Social services organizations and welfare recipients from around Alameda County helped pack the Alameda County Board of Supervisors Monday morning meeting to protest proposed budget cuts that might leave almost 1,500 people cut off from their General Assistance (GA) welfare benefits for nine months out of the year. 

Under a proposal released by the Social Services Agency at the beginning of the month, recipients who do not qualify for an exemption will be limited to GA benefits for three months a year. Those who will qualify for an exemption include people over 60, people who can document that they have a disability, and people with a major functional barrier such as a drug or alcohol problem or a developmental disability. 

The cuts, according to the agency, will save $5.2 million. They would go into effect July 1, with enforcement starting Sept. 1. 

Those who came out to protest the cuts have asked the supervisors and agency to reconsider their options before slicing what they called the last resort for Alameda County’s most destitute residents. 

The cuts are part of a multi-million dollar deficit that the Alameda County Social Services Agency is trying to close after its funding was cut in the proposed 2004-05 fiscal year county budget. Monday’s meeting was part of on-going budget hearings in front of the board which continue today (Tuesday, June 22) and culminate in a final approval vote next Monday. Overall, Alameda County faces a $98.4 million budget deficit.  

According to County Administrator Susan Muranishi, the county is facing steep budget cuts primarily because of state actions and a slumping national economy. In particular, she said, almost $1.9 billion in county money has been captured by the state since 1992 through the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) which siphons off local property tax.  

Currently, General Assistance (GA) benefits are set aside for single residents who do not have dependents and who do not qualify for any other type of benefits. The maximum benefit is $336 per month for those who have a place to stay. For the homeless, the maximum amount is $28. Those who have housing receive more because the program is set up to keep them housed while they participate in a mandated employment services program, which trains them to re-enter the work force. 

“GA is a benefit of last resort,” said Patricia Wall, executive director of the Homeless Action Center, a Berkeley-based advocacy law firm. “You have to be absolutely destitute to be eligible for the benefit. Frankly, I don’t know what they are going to do. It’s going to create a whole lot of homeless people which is something we don’t need. It’s the last thing we need.” 

At the meeting, GA recipients and their advocates learned of a partial reprieve being proposed by the Social Services Agency that might delay the cuts. Since releasing their initial proposal on June 3, agency director Chet P. Hewitt said the agency reconvened and came up with a way to extend the deadline for when the cuts will be enforced.  

Instead of a July 1 starting date, Hewitt proposed moving the starting date to Oct. 1, which would push the enforcement date back to Jan. 1, 2005. The proposal, he said, would allow GA recipients more time to either qualify for an exemption or find other means of help. 

The new proposal is still not enough said many recipients. During public testimony, groups of recipients got up to jointly discuss the consequences of eventually losing their benefits. 

“I’ll be homeless,” was the quick answer for those asked what they would do if they don’t have GA benefits year round. 

“I don’t have any family where I could go, I can’t sleep under the overpass, I’m sick,” said Vera Carter, tears in her eyes.  

Carter was one of a group of volunteers from the Alameda County Food Bank who came to protest the cuts. She—along with others—is currently participating in the employment services program. She said if GA is cut off for most of the year, she and others will have no way to stay in employment programs and will have to dedicate all their time and resources to meeting their basic necessities.  

“These are people who are trying really hard to work,” said Wall from the Homeless Action Center. “This is a welfare department that is particularly focused on work. We are now going to punish the people who are trying very hard. It’s a mixed message.” 

Judy Jackson, who will be exempt from the cuts because she has a documented disability, said GA has been an enormous help while she navigated other social service programs in an attempt to get back on her feet. A two-time cancer survivor and former teacher, Jackson has a Section 8 voucher and is waiting for SSI but said she could have never applied for these program if she didn’t have GA. 

She said GA was the only way she could eat while she spent all her time shuttling between social service offices and applying for permanent housing. 

“They are making an awful lot of demands on the poor, and very few on people who can afford it,” she said. 

Before the public comment period, Supervisor Keith Carson expressed his regret for the proposed cuts and also expressed his frustration with what he said is the county’s inability to change federal tax and spending policy. 

“We prefer not to be here to make cuts, but we have been fighting every day to protect the safety net,” he said. “As a county family we’re trying to figure out how to balance all the programs that should rightfully exist.” 

Carson told the audience that they should be at the meeting to protest, and that they should also be following the federal government as they “spend most of our money outside the country to destroy another government, money that should spent here.” 

Besides pushing people to the streets, protesters said the cuts will overburden other county shelter and health care services as people scramble to survive. They also warned that crime levels could increase, citing a study done in Alameda County in 1997 that found a 15 percent increase in arrests for people after they left the GA program. 

Advocacy groups said the cuts will also disproportionately affect workers whose primary language is not English. According to agency data, 17 percent of the current “employable” GA caseload are limited English proficient (LEP). Advocates said three months is not enough to participate in employment services programs, look for work and enroll in English classes. 

As a possible solution, advocates asked the Board of Supervisors to dip into the county’s contingency fund, which this year is a proposed $32.96 million. They said that although this is usually not an option, such drastic cuts should merit use of the money. 

Anne Arkush, a law intern at the East Bay Community Law Center, also presented the commissioners with a chart detailing the Available Fund Balance (AFB), or the unspent part of the budget every year. Using the chart, Arkush documented a trend that showed tight fiscal years usually create substantial AFBs because the county cuts more than necessary. As a result, she said, the county should not cut Social Services so drastically because more than likely there will be money left over.  

Berkeley Police homicide investigators dispute an Alameda County deputy district attorney who said they lacked sufficient evidence to charge two sisters as accessories to the 1970 murder of a Berkeley policeman.  

“We strongly disagree with that statement,” said Berkeley Police Lt. Russell Lopes, who is spearheading the “cold case” investigation into the slaying of Officer Ronald Tsukamoto. 

Three times in four weeks, Alameda County prosecutors have decided not to charge suspects arrested by the Berkeley Police Department in connection with the city’s first-ever cop killing. 

“We elected not to charge based on insufficient evidence,” said Assistant District Attorney Max Jacobson. 

Asked why two sisters and a man with alleged ties to the Black Panthers had been arrested in the first place, Jacobson replied, “You’d have to ask the Berkeley Police Department.” 

Jacobson’s office declined to charge sisters Joyce Gaskin and Joy Hall last Friday, three days after the two women surrendered themselves to Berkeley officers. The officers had a judicial warrant for Gaskin’s and Hall’s arrests on suspicion of being accessories after the fact to the Aug. 20, 1970, murder of Officer Ronald Tsukamoto, the first Asian American to wear a Berkeley Police badge. 

Tsukamoto had been on the job less than a year when he was gunned down by a man who approached him after Tsukamoto made a routine traffic stop of a motorcyclist. 

The first aborted arrest in the case came on May 24, when Berkeley officers arrested Don Juan Warren Graphenreed in the Fresno jail where he was being held pending trial on an unrelated burglary charge. 

Police announced the Graph-enreed arrest, only to agree to his release two days later when the district attorney’s office declined to press charges. 

“They presented paperwork on all three cases, and in each case were determined there was insufficient evidence to charge at this time,” Jacobson said. 

Asked if the D.A.’s office had played any part in the investigation, Jacobson said, “This is, was and always has been a Berkeley Police Department investigation.” 

“The decision to serve the warrant on Graphenreed was made at our request,” countered Lopes, “and the decision not to charge was made jointly by us and the district attorney’s office. There was every reason to serve the warrant and bring him here, and he can be charged at any time.” 

“It’s inappropriate to lump all three cases together,” said Lopes, explaining that the decision not to charge the sisters was an entirely different matter, “as different as day and night” from the Graphenreed decision. 

“To get the warrants, you have to determine to a judge’s satisfaction that a crime was committed and that there is probable cause for the arrest—and a well-qualified judge of the Alameda County Superior Court said there was reasonable cause to issue the warrant.” 

While defense attorneys for the sisters argued that their arrests took place decades after the statute of on accessory charges had lapsed, Lopes said he “vehemently disagreed.” 

The detective said the three-year statute of limitations started tolling when Berkeley Police reopened the case two years ago and first interviewed the sisters. 

“We concentrated on them because they were intimate witnesses to what happened,” Lopes said. “They’ve lied and made up fabrications,” which he said established the basis for the charges police sought to press. 

“It’s a complex case. It’s 34 years old and all of the witnesses are dead,” Lopes said. “Obviously, we have a battle with the district attorney’s office.”  

Lopes acknowledged that prosecutors need more evidence to bring a case to trial than police need to make an arrest. “We’ll go back and get what they need,” he said. “We will not be deterred on this case.”›

With battles raging over how much and in what form city workers will contribute to erasing Berkeley’s $10.3 million budget shortfall, the City Council will consider adoption of the city manager’s Budget Reduction Plan for fiscal years 2005 and 2006 at tonight’s (Tuesday, June 22) regular meeting. 

The city’s three largest unions—the Berkeley Police Association and Service Employees International Union Locals 535 and 790—have already agreed to giving back a percentage of workers’ salaries to the city for a one-year period. These three unions represent more than 60 percent of city employees. 

But unions representing city firefighters, managers, and electrical workers are balking at the deal. 

Deputy City Manager Lisa Caronna said the city is threatening to invoke a clause in the contracts of the Public Employees Union, Local 1 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245 which allows the city to unilaterally implement the giveback plan. 

While the firefighters’ union is the only city union that does not have such a unilateral salary giveback clause, City Councilmember Dona Spring has proposed that the council cut $300,000 in firefighters overtime pay for next year to make up the difference. The last minute cut would come after the city and fire department worked throughout the spring to realize savings in the department without cutting fire services. 

City staff officials were emphatic that the city could make the cuts without union approval. 

“The union contracts give the council rights to make reductions,” City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque said. Deputy City Manager Caronna added that a clause in the contracts of Local One and IBEW Local 1245 states that the city can implement salary reductions as part of a “general curtailment program.” 

The unions, however, are disputing the legality of any unilateral move from the city and have threatened to file a grievance or lawsuit should the city take action, according to a notice for a closed meeting of the City Council scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. 

Representatives for local unions did not return phone calls for this story. Local One and IBEW, Local 1245 have both pushed for the city to allow them to take unpaid voluntary time off to achieve savings rather than the one-year salary reduction, Councilmember Kriss Worthington said. 

As an incentive for its unions to accept the giveback, the city has agreed not to invoke the fiscal emergency clause again for the remainder of their contracts. 

The fire fighters are in a better negotiating position than other unions. They have the only contract among city unions that lacks the clause allowing the city to unilaterally implement salary reductions in times of fiscal crisis. 

Aware of its strong negotiating leverage, the firefighters union last week alerted the city that it wouldn’t discuss a giveback unless the city “reached mutual signed agreements” with its other five unions. 

Throughout the negotiations, the council had threatened to take the unpopular move of closing non-essential services once a month to save money if any of the unions refused to agree to the giveback.  

However, Councilmember Spring said that with three unions on board, and the city confident it can legally compel Local One and IBEW Local 1245 to accept the same deal, City Manager Phil Kamlarz told her he would ask the council Tuesday to consider reducing the fire department budget by $300,000—the same amount the city stood to gain had the union accepted the giveback. 

“We have to pass a budget and we can’t pass it with a $300,000 deficit. Something has to give,” Spring said. 

This is not the first time the city and the firefighters union have butted heads. Last year union opposition helped kill a planned $7 million parcel tax for fire services that sought to free up money in the general fund to pay for city services in danger of being cut. After that, the union took out advertisements and distributed fliers urging residents to oppose any cuts in fire services. 

Meanwhile, the other pieces of the city budget appear to have fallen into place.  

Mayor Tom Bates has retooled his proposal to use $192,000 in one-time money to partially restore funding to numerous community nonprofits for six months.  

Responding to requests from councilmembers, his plan now includes more money for civic arts programs including the Center for Innovative Technology which offers arts classes for disabled residents.  

Should the council adopt his plan, as expected, the funding would be sustained if voters pass ballot measures in November to increase the tax on property transfers to pay for youth programs and increase the Utility Users Tax to add $2.7 million to the general fund. 

A plea to save a home built the year Berkeley became a city goes before the City Council tonight (Tuesday, June 22), more than two months after the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) voted to permit demolition of the Amos Cottage at 2211 Fifth St. 

Fans of the Amos Cottage face an uphill struggle, since City Manager Phil Kamlarz has issued a formal recommendation urging the council to uphold the decision not to spare the 126-year old Italianate structure. 

The crucial factor in Kamlarz’ rationale is the failure of preservationists to appeal a March 11 ruling by ZAB that approved the plan by Berkeley architect Timothy Rempel and his partner Elizabeth Miranda to tear down the 917-square-foot cottage and replace it with an 8,897-square-foot, six-unit, three-story structure. 

Because no one appealed the ZAB ruling, Kamlarz wrote in a memorandum to the council, “the ZAB’s decision is now final as to the city; for the same reason any further challenge to the ZAB’s decision is barred. The city therefore must follow this decision, which is binding on it.” 

The day before the ZAB vote, neighbor Stan Huncilman submitted a petition to the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to designate the Amos Cottage as a structure of merit or landmark. ZAB voted for demolition knowing of Huncilman’s action. 

When the petition went for action to the LPC at their April 12 meeting, one commissioner was absent and the motion stalled on a 4-4 vote. The petition was then put over to the May 10 meeting, where the vote was 5-4 to deny Huncilman’s plea. 

It is an appeal of that decision which faces the council tonight. 

Submitted by Berkeley activist Carol Denney on behalf of the Friends of the 1878 Amos Cottage, the appeal was accompanied by letters from neighbors, historians and preservationists. 

Preservation proponents argue that special consideration should be given the Mary Amos Cottage in part because it was built by a widowed working woman and mother of two, unusual for 1878. 

Rempel and Miranda submitted their own response, including architectural professionals and academics, designers, a banker, and the president of the San Francisco Landmarks Advisory Board. One signatory, developer Gary Feiner has a controversial project a block away up for review by the LPC. 

One signer said recognition of Amos could be accomplished by the installation of a plaque on the site.  

Louis Rossetto, a founder of WIRED magazine, used his declaration of support to denounce “spurious neighborhood ‘leaders’ abusing City regulations in order to stymie needed construction, harass people who are trying to improve the city, and otherwise terrorize law abiding citizens for their own misguided and/or selfish reasons.” He singled out “Denney and her ilk’s stupidity.” 

Denney’s supporters include local historians Richard Schwartz and Susan Cerny, several historical societies from across the state and the neighborhood activists who pushed for creation of the nearby Sisterna Tract Historic District—the site of the property Feiner seeks to develop. 

While a fair number of pro-development submissions ri-diculed the preservationists and Berkeley politics in general, the submissions by those in favor of saving the house focused on the structure and its meaning to the community. 

The pro-preservation petition contends that the ZAB and city staff wrongly exempted the property from compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act. Kamlarz declared in response that they acted properly because the development was exempt as an infill project. 

The petition also contends that city staff failed to inform ZAB before their meeting that an appeal had been filed contesting the LPC denial. Kamlarz, however, said that ZAB had been notified. 

Preservationists said that relocation and preservation options were either distorted or omitted for the developers’ presentations to both ZAB and the LPC—points also denied by the city manager. 

The final outcome of tonight’s meeting may be foreshadowed in the package submitted to councilmembers in advance of tonight’s meeting—which includes a proposed two-page resolution denying Denney’s petition.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—Paul Johnson’s beheading sent a shiver of disgust throughout the world. Except the Arab world, that is.  

As I scan the Arab satellite channels and Arabic newspapers over the last 24 hours, I find a strange silence about the brutal act. A few columnists, such as the Saudi Abdul Rahman al-Rashed and the Kuwaiti Ahmed al-Rubai, condemned the killing. But most who were outraged by the murder are afraid to express their feelings for fear of being killed. 

The beheading of the American contractor from New Jersey and the Saudi response to it point to a broad and dangerous trend: Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Arab world are swimming in a sea of violent language that justifies terrorism and makes it acceptable, especially to the young. Terrorism will not be defeated before its justification in Arab newspapers and Arab TVs and mosques is eliminated. For example, when an Al-Jazeera anchor adopts the language of al Qaeda and refers to Saudi Arabia as “Jazeerat al-Arab” (the Arabian Island), as if the current Saudi state never existed, terrorism wins. 

Terror starts in the mind, is expressed through language, and then materializes in brutal acts such as the beheading of Mr. Johnson.  

I recently traveled to Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In each of these places I noticed that al Qaeda and its ideas are no longer perceived as extreme. Indeed, they have become mainstream. Being a part of this movement has become “cool” in the eyes of young people. One Kuwaiti who graduated from a school in Pennsylvania told me, “Don’t believe them when they say it is al Qaeda that is slaying Americans. It is Americans who are killing Americans to justify their presence in the Arab world and to control Arab oil.” Such conspiracies are rampant among Arab youth. 

An Egyptian student told me the Americans “deserve it for their support to Israel and their occupation of Iraq.” Discuss the topic and you end up listening to a litany of excuses focusing on America as the source of Arab misery, from Palestine to Iraq. There are those who denounce such thinking, like the Imam of the grand mosque in Mecca, but he does so only when the government pressures him.  

Many in the Arab world think that killing Americans does not carry a price. Unlike killing someone from a neighboring tribe, a situation in which revenge is expected, Americans seem not to exact revenge after the assassination of their citizens. Like most Arab regimes, the American state appears ill-equipped to deal with non-state actors. 

Violent movements seem to overwhelm and confuse state leaders. One may look to Lebanon, where Hizbullah is much more important than the Lebanese state, and its sheikh Hassan Nasrallah more prominent than Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri. In the occupied territories, Hamas has enveloped the PLO. Hamas leaders such as Maumoud al-Zahar are much more important than Yassir Arafat. In Sudan, Sheikh Hassan al-Turabi and his movement took over the state.  

Saudi Arabia and Egypt have not yet reached this point. But they could move in the same direction very soon.  

America should help Saudi Arabia improve security in the kingdom. The Saudi regime has many problems. But Osama bin Laden’s primary objective, before bringing down America, is the destruction of the Saudi ruling family. The Saudis and the United States have no choice but to support each other. When we criticize the kingdom the Saudi elite is put on the spot, and they respond by criticizing America, which leads to even more support for bin Laden among the people.  

Security is not the whole story. We need to make it possible for Arabs to condemn this act of barbarism unequivocally. We need to tip the balance in favor of those who condemn terrorism, but so far have been afraid to do it publicly.  

Arabs should stop deceiving themselves by confusing the suffering of Arabs in Iraq and the occupied territories in Israel with the slaying of innocent people broadcast on the Internet. Arab heads of state, Imams of mosques and community leaders must make it clear that such acts are unacceptable. Unless Arabs themselves muster the courage to speak out against these heinous acts and those who perpetrate them, they will be the next victims of the Islamic radicals. 

Arabic newspapers, television and Internets sites should make it clear that they will not publish hate speech against Americans or non-Muslims. Thus far, Arab media are full of speech that anywhere else in the world would be considered libelous.  

American media, likewise, should refrain from giving newspaper space and television airtime to these barbaric thugs, their pronouncements and their acts. They are not killing for Allah, but for publicity. These are the kind of men who should be confronted in their hiding places, ferreted out and captured without media coverage. Only then will the numbers of killings decrease. 

Mamoun Fandy is a columnist for the two largest Arab-language dailies, Cairo-based Al Ahram and London-based Asharq Al-Awsat. }

Berkeley firefighters summoned to 1275 San Pablo Ave. early Monday morning found a laundry room ablaze behind the recently opened Meal Ticket restaurant. 

The fire began in a rear stairwell and spread to the laundry room of the owner’s living quarters above the restaurant. The blaze was extinguished before it could damage the eatery, said Deputy Fire Chief David Orth. 

Damage to the structure was estimated at $30,000, with $2,000 more attributable to the loss of laundry room equipment. 

Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire, which is listed as a “suspicious circumstances” event. 

—Richard Brenneman

Strongarm Bandits Create Wednesday Woes 

A strongarm heister grabbed the purse of a hapless pedestrian walking near the corner of Deakin and Woolsey streets shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday and ran off with both the bag and its contents. 

Two strongarm types turned a cyclist into a pedestrian after they braced him at 4 p.m. near the corner of Regent Street and Dwight Way and relieved him of his wheels. 

Arson Try Fails When Molotov Proves a Dud 

Shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday, a would-be arsonist tossed a cocktail through the window of Steps House at 1545 Dwight Way, an institution dedicated to sobriety. 

The cocktail wasn’t the alcoholic sort but the incendiary variety, the gas-in-a-bottle devices named after former Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov and used so successfully by Russian partisans against German tanks during World War II. 

The Berkeley bomb failed to detonate, however, and police now seeking the flame-thrower, who faces serious felony charges. 

Teenager Bandits Threaten Knife Attack  

Two teenagers approached a pedestrian near the intersection of Adeline and Stuart streets about 9:30 Thursday evening and threatened to stab the man unless he turned over his cash. 

He did, and the duo departed. 

Another Arson Try Under Investigation 

Berkeley Police are looking into another arson attempt, this one occurring about 1:30 a.m. Friday someone tried to ignite a deck near the corner of Acton Street and Channing Way. The fire was extinguished before any serious damage was done. 

Police Seek Man in Attempted Rape  

UC Berkeley Police summoned city police to the 2700 block of Channing Way at 3:49 a.m. Wednesday after a student called to report that she’d been attacked by a would-be sexual assailant, said Berkeley Police spokesperson Officer Joe Okies. 

Officers from both departments scoured the area in search of a blond, blue-eyed man the victim said was 19 years old, about 5’6” tall and weighing an estimated 150 pounds. He was wearing blue jeans and a blue sweatshirt. 

The sexual assault was unsuccessful and woman sustained minor injuries in the attack, Okies said. 

UC police handed the case over to Berkeley officers for the follow-up investigation. 

Would-be Victim Foils Rat Pack Robbers 

A gang of four or five young adults tried to rob a pedestrian at Eighth Street and Channing Way Friday afternoon. The would-be victim managed to escape with his wallet intact. 

