold, Taro Hattori, Mayumi Hamanaka, and a discussion of large format digital printing at 2 p.m. at Kala Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

West Coast Live with Joan Blades, Marilyn Yalom and Marshall Chapman and others at 10 a.m. at the Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15 in advance, $18 at the door, available from 415-664-9500 or www.ticketweb.com 

Pamela Holm reads from “The Toaster Broke, So We’re Getting Married” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com 

Cathy Alter, editor, will be joined by several contributors to read from the new collection “Virgin Territory: Stories from the Road to Womanhood” at 7:30 p.m. at Boadecia’s Books, 398 Colusa Ave. at Colusa Circle, Kensington. www.bookpride.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “Le Bal des Graduées” at 2 and 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are available from 843-4689. www.berkeleyballet.org 

Composer in the Schools Concert with the Peagsus Quartet at 2 p.m. in Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana at Durant. Admission is free.  

Trinity Chamber Concerts with Del Sol String Quartet playing George Antheil at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana at Durant. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. 

VOCI presents “Songlines - from Generation to Generation,” music from Central and Eastern Europe at 4 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $12-$20. 531-8714. www.coolcommunity.org/voci 

The Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble with instrumental ensemble Alta Sonora presents “A Salute to French Composers from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century,” at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Road, Kensington. Tickets are $5-$10. 233-1479. www.wavewomen.org 

Chanticleer performs “Missa Salve” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $25-$37. 415-252-8589. www.chanticleer.org 

La Percusión Afro-Antillana at 1 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Iluminado and YazJazz at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Kotoja at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African dance lesson with Comfort Mensah at 9 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Stukface, Fountain St. Theatre Band at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Citizens Here and Abroad, Tracker, Audio Out Send at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Rhiannon and Friends at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$20. 845-5373. www.jazz- 

school.com 

Kathy Kallick Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50 in advance, $18.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Vanessa Morrison & Friends at the 1923 Teahouse at 8 p.m. Donation of $7-$15, no one turned away for lack of funds. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Sylvia and the Silvertones at 8:30 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Shannon Hurley at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Allegiance, Outbreak, The Distance, Drug Test at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Post Junk Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

SUNDAY, MAY 23 

CHILDREN 

Indian Folkdance and Storytelling with Raje and Sasha at 3 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Sarita & Schroeder’s Bubblejuice at the 1923 Teahouse at 2 p.m. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

THEATER 

Stagebridge “The Hypochon- 

driac” at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison, Oakland. Tickets are $15. 444-4755. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Art, Memory and Survival,” a discussion of the role of art and literature in the experience of second and third generation Holocaust survivors at 2 p.m. at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. www.magnes.org 

Steve Almond talks about his candy obsession in “Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Gallery Talk on “Carl Heidenreich and Hans Hofmann in Post-War New York” with Gabriele Saure at 1:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Compass Points: Artists’ Talks with the MFA students at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Antero Alli on “Astrology as an Archetypal Language” at 7 p.m. at Alaya Bookstore, 1713 University Ave. 548-4701.  

Poetry Flash with contributing translators reading from “The Essential Neruda” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “Le Bal des Graduées” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are available from 843-4689. www.berkeleyballet.org 

Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance Repertory Concert with dances from Hawai’i, The Middle East, West Africa, North India, Tahiti, at 3 p.m. at Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Tickets are $10-$25, and must be purchased in advance. 925-798-1300. www.mahea.com 

WomenSing and San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $18-$20. 925-974-9169. www.womensing.org 

Soli Deo Gloria and Camerata Gloria, “Northern Lights,” an a cappella concert of music by Canadian composers Healy Willan, Imant Raminsh, Eleanor Daley, and Ruth Watson Henderson, at 3:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Piedmont, 5201 Park Blvd., Piedmont. Tickets are $15-$20. Grades K-12 are free. 415-982-7341. www.sdgloria.org 

Big Band Swing Dance Concert featuring the Mike Vax Jazz Orchestra from 2 to 4 p.m. at Historic Sweet’s Ballroom, 1933 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 420-4560. 

Sean Corkery and The Pickin’ Trix at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donations of $7-$12 suggested. 649-8744. www.thejazzhouse.org 

Americana Unplugged: All Wrecked Up at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

The James King Band, bluegrass from Virginia, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Mark Levine at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

MONDAY, MAY 24 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

“Anatomy of the Artist,” photographs by Hugh Shurley and a selection of artists from NIAD. Runs through July 9 at the Florence Ludins-Katz Gallery, NIAD Art Center, 551 23rd St. near Barrett Ave. Richmond. 620-0290. www.niadart.org 

“A Voice Silenced” a collection of family photographs taken in Germany in the 1930s, curated by Diane Neumier, opens at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. In conjunction with the Holocaust Center. Gallery hours are Sun.-Wed. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. www.magnes.org 

“The Way I See It” collage paintings by Evelyn Glaubman at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. at Ashby. Gallery Hours are Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 848-1228. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Polina Barskova, Masha Gutkin, and Margarita Meklina, local Russian authors will read from their recent works at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Joan Roughgarden explains “Evolution’s Rainbow: Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Poetry Express featuring Lenore Weiss from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Flute Summit with Ali Ryerson, Frank Wess, Holly Hoffman and Tootie Heath at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, MAY 25 

CHILDREN 

Gary Lapow, musician and songwriter, at 10:30 a.m. at Berkeley Public Library South Branch, 1901 Russell St. 981-6260. 

Asheba, Caribbean storyteller, at 10:30 a.m. at Berkeley Public Library, North Branch, 1170 The Alameda. 981-6250. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Con le Nostre Mani” photographs of Italian Americans at Work in the East Bay. Reception at 7 p.m., followed by a talk with Laura E. Ruberto, in the Central Library Community Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6233. 

Stephen Altschuler reads from his new book “The Mindful Hiker: On the Trail to Find the Path” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Diane Ackerman looks into “The Alchemy of the Mind: The Marvel and Mystery of the Brain” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

David Harris and others in an evening of politics and entertainment at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Poets Gone Wild Translators Nanos Valaoritis and Thanasis Maskaleris discuss their anthology “Modern Greek Poetry” at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

“Can Art Transcend Violence?” with artists Anthony Dubovsky and Yu Chunming at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, 2304 McKinley Ave. 848-3440. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Whole Noyes, presented by Berkeley Chamber Performances, music from the 16th and 17th century Italy at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club. Tickets are $15-$20 at the door. 525-5211. 

Mimi Fox, solo guitar, at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Suede, pop, jazz and blues diva, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $19.50 in advance, $20.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Edie Carey at the 1923 Teahouse at 8 p.m. Suggested donation of $7-$15, no one turned away for lack of funds. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Dayna Stephens House Jam at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation $5. 649-8744.  

www.thejazzhouse.com 

Danielo Pérez Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Wed. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com

Lovemaking at its best takes place in an endless present moment. Eating, however, is one of those rare human pleasures that, at its pinnacle, places us in the past, the present and the future all at the same time. 

So swift and mysterious are the neural pathways created by food that it can even transport us to other people’s pasts. Lots of us who didn’t know a madeleine from a macaroon when we were growing up now experience the délices of a French childhood when we bite into the famous little shell-shaped cookies. Although the Paris of Marcel Proust is two centuries, a continent and an ocean away from us here in the Bay Area, madeleines have also become part of our children’s treasure trove of culinary memories. 

Will Gioia, born and raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn, knows that food is memory’s skeleton key. That’s why this 32-year-old chef has chosen to take his first-rate culinary training, his experience in world-class restaurants both here and in France, and to concentrate it all into a tiny space on Hopkins Avenue in Berkeley with five stools at a granite counter, no tables and a war-horse of a pizza oven. 

The grandson of immigrants from Sicily, Naples, France and Germany, Gioia—like so many others born with a culinary calling—says his fondest childhood memories are centered around food. “I learned family values in the kitchen—rolling out pie dough with Mom, making fresh pasta on the dining room table with Pop, stuffing ricotta cheese into pasta shells with Grandma and watching as Nanny [his maternal grandmother] made her impossibly tall lemon meringue pie,” says the honors graduate of Hyde Park, New York’s prestigious Culinary Institute of America. He got hooked as a teenager on the joys of entertaining cooking for friends and family side-by-side with his step-mother Laurie. 

But Gioia says his best memory of all is of walking down to Seventh Avenue with his little sister Sascha and their friends to get a slice and a Coke. “I never got tired of it. In fact, it’s something I still do every time I visit Park Slope.” 

But Brooklyn, as far as Gioia is concerned, is much too far away from Berkeley. He wanted to re-create the satisfactions of his childhood ritual, not only for himself and his wife Karen and their friends, but also for the children of Berkeley—children who have never been to Brooklyn and may never go there. 

The space on Hopkins—formerly occupied by Magnani Poultry, which has moved to the larger space on the corner, across from Monterey Market—is ambling distance from King Middle School and Gay Austin Preschool. King is the site of Alice Waters’ famed Edible Schoolyard, an acre of organic garden with a bay view, where King students grow the produce for their cooking classes, study science and raise chickens. Kids at both schools, throughout the years, have made a point of stopping at the bakery on Hopkins for cookies—first in the company of their parents and then on their own. 

“These kids know about good food,” says Gioia. “In great part thanks to Alice [Waters], they have sophisticated palates and an unusually high level of food awareness.” 

The young chef, who tends his own organic garden in Berkeley, had a vision of creating a West Coast version of those beloved Brooklyn pizzas that would occupy a place of honor in the culinary memories of North Berkeley kids when they grow up. “I had this idea of a place where they could stop on their way home from school and buy a great slice. Or come back later to get a pie to take home for family dinner.”  

Gioia has had stints cooking in France under the tutelage of Alain Llorca, at Oakland’s Oliveto, cooking elbow to elbow with celebrated chef-owner Paul Bertolli, at San Francisco’s Zuni Café with award-winning chef Judy Rogers and, finally, as executive chef at the short-lived but much loved Mazzini Trattoria in Berkeley. But all of his experience only crystallized his resolve to create food memories as strong and joyful as his own—not just for couples prepared to plunk down $70 for dinner, but for kids and their hardworking parents who want food that’s delicious, approachable, convenient and good value. “Fine dining on expense accounts, fusion and embellished food all have their place,” says Gioia. “But some of the best food and family memories are built on the simplest things.” 

Like a sublimely perfect slice of pizza, hot from Will Gioia’s childhood memories of Brooklyn. 

Starting May 19, Gioia Pizzeria will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 1586 Hopkins St., Berkeley. 528-4692. 

Berkeley author Barbara Quick is the mother of a sixth-grader at King Middle School who would be much too embarrassed if we mentioned his name here. 

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Cartoon By Justin DeFreitasµ

Services for victims of domestic violence exist in various agencies throughout Alameda County, and that is part of the problem, according to representatives from several local social service organizations. Trying to piece those services together to serve a domestic violence victim can be a time consuming and convoluted process. 

That’s why, with the help of Assemblywoman Loni Hancock and County Commissioner Alice Lai-Bitker, Alameda County may soon open a comprehensive family justice center where victims will have access to all the services they need under one roof. 

“It’s unimaginable what people have to go through to get to access to the services we will provide,” said Nancy O’Malley, the chief assistant District Attorney for Alameda county, and one of several county representatives working on the project.  

Alameda county is currently one of 12 finalists waiting to hear if they will receive a $1.5 million grant from the federal Department of Justice to set up the family center. As part of new federal legislation, the grants are meant to fund centers that house all of the various government, law enforcement and social service programs that victims need, instead of forcing them to visit multiple agencies located all over the county.  

At the same time, both Hancock and Lai-Bitker say they want to insure that regardless of whether the county receives the grant, victims will have a more coordinated approach.  

Last week, Hancock introduced legislation originally written by Lai-Bitker that would increase funding for oversight and coordination of domestic violence prevention, intervention, and prosecution efforts. Based on a model already used in Contra Costa county, the law—if passed—would allow the Board of Supervisors in Alameda and Solano counties to increase the fees for copies of marriage, birth and death records by up to $2, generating up to $200,000 a year. 

How that potential $200,000 is spent depends upon the federal grant. If Alameda County wins the federal grant, the increased-fee money would create an operation budget for the combined center. If the federal grant—and, therefore, the combined center—doesn’t materialize, the increased-fee money would go towards facilitating and coordinating existing services. 

“This [increased fee state] bill is a response to what is an epidemic of domestic violence really all over the state,” said Hancock. “We know so much about domestic violence that we really should be able to get a coordinated plan to ensure that no victim is left without resources.” 

According to O’Malley from the district attorney’s office, victims of domestic violence currently have to navigate a tangled web of government services to even start the process towards recovery. During the process of filing charges and getting a restraining order, victims have to go back and forth between two different law enforcement agencies and up to three different court systems. Even if the process runs smoothly, all the filing requires a mountain of complicated and time-consuming paperwork.  

In the meantime, O’Malley said, a victim has to worry about finding a new house and possibly a new job. A victim with children has to manage child care as well. In the meantime, the victim must find social services to get counseling for themselves and their children, part of what O’Malley says is a process surmountable only by a genius “with nothing but time on their hands.” 

If there is an error in any part of the process, the victim is sometimes forced to re-navigate the entire system. At the proposed center, the victim could walk down the hall, get the error taken care of, and be done. 

A coordinated system is also key to breaking the cycle of violence, according to Julia Arno, the executive director of the Family Violence Law Center in Oakland. Instead of getting stuck part way and falling back into the situation the victim is trying to escape, comprehensive care insures she can move on. 

“It’s the best way to close the system gaps,” Arno said. “It would be huge if we could get this grant. There is so much good we could do if we could consolidate.”  

In Berkeley, representatives from social services agencies say there is a steady need for services to deal with domestic violence. Unfortunately, said boona cheema, Berkeley does not have any centers that deal exclusively with domestic violence, forcing most people in need to look for services in Oakland or at other social services in Berkeley. Cheema is the executive director of Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), an organization that combats poverty and homelessness. 

Cheema said around seven percent of the people BOSS helps are domestic violence victims.  

“A lot of us who are trying to provide services to woman who have domestic violence issues, we are not trained, we are doing this because they are showing up in our programs,” she said. When someone shows up, she said service providers try and get them into a domestic violence center, “but if every site is full, we take that person in and try to do the best we can.” 

Cheema said a combined family center would ease the overflow and backlog of victims trying to get services and ensure that they get the proper treatment at the proper facilities.  

She said several Berkeley groups came together when Shirley Dean was mayor of Berkeley to try to create a domestic violence safe house, but were continually shot down by neighbors at two different locations. 

According to Arno from the Family Violence Law Center, however, her organization does send out advocates along with the Berkeley police when they respond to any domestic violence calls. 

O’Malley from the district attorney’s office said Alameda County already had one of their site visits from the grant coordinators and are just waiting to hear the final decision. The county already picked out a building in downtown Oakland that could house the facility. 



The 83-year-old building housing the oldest traditional synagogue in the East Bay and the largest Orthodox congregation in Northern California is no more—and two city commissioner think that just might not be. . .appropriate. 

Demolition had been halted by city officials last week after they learned that the tear-down had begun without the necessary city permits, city Director of Planning and Development Dan Marks told the Landmarks Preservation Commission last week. Marks told the commission his staff had issued a stop-work order, halting the demolition until the congregation obtained the necessary permit. 

When work stopped, the walls and roof were still intact, though the walls had been stripped of stucco and the ceiling had been reduced to segments of broken lath. 

While the Zoning Adjustments Board gave their approval Thursday night to the latest modifications to the congregation’s plans for the structure, ZAB Commissioner Carrie Sprague said they hadn’t authorized the complete demolition of the existing building. 

