Foes of the proposed upscale mall planned at Albany’s Golden Gate Fields handed in nearly three times the needed signatures needed to qualify a November ballot initiative measure that would stop the proposal. 

Members of Citizens for the Albany Shoreline (CAS) presented a box containing 445 pages of petitions bearing 2,445 signatures to City Clerk Jacqueline Bucholz Tuesday at noon. 

That figure is nearly three times the 950 signatures needed, or ten percent of the city’s registered voters. 

Robert Cheasty, a former Albany mayor and CAS co-chair, said the group collected more than 2,800 signatures, but weeded out any that might be questionable in any way. 

Bucholz said Contra Costa County officials have 30 working days to verify signatures. 

The Albany Shoreline Protection Initiative is designed to thwart plans by Canadian-owned Magna Entertainment Corp., owner of the track, and Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso’s Caruso Affiliated, Inc. 

The joint venture has announced plans to create an upscale open air mall on the parking lot on a site Cheasty and CAS members say should eventually become part of the Eastshore State Park. 

Their initiative would bar development along a 600-foot-deep band along the shoreline, impose a moratorium on any shoreline development and create a public planning process that would end in a plan for the area that would be presented to the voters. 

Caruso has been a frequent guest at coffees and community gatherings in Richmond, where he has been speaking in support of his project. 

Caruso and Magna are also paired in a similar venture at Magna’s track in Santa Anita, and by the end of March, the firms had spent $3.3 million in promoting the two projects. 

Any development along the Albany shoreline must be approved by voters, a condition imposed by another initiative, Measure C, which voters passed in 1990. 

Measure C would also require another public vote should the developers succeed in defeating the CAS initiative. Under Measure C, all waterfront development must be submitted to the voters. 

The largest new commercial project in Berkeley in decades won city approval Thursday—though Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB) members fear West Berkeley will be bowled over by the traffic. 

On a 6-3 vote, ZAB members approved the environmental impact report (EIR) for the two-building Berkeley Bowl grocery store planned for 920 Heinz Ave.  

Dissenters faulted the study for failing to adequately address traffic impacts. 

That vote was followed by a closer 5-4 vote approving a use permit for the project, including a controversial provision to impose a proposed traffic mitigation fee—if and when the city ever approves a proposed ordinance authorizing the fee. 

The votes came during a marathon session that lasted until 2:14 a.m., despite the fact that one controversial project had been postponed earlier in the session—a discussion of the design of the massive housing complex at 1885 University Ave., dubbed by one ZAB member as “the Trader Joe building.” 

Board members also voted to deny a use permit to allow a Quiznos sandwich shop at 3095 Telegraph Ave. and to approve a new air filtration system for West Berkeley’s Pacific Steel Casting (see related story, page Three). 

Traffic issues 

While no one rose to say they didn’t want a Berkeley Bowl in West Berkeley, plenty of residents and business owners said they favored both a smaller store and more stringent traffic controls than were laid out in the permit and environmental documents. 

Some of the criticism came from administrators and parents of students of the Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley—commonly known as “the French School”—located catercorner from the store on the Ninth Street and Heinz Avenue intersection. 

The school concerns focused on the traffic that would be generated by the store, which features an entrance across Heinz from the school. 

Neighbors, parents and school officials proposed traffic control measures, including directional closures, roundabouts and other measures they hope will lessen the impact on the neighborhood. 

A broader concern is the impact of the store on traffic on the already congested Ashby and San Pablo avenues, which intersect a block from the building site. 

One key issue is the source of the new store’s customer base. Store and city officials contend most of the customers will come from within a mile-and-a-half radius of the site. Rob Rees, one of the two consultants hired by the city to prepare the project’s EIR, said repeatedly during questions by ZAB members that the 5,000 to 10,000 housing units in that area would be the primary base. 

“It’s equally possible you could get a big regional draw as well,” said ZAB member Dave Blake. 

“There’s nothing in the industry to indicate that would happen,” said Rees. 

The Berkeley Bowl features an exceptionally wide array of produce and organic foods, and the existing store already draws many customers from Oakland and Emeryville—which Rees acknowledged. 

But he insisted only 25 percent of the customers would come from out of the immediate area, the same figures as for the existing store—although the new site is located much closer to the freeway. 

The EIR acknowledged that the store will create significant impacts on traffic, and that none of the mitigation measures proposed would reduce the weekend impact on the San Pablo/Ashby intersection to a less-than-significant level. 

Size questions 

“The problem is that the proposed store is not a neighborhood grocery store but a regional super store,” said mayoral candidate Zelda Bronstein, one of the critics who argued that ZAB should only permit a smaller store than the project proposed by Bowl owner Glen Yasuda. 

The 90,970-square-foot project ZAB approved includes two buildings, a 83,900-square-foot market building and a 7,070-square-foot food services building, each 40 feet high. Beneath the larger building will be a 99-space parking lot, with an additional 102-space surface lot north and east of the buildings. 

Members of the West Berkeley Artisans and Industrial Companies, including Mary Lou Van Deventer of Urban Ore, argued for a smaller project. 

“It’s just too big and it’s going to generate too much traffic,” said Rick Auerbach, who lives a block from the site. 

“I oppose the massive size and urge you to scale it down,” said David Levinson, who lives five blocks away. “I don’t believe this particular project is designed for West Berkeley. It’s designed to draw people from Emeryville and Richmond and who knows where else.” 

A smaller number of speakers offered unqualified support, including Claudia Kawczynska, who lives a block away. 

“I am more than willing to accommodate it, to have such a wonderful and worthwhile project in the neighborhood—a world-class grocery store that has demonstrated community values,” she said. 

Big task 

“We are asking you to take on a big task,” said Associate Planner Aaron Sage, “to make a decision on this very large environmental document and, if you find it is adequate, to take action on the project itself.” 

In the end, it was board member Bob Allen who moved for approval of the EIR, seconded by Rick Judd. 

David Blake, Dean Metzger and Andy Katz voted no. Each had criticized the report’s handling of traffic issues. 

In approving the use permit—the official document authorizing the project to move forward—the board acted on a document they had only received at the start of the meeting that evening, and which did not include some language added later by city staff for inclusion in the final document, prepared after the meeting. 

“I have never seen so many businesses get up and object,” said Judd. “I am not in favor of telling people they have only the choice of accepting the Berkeley Bowl and accepting the traffic impacts we can do nothing about. This project is the biggest traffic generator I’ve seen since I’ve been on this board or that I expect to see.” 

Allen said he wasn’t concerned about the traffic impacts on the main thoroughfares, and said that if the project slowed down San Pablo, it would merely stop people from using it as an alternative thoroughfare to get to Emeryville. 

It was Tiedemann who came up with a solution of sorts. 

Pointing out that the city is currently considering a Transportation Services Fee that would pay for mitigations for traffic caused by new businesses and residential projects, she proposed that the board approve the project, subject to inclusion of the fee if the City Council adopts it before the building permit is issued. 

It was Andy Katz who put the notion into a motion, noting that under the measure currently proposed, the fee would amount to a maximum of $1.8 million. 

With that added, the motion to issue a use permit passed on a 5-4 vote, with Allen, Raudel Wilson, Jesse Anthony and Dean Metzger opposed—the first three objecting to the inclusion of the fee. 

All that remains for project critics is an appeal to the City Council.  

Union question 

One unexpected revelation threatened to sidetrack the hearing momentarily—the news that the store’s owners wouldn’t consider their union contract binding on employees of the new store.  

“We were told the labor issue has not been resolved,” said ZAB member Dave Blake. 

”What I’ve been told [is that] it will be up to the employees of the new store,” said Kava Massih, the Berkeley architect who is designing the new store and who appeared as one of the spokespersons for the company. 

“The Berkeley Bowl philosophy has always been to allow the employees to make the decision,” said Dan Kataoka, manager of the existing store at 2020 Oregon St., at Shattuck Avenue. “It is not right for the people of this board or people in the audience to impose their will on our employees.” 

Kataoka didn’t mention that the National Labor Relations Board had issued an unfair labor practices complaint after an initial 2003 vote to deny the union at Oregon Street. A vote a year later ended with a win for the United Food and Commercial Workers and Butchers Local 120. 

“Should [the new store] be non-union, what assurance do we have you won’t close the old store to get rid of the union?” asked Blake, noting that a key traffic study in the new store’s EIR was based on the old store remaining open. 

“We will not close it,” said Kataoka. “It will be our core store.” 

“It would be a relief to hear that there would be a neutral card check at the new Berkeley Bowl,” said ZAB member Andy Katz, referring to a process by which employers recognize a union if a majority of workers sign cards certifying their desire for a union. 

“No.” said Kataoka. “We believe in the democratic process,” that is, holding an election.

The Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) is refusing to excuse the absences of teachers who joined nationwide rallies May 1, and is subsequently docking pay. 

Many BUSD teachers who missed school to attend the Day Without Immigrants Rally May 1 received letters saying they would not receive wages for that day, because their absences were “not district-sanctioned,” said Patricia Calvert, human resources director of certificated employees. 

The letters cite a provision in the teachers’ contract that says employees must make a request to leave in writing 24 hours in advance, for a specific, district-approved reason (protests are not included). Letters were sent out at the site level, though it is not clear whether all schools where teachers reported absent are sending letters.  

About 25 teachers from Berkeley High School, four from the Alternative School and 16 teachers and staff from Thousand Oaks Elementary School did not attend school May 1. The district’s spokesperson did not have a districtwide count available by press time. 