Paper-hanging Pair Busted 

A Berkeley Bowl security officer detained a young couple outside the store shortly before 7 p.m. Friday after they purchased a load of groceries with what proved to be a forged check. 

The officer, who said he had recognized them from an earlier attempt, held the duo until Berkeley Police arrived. Officer Okies said further investigation revealed they had passed other bad paper at the grocery store, and another bad check earlier that day at Walgreens. 

The couple was charged with conspiracy and multiple forgery charges. 

Police Seek Suspects in Shotgun Heists 

Berkeley Police arrested a teenager about 1 a.m. Saturday after five young men, one brandishing a shotgun, confronted a woman on College Avenue near its intersection with Channing Way and relieved her of her bag. 

Then, 17 hours later, a trio of young men, one packing a shotgun, confronted a man at Dwight Way near Prospect Street and forced him to hand over his wallet. 

Officer Okies said detectives are investigating to see if the two crimes are related. 

Man Brandishes Note, Robs Bank 

A young man walked into the Washington Savings branch at Solano and Fresno avenues and presented a note demanding cash. 

The teller complied and the bandit stuffed the loot into a black plastic bag and fled. 

Police are seeking an African American male of medium build in his twenties with a short Afro who is described at standing between 5’6” and 5’8”. He was wearing glasses and a bandage over he nose, a blue denim jacket, a yellow shirt and baggy blue jeans.›

Last week I was playing Scrabble with my three friends, the Scrabblettes. At 52-years-old I was the youngster in the room by over two decades. Louise, Pearl and Rose lived through the tail-end of the Depression, World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the terms of 13 United States presidents. Rose’s family was interned during World War II, taken from their farm in the California Central Valley and sent to a camp for Japanese-Americans in Arkansas in 1942. Louise’s family moved from Louisiana to Berkeley at around the same time period, a part of the great migration of southern blacks seeking work on the West Coast. Pearl recently returned to the Bay Area after a two-year stint with the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan. 

When these single, independent women talk about anything, I listen. Collectively, they have more than 210 years of first-hand, worldly experience. Don’t get on their wrong side, and refrain from arguing with them. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t recommend playing Scrabble a gainst the Scrabblettes, unless you have a strong ego, and don’t mind getting the stuffing beat out of you. 

Naturally, during our game the conversation turned to Ronald Reagan’s death and funeral. “Jeez,” said Pearl. “Can you believe they want to put that guy’s picture on a 10-dollar bill? What on earth for?” 

“Ridiculous,” murmured Louise, as she laid out “qiviut” (yarn spun from the fine, soft hair of a musk ox), on a double word score and took the lead with 36 points. 

“You know the lady I deliver Meals on Wheels to?” asked Rose as she realigned her letters on the plastic holder in front of her. This got my attention. What senior citizen was 73-year-old Rose delivering meals to in her spiffy new Mini Cooper? I pictured her driving the way she plays tennis, capably spinning around Berkeley streets, taking curves and corners at an expeditious, no-nonsense clip. Rose once told me that the Mini Cooper could reach speeds of 150 mph. 

“I don’t know her,” I said. 

“Well,” said Rose, peering at me from be hind her bifocals. “She asked me if I was going to deliver her lunch last Friday, the Holy Day. I said ‘What Holy Day?’ and she said, ‘You know, the Reagan funeral.’ I said ‘That’s not a holy day,’ and she said, ‘I know, but they’re sure acting like it is, aren’t they?’” Rose shook her head. “I told her I’d be delivering her lunch come hell or high water, and she said, ‘Good, cuz I didn’t vote for him and I’m not taking a holiday myself.’” 

Louise chuckled and fiddled with her lettered tiles. 

“More coffee?” asked Pearl.  

“Just a little,” said Rose. “But don’t get up, I’ll get it myself.” 

“I think that the best thing Reagan ever did was to admit that he had Alzheimer’s,” said Pearl. 

“I agree,” said Louise. “At least he made the public more aware of it.” 

“I’m glad Nancy came out for stem cell research,” said Rose. “Good strong coffee, by the way, Pearl.” 

“Thanks,” said Pearl. “If it doesn’t put hair on your chest, it’s not worth drinking.” 

“Yes, on stem cell research,” I said, finally speaking up. “But I wish Nancy had done more for the caregivers of this world. Of course, she’s rich and old, and I’m sure she didn’t have much to do with Ronnie’s actual physical care. Still, spending 10 years planning a state funeral with taxpayers’ money is not what most people tending an elderly shut-in have time for.” 

“I’ll say,” said Louise, getting ready to spell another 30-pointer. 

Pearl rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to take away from Nancy’s pain, because we all know it’s real and it’s sad and Alzheimer’s is not something to joke about. It must have been hard for her to realize that she couldn’t ‘Just say no’ to Alzheimer’s and make it disappear. Let’s hope she’ll have enough generosity left, after the funeral, to help those suffering from Alzheimer’s, and t hose that take care of them.”› 

As a Jew who is critical of Israeli policy, I am no stranger to confrontation. Despite the strain I’ve placed on my personal relationships, despite having to stand alone in political debates, I have always been vocal in my defense of the cause of Palestine. A few weeks ago, however, I began to feel as though I was fighting a losing battle. It began to seem natural that everyone sticks by their group, right or wrong, as a simple matter of survival. Who was I to defy this basic law of human relations? This feeling nagged me until June 2, when I picked up an article entitled “Hooray for Bill Cosby.” 

Cosby’s comments at the May 17 commemoration of Brown vs. the Board of Education have received widespread attention. “The lower economic people are not holding up their end in this deal,” he said. Referring to a black youth shot to death by police for stealing a piece of pound cake, he remarked “what the hell was he doing with the pound cake in his hand?”  

Cosby’s statements implying that the ills of poor blacks are self-inflicted were met with virtually unanimous applause from the media. Dick Myer of CBSNews.com, in his May 26 piece praising Cosby, wrote that he expected to report on the controversy, but found that “there was no chorus of criticism.” DeWayne Wickham of USA Today wrote an article entitled “Cosby Isn’t Alone in Asking Blacks to Own Up to Problems.” Syndicated columnist Brent Bozell III wrote “An Ovation for Bill Cosby.” 

What an amazing double standard! When blacks criticize other blacks, they are praised for their “tough love” and for their courage in telling hard truths about their race. When Jews criticize Israel, however, they are ridiculed, labeled “self-hating Jews,” and even threatened with death. 

Though I find it disgraceful that successful writers should so unhesitatingly agree that institutional racism is dead, my purpose here is not to address that issue. Rather, I want to contrast media reaction when blacks and Jews, respectively, criticize other members of their race.  

Statements such as Cosby’s are unexceptional. NAACP President Kweisi Mfume commented: “Much of what he said I’ve been saying in my speeches.” 

Compare this with the treatment of “self-hating Jews.” Most often our activities are ignored by the media. When we do receive public attention, our views are mocked or obscured.  

Noam Chomsky, the most prominent Jewish critic of Israeli policy, has made note of Israel’s frequent disregard of U.N. resolutions and continuing illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. While Chomsky’s opinions on this complex issue are open to debate, the press rarely even engages his actual statements. Take Deborah Solomon’s interview with Chomsky in the November 2, 2003 issue of the New York Times Magazine. After some opening questions about Chomsky’s non-political work in linguistics, Solomon goes on the offensive:  

“Your father was a respected Hebraic scholar, and sometimes you sound like a self-hating Jew.”  

Chomsky responds: 

“It is a shame that critics of Israeli policies are seen as either anti-Semites or self-hating Jews. It’s grotesque. If an Italian criticized Italian policies, would he be seen as a self-hating Italian?”  

Solomon’s next question: “Have you ever been psychoanalyzed?” She ends the interview shortly by asking “Have you considered leaving the United States permanently?”  

Solomon doesn’t even do Chomsky the courtesy of criticizing his position. She goes straight into a personal attack, first calling him a “self-hating Jew,” then questioning his sanity, and finally implying that he should leave the country. A more striking contrast with the media’s uncritical approval of Cosby’s remarks could not be imagined. 

Opponents of Rabbi Michael Lerner, another critic of Israel’s policies, were not content with name-calling. In the July/August 2001 issue of Lerner’s publication Tikkun, he wrote: 

“…an Israeli website called “self-hate” has identified me as one of the five enemies of the Jewish people, and printed my home address and driving instructions on how to get to my home. We reported this to the police, the Israeli Consulate, and to the Anti Defamation League. The ADL said this was not a ‘hate crime’…” 

To date the ADL has not taken any action on Lerner’s behalf. Again, contrast with this the NAACP’s support of Bill Cosby, with Mfume even going so far as to echo Cosby’s statements. 

What are the reasons for this astonishing divergence? Cosby and Chomsky have both made roughly parallel statements criticizing other members of their ethnicity. Blacks and Jews both share a legacy of persecution. Both groups have a history of being betrayed by their own, and are leery of traitors. Cosby’s remarks establish that it’s well within the bounds of mainstream discourse to criticize one’s own race. Why, then, are American Jews prohibited from criticizing the State of Israel? 

The simplest explanation is that the powerless are easy to criticize and the powerful are not. Poor blacks make a soft target. Many of them are probably unaware of Cosby’s statements entirely, and none are in a position to bring any consequences down on him. The Israeli government, represented by the lobbying muscle of AIPAC, on the other hand, can make things very uncomfortable for its critics. 

Furthermore, it is in the interests of the business elites who hire and fire America’s pundits to discourage a costly effort to right systemic wrongs against people of color. Likewise, these elites surely want to safeguard their profitable relationship with the Israeli state, with its billions of dollars in defense and industrial contracts. 

As a Jew, I feel I have not only the right but the responsibility to speak out against injustices committed in my name.  

Oakland resident David Siegel is a writer and musician. He graduated from Columbia University in 2000.

Editors, Daily Planet: 

David Trachtenberg’s handsome new building at Solano Avenue and Colusa remains ominously empty, its elegant storefront windows waiting to come to life. By now, many people are puzzled by this seemingly paralyzed project. 

Months back, we were promised a perfect starter occupant in the form of La Farine bakery, a proven success up on College Avenue near Claremont, which, after a protracted battle with the city over two traditional tables and missing parking, was finally given approval. 

Now, one lone letter of protest received on the last day of the objections period will extend further the already absurd wait for this ideal use of the new building’s dramatic rounded corners. Now the City Council cannot review this matter until late July, or if that date is missed, in September after the council’s summer recess. Maybe we can have it for next Christmas! 

Parking is no longer the issue. Neither are the “occasional” short-stay tables. The real argument seems to be that there are too many eating establishments on upper Solano. Too Many? Who says? How arbitrary can we get? 

For better or worse, upper Solano has evolved somewhat into another Fourth Street—dedicated to book-browsing, coffee-sipping, greeting-card-buying and movie-going. There are also banks, a supermarket and a post-office, so the area does have its workaday use, but it would seem perverse, if not stupid, to put, say, a bike-shop, and appliance store, or even a real estate office in this inviting new building. 

Such obsessive control of the commercial/leisure environment makes living in Berkeley a bit like living in Oliver Cromwell’s England. Emeryville looks more attractive every day. 

John Kenyon 

›

• 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I was somewhat surprised to see your report in the Daily Planet that Daniel Silverstein “came up with the idea” of using digital cryptography to sign paper ballots that could be used to check against electronic vote totals. This is certainly NOT at all a new idea, in fact I reported on it back in 2002 in 

my article (linked at www.notablesoftware.com/evote.html) for IEEE Spectrum “A Better Ballot Box.” There I said, “Cryptography can, though, be effectively used along with a voter-verifiable ballot to prevent ballot-box stuffing, and to make certain that the paper tallies match the electronic results. David Chaum, a Palo Alto, Calif., cryptologist who, 20 years ago, invented electronic cash, has a technique that provides the best of all possible worlds: a computer-generated, voter-verified physical ballot that also gives the voter a receipt that can be used to determine that his or her vote was tabulated correctly, without revealing its contents.” 

You did also report, though, that Silverstein sent links to his papers to me for review, but he knows that I have not yet had time to look at them. It is most inappropriate that he (and you) use my name in his publicity until I have vetted his work. I would appreciate it if he and you would refrain from doing so in the future, unless you check with me (and receive a response in the affirmative) first. 

Rebecca Mercuri. 

• 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Please accept my apologies for my role in this debacle. As Dr. Mercuri states, using digital cryptography to sign paper ballots that could later be checked against electronic totals is not a new idea. My paper proposes a possible implementation for such a system, but I do not claim to have originated the idea. If I left Mr. Schiller, the article's author, with the wrong impression, I must apologize as this had not been my intent. 

Furthermore, I owe Dr. Mercuri a personal apology for the use of her name in connection with my work. Mr. Schiller asked me if he could state that Mercuri was reviewing my work and I told him that he could.  

I exercised poor judgment in this matter, and gave permission that was not mine to give. For this, I offer my most humble apologies. 

Daniel C. Silverstein›

DEDICATION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Last Wednesday I went to a Citizens Humane Commission meeting at the North Berkeley Senior Center as a requirement for a merit badge for Boy Scouts. I was impressed by their commitment to making Berkeley a better place t o live. I learned how hard the commissioners work and how they keep in mind all the people not just the dog owners. I’m proud to live in a city where people are so dedicated to making their city a better place. 

Patrick Georgi, Troop 24  

• 

WORLD MUSIC FE S TIVAL 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

This weekend’s World Music Festival was a fabulous event—thanks to the organizers! We were to have gone to Mill Valley today but instead decided to stick around and I recalled something about music on Telegraph. Glad we sta ye d.  

From 11 a.m. until late in the afternoon there was exceptional music in every nook and cranny on the street. We saw Big Bones (great harp and bass) at the Durant Food Court between wafts of King Pin’s finest, The Shots (this group should perform at the Grammys or at least the Bammies or whatever it’s called now) on Telegraph and Crying High at Raleigh’s.  

At first it seemed a shame that some of these musicians had only enough space around them to accommodate 20 listeners, but as the day evolved it was clear that nobody minded, and it allowed all passers-by opportunities they otherwise might have missed. Foresightful planning! The woman who looked in charge of things was somehow everywhere at once. She did an incredible job.  

The band at Raleigh’s was tight, playing Brazilian music with a bit of music education for good measure. People could have stayed there all day listening and joining in. I had never set foot in this place before but ended up having a late lunch there—a wonderful find. 

In s um, a great afternoon—Berkeley showing off and deservedly so.  

Thanks to the organizers and all the musicians!! 

Jen Larson 

• 

ALTA BATES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I would like to make a comment regarding your article, “Unions Continue Heated Dispute With A lta Bates Medical Center” (Daily Planet, June 11-14). The article states that, according to Local 250 President Sal Rosselli, “Alta Bates Summit has a high number of traveling employees that temporarily fill their open positions. According to a SEIU stu dy, temporary positions place financial burdens on hospitals because traveling employees are often paid more than permanent employees. Traveling employees also result in inferior care, they said, because employees don’t have the chance to form experienced teams.” As a “traveling” (registered) nurse, I am appalled and basically insulted by the implication that I give “inferior care.” Maybe “the chance of forming experience teams” is not an option because there are no “experienced teams” to join (meaning th ey lack the permanent staff.) Which leads me to wonder why Alta Bates (Summit) is unable to procure permanent employees. As for the comment that we’re “paid more than permanent employees,” this is pure hogwash. Every assignment I have had I have made less or the same as the permanent staff nurses. How do I know? Because I tell them up front what I make in order to help break the ongoing myth. If hospitals treat nurses with greater respect, pay them a reasonable wage for their knowledge, education and expe rti se, and offer them safe working conditions my position would be filled.  

Mary Willock  

• 

FALSE ARRESTS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Am I in Oakland? Am I in another time when the police were openly called pigs because of their racism and railroading of Af rica n Americans and the poor? Is Ashcroft’s America seeping into Berkeley? I refer to the embarrassing to them, and revealing to us, police arrest of Berkeley residents, twin sisters, Joyce Gaskin and Joy Hall as accessories to the murder of Berkeley Pol ice O fficer Tsukamoto in 1970.  

The sisters were released from jail to a crowd of family and friends June 18 for lack of evidence, after spending four days in jail. Since the police know they must have at least a shred of evidence in even a probable cau se cha rge, not just wishful thinking, this case is pure police harassment.  

It seems the sisters were associated with the Black Panthers in 1970. That was the sole basis for plucking them from their lives, charging them with probable cause, putting them in jai l, and smearing their names. Take your choice: Racism is alive and well in Berkeley or we have a totally inept police department.  

Note to the Berkeley Police: There are many of us in Berkeley knowledgeable about what the panthers were trying to accompli sh. The name “Black Panther” doesn’t have a negative connotation to us. Radical baiting isn’t going to work.  

Upon the sisters’ release Officer Okies said that the police department will continue to thoroughly investigate this case to its conclu sion. However, there is no thoroughness to continue on with. But the police can start now.  

This deplorable incident seems to indicate that the police department isn’t under quality control. If they’re not harassing the homeless, they’re falsely arresting people.  

Who was responsible for the terrible decision to arrest the two women?  

In addition, the City of Berkeley is likely to be hit with a law suit for false arrest. That money could pay for a very conscientious senior center van driver soon to be laid off.  

At the very least, Ms. Gaskin and Ms. Hall deserve an apology from our City Council. As a citizen of Berkeley, I deserve an apology as well because my belief in Berkeley as a fair and just city just took a direct hit. 

If Berkeley wants to co ntinue being thought of as a beacon of sanity and a center of social justice issues, especially in these dangerous times, it must ensure their police department is lining up with its values. Who’s overseeing the police?  

There is one thing I’m glad about in this case: that the police didn’t have attack dogs when they went to arrest Ms. Gaskin and Ms. Hall.  

Maris Arnold  

• 

HOUSING AUTHORITY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Matt Artz did well to get the details of the Tuesday, June 15 Berkeley Housing Authority meeting in to organized print (“Housing Authority Passes Reorganization Plan,” Daily Planet, June 18-21)! The one major omission was the departure of yet another Housing Authority commissioner who represents the public—Section 8 tenant Zelda Clark. (Clark and public housing tenant Pinky Payne, as accurately noted, represent BHA tenants on the board, which otherwise consists of the City Council.) Seated at the outskirts and without recorder buttons, it is difficult for these two to get the chair’s attention. 

At 6:30 (or whenever!) on July 20, the BHA will hold a public hearing to solicit comment on the Agency’s Annual Plan to be submitted to HUD. Copies are said to be available for prior review at the BHA office. Why not a copy at the Berkeley Public Centr al Library Reference Desk? 

Helen Rippier Wheeler 

• 

UC LONG RANGE PLAN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I appreciated your editorial today (‘The Local Press Takes On the Big U,” Daily Planet, June 18-21) in which you referenced Chris Thompson’s interview with me a bout our o pposition to the high-density housing complex at Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Centennial Drive, proposed by the university in its 2020 Long-Range Development Plan. I have also thanked Mr. Thompson for the exposure as well, but, in concurrence wit h your comm entary, have disabused him of the notion that he needed to protect me from what he referred to as “that tireless group of hysterics who endlessly carp about Lawrence Berkeley Lab” (the Committee to Minimize Toxic Waste). Those of us who live d ownwind (and those winds have been clocked at my home at 70 mph) and in close proximity to the lab’s various buildings pray that the Hayward fault continues to hold and that the lab buildings housing toxics and radioactive waste are secure and well-insulated. To my t hinking, planning for the safe and unimpeded egress of our neighborhood during any kind of disaster is no exercise in hysteria. A Sanskrit saying comes to mind: “Heyam Duhkham Anagatam.” Translation: “Avert the Danger that Has Not Yet Come.”  

Andrea Pflau mer 

Summit Road/Grizzly Peak Boulevard Watch 

• 

GOOD VS. EVIL 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Leading the news last Friday was the story of the decapitation in Saudi Arabia of Mr. Johnson, a U.S. helicopter mechanic, by al Qaeda. The next day the me dia reported that two missiles killed quite a few residents of Fallujah. 

If the forces driving the violence in the Middle East represent a global contest between good and evil, as President Bush and his followers claim, then which is which, pray tell. 

A beheading is savage, repugnant and personal. A missile explosion that kills women and children is savage, repugnant and impersonal. Can anyone deny that both are evil? Jesus wept.  

Marvin Chachere 

San Pablo Èe

What began as a seemingly simple request to city planning staff turned the June 12 Zoning Adjustment Board meeting into a spirited debate about the future of Berkeley’s Elmwood Commercial District. It ended with a sharply-divided ZAB unable to reach a conclusion on what direction Elmwood should take. 

Berkeley residents voted to form the Elmwood Commercial District in 1981, troubled by the influx of restaurants that many feared would drive out the host of locally owned businesses that catered to the needs of the surrounding community. Adopted at the same time was a system of rent control and eviction protections for neighborhood merchants. 

A judicial ruling axed the rent control seven years later, but the commercial district and its system for allocating business slots by a system of quotas remains.  

But economic pressures, driven in part by landlords eager for the higher rents they can collect from restaurants and high-end clothiers, are threatening to transform the neighborhood into something far different from what exists today. 

All parties agree that the quota system has serious flaws, not least because the city had no system for keeping up with the changes in the neighborhood centered on the intersection of College and Ashby avenues.  

For months before the ZAB meeting, city planners Debra Sanderson and Stephen Ford had been rethinking the quota system in cooperation with the Elmwood Merchants Association and its president, Jon Moriarty. From that process emerged the four-page memorandum Sanderson and Ford submitted to ZAB before this month’s meeting, evaluating the status of the quotas and actual uses of commercial space, and offering recommendations to update and clarify the existing system. 

Beyond the limits on business types, any attempt to expand a business must first win city approval—though just how and through what process remains ambiguous. 

While Elmwood area supporters of the existing system admit it needs revision, College Avenue clothier Jeremy Kidson, the owner of Jeremys, told ZAB members “I disagree with the quota system entirely. It’s nonsense. It doesn’t work. At the most there should be restaurants or no restaurants, like on Solano” Avenue. 