“Their plans called for retention of the brick structure on the site, and the city zoning code requires that they obtain a demolition permit issued by the board before they can remove more than half of the roof and exterior walls,” Sprague said. “None of us read anything about demolition in anything we approved Thursday night.” 

Commissioner Andy Katz agreed. “We didn’t issue a demolition permit Thursday night. The permit we issued Thursday was only to modify the existing use permit.” 

Katz also wondered why the project hadn’t been sent for vetting by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, since the structure was over 40 years old. 

Asked Monday about the question of permits, Michael A. Feiner, the contractor in charge of the project, said, “I believe we have all the permits we were required to get.” 

A spokesperson for the congregation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, cited the Thursday ZAB action as the reason demolition had been recommenced. 

All that was left of the 1921 wood frame structure Monday afternoon were the remnants of a single wall, propped up by two-by-fours on the west side of the 1630 Bancroft Way lot. 

The original building had never been landmarked by the city, easing the demolition process. 

The replacement will be a far less ambitious project than had been originally planned. 

In October, 2001, architects Tomas Frank and David Finn unveiled plans for a far grander structure, a recreation of a fabled 17th Century wooden synagogue in Prezdborz, Poland, burned by Hitler’s troops when they massacred the community’s Jewish inhabitants in 1942. 

When fund-raising efforts fell far short of the required $3.5 million needed to build the replica, the congregation scaled back their plans and opted for a more modest design. 

Until the new building is completed, Rabbi S. Yair Silverman and his 180 members of Congregation Beth Israel are meeting in Berkeley’s Finnish Hall, 1819 Tenth Street. 

There’s no doubt that the old stucco-coated wooden structure suffered from severe dry rot, and during a reporter’s visit to the site a weekend, a strong fungal scent was obvious. 

All that remained Monday of the brick portion of the structure was a pile of bricks. 

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The City Council tonight (Tuesday, May 18) is scheduled to review and vote on the latest plan to transform the city-owned parking lot on Oxford Street (between Allston Way and Kittredge Street) into the largest affordable housing complex in the city and a mecca for environmental activism and education. 

The David Brower Center, named after the Berkeley native who founded the Sierra Club, the ambitious and controversial development headlines a busy council agenda that includes the first public hearing on the proposed 2005 budget, a slew of public hearings on city fee increases, a review of possible tax measures heading to voters in November, and an effort to keep one controversial measure on prostitution off the ballot. 

On the Brower Center, councilmembers are being asked to let city officials start negotiations on a binding contract with the nonprofit developers—Earth Island Institute and Resources for Community Development (RCD)—that would be activated once those developers secure financing for the project. After the developers raise the money, they would still have to go before Design Review and the Zoning Adjustment Board for approval of the details of the project. The developers hope to complete the project within three years, Berkeley Housing Director Steve Barton said. 

Originally envisioned as one mega complex, the plan now calls for two five-story buildings at the site. One building would include retail space below the roughly 95-units of low-income housing, developed by nonprofit builder RCD. The second building would house the Brower Center over retail space and possibly an art exhibition space.  

The split will allow the space for environmental-based nonprofits to be built to highest possible green building codes—a standard that the affordable housing segment couldn’t afford to meet, said Barton.  

Underneath the buildings would be one level of underground parking to replace the roughly 105 space parking lot. 

The city has agreed to turn over the parcel valued at $4.8 million to the developers in return for a renewable long-term lease at the underground parking garage, estimated to also cost in the neighborhood of $5 million. 

Berkeley currently earns about $350,000 a year from operating the lot, said Barton. Under the current plan, the city stands to generate more money from the parcel by adding sales and property taxes from the new shops to the parking revenue.  

That concept drew little opposition two years ago when a council majority selected the Brower Center proposal at the end of an era of flush budgets and scarce housing. Now with the city in the midst of a budget crisis, some people are questioning the wisdom of devoting the bulk of perhaps the most significant parcel of open land downtown to a project heavy with nonprofits that won’t pay city taxes. 

Monday the Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations (BANA), listed among other concerns, the cost to the public by way of “grants, fee waivers, land cost writedowns, long term tax exemptions, projected sales tax and other revenues or lack thereof.” 

Councilmember Gordon Wozniak described the trading of the land for the rights to the underground parking as a “substantial gift to the Brower Center. My main concern is basically they’re asking the city to give them the land for free.” Wozniak nevertheless complimented the goals of the project. 

An arts component for the development—requested by the city—is undetermined. The current plan designates space for arts that could include a gallery and a screening room, but unless an arts groups comes on board, it could revert to more retail, Barton said. 

He added that the buildings wouldn’t be big enough to accommodate a theater space recommended by the Planning Commission three years ago. 

Currently the Brower Center exists only as a board of directors. The San Francisco-based Earth Island Institute, also founded by Brower, has taken the lead in planning the center and raising money, mostly through private donations. The group’s website envisions the center as a consortium of nonprofits that would include a museum in Brower’s honor and an environmental educational center. 

Resources for Community Development is seeking federal and state funding for the housing development, targeted for lower and middle income families. Barton said the city has already pledged to provide Section 8 housing vouchers for one-quarter of the unit. 

Budget and Fees 

Tonight’s agenda will include six public hearings on fee increases, some of which promise to face opposition. 

The city is proposing a 7.8 percent increase in registration fees along with several other fee increases and a new surcharge for Tuolumne Camp—a city owned camp site just west of Yosemite National Park. 

Because of the budget crisis, the city’s three camps must all be self sufficient by fiscal year 2007. The plan raises fees at Tuolumne—the most popular and profitable camp—to offset deficits at Echo Lake Youth Camp and Berkeley Day Camp.  

At a recent meeting, the eight-member Parks and Recreation Commission split on the proposal, with four members arguing that any increased fees at Tuolumne should go towards facility improvements at the camp. 

Also on the council agenda is a proposal to increase rental fees at the city’s senior centers to raise $120,347. Councilmember Dona Spring said fees were already too high, shutting out small community groups from the spaces. 

The council will also consider increased fees for garbage collection, sewer connections, city Internet transactions, and services at the permit center. 

In addition to fees, the council will reconsider possible tax measures to take to voters in November. Spring hopes to win more money for a Clean Water Tax that would supply money to unearth city creeks as well as repair storm drains and keep already-daylighted creeks clean. 

Sex Workers 

With nearly all the signatures collected for a ballot measure that would call on the city request that the state decriminalize prostitution and make its enforcement in Berkeley a low priority, the Sex Worker Outreach Project has agreed to withdraw their petition if the council adopts a compromise resolution. The resolution would make the same request of the state, but would keep enforcement of city prostitution laws a priority. In addition, the police would have to report incidents of prostitution arrests to the Police Review Commission and the council. 

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TUESDAY, MAY 18 

Morning Birdwalk Meet at 7 a.m. at the parking lot on Golf Course Rd., just east of Grizzly Peak Blvd. 525-2233. 

Mini-Rangers at Tilden Nature Center Join us for an active afternoon of nature study, conservation and rambling through woods and waters. Dress to get dirty; bring a healthy snack to share. For 8-12 year olds, unaccompanied by their parents. Cost is $6, $8 for non-residents. Registration required. 525-2233. 

“Organic Pest Control in the Garden” with Jessica West, Landscape Consultant and U.C. Master Gardener. Learn how to rid your garden of pests without using toxic chemicals. Hosted by the Berkeley Garden Club at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. Guests are welcome. Meeting at 1 p.m. and the free program at 2 p.m. 524-4374. 

Friends of Strawberry Creek will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St. Robert Charbonneau will speak on “Perspective, Past and Future on the Management of the Upper Strawberry Creek Watershed.”  

American Red Cross Blood Services volunteer orientation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Sign-up needed 594-5165. 

Strawberry Tastings at Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Derby at MLK from 2 to 7 p.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Organic Produce at low prices sold at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon Streets every Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. This is a project of BOSS Urban Gardening Institute and Spiral Gardens. 843-1307. 

“The Order of Genocide: Race, Power and War in Rwanda” with Scott Strauss, Dept. of Political Science, Univ. of Oregon, at 4 p.m., 652 Barrows Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Center for African Studies. 642-8338. www.ias.berkeley.edu/africa 

“Disability Benefits and Advocacy,” a talk by Beverly Bergman, Advocate Specialist with Oakland’s Mental Health Advocates from noon to 2 p.m. at Herrick Campus of Alta Bates Medical Center, 2001 Dwight Way. Free. Sponsored by Berkeley’s Fibromyalgia Support Group. 644-3273. 

Phone Banking to ReDefeat Bush on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Bring your cell phones. Please RSVP if you can join us. 233-2144. dan@redefeatbush.com 

“We Interrupt This Empire” video screening and discussion at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Neighborhood Center, 530 Lake Park Ave, Oakland. Suggested donation $1, no one turned away. www.ebcaw.org 

East Bay Theology on Tap meets to discuss “Penance in a Culture of Death” with Fr. Tom Scirghi at 7 p.m. at 4092 Piedmont Ave. Contact Norah at St. Leo the Great 654-6177. 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cynthia Davis from Alzheimer’s Services will speak at 11 a.m. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers We are a few slowpoke seniors who walk between a mile or two each Tuesday, meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Little Farm parking lot. To join us, call 215-7672.  

Goddess Grace Moving Meditation at 10 a.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Cost is $7-10, bring a yoga mat or blanket. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 

UCB’s Long Range Development Plan at the Planning Commission at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Copies of the plan and the draft Environmental Impact Report are available at http://lrdp.berkeley.edu 

Gray Panthers at Night with a video of Mordechai Vanunu’s release from Israeli prison, discussion and light dinner, at 7 p.m. at 1403 Addison St. 548-9696. 

Street Skills Class for Cyclists A bicycle safety class for experienced and beginning cyclists, for bike commuters, for parents who bike with their kids, and for any cyclist who just wants to get around town safely. The classroom session is held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. followed by an all-day on and off bike practical skills session on May 22. Cost is $20, pre-registration required, 549-RIDE (7433). Funding for these classes is made possible through a generous grant from the City of Berkeley. 

Palma-Soriano video presentation, from Berkeley’s sister city in Cuba at 6:30 p.m. at the South Branch Library, 1901 Russell St. 981-6260. 

“Hello Hemingway” a film about one of Cuba’s cultural icons, at 7 p.m. at Fellowship of Humanity, 390 7th St., Oakland. Donations accepted. 393-5685. 

“Israel’s Secret Weapon,” the US Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu, a video by the BBC, with commentary by Dale Nesbitt, Hal Carlsbad and Cynthia Johnson who greeted Vanunu when he was freed from prison, at 7 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, enter through left of building. 236-0438. 

LUNA Kids Dance Fundraising Gala, with dance performances by LUNA students and alumni, silent auction, book signing by Patricia Reedy, and tour of Clif Bar Inc.’s unique offices hosted by owner and CEO Gary Erickson, at 7 p.m. at Clif Bar Inc., 1610 Fifth St. Cost is $100. 644-3629. nng@lunakidsdance.com 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets at 7:15 a.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 524-3765. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Sta- 

tion, corner of Shattuck and Center. Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

Prose Writers Workshop meets 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut, at Rose. 524-3034. 

Fun with Acting Class at 11 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Free, all are welcome, no experience necessary.  

Berkeley CopWatch open office hours 7 to 9 p.m. Drop in to file complaints, assistance available. 548-0425. 

Free Feldenkrais ATM Classes for adults 55 and older at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut at Rose. 848-0237.  

THURSDAY, MAY 20 

Bike to Work Day sponsored by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission with “energizer stations” around Berkeley. For more information visit www.511.org 

Berkeley Farmer’s Market with all organic produce opens at Elephant Pharmacy parking lot, 1607 Shattuck Ave., at Cedar from 3 to 7 p.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

The Tongass National Forest in Alaska is the subject of the May Audubon meeting, held at 7:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Free and accessible. 843-2222. www.goldengateaudubon.org  

“From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank” a talk by biodiesel activist Josh Tickell on the status of the oil and biodiesel industries worldwide, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2200, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

Botanical Garden Volunteer Orientation for volunteers for the Garden Shop, event support, plant propagation, horticulture and curatorial support, at 4 p.m. For information call 643-1924. 

“Living with Lions” a talk by Michelle Cullen from the California Mountain Lion Foundation at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Simplicity Forum “The Sweet Smell of Simplicity,” with Lois O'Reilly at 7 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 549-3509. www.simpleliving.net 

Lavendar Lunch Bunch meets at 12:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Oakland. Sponsored by Lavender Seniors of the East Bay. 667-9655. 

Report Back from South Africa Discussion and reception at 6:30 p.m. at 150 University Hall, corner of Oxford and Addison, UC Campus. 527-4099. 

Tea Dancing and Dance Lessons with Barbara and Jerry August from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Costis $10, includes refreshments. 925-376-6345.  

FRIDAY, MAY 21 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Kaiping Peng, Prof. of Psychology, on “Cultural Ways of Thinking.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $12.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020. 

California Higher Education Budget Cuts A public hearing with The California Assembly Committee on Higher Education and Assemblymembers Wilma Chan, Loni Hancock, Ellen Corbett, Mark Leno, Carol Liu & Darrell Steinberg from 10 a.m. to noon at International House, University of California, 2299 Piedmont Avenue at Bancroft Way. www.democrats.assembly.ca.gov/keepthepromise 

Evening with George Lakoff, Prof. Linguistics, UC Berkeley, author of “Moral Politics: What Conservatives Know that Liberals Don’t,” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Sponsored by Wellstone Democratic Club. 418-2760. www.democraticrenewal.us 

“We Are Everywhere: The Irresistible Rise of Global Anticapitalism” with Andrew Stern and Jennifer Whitney who recently returned from Iraq, at 8:30 p.m. at the Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shattuck Ave.  

Street Skills Class for Cyclists Street Skills is a bicycle safety class for experienced and beginning cyclists, for bike commuters, for parents who bike with their kids, and for any cyclist who just wants to get around town safely. The classroom session is held 6 to 9:30 p.m. followed by and an all-day on and off bike practical skills session on May 22. Cost is $20, pre-registration required, 549-RIDE (7433). Funding for these classes is made possible through a generous grant from the City of Berkeley. 

Nature Sound Recording Workshop, presented by the Oakland Museum of California and the National Park Service. Workshop runs through Sunday. Cost is $185-$210. 238-7482. www.naturesounds.org 

Tilden Sunset Hike A hike down Laurel Canyon, up Wildcat Peak for sunset, and back along the ridge. Meet at 6 p.m. at Inspiration Point on Wildcat Canyon Road with warm layered clothing, flashlight and snack to share. Sponsored by Solo Sierrans, you need not be a member to attend an activity. 601-1211.  

Spanish Literacy Night at the Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way, from 7 to 9 p.m. with a special Latin American music performance with Grupo Colibri at 7:45 p.m. 665-3271.  

Berkeley Opera Fundraiser to support the premiere of Suprynowicz’s “Caliban Dreams” at 8 p.m. at Le Theatre, 1919 Addison St. Dinner and performances by tenor John Duykers, soprano/librettist Amanda Moody, and Ancora, of the Piedmont Childrens Choir. Cost is $90. Please RSVP to 444-6232. clarks@igc.org  

Benefit for Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride with a screening of “The Gatekeeper” at 7 p.m. at AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakland. Donation $8-$20. 208-1700. 

“Icons of the Matrix” a slide presentation by Max Dashú in a benefit for Suppressed Histories, at 6:30 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Players at all levels are welcome. 652-5324. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

Overeaters Anonymous meets every Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Church at Solano and The Alameda. Parking is free and is handicapped accessible. For information call Katherine, 525-5231. 