An average teacher in the school district will be dinged about $285, Calvert said. Teachers may also lose some retirement credits, though they can buy benefits back, she said. Those who don’t pay up will have to work an extra year, because their retirement is based on years of service. 

The Berkeley Federation of Teachers (BFT), the union representing Berkeley teachers, plans to fight the deductions, said BFT President Barry Fike. 

“This was teachers taking a personal leave day to go and protest and do something they feel is important to do,” he said. “It’s our opinion that the teachers did not violated the contract, rather the district violated the contract.” 

BUSD teacher contract language does not include a provision that allows pay suspension, unless administrators go through a rigorous process that mirrors teacher dismissal, Fike said. A more tenable course of action would have been for the district to send letters of reprimand, he said.  

Berkeley High School history teacher Jody Sokolower was shocked when she received her letter. 

“I teach a lot of students who are immigrants, and I teach history and I always try to teach students what’s right,” she said. “Most districts supported teachers and students. I really don’t understand why Berkeley isn’t.” 

A Berkeley High School vice principal approached Sokolower prior to May 1, and advised her not to walk out. She was told her leave was “not acceptable and there would be consequences,” she said, though she was not offered details.  

Ingrid Martinez, a Communication Arts School (CAS) English teacher, was also ambiguously warned by a BHS vice principal. Martinez has not yet received a letter, though she is expecting one soon.  

“I’m very, very disappointed that the school and the district couldn’t find a way to support teachers and immigrants,” she said, adding, “I wish they could find a way to make this right. This is not sending the right message.”  

Teachers joined more than 2,000 BUSD students who walked out May 1 to protest proposed federal policy aimed at tightening immigration laws. The bill, known as HR 4437, was up for debate in the senate at press time.

An Oakland-based environmental nonprofit is threatening to sue Pacific Steel Casting in federal court. 

Communities for a Better Environment (CBE) plans to file suit against the West Berkeley steel foundry 60 days from May 5 under the Clean Air Act, according to a statement of intent obtained by the Daily Planet Tuesday.  

CBE, under the legal tutelage of Golden Gate University School of Law Environmental Law and Justice Clinic, alleges that the steel company has, in several instances, exceeded emissions limits and failed to adequately report breaches.  

CBE is filing the lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Under the act, plaintiffs may hold Pacific Steel accountable for civil penalties and legal fees. 

Representatives from CBE and Pacific Steel could not be reached for comment. 

Pacific Steel, located on Second Street in West Berkeley, has been the subject of neighborhood complaints for more than two decades. Residents claim the foundry releases a noxious “burning pot-handle” odor and some say it poses a health hazard. 

In December, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) reached a settlement agreement with Pacific Steel detailing measures the foundry must take to come into compliance with environmental regulations, including the construction of a $2 million filter system. Many residents felt the agreement was insufficient, however, and demanded further action.  

A separate small claims lawsuit against Pacific Steel Casting is also in the works, though the litigants, with the help of the Oakland-based nonprofit Neighborhood Solutions, Inc., have not yet filed.

Although former Berkeley Police Sgt. Cary Kent, who pleaded guilty in April to felony charges of grand theft and possession of heroin and methamphetamine was sentenced Friday to one year in county jail, he’ll do no time behind bars. 

Friday, Superior Court Judge Don Clay, who said Kent “served the public very well” yet betrayed the public trust, offered the now-retired officer alternative sentencing, such as home detention or work furlough. 

Kent and his attorney Harry Stern will be back before the judge June 27 to propose specific sentencing. 

Kent stole heroin, meth and pills from the police department evidence locker that he supervised, compromised at least one criminal drug case and caused one case to be dismissed, said Clay, who noted Kent was “very remorseful and accepts responsibility” and was enrolled in a “detox” program so that he could “move on in life.” 

Some 900 pages of Berkeley Police Department reports on the case, requested by the Daily Planet on April 17 and released Friday by the department a few hours after Kent’s sentencing, paint a picture of a police department that apparently had great difficulty in acknowledging for more than a year that one of its own, the person responsible for overseeing narcotics evidence, had a serious drug problem. 

The reports show that Kent was able to convince colleagues that radical changes in behavior, appearance and work ethic were a result of a medical condition. It also shows that, while at least one commanding officer may have talked to Kent about poor work habits—not showing up on time to distribute drug evidence to officers going to court, missing meetings, not completing his work—no formal disciplinary action seems to have been proposed until he was put on administrative leave Jan. 6, after hard evidence came to light that he had tampered with drug evidence. 

The reports also show that some 280 drug envelopes had been tampered with, about 100 more than had previously come to light. These contained mostly heroin and methamphetamine, but also included ecstasy, rock cocaine, vicodin and oxycontine. 

Documents released were mostly transcripts of interviews conducted in January and early February by Berkeley Police Department Lt. Cynthia Harris and Inspector Mark Scarlett of the Alameda County District Attorney’s office with 31 police officers, three informants and a private citizen. Interviews with “informants” indicate that Kent continued to buy heroin after his mid-January retirement; informants said they thought Kent was still on the force. 

A Jan. 24 interview with Chief Doug Hambleton reveals that the chief, in his post since March 2005, was largely left out of the loop, with officer concerns about Kent’s demeanor and work ethic being raised with him only last fall. 

Hambleton told investigators that in October or November “when I discussed [a new rotation in the Special Enforcement Unit where Kent worked] with some other command officers, people brought to my attention that Sergeant Kent, who was in that assignment, has had some illness for a while and they were concerned about whether he would be able to work the street or work some other assignment in the Department if he were to be transferred.”  

The chief met with Kent and discussed a possible medical leave beginning mid January to allow him to address medical issues, and told investigators his concern grew just before Thanksgiving, when his staff told him Kent had not completed an annual physical that should have been done during the summer. 

“And to me that kind of raised a concern that … we as an organization have a right to know . . . that people are in good shape physically and . . . that’s why we do the annual physicals,” Hambleton said. 

At this point, reports indicate the chief was following the issue closely. Speaking of Kent’s failure to go to a December doctor appointment set up by the department—Kent said he had the wrong time—the chief told investigators: “That just . . . struck me as a little odd . . . but it didn’t start raising any red flags at that point.” 

Kent finally went to the physical, but refused a blood test. That, “coupled with the fact that he is one who has custody of our narcotics . . . we started getting concerned,” Hambleton told investigators. 

From there, the chief asked for a preliminary audit of the drug vault. Officers found a number of articles had been tampered with and that led to Kent’s administrative leave, his retirement and eventually, his guilty plea. 

“Had you heard any rumors of any drug use with him?” Harris asked the chief who said he hadn’t. 

Yet, others in the organization had long questioned Kent’s dishevelment, his isolation, his sometimes not making sense and his terrible work habits. 

Captain Stephanie Fleming was chief among them. Since April or May, she’d noticed Kent had gained a lot of weight, “had that sallow look about him,” and spots on his face. 

“. . . he was sweating profusely. He would come rushing into staff meeting on Monday mornings . . . And a lot of times he would not even make it there,” she told investigators. “He would call me and say, ‘I’m sorry I didn’t make it. I had to go down to the lab and pick up some dope for the officers to take to court.’ He always had an excuse.” 

Fleming was perhaps the first to look squarely at the possibility that Kent was on drugs, as indicated in the interviews. She mentioned it to colleagues, but apparently did not take her concerns to the chief. 

“I asked a couple people; I think I even mentioned it to Capt. Gustafson and even asked Lieutenant Yuen. You know, ‘Do you think the guy’s on drugs?’” she told investigators. It was Fleming, according to interviews, who ultimately got the chief to approve the initial audit of the drug vault. 

The commander of the SEU between January and August 2005 was Capt. Eric Gustafson. Gustafson was a personal friend of Kent’s and others in the department. While it appears that some discussion of his personal relationship with Kent was redacted from the reports (there is an entire page of Gustafson’s testimony that was redacted), one gets the picture that Kent socialized with the person who was his subordinate and neighbor.  

Gustafson told the inspectors about going away for a weekend with Kent and other BPD officers to baseball training in spring 2004. It was then that Gustafson noticed that Kent stayed in his room when the others went out to activities other than the games. 

“It was the first tickle that I thought something might not be right,” he told inspectors.  

But he didn’t know what it was. 

When Gustafson took over the SEU in January 2005, he saw Kent “coming and going and his hours were flexing all around and he didn’t look good.” 

Then Gustafson started to hear that Kent wasn’t there in the morning to give the officers the drug evidence they needed to take to court. He apparently addressed the issue in an informal way, discussing Kent’s performance with him in April 2005, to which Kent responded, according to Gustafson, “‘You’ll never have to ask me again.’” 

In May, things weren’t getting better and Gustafson spoke to him again. Gustafson told investigators that by that time Kent was “flatly unreliable,” never being where he was supposed to be and not answering his cell phone.  

The record shows that Gustafson stepped in for Kent: “You know even after (the conversation with Kent) I was still handing out dope in the morning and that’s not my job,” Gustafson told investigators.  

On July 8, Gustafson sent Kent an e-mail, included in the reports, outlining work duties and a schedule that was to be maintained.  

The e-mail offered no consequences for ignoring the captain’s demands, but Gustafson told investigators it was preliminary to “setting the stage for a performance improvement plan.” 

Asked whether a previous commander had evaluated Kent, Gustafson said he didn’t know how that had been handled. “Usually those things are done informally person to person where you discuss problems in the unit or problems with people or something like that,” he said. 

No performance plan was included in the documentation. 