Jeremys has been an Elmwood staple since 1990, steadily expanding into one vacant space after another in the building Kidson owns at the southeast corner of College and Ashby avenues. 

His attempt to swallow up yet another space played a part in the attempt to revise the neighborhood system snarl.  

Kidson started his highly successful discount business in San Francisco, where he still maintains his largest store in the South of Market district. His steadily-expanding Berkeley outlet has proven a big hit, with long lines gathering outside the store when new merchandise arrives. 

But to merchants like Moriarty, whose 14 Karats jewelry store at 2910 College makes all the jewelry it sells, the key issue is diversity. 

The push for the creation of the Elmwood Commercial District was prompted by merchants and neighbors who hoped to preserve a shopping hub that served the surrounding community by providing both goods and essential services. 

“When the district was created, we had a watchmaker, a show repair shop, a tailor, a Christian Science Reading Room—none of which can afford rents of $3 a square foot with triple net,” Moriarty said, adding that he’s not resistant to change. “A lot of people want to keep the quotas as they are, but they have to change.” 

John Gordon, Berkeley’s major broker of commercial rentals, agrees. “I live here in the neighborhood, and none of us want to see any significant changes. But something has to be done to reevaluate the way the system works.” 

Gordon is the leasing agent for the largest bloc of vacant space in the Elmwood, the two-story Victorian shop building at the northwest corner of College and Ashby and two adjoining buildings. The smaller two structures both need retrofitting. 

He has tenants eager to rent, but none qualifies under the existing system. 

“If someone sells cookware and wants to sell coffee to customers so they can drink while they shop and offer cooking classes where the food is consumed when it’s finished, then they are listed as food service, and all those slots are filled. And if a store that sells baby furniture also wants to offer sleepware, then it’s a clothing store and can’t qualify because those slots are filled,” Gordon said. “I also have someone who wants to move an existing business up from Telegraph, but their quota is also filled—so you can’t even retain a business in the city without having to go through a four- to eight-month permit process.” 

Gordon concludes, “There are good reasons to have quotas, but something has to be done to streamline the process.” 

Further complicating the Elmwood picture are the limited available parking, the frequent traffic snarls on Ashby, and the maze of barricaded streets the city has created in the surrounding neighborhood. 

“We’ve had people who live nearby tell us it’s taken them 20 minutes to drive here and 20 more to find a parking space,” Moriarty said. 

Berkeley zoning ordinances limit the Elmwood Commercial District to two banks or savings and loans, seven full-service restaurants, 10 service businesses, seven barber and beauty shops, 10 clothiers, four book and magazine stands, two copy stores, 12 jewelry or crafts shops, three carry-out food vendors, seven quick-serve restaurants, and six full service restaurants. 

Ordinances similarly ban from Elmwood: 

• Department stores 

• Pawn shops 

• Auction venues (though a firm selling customer goods over eBay is operating in the district)  

• Medical/health practices 

• Adult-oriented businesses 

• Amusement arcades 

• Nightclubs 

• Motels 

• Gas stations 

• Drive-ins 

• Amplified live entertainment 

• Hospitals 

• ATMs (except in banks) 

• Cemeteries and mortuaries 

• Dry-cleaning and laundry plants 

• Kennels 

• Testing labs 

• Warehouses, and 

• Any type of automotive businesses other than parts stores. 

“The way it is,” said Gordon, “we don’t know who we can put in there.” 

“The quota system is ineffective,” Kidson said. “It protects the merchants at the expense of the consumer. When the city comes in and imposes all these controls, the quality goes down and fewer people come to shop. As a result, the whole area suffers. Look at the area around the Safeway in Rockridge. There’s a butcher, a baker, and a number of other merchants, and they’re all thriving. Look at Fourth Street; it’s thriving. And neither area has quota.” 

Kidson added that the one thing the city can do to promote small businesses and mom-and-pop stores “is to say there can’t be any chain stores there, because a chain can put in a store that loses money while it drives out other businesses.”  

Moriarty, who opened his Elmwood shop 26 years ago, said he and his fellow merchants are “busting our asses to try to make our neighborhood work. There’ve been a lot of changes, and a lot of the merchants who were here when I started are gone, and now you can get a hard drink here for the first time since the 1930s. It’s not like we’re fighting tooth and nail to keep things the way they were.” 

But for all the work by city staffers and Elmwood merchants, ZAB members split 4-4 on suggestions for revising the quota system. 

The one member who abstained, Laurie Capitelli, did so because he owns property in the district and has a business there. 

The opponents all expressed interest in tossing the quota system altogether. 

“I guess that means the staff is on its own,” Sanderson said. “We’re obligated to make the best interpretation we can.” 

In the end, any changes will rest with the Planning Commission and City Council. 

Another proponent of change in Elmwood testified before ZAB after the vote—developer Patrick Kennedy, whose projects are changing the face of downtown Berkeley and University Avenue. 

“It’s important for the city commissions and the City Council to do everything possible to make business work here,” Kennedy said. “I was a little surprised to see that a locally owned business like the clothing store mentioned here earlier has to fight the city in order to succeed. And I have to wonder what kind of city the city wants.” 

Moriarty and his fellow merchants want a vibrant neighborhood. “If it’s just restaurants, people will only come in the evening to eat—the hours when the rest of us are closed. If it’s restaurants and clothiers, then the rents will drive most of us out.” 

And it was the merchants who rallied to save the neighborhood’s economic anchor, the Elmwood Theater at 2966 College Ave., after a fire forced owner United Artists to close the venerable institution in 1988. 

Built in 1918 and remodeled 32 years later, the theater had been a cornerstone of the Elmwood district, bringing in customers to neighboring merchants. 

Faced with the loss of a critical part of their community, the Elmwood Merchants Association created the non-profit Elmwood Theater Foundation to raise money to buy and renovate the landmark. 

Though contributions provided most of the necessary funding, an additional $215,000 was needed. To provide the city with a guaranteed system for repayment, the merchants and the city created the Elmwood Business Improvement District on July 20, 1993 to fund repayments through a system of annual assessments. 

The Elmwood Theater reopened on October 20, 1994, and the merchants’ efforts have paid off. The theater has proven a success, mixing first run and children’s fare with a solid core of art house films, and the loans are being paid off. 

“Imagine that! Someday we’ll actually own the theater,” Moriarty said. 

ZAB member Laurie Capitelli sits on the theater foundation’s board, as does Moriarty’s spouse. 

Moriarty and his colleagues have also stepped up their marketing campaign with a website—www.shopelmwood.com—that offers a virtual tour of neighborhood shops, complete with descriptions. “Restaurants will be able to post their daily specials, and retailers can list their sales items. It also includes an e-mail system so we can all stay in touch with each other,” he says. 

Moriarty came up with the idea for the site while web-surfing for places to see in London, where he and his wife were celebrating her fortieth birthday. 

Kidson says he won’t give up the fight. “I intend to spearhead a drive to get rid of this quota system. It just doesn’t work.”

TUESDAY, JUNE 22 

THEATER 

Shotgun Theater Lab “Four Echoes” at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Free, sugggested donation up to $15. 841-6500.  

FILM 

Los Angeles Plays Itself: “Los” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Greg Behrman describes “The Invisible People: How the U.S. Has Slept Throught the Global AIDS Pandemic, and Greatest Humanitarian Catastrophe of Our Time” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Joel L. Widzer reveals “The Penny Pinchers Passport to Luxury Travel” at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave. 843-3533. 

The Whole Note Poetry Series, in rememberance of Richard “dixi” Cohen, at 7 p.m. at The Beanery, 2925 College Ave. 549-9093. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Courtableu at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Tom Dimuzio at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Box, 1923 Telegraph Ave. www.oaklandbox.com 

Jazz House Jam at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation $5. www.thejazzhouse.com 

Steve Smith & Buddy’s Buddies in a tribute to Buddy Rich at 8 and 10 p.m. Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Wed. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

E.J. Dionne instructs us how to “Stand Up Fight Back: Republican Toughs, Democratic Wimps, and the Politcs of Revenge” at 12:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Dan Chaon reads from his new novel, “You Remind Me of Me” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500.  

Thomas Frank discusses “What is the Matter with Kansas? Middle America’s Thirty-Year War with Liberalism” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with Charles Ellik at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082 www.starryplough.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jules Broussard, Ned Boynton and Bing Nathan at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Israel Powerhouse, Culture Canute, Mr. Major P at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Swing Mine at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

The Key of Z: Experimental Instruments, and the Music They Make, at 7:30 p.m.at the Pacific Film Archive. Sponsored by Amoeba Records. 642-0808. 

Roy Book Binder, Del Ray and Steve James at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Katherine Peck 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 

THURSDAY, JUNE 24 

THEATER 

“18 Mighty Mountain Warriors” an Asian-American comedy at 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Also on Fri. at 8 p.m. 547-2662. www.museumca.org 

FILM 

“Lula, a Jounada de un Vencedor” at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $6-$8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Los Angeles Plays Itself: “Bush Mama” at 7 p.m., “Bless Their Little Hearts” at 9:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Art as Poetry” “Art and Meaning Series” with artists Mildred Howard and Richard Berger, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

Kala Salon Series with artists Nathaniel Russell and Justin Walsh at 7:30 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org  

Tim Gautreaux reads from his novel, “The Clearing” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-5900. www.codysbooks.com 

“Messages from Amma” A reading with editor Janine Canan at 7 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

Word Beat Reading Series at 7 p.m. with featured reader Wordslanger, at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 526-5985, 205-1749.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Summer Noon Concert with Pamela Rose and Danny Caron at the Berkeley BART. Sponsored by Downtown Berkeley Assoc.  

Tom Russell with Andrew Hardin, roots country originals, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50 in advance, $18.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Keni El Lebrijano at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Eric McFadden Trio at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryplough.com 

Dee Dee Bridgewater at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $20-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

The Katie Jay Band at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Mark Growden 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 

FRIDAY, JUNE 25 

CHILDREN 

Costume Character Special Guest “Little Critter” at Barnes and Noble at 10:30 a.m. 644-3635. 

FILM 

Readings on Cinema: “Alice in Wonderland” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “Betrayal,” by Harold Pinter, directed by Tom Ross. Runs through July 25. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org  

Berkeley Rep “Master Class” with Rita Moreno at The Roda Theater. Runs through July 18. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep, “21 Dog Years: Doing Time @ Amazon.com” Thurs., Sun. at 7:30 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. at 8:30 p.m. through July 2. Tickets are $25-$35. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Black Repertory Group Theatre “Come Back Annie Gray” June 25, 26 and 27 at 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $15-$20, available from 408-615-1194 or ultimatejesse@yahoo.com www.comebackanniegray.com 

California Shakespeare Theater, “Comedy of Errors,” Tues.-Fri. at 7:30 p.m., Sat at 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater, through June 27. Tickets are $13-$32. 548-9666. www.calshakes.org 

Prescott-Joseph Center, “Raisin” an adaptation of “A Raisin in the Sun” Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. to July 11, at the Sister Thea Bowman Memorial Theater, 920 Peralta St., West Oakland. Theater is outdoors, dress for cooler temperatures. Tickets are $5-$15. 208-5651. 

Shotgun Players, “Quills” by Doug Wright at the Julia Morgan Theater. Runs Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through July 3. Free, donations accepted. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Wilde Irish Productions, “Eclipsed” by Patricia Burke Brogan, at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Runs Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through June 27. Tickets are $15-$20. 841-7287. www.wildeirish.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“We Do: A Celebration of Gay and Lesbian Marriage” with editor Amy Rennart at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com 

Richard Ben Cramer, Pulitzer Prize winning reporter describes “How Israel Lost: The Four Questions” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Harmonies du Soir” with Esther Chan, solo pianist at 7:45 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club. 848-7800. www.berkeleycityclub.com  

Bill Horvitz, improv jazz guitar at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. www.thejazzhouse.com 

Rafael Manriquez & Quijerema in a concert celebrating the 100th birthday of Pablo Neruda at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Peter Mulvey, contemporary folk innovator, 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 

Aphrodesia at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Danny Caron, jazz and blues guitarist, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Ilene Adar and Mario Desio, singer-songwriters, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Crater, Odd Bodkins at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryplough.com 

Forward, Desolation, Strung Up, Get it Away 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. 

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

Stephen Kent An evening of solo didjeridu 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 

SATURDAY, JUNE 26 

FILM 

Los Angeles Plays Itself: “The Long Goodbye”at 7 p.m., “The Outside Man” at 9:10 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“High Fiber” a conversation with artists exploring the intersection of digital technology and fiber-based artworks at 2 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. Gallery hours are Tues.-Fri. noon to 5:30 p.m., Sat. noon to 4:30 p.m. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

Alex Cramer introduces his new novel, “The Coma” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MIUSIC AND DANCE 

“We Invite You to Dream” dance with rap, poetry, and live music performed by artists with Destiny Arts Center at 8 p.m. at The Linen Life, 6635 Hollis St. at 67th St., Emeryville. Tickets are $10-$25. 597-1619. www.destinyarts.org 

Tom Russell, southwestern singer-songwriter, at 2 p.m. at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 525-2129. 

Avenida Sao Paulo, Latin jazz, at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Marley’s Ghost, one-band music festival, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $17.50 in advance, $18.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Son Borikua & Venezuelan Music Project at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Humble Soul and Native Groove at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Andreas Willers, improv guitar, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. www.thejazzhouse.org 

Scott Amendola Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Kirk Keeler, singer song-writer, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Naked Barbies at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryplough.com 

Benumb, Catheter, Entrails Massacre, Wasteoid 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. 

Quddus, one-man hip hop, 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 

SUNDAY, JUNE 27 

EXHIBITION OPENINGS 

“Sacred Spaces,” an exhibition of installation works by Seyed Alavi, Taraneh Hemami, Dee Hibbert-Jones and Nomi Talisman, Rhoda London, and Rene Yung, through August 7 at the Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut Street in Live Oak Park Gallery hours are Wed. - Sun. noon to 5 pm. 

FILM 

Los Angeles Plays Itself: “Water and Power”at 5:30 p.m., “Chinatown” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Flash with Kim Addonizio, Dorothy Barresi and Susan Browne at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Music Cooperative Players, “An Evening in Paris” featuring the music of Faure, Poulenc, Ravel and Debussy at 7 p.m. in the Valley Center, Holy Names College, 3500 Mountain Blvd. Oakland. Tickets are $5-$20 sliding scale at the door. 845-2232. 

Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers and The Moodswing Orchestra and a floorshow by the San Francisco Jitterbugs in a Swing Benefit for Ashkenaz at 8 p.m. Ashkenaz. Cost is $20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Lucas Niggli’s Zoom, drum heavy jazz/rock improv, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation $10. www.thejazz- 

house.com 

Darryl Henriques, satire and social commentary, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $17.50 in advance, $18.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Jazz Club Afternoon, featuring DJ Buffalo and friends at 2 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Steven Pile and Sara Shansky, alt-country bluesy folk, 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 

MONDAY, JUNE 28 

THEATER 

Shotgun Theater Lab “Four Echoes” at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Free, sugggested donation up to $15. 841-6500.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“An Evening with Maxine Hong Kingston” at 7:30 p.m. at Aurora Theater, 2081 Addison St. $20 suggested donation. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Steven Saylor reads from his new historical mystery, “The Judgment of Caesar” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Poetry Express Theme Night “Nature” from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

David Murray’s Creole Project at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Wed. Cost is $10-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Lucas Niggli’s Zoom, drum heavy jazz/rock improv, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation $10. www.thejazzhouse.com 

TUESDAY, JUNE 29 

THEATER 

Shotgun Theater Lab “Four Echoes” at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Free, sugggested donation up to $15. 841-6500.  

FILM 

Los Angeles Plays Itself: “The Decay of Fiction” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Bill Clinton will sign copies of his memoir “My Life” at noon at Cody’s Books. Admission by ticket only. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Lee Stringer remembers his life at a school for children at risk in “Sleepaway School: Stories from a Boy’s Life” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Poets Gone Wild, open mic, at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Balkan Folkdance at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

REV.99 and Andrew Hayleck at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Box, 1923 Telegraph Ave. www.oaklandbox.com 

Jazz House Jam at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation $5. www.thejazzhouse.com 

We’ve almost missed the jacaranda show in Berkeley, especially with a few recent windy days that knocked down a lot of flowers. We have only a token representation of the species anyway, with a short row on Gilman a few blocks east of Westbrae Nursery, a few scattered on other streets and in private yards. They’re hard to miss right now; just look for a mass of grape-sherbet color. 

What we have is a sort of minor delegation from more tropical places. Jacarandas are originally from Argentina and Brazil, but they’ve been spread all over the world as street trees. Cities that have the right climate sometimes plant jacaranda in great masses. If you’ve ever driven on the 210 through the hills above Los Angeles in late May or early June, you might have seen the dazzling, Disney effect those plantings have. The amorphous pale purple masses floating above the smog-smudged streets below look a bit cartoony, inked from an entirely different palette. 

Other places, in Mediterranean and more tropical climates, make an even bigger deal of their jacarandas. Pretoria, South Africa calls itself the “Jacaranda City,” and Grafton in New South Wales, Australia has a Jacaranda Festival starting in late October every year, just for example. I hear Addis Ababa is full of them, like sever other big African cities. 

They have a few problems as street trees: They like good drainage (which they don’t get here) and tend to grow brittle branches that are relatively thick compared to their trunks, and tend to break. A homeowner with a jacaranda might want to keep it pruned to a lacy canopy, to let the wind pass through. Their biggest problem here is the occasional freeze, which kills them back partially and makes them look sickly for a year or two afterwards. 

Our species is the best known one for landscaping: Jacaranda mimosifolia. The leaves do look like a mimosa’s, all ferny and feathery and compound. Most of them drop off in late winter or early spring, and the tree re-leafs after it has started flowering. With the right sequence of weather and conditions, you can briefly get a spectacular all-lavender tree. 

Jacarandas have a few cousins in Berkeley, fellow members of the family Bignoniaceae. There are a couple of pawlonias and catalpas—both trees with spectacular, upright pale-purple flower clusters. Catalpas—called “Indian cigar trees” for their long dangling fruit—are ambassadors, too, from the southeastern US. I spent early May in Arkansas, and had to pull off the road several times to enjoy a huge, stately, ladylike catalpa in bloom. Like that of jacarandas, catalpas’ flowers are a translucent, unearthy (if not quite unearthly) lavender, showy against the deep-green heart-shaped leaves. Unlike jacarandas’, they’re intensely fragrant. In their home range, they host sphinx moth caterpillars called catalpa or catawba worms. This is a vice and a virtue: The “worms” are pretty showy themselves, more than the cryptic brown adults. They’re marked in various patterns of black and white, grow to nearly four inches long—and have a habit of dropping into your lemonade or down your collar. On the other hook, they make great fishbait, and some folks grow catalpas just for that. 

Showy seems to be a theme in this family. Another couple of cousins found around town are the red trumpetvines, both the big, woody Distictis buccinatoria (the one in Trumpetvine Court) and the more refined, locally less common Campsis radicans. I’ve actually seen the latter sheared into a hedge—interesting effect with the finely dissected leaves, though a lot of the flowers were lost. You won’t be surprised to hear that hummingbirds love them both. 

Of course, there has to be a drawback to jacaranda. People who park under them find out one problem, when the leaves fall: They can be sticky and hard to remove. The fallen flowers keep their color and look like so much confetti, but there are some situations like poolsides where that might be resented. And, like many easy and popular landscape plants, they’re invasive in parts of Hawaii, Africa, and Australia, usually via windblown seeds. I wonder if catalpa worms would like jacaranda leaves. As biocontrol goes, they’d be pretty spectacular themselves.›

TUESDAY, JUNE 22 

Project BUILD Summer Reading Program, with Clifford, the big red dog, at 11 a.m. at James Kenny Park, corner of Delaware and 8th Sts. 981-7103. 

Insects and Crawling Creatures Educators Workshop From Tues. though Thurs. Discover the world of insects and their relatives by visiting Tilden and Briones parks where you will collect, observe and release insects. You’ll get 101 new ideas for K-5th grade classes and outdoor activities. Credit available from Cal State, Hayward for additional fee. Cost is $100-$110. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Mini-Rangers 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, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Environmental (In)Justice in South Africa Today Join four visiting South African activists in a discussion about South Africa today. At 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cosponsored by GroundWork: Environmental Justice Action in Southern Africa and Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Defeating George Bush A conversation with Walter Riley, Matthew Hallinan and Vicki Cosgrove at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Sponsored by the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club. 418-2760. 

East Bay Communities Against the War presents a video of Michael Moore on his book tour promoting “Dude, Where’s My Country?” at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Neighborhood Center, 530 Lake Park Ave. $1 suggested donation. www.ebcaw.org 

“Medicare Drug Discount Cards” with HICAP volunteer, Alex Esparza at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

“Weight-Loss Surgery: Is it for You?” a free presentation by the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center at 6 p.m. at the Health Education Center, Bechtel Room, 400 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland. 869-8972. 

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.  

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. Charles Fitch will show travel slides at 11 a.m. We always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

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. 415-336-8736. dan@redefeatbush.com 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday, rain or shine, at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat. 548-9840. 

Downtown Oakland Walking Tours every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 a.m to 11:30 a.m. Discover the changing skyline, landmarks and churches. For details on the different itineraries call 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/wallkingtours 

“Gangs of America: The Rise in Corporate Power and Disabling of Democracy” with author Ted Nance, at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by the Gray Panthers. 548-9696. 

Bay Area Writing Project presents “Teachers as Writers” at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 2352 Shattuck Ave. 644-0861. 

“Paradise with Side Effects” a film describing the lives of two Ladakhi women in England, at 7 p.m. at the Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St., Oakland. 393-5685.  

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Vigil at 6:30 p.m., Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, JUNE 24 

“The End of Suburbia, Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream” A film presentation, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5-$15 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds. Co-sponsored by the Post Carbon Institute 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Livable Berkeley hosts Green Building pioneer and author David Gottfried at 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Berkeley Public Library Community room. Refreshments will be served. 898-8777.  