Herbal Tea at Three Learn tea lore, medicinal properties, and taste familiar and exotic varieties. Every Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy. 549-9200. www.elephantpharmacy.com 

SATURDAY, MAY 22 

Himalayan Fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Live Oak Park, 1300 Shattuck Ave. Authentic Himalayan arts, antiques and modern crafts, live music and dance performances and exotic foods. Donation of $8 benefits humanitarian grassroots pro- 

jects in the Himalayas.  

19th Bay Area Storytelling Festival from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at Kennedy Grove Regional Rec. Area. Join us for a weekend of lively, entertaining and captivating storytelling featuring professional tellers from across the country including Milbre Burch of Missouri, Michael Parent of Maine, Vicki Juditz of Southern California, Tim Tingle of Texas, and Gladys Cogswell of Missouri. Cost for the whole weekend is $52 adults, $40 senior, $29 children under 15; tickets for individual events are also available. 869-4969, 650-952-3397. www.bayareastorytelling.org 

Lost Waterfall in Spring Join a seasonal 3.5 mile trek to Lake Anza as we explore the riparian flora and fauna. Bring a snack to enjoy as you hear the story of the waterfall that isn’t here. Meet at 1 p.m. at Tiden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Kids Garden Club We will design and carry out our own scientific experiments and learn by doing, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 7-12. Cost is $3, registration required. 525-2233. 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour “Thousand Oaks” led by Susan Cerny from 10 a.m. to noon. 848-0181. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc/ 

Berkeley Bicycle Boulevard Tour Meet at Constitution Plaza above the downtown Berkeley BART at 1 p.m. Wear a helmet and bring water. 827-7483. 

Edible Landscaping with Karen Talbott from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

Agricultural Roots Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Laney College Channel Park, between 10th and 7th Sts. With food, music, children’s activities and information about healthy eating, school gardens, local farms and more. 550-4945. www.sagecenter.org 

Relay for Life Runners, walkers, volunteers and cancer survivors are invited to the fifth annual El Cerrito/Berkeley/ 

Richmond/Albany/Kensington Relay For Life at 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sun. at El Cerrito High School. 540 Ashbury Avenue, El Cerrito. To participate call 524-9464. jsbayat@comcast.net 

Writers: Ready for Progress? A free session with Elizabeth Stark and Nanou Matteson. at 5 p.m. at Boadecia's Books, 398 Colusa Avenue at Colusa Circle, Kensington. www.bookpride.com 

Saturday Night Sing-Along for all ages. Bring your family, neighbors and friends for an evening of campfire classics, silly and serious songs, rounds and movement activities. At 7 p.m. at 1216 Solano Ave. at Talbot, Albany. Sponsored by the Albany YMCA. Cost is $3 for adults, $2 for children. 525-1130. 

Yoga for Seniors at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St., on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. The class is taught by Rosie Linsky, who at age 72, has practiced yoga for over 40 years. Open to non-members of the club for $8 per class. For further information and to register, call Karen Ray at 848-7800. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

Dream Workshop on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to noon at 2199 Bancroft Way. Cost is $10. www.practicaldreamwork.com 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Tues. May 18, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

City Council meets Tues., May 18, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers, Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Berkeley Housing Authority meets Tues., May 18, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. ww.ci.berkeley.ca.us/comm 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., May 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., May 19, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Lisa Ploss, 981-5200. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/aging 

Commission on Labor meets Wed., May 19, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Delfina M. Geiken, 644-6085. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/labor 

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets Wed., May 19, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Marianne Graham, 981-5416. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/welfare 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs. May 20, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs. May 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Anne Burns, 981-7415. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/designreview  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., May 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/faircampaign 

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., May 20, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7000. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/transportationˇ

For sculptor and former trucking company owner Richard Katz, and many others like him, West Berkeley’s Harrison Fields used to be their playground.  

As Katz strolled the athletic fields Monday where a sculpture garden once rose above broken bricks and stone—his Panama style hat unable to conceal a wide-eyed grin—one would never guess that UC Berkeley has given him just two weeks to find a new home for two sculptures it took he and his friend eight years to complete. His friend, in fact, never lived to see the finished product. 

“Look at this,” Katz screamed as, peeking behind some bushes, he spotted a sculpture he identified as the work of his friend Paul Horesby. “Imagine turning around and finding what you’re looking for,” he said. “It’s like a dream.” 

When it came to Katz’ work, about 80 yards east, UC Berkeley apparently wasn’t even sure what it was looking at.  

In the April 30 edition of the Daily Planet, the university, in accordance with state law, posted a notice stating that the university intended to remove “two steel objects” deposited on UC property and offered them to any interested buyer who would remove them before a June 1 deadline.  

Although it couldn’t identify the structures, the university knew they were too close to the banks of Codornices Creek, which the university is widening as part of a restoration project slated to begin next month.  

Katz was all smiles Monday, but he was not amused when he learned of the notice. In a letter he wrote to the UC Board of Regents, he said his sadness arose both from the death of his friend and “from the apparent fact that the University of California, Berkeley, recognizes not that this was even a work of art at all.” 

The two sculptures, Katz said, were primarily the work of Alan Ross, a UC Berkeley trained artist, who—just as he was finishing up the project—was shot to death in his Oakland studio by a gunman who had knocked on his door complaining of noise. 

Katz and Ross had dubbed the work “Soap” because the steel came from the vats of the 19th century Pioneer Soap factory in San Francisco.  

One sculpture, designed almost entirely by Ross, has a curved top and a zig-zag body that Katz said represented electricity and raw energy. Katz had a bigger role in the second sculpture, a web of jaded steel above a smooth soap vat that Katz, a former UC Berkeley cellular biology student, said represented mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell. 

“We went from the rawest of energy—electricity with thousands of volts, killer shit—to the most finely tuned bio-physical thing I know,” he said. 

Had everything gone according to plan, the duo’s work would never have ended up on the UC site, which at the time sculptors used both as an outdoor exhibition center and as a tool to obstruct future UC development on the land. 

As part of the deal to remove the steel soap vats from the factory, Katz said the developer of the building offered to pay the artists to make a sculpture out of the vats. The owner reneged and without funding or a home, Katz and Ross labored on and off for eight years until Katz planted the sculptures on the UC land.  

At first they resided about a football field away, but in 1995, UC agreed to build soccer fields on the site. Katz, with the blessing of the sports field users, moved the sculptures to their present home beside the creek. 

Katz insists he also had UC Berkeley approval to relocate the work, but Lloyd Lee, an attorney with University of California Office of the President, said there was no evidence of any such agreement. 

Nevertheless, Lee has accepted Katz’ claim to the sculptures. What that means for Katz and the sculptures is unclear. 

Katz has now taken the lead in finding a new home for them and is searching for a private buyer.  

Should he fail, he could remove the sculptures himself—an expensive proposition, which last time cost him about $500 to move them across the field—or leave them for the university to remove. Even though Katz is now recognized as the owner, Lee said the university wouldn’t “stick him” with paying for the removal if a new buyer steps forward. 

Despite the sudden demise of his art space, Katz isn’t bitter at the university or nostalgic for the sculpture garden that preceded the sports fields. “I’m a practical guy about the art,” said Katz, who insisted he was happy the university ultimately sold most of the land to Berkeley to build more sports fields. “The irony is that without UC there would never have been all this sculpture,” he said.  

Katz acknowledged another ironic twist. As the owner of a trucking company in the 1970s, he worked for UC to help unearth Codornices Creek—a project that remains a source of pride. 

“I care about the creek. That’s why I dug it up. That’s why it’s green here now,” he said. 

The latest Codornices Creek project, headed by the city of Albany, in conjunction with Berkeley and UC, seeks to unearth the watercourse all the way from San Palo Avenue to the rail road tracks just east of Second Street. A foot bridge is slated to go near where the sculptures stand and a bike path will also traverse it, said Crystal Barriscale of UC Berkeley Facilities Services. 

Barriscale was also responsible for finding potential bidders for the property. Monday was UC’s deadline to accept bids, and although the university received some inquires, Barriscale said to her knowledge no one had made an offer. 

Katz, though, thinks the work is too good not to find a new home. “We built a monumental, abstract, minimalist sculpture as good as any other monumental, abstract, minimalist sculpture as far as I can tell,” he said. 

›

SEASIDE, Calif.—Elevated levels of toxic lead are being found in the blood of children at a small airy clinic in this central coastal town of 33,450 people. The culprit may be grasshoppers captured 2,000 miles away in Mexican villages, lovingly fried with garlic, salt and lime and sent by the pound in care packages to family members here. 

Medics say the calamity illustrates how dangerously stuck in the past public health care may be, in an increasingly borderless world, and in a state where more than a quarter of the population is foreign-born. 

“We all grew up there eating the grasshoppers and other things and nothing happened,” puzzled Minerva, who prepared lunch one recent afternoon for three of her own children and a niece in a small, trim house cooled by an ocean breeze. Like most newcomers here, Minerva’s husband, sister, and brother-in-law—who share the house—and her immigrant neighbors, all work in laundry, hotel-maid and other service jobs in nearby, wealthier towns like Monterey and Pebble Beach. Minerva’s healthy-looking 9-year-old daughter chatters in English as she wolfs down tostadas at the table with the other kids. She was among those found with dangerously high lead levels at a routine screening at the Seaside Family Health Center.  

Seventy-five percent of lead poisoning cases statewide in the last three years have been Latino children. Recent investigative news reports point to Mexican candy as one source. In November, because of the Seaside cases, State Health Director Diana M. Bont warned pregnant women and children especially against the grasshoppers treat. But community health workers say such developments mean lead poisoning has a new, inadequately recognized face. And they point to special challenges in reaching indigenous immigrants—increasing in number—who may be distrustful of doctors, illiterate or, like members of Minerva’s family, undocumented.  

“New solutions are needed because old ones won’t work,” said Dr. Margaret Handley of UCSF’s Department of Family Medicine, who is investigating the local outbreak. Through careful conversation with mothers over the months, a Spanish-speaking nurse, Celeste Hall, and the clinic’s Dr. Eric Sanford determined children born in two Zapotec Indian villages in the southern state of Oaxaca—or U.S.-born children whose parents came from the villages—were the ones testing high for lead. Other immigrant kids did not. Virtually all public service health education literature in California about lead poisoning—even in Spanish—refers to old paint as the source, but that was ruled out after inspections.  

Local and state health departments were slow-moving and strapped for funds. Sanford and Hall spent their own time and money trying to track the poisoning source. One suspect was a distinctive green-glazed Oaxacan pottery found in Seaside homes. But even if families used the pottery for food, it would produce a steady, low level of exposure, not spikes as seen here; moreover, the pottery is universally used by regional immigrants, and only patients linked to the two villages exhibited high lead levels. 

“The children’s levels are either low or off the charts, so it’s acute exposure we’re looking at,” said Sanford, who does believe Oaxaca is the source of the poisoning. One child’s level jumped from two micrograms per deciliter to 35 after eating the grasshoppers. Levels above 10 are considered high. Sanford and Hall also sent other foods for testing that came from the villages—favorites tamarind candy, pumpkin seeds, chocolate and tortillas—and some were contaminated. They went to Handley, an epidemiologist. 

Like a detective, Handley pursued leads. One breakthrough document: a British study on plants and animal life that developed amid old mine tailings in Wales and Ireland. “A highly significant relationship” existed between lead contaminated grass and grasshoppers around the abandoned mines, researchers wrote. Grasshoppers can carry high concentrations of the metal without being fatally poisoned.  

Dozens of gold and silver mines once flourished around the home villages of the Seaside immigrants. Owned by American and other companies, they are abandoned now. Lead is a by-product of extraction and processing.  

With cross-border traffic constant and fast, there has been no loss of access to native foods for California’s newest immigrants. A single tortilla fresh from Oaxaca can sell in this town for $1, but most of the homemade favorites come by relatives or paid carriers in a deep and wide courier network. But without a full-blown investigation, it is difficult to pin down the source of the lead poisoning precisely. And community health workers say any heavy-handed official attack on the traditional foods from home would be wrong and counterproductive.  

At the Seaside clinic, poisonous levels in children’s blood continue to turn up around once a week, month after month. Lead poisoning can lead to learning disabilities, diminished IQ, impaired motor development, and anti-social behavior. Because there is no signal event—no rash or fever, no sudden collapse—it is difficult to convince some parents a child is endangered.  

“We need to do a full-on investigation like we’d do with any other epidemic outbreak,” Handley says. “Would this get more attention if these kids were in Pebble Beach?” 

Meanwhile, the longer they cannot absolutely determine the poisoning source, the more the trust that Sanford and Hall clearly maintain on a personal level with the Seaside immigrant community is tested. Hall, who is married to a Zapotec from one of the host Mexican villages, says her family will lay off of grasshoppers. Minerva’s family may not.  

“Why do anything different if no one is sure?” asked Minerva.  

PNS contributor Mary Jo McConahay is a writer and filmmaker with extensive experience in Latin America.  

The East Bay fire season got off to an extraordinarily early start at 8 a.m. Monday, sparked by a combination of dry hillsides and winds. 

“That means that any reports of fires in the hills will be met by a massive, multi-jurisdiction response,” said Berkeley Deputy Fire Chief David Orth. 

Major early fire outbreaks have already struck Southern California, highlighting the dangers to the East Bay. Recent fires in Marin County and on the Peninsula have sparked concerns among local firefighters. 

This year’s season begins weeks before the typical starting date. 

The Berkeley Zoning Adjustment Board last Thursday gave their formal approval for a new 6,800-square-foot fire station at 3000 Shasta Road which fire department officials have cited as a crucial bastion for fighting fires in the blaze-prone hills.›

As with many newcomers to Berkeley, I thought summers here would be hot. Dreams of heat-loving, even tropical, vegetables floated through my mind. The reality is cold July fog and not a ripe tomato this side of the hills. Of those that do well, beans are predictable, zucchini monotonous, and winter squash culinarily challenged. These last two members of the Cucurbitaceae family do have one outstanding relative that qualifies as a seasonal necessity, not just a ritual: the pumpkin. 

Pumpkins are for some reason ridiculously easy to grow in Berkeley, even in a small space. The seeds are big and germinate rapidly enough to interest the very young gardener. Their huge leaves clamber around in the most intransigent way. Enormous butter-yellow flowers positively trumpet their emergence. And then, while one’s back is turned, distracted perhaps by summer visitors, disaster strikes and all the leaves wilt and mildew. By that time the rest of the summer vegetables have taken over their space, so it comes as a surprise to find that the neighbor-child’s bright orange soccer balls glinting through the bean leaves are—pumpkins! 

Pumpkins are said to like rich soil with lots of compost and side dressings and mulch and water. No doubt all that’s true. They do pretty well without, too, except for water. A five gallon pail of it once or twice a week for each plant is about right, directed at the roots, never overhead. A soaker hose works well, turned on once or twice a week for half an hour. Pumpkins are not necessarily huge, either. Several small varieties are available in local nurseries, such as Sugar Baby, Baby Bear and Tom Thumb. All are sweet and full of flavor. They can be trained vertically, saving space. Or start them within a tomato hoop and let them cascade. Wait until May warmth before sowing seed or setting out plants. 

Pumpkins have an excellent, rich flavor every bit as exuberant as their appearance and behavior. As the lover of pumpkin pie knows, they have an affinity to spices with no loss of their own distinction. They need not always appear in a crust. A mousse-like dessert can be quickly assembled from just-cooked pumpkin, by beating in small amounts of sweet butter, soft brown sugar, spices (especially cinnamon and ginger), and eggs, and baking in a buttered dish until set. Allow one egg for each cup of pumpkin, a tablespoon each of butter and sugar, and at least half a teaspoon of the spices, not forgetting a pinch of salt. 