Testimony by many officers showed that Kent continued to come to work at irregular hours—even the middle of the night—and to be absent when his colleagues needed his presence most. 

Asked by investigators whether he suspected Kent was using drugs, Gustafson responded: “No, I had no suspicion at all . . . That’s probably ignorance on my part.” 

Kent responded to Gustafson’s e-mail by going out to coffee with him and talking about battling the illness, which, in the reports is sometimes called in the documents lupus and sometimes the name is redacted. Gustafson said, at that time, it was clear that Kent was depressed and suggested he get professional help. “He was emotional. He was going in and out of really making good sense and not making such good sense . . .” 

Kent told him he was taking medication to fight depression associated with his disease. “And then I told him that I wouldn’t tell anybody because he asked me not to,” Gustafson told investigators, adding that he told Kent he would “Give him some flexibility, but I still needed him to do his job.” 

Another individual close to Kent, who did not recognize signs of drug abuse, was Lt. Dennis Ahearn, who described himself to investigators as “a personal friend.” Ahearn told investigators he noticed changes in Kent about 18 months earlier. Kent responded to his concerns by speaking of an undiagnosed medical condition that he didn’t want to talk about. Ahearn said he never suspected Kent of using either prescription or illegal drugs. 

As time went on, Kent was looking increasing unkempt and people in his unit talked about his poor work habits. Ahearn said he had conversations with Gustafson and Lt. Ed McBride about it, but they did not conclude he was using drugs until the very end of the process. 

“I knew that he was falling down at work and . . . I had just assumed that . . . was being addressed within his chain of command in . . . as far as his missing staff meetings and that kind of stuff,” Ahearn told investigators. 

This should have been handled differently, Ahearn said. “All of us I think are a little bit embarrassed that we didn’t push him a little . . . harder earlier or confront him sooner. You know do something like that maybe we could have headed this off or (at) least brought it to light earlier . . .” 

McBride was among the few that may have suspected drug use. 

“I wouldn’t say addicted,” McBride stated in response to an investigator’s question. “But my concern was where he was working and . . . he has a source if (he) wanted to use it. The longer this went on with no diagnoses (for the supposed medical condition) and his erratic behavior . . . I started to suspect maybe because where he was working that maybe . . . he was using.” 

McBride told investigators he expressed his concern to Capt. Gustafson verbally. “I brought it up to a higher . . . person in the chain. So, in my mind . . . things should have been done here. And I don’t think organizationally we did. I think we failed.” 

As a retiree returning to work in August 2002, Lt. Russell Lopes observed Kent with fresh eyes. “There’s no question that for the last couple of years . . . he’s markedly different,” he told investigators. 

When he was told that Kent was addicted and had been put on leave, he said he was “incredulous.” 

“He betrayed his wife, his children . . . his friends and he betrayed the Police Department that I’ve spent 35 years at . . . So my emotions are mixed in that I’m very sad for him,” Lopes said.

The California Superintendent for Public Instruction is close to a decision concerning the disposal of 9.47 acres of midtown properties owned by the Oakland Unified School District. 

The properties include the Paul Robeson Administration Building, La Escuelita Elementary, Dewey High School, Met West High School, and the Yuk Yau Child Development Center. 

The OUSD administration midtown property is in the middle of some of the hottest pieces of publicly owned real estate in Oakland. It sits next to Lake Merritt Channel, the waterway that connects Lake Merritt with the estuary, which Oakland voters granted money to open up as public land in the 2002 Measure DD bond vote. 

An announcement could be made by the OUSD administrator to trustees as early as this week.  

Sale or long-term lease of the properties could set off a political firestorm in Oakland, if true. Rumors of the sale of the Robeson Building have circulated throughout Oakland since the 2003 takeover of the Oakland schools by the State of California. That takeover involved a $100 million line of credit to OUSD to balance its budget. 

The property disposal concerns properties and adjoining streets between 10th and 12th streets and the Lake Merritt Channel and 4th Avenue, and could involve either the sale or long-term lease of the property. 

An official in the office of State Superintendent for Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, who was familiar with the Oakland properties negotiations and who asked not to be identified, confirmed that officials “are down almost to the end” of a process that began with the issuance of a Request For Qualifications And Development Proposals by OUSD in February of 2005. 

“There is currently an exchange of documents going back and forth” between state officials and a developer, said the source in the state superintendent’s office, adding that “once it is finalized, there will be an announcement.”  

The official would not say if the land would be sold or leased, but said that information would be provided to the public once the negotiations are completed. The official also said that while the state superintendent’s office has been involved in the RFQ/RFP process over the OUSD properties, “Randy [Ward]’s been taking the lead on this.” 

OUSD Public Information Officer Alex Katz did not answer telephone calls relating to this story.  

Because the Oakland district is being run by the state, control over the potential sale or lease of the properties rests in the hands of the state superintendent. 

The Peralta Community College District briefly considered opening up the nearby Peralta administration building and several Laney College properties to private development but later shelved the idea. The City of Oakland recently closed the publicly-owned Kaiser Convention Center on 12th Street across from Lake Merritt, which sits within walking distance of both the Peralta and the OUSD properties, and there is widespread speculation that private developers are interested in that property as well. 

Meanwhile, the City of Oakland is currently considering the proposed massive Oak to Ninth housing and retail development project on city-owned land not far from the OUSD properties. 

OUSD Board member Gary Yee said by telephone that he was opposed to the distribution of the midtown property while the district was still being run by the state. 

“The sale or lease of the property may be a good idea or it may be a bad idea, but it’s an idea which should be decided upon by Oakland citizens,” Yee said. 

While Yee has been one of the strongest supporters on the board for a return to local control, he said that “I don’t want return to local control to be an excuse for selling off district property. I’d rather have a state financial trustee for another 20 years and make a good decision on this property.”  

Trustee Dan Siegel, who is not running for re-election this year, said that trustees considered several proposals to sell the administrative and midtown properties last year “but none of them made sense. None would generate enough money to cover the costs.”  

Trustee Alice Spearman called the proposed sale “a bad idea. I wouldn’t sell all of the property. Maybe I’d sell one parcel, but not Dewey or the administration building. It’s too valuable a property. They’re not going to get their money’s worth.” 

Spearman added that “even though we have declining enrollment, the district is going to grow again, and we are going to need more school facilities.” 

Asked by telephone if the proposed sale or lease of the midtown properties would be a good idea, OUSD School Board President David Kakashiba said, “The problem is, we don’t know what the proposal is yet. But there will be a fight if provisions for the schools are not included.” 

Kakashiba said that with the booming development in the Oak to Ninth, Chinatown, and East Lake areas, “the school district has a professional responsibility to factor in long-range planning for new facility development.” 

He said that the midtown OUSD properties are the ideal central location for expansion of new school facilities, even if the administrative facilities are moved elsewhere. 

“There has been some talk about moving La Escuelita and the other schools to other properties,” Kakashiba said. “The problem is, where are you going to find more property in that area?”  

While some of the school facilities on the midtown properties draw students from around the city, the 700 student La Escuelita is primarily designed as a neighborhood school for the Eastlake area. 

Kakashiba was officially notified about the impending announcement late last week, writing board members last Thursday that “Dr. Ward has informed me that he will provide detailed information to the Board of Education early next week regarding disposition of the Second Avenue properties, including the terms and conditions of an executed letter of intent with the selected developer.”  

When notification of the proposed announcement was posted on an Oakland parents Yahoo group last week, speculation surfaced over whether any proceeds would go towards paying off the state loan and returning Oakland’s schools to local control. 

Rachel Richman, Chief of Staff of California Assemblymember Wilma Chan (D-Oakland), wrote that “The question has been raised [on the list] about whether the OUSD can sell surplus property to pay down the debt. Generally speaking, you can only use the sale or lease . . . of excess school district property for facility use. [But] last year SB 512 was enacted that allows OUSD until June 2007 . . . to pay off its emergency loan—basically it was an extension from when the State bailed out OUSD.” 

SB 512 was the Omnibus Education Bill written by the Senate Education Committee. The original OUSD bailout law was written in 2003 by State Senator Don Perata (D-Oakland). 

The same official in the state superintendent’s office said that during Perata’s testimony in 2003 in support of that bailout bill “he mentioned about the sale of district property. I got the impression he was presenting that possibility so that the proceeds of the sale could pay down the loan.” 

The seven-member Board of Trustees continues to meet regularly and function in an advisory capacity to Ward, but apparently has not been brought in on details about the proposed disposal of the property even though the process is almost at its conclusion.  

Trustee Siegel said that while Ward has also promised that he would consult with trustees before a decision was made on a sale or other distribution of school property, “I wouldn’t take that to the bank.” 

Trustee Noel Gallo said that in a telephone conversation that “I haven’t seen the bids” from the developers who answered the Request For Proposals. “They won’t share that with us.” 

In an email to the Yahoo OUSD parents list this week, trustee Kerry Hamill wrote that “I know it's been said before, but thus far, the board has NOT been included in any conversations about the future of the administrative headquarters. . . . The district secretary told me that the administration may want to discuss the land's status with the board in closed session, but nothing has been scheduled at this point. Seems like a status report on activities which have transpired over the last 15 months on the site ought to be done in public very soon.” 

The next trustee meeting was originally scheduled for May 24 but has been rescheduled for May 31 at the request of Ward. 

OUSD administrative officials have already been moving forward this spring with plans to move school administrative offices and personnel from the Robeson Building to the site of an OUSD school previously closed, and the administration has also made preliminary inquiries to City of Oakland officials to move trustee meetings to Oakland City Hall.