Bash Bush Bash A fundraising event for John Kerry at the Kress Building, 2036 Shattuck Ave. from 7 to 10 p.m. Speakers include Daniel Ellsberg, David Harris, Michael Lewis and others. $50 minimum donation. 

BBQ and Marinade Taste Fair, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 3000 Telegraph Ave. 649-1333, ext. 261. 

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

Appreciating Diversity Film Series presents “You Don't Know Dick,” followed by a community dialogue at 6:30 p.m. at Ellen Driscoll Theater, Frank Havens Elementary School, 325 Highland Ave., Piedmont. 763-9301. www.diversityworks.org  

Travel Photography, a seminar with Jerry Dodrill at 7 p.m. at Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave at Rose. Cost is $20. 843-3533. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 25 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Joseph Lifschutz, M.D. on “A Psychoanalyst’s Career.” 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. 

Chinese Dragon Boat Festival at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center with refreshements and entertainment. 981-5190. 

Remembering Homeless Youth at the Grove Street Park on the corner of Oregon and Martin Luther King Street from noon to 4 p.m. with food, games and entertainment.  

Tilden Sunset Hike through southern Tilden Park with panoramic evening views from the Seaview trail. Meet at Inspiration Point at 6 p.m. with very warm, layered clothing, flashlight, snack to share. Sponsored by Solo Sierrans. 601-1211.  

“A Night of Ferocious Joy,” a film of the first concert against the war with Ozomatli, Blackalicious, Dilated Peoples, Mystic, Saul Williams, Jerry Quickley, Hassan Hakmoun, Pan Afrikan People’s Arkestra. At 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall in Oakland at 390 27th St. Cost is $5-$15, and helps send youth and activists to the Republican National Convention Protest in NYC. 601-8000. bayarea.notinourname.net 

“The End of Suburbia” a film exploring our way of life as global demand for fossil fuels begins to outstrip supply. At 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Donation sliding scale $5-$15, no one turned away for lack of funds. 547-8313. 

“Evoking the Divine” A look at the kolams of South India with Dianne E. Jenett at 7 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Cost is $5. 650-483-1179. 

Queerosity Celebrating LGBTQ youth with spoken word and open mic, from 6 to 10 p.m. at SMAAC Youth Center, 1608 Webster St. at 16th, Oakland. Sponsored by Youth Speaks and the Sexual Minority Alliance of Alameda County. 834-9578. www.smaacyouthcenter.org 

Shabbat Potluck Share the joy of Shabbat at a festive Shabbat potluck for singles, ages 30 through 40, at the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center. Please RSVP to 839-2900, ext. 208.  

Kol Hadash the Bay Area’s only Jewish Humanistic Congregation meets at 7:30 p.m. for Shabbat at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. 428-1492. www.kolhadash.org 

SATURDAY, JUNE 26 

Berkeley Fire Station Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. at Station 1, 2442 8th St. Tour the station, see a safety presentation, and historical display and enjoy hot dogs and cake. Families and children especially welcome. 981-5506. 

Meet the Locals at the Little Farm in Tilden Park from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Learn about these helpful animals while helping out by mucking out the pens, collecting eggs, and even grooming a goat. Wear boots and prepare to get dirty. For ages 6 and up. 525-2233. 

Floral Foray at Tilden Nature Center from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for all ages. Come on down to relax and smell the flowers. We’ll go on a short walk around the nature center and Little Farm to discover flower anatomy, names and their role in nature. 525-2233. 

Introduction to Permaculture Energy Flow, Pattern Observation and Design. A workshop with Bear Kaufman and Salvador Velasco 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 

San Pablo Creek Watershed Plan Workshop Participate in a community plan to protect, en- 

hance, and restore San Pablo Creek, its tributaries, and natural resources. Includes children’s environmental education. From 10 a.m. to noon in San Pablo. 231-9566. 

The Water Garden Learn how to design and maintain a water garden at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

Latin American Cuisine at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Center St. at MLK, Jr. Way. Chef demonstrations and presentations starting at 11 a.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around the restored 1870s business district. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of G.B. Ratto’s at 827 Washington St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. For reservations call 238-3234. 

Vocal Jazz Workshop with Richard Kalman from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. followed by jam session, at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. 524-9283. 

“Jews of the Sephardic Eastern World” with Rabbi Sherwin Wine, founder of Humanistic Judaism, on Sat. and Sun. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Cost is $100 plus $8 for lunch. To register call 415-543-4595.  

“You can be a Woman Moviemaker” with Maureen Gosling at 7 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

SUNDAY, JUNE 27 

Guided Trails Hiking Challenge at Tilden Park’s Inspiration Point from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wonderful views to the east and west will reward you as we hike along the ridge. Pack your lunch; we will eat at the half-way point. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Wet and Wild Water for all ages. Join us for a morning of water discovery, as we tour the watershed, conduct water experiments, and maybe even play in it, if the weather’s hot. From 10:30 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Spiral Gardens Celebrates Its Grand Opening from 2 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon Sts. Activities will include food, music, words from George Galvis, Latino and native community activist and leader, garden center tours, and creative ways to get involved with Spiral Gardens. 843-1307. 

Berkeley Music Ensemble on Mt. Tamalpais and Walk Join Solo Sierrans for a jaunt to the Alpine Club on Mount Tam for a concert, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $12. For reservations and to arrange carpools call 524-1090. 

Bay Area Negro Spirituals Heritage Keepers Day Spirituals heritage and some of its contemporary keepers will be honored from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the West Oakland Senior Center, 1724 Adeline Street, Oakland. 

Campaign to Ban Electro- 

shock Treatments with Lee Coleman, MD, and Ted Chbasinski, JD at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Main Library, 3rd flr. meeting room. Part of a series on Critical Perspective in Psychiatry. www.mindfreedom.com 

Berkeley City Club free tour from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Berkeley City Club and the Landmark Heritage Foundation. Donations welcome. 2315 Durant Ave. For group reservations call 848-7800. 

“Venezuela,” a film presentation at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington. 525-0302.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Robin Caton on “Meditation for Ease and Clarity” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, JUNE 28 

“Why You Should Give a Damn about Gay Rights and Marriage” at 7 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5366 College Ave. Sponsored by the ACLU, Paul Robeson Chapter. 846-4195. 

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 

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

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

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., June 22 at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers, Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Citizens Budget Review Commission meets Wed., June 23, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7041. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/budget 

Disaster Council meets Wed., June 23, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. Carol Lopes, 981-5514. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/disaster 

Energy Commission meets Wed., June 23, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Neal De Snoo, 981-5434. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/energy 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., June 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Barbara Attard, 981-4950. www.ci.berkeley. 

ca.us/commissions/policereview 

Planning Commission meets Wed., June 23, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Ruth Grimes, 981-7481. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., June 24 at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning 

Parks and Recreation Commission meets Mon., June 28, 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., June 28, at 7 p.m., at 1201 Second St. Becky Dowdakin, 981-6357. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/solidwasteª

Berkeley Fire Chief Reginald Garcia, 56, called it quits Thursday in an e-mail to his fellow firefighters, announcing that on Sept. 17 he’ll leave the office he’s held for the last seven years. 

“I am officially announcing my planned retirement,” Garcia wrote. “It is with mixed emotion that I make this announcement.” 

Garcia was forced to make his decision known to his department after the rumor mill kicked into high gear with speculation about his plans, said one firefighter. 

Before coming to Berkeley, Garcia had been Oakland’s assistant fire chief in charge of operations, and he played a major role in the hills fire of 1991 and in the aftermath of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. 

Garcia was no stranger to Berkeley, having attended Cal as an undergraduate in the 1960s and earning his M.B.A. here in 1984. 

He joined the Berkeley Fire Department in June, 1997, after retiring from his post in Oakland. He was one of 10 finalists selected from a nationwide search after Chief Gary Cates announced his retirement. 

“He’s been responsible for a number of big advancements here,” said Deputy Fire Chief David Orth. “All of the engines were replaced under his tenure, and we’ve made a lot of progress in disaster preparedness.” 

The Berkeley Fire Department includes 142 personnel staffing seven stations with a total of seven engines, two hook and ladder trucks, a hazardous materials truck and three ambulances.  

“During my time here as chief I have been fortunate to have worked with and been supported by the great Berkeley Fire Department family,” Garcia wrote. “Words cannot express how much this has meant to me or how much I will miss all of you.” 

Garcia said his decision wasn’t based on any personal conflicts or “any particular problem or incident. It is simply time for me to begin a new phase of my life.” 

The departing chief said he will continue to serve until Sept. 17. “Sometime within the next few days or weeks at most, I expect the city manager will announce plans for my successor,” he said. ?

Maudelle Shirek, the 93-year-old matriarch of Berkeley’s left, will face stiff competition from a former protégé this November when she seeks a tenth term on the City Council. 

Max Anderson, the outgoing chairperson of the Rent Stabilization Board and Shirek’s former appointee to the Planning Commission, told the Daily Planet he will challenge Shirek in Berkeley’s Third Council District. 

Anderson’s candidacy reveals mounting frustrations with Shirek among Berkeley progressives, many of whom revere her for her work in the civil rights movement and battling housing discrimination in Berkeley.  

In recent years, however, progressives have watched as Shirek’s attention span has appeared to waiver at council meetings and her voting record has closely mirrored those of more moderate councilmembers. 

While Shirek has faced competition in past elections, no candidate with Anderson’s pedigree has dared to challenge her. 

“It’s not an easy thing to do,” Anderson said. “I’ve always deferred to Maudelle’s leadership in the community.” 

Anderson said he had waited eight years for the chance to succeed Shirek, who has served on the council since 1984, but with Shirek intent on standing for re-election, he decided his time was now. “I thought things weren’t getting better in the district and I could step up and hopefully offer more energetic representation,” he said. 

Aware that challenging a Berkeley icon will require a deft political touch, Anderson, a registered nurse who moved to Berkeley 19 years ago, said he wouldn’t criticize Shirek during the campaign. 

“I’m not running against Maudelle, I’m running for the seat,” he said. 

Shirek’s office declined to comment for this story. 

Some progressives have been urging Anderson to run for months. Earlier this year, they held informal meetings at the public library to gauge his interest in becoming a candidate. 

Councilmember Dona Spring, one of Anderson’s biggest supporters, said the time had come for Shirek to step down. 

“Maudelle deserves a lot of kudos for her legacy, but now is the time to make a change,” Spring said. “She’s been much more of a moderate vote the past couple of years.” 

The famed progressive/moderate divide on the council has blurred in recent years. Spring and Kriss Worthington, the two most progressive members of the council, have at times found themselves with little support among their colleagues. 

But the progressive mantle could end up a burden for Anderson. Some neighborhood groups have been skeptical of progressive politicians who they fault for dumping unwanted city services into their neighborhoods and failing to take a tough stance on crime. 

Although candidates for the November election cannot formally declare until July 13, Anderson is one of several who have filed non-binding statements of intent to run or have taken out papers in lieu of filing. Joining him in District Three is Jeffrey Benefiel. 

In District Two, also expected to be a competitive race, only Peralta Community College District Trustee Darryl Moore has filed a statement of intent. Mel Martynn, an aide to District 2 Councilmember Margaret Breland, said Wednesday that Breland had not decided whether or not to run for re-election.  

Councilmember Betty Olds is the only candidate to file a statement of intent to run in District 6. 

In District 5, where Councilmember Miriam Hawley is not running for re-election, Jesse Townley (a punk rock singer and secretary of punk venue 924 Gilman), as well as Hawley’s preferred successor, Zoning Adjustment Board commissioner Laurie Capitelli, have both filed letters of intent.  

Both incumbent school board members, John Selawsky and Joaquin Rivera, intend to run for re-election. Karen Hemphill, a parent at Washington Elementary School and the Emeryville town clerk, and Merrilie Mitchell have filed letters of intent to challenge them. Mitchell, however, said she doesn’t plan to formally enter the race. 

Candidates have until Aug. 9 to file nomination papers. 

Ò

In a 2-1 decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that the City of Berkeley does have the right to demand businesses at the marina pay their workers a living wage. 

The decision was the latest in an ongoing battle between the city, proponents of the living wage, and Skates by the Bay restaurant, which has objected to the city’s attempt to impose the living wage law. 

The court’s decision can now be appealed by Skates’ parent company, RUI One Corporation, to a hearing en banc, which would place the case in front of an 11 judge Ninth Circuit Court, or directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

According to RUI One Corporation’s attorney, Zachary Wasserman, of Wendell, Rosen & Black LLP, the company is currently “analyzing what to do now,” but is “disappointed with the results” of the court’s ruling. 

The living wage ordinance in question was originally passed by the city in June of 2000 and forced employers doing business with the city or leasing property from the city to pay their employees a living wage, which at the time was determined to be $9.75 per hour plus an additional $1.62 if the employer did not cover health benefits. The amount has subsequently been raised to $10.75 with benefits, or $12.55 without. 

The law was amended in September 2000 to include businesses in the marina zone which employed six or more employees and generated $350,000 or more in annual gross receipts. The City Council said they included the marina because it is public trust land and wanted to ensure businesses were not able to exploit the privilege of using the land, while receiving city resources, and then escape the duty of paying their employees a living wage. 

The fight for a living wage and then the subsequent marina amendment have been brought to the City Council by the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), a non-profit organization made up labor, community, and faith-based organizations concerned with poverty and economic equity in the East Bay. 

Skates by the Bay has become the focal point of the fight because other Berkeley Marina businesses including Hs Lordship’s and the Radisson Hotel have unionized labor. 

RUI has argued that the city’s attempt to impose the living wage law at the marina creates an unconstitutional change of the 50-year lease between RUI and the city. But according to city attorney Manuela Albuquerque, the Ninth Circuit court found that the ordinance did not change the lease, and instead showed the lease holds the business subject to city law. 

RUI also argued before the Ninth Circuit that the law created a denial of equal protection, claiming that the marina was being singled out. Because the city cited their contributions to the marina as part of the reason for demanding a living wage, RUI argued that all other areas in Berkeley that have also received city money for improvement and development should be held to the same standards, such as the fourth street area. 

The court did not uphold this argument either, stating, “It is more than reasonable that the city should expect marina businesses, which receive so many benefits from the city in the form of improvements and lack of competition due to the development moratorium, and which operate on land held in the public trust, to contribute to the welfare of the surrounding community and not to exacerbate its problems.”  

The third and final argument, which was also overturned by the court, was a claim of denial of due process. 

The Ninth Circuit decision is not the first one won by the city. Back in March 2001, the city also won a decision in a U.S. District Court that upheld the city’s right to impose the living wage. According to city Attorney Manuela Albuquerque, that decision allowed the city to demand the restaurant comply or have their contract terminated.  

But through an appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court, she said, the restaurant forced the city to stay their ability to enforce the lease provision. In the meantime, however, the U.S. District Court has forced the restaurant to pay the difference between current wages and living wage wages into escrow until the case is officially finished.  

According to Wasserman, RUI’s attorney, the amount paid into escrow each year before the living wage was recently raised was around $121,000 a year. Since it has been raised, he estimated that amount to be around $135,000 a year. Martha Benitez, the lead organizer with EBASE, said she suspects that the amount is even more.  

Many cheered the decision by the Ninth Circuit but have said they know the battle could continue if RUI appeals. Councilmember Kriss Worthington, the councilmember who introduced the original living wage proposal to council, said the decision helps build momentum for those fighting for a living wage around the country. 

“I think a living wage should be the policy for employees in the whole country,” he said. “Winning this one little part of Berkeley is one small step for having a living wage for employees in Berkeley and beyond. It’s not a giant victory, but it’s one small step.” 

Benitez from EBASE said the decision is a positive step in a fight that she says is more about big business than legal technicalities. 

“The fight has been really about a multi-billion dollar national corporation refusing and denying their employees the right to a living wage,” she said. “Basically this a huge company that with impunity since 2001 has taken it upon themselves to break the law.”  

“We are very pleased about the decision because it sets yet another strong president for the living wage movement. It defends the right of the city to expect some minimum standards and decent wages from their corporate citizens.” 

?

Last Saturday, Assemblymember Loni Hancock, in partnership with the Greenbelt Alliance, the East Bay Community Foundation, AC Transit, and Caltrans, kicked off a public campaign/planning process whose goal is to make San Pablo Avenue, in Hancock’s words, “a world-class boulevard.”  

In the morning, about 60 people, mostly public officials, attended a by-invitation-only briefing session in San Pablo at Contra Costa College. The group then boarded an AC Transit Bus for a guided tour of San Pablo Avenue south to its terminus in Oakland. The afternoon featured a community meeting and “envisioning workshop” attended by about 100 people from the nine cities—Hercules, Pinole, San Pablo, Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville and Oakland—traversed by the 20-mile long street.  

The day-long event was designed to introduce the San Pablo Corridor Project to its stakeholders and to sample local sentiment at an early stage in the undertaking. I was able to attend only the 90-minute morning briefing (on a press pass). The three speakers at that session—Hancock, the Greenbelt Alliance’s Lisa Schiller Tehrani, and Caltrans consultant and Oakland architect Phil Erickson—all cited as inspiration the tenets of Smart Growth and the New Urbanism. 

To wit: If we want to revitalize our cities and to preserve open space and farmland, we need to end sprawl and lose our dependence on the private automobile. The way to do this is through transit-oriented development. Which means beefing up—or in many suburban locales, instituting—ample public transit on heavily traveled streets. At the same time, we ought to be concentrating new businesses and residences on or near those streets, bringing people closer to their jobs and shopping and thus enabling them to cut their commute time. To achieve the population needed to support the expanded transit and retail, we should zone the areas along and adjacent to transit corridors for greater density.  

Transit underpins everything else here. One reason, then, that the backers of the San Pablo Corridor Project think their chosen street is ripe for a Smart Growth/New Urbanist makeover is that even as AC Transit has been losing riders systemwide, patronage along San Pablo has recently increased seven percent. A major factor in this growth is the inauguration last June of AC Transit’s 72 Rapid Bus, an express line that, by making only 21 stops on San Pablo Avenue between Oakland and the city of San Pablo, covers the same distance as the prior Limited bus service in 17 percent less time.  

These are impressive figures. But Assemblywoman Hancock and her partners want people to feel as good about getting off the bus as they do about getting on. They’re looking to make San Pablo Avenue a stretch of urbanity as vibrant as the Ramblas in Barcelona. To that end, their vision of a new and improved corridor includes trees and other plantings, public art, street furniture, inviting bus shelters, plazas, gateway monuments and back-of-the-building parking. “We want bread and roses,” says Hancock. 

That’s a mighty appealing formula. Nevertheless, the presentations at Contra Costa College left me feeling apprehensive as well as intrigued. What stirred my misgivings was the sense that the backers of the San Pablo Corridor Project are as yet insufficiently attuned to the redeeming particulars of the place as it now exists—at least in Berkeley.  

To be sure, “[m]aintaining a strong sense of the history and character of the local community” was one of the major themes of the “envisioning” process. And, it’s to be hoped, on the bus tour, which I missed, that theme got fleshed out in relation to specific venues. 

But what was missing from the morning briefing was an adequate acknowledgment that the San Pablo Corridor Project is likely to create gentrification, bringing higher land values, higher rents, and ultimately the forced displacement of those who can no longer afford to stay.  

If this scenario comes to pass, Berkeley’s portion of San Pablo Avenue’s 20 miles will be diminished, not enhanced. For the truth is that the street is already one of the most interesting and vital thoroughfares in town. To paraphrase a song that Alice Stuart used to sing at Freight and Salvage (when it was still on San Pablo), our piece of the avenue is in large part funky but clean, home to destination establishments small and large—the Japanese tool shop, the Ecology Center, East Bay Nursery, the custom-made coat shop, the lighting store—to name just a few. All are there not in spite of, but because of the “underutilized” (as developers like to say) nature of the property they inhabit.  

While gentrification and its discontents were barely mentioned on Saturday morning, another related issue—local resistance to “densification”— got more attention. “We want development on the street to be a good neighbor,” said Caltrans consultant Phil Erickson. This salutary sentiment, however, was accompanied by a characterization of neighbors as ignorant and/or irrational when it comes to increasing height and density. Erickson told of quelling objections to the proposed height of a project on San Pablo in Berkeley by pointing out to local residents that “some of the trees might be violating the height limit,” as if the height of a tree and a building were equivalent. “Through design,” he said, “we need to work with people to not be afraid of density.”  

That assurance was not enough for Berkeley developer Ali Kashani, who raised the most pointed question of the morning. Referring to the current efforts to implement the University Avenue Strategic Plan, Kashani observed that a major issue was the transition between four- and five-story buildings on University and single-story homes behind them. Developers, he said, can’t afford to incorporate rear setbacks, and neighbors don’t want four-story walls towering over their backyards. What’s the solution?  

“It’s possible,” said Erickson hopefully, “that residential units on the other side of the block are rentals in decline that will create other opportunities.” In other words: When the neighbors are just tenants, they will have less rights in the matter. “Not in Albany,” murmured the two Albany City Councilwomen who were sitting next to me. Not in Berkeley, either. 

In this context, it was disconcerting to hear Assemblymember Hancock ask, “How can we extend our view past our own zoning ordinance and our own piece of the pie and make a street that exemplifies the New Urbanism?”  

When I asked her about this comment a few days later, Hancock said that she “did not mean that everybody should rewrite their zoning laws.” What she meant, she explained, is that she’d like the people living along the San Pablo corridor to suspend their assumptions long enough to contemplate some alternatives to “the planning that we’ve all done.” Not necessarily legal alternatives. “This is not a governmental effort to regulate people,” she said, “as much as it is an effort get people thinking about what a world-class boulevard would be like.” She noted that on Saturday she herself had expressed concern about the relation of building heights to street width. Her thought, she said, was to begin the revitalization of San Pablo with some “easy things” like street trees and public art.  

I’m hoping that Hancock’s partners in the San Pablo Corridor Project share her perspective. That would go a long way toward earning the community goodwill that will be necessary to make their dream of a world-class boulevard a true urban success story.  