First, however, you must corral and cook your pumpkin. Scrub the shell clean, whack it in half with a cleaver, and scrape out the seeds and fibers. Invert the halves on to a baking sheet and bake for about thirty minutes at 400 degrees until tender. While waiting, toast the seeds in a dry wok, sprinkle with salt and set aside for later snacking. When the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, scrape out the flesh and discard the skin. Leave the oven on, for now is a good time to beat up your dessert and bake it for thirty minutes. If the center still wobbles, turn down the oven for five or ten more minutes. True to its melodramatic temperament, pumpkin keeps poorly, so cool and freeze remaining pumpkin in usable portions.

PUMPKIN SOUP 

For a savory soup, which doubles nicely as a sauce for fish, tofu or poached chicken, slice yellow onions thinly and saute in oil until soft. Remove from heat and stir in half a teaspoon each of salt, ground cumin, whole coriander, curry powder and Chinese five-spice powder. The latter, available in bulk from Country Cheese, softens and sweetens the more pungent spices. Return the pan to low heat, stirring the spices into the onions for thirty seconds. Add two cups of turkey stock or water, and one cup of cooked pumpkin. These quantities yield two generous servings. Simmer until done, blend, and thin if necessary with more stock or water. Taste for salt. Stir in two tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro, reheat, and serve with a dollop of yogurt for a tart contrast to this silky, sweet, spicy soup. Add a turkey or tempeh and watercress sandwich on corn-rye bread and one can eat a nutritionally balance, home cooked, homegrown meal within the hour. What’s for dinner? Pumpkin!

Shocking visual images have dominated the Iraq news in the past weeks. First, of criminal torture of prisoners by Americans, and then of the beheading of American Nicholas Berg by a group the CIA alleges is headed by the Al Qaeda leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Many stories have raised the rather absurd question of whether the practice of torture by Americans is an aberration. There is abundant proof, however, that both the abusive interrogation practices and the photographic documentation of them are techniques that the CIA has sanctioned and taught over more than 30 years. 

When the Shah of Iran was deposed in 1979, the files of his much-feared CIA-trained intelligence service, SAVAK, were opened to journalists. The noted Egyptian reporter Mohammed Heikal wrote that he was shown a film of a female prisoner being stripped naked, who screamed and broke down as her nipples were burned with a lighted cigarette.  

It was explained that this was a training film for other torturers. The film, Heikal wrote, was also given to the CIA, which then made copies for use by the intelligence services of Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia. 

An Indonesian unit, Kopassus, which received special U.S. Army training in the United States, later practiced similar torture techniques in East Timor. They too made a habit of photographing their torture sessions, which became an important factor in inducing Congress to vote against further U.S. aid and training to the unit. (Ironically, former Kopassus commander Prabowo Subianto, once the Pentagon’s special favorite, was later denied a U.S. visa, under the provisions of the U.N. Convention Against Torture.) 

In the 1980s the CIA first taught the extreme techniques it had long used—including assassination—to its proxy army the Contras in Central America. Then, following exposure and heavy criticism from Congress, it backed away from condoning such practices.  

A CIA interrogation manual, now accessible on the National Security Archives Web site, originally had the typewritten caution that in “questioning” suspects, “[c]oercive techniques [i.e. torture] always require prior HQS [Headquarters] approval.” At some point, presumably after Congressional reproof, the sentence was stricken out and replaced by the handwritten “[c]oercive techniques constitute an impropriety and violate policy.” 

They may have violated CIA policy on paper. But CIA operatives continued to work within foreign intelligence groups for whom torture was a normal activity. One such group was the special Guatemala army unit responsible in 1989 for the kidnap, rape and torture of the American nun Dianne Ortiz. 

The change in policy apparently consisted only of seeking greater deniability through increased use of third parties. This characterizes the situation at Abu Ghraib prison. There, according to Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba’s report, Army military officers and the CIA “set physical and mental conditions for favorable interrogation of witnesses,” leaving the actual abuses to inexperienced and untrained Army reservists. These reservists are the ones now prominently blamed in the U.S. media, not the faceless operatives from the OGA’s (Other Government Agencies, including the CIA). 

Of course, the U.S. Army had its own earlier experience with torture in Vietnam. Sen. John Kerry is now being attacked for having told Congress about this, truthfully, in 1971. In Kerry’s words at the time, fellow soldiers at the so-called “Winter Soldier” investigation had “told stories that at times they had personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires from portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the power.” It was more customary then to kill the prisoners (who were often civilians) after they had been tortured. 

Much of the army interrogation, torture and executions occurred as part of the CIA-coordinated Phoenix Program, where standard interrogation techniques (as in Iraq) included rape, water torture, and electrocution. Another veteran testified in Congress that, “I never knew an individual to be detained as a VC suspect who ever lived through an interrogation in a year and a half.” 

There is precedent, too, for the alleged al-Qaeda video of the beheading of Nick Berg—the videos in the 1980s of the mutilations and executions of Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan. These videos were disseminated to weaken the morale of the Soviet troops fighting there. Those who took them were the Afghan mujahideen, many of whom received special training in terrorist tactics from the CIA.  

PNS contributor Peter Dale Scott is a former Canadian diplomat and professor of English at UC Berkeley. Scott’s most recent book is Drugs, Oil and War: The United States in Afghanistan, Colombia, and Indochina (Rowman and Littlefield, 2003). His website is www.peterdalescott.net. 

INCONCEIVABLE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

It occurs to me that the reason “right to life-ers” are so rabid in their opposition to abortion is that a woman’s right to choose might well have led to a world without them, something they find “inconceivable.”  

Robert Blau 

• 

FLASHBACKS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

With newspaper front pages more bizarre by the day, I assume I’m not the only one having flashbacks to the end of the Nixon era. I mean, who would really be surprised to see a headline next week reading: “Patty Hearst Kidnapped”? 

Marty Schiffenbauer 

• 

GUTLESS WONDERS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Senator Dianne Feinstein and the other gutless wonders who purport to represent the American people in Congress are already all accessories before the fact to prison torture, mass murder and war crimes with their votes to authorize Bush’s criminal war on Iraq. Now they are requesting “financial oversight” for another 25 billion dollars to fund further Bush barbarism in Iraq. Wow, real profiles in courage, huh? These Democrats are just about as worthless as the Bush gang of lying thugs that are bankrupting our country (both morally and fiscally) with their moronic invasion and continuing occupation of Iraq. 

James K. Sayre 

• 

HOUSING AUTHORITY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I’m sorry to hear about the Housing Authority’s problems and I have to say that Sharon Jackson is doing a monumental job of pulling Berkeley’s housing programs together after years of mismanagement. It’s nice to see that they are trying to reduce their expenditures by issuing a request for proposals for the management of its 75 public housing units. The management contract is currently held by Affordable Housing Associates which is being paid over $400 per unit per month. I’m sure that there are many qualified property management firms in Berkeley, both for and nonprofit, who could provide the necessary services at a much lower cost. Unfortunately, unlike other cities, Berkeley doesn’t often publish requests for bids in local papers and so misses the opportunity to save money and provide jobs to local companies. The request for proposals was issued May 3 and all proposals must be received by May 20. The bid proposals (Specification No. F-9065-04) are available from the city’s Finance Department or online at www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/ finance. 

Phillipa Freneau 

• 

UC HOTEL TASK FORCE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I was utterly dismayed by the reaction to the Hotel Task Force by some of the planning commissioners (“Task Force Criticized for Lack of Diversity,” Daily Planet, May 14-17). I attended (as a non-task force member) almost all of the meetings held by the task force and was extremely impressed with the breadth of concerns (including, among other things, labor issues), the level of professional input and the high level of consensus that was reached by the task force in its final recommendations. Many of the members of the task force also remarked that they had never before seen a similar group work so efficiently and congenially. An enormous amount of work, discussion and careful thought went into these recommendations and Rob Wrenn is to be commended for an excellent job of weaving together the many very diverse opinions that were voiced. 

It is not at all obvious what the reasoning is behind the concerns that were reported in the article. I am absolutely sure that everyone on the task force would have welcomed members from any Berkeley faction, race or area. For someone to suggest that discrimination is an issue here, is patently absurd. Obviously those commissioners who accused the task force of “hand-picking” the members were asleep at the wheel, when the group was formed. I am a resident of Berkeley, have no political affiliations, am not a member of any commission, and did not receive privileged information from any city officials about the task force—and yet I was able to attend the meetings and might have even been on the task force had I been involved early enough. It was completely open to everyone. Any planning commissioner who was doing their job and paying attention should have been aware of how and when the task force was formed. So why were those who are now crying foul not there? If the hotel project is a matter of such great concern to them, I would think they might have shown more interest from the beginning. 

As to the specific objections, it seems there was only one: the recommendation that employees not be granted free parking. The task force was accused in this context of being “upper middle class.” I live in a neighborhood surrounded by upper middle class people. Trust me: Parking, especially free parking, is always favorable to the “upper middle class.” The recommendation is clearly meant to discourage an increase of driving in Berkeley (especially downtown). That is not an “upper middle class” priority at all—quite the contrary. 

The other objection that the recommendations are too specific also makes no sense. What good is it to make only vague abstract recommendations? How the hotel is built and how it fits into the rest of the downtown planning is essential. Do we really want to simply let the developers decide how our city should evolve? And in what way would that further the interests of diversity? 

It would be awfully disappointing to see all of the good work done on the task force go to waste because of the bogus objections raised. Meetings have been going on for months. The other commissioners have had a long time to complain and make comments, but they have waited until lots of other people have spent a lot of time and effort. This is not only divisive, it is also inconsiderate and unappreciative. 

David Partch 

• 

COMMISSION DIVERSITY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

What a shame that the Daily Planet spent so much of its coverage of the Planning Commission’s discussion of the hotel task force report on a moment of controversy about diversity, and so little on the substance of the report itself. Why was there no reporting on the nine main recommendations so carefully developed by this group of 25 citizens with multiple perspectives? 

I attended all the meetings of the task force, even though I was not a member of it. It was an unusual experience—rare in my 33 years experience with Berkeley politics—to see such a broadly inclusive and representative group meet eight times without serious dissension and with a spirit of constructive cooperation, and to unanimously forward a consensus report. The report itself was never designed to put the developer in handcuffs, but only to bring to attention early in the process the set of issues that any project making its way through Berkeley permit appeals will need to address and resolve. In that sense the task force clearly made the future work of both the developer and the city simpler and clearer, and the report should help to minimize any delays. 

As for diversity, it was the full Planning Commission that constituted the task force after openly seeking all interested parties, so any perceived deficiencies are its own responsibility. And of course any continuation of the task force’s work can easily be made even more representative in the future. If that day comes, perhaps the Daily Planet can actually write about what matters instead of going for the transient controversy and the cheap headline. 

Alan Tobey 

• 

A BIT DRAMATIC 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Richard Brenneman’s description of the lively exchanges at the Animal Shelter Subcommittee meeting as a “catfight” seems a little dramatic. What I experienced was passionate community activists making full use of an open and messy form of government known as “public participation.” Bob Brockl of Nexus and I have much more in common than differences. I am a lifelong community artist and documentarian, fighting for ‘outsider’ art and public funding for the arts in Europe and here in the U.S. And Bob, one of the Nexus Artists collective has done more than his fair share of animal rescue. 

We both know what it is like to feel excluded from the highest reaches of government decision making. That’s why the meetings that I have the privilege to chair will continue to represent open door government—members of the public are welcome to contribute throughout the meetings, and I invited Nexus to the meeting in the first place. And it is why the efforts of city staff to eliminate and reduce the profoundly important democracy of citizen commissions needs to be fought vigilantly. 

The opportunity to build a joint facility to house both the Berkeley Municipal Shelter and Humane Society nonprofit shelter is what animal welfare activists have been working towards for years. 

Municipal animal shelters provide services mandated by state and local law code enforcement, picking up lost, stray, dead and injured animals, maintaining an effective rabies control program, impounding and quarantining ‘police hold’ animals etc. They can’t turn animals away. Humane organizations have traditionally been seen as the “good cop” to the “bad cop” image of the municipal pound—they take in many owner surrendered animals or dogs and cats rescued from other high kill municipal shelters. They emphasize community outreach, education programs, training classes etc. Together they offer a complimentary menu of services for the area. 

The effort to build a joint animal care campus is one which the city shelter, the Humane Society and local grassroots activists embrace. Berkeley can create a model of care, residents will receive better and more comprehensive services and taxpayers who voted “yes” on Measure I will be rewarded for their belief in a better way of taking care of our companion animals. 

Personally, I’m such an optimist, I believe that we have both the political will and the brains to resolve the issue of artists’ space in West Berkeley to the satisfaction of all concerned and to build the best designed animal shelter in the area. 

Bob and I will continue to have heated discussions and the Animal Shelter Subcommittee will continue to be a place for spirited exchanges—not a catfight—just Berkeley at its best. 

Jill Posener 

Chair, Animal Shelter Subcommittee 

• 

UC TAX EXEMPTIONS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Thank you for Richard Brenneman’s legal analysis of the history and prospects of UC paying its way (“UC Tax Exemptions Rooted in Law and Court Rulings,” Daily Planet, May 14-17), but I have a question: Does any law require a city to provide public services to a freeloader? The law may be against us, but there is more than one way to skin a cat, and I’ve successfully used another way. 

During the 1970s I was the superintendent of engineering and water supply of the San Francisco Fire Department. The department’s rules and regulations made me responsible for the testing of all standpipes in San Francisco. When a new building was completed at UC San Francisco, I sent out a crew with pump to test the standpipes, and they were told to get lost, that the San Francisco Fire Department had no jurisdiction on property of the sovereign State of California. 

As soon as I got word of this, I crafted a letter for signature by the department chief to the effect that the fire department could not be counted upon to fight a fire in the building in question, since we could not risk the lives of our fire fighters on premises with unreliable fire protection facilities. 

I’ve never observed quicker backpedaling. “Of course we want the standpipes tested. We know you already paid a crew once to come out here, so just send your inspector with his gage, and we’ll provide all other personnel and equipment.” I never had any problems with UCSF after that; they were a perfect pussycat. 

The City of Berkeley might let UC know that, after the big one on the Hayward Fault, there are expected to be more fires than fire engines in the city, and there will have to be triage. Obviously, properties on the tax roll will have priority, since the very existence and future function of the fire department will depend on ad valorem taxes, and that tax base will have to be saved. 

So, UC may have the law, but do they have an absolute right to services? 

Gilbert Bendix 

• 

UNIVERSITY AVENUE 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

I have been following your coverage of the University Avenue Strategic Plan Zoning Overlay, and I would like to call your attention to the largest single development property within the University Avenue area. 

I am concerned that the West Campus property is being inadequately addressed in the University Avenue Strategic Plan Zoning Overlay. In fact, 

the proposed Zoning Overlay exempts school properties from setback limits. West Campus is being misidentified as a commercial/residential node. This indicates to me an intent to heavily develop the West Campus property despite its partial residential zoning. 

The University Avenue Strategic Plan mentions the West Campus Adult School quite specifically: 

“West Campus, formerly part of Berkeley High School, is the largest single use within the University Avenue corridor.” 

“This existing facility should be protected, renovated and made more available to residents of the broader community. With this in mind, the City should work with the School District to jointly prepare a Master Plan for the site and plan to make this facility a state-of-the-art adult education and recreation center.” 

“Particular attention should be directed to improving public access to the play area, creating a permanent pedestrian/bicycle passageway through the site along the Addison Street right-of-way, maintaining the current parking supply, and opening up the recreation facilities to the general public.” 