The Berkeley Daily Planet is going daily again! Yes, you read that right. After three years, readers will now be able to get news flashes every day, as they happen—on the Internet at www.berkeleydailyplanet.com. The Tuesday and Friday print issues will remain the same—“All The News That Fits, We’ll Print” as one wag around here puts it. But we’ll be able to fit even more intriguing information into the Internet edition.  

We will also be able to include all of the opinions, both letters and commentary, our readers send, which have lately been overflowing our print capacity. And we’ll be soliciting readers’ reports of breaking news, even small neighborhood happenings like power outages. Last week’s First Person account and picture of the “flying cottage” fire sent in by reader Anthony Cody was our first reader news contribution, on the Web the day it happened and in the next print issue a couple of days later. So check www.berkeleydailyplanet.com often to see what’s been happening in the East Bay.

Zoning Adjustments Board members said no to Quiznos Thursday, and yes to a $2 million air filtering system designed to halt the obnoxious odors emanating from Pacific Steel Casting. 

Foes of the sandwich shop turned out in numbers to say that the proposed shop in the new Southside Lofts condo complex on Telegraph Avenue would place an intolerable strain on an already parking-depleted neighborhood. 

Quizno’s foes had the advantage over the opponents of the Pacific Steel installation because the sandwich shop appeal was heard early in the evening while the air filter issue didn’t come up for discussion until 1:14 a.m., thanks to a lengthy hearing on the Berkeley Bowl planned for West Berkeley. 

Quiznos complaints 

Southside Lofts—a just-completed mixed-use development with 10 two-story loft condos above ground floor retail at 3075 Telegraph Ave.—already has one eatery, the Mokka Cafe, and with fast food establishments nearby, neighbors said they feared Quiznos would be the proverbial last straw. 

Another food-related tenant has also signed a lease in the building, though Edible Arrangements would be offering ornamental offerings, strictly on a take-out basis, said developer Sam Sorokin. 

“Parking has gotten really bad,” said Wenceslas Abeyta, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1962. “Owning a house there is a pain in the neck. I can’t invite guests because the parking is so bad.” 

“We didn’t agree to a food court, which is what I’m afraid we’re getting,” said Frank Daar, a neighbor who also served as a ZAB member for six years. 

Neighbors said parking is scarce in part because of the presence of Summit Alta Bates Hospital, Whole Foods Market and other fast food eateries in the immediate area. 

Gary Bell, the consultant hired by would-be franchisees Etenesh Benti and Bethenu Temesgen, insisted that parking wasn’t a problem and urged the board to waive two of the parking spaces required under city zoning codes. 

Three stalls had been reserved for the eatery on site, two fewer than mandated by code. Parking wasn’t the only concern of neighbors, however. 

Henry Sobel, a Prince Street resident, said the area is already plagued by trash from the existing eateries, and said he wanted an agreement that the restaurant’s owners would clean up the street one block in either direction along Telegraph. 

ZAB member Dave Blake said he wasn’t convinced that customers would use the parking lot spaces assigned to the store because the lot is hidden behind the building and not visible from Telegraph Avenue. 

“Whole Foods has started valet parking at peak hours,” he said, “and it’s getting to be as much a problem for short periods as Alta Bates.” 

Blake also faulted the city for allowing the building to be created “with minimal amounts of parking” and moved to deny the waiver, which would either force the franchisees to give up their plans or settle for a smaller shop. 

Sara Shumer seconded the motion. 

The measure passed on a 5-4 vote, with members Bob Allen, Jesse Anthony, Rick Judd and Andy Katz in opposition. 

Pacific Steel 

ZAB almost didn’t hold a hearing on Pacific Steel Casting Thursday night, voting unanimously at 12:42 a.m. to delay the hearing until May 18 as their session on Berkeley Bowl dragged on. 

Minutes later, representatives of the company insisted on being heard, and ZAB rescinded their vote, enabling the hearing to commence at 1:14. 

The hearing began with a statement from Tom Mitchell, the energy consultant hired by Pacific Steel Casting (PSC), a firm which has operated in Berkeley for 72 years and currently runs three plants on Second Street. 

The firm manufactures steel parts for industrial, construction, military and mining applications. 

Neighbors have been complaining about odors for at least the last 30 years, with the most common description offered of the malodorous aroma being “a burnt pot-handle smell.” 

The new filtering system ZAB approved Thursday is part of the latest settlement between the company and the San Francisco Bay Area Air Quality Management District (AQMD). 

Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates was elected to the AQMD’s board the day before the ZAB vote. 

Under the agreement approved in December, PCS is to install a carbon filtering system designed to remove the offending particles from the air leaving Plant 3 of the complex. The other two plants already have similar systems. 

David and Janice Schroeder, Curtis Street residents who have been at the forefront of the odor battle, weren’t happy with the proposal. 

“The information is incomplete and there has been no CEQA process,” said David Schroeder, citing the review process of the California Environmental Quality Act. 

Schroeder said the settlement came at a time when “there has been a massive increase” in use of the plant, which will be a supplier of the new Bay Bridge project. 

“I urge you not to just shuffle through this at 1:30 in the morning,” he said. 

Toni Stein, a Menlo Park consultant with a doctorate in environmental engineering, testified for the neighbors, alleging that the carbon system posed a potential dioxin threat from the element’s interaction with some of the chemical being filtered. 

Two AQMD officials—Director of Enforcement Kelly J. Wee and Director of Engineering Brian Bateman—said dioxin wasn’t a threat because the system didn’t operate the high temperatures required to spark the reaction. 

At the end of the hearing, the board voted unanimously to approve the system. 

Tattoo approval 

Despite the fact that members Bob Allen and Dean Metzger declared it another step in the degradation of Telegraph Avenue, ZAB members approved a use permit for a new tattoo parlor on Telegraph Avenue. 

“I think we may be seeing a generation gap in the way we are considering this,” said Chair Chris Tiedemann. “Practically everyone I know under the age of 25 either has one or wants one.” 

Mark Freitas and Howard Falvery, the owners of Dark Sun Tattoo Company of Vacaville, had applied to operate a new piercing and inking salon at 2599 Telegraph Ave. When the discussion ended, only Allen and Metzger voted no.

The founder of the environmental organization that spearheaded legal threats against Pacific Steel Casting is stepping away from the lawsuit due to infighting with the mediation service, Neighborhood Solutions, though other plaintiffs are still moving forward.  

Cleanaircoalition.net Director Willi Paul announced Friday in an e-mail entitled “Goodbye and Best of Luck” that he will leave his post as organizer of the small claims lawsuit against the West Berkeley steel foundry that many neighbors have accused of emitting noxious odors because a dispute with Neighborhood Solutions Executive Director Grace Neufeld was interfering with the legal process.  

“We had a difference of opinion about how to handle some of the procedural things,” Paul said Friday. “It came down to Grace versus me, and a difference of style and opinion.” 

Neufeld said the Neighborhood Solutions board of directors, comprised of five members, voted to remove Paul from its bill of clients. She declined to discuss further details on the record. So far, no lawsuit has been filed. 

The rift between Paul and Neufeld developed primarily over how to deal with the media and the pace of the lawsuit, Paul said. 

After sending several demand letters to Pacific Steel, Paul didn’t feel plaintiffs needed to give any more warning before filing suit. Paul also relished maintaining a presence in the media. He repeatedly contacted the Daily Planet with updates and letters to the editor, and logged mentions in the local papers on cleanaircoalition.net. 

Neufeld, he said, is “more secretive, guarded” about the media.  

“I wouldn’t describe it as secretive,” she said. “I just don’t like when you try your case in the press. I thought it would be damaging to the plaintiffs …When we go to the media, that will be decided by an executive group and not an individual.” 

Paul took Pacific Steel activists by storm in February when, as a relative newcomer to West Berkeley, he announced he would file a small claims lawsuit against the company, citing the failure of community members and higher-level officials to compel the foundry to clean up. He marshaled supporters with his ad-hoc organization and website, which advertised that residents could sue Pacific Steel for up to $7,500 for damages.  

Paul retained Neighborhood Solutions, an Oakland-based nonprofit that has helped residents file claims against drug houses, blighted properties and other neighborhood nuisances, to facilitate the suit. Almost 20 people signed on, Paul said earlier this month. Neufeld would not confirm or deny the number of plaintiffs. 

Many Pacific Steel activists, including City Councilmember Linda Maio, have criticized the court action because it could counteract efforts already underway to clean up pollution. Some expressed concern for a loss of jobs—Pacific Steel hires about 575 union employees—if the foundry is financially ruined by residents’ claims. Paul initially said he hoped to corral 200 litigants, which could have encroached on company coffers by $1.5 million. 

Paul, who has said he’s thinking about running for Maio’s seat on City Council, leaves the cause with a heavy heart. “This is akin to a CEO getting kicked out of their own company,” he said. 

West Berkeley resident Andrew Galpern, who joined the lawsuit a month ago because he believes it is “a direct and powerful way for residents to get Pacific Steel to clean up their dirty business” does not believe Paul’s absence will affect the other litigants. 

“It doesn’t change it at all, we’re still moving forward,” Galpern said in an e-mail.  

Cleanaircoalition.net will not pursue activism against Pacific Steel in any official capacity, until Neighborhood Solutions completes its work, Paul said. In the meantime, he will turn his attention to other local environmental work.  

Today’s (Tuesday) City Council meeting includes a budget update at 5 p.m., a Redevelopment Agency meeting at 6:30 p.m. and a regular council meeting at 7 p.m. 