Zelda Bronstein served on the Berkeley Planning Commission from 1997 to 2004.ª

Notification is the lifeblood of community participation. On this score, the organizers of last Saturday’s community workshop on San Pablo Avenue revitalization had good intentions. They hoped to involve the community in the early stages of the project rather than, as is too often the case, bringing them in near the end when all the important decisions had already been made. Hence workshop organizers made a serious effort at community outreach, mailing out 510 letters to community-based organizations in or within a mile of San Pablo.  

It’s odd, then, that neither the Berkeley Association of Neighborhood Associations (BANA) nor the Council of Neighborhood Associations (CNA) nor Plan Berkeley—all of whom have members who have been intensely involved in high-visibility planning issues around San Pablo Avenue in recent years—were invited to the event. Representatives of each of these groups say that they would have participated had they known about the workshop beforehand. Invitations did get sent out to other groups associated with San Pablo Avenue. And many groups whose interests lie far afield—such as Campus Drive Neighbors, the Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association (TONA), and the Downtown Berkeley Association—were also asked to attend. A friend of mine who lives near Indian Rock and belongs to no neighborhood association at all got a notice in the mail.  

Granted, when the item on the agenda is something as big as revitalizing San Pablo Avenue, it makes good sense to cast a very wide net. The net cast in Berkeley for last Saturday’s community meeting was certainly wide enough; the problem was that it had some conspicuous holes.  

According to Kristin Warren, the Sacramento-based consultant whose firm, Jones & Stokes, facilitated Caltrans’ public outreach on the San Pablo Corridor Project, “planning departments from each city along the corridor were contacted for more information about neighborhood associations along San Pablo Avenue.” Warren noted that “staff from the Berkeley Planning Department’s Land Use Division provided contact information about neighborhood organizations in Berkeley.” At the workshop itself, 16 of the 73 people who signed the voluntary sign-up sheet were from Berkeley. They included “several area residents as well as representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, the city government, the Transportation Commission, the City Council, and various other community-based organizations.”  

How did BANA, CNA, and Plan Berkeley get left out of the loop? Part of the answer has to do with the badly outdated list of community organizations maintained by the city. The invitation to the Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association, for example, went to the home address of a former president of the group who hasn’t held the office since fall 2000. Since then, I myself have been president of TONA and have repeatedly asked city staff to be listed as such in the city’s directory, to no avail. I’ve given up asking.  

The Berkeley Planning Department is also at fault here. It’s not clear whether Land Use Planning Manager Mark Rhoades was contacted by Jones & Stokes, or if so, whom he might have contacted in his office. In any case, Rhoades needs to make sure that in the future, what happened last Saturday doesn’t happen again, and that everyone in town who needs to know about events such as the San Pablo Corridor community meeting and workshop finds out about them in a timely manner. And how about notifying the Planning Commission, which was also left in the dark about last Saturday’s proceedings?  

3

After some discussion and parliamentary confusion, the Berkeley Housing Authority board Tuesday night passed both a budget and a reorganization plan proposed by the city housing director. In addition, the authority learned that it was in better financial shape than previously believed. 

The authority, which oversees the city’s stock of public housing and manages the federal Section 8 housing program, received welcome news this week from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

After dire warnings from a HUD-appointed consultant that the federal agency was not going to fund any of the authority’s 1,841 Section 8 housing vouchers that weren’t leased before last August, HUD announced it would in fact provide funding. 

Under Section 8, a tenant pays 30 percent of monthly income and HUD provides the balance to the housing authority, which then pays the entire monthly rent to the landlord. Had HUD withheld voucher payments, the housing authority could have been forced to drop people off the program.  

HUD funding will come in at nearly $10 less per month for the average Section 8 rental, resulting in a $196,000 deficit. However, Berkeley will be permitted to use its money in a HUD reserve account to meet the shortfall. 

HUD did deliver some bad news. The agency will follow through with a previously-proposed 13 percent reduction in annual administration fees offered to housing authorities. The cut will cost the Berkeley Housing Authority $73,000 this year and $212,000 in fiscal year 2005, according to City Housing Director Steve Barton.  

Despite the fee reduction, the BHA projects a year-end $31,000 surplus for fiscal year 2004. 

That’s good news for the Housing Authority, which last month was the target of a scathing report from HUD. A consultant for the federal agency found that the authority was mismanaged, poorly staffed, and on the brink of insolvency. 

In responding to the consultant’s report and diminishing HUD resources, Barton proposed a staffing reorganization that would have shuttled three clerks to different city jobs and eventually have added a new employee who could help over-worked housing representatives oversee the voucher program. 

However, Barton never had an opportunity to run the plan through the clerks’ union—SEIU Local 535—and at Tuesday’s meeting, a union member raised concerns to the housing authority’s board, comprised of the City Council and representatives Pinkie Payne and Zelda Clark. 

Worried about the union jobs and the lack of time to consider the proposal, the board voted 7-6 (Spring, Worthington Breland Shirek, Clark and Payne, yes) not to accept the authority’s staffing chart that accompanied its $3 million budget. 

Barton, however, warned that the authority couldn’t implement its HUD-required reforms without approval of its proposed reorganization. 

“I would like to remind everybody of the consultant’s recommendation that the manager of the housing authority be allowed to manage the housing authority and let there be a minimum of interference in that management,” he said 

Councilmember Maudelle Shirek quickly offered a motion to reconsider the vote, and in a confusing roll call, where two members accidentally voted against their previous vote, the housing authority board reversed itself. Then by a 7-6 margin, with Shirek casting the deciding vote, the board approved both the BHA’s budget and organizational restructuring.

The City Council Tuesday formally kicked off a drive to welcome UC Berkeley into its “tax paying family.” 

In a four-hour session filled with lots of talk and few concrete actions, the council also bandied about ideas to soften planned budget cuts for city nonprofits, fine-tuned tax measures expected to go before voters in November, passed a series of fee hikes, unanimously approved the long-awaited Hills Fire Station, and adopted a resolution calling for the state and federal governments to amend their constitutions to limit the rights of corporations. 

Tuesday marked the council’s first chance to discuss a city-commissioned report released last week that put an $11 million price tag on UC Berkeley’s exemption from city taxes and assessments. 

UC contests the fiscal impact report’s findings and methodology. Speaking to the council Tuesday, Vice Chancellor of Capital Projects Edward Denton questioned how the report could conclude that UC costs to the city rose over 600 percent for sewer services, 300 percent for fire services and 200 percent for police services since a previous study in 1989, when the consumer price index (CPI) during the past 15 years rose only 48 percent. 

Jason Moody of Environmental Planning Specialists, Inc., the consulting firm that prepared both reports, replied that costs to the city have increased by more than the CPI and that the new report is more comprehensive than its predecessor. 

While Councilmember Gordon Wozniak said hosting UC definitely costs the city money, he agreed with university officials that the city study used flawed methodology. 

“Some of the assumptions in this model are not justifiable at all,” Wozniak said. “We need to get a bottom line we can seriously defend.” 

One of the more glaring inconsistencies Wozniak said he found was that in estimating the cost of UC commuters to the city, the report assumed they would be on campus 365 days a year, but in determining the tax revenue they would provide, the report assumed they would come to Berkeley only 250 days a year. 

Other councilmembers praised the report as a good starting point for negotiations. 

“You can quibble with a few things, but you can’t contest that the city is subsidizing the university,” Councilmember Miriam Hawley said. 

Assistant City Manager Arrietta Chakos said both the city and university have selected negotiating teams that will start meeting next week to hammer out an agreement for university mitigations. 

The city’s fiscal impact study was timed to coincide with the release of UC Berkeley’s 2020 Long Range Development Plan, which, much to the city’s chagrin, projects large increases in new buildings, parking lots and student dorms. 

City Planning Director Dan Marks said Berkeley’s formal response to the UC Plan wouldn’t be available until Friday, June 18, the deadline for submitting comments to the university’s Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) that accompanies the plan. 

Mayor Tom Bates, who has urged the city not to take too hard a line against the university, asked to view the city’s response before Friday, but was told by Marks and City Manager Phil Kamlarz that it wouldn’t be ready and that past mayors haven’t been given an opportunity to sign off on similar documents. 

Marks said he believed the city had raised enough valid concerns in the report to force the university to recirculate its DEIR for the plan prior to bringing it to the UC Board of Regents for approval it in November. 

On the budget, the council will leave the final wrangling over cuts to community nonprofits for next week when it’s scheduled to adopt a budget that will erase a $10.3 million shortfall. 

A proposal from Mayor Tom Bates that would use one-time money to partially restore funding to numerous nonprofits for six months appears likely to be approved. Councilmember Dona Spring urged adding to the mayor’s proposal with money for creek restoration, traffic circles and more nonprofits. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington called for more money for independent arts groups and street festivals. He also wanted a report on how much overtime expenses the city would face if it follows through on its plan to cut 88 vacant positions. 

At its 5 p.m. work session on Tuesday, the council moved forward with four tax measures for the November ballot. As they stand now, the measures include a 1.5 percent increase in the Utility Users Tax (projected to add $2.7 million for general fund programs over four years), a $1.9 million increase in the Library Tax to erase the deficit in the library fund, a $2.2 million increase in the property transfer tax to fund youth-related programs, and a tax of either $1 million or $1.2 million to erase the deficit in the city’s paramedic fund. The extra $200,000 would pay for enhanced life support capacity. 

The council also approved fee hikes for ambulance use, fire inspection, marina use, false alarms for burglaries and holdups and animal adoptions. In all, the fees will add about $300,000 to the city’s general fund, most of which has already been budgeted.+

MIAMI—If José Miguel Pizarro has his way, he will recruit 30,000 Chileans as mercenaries to protect American companies under Pentagon contract to rebuild Iraq. And undoubtedly, within those ranks will be former members of death squads that tortured and murdered civilians when dictatorships ruled in Latin America.  

“There is no comparison with what they can earn in the active military or working in civilian jobs, and what we offer,” José Miguel Pizarro, Chile’s leading recruiter for international security firms, says. “This is an opportunity that few in Chile can afford to pass up.”  

Pizarro’s firm, Servicios Integrales, was contracted by Blackwater USA to recruit the first batch of Chileans in November 2003. By May 2004 he had placed 5,200 men who, after one week of training in Santiago, head to North Carolina for orientation with Blackwater, the private security firm that made headlines when four of its employees where killed in Falluja, their bodies mutilated and hung from a bridge. After training, Blackwater flies the men to Kuwait City to await their assignments in Iraq. 

As democratic governments were voted into office throughout Latin America in the 1990s, Latin militaries were downsized. Thousands of military officers lost their jobs.  

“This is a way of continuing our military careers,” Carlos Wamgnet, 30, explained in a phone interview from Kuwait while awaiting his assignment in Iraq. “In civilian life in Chile I was making $1,800 a month. Here I can earn a year’s pay in six weeks. It’s worth the risks.”  

At 30, Wamgnet is too young to have participated in any crime of the Pinochet regime. But not all the Chileans in Iraq are guiltless. Newspapers in Chile have estimated that approximately 37 Chileans in Iraq are seasoned veterans of the Pinochet era. Government officials in Santiago are alarmed that men who enjoy amnesty in Chile—provided they remain in “retirement” from their past military activities—are now in Iraq.  

In an interview with the Santiago-based daily newspaper La Tercera, Chilean Defense Minister Michelle Bachelet stated that Chilean “mercenaries for American firms doing business in Iraq” may be subject to “arrest or detention in third countries,” a reference to recent arrests in Spain and Mexico of South Americans with war-crimes pasts. South American media report that Chileans have requested travel from Chile to the United States and then directly to the Middle East, to bypass Mexico and the European Union. 

The thousands of Chileans in Iraq have been nicknamed “the penguins” by American and South African soldiers for hire, a reference both to Chile’s proximity to the South Pole and the fact that many Chilean mercenaries are of mixed race.  

Not everyone in Chile is opposed to the presence in Iraq of former Chilean army members. “It is true that the majority [of Chilean recruits] see this as an opportunity to earn money,” La Tercera columnist Mauricio Aguirre wrote. “But it is also an opportunity for our soldiers to prove themselves on the ground, and to put to use the skills for which they trained in the Armed Forces over the years.” 

“Blackwater USA has sent recruiters to Chile, Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Guatemala for one specific reason alone,” said an intelligence officer in Kuwait who requested anonymity. “All these countries experienced dirty wars‚ and they have military men well-trained in dealing with internal subversives. They are well-versed in extracting confessions from prisoners.”  

As the security situation in Iraq deteriorated in the spring of 2004, more “dedicated recruiting” began.  

Though Chile is in vigorous debate about the role of military servicemen becoming hired guns in Iraq, in Argentina there is virtual silence. Several Argentine mercenaries have made their way to the United States to meet with American security firms before heading to Iraq.  

“No one wants to discuss what is becoming clear,” says Mario Podestá, 51, an independent Argentine journalist. “I know of seven military officers responsible for disappearing opponents of the dictatorship” who are now in Iraq.  

During Argentina’s “Dirty Wars,” opponents of the military regime were “disappeared” (abducted), tortured and then killed.  

Podesta spoke to this reporter in early April. He was in Jordan preparing to travel by road to Baghdad, along with Mariana Verónica Cabrera, 28, an Argentine camerawoman.  

“I want to find these men,” he said of the Argentine Dirty War criminals he had identified as being mercenaries in Iraq.  

It was not to be. Podestá and Cabrera were killed, along with their Iraqi driver, in an automobile accident before reaching Baghdad. 

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Sweeps and detentions of undocumented immigrants far from the Mexican border have sparked “hysteria,” “terror,” and “panic” in Southern California Latino communities, according to recent Spanish-language media headlines.  

With fear of the U.S. Border Patrol still rippling through Inland Empire cities in Southern California, Spanish-language media—the main news source for many recent immigrants—are caught in a dilemma. While eager to inform, media outlets also are concerned about needlessly fueling hysteria or serving as megaphones for the rumor mill.  

“’La Migra’ (immigration authorities) has become this bogeyman that is everywhere,” says Orlando Ramírez, editor of the Spanish-language weekly La Prensa in Riverside, Calif. “There is an unnecessary fear being fueled by radio and some TV and print media. As a journalist, I don’t want to make something more dramatic than it is. We’re trying to provide accurate information so people don’t get frightened.” 

Sweeps of the kind that took place June 4 and 5 in the Inland Empire cities of Ontario and Corona have not been reported for six or seven years, he says. “The INS says it’s a matter of homeland security. That’s bullshit. These are just working people.” 

Hector Villagra, counsel for the Los Angeles office of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF), told the Press-Enterprise, the English-language daily parent newspaper of the Spanish weekly La Prensa, that the Border Patrol must have a reason to suspect people of being undocumented before stopping them for questioning beyond 100 miles of the border. 

The same June 11 article quotes Rep. Joe Baca, a Democrat from Rialto, Calif., describing the sweeps as illegal because they single out Latinos, who comprise 40 percent of the Inland Empire’s population. Protestors marched from Ontario to Pomona on June 13, calling the interior sweeps “racial profiling.” 

Raúl Villareal, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesman, confirmed that 410 people have been detained in the raids since June 4, and warned operations would continue, the Los Angeles daily La Opinión reported on June 16. 

La Opinión, the largest Spanish-language paper in the country, has avoided reporting on every rumored raid as fact. On June 15, the paper noted that it received reports of detentions in Pomona, Ontario, Perris and the San Fernando Valley, but it scrupulously added that the U.S. Border Patrol officially denied being in those areas. 

Meanwhile, some editors at Latino newspapers criticized Spanish-language radio stations for failing to verify the validity of sightings and indiscriminately broadcasting call-ins by people who said they had seen “La Migra.” 

The Border Patrol says it has stopped its sweeps in the Inland Empire, the region east of Los Angeles that includes Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and that for now it is only conducting raids in neighboring San Diego County. But sightings of “La Migra” continue to pour into Spanish-language radio stations from throughout Southern California.  

“The position that we have taken is to provide (general) information” such as legal advice, says Vicki Bails, general manager of Lazer Broadcasting’s Spanish-language radio stations KXSV, KXRS, KBTW and KCAL based in San Bernardino. 

José Gadea, a DJ for a Spanish-language FM radio station in San Diego, says the number of calls the station receives from frightened listeners who have spotted immigration agents has increased from one or two phone calls a day to 10 to 15 a day. 

The station’s morning call-in show informs people of reported sightings and warns them to bring their documents with them. “Our only purpose is to open the phone lines,” he says. He adds that 99.9% of the time they can tell the sighting is real because many people report it. 

“The radio reflects what is happening in the community,” he says. “Right now the community is very worried.” 

Ruddy Bravo, publisher of El Sol in Fontana, Calif., says that unlike print media, live radio lacks the time to put a story together and verify sources and may sometimes be putting out erroneous information. Still, Bravo, who used to work in radio, says stations do have a duty to report sightings of immigration agents or U.S. Border Patrol officers.  

“Even though (radio) may be seen as alarmist, the fact is these detentions are happening and it’s not a bad thing to inform residents of what’s going on in the community,” he says.  

Meanwhile, “shock jocks” on English-language radio stations in Los Angeles and some anti-immigration websites have sought to capitalize on the confusion and fear by encouraging listeners to make phone calls to immigrant rights groups.  

Some DJs gave out the number for Hermandad Mexicana Nacional in Ontario, Calif., one of the organizers of a protest against the raids. The organization has received hundreds of offensive phone calls from anti-immigrant listeners.  

As rumors fly, the panic has cooled local economies. Businesses have seen a drop in sales as a result of the sweeps; the fear has kept many residents indoors, the Los Angeles-based immigrant voting organization PROVOTO told Univision Online on June 15.  

“Stores were empty, public transportation nearly empty, and many children were missing from school, because the community is panicked that the patrol could detain them if they leave to go shopping or take their kids to class,” reported PROVOTO. 

La Prensa’s Ramírez says Spanish-language media needs to exercise discipline when covering stories like the Inland Empire raids.  

He believes editors must think carefully about whether they are “providing accurate information or just adding to the hysteria.” V

Sisters Held in 1970 Killing of Berkeley Police Officer 

Two sisters—one said to be a substitute teacher in the Berkeley Unified School District—were in Berkeley City Jail Thursday, charged as accessories in the 34-year-old murder of a Berkeley policeman. 

Joyce Gaskin and Joy Hall, both Oakland residents, surrendered to police Tuesday after warrants were issued for their arrests in connection with the Aug. 20, 1970, slaying of Officer Ron Tsukamoto, BPD’s first Japanese-American officer and the first Berkeley policeman slain in the line of duty. 

Each was held in lieu of posting $250,000 bail.  

The arrests follow the May 24 arrest of Don Juan Graphenreed in his Fresno jail cell on charges of murder and conspiracy to murder in the Tsukamoto murder. 

The charges against Graphenreed, who was jailed on an unrelated burglary charge, were dropped two days later in a joint decision by Berkeley Police and the Alameda County District Attorney’s office. 

Graphenreed remains a suspect, police said. 

Berkeley Police spokesperson Officer Joe Okies said the two sisters currently face one charge each of violating California Penal Code section 22, which identifies accessories to a crime as anyone who knowingly harbors, aids, or conceals a felon. 

Okies said he could offer no more information about where Joyce Hall has taught in Berkeley. 

Published reports have linked Graphenreed and the two women with Black Panther activists during an era when inflammatory rhetoric was erupting in both the minority and law enforcement communities. 

Berkeley Man Charged in Kidnap, Sexual Assault  

A 45-year-old Berkeley man was charged with kidnap and assault with intent to commit rape after he grabbed a girl at Dwight Way and San Pablo Avenue shortly after 10 p.m. Monday. 

“The juvenile was walking into a store when he tried to abduct her,” said Officer Okies. 

The young woman was unharmed. 

Trio Charged with Serious Felonies 

Berkeley Police serving a search warrant on a residence at Blake and Milvia Streets Tuesday afternoon recovered quantities of rock cocaine packaged for sale, firearms, and a bulletproof vest—the latter a felony for a suspect on probation. A probation violation charge was also added to the mix. 

Two of the suspects were 24 years old and the third was a month shy of 21. ?

Council to Discuss Hotel Task Force Report 

The UC Hotel Task Force report, a document hammered out by a Planning Commission subcommittee and a panel of representatives of community interest groups, heads to the Berkeley City Council next Tuesday. 

Votes of the planning and transportation commissions have already endorsed forwarding the document to the university and its developer, and City Manager Phil Kamlarz has concurred. 

The final say is up to the council. 

The university plans a massive hotel, convention center and museums complex for the two-square block downtown Berkeley site between Shattuck Avenue and Oxford Street and between Center Street and University Avenue. 

The city Landmarks Preservation Commission voted last week to landmark two buildings in the project site. 

Nobelist Takes The Reins at LBNL 

UC Regents Thursday picked Stanford physics professor Steven Chu to run the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The appointment was approved by U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. 

UC President Robert C. Dynes said Chu will take over from outgoing director Charles V. Shank on August 1. 

Chu is no stranger to the Berkeley campus, where he earned his doctorate. But it was at Stanford where he won his Nobel Prize, shared with two other physicists, for developing ways to cool and trap atoms with lasers.  

The new LBNL head chaired the Stanford Physics Department from 1990 to 1993 and again from 1999 to 2003. 

Residents Face Parking Permit Re-Up Time 

While Residential Preferential Parking Permits (RPPs) are to Berkeley parking ticket dispensers like garlic to a vampire, the current crop is fading fast. 

To avoid those ever-present uniformed folk in their ubiquitous motorized tricycles, it’s time to buy a fresh RPP. Those who wait beyond July 6 will soon find crops of green envelopes sprouting beneath their windshield wipers. 

Existing RPP-holders should’ve received renewal forms, but for anyone who hasn’t, a trip to the city Customer Service Center at 1947 Center St. is in order. 

For more information, call 981-7200 or see www.cityofberkeley.info/finance/residentialparking.html. 

Clif Bar Founder Hands Over Helm 

Gary Erickson, founder and CEO of Berkeley’s Clif Bar Inc. has resigned as CEO, handing the helm to Sheryl O’Loughlin, who joined the firm in 1998 as brand executive vice president. 