“Discourage low-income housing on the Adult School parking lot, since there is already a substantial concentration of subsidized, low-cost housing in this area.” 

Please note that the Adult School node, as mentioned in the UASP, is NOT a commercial/residential node. Instead, it was described as a community-serving educational and recreational node. Just look at how little retail exists on University Avenue between Curtis and Browning: You can count the businesses on one hand because it’s so heavily residential. 

Now that the Adult School is being moved to the Franklin site on San Pablo, the community has lost this educational resource. I am concerned that the surrounding community will also lose access altogether to the aforementioned “recreational facilities” and open space that the UASP intended to make more accessible: 

• Baseball diamond at the corner of University and Curtis. 

• Toddler play structure between the baseball diamond and the pool. 

• West Campus Pool. 

• West Campus Gym. 

• Addison Street right-of-way for pedestrians and cyclists. 

Development of West Campus will result in further loss of community-accessible open space and recreational areas in a neighborhood with inadequate park land and facilities. Development without setback limits is an even worse scenario. Keep in mind that ONLY the portion of West Campus fronting University Avenue is zoned C-1. The remainder of the property, fronting Addison and between Curtis and Browning, is R-2 and R-2a. 

Please also note the abundance of subsidized, low-income housing in this area, which the UASP mentions specifically. When low-income housing was 

being built on Berkeley school properties (Derby Street, Franklin Street), West Campus was rejected as a site for these units. 

Berkeley Unified School District removed the Adult School and, with it, the reason for a node designation. The node designation should be removed from the Curtis and Bonar Street intersections with University Avenue. And the setback limits for schools should be reinstated. 

Rachel Boyce 

r

From a recent Daily Planet story on University Avenue zoning: “For buildings that include affordable housing ... state law allows [developers] to build 25 percent more space than allowed under zoning requirements.” This is a succinct statement of Berkeley city staff’s interpretation of state law. It is not, however, exactly what the law says. 

California Government Code section 65915 says that when a developer reserves 20 percent of total units for rental to lower-income households, a project may exceed by 25 percent the “otherwise maximum allowable residential density.” Thus the key question in interpreting this law as it applies to any particular project is what density would be allowed if the developer did not include 20 percent affordable units. 

In Berkeley, unlike most cities in California, our zoning code does not specify density by number of dwelling units per acre. Consequently, for the purposes of section 65915 we extrapolate it from the rest of the zoning code and state law, looking at maximum height and lot coverage, floor-area ratios, setbacks, design standards, building codes, and so on to see how many units would be allowed on a particular lot. 

Further complicating matters, in Berkeley we require all residential development of five or more units to include 20 percent affordable units. To close a potential loophole, in much of the city we also prohibit construction of buildings with four or fewer units when there’s room for five or more. 

So back to the key question: If a Berkeley developer does not include 20 percent affordable units, what residential density is allowed? Since market-rate-only developments are prohibited, the answer is zero. This presents a logical conundrum for interpreting section 65915: state law says the developer gets a bonus, but 25 percent of nothing is nothing, which is no bonus. So how do we make the state happy? Clearly we must find a way to reconcile state and Berkeley law. 

One solution is to ignore the “otherwise” and tack the 25 percent bonus on top of the biggest building the code allows—the approach city staff have been using to justify approval of blockbuster projects like 1698 University (Tune-Up Masters). The problem with this approach is that the bonus for the most part produces more market-rate units. For example, given a 20-unit base project, a Berkeley developer would get a 20 percent bonus to build four more market-rate units, and a five percent bonus to build a single additional affordable unit. Clearly this is not the intent of the state law. 

To achieve a more appropriate outcome, we must look at the laws’ intents. State law encourages developers to make 20 percent of their units affordable by rewarding them with 25 percent more room to build than local zoning laws allow. Berkeley law encourages precisely the same goal by prohibiting market-rate-only development. In other words, the two laws seek exactly the same end, the state’s with a carrot, Berkeley’s with a stick. 

Starting from this view, one simple and reasonable way to harmonize the two laws is to calculate the “otherwise allowable” base project just as city staff do now, but excluding the 20 percent affordable units required by Berkeley law. In the hypothetical project described above, the base project of 16 market-rate units would get a 25 percent state density bonus, resulting in four affordable units, the same number required by Berkeley law. 

City staff might challenge this alternative interpretation of section 65915 with the familiar argument that the state prohibits cities from changing laws to diminish development capacity. But the issue here is how to interpret laws already on the books—and the City Council has full power to override staff on matters of interpretation. 

›

“The whole thing is disgusting and it’s hard to believe,” said California Senator Dianne Feinstein referring to the torture of Iraqis by U.S. military personnel. 

Disgusting? Yes. 

Hard to believe? 

Hardly. 

The Bush administration considers torture a means toward its end of securing Iraq for its interests. The Red Cross, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International all reported that torture of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. military personnel was widespread and systematic. But President Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld ignored those reports and continued to encourage the mistreatment of prisoners with their “us against the evildoers” rhetoric. So we shouldn’t be surprised that the torture took place. What is surprising and what angered the president and his secretary of defense is that a number of torture sessions were photographed and that those photos have been circulated worldwide. 

Now the evidence is there for all to see. President Bush’s crusade to secure the Mideast and its oil resources for Halliburton and other U.S.-based multinational corporations involves torturing prisoners. We already knew there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that there was no connection between Saddam Hussein’s regime and the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Now we know that the administration has not sent soldiers and mercenaries to Iraq to promote democracy and respect for human rights. 

How did things get so bad? Everywhere people are pointing fingers. They should be looking in the mirror. All or most of us are to blame. We have allowed the Bush administration to use the tragic events of Sept. 11 to promote its imperial foreign policy objectives. We are the good Germans standing idly by while our president practices genocide in our name. 

Genocide? 

Yes, genocide. Genocide is the planned extermination of an entire national, racial, religious, political, or ethnic group. The political group the Bush administration intends to exterminate consists of Arabs who refuse to accept U.S. domination in the oil rich Mideast. Hence, the President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld might justly be accused of genocide. 

What is to be done? In the short term Americans who stand for decency and democracy must take to the streets and bombard the media in every way possible, demanding that our troops pull out of Iraq and be replaced by a force under the command of the United Nations until a government controlled by Iraqis is in place. In the long run we must find a way to ensure that our foreign policy represents the will of the majority rather than the imperial designs of an opulent elite. 

Not only do we who live in the United States have a special responsibility to end the atrocities that are carried out with our money and in our name, it is in our interest to do so. That is something the enmity and resulting acts of terrorism provoked by Bush’s war in Iraq make clear. 

Roger Burbach, Ph. D. is the director of the Center for the Study of the Americas in Berkeley and the author, with Jim Tarbell, of Imperial Overstretch: George W. Bush and the Hubris of Empire. Paul Cantor, Ph. D. is a professor of economics at Norwalk Community College in Connecticut.›

On April 23 the Berkeley Daily Planet published a report by Matthew Artz on a meeting of the school board at which, Artz wrote, the board announced their plan to build a “multipurpose athletic field,” at Derby and MLK Way for soccer and softball, for the use of three schools, without installation of lights. 

As a resident of the area I was pleased, until Artz went on to write that four of the six board members immediately “expressed a preference” for the 

former, contested plan of closing Derby to create a larger, hardball field for the Berkeley High School team, which now uses a field at San Pablo Park. Artz quoted Director Rivera as follows: “We should keep the door open so when we’re allowed to close Derby, we can go ahead with bigger plans.” Not “if” but “when.” 

Alarmed at this mixed message, I wrote to the members of the board and received an answer from School Board President John Selawsky, who wrote that he was misquoted, that he still favored an open Derby Street although “the school board, or at least a majority, has always preferred a closed street project, ” and that, in any case, the decision was up to the City Council. 

I then wrote to the mayor and the City Council, but received no answer except an acknowledgment from Councilmember Kriss Worthington. 

Then, last week, fulfilling Artz’s concern for mixed messages, the school board voted to recommend the Derby Street closure to the City Council, and 

to create a place on the proposed hardball field to accommodate the Tuesday afternoon farmers’ market. 

The farmers’ market is not the main issue. Geography and traffic patterns are. 

Our neighborhood is bounded on four sides by busy thoroughfares: MLK Way, Dwight Way, Ashby Avenue, and Shattuck/Adeline. Of the eight streets west to east between Ashby and Dwight, only one has no residential housing between MLK Way and Shattuck/Derby (which is why the location of the fire house on the corner of Derby and Shattuck is so sensible.) Close Derby, and we are left with seven residential streets from east to west between Dwight and Ashby. Only four of them go through from Shattuck to MLK Way, three of these north of Derby. Of the four streets south of Derby, before Ashby, there is only one through street, Stuart (where I live), already crowded with traffic and parking attracted by the Berkeley Bowl. 

Closing Derby would not only increase traffic on these heavily impacted streets, but would mean that westbound fire trucks would have to choose one of these residential streets to respond to emergencies. The fire truck could make a difficult left turn onto busy Shattuck, and then another left turn against heavy traffic, to go west on Carleton, or—more likely—make an easy turn right onto Shattuck/Adeline, then right again down the only street that goes through, Stuart (Ward goes through after Adeline, but has speed bumps at MLK Way). 

Furthermore, the easy slogans of providing playing fields “for the children of Berkeley” only mask the real effect of creating a hardball field for the Berkeley High School team. If that happens, you can forget the promise of soccer and softball fields to be used by three schools and neighborhood children, or to be used by anyone at all except the Berkeley High team and its visiting competitors from other high schools. High school athletic fields are expensively planted and maintained—and always fenced and locked up, lest the turf be damaged by kids playing around on them. And whatever the promises of no lights, etc., they all seem, eventually, to be equipped with blinding lights for night games, and, even worse, a blasting sound system. 

By all means, the school board should use its property for the benefit of the children of Berkeley. But it should not withdraw that property from them for the use of only a few, and sacrifice our neighborhood so that the Berkeley High School baseball team can shave 10 minutes off the time it takes them to get to the hardball field at San Pablo Park. 

Dorothy Bryant is a local novelist.  

Hooray! Every book club in Berkeley has now had ample time to read the university’s new 2020 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP). Despite our eager anticipation, however, I regret that this reviewer must give this ponderous tome an unequivocal “thumbs down.” Despite some intriguing raw material, the authors fail to reveal even a kernel of truth that would make this book either meaningful or useful. Anyone looking for a fresh approach to the topic will be sorely disappointed, and I fear that few readers will be able to make it through the entire 1000-page volume without reaching for the Pepto-Bismol. 

This is all the more inexplicable because this is not the university’s first LRDP. Previous works in the LRDP series also received universally poor reviews, and it is surely only because the university owns its own vanity press that volume 2020 made it to print. The LRDP series is officially authored by the UC regents, but their ghost-writers have struggled so hard to keep all their options open that few concrete actions emerge from the hedges. Whoever the real authors are, apparently they don’t improve with experience. 

It is difficult to build an interesting epic around a single well-developed character, yet this is precisely what the LRDP attempts to do. The heroine, of course, is the once-beautiful but aging UC Berkeley, surely one of the most callous characters in modern American literature. Starting more or less where previous LRDPs left off (and here readers shouldn’t be sticklers for accuracy), the story describes Berkeley’s continuing “development” and messianic expansion into spaces where no man has gone before. The new twist is that Berkeley has changed her career goal. Relegating her duties as a teacher of California’s youth to ever lower priority, she is now determined to become a privately funded, for-sale-to-the-highest-bidder research and industrial complex. She plans to achieve this by overrunning and entwining herself into her doomed environs like the hair of Medusa.  

But Berkeley exists without context; the authors never show how she fits into any working social or physical system. For example, we never see how Berkeley, the self-absorbed darling of her family, relates to her UC siblings, who might better perform some of the activities that Berkeley covets. In any well-considered factual or fictional work, many other actors affect the protagonist’s perceptions, choices, and behavior. But in the hands of these inept authors, Berkeley exists in a conceptual vacuum, stubbornly divorced from reality and yet oddly obsessed with cataloguing and justifying her destructive impacts on it. 

Flailing haplessly at the devouring heroine are the usual suspects from earlier LRDPs: the city, environmentalists, preservationists, a vaguely defined “community,” neighborhoods, and assorted other interest groups. Numerous but shallow, these gadflies get a lot of ink, but alas, the authors are clueless about what motivates them, so these characters are dead on arrival. They can only chatter in alarm at Berkeley’s overweening behavior. Were these characters able to unite and think of unconventional strategies for countering Berkeley’s dominance, the LRDP might develop enough literary conflict to create something resembling a plot. The resolution of this struggle might lead to constructive change for Berkeley and her community. But instead, without having to adapt to her surroundings, Berkeley continues to grow in physical size only; in all aspects of character—morality, honesty, decency, empathy, integrity—she remains as puny and bankrupt as ever, or even more so.  

There is only one character in the entire LRDP that might have any power or authority to mold Berkeley into a good community citizen, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). But rather than exploring the potential creative power of this character, the LRDP uses CEQA only as a literary formula, structuring the story around the requirements imposed on Berkeley by CEQA, and essentially posing the question: Will Berkeley be able to outwit, outplay, and outlast CEQA, thereby taking home the big prize without ever having to introspect or modify her behavior? The answer is, predictably, “yes.” Because instead of allowing a real challenge to materialize, the authors manipulate the outcome in Berkeley’s favor by making CEQA a weak actor. Were the authors to characterize CEQA properly, Berkeley would have a run for her money, and be better off for it. 

As all readers of the LRDP series know, the only reason Berkeley is able to continue her arrogant, self-centered, and tyrannical behavior is that she was, at birth, endowed with magical powers that allow her to disobey all rules of civil behavior without consequence. Her previous abuses of power seem mere practice for the devastation a bigger and bolder Berkeley now prepares to inflict on her surroundings. Although she is now well over 100 years old, Berkeley seems to have learned nothing; she seeks only to gratify her own desires and gives no more consideration to others than does any petulant pre-teen. This disappointing character development indicates that the authors have remained as immature as their heroine. 

In fact, the only interesting theme of the book floats ironically beneath the awareness of its authors: namely, that while the LRDP purports to be a tale of heroic accomplishment, to all discerning readers it is in fact a classic tragedy. Because underlying Berkeley’s apparent success is her own internal moral collapse, along with the destruction of her own (unacknowledged) support system—the community around her. However, most people who have followed Berkeley’s career don’t need 1000 pages of reading between the lines to learn this. The tragic consequences of manifest destiny, for both protagonist and victim, are no secret. 

Sharon Hudson is a member of Benvenue Neighbors.ˇ

The University of California is a top university with a wealth of talent and knowledge and you might assume that some of that brainpower would be employed to ensure that further university development is undertaken in an environmentally sound, sustainable fashion. 

Unfortunately, that is not happening. The draft Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) clearly shows that UC Berkeley is not interested in being an environmental leader. The plan does not adequately address the real and valid concerns that have been raised by residents of adjacent neighborhoods as well as by their own students and staff. 

The draft LRDP also calls into question whether the university really wants to improve relations with the city, despite public statements to that effect. Mayor Tom Bates has made a good faith effort to improve relations with UC, but what has UC given him in return? Judging by the LRDP, one would have to answer: little or nothing so far. 

The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the LRDP projects that there will be a substantial increase in vehicle trips and traffic congestion. Traffic congestion will get worse not only near campus but also at intersections in West Berkeley that handle traffic from I-80. 

The university suggests adding new signals at eight intersections, but has only proposed to pay part of the cost (“fair share funding”) so that the city would be stuck with substantial costs to deal with added traffic caused by UC growth. In the current fiscal crisis facing the city, very little money is available for costly signals. 