Condo conversion 

The City Council will vote on a proposal reinstating part of a condominium conversion ordinance that lapsed in January. The part of the ordinance which sunsetted caps a conversion fee at 12.5 percent of the sales price when occupants have lived in a unit for less than seven years. 

For those where occupants have lived in the unit seven years or more, there continues to be a fee of 5 percent of the salesprice. The fee is paid by the owner of the building that will be converted. 

Preceding a vote on the ordinance, the council will hold a workshop session that will address various alternatives to the fee structure that lapsed in January. Among the alternatives offered the council is one that would reduce the 12.5 percent fee by 1 percent for each year a unit has been occupied by the same person. Another alternative is to raise the 12.5 percent cap. 

The ordinance is designed to allow conversion to condominiums of 100 rental units each year. The fee goes into the city’s Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing.  

Brower building 

Also on the council agenda is a public hearing on the transfer of public land to Oxford Street Development, LLC, followed by a vote on the project, which has been in the works for several years. 

The proposed $60 million development is to include the Oxford Plaza with 97 rental units of affordable family and workforce housing, retail space and 41 spaces of parking for residential tenants housed in a six-story building. It will also include a four-story environmental center, the David Brower Center, and will include a below-grade 105-space parking garage. 

Black and White Liquor 

The Zoning Adjustments Board decided on March 23 that Black and White Liquor, located at 3027 Adeline St., was a public nuisance and imposed conditions on it. The storeowners are appealing those conditions to the City Council. The council will hold a public hearing and decide whether those conditions should be approved. 

Among the conditions are restricted hours of operation, a mandate for the owner to be present in the store two days each week, the use of clear plastic bags with the store’s name to package purchases and the requirement of the owner and employees to police all disturbances in the vicinity of the store.  

Military leave compensation 

The city supplements military wages paid to its employees who are ordered to active military service. The original council resolution took single deployments into consideration, but city staff have been deployed involuntarily two times and continue to be subject to being called up for military service. The council will be asked to approve wage supplements for those deployed multiple times. 

Supporting unionization  

The council will be asked to support unionization of private non-union security guards who work for the city. 

Redevelopment 

Appropriate development of the city-owned parcel at 1631 Fifth St. will be the main topic on the Redevelopment Agency’s agenda.

The Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee (DAPAC) will hear presentations from 10 departments and organizations on environmental issues germane to the Downtown Area Plan. 

Juliet Lamont from Urban Creeks Council and Kirsten Miller for Citizens for a Strawberry Creek Plaza will discuss water quality and Strawberry Creek, which runs through downtown Berkeley. Representatives from the PG&E Energy Center and Build It Green, a nonprofit membership organization that promotes green structures in California, will give a presentation on green buildings and energy efficiency. 

Ecology Center Executive Director Martin Bourque, in conjunction with the city’s Office of Energy and Sustainability and the UC Office of Innovation and Technology will talk about waste reduction and supporting green businesses. Finally, Greenbelt Alliance, Livable Berkeley and the Sierra Club will hold a joint presentation on the environmental footprint of downtown Berkeley. 

DAPAC will also hear a wrap-up of goings-on from the Technical Advisory Committee meeting, which met in private May 5. 

The meeting, the committee’s 10th, takes place Wednesday, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

A high school military recruitment notification bill sponsored by two Bay Area Assemblymembers continued to sail through committee last week, with a 5-3 vote in the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee. 

But continued Republican opposition means that the fate of the proposed law will be ultimately in the hands of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

The bill could now be voted on by the full Assembly at any time. 

Federal law requires that military recruiters be allowed access to high school contact information unless the students or their parents inform the school that they are “opting out” of the recruitment process. 

AB 1778, co-sponsored by Assemblymembers Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) and Sally Lieber (D-San Jose), would require that the “opt out” notification be sent to parents each year as a part of the emergency notification form which parents must fill out and send back. 

The legislators say that many parents and students are not aware that they have the right to opt out, and more will choose the option if they are better informed. 

The bill passed the Veterans Affairs Committee on a party-line vote, just as it did two weeks ago in the Assembly Education Committee, with Democrats supporting the bill and Republicans opposing. 

Because Democrats only comprise 60 percent of the state legislature, any bills must gain Republican support in order to survive a potential veto by Governor Schwarzenegger. 

The governor’s office has not yet taken a position on the Hancock-Lieber bill.

The Berkeley Board of Education is set to decide whether to ratchet up funding for an environmental analysis of the East Campus Field project Wednesday. 

In April, the City Council agreed to share in the cost of an environmental impact report (EIR), which would serve as the framework for developing a sports field at the district-owned site bounded by Martin Luther King Way and Derby, Milvia and Carleton streets.  

But because the Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) owes the city for municipal services—an invoice that is partially disputed—the “share” will take the form of a trade-off. Accordingly, district staff is asking school board directors to appropriate funds for the entire EIR, estimated at $180,000 to $200,000. 

Initially, the board agreed to expend no more than $100,000.  

The project could involve the closure of Derby Street to make way for a regulation-sized baseball diamond, an undertaking that would require City Council approval. Berkeley High School’s baseball team does not have access to a standard baseball field within walking distance to campus; players practice at San Pablo Park, on Park Street between Russell and Ward streets. 

Debate over how to best utilize East Campus Field, currently a vacant lot, has long divided school and neighborhood communities. Many students, particularly athletes eager for a quality playing field, support the closed-street plan, while residents fear closing Derby Street could have a negative impact on the surrounding neighborhood. A weekly farmers’ market is held on Derby Street. 

If the EIR is approved, consultants would study the effects of both closing and leaving open Derby Street. District staff are recommending that LSA, a planning firm with offices on Fifth Street in Berkeley, conduct the review. A public scoping session would take place before the EIR drafting process begins.  

Graduation options 

In other news, at Wednesday’s regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting directors are scheduled to vote on a new model for the Alternative High School that would allow students to select from three pathways to complete graduation requirements, one a college track, one vocational-based and the third an independent study course. The school would be a classic “continuation” model in the sense that some students attend against their will. The estimated cost of the revamp is $139,000 for staff, paid for through fund redistribution, district staff says.  

Parcel taxes  

Also on Wednesday, the board will hear revisions to a renewed parcel tax that could go before Berkeley voters in November. 

District staff are recommending a renewal of two parcel taxes, the Berkeley Schools Excellence Project (BSEP) and Measure B of 2004, measures that provide BUSD with about $19 million a year. They have been working with district committees, principals, administrators, unions and parent groups to draft the current revised proposal, which would maintain the existing tax rate but would earmark an extra 1 percent, or $230,000, to music and visual and performing arts. Funding for class size reduction would decrease by a corresponding amount. 

“Given the hot competition for this money, it’s a good thing,” said Bob Kridle, outgoing chair of the BSEP Music Committee. “It’s a pretty small addition, but it’s something.” 

Average class sizes would be 20 in kindergarten through the third grade, 26 in grades four and five and 28 in secondary schools, excluding PE classes. Reduced funding for class sizes was faciliated by recalculating support for special education class sizes, Lawrence said in a correspondence to the board. 

Directors are scheduled to vote on the measure May 24.  

Preschool initative 

Also Wednesday, the board will take a position on Proposition 82, the Preschool for All Initiative, slated to go before California voters this June. The proposition would earmark $2.4 billion a year to provide high quality preschool education for all the state’s 4-year-olds. It is estimated that about 35 percent of California children do not attend preschool. 

Under Proposition 82, teachers would be required to hold bachelor’s degrees, and teaching standards would be implemented to ensure accountability. County offices of education would administer the programs locally. 

The initiative has earned the support of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, State Superintendent Jack O’Connell, the California Teachers Association, Assemblymember Wilma Chan, Alameda County Office of Education Superintendent Sheila Jordan, the Berkeley City Council and many others.  

It has also garnered a fair amount of criticism, particularly from private and nonprofit preschool administrators who fear the program could adversely affect non-public early childhood education institutions. UC Berkeley researchers released a report today that shows one in five directors saying his or her preschool would close if a public school opened a free program nearby. More than half the directors studied disagree with the measure, compared with 35 percent who favor it. 

The Berkeley Board of Education meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, at 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. For more information, call 644-6206.  

After Thursday’s futile attempts to capture the sea lion that attacked three people at the Berkeley Marina last week, the Marine Mammal Center along with the Office of Enforcement of the Marine Mammal Protection Act decided against any more capture attempts for the time being. 

Norm Simmons, special agent from the Office of Enforcement, told the Daily Planet that aversive conditioning would be used for treating the sea lion. 

“The fishermen have been asked to spray water on it with a hose whenever it appears anywhere near the fishing boats,” he said. “That’s the best way to distance it from the piers and prevent any further incidents. We are hoping that with the start of the mating season in a couple of weeks, it will leave the marina and go somewhere else or that its behavior will change.” 

Simmons also said that might alter the seal’s behavior and that the fishermen were being allowed to do it because they were the ones in close contact with it. 

“We hope that this will keep it from posing any other hazard to the public so that euthanizing it can be avoided,” he said. 

Simmons said that the Berkeley Marina harbor master Ann Hardinger had closed the pier gates to the public and only fishermen from commercial fishing charters were being allowed in.

Another arson 

A weekend fire brought the city’s total of suspected arsons last week to five, reports Deputy Fire Chief David P. Orth. The latest suspicious fire was reported at 10:50 p.m. Saturday at 1910 Sacramento St. 