Erickson, 46, founded the energy and nutritional food firm in 1992. He said he will devote his new free time to new product development, package design, and spreading the corporate story. 

He and his spouse Kathleen Crawford will also focus more on the firm’s corporate philanthropy. 

—Richard Brenneman

Two of the G Street regulars sat on their plastic milk crates on a summer afternoon, sipped from their cans of Budweiser, and watched an old Buick pass by. The engine sputtered, the car lurched, then died. The driver got out, one of those tiny ball-pene hammers clutched in one fist. He hiked the hood, peered into the engine well for a moment, and then—with a big overhand swing—gave the engine block a mighty lick with the hammer. The driver closed the hood, got back in the car, started the motor, and pulled off. He went about a half a block before the engine sputtered, the car lurched, and then died again. The driver got out, lifted the hood, and gave the engine block another whack with the hammer. As the driver was getting back in the car, one of the streetside observers took a sip of beer, sucked his teeth, and muttered, “Lookit that ass-backwards son-of a bitch. He’ll never get it fixed, that way.” 

“How you figure he should do it?” his friend asked. 

“Obvious,” the first man sniffed. “How’s he gonna work anything with that little ball-pene? He need him a bigger hammer.” 

Thus does Oakland—having so far failed to solve the problem of violence among its dark-skinned youth with its existing force of police—looks to effect the cure by hiring more cops. 

The mistake is that we have treated this as a law enforcement situation, whereas in most cases, we’re facing a social problem. And so we reach for the wrong tool, as if making a bigger mistake this time around will somehow alter the original outcome. 

Need examples? Let’s dredge up the usual ones. 

In the spring of 2003, violence broke out in the late afternoon and early evening among young African-American latecomers to the popular Carijama Festival at Mosswood Park in Northwest Oakland, just as it had at the festival the year before. Everyone—police, politicians, and festival organizers—agreed that the violence was centered around young people who did not participate in the main festival activities...in fact, who had not even been present most of the day. In fact, the festival itself has always been a lovely, lively family-friendly event. In response to the continuing problems, Oakland adopted a wall-city response. The police forced Carijama to be moved this year from its longtime Mosswood Park home and down to the Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall, where police said they could better provide security. More cops. More security. More violence. In fact, the 2004 Carijama troubles reportedly almost escalated into a mini-riot, with police lobbing tear-gas grenades into the crowds to break them up. 

So what is the result? Oakland police officials—with some support at City Hall—are now advocating that Carijama be shut down altogether, just as the popular Festival At The Lake was shut down under similar circumstances more than a decade ago. Many observers are merely putting their hands in the air and proclaiming, “What else can we do? We can’t stop the violence. We can’t stop these kids from acting up.” 

For starters, on the theory that it’s difficult to prevent something you don’t understand, Oakland needs to find out exactly how the Carijama violence happened during the last three years, and why. For a city so plagued by violence, and where violence is so often the subject of our public discourse, Oakland is remarkably uninterested in conducting investigations into its causes. And for the record, statements to the media by police officials—some of whom may be interested in justifying their own actions—do not constitute an investigation. A City Council public hearing into the causes of the Carijama violence—especially including testimony from citizens (both youth and adult) who observed the events—would seem to be in order. 

Meanwhile, just off the top of our heads, there are two suggestions the city might consider: 

• Take the young folks at their word that there is little for African-American and Latino youth to do in Oakland, and provide some alternatives. One idea would be to revive the long-dormant proposal for legalized sideshows in the city, to be held in sanctioned venues. For two years, now, the city has been sitting on proposals from licensed promoters to put together such events in Oakland. The promoters have indicated that they would be willing to put up the venues and negotiate the insurance for such legalized sideshows, while partnering with local organizers—the young folks who started the street sideshows. Such sanctioned, legalized sideshows would have a threefold purpose: They would provide recreation outlets for a good portion of the city’s youth population, they would help develop a new class of local youth entrepreneurs (of which Oakland is desperately in need), and they would be a source of new tax revenue for the cash-strapped city. 

While Oakland diddles around on the legalized sideshow issue, other communities are taking full advantage of a cultural event that was born and bred in this city. For an example of such enterprises, you can take a look at the website at www.drifting.com/index.php, where a motor sport called “drifting” has been discovered and adopted by communities far away from here, complete with videos, rules, a performance circuit, and prizes reaching up in the $10,000 level. If “drifting” seems reminiscent of the Oakland-based phenomena of “sliding” and “siding,” well, one wonders if that is a little bit more than coincidental. 

• Develop an African-American-based business district in the city of Oakland. Although this may seem like race-based economics to some, it is something which is of considerable interest to the city as a whole.  

For a number of years, violent actions among Latino youth plagued local Cinco de Mayo festivals in much the same way as violent actions among African-American youth has plagued the predominantly African-American Carijama. Unlike Carijama, the Cinco de Mayo celebration has remained in its Fruitvale home, has flourished, and the violence has subsided. This is primarily because the Latino-based Fruitvale-area businesses—which derive considerable benefit from both Cinco and Dia de Los Muertos—exerted their influence to both keep the festivals intact and in place and to find solutions to the violence. If Carijama had such a home in an African-American business district—perhaps somewhere along Market or San Pablo, or International or MacArthur Boulevard up past Castlemont—there might be similar results. And that would be a benefit to us all. 

That’s a lot to talk about. More on these thoughts, later.?

The funeral ceremony for ex-President Ronald Reagan had all the usual symbolic gestures that are now standard for departed presidents—the flag-draped casket with honor guard, the riderless horse with boots reversed, the later line of mourners underneath the Capitol Rotunda. Most of us have seen the ceremonies on television before. And there have always followed multi-page obituaries in the major newspapers recounting the political career and life story of the departed chief executive.  

All that is stand ard and part of the national tradition. What is not in the national tradition of these obituaries, but what we read in the case of President Reagan, is fudging the facts. The missing or slighted elements for Ronald Reagan did not err in being incomplete a nd one-sided because they were done in haste. These long obituaries of the famous are done carefully and far in advance, even when the subject is not known to be gravely ill, though in Reagan’s case, he was known to be suffering for several years. It is s tandard on major papers to assign someone far in advance long before the famous person has reached “a certain age,” even in good health.  

As a reporter, I remember being assigned to do a four-page life history-obituary of Winston Churchill while he was s till vigorous, writing, and established as a magnificent hero in American eyes for his World War II wartime insistence on combating Hitler. His oratory rallied the entire anti-Nazi world and that alone made him worthy of one of these massive obituaries. But along with that, there was no question that the obituary also detailed his dismal earlier mistakes: his pre-World War I plan for invasion of the Dardanelles that was a bloody disaster of death and disease for his soldiers; his going against all advice to revert to the gold standard that resulted in unemployment and national strikes in Britain; his tendency to approach anti-Nazi strategy in World War II gingerly and in piecemeal, that had to be overruled by Roosevelt and Eisenhower. All that, warts and all, was in all the major papers when Churchill finally died in 1965, his place as a hero established in 20th century history. 

So there is nothing considered disrespectful or unnecessary when historically accurate major obituaries are done when famous fi gures die. But those for President Reagan departed from what most journalists expected to be the best history possible, while still honoring the dead man. 

In Reagan’s case there was mostly his various acts approved by most of the country—like opening the contact with the Soviets that led to ending the Cold War, and the impact of his cheery, special personality that comforted an extraordinary number of Americans despite their own economic unhappiness. But blatantly missing was proper attention to the usual negative portions of major obituaries. You had to remember (or look closely) that it was Reagan who established what has become the cynical cover for reactionary program-cutting now masquerading under “compassionate conservatism”; the lasting damage of Reagan’s trillion-dollar national debt; that he, along with his cheery personality, also brought us Oliver North, John Poindexter, illegal acts in the Iran-Contra scandal, and official lies or silence about atrocities committed in our name in Central Amer ica. 

I am particularly sensitive to the absence of any explanation of his invention of homelessness, because it’s major cause originated under Reagan but continues to be treated by our standard news media to this day as a mystery, or drug and alcohol add iction or mental illness—problems just as evidence in 1970 as today. But silence on the major cause has become commonplace in most United States journalism. To this day, homelessness, which began as a national phenomenon in the early 1980s under Reagan, i s treated as though the sudden appearance in the world’s richest nation (and in no other developed democracy) was, in the United States, an act of God. It was not an act of God. It was an act of Congress. Up until 1980, it had been standard national polic y to support low-cost affordable housing with subsidies that paid landlords the difference between charging rent that low-income individuals and families could afford, and what the landlord would have received if he or she charged the full market price fo r those rooms and apartments.  

It was not a radical policy. No country has been able to create enough homes for all its citizens at every income level without subsidies because private landlords have always preferred building and renting dwellings for the middle-class and wealthy. But in the United States, the Reaganite (and present conservative) policy is opposed to all social programs and favor cutting back government to make Washington less able to support social programs for the middle-class and the poor.  

Cheery personality and all, this, too, was part of the Reagan legacy that damages social justice policies to this day. But the voluminous obituaries of the 40th President of the United States skimmed over or remained silent about those less-than-heroic contributions of President Reagan. That 25-year silence still haunts contemporary politics. 

Ben Bagdikian is the author of the recently issued book The New Media Monopoly.  

In Berkeley, the community is hard pressed to make its voice heard on development issues, despite a few recent successes. So I’m sorry to report that on June 10, good process took a baby step backward at the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) Blood House hearing. But the improprieties were more subtle than usual, and perhaps arose as much from an atrophied understanding of public process as from bad intentions.  

In fact, it appears that ZAB is now inclined to kill the Blood House with a most expedient kindness, “rescuing” it from the shadow of a potentially damaging development on Durant and moving it to a more “suitable” location, where it won’t be in anyone’s way. Whether the Blood House, Durant Avenue, the new location, or the public would actually benefit from this move, I’ll leave to other writers, along with the daunting task of separating ZAB and the “developer-preservationists” from their rationalizations. 

On April 8, ZAB balked at demolishing the 1891 Blood House to make way for a five-story development project between two other two-story landmarked sites at 2526 Durant Ave. Although not fond of the Blood House, ZAB bowed to the historical resource protections of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The applicant was encouraged to return with a building plan that would preserve the Blood House on site, generally the preferred solution under CEQA.  

But the applicants didn’t like this alternative and apparently abandoned it. Instead, they decided to pursue another alternative: moving the Blood House and another Victorian to a small lot on Regent Street at Dwight Way. While a couple of the participants apparently believe this will improve our historic legacy, make no mistake about it: The new alternative will damage at least three (and maybe four) historic buildings and one streetscape on Southside—our common, irreplaceable cultural heritage—to further the immediate business interests of three developers and UC Berkeley.  

On June 10 the potential Blood House move was officially presented for the first time to both ZAB and the public, without any supporting details or paperwork for anyone’s review or response. The applicants and staff then asked ZAB to “signal” how it felt about the general idea of moving the Blood House. Since this is a departure from standard procedure, ZAB seemed slightly confused. But there was no confusion on the part of the staff. To encourage the developer to proceed, they needed a significant de facto action on an entirely new and vague project, but had to avoid a legal “action” that would require agendizing, public noticing, or a new application. And staff deftly guided ZAB toward this goal. But the reason it was wrong for ZAB to act formally at this meeting—i.e. questionable process—also made it wrong to act informally. No matter how you slice it, an important new action occurred without public notice or a meaningful hearing. 

To me this exemplifies just how atrophied our sense of public process has become in Berkeley. This is far from the worst thing the Planning Department has ever done; in fact, there is an appealing rationale for it. The Mayor’s Task Force on Permitting and Development had recommended “establish[ing] a formal pre-application process,” which would facilitate community discussion of, and provide early guidance for, “conceptual plans” through early interactive meetings with ZAB and all stakeholders. Here the applicant would find out if his idea was a non-starter with ZAB before he spent a lot of resources on it. Director Marks views this Blood House hearing as step toward this new process. But unfortunately, it was not ready for prime time. 

The reason is that no “formal process” has yet been thoughtfully developed to govern this early input, so the “signal” was given by the wrong body, at the wrong time, and without enough information. I think the “pre-application process” will work someday, but fair process cannot suddenly arise in a vacuum without addressing other existing dysfunctions in the system. Therefore—predictably—five persistent problems played themselves out on June 10. 

First, the “signal” was an inappropriate form of early decision making. Front-loading the process grossly disadvantages neighbors because of their inability to gather, understand, and present information like professionals. Nor are complex arguments quickly digested. If good process had been followed, historians and others who have thought deeply about siting in preservation would have had the chance to weigh in, educating all concerned. In addition, the Task Force envisioned ZAB giving direction in matters within their own purview such as height and density. In historic matters, ZAB follows the direction of the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC). Leapfrogging the matter to ZAB was inappropriate and removed the time and expertise necessary to thoroughly examine the issue. 

Second, ex parte speech limitations and the short speeches at public hearings both now prevent the meaningful discussion the Task Force envisioned. Why it is damaging to move historic buildings around is not readily apparent nor easy to explain in three-minute sound bites without dialogue. In fact, all unconventional, non-intuitive, and complex thoughts are disadvantaged by current procedures in this muzzled “Athens of the West.”  

Third, surely the task force hoped that informal interactive meetings would reduce the natural tendency for ZAB to favor their acquaintances in the development community, while viewing “those other people” as annoying party-poopers. On June 10, ZAB dialogued at length with the enthusiastic developers, but I was not permitted to respond briefly to even one point. After all, they had already heard 12 minutes from us! How much more could they endure? So in effect there was an informal workshop for the applicant, and a constrained formal “hearing” for the public. As long as these old habits are in place, new types of hearings will be a step backward, not forward, for fairness. 

Fourth, in the “formal process,” staff would not act as advocates for developers as they do now. But to pave the way for the largest possible building on Durant, the staff encouraged ZAB to approve the move alternative. They failed to point out that this proposal had had no public notice or previous discussion, instead placing it on equal footing with the other options that had been fully aired. The staff also glossed over the applicant’s failure to research the CEQA-preferred on-site option as earlier requested by ZAB.  

Finally, no procedures are in place to prevent early “buy-in” by ZAB. Now that ZAB has encouraged the applicant to expend resources exploring this option, how will it feel about turning it down six months from now? And psychological buy-in begins once people make a decision, no matter how many caveats they attach. 

But if I were the applicant, I would not take this “signal” to the bank. It is the Zoning Ordinance, the LPC, CEQA, and eventually the City Council that will decide whether Ruegg & Ellsworth will continue their 40-year cannibalization of Southside, not off-the-cuff opining from ZAB. As it is, the signal that this overeager and underinformed ZAB sent to observers was that our planning community still has a lot to learn—about both process and preservation. 

Sharon Hudson is a tenant in Berkeley’s Southside. 

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Local coverage of the city’s budget over the past few months has increasingly targeted city employee salaries as the source of the city’s budget problems. An example of this appeared in the April 20-22 issue of the Daily Planet, where the “Citizens Budget Oversight Committee,” a self appointed committee, authored an article about grossly overpaid and benefited employees. This was presented as fact in a fictionalized account of a “typical” city employee and accounting expert.  

The article made inaccurate assumptions about median age of retirement, life expectancy and median years of employment in order to create an outrageous retirement package. In truth, few employees remain with the city for 28 years, life expectancy calculations were overstated by 20 percent, only upper management make the salaries cited, and in fact, some city employees die shortly before receiving their pension or just after retirement and therefore never draw down their pensions.  

Despite assertions to the contrary, the cost of the city’s pension is part of the entire benefit package, not in addition to it. This is important because, in lieu of a pension, city workers will receive no Social Security benefits for their years of work. The article used a pension of $74,000 per year and thus an annual salary at retirement of more than $98,000, even though less than one percent of miscellaneous union employees make anywhere near that much. Finally, the article has its fictional employee receiving an additional $6,000 a year for medical costs for 25 years. In truth, workers receive this benefit for five years and employees paid for this benefit by forfeiting a pay increase in the previous contract.  

Local coverage has not mentioned the other points of view. City of Berkeley employees are real people with families to support. Many live in Berkeley while others cannot afford to buy homes anywhere in the Bay Area, much less in Berkeley. The vast majority of city employees receive compensation comparable to the median compensation of five neighboring cities. These cities are not high paying cities and include Hayward, Oakland and Vallejo. Senior executive staff such as the city manager and department heads who are NOT represented by unions, receive compensation comparable to top wage earners in high paying municipalities and in most cases make over $145,000 per year. 

In addition:  

• Unions submitted 135 cost-saving proposals and management has not implemented any of them, preferring instead to allow city employee salaries to take the blame for the budget problems.  

• Top wage earners in the City publicly stated that they forfeited 3% of their salary to address the budget problem when in fact, that forfeiture has not occurred.  

• City policy prohibits employees from speaking to Council members and media outlets making it difficult to relay accurate information to the public.  

• There is an ever-increasing salary gap between unrepresented senior management and employees within the miscellaneous unions.  

• City workers voluntarily gave over $3 million in retirement cost savings to the City of Berkeley during better budgetary times. The city did not bank those dollars but spent them. Had the city saved or invested those dollars, we would not be faced with this budgetary situation.  

• There is a significant resistance on the part of the city to tackle real organizational reform or big money items.  

Let’s get real. Making false characterizations regarding ”typical” city salaries is political and unproductive. Citizens, along with employees, should demand that the city commit itself to progressive organizational reform efforts that improve service to the community instead of the city spending valuable time and resources avoiding systemic change and fallaciously targeting staff salaries. City employees deserve fair and equitable salaries and benefits consistent with negotiated contracts in the same way that citizens deserve excellent and efficient city services. Employees have and will continue to offer viable solutions to creatively address budget problems, while maintaining a commitment to high quality and innovative programs for this community 

—Public Employees Union Local One, City of Berkeley. 

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RESPONSE FROM AHA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

A letter by Phillipa Freneau in the Daily Planet’s May 18 edition stated that Affordable Housing Associates (AHA) “is being paid over $400 per unit per month” to manage the Housing Authority’s Public Housing. This is incorrect. In fact, AHA, who has been managing the Berkeley Housing Authority’s Public Housing since January 2004, receives $55 per unit per month as a management fee, plus $7.50 per unit per month as a bookkeeping fee. 

Angela Cavanaugh 

Property Supervisor, AHA 

• 

METHODIST RESPONSE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am an active United Methodist. I didn’t vote for George W. Bush, I don’t support him, and I don’t support his war in Iraq. I hope to see him un-elected and out of office without a second term. Those Nashville folks you uncovered are an embarrassment (“Truth, Power, American Way,” Daily Planet editorial, June 11-14). You did at least mention that the local United Methodists are different, which is a fact. That being so, why do you ignore us locally in favor of non-news off the Internet about some misguided people on the other side of the country? 

David Coolidge 

• 

TOWN-GOWN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

It’s ludicrous for UC’s Hagerty to assert that the university’s contributions offset the city’s losses. Despite having among the highest taxes and fees in the state, the city’s budget is a mess—and it is not the city’s fault. UC shortchange of Berkeley and other cities pits the residents, businesses, property owners, tenants and city against each other, with the biggest beneficiary feasting on the spoils. 

If other businesses backfilled UC properties, the city will realize property, business license, and sales tax, and user fees far in excess of the contributions and calculated shortfall. There will also be more that enough CEO’s and single proprietors that will make up the “goodwill” that UC so benevolently bestows.  

It’s time for UC to owe up to their responsibility, and get off this free ride. 

Ignacio Dayrit 

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DOG PARK DITTO 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I wish to ditto Ariel Parkinson’s wonderful letter to the Daily Planet, May 28-31. I too am an elderly widow with a dog as a housemate. The Albany Bulb is a rare urban treat that reflects the best in human ingenuity. Wild flowers tumbling over concrete rip-rap, palm trees next to oak and laurel, paths leading nowhere, art made of everything from driftwood to old bicycle parts , and dogs swimming and running free. Please, whoever you uptight commissioners are, just let it be! 

Mary Kent 

• 

TOO KIND, TOO BLIND 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Your editorial on Ronald Reagan (“That Good Old Hot Air,” Daily Planet, June 8-10) was too kind, too blind, too dismissive of his mass murder of thousands of peasants in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; his racist support for apartheid in South Africa and white supremacy in the American South; his opposition to reparations for Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II; his homophobic dismissal of the AIDS epidemic until thousands had died; his union-busting firing of thousands of air traffic controllers; his fascist honoring of Nazis at the Bitburg cemetery; his sexist opposition to abortion rights; his gassing of the UC Berkeley campus; his emptying of California’s mental hospitals, forcing countless sick and homeless onto the streets; his nefarious promotion of the Cold War; his illegal Iran-Contra drug trafficking; and on and on. You heap vitriol on overdevelopment in Berkeley but lob pablum on the Reagan monster, progenitor of the Bush disaster. Shame, shame! 

Estelle Jelinek 

• 

THANKS, JOE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I always enjoy Joe Eaton’s articles on various facets of our local natural world, and particularly liked the June 15 piece on the “mule” deer hill-dwelling gardeners love to hate and the rest of us tend to regard with delight or awe. 

I learn a lot from Joe. This time, it included gleaning the origin of the Abbots Bromley horn dance, which has for seventeen years or more been my VERY favorite recurring element in that wonderful winter solstice pageant, “The Christmas Revels”, held over two long weekends in mid-December at the Scottish Rite Temple on the shore of Lake Merritt. 

The dance is performed by local Morris dancers who take pride in carrying on a very old English tradition, and it always begins the second half of the show. The music that accompanies it is simply enchanting, and the sound of those antlers clicking in that massive domed hall is one that you don’t forget. 

There’s lots more that has made the Revels a crucial December ritual for our family and friends. (Each year features a different culture and time period, but certain songs, dances and dramatic features recur each time.) You can learn about this year’s theme and dates on their Web site, www.calrevels.org. 

Incidentally, you won’t find much that relates to Christmas. I once asked the artistic director, Elizabeth Mayer, why they don’t call it the Solstice Revels, and she said that one year they tried and lost audience. It seemed some people were scared off by the fear of “pagan” rituals... 