At some intersections that already have signals, the EIR predicts increases in congestion, but says nothing can be done. The increases are “significant but unavoidable impacts.” 

But, in fact, a lot could be done to avoid the traffic and congestion increases that are projected.  

The university could follow the successful programs implemented by other universities to deal with growth. 

When it comes to “best practice” in university transportation planning, the University of Washington in Seattle tops the list. 

The University of Washington made a commitment to the city of Seattle in 1983 to limit traffic on corridors leading to and from campus. In 1991, it launched its U-Pass program. With a U-Pass, faculty, staff and students can all ride local buses and commuter trains for free. The U-Pass program also includes free parking for those who carpool, and vanpool subsidies. There are also active efforts to encourage and facilitate walking and biking 

UC Berkeley provides students with a “class pass” which is similar to the UW U-Pass, but UC provides no similar pass to its faculty and staff. The LRDP fails to call for UC to implement a similar program. The LRDP has one policy on encouraging alternative modes of transportation, but it falls far short of the current best practice at UW, Stanford, and other universities. 

Eighty-three percent of UW students and 60 percent of UW faculty and staff take advantage of the U-Pass. The rate of faculty drive alone commuting dropped from 60 percent in 1989 to 43 percent in 2002. Staff drive alone commuting dropped from 44 percent to 38 percent. While the total population of faculty, staff and students has grown by 22 percent since 1989, the university now has fewer parking spaces and the utilization rate of those spaces has dropped. Despite substantial growth, the number of single occupancy parking permits for faculty, staff and students has dropped substantially. 

As a result of implementation of U-Pass, peak hour traffic levels today are below 1990 levels even with growth in the campus population. The University of Washington has been able to avoid building costly parking structures. It estimates that it has saved over $100 million in avoided construction costs for new parking. They estimate that they avoided building 3,600 new parking spaces. 

The University of Washington’s accomplishments are all the more noteworthy because the quality of transit service in the Seattle area and the range of transit choices is not as good as in the Bay Area and especially the inner East Bay communities of Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco. There is no equivalent to BART in Seattle. They rely on buses and some commuter rail, though light rail is under development. Only 28 percent of Seattle residents use alternatives to driving to get to work, but 57 percent of UW faculty and 62 percent of UW staff use alternatives. The incentives and encouragement provided by the U-Pass program have clearly had a big impact. 

The University of Washington is a real leader in promoting the use of alternative transportation in Seattle. By contrast, UC Berkeley lags behind other employers in Berkeley. Fifty-one percent of UC Berkeley faculty and staff drive alone to work according to the 2001 survey, but a survey done the same year found that only 43 percent of Berkeley City Hall employees drive alone to work. Census data for 2004 for commuters into Berkeley has apparently not yet been assembled, but based on data in the 1990 Census, only 40 percent of downtown and southside area employees drive alone to work. 

UC is not now a leader in promoting alternative modes, but it easily could become one. The University of Washington funds its U-Pass program in part with parking revenues. $4.3 million in parking revenues went to the U-Pass program in fiscal year 2003-2003.  

UC could also use a portion of its parking revenues to fund a similar program for UC faculty and staff. The unions that represent UC employees have made it clear that they want UC to implement an Eco Pass for UC staff and student leaders support this as well. The University of Washington has a policy of raising parking rates and keeping the cost of U-Pass substantially lower than the cost of parking. UC Berkeley could do the same. Another UC campus, UCLA, has a pilot transit pass program that was financed with parking revenues.  

UC could also raise its parking rates to market levels. By providing parking at levels below market rate, UC effectively subsidizes driving, while providing no equivalent subsidy for those who use transit. Transit use is not encouraged when it costs more out of pocket to take transit than it does to drive. Research clearly shows that there is a relationship between parking cost and transit use. While other factors also affect the decision whether to drive or not, there’s no question that cost factors play a role also. 

The University of Washington is not the only university to actively work to encourage employees to use transit with an Eco Pass/U-Pass type of program. Stanford University has an Eco Pass for its employees. Transit service for Stanford is not as good as the transit service for the Berkeley campus, but Stanford’s program has been successful. Stanford’s 1989 General Use Permit committed the campus to accommodate growth with no net increase in peak commute period auto trips. 

The LRDP EIR looked at a “No New Parking and More Transit Alternative” (Alternative L-2). This alternative is clearly environmentally superior to the LRDP. As the EIR analysis shows, the environmental impacts such as increased traffic congestion could be reduced.  

It’s not necessary, nor is it expected, that most UC employees who now drive will switch to other modes even with the provision of an Eco Pass, but if the drive alone rate drops from 51 percent to something closer to what UW has accomplished, then increases in traffic congestion can be avoided and the need for additional parking can be reduced. 

When it comes to global warming and to air quality problems in the Bay Area, UC has to decide whether it wants to be part of the problem or part of the solution. The current LRDP suggests that they plan to be part of the problem.  

Will they embrace sustainability or environmental degradation? Will they contribute to improving or to worsening quality of life in the neighborhoods adjacent to campus? The city is certainly willing to work with UC to develop effective programs to avoid increased traffic. Will UC take the opportunity to improve relations with the community by working together with the city? 

The city and UC should be working together not only to address the potential traffic problems but also to address construction impacts on adjacent neighborhoods, preservation of open space, and provision of affordable housing. 

Rob Wrenn is a Berkeley Planning Commissioner and Chairman of the UC Hotel Task Force. 

ˇ

Andrea, the woman who helps me take care of my husband, walked down to the corner liquor store to buy cigarettes one night around 9 p.m. Although the store is only a block from my house, I never patronize it as there’s too much questionable activity going on around its parking lot. Instead, I drive my car a mile to the closest full-service grocery store. Andrea doesn’t have a car and so she does not have that option. 

According to Andrea, on the way back to our house, a man and a woman stopped her and asked her where they could buy drugs. It was a dumb question, because the answer is obvious. Just stand on the corner by the liquor store, and the drugs will come to you. Even me, a woman with no experience with crack cocaine, knows, in theory at least, where to find it. 

Instead of saying “I don’t know,” Andrea pointed to the corner from whence she had come and answered, “Down there.” Now things get a little confusing in the telling of this tale as Andrea begins to talk fast and her words start to slur. But from what I gather the woman, (who later turned out to be an undercover cop), pressed $20 into Andrea’s hands and said, “Go get me some.” Andrea said no, but a few minutes later an acquaintance of Andrea’s requested the same thing and she complied. She bought the drugs to give to him, but the bills were marked and she was arrested for trafficking. She was handcuffed and taken to the Alameda County Jail where she stayed for 11 days. When a check was run on her identity it revealed that she had a previous record, so she was transferred to Santa Rita County Jail where she spent 28 days. 

Andrea is not a bad person. She has raised a son and is helping to raise, with her elderly mother, several nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Sometimes she goes to church, but most of the time, when she’s not with the kids, or with my husband, she is in her room watching TV or cooking dinner for her boyfriend’s mother or braiding an endless line of other people’s hair. She should never go to the liquor store on the corner again, no matter how much she needs a cigarette, because there is a chance she could get into trouble. 

I don’t know how much it cost the taxpayers of Alameda County to keep Andrea in jail, but it couldn’t have been cheap. Three meals a day, plus lots of medical attention. She got sick while incarcerated and was treated for high blood pressure and asthma. When released, she was given the clothes that she had on at her arrest and a BART ticket to get from Pleasanton to the MacArthur station. From there she walked home to our house and went to bed. 

Several days ago I broke the law, but luckily, I didn’t get into trouble. At 3 a.m., my dog Whiskers wanted to take a walk. I took her to the front door, looked up and down the street, didn’t see any activity, so I let her out. Then I laid on the sofa to wait for her return. Ten minutes later there was a loud knock at the door, and a bright light shining into our front window. I opened it to find Whiskers sitting on the steps and a policeman. 

“Is this your dog?” he asked, shining the light in my eyes. 

“Yes,” I answered sheepishly. 

“I saw her on the corner,” said the officer. “She seemed to know where she was going so I followed her as she came up the street and stopped at your front steps. I figured she belonged here, but I wasn’t sure.” 

“Thank you,” I said. “I promise it won’t happen again.” 

I brought Whiskers into the house and hugged her. Andrea came downstairs to see what was going on. 

“The cops brought Whiskers home?” she asked. 

“Yes,” I answered. 

“Damn,” said Andrea. “They hauled my ass to jail, but they let Whiskers off?” 

“Yes,” I answered. “They did.”

Experts on communication have noted with approval the increasing number and variety of public channels of information—media without a commercial message, open to almost anyone. 

A lovely idea, but step by slithery step, one that seems to have disappeared as quickly as it did not quite arrive. 

Chief exemplar of the new media is the Internet which nobody pays for (well somebody put those satellites up and all that stuff, the army or somebody, but that doesn’t really count). A free gateway to all sorts of knowledge. 

But a user who has expressed curiosity about a variety of topics (for example, dating), and has a mortgage, might be greeted with a message like this: 

“This is not spam enlarge your penis/bust and keep it hard, lasts three weeks makes you happy all the time and in your area you can refinance at only 1.25 percent and build that solarium you’ve always dreamed of and remember if you click here, exclusively for you, Paul Paula Paulette Pauline Pavel Pavlovic Paw, you will be whisked details of an unbeatable opportunity to earn up to $1,400 a day while sitting in front of your monitor this is not spam you gave your name to someone or a friend gave your name to someone who offered to supply information on great deals enlarging mortgages working at home or allied topics and we respect your privacy if you do not wish to receive these messages simply click on the link below and leave your name and correct e-mail address and answer a few brief questions and we promise you will never receive anything from us or any other affiliated ever again.” 

(No one ever asks what SPAM has to say, but for the record, SPAM is a registered trademark of Hormel Foods Corporation, which reminds us to remember that a trademark is a formal adjective and as such, should always be followed by a noun. So there.) 

Another rich source of information and entertainment is public broadcasting, but here, too, the promise seems to have dissolved. A recent edition of Desert Smokehouse Friends ran only 57 minutes, giving the announcer time to say: 

“This program has been brought to you with the support of the Playtex Foundation, uplifting women for more than 75 years; MAC (the Multinational Agribusiness Consortium) devoted to providing food produced by the poorest 20 percent of the world’s population at the lowest cost to the richest one percent; by the Sinistra L. Gauche Fund for the support of left-handed flat-picking mandolinists; by the Lucky Strike Foundation, dedicated to alleviating guilt among tobacco producers; and by Glut, the world’s greatest merchandiser on the web at www glut dot com, by you the listeners and/or viewers, and by my mom and dad who thought I should move out of the house once they retired. Local assistance was provided too, but we can’t tell you about that at the moment because the next noncommercial has to run on time.” 

And lastly, though it may have led the way, consider the university, where the ivory tower is ever more clearly being sold off piece by piece. One day soon, we expect a press release like this: 

“The University of California, a state-owned institution, invites you to a lecture-conversation featuring Roderic Pringlefeather and Felicia Verbatim.  

“Professor Pringlefeather holds the Pacific Blotter Company Chair in Graphology in the University’s new Department of Penmanship, which occupies the Royal Ink. Ltd. Mezzanine in Parker Hall. Before coming to Berkeley, Professor Pringlefeather was a Montblanc Fountain Fellow, one of only 24 people ever awarded that honor. 

“Ms. Verbatim, the Dictaphone Distinguished Scholar who heads the Transcription Studies Program at Bic Hall, was recently given the NAM Award for establishing the greatest number of corporate backers per student enrolled in the entire University system. 

“The subject of their conversazione, presented with the support of the Italian consulate in San Francisco and San Marzano Tomatoes, has not yet been announced. 

“The event will be held at Profiteer Hall, in the Warren Arthur Rogers, Jr. Auditorium.” 

This report has been brought to you by the Berkeley Daily Planet and its visible advertisers. 

Bay Area tree-worshippers, Goddess-worshippers, gay and straight wiccans, Shinto devotees and their kindred—many of them clad in lavish costumes—gathered in Berkeley Saturday for the always colorful Pagan Pride Parade and Celebration. 

The day began with a parade through downtown city streets—where most of the spectators seemed to be equipped with digital cameras—before winding up in Civic Center Park. 

The city managed to keep traffic flowing in both directions along Shattuck Avenue as the parade passed by, with parking enforcement and police officers, aided by barricades and cones, confining celebrants to one southbound lane. 

Drivers hoping to use Milvia Street along the length of the Berkeley High School campus were less fortunate, finding traffic blocked in both directions. Allston Way adjacent to Civic Center Park was also closed, and traffic on several downtown side streets was restricted to a single lane.  

Though paganism was nowhere defined in event literature, a visitor to the affair could have walked away from the festivities with the notion many adherents were polytheist peddlers. 

The grassy area of Civic Center Park was encircled by a ring of booths offering crystals, dolls, drinking horns, clothing, jewelry, idols, drawings, prints, ointments, oils, incense, and palm and card readings. 

One clothing seller was decidedly perturbed to see a reporter’s camera aimed at his ware. “What’re you doing?” he asked. “Tryin’ to conduct an inventory?” 

The Internal Revenue Service, it seems, has taken to wandering various shows and taking before-and-after merchandise photos in search of vendors underreporting their sales. 

One notable exception to the commercialism was a group of five neatly groomed young adults standing next to a plastic barrel propping up a FREE WATER sign. Asking all comers, “free water?,” they dispensed their refreshing libations with a smile and no further comment. 

A curious reporter, pleased to have quenched his thirst after an hour shooting pictures under the bright, warm sun, asked one of the quintet, “Who are you, and why are you doing this?” 

“Oh, it’s Michael’s birthday, and he thought it would be nice to come down here today and pass out water,” one of them answered. 

Michael turned out to be Michael Duenes, a distinctly non-pagan teacher at Redwood Christian High School in San Lorenzo, and a little more coaxing revealed his story. 

“When we came down here, I didn’t even know that there’d be a pagan festival today, but I figured there’d be a lot of a thirsty people. We don’t mention who we are, because God’s love is free,” Duenes explained. 

He said he opted to pass out the bottled water on his birthday as a symbol of the living water of Christ.  

Duenes and his fellow water dispensers are members of The Berkeley Mosaic—“We think of ourselves as broken people united by Christ”—a congregation led by Pastor Dennis Tuma. 

“I’m glad to see the Daily Planet here,” Duenes said. “I got one of your t-shirts at the Solano Stroll, and I wear it to school sometimes on Fridays. The students seem surprised I’m from Berkeley, but I tell them I love it here.” 

The other dispensers of free things—recruiters for the Covenant of the Goddess and the Temple of the Hebrew Goddess and promoters of gay marriage, immigration rights for same-sex partners, and legalized prostitution (itself a fine old pagan tradition)—were restricted to the elevated plaza around the defunct fountain, an area that attracted few visitors. 

The paganisms on offer were distinctly New Age version of ancient traditions. No animals (or humans) were offered up as sacrifices, and the closest thing to ritual scarification on view were tattoos. 

There were no temple prostitutes and no orgies, though several costumed males wore the horns of satyrs and the ever-randy Pan, and the only bared female breasts appeared on modern-day replicas of ancient Minoan statues. 

And the only equivalent of the All-Seeing Eye was the tripod-mounted video camera run by a red-coated gentleman from atop the tower of old city hall building. ›

On one of the walls of the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) in downtown Oakland, there is a drawing of the Tigris River running red, a crude picture of a young girl next to a map of Iraq with the word “why” as the heading, and a colorful picture of a helicopter gunship and tank shooting at a field of flowers, with the misspelled statement, “We are not gilty.” 

The “we” is clearly not meant to refer to the soldiers operating the helicopter gunship and the tank. 