The blaze caused an estimated $10,000 in property damage to a storage area at the site and an additional $3,500 in damage to its contents, said Orth. 

“While it’s outside the area of the other four fires, it occurred in the same time frame and was started in a similar manner,” Orth said. 

Each of the other blazes was set within a few blocks of the Ashby BART station. 

Berkeley Police spokesperson Ed Galvan issued a crime alert Friday, urging area residents to keep doors and windows locked, including those leading to crawl spaces and storage sheds. 

He also called on residents to remove all flammable items from their property, including yard waste, and to call police at 981-5900 to report any suspicious activity. 

Kitchen fire 

A non-arson blaze did $100,000 in structural damage and $25,000 to the contents of an apartment at 1649 Julie St. Saturday morning. 

The fire, first reported at 12:42 a.m., began in the kitchen of a downstairs apartment, Orth said. The apartment’s residents, a mother and her baby, were present when the fire broke out, and were alerted to the danger by a smoke detector, Orth said. 

The fire was raised to two alarms because of the potential danger to the other occupants of the building, he said. 

Housebreaker 

When firefighters and paramedics rolled to 1820 Sacramento St. early at 3:35 a.m. Saturday, it wasn’t to fight a fire. 

“I thought it was an earthquake,” said Laurie Zabala, who was asleep in the bedroom over the garage when she was rudely awakened. “We woke up, and all we could hear was someone say, ‘Hello? Hello?’ 

“A neighbor told us they had called police because someone had hit our garage and there was a car inside.” 

The vehicle, a Lexus SUV, “was kind of tilted, but there wasn’t anyone there.” 

Indeed, the driver had hit and run. 

Zabala pointed out that there wasn’t the slightest trace of a skid mark to indicate the driver had slowed before slamming into her stucco-covered bungalow. 

“The damage was so severe to the load-bearing wall that the occupants were evacuated and the house was yellow-tagged,” Orth said. 

The Lexus demolished the corner post upholding the second story, and the Zabalas won’t even be allowed back upstairs until it’s replaced, Orth said. 

A mass panty raid variously described as a “hell raising mob,” an “insurrection,” or a manifestation of “spring fever” swept through the streets around the UC Berkeley campus 50 years ago this week, leaving damage and embarrassment in its wake. 

“In two and one half hours about 15 percent of the student body has wiped out a reputation for responsible student leadership which had been built up since the days when Benjamin Ide Wheeler was president,” the Daily Californian editorialized. 

“Panty raiding” was a 1950s fad in which male students, often gathering spontaneously, would march to residences of women students, demanding, and sometimes entering and stealing, undergarments. 

An October 1952 incident at the University of Michigan seems to be considered the first major collegiate panty raid. Berkeley’s incident came much later. 

On Wednesday, May 16, 1956, temperatures in Berkeley climbed to over 90 degrees. Smog from car exhaust and perpetual garbage burning along the bay shore layered over the East Bay. 

Afternoon water fights broke out both north and south of campus where sex-segregated student living groups—fraternities, sororities, cooperatives, and boarding houses—were thickly clustered. 

“At Channing circle” the Daily Californian reported, “traffic was completely blocked by police as women of all ages were drenched by water thrown from all sorts of receptacles including bathtubs…” 

A lull followed. Then, around 9:30 p.m., “several hundred men students from the comparatively small frat area on the north side of the campus crossed to the bigger southern area—raiding the women’s residence hall (Stern Hall) on the campus en route,” the paper said. 

“At first the temper of the crowd was good natured, and many of the women were friendly and even encouraged the men,” a university report later noted. “In some instances, they left doors unlocked to facilitate entrance.” 

“At some sorority houses girls thronged upstairs balconies to heave scanties at the approaching male mob—whether to encourage the invasions or dissuade them being an unanswered question,” said the San Francisco Examiner. 

The mood then began to turn “from good natured participation in a game to … real belligerency.”  

“At the height of the melee, hundreds of students broke into one sorority house after another, stealing lingerie, overturning furniture, breaking doors and manhandling coeds,” said the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Along with underwear some purses, money, watches, a wedding trousseau, and even the graduation speech notes of the senior class valedictorian reportedly disappeared. 

“I have never seen so much complete hysteria,” Delta Zeta vice-president Darleen Winwick told the Daily Californian. “The lights were out and people were running everywhere.”  

Coeds wielded irons, umbrellas, and table lamps as impromptu weapons against the invaders. 

The raid finally fizzled out after the crowd headed towards the dormitories at the University’s Smyth-Fernwald housing complex on the top of Dwight Way and were met by male residents who blocked the way to the women’s halls. 

Crowd remnants turned back and were talked into dispersing by university officials and the ASUC President. 

“Before the wild affair was over, virtually every raider had donned women’s underclothes over his own clothing or sported a similar trophy atop his head as a snood,” said the Examiner.  

“I am horrified,” Assistant Dean of Students William Shepherd told the press after viewing the riot area in a Berkeley police car. “Nothing like this has ever happened in my university career.”  

“2,000 At UC Go On Wild Spree” the San Francisco Chronicle headlined the morning after. Although Cal students formed the bulk of the crowd, others were implicated. 

Berkeley Police “got back twenty-three undergarments from West Berkeley youngsters—not university students—who joined in the fun” and were stopped leaving the area.  

A Warring Street resident told the press he “saw many older men in the crowd, some of them baldheaded. Many of them had pillowcases, filling them with loot.” 

In the aftermath, some of the more salacious stories were discounted.  

“There has been no confirmation of reports of girls being carried nude from the houses, beds being overturned with girls in them or girls being stripped of pajamas,” Captain L.H. Laird of the Berkeley police told the press. 

“The police said they had yet to receive a single complaint of personal injury, or of assault in any manner,” the Examiner reported.  

Still, lurid accounts spread around the country and world. 

“Some girls were stripped, pummeled a bit, and carried away in pajamas or in the nude…” read the “Education” section of the May 28, 1956 Newsweek.  

Then-Chancellor Clark Kerr later wrote that “one alumnus sent me a newspaper story from Beirut about how naked women had been carried through the streets of Berkeley on the shoulders of men students on their way to an orgy that would match anything the ancient Romans could have organized.” 

“Ours has been one of the few institutions in the country that didn’t have panty raids or mob violence of any kind,” mourned Dean of Students Hurford Stone.  

“Deans all over the country have asked me how we did it, and I contended we have more mature students and a student government that actually worked. Now we have to say we are like all the rest.” 

The day after the raid, a Daily Californian editorial entitled “The Masses Are Asses,” calling the event “one of the most horrifying mass riots in the history of the university.”  

Signed by assistant managing editor Dennie Wombwell, who lived in the sorority district, it deplored “a tragedy—and a disgusting one.”  

Not all students agreed. One male letter writer to the Daily Cal called Wombwell “convulsive” and “hysterical,” while the riot was merely “unfortunate.”  

But others supported the editorial dismay.  

“It is interesting, and perhaps a little sad, to note that the most determined and spontaneous effort to date by the students of the nation’s greatest university had as its object the redistribution of lingerie,” one letter writer observed. 

The cost of damage to houses and losses of clothing was later estimated at about $12,000. 

“The streets surrounding the area took on the appearance of a bargain basement after a women’s lingerie sale,” the Oakland Tribune said.  

“Men’s groups throughout the campus area today continued to return articles of “unmentionables” they had carried as banners the Wednesday,” the Tribune added on Friday, May 18. Men’s living groups pledged reimbursement. 

“Sorority girls robbed of their underthings today stood in line to view the array of lingerie collected by the campus police. Those who could identify specific garments were allowed to take them back to their living quarters,” reported the Oakland Tribune.  

Why did it happen? 

“College males, like other males of the same age, are essentially small boys grown tall,” Dr. Tamotsu Shibutani, “a UC sociologist” told the Oakland Tribune. 

An official UC report partially blamed an exhausting academic year with few breaks, along with “the combination of exceptionally hot and humid weather and the tension of impending final examinations.”  

Only part of the crowd actually participated in the sorority invasions, and the police were “ineffective,” the report added. 

Berkeley’s city manager said that in situations like this, “police practice does not consist of answering individual calls and dashing madly from point to point.”  

On May 28, the Faculty Committee on Student Conduct issued academic sanctions against 14 of 16 students charged with offences related to the panty raid. Nine were suspended. 

The incident later figured in a 1963 novel, Stacy Tower, by Berkeley alumnus Robert H.K. Walter. In the book, a mass panty raid at a loosely fictionalized UC campus helps derail the pending appointment of a liberal university president. 

`In reality, two years after the raid Chancellor Clark Kerr—still viewed as a liberal in those pre-Free Speech Movement days—was named UC President.  

And, ultimately, the story of the incident ended as it had begun—with copious amounts of cool water. 

“I went to Walter Haas of the class of 1910 to ask him whether the answer to a warm night in spring might better be a cold dip in a supervised swimming pool,” Kerr later recalled. “He answered ‘yes’ and contributed $300,000,” to build the Strawberry Canyon Recreation Center for students. 

Haas “often told me later” wrote Kerr, “that this gift, as he saw its many uses, had given him the most personal pleasure of the many gifts he had made. In any event, there were no more panty raids.”

Although former Berkeley Police Sgt. Cary Kent, who pleaded guilty to felony charges of grand theft and possession of heroin and methamphetamine was sentenced Friday to one year in county jail, he’ll do no time behind bars. Friday, Judge Don Clay offered the now-retired officer an “alternative” to jail.  