Again, thanks, Joe, for this and all your articles. 

Donna Mickleson 

• 

CITIZEN REA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am a 24-year-old progressive libertarian who is seriously considering a run against incumbent City Councilmember Betty Olds of District 6 this November. The major obstacle I foresee in running a successful campaign is raising enough money to get my name and message out against such a seasoned politician.  

I am interested in running a very aggressive campaign which will inform the constituents of District 6 of the councilmember’s many shortcomings with respect to the duties they have entrusted her with and which will also emphasize her reckless self-serving approach to local legislation. I will do this primarily by illuminating the facts around her involvement in the misleading legislation dealing with the new fire department designed to protect Berkeley residents from wildfire threats, her personal attack on the freedom of speech and the offensive language she used in the Berkeley Free Speech Tango Debacle, and her dealings with the legislation concerning the Waterfront Commission, among others. I need your help in the form of printed articles which will enable me to conduct an aggressive campaign and outline my message to the constituents of District 6. Being that I will never be able to raise enough money to fight it out with Councilmember Olds via radio and TV adds I, need an alliance with a powerful media outlet such as yourself to help me publicize the campaign. I assure you that there will be plenty of sparks and that if you give me the appropriate support I will give Councilmember Olds a serious run for her money.  

I look forward to your response. 

Ryan Rea  

• 

HATE DEBATE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I would like to thank Jakob Schiller and the Berkeley Daily Planet for the excellent piece “UC Hate Debate as Complex as Mideast Conflict,” (Daily Planet, June 8-10). Especially after reading the horrendously inaccurate article in the East Bay Express, I am glad a paper decided to take a rational look at such claims. Slapping the “anti-Semite” label on anyone who steps out of line when it comes to Israel is not only incorrect and rude, but deflates the meaning of any actual anti-Jewish behavior that takes place.  

Gordon Gladstone is wrong when he says that criticism of Israel as a Jewish state is anti-Jewish. A “democratic Jewish state” is an oxymoron, when 17 percent of the population is not Jewish and do not have the same rights as their Jewish counterparts. Such a claim is similar to calling the Vatican a democratic Catholic state or apartheid South Africa a democratic white state. 

My thanks again for the excellent journalism. 

Scott Campbell 

Oakland 

• 

SUMMERTIME TERROR 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The exceedingly convenient timing of latest Bush administration hysteria about those darned summertime terrorist threats (do they only attack in nice weather or are they guided by holiday greeting card fanatics?) is not hard to understand. After all, public support for Bush has been dropping steadily since the mass torturing and unseemly abuse of Iraqi prisoners was revealed to the world in April. However, I could not understand how the London-based Institute for International Baloney got their asserted number of 18,000 “potential terrorists.” (What exactly is a “potential terrorist” anyway?) This morning, one of the local papers said that the FBI was going to notify some 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies of this new supposed terror threat. So it all adds up, one “potential terrorist” per American state and local law enforcement agency. One on one, I think that we can handle that.  

And exactly how are these potential terrorists crossing our national borders after three years of the draconian internal security rules set up by Attorney General John Ashcroft? In donkey carts overland from Canada or Mexico? By plywood gliders flown 5,000 miles from their mountain redoubts in Afghanistan and Pakistan (against the prevailing Westerly winds, to boot)? And how is an alleged threat with “no time, no place and no date” qualify as being called “intelligence?” It sounds more like finely tuned propaganda to scare us into supporting our heroic warmonger to me.  

James K. Sayre 

• 

KPFA KUDOS 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

Congratulations to KPFA for airing the New York City portion of the Kean Commission 9/11 hearings. No other media organization would touch it, not even CSPAN. 

One issue that has me seriously concerned, if we are to believe Larry Bensky’s unflinching support of the Bush administration’s account of what happened on that day, is the strength of our steel frame buildings. 

On 9/11, two 60-ton jets slammed into the towers near their points of greatest leverage and thinnest steel, yet despite no visible movement of the buildings less than an hour later, the South Tower (WTC2—the second building to be hit) collapses, according to the Kean Commission in 10 seconds. The upper floors, which were on fire and which were lighter and, according to the Bensky/Bushco model, lost all their strength from the fires, traveled through the lower floors, which were constructed of thicker steel and had no fires in seconds. WTC2 was 1362 feet tall. Freefall in a vacuum from a height of 1362 feet is 9.2 seconds. This means that the steel structure of the twin towers offered little more resistance than the air surrounding the buildings in it’s vertical direction. 

One can only conclude from the Bensky/Bushco New Physics Order, that steel frame buildings have incredible horizontal strength and almost no vertical strength. I submit that we immediately stop all construction of steel frame buildings as they are prone to instantaneous collapse from the forces of gravity. 

David Heller 

?

If you don’t have a serious religious ceremony to attend on the Summer Solstice—next Monday, June 21—but would still like to mark the longest day of the year with something special, head over to Oakland’s mortuary row for a unique musical event. Each year, dozens of musicians and singers assemble for the annual “Garden of Memory” concert in the venerable Chapel of the Chimes on Piedmont Avenue. 

Every nook and cranny of the extensive columbarium complex should be alive with music from the horn-like hoots of Australian didgeridoos to Balkan folk singing, classical and contemporary piano, koto players, percussionists, guitarists, choirs, and the wielder of a musical saw. 

It reads like a cacophony but it all comes together in harmony, due to the setting. The Chapel of the Chimes contains scores of ceremonial spaces, arcades, courts, alcoves, and corridors, each with its individual performing artist or group this one night.  

The event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. You arrive when you wish, pay $10 ($5 students and seniors) and receive a chart showing who’s located where. The groups perform separately, just out of easy hearing distance of each other. Some stage rehearsed pieces while others strum, keyboard, bow, or blow away experimentally. 

You can listen to the same musician over and over, or take in as many of the performances as possible, slipping quietly from one setting to the next. Some of the performances are in chapels with pew seating, others have folding chairs temporarily set up, and not a few are standing room only. 

In some spaces the music is broad and energetic; choirs sing, chords resound, instruments boom. Other performances are solo, ethereal.  

For example, in a skylit alcove beyond a tiny, exquisite, plant fringed pool there’s typically a haunting performance by ‘glass artist’ Miguel Frasconi who draws wonderful sounds from goblets and vases partially filled with water. Each year I also make certain to catch one of the performances by Jason Serinus, who whistles like no one you’ve ever heard. 

This year’s performers include 10 or more composers, the William Winant Percussion Group, the Cornelius Cardew Choir, Lines Ensemble, Ya-Elah, trombonist Monique Buzzarte, the Natto Quartet, and guitarist Henry Kaiser, among others.  

The event was founded and is annually organized by Berkeley’s nationally known pianist, Sarah Cahill (see “Renaissance Woman Combines Music and Journalism,” Daily Planet, May 11-13), and New Music Bay Area. Co-sponsors this year are the American Composers Forum and the Berkeley Arts Festival. 

Much of the magic of the occasion comes from the setting. Depending on your frame of reference, the Chapel of the Chimes may seem like an Arthurian fantasy, Edwardian mansion, or Harry Potter set. Winding staircases, arching corridors, and spacious courts connect spaces with names like Serenity, Eternal Wisdom, Truth, Gentle Spirit, the Chapel of Patience, Sanctuary of Compassion and Garden of Life Eternal.  

Everywhere there are the interment niches, thousands upon thousands of them from floor to ceiling, inscribed with the family names of Oakland’s past and containing urns with the ashes of the deceased. Many of the interior spaces are carefully planted—one year the courts were ablaze with coleus—and the place is a lesson in indoor gardening.  

Julia Morgan designed much of the building in the 1920s and her exquisite touch is seen in Gothic inspired cloisters, glowing stained glass skylights, and tranquil chapels. The complex climbs up a hill to a late 1990s addition, with each sequence of spaces reflecting the changing tastes of American interment.  

When I first went to this event I was a bit cautious about the propriety of performance in a columbarium. Mindful of generations of my family interred in a similar space, I worried about the event trivializing such a solemn setting.  

A very few scenes raised my eyebrows in past years, including a set-up of toy electric trains on the floor of one large court and a musician who climbed on top of a set of niches during his performance.  

But by and large the performers and performances are respectful of this setting and Julia Morgan’s halls can be a luminous place to hear music. The deceased deserve peace, but quiet isn’t always necessary, especially when the music is this good. 

There’s a storyteller loose on the stage at Berkeley Rep. People who have seen him perform 21 Dog Years: Doing Time @ Amazon.com probably want to call him a comedian. Whatever… maybe it’s most accurate to think of Mike Daisey as something of a walking work-in-progress—a very funny and very polished work-in-progress.  

Daisey is a rather short, tubby guy with a guileless look, who manages to keep the audience’s full attention (laughing all the way) for an unbroken spiel of some 90 minutes. He’s alone on the stage with a chair and a table made out of a door—and, of course, a laptop. Gotta have a laptop handy when you’re talking about life in Seattle.  

The present version of Dog Years is the result of slightly more than three years of Mike Daisey telling the (hopefully somewhat exaggerated) tale of his labors at Amazon.com. “Labors” doesn’t seem to be quite the word. Perhaps “activities?” Or, maybe “hysterics?” Although he makes it clear that he spent a lot more time at work than the traditional eight hours a day, he is equally clear that he wasn’t really doing anything which could actually be identified as “work.” 

Daisey wandered into the dot-com world because he had a toothache; he needed a job with dental benefits. He claims that Amazon hired him because they were looking for freaks. This may not be an exaggeration since, from what he says, he may well have been one of the sanest people on the grounds. Perhaps the most remarkable part of the experience was that when he finally fled the company, he was deluged with job offers.  

He says he got rid of them by accepting them all.  

Daisey’s director/stage manager/wife, Jean Michele Gregory, swears that he alters his performances to fit the different audiences he has faced along a road that started three years ago at an unheated, beer-serving, garage theater in Seattle. Since then, Daisey’s made the rounds of theaters around the world with Dog Years, including, of course, New York’s Off-Broadway. 

Dog Years must be pretty much finished. It’s a very smooth performance; there’s not a single hesitation, or an “Uh!” or a search for the next word or idea in the whole evening. And Jean Michele Gregory puts some real effort into persuading the audience to come back and see Wasting Your Breath, the new piece Daisey’s working on. It’s playing on June 28 and 29, immediately after Dog closes, and it might be kind of fun to compare the two. 

It’s no wonder they make the pitch. After all, Daisey’s way of “writing” must make an audience even more essential for him than it is for most performers.  

Amazingly enough, this is the show’s only appearance in the Bay Area. One would expect Daisey to have taken it straight into Silicon Valley early on in his career. And why Berkeley and not San Jose or Palo Alto?  

Funny as Daisey is, it does seem that our neighbors on the peninsula and in San Jose would take the dot-com insanity to heart in a way that just isn’t quite Berzerkeley’s passion. Don’t take this wrong, this is a hilarious evening for anybody. But this town can’t be expected to produce an audience as stuffed with dot-commers filled with first-hand knowledge of the madness of the Big Boom era as are our neighbors in the South Bay. 

Do you suppose that the Seattle people landed here by mistake? 

›

From Celtic fiddling to Brazilian samba, from Congolese song and dance to bluegrass and Cajun, a world of music awaits visitors to Telegraph Avenue Saturday and Sunday. 

The Berkeley World Music Weekend will offer something for everyone—and in places where live performances are the exception, rather than the rule. Musicians will display their prowess in bookstores and coffee shops, pizzerias and Peoples Park. 

The festival kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday with the South African vocal rhythms of Zulu Spear’s Khumbala, performing through noon in the Naan N Curry at 2366 Telegraph. Performances continue through 8 p.m. and resume on Sunday from 11 a.m. 

The official grand finale commences at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Casual Gourmet and Beau Sky Hotel at 2529 Durant St. featuring Borrina Mapaka, appearing fresh from Paris with a program of Congolese and Afrofusion song and dance. 

Then, from 5 to 6:30, participants will hold a post event party in the basement of Blake’s, 2367 Telegraph Ave., with The Real Tom Thunder offering a program of Blues and Rock. 

One of the most versatile performers on the program is Berkeley’s own Tim Rayborn, who plays “about 30” instruments, including a variety of flutes, drums, lutes and harps. He sings as well, and has written scholarly papers on songs of the Crusades—not surprising, given his doctorate on Islamic/Christian relations during the early crusader era. 

Rayborn will be playing Turkish, Arabic and Sufi music with the group Salaat at Rasputins from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, then offering his own Medieval and Middle Eastern instrumentals from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Musical Offering, 2430 Bancroft Way. 

Big Bones, a remarkable one-man band, will offer his own “Blunk” (a meld of Blues and Funk) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the Food Court at 2519 Durant Ave. 

Berkeley High’s renowned Jazz Combo will perform from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday in Peoples’ Park, and versatile Berkeley musician Stephen Kent will treat listeners to riffs on the didjeridu at Cody’s from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday. 

Gianni Ranuzzi, the driving force behind this weekend’s festivities, knows Telegraph first-hand, having worked as a street artist for 15 years selling jewelry she’d made. Though she quit six years ago, she says, “I still see people wearing earrings I made.” 

Ranuzzi spent the next three years working full-time for the Telegraph Area Association. She’s now freelancing and working for the association—organizing, among other things, this weekend’s festivities. 

“We’re trying to bring back a renaissance, where art is supported by the community and its residents,” she said. “We’re showcasing how great Berkeley is, while building community and helping out our musicians.” 

Ranuzzi singled out City Councilmember Kriss Worthington for special praise. “He’s been very helpful in putting this together,” she said. 

A unique feature of the weekend program is the first-ever World Lyric Slam, emceed by Charles Ellick, the host of the weekly Wednesday evening poetry slams at the Starry Plough. 

Poets will offer their music and lyrics at the slam, competing for $150 in cash prizes at Blake’s. “We’re hoping this can become a monthly event,” Ranuzzi said. “We have a lot of wonderful talent here, and a unique forum to showcase their talents. Telegraph Avenue’s a wonderful place, full of dynamite people with wonderful stories to tell. This festival will show the avenue at its finest.” 

For more information on the weekend’s festivities and a complete schedule of performances, see www.telegraphberkeley.org. and click on “Berkeley World Music Weekend,” or see the information booth in front of Cody’s Bookstore at the corner of Telegraph Avenue and Haste Street.›

FRIDAY, JUNE 18 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “Betrayal,” by Harold Pinter, directed by Tom Ross, opens at 8 p.m. and runs through July 25. Tickets are $28-$36. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org  

Berkeley Rep “Master Class” with Rita Moreno at The Roda Theater. Runs through July 18. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep, “21 Dog Years: Doing Time @ Amazon.com” Thurs., Sun. at 7:30 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. at 8:30 p.m. through July 2. Tickets are $25-$35. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Black Repertory Group Theatre “Come Back Annie Gray” June 18, 19, 25, 26 and 27 at 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $15-$20, available from 408-615-1194. www.comebackanniegray.com 

California Shakespeare Theater, “Comedy of Errors,” Tues.-Fri. at 7:30 p.m., Sat at 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater, through June 27. Tickets are $13-$32. 548-9666. www.calshakes.org 

Prescott-Joseph Center, “Raisin” an adaptation of “A Raisin in the Sun” Fri. and Sat. at 7:30 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. to July 11, at the Sister Thea Bowman Memorial Theater, 920 Peralta St. West Oakland. Theater is outdoors, dress for cooler temperatures. Tickets are $5-$15. 208-5651. 

Shotgun Players, “Quills” by Doug Wright at the Julia Morgan Theater. Runs Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through July 3. Free, donations accepted. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Wilde Irish Productions, “Eclipsed” by Patricia Burke Brogan, at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Runs Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through June 27. Tickets are $15-$20. 841-7287. www.wildeirish.org 

“18 Mighty Mountain Warriors,” an Asian-American comedy at 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Also on Sat. at 8 p.m. Tickets are available from 547-2662. www.museumca.org 

FILM 

“Band of Outsiders” presented by Craig Seligman at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Old Oakland Outdoor Cinema on Washington St., between 9th and 10th Sts. Music at 5 p.m., and film, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at 8 p.m. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Sponsored by the City of Oakland and the Old Oakland Historic District. 238-4734. www.filmoakland.com 

Readings on Cinema: “Band of Outsiders” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Oakley Hall gives advice to writers in “The Great American Writing Road Trip Adventure” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

“Reflections” John Neumaier will speak on the exhibition “A Voice Silenced” at 2 p.m. at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. 549-6950. www.magnes.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Symphony Orchestra “Missa Solemnis” at 8 p.m. in Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $21-$45 available from 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

“Forbidden Christmas or The Doctor and The Patient” by Rezo Gabriadze, featuring Mikhail Baryshnikov at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Playhouse, UC Campus. Also Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sun at 3 p.m. Tickets are $65 available from 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Earl Davis, trumpet-led jazz, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Cost is $10. www.thejazzhouse.org 

Freight 36th Anniversary Concert hosted by Phil March at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The Steve Lucky & Carmen Getit Show at 10 p.m. at the Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. 524-9220. 

Juanita Ulloa en Concierto for the whole family at 8 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $6-$16. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Mark Karan and Jemimah Puddleduck at at 8 p.m. at Ashkenez. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Poetz4Peace Concert with special guests Stand Out Selector, Jah Minds Eye Soundsystem and more, at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down 

low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

20 Miles, Richmond Fontaine, Farma at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082.  

www.starryploughpub.com  

Regina Wells in concert at 7:30 p.m. at Changemakers, 6536 Telegraph Ave. Cost is $12-$20. Reservations recommended. 655-2045. 

Le Hot Jazz at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Timothy Daniel and Lia Rose, singer-songwriters, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

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

Kaos Pilot, Takaru, Van Johnson, An Arrow in Flight 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. 

Kirtan with Arjun An evening of call and response eastern/ 

Sanskrit chanting, beginning at 8 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St., between Eighth and Ninth. Donation $5-$12. 843-2787 www.studiorasa.org 

SATURDAY, JUNE 19 

CHILDREN 

“Wild About Books” storytime at 10:30 a.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6223. 

Embark on a Reading Safari with an Oakland Zoo Safari Guide and live animals at 1 p.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

Kids on the Block Puppet Show, promoting acceptance and understanding of physical and cultural differences at 2 p.m. at the Hall of Health, 2230 Shattuck Ave., lower level. Suggested donation $3. Children under 3 free. 549-1564. 

FILM 

Los Angeles Plays Itself: “Crime Wave” at 5:30 p.m., “Hollow Triumph” at 7:05 p.m., “Criss Cross” at 8:45 p.m at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

David Sedaris on “Dress Your Family in Corderory and Denim” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. Admission by ticket only. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com 

Poetry Flash with Nanos Valaoritas and Thanasis Maskaleris reading from “Modern Greek Poetry: An Anthology” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley World Music Weekend with continuous music and dance performances on Telegraph Ave. between Bancroft and Parker St., from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. www.telegraphberkeley.org 

Phan Quang Minh, guitarist, performs “Bach, Albeniz, and the Berkeley Suite” at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. Free with Museum admission. 642-8344. 

Oakland Youth Orchestra at 12:30 p.m. at The Crowden School, 1475 Rose St. Admission is free. Donations welcomed. 

Los Gatos in a live recording session at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $8-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Jeb Brady Band “History of the Blues” at 2 p.m. at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 525-2129. 

Liz Phoenix and The People at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Asylum Street Spankers at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $14. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Fiddelkids’ Camp Faculty Fiddlefest at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $16.50 in advance, $17.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Dick Conte Trio with Steve Webber and Bill Moody at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Jerry Kennedy, singer-songwriter, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Pitch Black, Lemora, The Faeries, Static Thought 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. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 20 

CHILDREN 

Princess Moxie at 3 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $6 for adults, $4 for children. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Celebrating Fathers, Families and Communities with African music by Fua Dia Congo, the Love Center Choir and drummer Kokomon Clottey. From noon to 4 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Razzamadaddy Storytime in celebration of Father’s Day at 10:30 a.m. at Barnes and Noble. 644-0861. 

THEATER 

“Journeys: Going Local” Interactive theater with storytellers, artists, beat boxers, and musicians. Audience members are given the opportunity to share stories. From 7 to 11 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Cost is $10-$20 sliding scale. 843-2787. www.studiorasa.org 

FILM 

Los Angeles Plays Itself: Model Shop” at 5:30 p.m., “Zabrinski Point” at 7:20 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Eccentrics and Court Painters in 18th Century China” gallery talk at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Poetry Flash with G.C. Waldrep and Mark Yakich at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley World Music Weekend with continuous music and dance performances on Telegraph Ave. between Bancroft and Parker St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.telegraphberkeley.org 

Bernard Winsemius, from Holland, will perform on the baroque organ, at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. A reception will follow. Donations will be gratefully received. 845-6830. 

Spring Concert/Music Festival at 5 p.m. at El Cerrito United Methodist Church, 6830 Stockton Avenue, El Cerrito, between Richmond and Everett Sts.  

Golden Gate Boys Choir Spring Concert at 2:30 p.m. at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, corner of Broadway at Lawton, Oakland. Cost is $5-$10. 887-4311. 

311 at 2 p.m. at the Greek Theatre, UC Campus 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu  

Borrina Mapaka and Luzolo at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Congolese dance lesson with Indirah at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Jacopo Andreini & Friends, part of ACME Observatory Contemporary Composer’s Series, at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donations of $8-$15 suggested. www.thejazzhouse.org 

Kiki Ebsen, Kenny Edwards and Suzanne Paris at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MONDAY, JUNE 21 

THEATER 

Shotgun Theater Lab “Four Echoes” at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Free, sugggested donation up to $15. 841-6500.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Why You Should Give A Damn About Gay Marriage” Booksigning and discussion on same-sex marriage with author Davina Kotulski, Ph.D. at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Piedmont Branch.  

Dylan Schaffer introduces his thriller “Misdemeanor Man” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Poetry Express featuring Julia Vinograd, recipient of the Berkeley Poetry Festival 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Anton Schwartz Quintet at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $12. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, JUNE 22 

THEATER 

Shotgun Theater Lab “Four Echoes” at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Free, sugggested donation up to $15. 841-6500.  