The drawings don’t create the same kind of initial shock as the graphic images of American soldiers torturing Iraqi prisoners, but in their quiet, stark way, the children’s art is equally powerful.  

The images were drawn by Iraqi school children at Al-Assail Primary School outside Baghdad, one month after the U.S invasion last year. Filled with battle scenes, flying flags, and death, the drawings are the depiction of the war as seen through the eyes of children living in a city that was hit with over 32,000 bombs during the initial American-led invasion.  

Seventy-six in total, the drawings were commissioned by Carl Rosenstein, who runs New York’s Puffin Room gallery, and have been turned into a gallery show called “Shocked and Awed.” 

In New York at the Puffin Room since September, the images and are now on the road. As part of a multi-city tour they made their first stop in Oakland, opening at the MOCHA this month. 

Rosenstein, whose gallery is well-known for promoting art with a progressive edge, originally commissioned the show to Patrick Dillon, a documentary filmmaker, just before Dillon returned to Iraq last year. Dillon was working on a documentary called Raining Planes about the invasion last year and subsequent occupation. 

“I wanted to be ringside for the extermination of civilization,” said the filmmaker, who had been kicked out of Iraq on his first trip after being detained several times by American soldiers and Iraqi secret police for filming the bombings and, at one point, around the Abu Ghraib prison. Dillon was in New York attempting to raise money for a return trip when he ran into Rosenstein. 

Rosenstein thought of the idea to collect children’s drawings on Dillon’s next trip because he had commissioned a show several years back that displayed work by children from Kosovo, Bosnia and Croatia alongside drawings by children who became refugees during the Spanish Civil war of the 1930s.  

Rosenstein said he knew children’s art could produce an uncensored message about war. 

“It was an attempt to humanize the Iraqi people,” he explained. “And children are less likely to be indoctrinated.” 

Before Dillon returned to Iraq, he and Rosenstein went to an art supply store and stocked up on paper, crayons, markers and other art material. When he got to Iraq, Dillon went to the Al-Assail Primary School but found that the children were initially hesitant about drawing anything, fearful of reprisal by the Americans, or the Iraqis. But with the help of a translator, Dillon was able to warm up to the students and teachers and ended up spending the next month filming and watching the young artists as they created the images.  

“Those children were ready to not be shocked and awed forever,” said Dillon. “They were so playful and alive, even though they were afraid because [they were] used to keeping their real feelings very close to the vest.”  

While most of the children produced drawings that documented the horror of war, with reoccurring themes of guns, tanks, soldiers and planes, there were others that were more hopeful, and others that were almost humorous. 

One that is a particular favorite of Rosenstein’s, and hangs at the front of the show, is a two-panel drawing done in crayon. On the one side is a tank. On the other, divided by a line down the middle of the paper, is a young boy sleeping, dreaming about a dove and a swan. 

Another, done on a piece of lined notebook paper, shows a blond American television reporter standing next to an SUV. The woman, whose clothing, hand bag and extra large hat might suit her better in Beverly Hills, looks lost. 

“These children, they know the deal and they were able to very expressively put their artistic skills to work,” said Dillon. “These children are extremely sophisticated. Its like a generation of 4,000 years of established geniuses.” 

Since the opening in New York, the images have received quite a bit of media attention. The first article, which ran in the Agence France Presse, was picked up around the world and subsequently, the New York Times, Washington Post, and CNN have run stories. 

Both Rosenstein and Dillon said the media coverage has been great because they’ve been able to slip the message of the images under the radar of the media establishment and help show the true face of the war in Iraq.  

“This is the real war in Iraq as opposed to the fantasy war that Fox and other propagandists have been pouring out for people,” said Dillon. 

“Shocked an Awed” runs from May 2 to June 6 at MOCHA, 538 Ninth St., Oakland. The show is free. For more information contact MOCHA at www.mocha.org or 465-8770. For more information on the show visit www.puffinroom.org. 

TUESDAY, MAY 18 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Rebecca Solnit describes non-violent activist victories in “Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

William Langewiesche introduces us to “The Outlaw Sea: A World of Freedom, Chaos and Crime” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

Peter Robb introduces Brazil’s cultural history in “A Death in Brazil: A Book of Omission” at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Travel Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave. 843-3533. 

Oliver Said, Maggie Pond and James Mellgren introduce us to Spanish foods and wines in “Cesar” at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Hanneke Cassel, young Celtic fiddler, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50 in ad- 

vance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Tierney Sutton Tribute to Frank Sinatra at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 

THEATER 

“Primo” a play by Ed Davidson, on the last days of Holocaust author, Primo Levi, at 7:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut Street. Also May 20, 22. Cost is $15-$20. 925-798-1300. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Alice Jones and Timothy Liu in an evening of poetry readings at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Café Poetry hosted by Paradise at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Donation $2. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Berkeley Poetry Slam at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-7. 841-2082. www.starryplough.com 

Rick Ayes and Amy Crawford, Berkeley High teachers, introduce us to “Great Books for High School Kids: A Teacher’s Guide to Books That Can Change Teen’s Lives” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

Mark Pearson reveals “Europe in a Back-Pack” at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Odile Lavault & The Baguette Quartet at 9 p.m. with vintage Parisian social dance lesson with at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Whiskey Brothers, oldtime and bluegrass, 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

The Duo-Tones, surf music, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Mitch Marcus Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Cigarillos Hawaiian Night at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $10-$15. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Tierney Sutton Tribute to Frank Sinatra at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, MAY 20 

CHILDREN 

Jules Feiffer, cartoonist, at 4:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. www.codysbooks.com 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

Al Honig “Constructions: Robots and Beyond” Reception for the artist, at 5 to 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, Sculpture Court, 111Broadway. 283-6836. 

“Ancient Icons: In Stone & Gems” paintings and sculptures by Tricia Grame and gems by Roxanna Marinak. Reception from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Craft & Cultural Arts Gallery, in the State of California Office Building, 1515 Clay St., Oakland. 622-8190. www.oaklandculturalarts.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Julie Mehretu: Matrix 211” gallery talk with curator Heidi Zuckerman Jacobsen at 12:15 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Eoin Colfer, author of “Artemis Fowl” books introduces his new novel “The Supernaturalist” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. www.codysbooks.com 

Ken Blady presents a slide show and talk on “Jewish Communities in Exotic Places” at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave. 843-3533. 

Alix Olson, folk poet and queer artist-activist, at 7:30 p.m. at Oakland Box Theatre, 1928 Telegraph Ave. All ages welcome. Tickets are $10. 451-1932. www.oaklandbox.com  

Robert Fuller describes the discrimination of “Somebodies and Nobodies” at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley High Choreographers present “HumanBeingHuman” at 8 p.m. at the Little Theater, Allston Way. Cost is $5-$10. 

Sanford Arms and Thread at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryplough.com 

“Candela” Afro-Peruvian music with Mochi Parra and Carlos Hayre at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

The Serna Band at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Karashay with Chirgilchin, Tuvan throat singers and didjeridu master at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

“Jaguarundi’s Studio” cutting edge acoustics at the 1923 Teahouse at 8 p.m. Donation of $7-$15. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Cornelius Boots, clarinet ensemble, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation of $8-$15. 649-8744. www.thejazzhouse.org 

Lee Ritenour at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $16-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, MAY 21 

CHILDREN 

Storytime with Pancake Pig and at Barnes and Noble at 10:30 a.m. 644-3635. 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

Berkeley Art Museum reception for current exhibits at 6:30 p.m., 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

THEATER 

Berkeley Rep “Master Class” with Rita Moreno at The Roda Theater. Runs through July 4. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “The Mystery of Irma Vep,” Charles Ludlam’s theatrical cult classic at Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage, and through May 23. Tickets are $39-$55. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Impact Theatre “Money and Run” an action serial adventure with different episodes on Thurs., Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Runs through June 5 at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid. For tickets and information call 464-4468. www.impacttheatre.com 

FILM 

“City Of Lost Children” at 8 p.m. at the Long Haul, a reading room, library and community center in South Berkeley located at 3124 Shattuck Ave. Wheelchair accessible. 540-0751. www.thelonghaul.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Robert Reich explains “Reason: Why Liberals will Win the Battle for America” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books. www.codysbooks.com  

John Stauber, author of “Weapons of Mass Deception” returns with “Banana Republicans” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Rogen Ballen offers a walk through his exhibition of photographs at 3:30 p.m. followed by a conversation with Orville Schell at 5 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant. 642-1295. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “Le Bal des Graduées” at 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are available from 843-4689. www.berkeleyballet.org 

Berkeley High Choreographers present “HumanBeingHuman” at 8 p.m. at the Little Theater, Allston Way. Cost is $5-$10. 

Berkeley Opera Fundraising Concert and dinner at 8 p.m. at Le Theatre, 1919 Addison St., to support the premiere of Supryn- 

owicz’s new opera, “Caliban Dreams.” Cost is $90. 444-6232. 

Oakland Opera Theater “Akhnaten” by Philip Glass at 8 p.m. at Oakland Metro, 201 Broadway. Tickets are $15-$27. Also Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun at 2 p.m. 763-1146. www.oaklandmetro.org 

Edward Delgado “Music that Fascinates” piano recital at 7:25 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $25-$30. www.sequoiaconcerts.com 

“Let Us Break Bread Together” with Oakland East Bay Symphony, Oakland Symphony Chorus, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and Lucy Kinchen Chorale at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. 625-TIXS. www.oebs.org 

Folksinger Faith Petric at 7:30 p.m. at the Fellowship Café at Fellowship Hall, Cedar and Bonita Sts. Donation of $5-$10 is requested. 

Ray Anderson & Mark Helius, out jazz duo, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donations of $8-$15 suggested. 649-8744. www.thejazzhouse.org 

The Lovejoy Lounge with Allison Lovejoy at the 1923 Teahouse at 7 p.m. Donation of $7-$15. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Kris Delmhorst performs contemporary folk at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Hip Hop Exchange at 9 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

East Coast Swing with Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums 9:30 p.m. with a dance lesson with Nick & Shanna at 8 p.m. at Ashkenez. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Lavish Green, Griswald, The Glow at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

All Ages Show with Go Jimmy Go, Treephort and Teenage Harlots at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

www.starryploughpub.com  

Danny Caron at 8:30 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Them!, jazz trio, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Will Bernard & Motherbug at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Thriving Ivory at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Voetsek, Lights Out, Despite, Case of Emergency at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

SATURDAY, MAY 22 

CHILDREN 

“Wild About Books” storytime with Gary Lapow, musician and song-writer at 10:30 a.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6223. 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

“Vulnerability” CollectivEye’s debut exhibition reception from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Gravity Feed Gallery,1959 Shattuck, at University. www.gravityfeed.net 

THEATER 

Stagebridge “The Hypochon- 

driac” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison, Oakland. Tickets are $15. 444-4755. 

“Primo” a play by Ed Davidson, on the last days of Holocaust author, Primo Levi, at 7:30 PM Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut Street. Also June 3 and 6. Cost is $15-$20. 925-798-1300. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Gallery Talk on “The Big Picture” with artists Johnna Arnold, Taro Hattori, Mayumi Hamanaka, and a discussion of large format digital printing at 2 p.m. at Kala Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

West Coast Live with Joan Blades, Marilyn Yalom and Marshall Chapman and others at 10 a.m. at the Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15 in advance, $18 at the door, available from 415-664-9500 or www.ticketweb.com 

Pamela Holm reads from “The Toaster Broke, so We’re Getting Married” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com 

Cathy Alter, editor, will be joined by several contributors to read from the new collection “Virgin Territory: Stories from the Road to Womanhood” at 7:30 p.m. at Boadecia’s Books, 398 Colusa Ave. at Colusa Circle, Kensington. www.bookpride.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “Le Bal des Graduées” at 2 and 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are available from 843-4689. www.berkeleyballet.org 

Composer in the Schools Concert with the Peagsus Quartet at 2 p.m. in Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana at Durant. Admission is free.  

Trinity Chamber Concerts with Del Sol String Quartet playing George Antheil at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana at Durant. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. 

VOCI presents “Songlines - from Generation to Generation,” music from Central and Eastern Europe at 4 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $12-$20. 531-8714. www.coolcommunity.org/voci 

The Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble with instrumental ensemble Alta Sonora presents “A Salute to French Composers from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century,” at 8 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Road, Kensington. Tickets are $5-$10. 233-1479. www.wavewomen.org 

La Percusión Afro-Antillana at 1 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Iluminado and YazJazz at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Kotoja at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African dance lesson with Comfort Mensah at 9 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Stukface, Fountain St. Theatre Band at 9:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Citizens Here and Abroad, Tracker, Audio Out Send at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Rhiannon and Friends at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$20. 845-5373. www.jazz- 

school.com 

Kathy Kallick Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50 in advance, $18.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Vanessa Morrison & Friends at the 1923 Teahouse at 8 p.m. Donation of $7-$15, no one turned away for lack of funds. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

Sylvia and the Silvertones at 8:30 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Shannon Hurley at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Allegiance, Outbreak, The Distance, Drug Test at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Post Junk Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

SUNDAY, MAY 23 

CHILDREN 

Indian Folkdance and Storytelling with Raje and Sasha at 3 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Sarita & Schroeder’s Bubblejuice at the 1923 Teahouse at 2 p.m. 644-2204. www.epicarts.org 

THEATER 

Stagebridge “The Hypochon- 

driac” at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison, Oakland. Tickets are $15. 444-4755. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Art, Memory and Survival,” a discussion of the role of art and literature in the experience of second and third generation Holocaust survivors at 2 p.m. at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. www.magnes.org 

Steve Almond talks about his candy obsession in “Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Gallery Talk on “Carl Heidenreich and Hans Hofmann in Post-War New York” with Gabriele Saure at 1:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Compass Points: Artists’ Talks with the MFA students at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Antero Alli on “Astrology as an Archetypal Language” at 7 p.m. at Alaya Bookstore, 1713 University Ave. 548-4701.  

Poetry Flash with contributing translators reading from “The Essential Neruda” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “Le Bal des Graduées” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are available from 843-4689. www.berkeleyballet.org 

Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance Repertory Concert with dances from Hawai’i, The Middle East, West Africa, North India, Tahiti, at 3 p.m. at Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland. Tickets are $10-$25, and must be purcahsed in advance. 925-798-1300. www.mahea.com 

WomenSing and San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $18-$20. 925-974-9169. www.womensing.org 

Soli Deo Gloria and Camerata Gloria, “Northern Lights,” an a cappella concert of music by Canadian composers Healy Willan, Imant Raminsh, Eleanor Daley, and Ruth Watson Henderson, at 3:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Piedmont, 5201 Park Blvd., Piedmont. Tickets are $15-$20. Grades K-12 are free. 415-982-7341. www.sdgloria.org 

Americana Unplugged: All Wrecked Up at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

The James King Band, bluegrass from Virginia, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Mark Levine at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.comˇ

Here’s a suggestion: Take an early morning or late afternoon walk in Tilden Park, along the trail that starts at the Lone Oak picnic area and follows Wildcat Creek. This time of year you’ll be surrounded by birdsong—black-headed grosbeaks, warbling vireo s, Wilson’s warblers—but one voice in particular will stand out. The performance may start with a soft “whit,” likened by some listeners to the drip of water into a bucket. Then the Swainson’s thrush, newly returned from its Mexican and Central American w intering grounds, will get serious. From somewhere in the oaks and bay laurel will come what Alexander Skutch, who has heard these birds warming up in Costa Rica, called “slender liquid spirals of song.” The smooth notes flow in an ascending scale, with a reedy effect as the pitch rises. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear several males with adjacent territories matching voices, the song-duels echoing off the cliffs that rise above the creek. 