Kent and his attorney, former Berkeley Police officer Harry Stern, will be back before the judge on June 27 to propose alternative sentencing, such as wearing an electronic ankle bracelet or doing work furlough. Kent, who stole heroin, meth and pills from the police department evidence locker that he supervised, compromised at least one criminal drug case, Clay said.

Zoning Adjustments Board members ruled on three controversial projects Thursday night, approving the environmental impact report and the permit that will enable construction of a new Berkeley Bowl at 920 Heinz Ave., denying a permit for a new Quizno’s sandwich shop and approving installation of a new odor-control system for Pacific Steel Casting, 1421 Second St. 

In a marathon session that lasted until 2:14 a.m., members devoted most of the meeting to the Berkeley Bowl, hearing public comments and devoting much of their own discussion to the store’s impacts on already congested West Berkeley streets. 

In the end, the board voted 6-3 to approve the project, with David Blake, Dean Metzger and Andy Katz voting against the project, citing concerns that the document failed to give enough attention to the major increase in traffic on thoroughfares and neighborhood streets. 

On a 5-4 vote, the board approved the use permit enabling construction, with the additional condition that the city should impose the proposed Transportation Services Fee if that measure is enacted by the city council, up to a maximum amount of $1.8 million. 

The fee would be appealable to the City Council. 

Voting against the permit as amended were Allen, Jesse Anthony, Raudel Wilson and Metzger, with the first three voting their disapproval of the fee addition. 

Quizno’s 

Parking was the decisive issue in the case of the proposed Quizno’s, whose owners had sought a reduction of two of the five parking spaces required by ordinance. 

Project neighbors turned out to oppose the reduction, citing existing congestion in the neighborhood cause by Summit Alta Bates Medical Center, Whole Foods and medical offices in the immediate area. 

A move to deny the project carried on a 5-4 vote, with Allen, Anthony, Katz and Rick Judd voting against the measure. 

Pacific Steel 

The proposal to install a $2 million carbon air filtering system as Pacific Steel Casting was opposed by most of the facility's neighbors who managed to persevere until the board took up the item at 1:15 a.m. 

Union workers and company officials came out in support, as did representatives of the San Francisco Bay Area Air Quality Management District. 

The board approved the project on a unanimous voice vote at 2:12 a.m. 

The board also gave their OK to a permit that will create a new tattoo and body piercing salon at 2599 Telegraph Ave. 

Allen and Metzger voted against the project.

A string of arson and suspicious fires has plagued a normally quiet South Berkeley neighborhood since Monday, causing jitters among residents in the area around Shattuck Avenue and the Ashby BART Station. 

At about 11:30 p.m. Monday night a fire blackened a controversial and blighted building, known as the “flying cottage,” under remodeling at the corner of Essex Street and Shattuck Avenue, causing $350,000 in damage. 

Around the same time, a small fire at the Ashby BART station was quickly extinguished. At first, firefighters thought it might have been caused by a spark from the Shattuck Avenue fire, but, given the other recent fires, the department will be looking at this one as possibly suspicious, said Deputy Fire Chief David Orth. 

Firefighters are also looking at a couch set on fire Monday evening around 10 p.m. near the “Here/There” sculpture on the Berkeley-Oakland border near where Martin Luther King, Jr. Way intersects with Adeline Street. 

Then at around 12:30 a.m. Thursday morning another int entionally set fire at 1912 Essex Street sent its four residents running to the safety of the street. The house where tenant Kathy Zitani and her family had lived for 18 years suffered $100,000 in damages and a loss of about $30,000 in contents, Orth sai d. 

And at around the same time, a cut-down pine tree on the Ashby BART’s east parking lot was set ablaze. “It was intentionally set,” Orth said. 

Monday’s two-alarm blaze at 3054 Shattuck Ave., reported at 11:28 p.m., burned for about an hour and requir e d 30 fire personnel, five engines and two trucks. 

The mostly boarded-up building, owned by Christina Sun, who resides in Berkeley and Pasadena, had been raised from almost two to three stories several years ago and renamed the “flying cottage” by detra cto rs, who prefer the original cottage-like version of the house that now sits atop the boxlike unfinished structure beneath it. 

“The building had fire damage to all three levels,” Orth said, noting that firefighters took the roof apart when they put th e fi re out. “Actually, the structure itself is in a pretty good state.” 

Orth explained that the boarded-up partly-finished structure was listed with the city as a “problem property.” 

He said he thought it was inspected regularly by the city. However, M ic hael Kaplan of the city’s Neighborhood Services Division said the property hadn’t been looked at for a year by the Problem Property Team. 

The remodeling project was halted in June 2003 after some neighbors objected, claiming that Sun intended to h ouse mo re than a single family in the structure in violation of the permit. The house has remained boarded up since then. 

Calling the timing of the fire “interesting,” Mark Rhoades, land-use planning manager with the city, said a building permit was approve d on Fr iday. 

However, due to the fire, the permit will not be issued until the extent of the damage is determined. “It will continue to be an eyesore,” he said. 

On Tuesday, after looking at her damaged house a second time that day, Sun met with a repor ter on t he porch of neighbor Denise Brown. They were soon joined by another neighbor, Ava Jourdain, who has been adamantly opposed to Sun’s renovation. 

Brown said she does not count herself among the die-hard opponents of Sun’s project. She was gr ateful tha t Sun had come by early that morning to make sure the fire hadn’t damaged her home. Brown says she understands many of the neighborhood concerns, yet she communicates well with Sun.  

With the blackened building as a backdrop, Sun wanted to spe ak mor e abo ut the project than about the fire. 

“Most of the neighbors instantly feel like the project will change the neighborhood,” Sun said. “Even though the plans were legal, (neighbors) got very unhappy.” 

Sun said that Berkeley zoning allowed raising th e buil ding on Shattuck, a commercial corridor, despite the fact that it bordered on two residences. She said that’s why there were no mandatory public hearings. 

“I’ve not really talked to people,” Sun said, explaining that she had her architect and engi neers d o the talking for her. “People have prejudged the idea. Their goal was to stop the development. It doesn’t matter who I am. I am the enemy.” 

She said she is in the process of complying with requirements the city imposed so that she can f inish the project, inc luding professional landscaping and re-engineering to comply with new earthquake safety standards. “The requirements are a lot stricter,” she said. 

Sun was visibly frustrated. “I’ve lost so much money. I could walk away from it,” s he said. “If I kn ew thi s much earlier, I wouldn’t have done it.” 

Jourdain responded, “Please walk away from it.” 

Directing her anger at the Planning Department and zoning laws, Jourdain said, “The process should not have excluded us. There are lessons learned for every one. Ju st because commercial is so close to residences, they shouldn’t dismiss the neighbors—that’s what the Planning Department did.” 

“Maybe the neighbors will pay my costs,” Sun said, challenging Jourdain. “You’ve got to respect my rights. E veryone ha s different views. This is a democracy.” 

“But democracy includes everyone having a voice,” Jourdain said. 

In an earlier interview, Brown talked about being awakened by someone at the door Monday night. She believed someone was breaking into the house, but soon realized the corner house was ablaze. 

Brown has had ongoing concerns about the property. 

“People had been staying in the house,” she said, adding that she had talked to Sun about the squatters and Sun said she asked police to patrol the house. Also, Br own said, grass had grown tall around the house, but Sun had it cut down on Sunday.  

“I knew it was going to happen,” Brown said of the fire, noting there had been “a little grass fire” the previous summer. 

The owner fenced off the h ouse after that, she said. 

House Fire on Essex 

Thursday morning, Kathy Zitani looked at the badly burned house she and her family had lived in for 18 years. She had been awakened in the early-morning hours by someone screaming from the street, “Fire! fi re!” “I could have died,” she said.  

“We were all safe in the house. My daughter was on the computer. My husband was asleep,” she said. “I want my home back. I have no place to live.” 

Ì

In 1956 Pat and Fred Cody borrowed $5,000 and gave birth to the original Cody’s Books in an 18-by-29-foot shop on Euclid Ave.  

But there might be no golden anniversary celebrations this year. Cody’s flagship store, on Telegraph Avenue since the sixties, will close its doors for the last time July 10. 

Owner and president Andy Ross, who bought the company in 1977, announced the closure in a press release Tuesday. Ross, who also runs Cody’s on Fourth Street and opened Cody’s on Stockton Street in San Fran cisco in September, cited competition from Internet sales and giant chains, as well as inadequate support from city officials as reasons the Telegraph Avenue business was losing money.  

At the Telegraph store, “business is down 66 percent from 1990,” sai d Ross in a brief interview among the tables and shelves of new books on the lower level of the Telegraph store. On the other hand he said, “Fourth Street [Cody’s] is doing well and San Francisco is growing.” 

Ross added that “the Telegraph store has been more academic and scholarly. The other stores are less academic and more literary.” 

People now tend to buy these books on line, he said. 

Moreover, Ross added, the city has played a negative role, having ignored Telegraph Avenue. 

“The city has decided to treat downtown as an economic opportunity and to treat Telegraph as a crime problem and not as an economic opportunity,” Ross said. 

City of Berkeley Community Development Project Coordinator Dave Fogarty said that retail sales, with the exception of restaurants, have been down in Berkeley since 2001. Downtown and Telegraph business districts are not doing well. “Adjusted for inflation, Telegraph Avenue sales are down 30 percent since 1990,” Fogarty said.  

Telegraph Avenue Business Improvement Distri ct Executive Director Roland Peterson said that on May 1, there were 23 vacant stores in the Telegraph Avenue area, 11 percent of the total area businesses. 