FILM 

Los Angeles Plays Itself: “Los” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Greg Behrman describes “The Invisible People: How the U.S. Has Slept Throught the Global AIDS Pandemic, and Greatest Humanitarian Catastrophe of Our Time” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Joel L. Widzer reveals “The Penny Pinchers Passport to Luxury Travel” at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave. 843-3533. 

The Whole Note Poetry Series, in rememberance of Richard “dixi” Cohen, at 7 p.m. at The Beanery, 2925 College Ave. 549-9093. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Courtableu at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Tom Dimuzio at 8:30 p.m. at Oakland Box, 1923 Telegraph Ave. www.oaklandbox.com 

Jazz House Jam at 8 p.m. at The Jazz House. Donation $5. www.thejazzhouse.com 

Steve Smith & Buddy’s Buddies in a tribute to Buddy Rich at 8 and 10 p.m. Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Wed. Cost is $12-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

E.J. Dionne instructs us how to “Stand Up Fight Back: Republican Toughs, Democratic Wimps, and the Politcs of Revenge” at 12:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Dan Chaon reads from his new novel, “You Remind Me of Me” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500.  

Thomas Frank discusses “What is the Matter with Kansas? Middle America’s Thirty-Year War with Liberalism” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with Charles Ellik at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082 www.starryplough.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jules Broussard, Ned Boynton and Bing Nathan at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Israel Powerhouse, Culture Canute, Mr. Major P at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Swing Mine at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

The Key of Z: Experimental Instruments, and the Music They Make, at 7:30 p.m.at the Pacific Film Archive. Sponsored by Amoeba Records. 642-0808. 

Roy Book Binder, Del Ray and Steve James at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $15.50 in advance, $16.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

THURSDAY, JUNE 24 

THEATER 

California Shakespeare Theater, “Comedy of Errors,” Tues.-Fri. at 7:30 p.m., Sat at 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m. at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater, through June 27. Tickets are $13-$32. 548-9666. www.calshakes.org 

Shotgun Players, “Quills” by Doug Wright at the Julia Morgan Theater. Runs Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through July 3. Free, donations accepted. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Wilde Irish Productions, “Eclipsed” by Patricia Burke Brogan, at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Runs Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through June 27. Tickets are $15-$20. 841-7287. www.wildeirish.org 

“18 Mighty Mountain Warriors” an Asian-American comedy at 8 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Also on Fri. at 8 p.m. 547-2662. www.museumca.org 

FILM 

“Lula, a Jounada de un Vencedor” at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $6-$8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Los Angeles Plays Itself: “Bush Mama” at 7 p.m., “Bless Their Little Hearts” at 9:15 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Art as Poetry” “Art and Meaning Series” with artists Mildred Howard and Richard Berger, at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

Kala Salon Series with artists Nathaniel Russell and Justin Walsh at 7:30 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. 549-2977. www.kala.org  

Tim Gautreaux reads from his novel, “The Clearing” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-5900. www.codysbooks.com 

“Messages from Amma” A reading with editor Janine Canan at 7 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

Word Beat Reading Series at 7 p.m. with featured reader Wordslanger, at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 526-5985, 205-1749.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Summer Noon Concert with Pamela Rose and Danny Caron at the Berkeley BART. Sponsored by Downtown Berkeley Assoc.  

Tom Russell with Andrew Hardin, roots country originals, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50 in advance, $18.50 at the door. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Keni El Lebrijano at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Eric McFadden Trio at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryplough.com 

Dee Dee Bridgewater at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $20-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

The Katie Jay Band at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 



Finally, we come to tomatoes. We know they will not do well in Berkeley. Tomatoes are simply the breath of summer, inevitable, irreplaceable, and so each year, we plant them like visionaries and reap them like sinners.  

What after all would we do without this most gorgeous of fruits? Pizza would be unrecognizable, the Bloody Mary a thing of the past, or the future. Can one imagine the BL without the T? Tomatoes are an addiction, an unrequited love, a chimera leading us down the garden path in all ways. 

It is probably too late in June to sow tomatoes from seed. We are never in the mood in April, the best month for this, because it is not yet summer. Never mind, by June there are hordes of varietal seedlings in nurseries and farmers’ markets to feed our delusions. If these are labeled determinate or indeterminate, this simply means sturdy bush-type, or a vine needing support. We are bound to plant too many and space them too closely. However tenderly we care for them, however early we plant them, we still will not see ripe fruit until August in Berkeley. Unless one lives in a banana belt with a brick patio, there just is not enough heat. 

Tomatoes do best in plain soil, with moderate, regular watering. Enriching the ground with compost and giving lavish supplies of water will produce large healthy plants with an abundance of green leaves and no apparent intention to produce flowers or set fruit. Be mean to your tomatoes and you might be able to bite them back, too. 

When (not if) you do plant, be careful to refrain from planting in the same place as in the previous year. A four-year rotation plan is ideal, intercropping with peas and beans whenever possible.  

Gardeners who enjoy composting their kitchen trimmings often come across tiny seedlings in the garden in June, with leaflets like little propellers. These junior tomatoes are worth cultivating, because they have chosen their environment, and even if they appear late in the season, will often catch up with store-bought plants, and produce interesting fruits. One such unknown variety in my garden a few years ago looked barely edible, misshapen in form and with deep fissures radiating from the stem, definitely not supermarket perfect. It was, however, juicy, tender and richly flavored, with an excellent balance of sweet and tart. 

Sometimes it is worthwhile to dry seeds of an especially good tomato, by placing them on a paper towel in a sunny window for a few days. Cut apart and kept in an envelope, labeled, they can be sown in small pots the following April, paper and all. By April, though, not only will we not be in the mood, we will have forgotten where we put the seeds, if we remember them at all. 

Such is the tomato, fata morgana. 

Tomatoes rarely suffer from pests. I once came eye to eye with a well-fed horn worm, Manduca sexta, which gave me a jolt. That was before I knew better than to fertilize the plants, so there were plenty of leaves to spare. Its destiny at the end of the usual stages of metamorphosis was another surprise, a colossal hawk moth. I was privileged to watch its maiden flight. Starting at one end of a brick it revved up its wings and trundled along to the other end like an overloaded jet, barely achieving take-off. Insects are harbingers of summer and add a special, indeed an important, dimension to gardening. According to Powell and Hogue in their California Insects, its wing span would have been at least 10 centimeters, and it would have repaid its debt to the garden by being a pollinator. 

We have come finally to the tomato because in Berkeley, June is the last month of the vegetable grower’s year. Not until late August or September does the cycle of cultivation begin with the sowing of winter greens. In July one waters the garden early and then one goes off to the beach. The Mediterranean Salad dish above can readily accompany the picnic chicken, the sunscreen, and the latest Sue Grafton. 

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FRIDAY, JUNE 18 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Yuri Slezkine, Prof. Dept. of History, UCB, on “Current Events in Russia” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $12.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

The Wall Around and Through the Holy Land East Bay residents share their experiences in Palestine at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free. 845-4740. 

Great American Writing Road Trip Adventure stops at Cody’s Books, 2454 Telegraph Ave. at 7:30 p.m. with mystery novelist Oakley Hall talking about how to get published. 845-7852. www.livetowrite.com 

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. 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, JUNE 19 

Summer Solstice Celebration and 15th Anniversary of the Saturday Berkeley Farmer’s Market at Civic Center Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with live music, crafts fair, and a solstice ceremony at 11:30 a.m. www.ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations meets at 9:15 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Sproul Conference Room, 1st Floor, 2727 College Ave. www.berkeleycna.com 

Grand Opening of the Strawbale Visitors Center at the Shorebird Park Nature Center, at noon at the Berkeley Marina, 160 University Ave. 644-8623. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/marina/ 

marinaexp/newbldging.html 

Know Your Soil Workshop Understanding soil qualities and soil health will enable gardeners to grow plants that are comparable with each other and match water requirements to infiltration and drainage. Come to hear why soils differ and how they can be managed for better health. From 10 a.m. to noon at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Free. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Marsh Restoration for Wildlife Join an exciting project to restore a tidal marsh and improve wildlife habitat, on the south Richmond shoreline along the Bay Trail, from 9 a.m. to noon. No special skills or experience required, but a willingness to work with plants, soil, pull weeds, and an interest in bay wildlife and plants will be helpful. Tools, gloves, and snacks provided. Registration required. Sponsored by the Watershed Project. For more information, contact Martha 231-5783. martha@thewatershedproject.org 

Dynamite History Walk at Point Pinole from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Discover the park preserved by dynamite! On this flat, easy-paced walk we’ll be joined by Norman Monk, former Atlas Powder Company employee. 525-2233.  

Garden Party 2004 from 3 to 6 p.m. Savor the solstice in the summer garden. Wine, food and music, walks led by garden experts, silent auction and raffle. Botanical Garden, UC Campus. 643-2755. www.botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu  

Gardening with Succulants with Hank Jenkins at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

A Free Day of Dog Athletics featuring dogs performing flyball, disc catching and agility. Attendees are asked to leave their own dogs at home. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Oakland Animal Shelter, 1101 29th Ave. 535-5604. www.oaklandanimalservices.org  

Bread Baking Learn about bacteria and grass seeds with freshly baked bread as the end result of an afternoon of discovery, measuring and kneading. We will take a short walk on the mystery of grains while our bread rises. For all ages from 1 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. Cost is $5-$6. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Car Wash to Benefit the Homeless from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Augustine Church, 400 Alcatraz Ave. in Oakland. All proceeds go to help the homeless families with children and the single women and men who call Harrison House their home temporarily. 

“Speaking about the Unspeakable: Koan Practice in Zen Buddhism” with Albert Low at 7 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Place. Free. 843-6812. 

Celebrating Fathers at the Berkeley Kids’ Room, 2472 Shattuck Ave., with Make a Bookmark at 11 a.m., Armin Brott booksigning at 1 p.m. and Margaretta Mitchell on photographing children at 2 p.m. 841-5068. 

Dance Jammies, a multi-generational dance event from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Motivity Center, 2525 8th St. Cost is $9. 832-3835. 

Vocal Jazz Workshop with Richard Kalman from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. followed by jam session, at the Albany Community Center. 1249 Marin Ave. 524-9283.  

Yoga for Seniors at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St., on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Open to non-members of the club for $8 per class. For further information and to register, call Karen 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. 

SUNDAY, JUNE 20 

Juneteenth Celebration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Adeline St. between Ashby and Alcatraz. 655-8008 or 654-1461.  

Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m. at the Willard Community Peace Labyrinth on blacktop next to the gardens at Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. Enter by the dirt road on Derby. Free, wheelchair accessible. Sponsored by the East Bay Labyrinth Project. 526-7377.  

“Basking in the Light” an afternoon/evening interfaith celebration of the Summer Solstice and Father’s Day, from 3 to 9:30 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. at Walnut. Cost is $10-$20 sliding scale, no-one turned away for lack of funds. www.chaplaincyinstitute.org/baskinginthelight.html 

Summer Story Hour for all ages at 10:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Babes in the Woods for the whole family. Dads (Moms welcome too!), bundle your baby in a backpack and join a Father’s Day walk to explore the sights, smells, and sounds of nature with your little one. From 3 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. 525-2233. 

Summer Solstice Gathering at 7:45 p.m. in Cesar Chavez Park, Berkeley Marina. www.solarcalendar.org 

Bike Trip to Explore Historic Oakland on the third Sunday of the month through October. Tours leave the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Fallon Sts., at 10 a.m. for a leisurely 5-mile tour on flat land. Bring bike, helmet, water and snacks. Free, but reservations required. 238-3524. 

“Wildflowers and Special Habitats of the Sierra Butte” a trip to Sierraville from Sun. to Fri. sponsored by the Regional Parks Botanical Garden, Tilden Park. Cost is $450. For details and registration call 845-4116. www.nativeplants.org 

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 

Golden State Model Railroad Museum open from noon to 5 p.m. Also open on Saturdays and Friday evenings from 7 to 10 p.m. Located in the Miller-Knox Regional Shoreline Park at 900-A Dornan Drive in Pt. Richmond. Admission is $2-$3. 234-4884 or www.gsmrm.org 

“Criminal Justice and Prison Reform” A panel presentation with representatives from Books not Bars, Critical Resistance and Prison Activists Resource Center, at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington. 525-0302.  

Introduction to the TaKeTiNa Rhythm Process from 1 to 4 p.m. at Ashkenaz Back Dance Studio, 1317 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $25-$35 sliding scale, no one turned away. To register call 650-493-8046. 

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 Jack van der Meulen on “Tibetan Yoga: Activating Joyous Feeling” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, JUNE 21 

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

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 22 

Insects and Crawling Creatures Educators Workshop From Tues. though Thurs. You will discover the world of insects and their relatives by visiting Tilden and Briones parks where you will collect, observe and release insects. You’ll get 101 new ideas for K-5th grade classes and outdoor activities. Credit available from Cal State, Hayward for additional fee. Cost is $100-$110. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Mini-Rangers 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, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Environmental (In)Justice in South Africa Today Join four visiting South African activists in a discussion about South Africa today. At 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cosponsored by GroundWork: Environmental Justice Action in Southern Africa and Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Defeating George Bush A conversation with Walter Riley, Matthew Hallinan and Vicki Cosgrove at 7 p.m. at Humaist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Sponsored by the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club. 418-2760. 

East Bay Communities Against the War presents a video of Michael Moore on his book tour promoting “Dude, Where’s My Country?” at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Neighborhood Center, 530 Lake Park Ave. $1 suggested donation. www.ebcaw.org 

“Medicare Drug Discount Cards” with HICAP volunteer, Alex Esparza at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

“Weight-Loss Surgery: Is it for You?” a free presentation by the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center at 6 p.m. at the Health Education Center, Bechtel Room, 400 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland. 869-8972. 

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.  

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. Charles Fitch will show travel slides at 11 a.m. We always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

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. 415-336-8736. dan@redefeatbush.com 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday, rain or shine, at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat. 548-9840. 

Downtown Oakland Walking Tours every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 a.m to 11:30 a.m. Discover the changing skyline, landmarks and churches. For details on the different itineraries call 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/wallkingtours 

“Gangs of America: The Rise in Corporate Power and Disabling of Democracy” with author Ted Nance, at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by the Gray Panthers. 548-9696. 

Bay Area Writing Project presents “Teachers as Writers” at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 2352 Shattuck Ave. 644-0861. 

“Paradise with Side Effects” a film describing the lives of two Ladakhi women in England, at 7 p.m. at the Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St., Oakland. 393-5685.  

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Vigil at 6:30 p.m., Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

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

THURSDAY, JUNE 24 

“The End of Suburbia, Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream” A film presentation, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5-$15 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds. Co-sponsored by the Post Carbon Institute 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Livable Berkeley hosts Green Building pioneer and author David Gottfried at 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Berkeley Public Library Community room. Refreshments will be served. 898-8777.  

Bash Bush Bash A fundraising event for John Kerry at the Kress Building, 2036 Shattuck Ave. from 7 to 10 p.m. Speakers include Daniel Ellsberg, David Harris, Michael Lewis and others. $50 minimum donation. 

BBQ and Marinade Taste Fair, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 3000 Telegraph Ave. 649-1333, ext. 261. 

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

Appreciating Diversity Film Series presents “You Don't Know Dick,” followed by a community dialogue at 6:30 p.m. at Ellen Driscoll Theater, Frank Havens Elementary School, 325 Highland Ave., Piedmont. 763-9301. www.diversityworks.org  

Travel Photography, a seminar with Jerry Dodrill at 7 p.m. at Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave at Rose. Cost is $20. 843-3533. 

Women Voters Reverse at Convention 

The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) organization recently rescinded its support for touchscreen voting machines that don’t create paper trails, but not without an uncharacteristic internal fight led by several member from the Bay Area. 

Last week’s LWVUS national convention held in Washington D.C. produced a heated debate between national league leaders who support touch screen machines, and groups of members who say that such machines are vulnerable to tampering unless equipped with a machine that produces a voter verified paper receipt. 

National leaders, including president Kay Maxwell, have been known as supporters of paperless touchscreens, and previous league statements had called paper confirmation “unnecessary” and “counterproductive.” 

In an open letter to Maxwell circulated by Oakland League member Genevieve Katz and signed by more than 900 members, dissenters told the leadership they were “stifling” research and debate, and that they had “exceeded their authority.” 

As a result, last week’s convention produced a widely-supported vote that amended the LWV’s touch screen stance, officially making the organization neutral on the issue. “In order to ensure integrity and voter confidence in elections,” the resolution reads, “the LWVUS supports the implementation of voting systems and procedures that are secure, accurate, recountable and accessible.” 

Alameda County Touchscreen Update 

After having its touch screen machines temporarily decertified by the California Secretary of State, Alameda County is racing to be sure to meet the requirements to re-certify its machines in time for the November election. 

According to Brad Clark, the Registrar of Voters (ROV) for Alameda county, good progress is being made to meet the new requirements set forth by the Secretary of State Kevin Shelley after touch screen machines caused a number of serious problems during the recall and primary elections. 

Clark said currently the county is most pressed to install new software and firmware upgrades that are unavailable because they have not yet received state testing and certification. 

And while the county still plans to use their touch screens if everything stays on schedule, said Clark, the county is also looking at possibly having to use central count optical scan machines. If Alameda Count has to resort to optical scans, Clark said, the county will need between 50-100 new central machines, which will be placed at the ROV central office and will be used for counting the paper ballots filled out at polling places. Currently, the county only has eight optical scan machines. 

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It’s not traditional, or at least not a recent tradition, for competing publications to critique each other in print. In the glory days of the old Hearst chain, of course, wars between newspapers made life fun for readers. But the Daily Planet is not, as regular readers may have noticed, exactly a traditional community paper. We’re not shy about either praising or blaming other papers when the opportunity presents itself. 

In that spirit, we’d like to direct your attention to the June 16 issue of the Eastbay Express, the local outlet for Phoenix’s New Times chain, which also fronts the SF Weekly. It’s not really competition for the Planet, occupying, as one of its column titles confesses, the bottom-feeder niche in the journalistic feeding chain. The corporate empire doesn’t understand why Berkeley isn’t Hayward or Concord, but that’s just fine with us. In between the articles about sex triangles in the suburbs it occasionally offers a story about happenings that affect the kind of people who read the Planet, and when such a story surfaces we feel obligated to call our readers’ attention to it.  

In the current issue Chris Thompson offers the kind of hyperbolic overwritten hysterical take on the university’s long range development plans which he pretends to despise in other contexts. Presumably in order to placate his corporate masters, he structures his piece in the form of pitting the genteel tactics of a hills resident who opposes the university’s plan for building housing in her upscale neighborhood against the tackier efforts of the flatlands residents who have long been wary of a variety of projects in their neighborhoods.  

Here’s a sample: 

“For too long, reactionary NIMBYs have hijacked the planning process in Berkeley, stifling the most modest and sensible apartment complexes with petty complaints and trumped-up appeals to the city’s historical heritage. Today, Mayor Tom Bates and UC Berkeley officials are working to build a downtown hotel, convention center, and new home for the university arts museum—a project that will flood the city’s coffers with tax revenue, transform the ugly half of Center Street into a wonderful new arts and retail corridor, and establish a constructive tone for future town-gown relations. But a small cadre of nit-picking harpies has swarmed around the proposal, using absurd ad hominem attacks to denounce it at public meetings and in the pages of the Berkeley Daily Planet. In search of allies to help her fight against the hills housing project, Andrea Pflaumer has lately been talking to members of the Committee to Minimize Toxic Waste, that tiresome group of hysterics who endlessly carp about Lawrence Berkeley Lab—not to get anything done, but merely to hear themselves squawk.” 

Huh? Nice hills lady good, flatlands environmentalist folks bad? I suspect Ms. Pflaumer (whose sensible opinions were first printed in the Planet, of course, way back on June 11) will be quite uncomfortable with the style of the Express’s ringing endorsement of her cause. She is wise to seek out her logical allies, and even wiser not to be suckered by politicos who have a record of delivering not much more than promises.  

Chris, on the other hand, is lining up, tin plate in hand, for his pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by: 

“But UC Berkeley’s days of reshaping the city with impunity may be coming to an end—and just in time for the great town-gown wars to begin anew. East Bay Assemblywoman Loni Hancock is pushing a bill that would fundamentally change the way the universities build in their host cities. If the bill passes, whenever a UC building project identifies significant impacts on city infrastructure, university officials must sit down in a public hearing, identify how much it will cost to deal with the problem, and either cough up the money or explain—before a crowd of potentially angry citizens—why they can’t afford to. Berdahl and his successors will still be able to cram projects down their neighbors’ throats, but now at least they’ll have to do it in public.” 

Oh, swell. I’ve lived in Berkeley a lot longer than anyone at the Express, and I’ve heard this song before. I remember Ms. Hancock’s sweetheart deal, when she was mayor, with cuddly Chancellor “Mike” Heyman, which accomplished almost exactly zilch. Now that her husband’s mayor, he’s got a better sweetheart deal? Don’t count on it. 

Maybe Hancock will get it right this time, but even according to Thompson’s account her bill seems to promise not much more than another opportunity to gripe, for all the good that does. We need a bill with real teeth in it, which this one isn’t. 

Thompson doesn’t agree. He advises Ms. Pflaumer to rely on the Hancock bill, and against forming common cause with other Berkeleyans: 

“If she wants the university to take her seriously, Pflaumer would do well to be more choosy about the company she keeps. Indeed, so could every reasonable Berkeley resident. If Hancock’s bill passes, the university will finally be forced to deal with its neighbors in good faith. If the neighbors expect any progress with the university, they had better learn to do the same.” 

We could go on with the foolish quotes, but hey, the Express is free and widely available everywhere. Though we think Thompson’s anti-NIMBY name-calling is, to put it mildly, labored, we nevertheless support his hyberbolic hysterical over-written call to arms against university encroachment. But we don’t have to tell our readers that. As usual, you read it first in the Planet. 

—Becky O’Malleyô