For my money, these modestly plumaged olive-brown birds are the bes t singers on the West Coast. Some rank the hermit thrush higher, but we seldom get to hear those outside the Sierra forests and patches of coastal conifers. The Swainson’s thrushes check in late—April 15 is an exceptionally early date for Berkeley—and I’v e always thought of them as the last act in the spring chorus. Although they prefer riparian growth, they can turn up in unexpected places. A couple of years ago one chose a territory in my neighborhood, and I could hear it most mornings as I walked to th e BART station. That voice made the grim daily commuting ritual a lot more bearable. 

The thrushes may have spent the winter anywhere from the West Mexican states of Nayarit and Tamaulipas down to the mountains of Bocas del Toro in Panama. Some frequent t he fruiting trees that shade coffee plantations (which, properly managed, can be havens for neotropical migrant birds). Others choose moist evergreen or deciduous forests. They eat a lot of berries and fruit in winter, augmented by the insects flushed from the forest floor by swarms of army ants. “The thrush hovers about the outskirts of the swarm,” wrote Skutch, “and I have not seen it dash into the midst of the fray to seize a fugitive, in the manner of tropical birds more adept at this kind of hunting.” 

How have they found their way back from these tropical settings to the familiar woods of Tilden Park? A study recently reported in Science sheds new light on how Swainson’s thrushes—and by extension, other migratory birds—orient themselves in flight. M ig ration researchers have speculated for years that birds use a complex set of cues to set their courses; steering by the stars or the moon, or using rivers, mountains, and other geographic features as route markers. But it’s become clear since the 1970s, w hen pioneering work was done on European robins, that magnetism is the single most important source of guidance for the vast numbers of birds that migrate by night. 

Birds, it turns out, may be able to “see” the Earth’s magnetic field; that’s been verifie d for Savannah sparrows and Australian silvereyes, at least. (A bird’s-eye view is different from ours in significant ways; they’re adapted to see into the ultraviolet range.) In bobolinks, the ophthalmic nerve, which feeds visual input to the brain, is s ensitive to magnetic stimulation and contains traces of iron oxide. What birds perceive is not the magnetic field itself, but the plane of polarized light caused by the setting sun. They seem to use this to calibrate their internal compasses. Workin g with captive Savannah sparrows, biologist Frank Moore found the birds became spatially disoriented if he placed mirrors around their cage to shift the apparent position of sunset. 

Until recently, though, no one had taken the study of magnetic orientation outside the lab. William Cochran, who had done preliminary work with the Illinois Natural History Survey, teamed up with Martin Wikelski of Princeton and Henrik Mouritsen of the University of Oldenburg in Germany to study the Swainson’s thrush and its close relative, the gray-cheeked thrush. They trapped northbound migrant thrushes in Illinois and glued lightweight radio transmitters to their feathers. At dusk, the biologists used portable equipment to expose the captives to false magnetic fields, rotated 80 degrees to the east of true magnetic north. Then they set them free. 

The thrushes flew through the night, exchanging their flight calls: “a single, mellow or plaintive and far-carrying whistled queep,” by one account. In a 1982 Oldsmobile crammed with tracking devices, the scientists followed. Several times the battered vehicle with its roof-mounted antenna was pulled over by suspicious Midwestern cops. 

What Cochran and his colleagues found was that on the first night after their release, the thrushes flew skewed courses, veering to the west. But on the following night, they resumed their normal northward flight heading. One view of the true magnetic field allowed them to recalibrate. 

Although the Swainson’s thrushes that nest in California don’t cros s the equator, the Cochran study may help explain how trans-equatorial migrants, which can’t tell magnetic north from magnetic south, avoid getting turned around. Using only a magnetic compass would risk confusion, but the sunset calibration could help ke ep the birds on track. They may also have an onboard clock that corrects for changes in latitude and season. 

At some level, knowing all this—how these tiny-brained birds navigate the immensity of the night—is just as satisfying to me as hearing t heir songs on the breeding ground. Letting the mystery be is all well and good, but for some of us there’s an almost visceral pleasure in learning how another piece of the wonderfully complex natural world really works. 



Cartoon by Justin DeFreitasfl

As this is being written (Thursday morning) the latest news from Iraq is that, according to the Washington Post, “U.S. soldiers raided the home of America’s one-time ally Ahmad Chalabi on Thursday.” Well, sure. Guess what, guys? As we say in the trade, W E TOLD YOU SO. You’re just learning that Mr. Chalabi is a thug? Somewhat sleazy? It’s hard to believe that it’s little more than a year since huge demonstrations were mounted world-wide to tell whoever was running the show in Washington that: 

1) there we re no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; 2) if you break it, you’ve bought it; and 3) your seeming friends among expatriate Iraqis are a bunch of crooks. As I remember, Chalabi was specifically mentioned at the time in the left-liberal press as Crook Nu mero Uno. But no, the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld-Wolfowitz administration swallowed Chalabi’s brand of snake oil, and now look where it’s gotten them. 

This is yet another instance of what has been called in these pages “the Cassandra factor,” after an unfortunate woman in ancient Greece. She was able to foretell the future, but no one ever believed her. The people in charge (among whom I include, for example, John Kerry, Thomas Friedman, the editors of the New Yorker and just about everyone in Congress except Barbara Lee) allowed themselves to be gulled at the time the invasion started, though these days they’d like to pretend they didn’t. 

The government of the United States is now arguably worse than it’s ever been in the whole 200-plus years since the count ry was founded. The country has been in the hands of scoundrels from time to time before this, but they pretty much limited themselves to graft and corruption, and they had nothing like the firepower which the current administration is able to throw at its insane foreign adventures. And they lacked the terrifying combination of stupidity and self-righteousness which is Bush’s signature style.  

The hearings over the torture which has been going on in Iraqi prisons under U.S. direction are frightening. It’s no surprise, to anyone who is familiar with Phillip Zimbardo’s Stanford experiments of 20 years ago, to find out that humans, given half a chance, will become ravening beasts under the wrong circumstances. For that matter, it’s no surprise to anyone rai sed in any of the well-known world religions to discover that evil-doing has always been a human tendency (some Christians call this the doctrine of original sin.) Pop anthropology characterizes this as “the chimpanzees versus the bonabos”—we, and the chi mps, are on the violent side of the tree of primate evolution. 

What is newly appalling is the parade of inarticulate grunters who have been testifying before congressional committees, apologizing for and defending policies which appear not only to have allowed the torture in Iraq but to have encouraged it. These are people who in the old days would have been called “officers and gentlemen”—high ranking military men, including generals, who are so disconnected from the effective use of language that they don’t seem to be able to explain, even to themselves, what the hell they thought was supposed to be going on in the prisons under their command.  

Military officers in the past did not have this problem. General Douglas McArthur was profoundly irritating and wrong on many points, but he was able to explain what he wanted to do and why, whether you agreed with him or not. General Eisenhower was chided for his sometimes blunt, inelegant use of language, and for mispronouncing the word “nuclear,” but he was able to get his point across when it mattered. Colin Powell, when he was a general, was almost too smooth, too articulate, to be completely trustworthy, but he clearly demonstrated that he is well educated and intelligent. But the new breed of generals se ems to be so tangled up in the language of bureaucratic obfuscation and military jargon that they can’t even give a straight answer to questions the senators ask. Many senators, notably Kennedy, Clinton and McCain, have made a valiant effort to ask direct questions followed up by more direct questions, but the going has been tough. (Others, of course, such as Lieberman and Imhoff, have shown themselves once again to be disgusting toadies.) The answers that they’ve received have been almost unparsable. It’s hard to believe that these inarticulate generals are holding rational high-level discussions of policy options behind the scenes at the Pentagon. 

And then there’s their boss. Rumsfeld seems to have survived, at the least for the moment, the world-wide demands that he be sacrificed in the prison torture scandal. It clearly makes no difference to his patrons in the White House that even the conservative British magazine The Economist had “Rumsfeld, Resign” in large type on its cover. The fact that Rumsfe ld’s lasted thus far lends credence to the theory that he’s the ventriloquist on whose knee Dubya sits. 

Knowing any of this, however, does no good. We know what’s wrong, we’ve known all along, but it doesn’t seem to make any difference. So much for the t heory that the truth will make us free. Anyone have any new ideas? 

—Becky O’Malley 



Has your voice turned a bit raspy over the years? If so, it's likely that your vocal cords have gone the way of your chin: slack and draggy. But now that injecting botulism into your neck have spruced things up in the face department, why not give the vocal cords a little firming up? 

At the Manhattan offices of Dr. Peak Woo, a potion made from the ground-up skin of human cadavers does just that. 

The painless neck injection will leave your voice silky-smooth. If evidence suggesting that your body will eventually incorporate the dead tissue, making it into your own, creeps you out, just think: What could be more horrifying than to be a 50-year-old with the face of Britney Spears and the voice of Charlotte Rae? 

While these kinds of surgeries—call it throatox—have been taking place in hospitals to reverse birth defects and restore voices to people who have suffered trauma to their necks for ages, that kind of work used to require invasive surgery—and a hospital stay. Now that Dr. Woo has found that injecting cadaver skin into the neck does the same thing, the Mt. Sinai Medical Center otolaryngologist is offering throatox to the masses. 

The substance behind this quasi-Frankensteinian form of cosmetic surgery is called Cymetra, and Dr. Woo thinks it will do for vocal cords what Botox did for facial wrinkles. 

“If you can have a Botox injection to correct wrinkles, why would you go for a face-lift?” he said. “Similarly, in this case, it’s a complicated surgical procedure versus an in-office injection.” 

Dr. Woo, a trim 50-year-old with medium-length, spiky black hair, has an office on Park Avenue, where in the four years that he has been using Cymetra, he said, he has only come across a handful of people who felt squeamish about Cymetra’s source. 

Cliff Marks, on whom Dr. Woo performed the Cymetra procedure last year, had no reservations about using the dead skin. 

“I was happy to have anything that would help me speak better,” said Mr. Marks, a 42-year-old advertising executive who has been hoarse all his life. “When you have vocal issues and you can’t use your vocal cords like you’d hope, any hope that the doctor gives you to make it better is a solution.” 

Mr. Marks first came to Dr. Woo to have a polyp removed from one of his vocal cords. During the surgery, Dr. Woo noticed that Mr. Marks had been born missing a small piece of one cord. 

“I had never realized that,” Mr. Marks said. “I just thought, ‘Hell, I’m hoarse, what can I do?’” 

Dr. Woo recommended the Cymetra injection to correct the deficiency. 

“He gave me a basic understanding that it came from donated tissue,” said Mr. Marks. “I didn’t have any problems with it at all … nor did I seek approval from any [friends or family].” 

To perform the new procedure, which he generally does in his office, Dr. Woo first numbs the patient’s neck with Novocain. Through the nose he will then pass a fiber-optic laryngoscope, which displays a picture of the patient’s throat on a monitor. He will then take the needle and thread it through the neck, near the Adam’s apple, and make the injection in the vocal fold itself. The improvement to the vocal cord should take two to four weeks. After 10 minutes of observation, the patient goes home. 

Cymetra is made solely by a New Jersey.–based biotech company called LifeCell, which first rolled out the product in late 2000. Donated skin has been available for uses like skin grafts on burn patients since 1985, but its emergence in injectable form was unique to LifeCell’s efforts. According to the company’s chief financial officer, Steven Sobieski, the company makes Cymetra by taking donated human tissue, stripping it of all its blood, and its top, epidermal layer, until all that remains is several layers of collagen and proteins. The skin is then freeze-dried with liquid nitrogen, minced into tiny particles and put into syringes for packaging. Doctors on the receiving end turn the powder into an injectable paste by drawing up saline solution into the syringe. 

“All the things we’re trying to do in surgery is getting the [folds] back together again so they can vibrate,” said Dr. Steven Schaefer, chairman of the department of otolaryngology at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. 

LifeCell had originally envisioned Cymetra to be used as a way to erase scars, but when Dr. Woo heard about the new substance, he was the first one to suggest its use in vocal-fold augmentation, or “voice-lift” surgery. And after some initial success in animal subjects, Dr. Woo won approval to begin using it on humans. In 2002, he published the first peer-reviewed study on its use in otolaryngology. 

There are now only a handful of doctors across the country who use Cymetra. Dr. Jonathon Aviv, director, division of laryngology, at Columbia University Medical Center and a colleague and friend of Dr. Woo’s, wants to wait to make sure there are no long-term adverse effects before he starts offering Cymetra to patients. 

Dr. Woo, for his part, has yet to find any adverse reactions, but he said that in about 20 percent of his patients the Cymetra will be partially absorbed by the body, necessitating another injection. Many of the patients who got one of his Cymetra injections four years ago, however, never needed another visit. In fact, one of the main reasons Dr. Woo has become such a true believer in Cymetra is that, unlike other injectable substances like collagen or fat, Cymetra appears to mesh perfectly with the vocal cords, causing no allergic reactions or swelling. Indeed, LifeCell claims that in animal studies the material will actually bond with the body’s living tissue and allow blood supplies to grow through the Cymetra. Although Dr. Woo has not been able to confirm that claim, he does say that that might account for a peculiar phenomenon he has witnessed in Cymetra patients. 

“We have seen that some people, a year after you do their injection, their voice keeps getting better,” he said. “You first put it in as soft-tissue filler, but then that tissue becomes more robust.” 

Although Cymetra has been around since early 2000, its use in vocal-fold augmentation has only recently begun to increase in popularity. Dr. Woo, director of the Grabscheid Voice Center at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, now performs about one per week. 

Done right, the injection will plump up the limp vocal cord, making it stronger, and hence less gaspy and better able to regulate pitch. 

“If you can hand people back their whole voice strength and their pitch, you have turned back the clock a little bit,” said Dr. Stephen Rothstein, associate professor of otolaryngology at New York University Medical Center, who has done three Cymetra injections in the past six months. 

Of course, one must consider the source—cadaveric tissue. 

“There are some patients who say, ‘No, I don’t want skin from another person,’” said Dr. Woo, “But that’s not a reasonable concern,” because the skin has been completely sanitized and stripped of all identifiable elements, he said. 

The vocal folds, like any other muscle, atrophy with age, and can lose some of their bulk. When that happens, air rushes out in breathy, gaspy bursts, and the pitch of the voice starts to change. 

“You’ll have a guy in his seventies, and he complains that when he answers the phone, the person on the other side thinks the guy is his wife—because the pitch in his voice has gone up,” said Dr. Rothstein, who also has a private practice at NYU “[Conversely,] you’ll have a female in her seventies and the perception is that it’s a guy on the phone.” 

“If you’re older and you’re a C.E.O. of a company and you’re not speaking effectively, is that vanity or is that functional?” Dr. Andrew Blitzer, director of the New York Center of Voice and Swallowing Disorders at Roosevelt–St. Luke’s Hospital Center. “What you’re doing for a living is being diminished as a result of your communicative inability. That is a functional impairment.” 

But Dr. Aviv, of Columbia, says interest is spreading to the vain malingerers of Manhattan's Upper East Side. 

“Do people come in saying ‘I want my voice to sound like I was when I was 45’?” said Dr. Jonathan Aviv, “Sure, we hear that all the time.” 

Of course, as long as there are novel plastic surgeries, there will be people with obscure maladies—are deformed vocal folds the new deviated septums?—who need them medically. 

And, for what it’s worth, according to Dr. Blitzer, you can only turn back the laryngeal clock so far. 

“I don’t think if you take someone who is older and they have a raspy voice, that you can do this operation and make people think they’re 30 years old,” he said. 

But there is, he said, only one way to find out.›