North Shattuck, Elmwood and Solano districts have been stable, while Fourth Street is the only ar ea where sales have increased, Fogarty said. He agreed that the city has put a lot of money into the downtown—retrofitting the library, the civic center building and the public safety building, plus amenities. 

“There has been nothing comparable on Telegr aph,” he said. 

And in the Telegraph shopping area, parking is inconvenient and social problems visible. 

“There are migratory youth and drug dealing,” Fogarty said, noting that people “are acting out obnoxiously,” shouting and sitting on the sidewalk with their feet sticking out. “People find it unpleasant.” 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington, whose district includes the Telegraph Avenue area, agrees that the city needs to do more. That includes restoring the two bicycle police positions cut two years ago—there are still two bike cops on Telegraph—and restoring the team of social workers that used to work on Telegraph Avenue. Worthington said he is making that proposal to the City Council as part of the budget process. 

John McBride, a former bookseller at Moe’s Books on Telegraph, calls the scene on Telegraph Avenue “Berkeley’s zoo,” but does not think shoppers there are intimidated by homeless or disoriented people. 

Pat Cody identifies another problem: the poor mix of businesses that fail to address the needs of faculty and older residents. “Now there’s mostly fast food, geared toward students,” she said. 

Fogarty would like to see something like a nightclub open up on Telegraph, but that creates other problems and the police don’t want it, he said.  

Worthington pointed out that zoning laws hurt the business community. If a clothing store replaces a video rental store, there’s a lot of red tape because a retail business is replacing a service business, he noted. 

Pat Cody also blamed book stores’ prob lems on the publishing industry, which, she said, can market books directly on line.  

McBride, who worked at Moe’s between 1986 and 1997, said building personal relations between the booksellers and the customers is key. “(Moe) did not want anyone on sta ff low-balling the customers. He engaged the customers in building the store,” he said. 

Iwithout doubt Cody’s on Telegraph will be missed, both by other businesses which profit because it draws customers and from book-lovers that flock to the shelves. 

A lan Cheng was looking at titles on one of the shelves on Wednesday, picking up one or another to examine at his leisure. A New York high school teacher, Cheng said he visits Cody’s on Telegraph whenever he comes to the Bay Area. 

“It’s a great place to re lax and browse,” he said. He wouldn’t go to the nearby Barnes and Noble. “It definitely seems more personal here.” 

Over in the abundant magazine and book section, news of the closing surprised Laura Cunningham, who lives in a small city in Nevada. 

“Oh C ody’s is closing,” she said. “I grew up in Berkeley and moved away. I miss good book stores. Too bad.” 

Just outside, Gwynne Coffee was busy arranging flowers at the stand in front of the store. Ross had just told her that the stand would be able to conti nue leasing its site from him. 

A fourth generation Berkeleyan, Coffee wasn’t thinking about the vacancy rate among the businesses or economic development on the avenue. She was more interested in preserving the avenue’s individuality. 

“I’ll be really pissed off if another big chain comes in, especially a stinking Starbucks,” Coffee said. 

›

On Wednesday afternoon a sea lion at the Berkeley Marina did more than just catch a ball on its nose and clap.  

After lunging at a crew member’s leg on a the New El Dorado III boat docked on the Marina pier, it grabbed at a kid’s backpack on the pier, a nd later that afternoon went on to bite a sizable chunk out of the calf of one of the crew members on the California Dawn boat. 

“I was standing there on the dock, watching the men clean the fish they had just brought in when the sea lion just jumped up f rom the water and caught me on the outside of my left calf,” said Tawny Huston, the crew member who was bitten. “It took me completely by surprise,” 

Huston was taken to the Kaiser emergency center in Vallejo after the incident occurred and was given anti biotics to sustain the injury. The bite left a 2 1/2 inch gash; the doctors were unable to stitch a portion of the flesh that was missing from the calf, Huston said. 

Standing on the deck of the California Dawn yesterday afternoon while rescue workers fr om the Marine Mammal Center tried to capture the 600-pound male sea lion, Huston said she only hoped that the seal lion would be captured safely and relocated to a place where it could live peacefully. 

“We will do our best to use orthodox methods to trap it,” said Shelbi Stoudt, the Marine Mammal Center officer who was co-ordinating the rescue operations yesterday afternoon. “But we also have to keep in mind the size of the animal and his behavior and act accordingly. We want to make it extremely clear t o the public that we are dealing with an aggressive animal here.” 

Also present at the Marina for the rescue mission was Norm Simmons, special agent with the NOAA office of enforcement of the Marine Manual Protection Act. 

“The sea lions are usually fed fish by the fishermen who dock their boats here after coming in from a fishing trip every day,” he said. “According to the Marine Mammal Protection Act it is illegal to tease, harrass, feed, or even come close to a marine mammal. But the fishermen violate this law all the time. As a result the sea lions have got used to getting a regular supply of food everyday. Somehow this particular sea lion turned aggressive and attacked.” 

Simmons added that after being trapped, the sea lion would be taken to the Mari ne Mammal Center which specializes in sick, injured or aggressive marine animals and it would be located to a less populated environment after that.  

Rescue operations went on for more than three hours Thursday afternoon. At one point the rescue team coaxed the large mammal with a chunk of salmon out of the water and onto the pier, where hiding behind protective shields, they tried to get it into a cage, but the sea lion jumped back into the water. Around 6 p.m., rescue workers decided to call it a day.  

Ann Hardinger, harbor master at the Berkeley Marina told the Planet that this was the first time something like this had happened at the Berkeley Marina. 

“We have always had sea lions hanging around here and they are some of the friendliest creatures I have ever seen,” she said. “This particular sea lion kept coming back for the last three years and we’ve never had any kind of trouble from it. It had actually grown quite comfortable with its surroundings—given the fact that it was being fed everyday an d that it has never been threatened by anything so far.” 

According to Simmons, although there have been stray cases of sea lions biting or attacking people on beaches in California, the mammals usually don’t eat human flesh. 

As a fishing crew brought in the day’s catch, the sea lion could be seen swimming around the boat for handouts. 

“He gets there before we do,” said one of the crew members smiling. “It’s for the fish you see.””

It finally happened. 

Those of you who have visited my home probably saw the unfinished three-story monstrosity next door. It has been protested by neighbors, lost its permits, and has not been worked on since we moved in here three years ago. 

In the pa st couple of years, it has become a favored resting place for the weary homeless. About two hours ago it went up in flames.  

At about 11:30 Monday night Alexander, Rowan and I were awakened by someone pounding on our door yelling that we had to get out o f the house. We moved quickly and I put on some pants, but only wore a t-shirt, and no shoes. Rowan had on only a pair of boxers and a t-shirt. Zander was the only one of us with shoes. I did grab my camera, though.  

But before I used my camera, I grabbe d the hose, and sprayed the side of our house facing the flames. I even sprayed the flames as they burst through the open window next door, and managed to subdue them a bit in that one spot. But the entire house was involved, all exposed plywood and rafte rs, a giant tinderbox awaiting a match.  

Then a fireman told me to stop because they had the exclusive arrangement for fire-dousing, so I retreated and picked up my camera instead. It still took about five more minutes for the fire fighters to commence t heir watery operations, during which time the fire spread from inside to the whole rooftop, as can be seen in the first picture. A large crowd gathered to watch the spectacle. We stood across the street and gawked along with the rest. 

Eventually they rai sed a ladder to spray water from above, to douse the most stubborn part of the fire. They sprayed using Dawn detergent, generating foam several inches deep in our yard and in the street. This acts to reduce surface tension on the water so that it penetrat es the wood better. One of our neighbors, Claudia, crept into her house and retrieved us some coats to wear to keep us warm. Fortunately it was a warm, windless night. 

It took them another hour to put out all the hotspots, and they are still next door at 1:30 a.m. as I write this, chopping and making sure things won't ignite again. The boys and I are doing our best to let the adrenalin subside, as the noise gradually diminishes, and perhaps we will get a few hours of sleep tonight. 

I am hoping there was not much damage to our home. Fortunately it does not smell too bad, since only wood was burning. There may be a bit of scorching of the paint on the side, but otherwise I think we are OK. 

Most of the neighbors seem happy at this turn of events, because they hated this structure, and had fought hard to block it. I do not know what will happen now. Ironically, the boys and I have been packing and moving our belongings to our new home, eight miles away in Oakland. We will only have about three more nights here. What a send-off! 

n

The 91,060-square-foot project that promises to supply residents of West Berkeley with fresh, organic food won a victory Wednesday. 

Members of the Planning Commission voted 6-2, with Commissioner Mike Sheen abstaining, to recommend City Council approval of planning and zoning law amendments that would clear the way for development of West Berkeley Bowl. The commission also accepted a series of overriding considerations that point up the project’s benefits, certified a final environmental report and appr oved other motions.  

The action represents a major development in a multi-year saga to bring fresh fruits, vegetables and other food to a neighborhood with a high concentration of poverty where the closest grocery store is a liquor shop. 

If the City Cou ncil agrees with commissioners’ recommendations, the city’s General Plan, zoning maps and the West Berkeley Plan will be modified to allow for commercial use at a 1.9-acre portion of the proposed site at 920 Heinz Ave. The area is currently zoned for mixe d use/light industrial buildings. 

Opponents of rezoning the site argue that it would open the floodgates for additional commercial buildings, which could devastate light industry in West Berkeley.  

“Approval of this project means that the future of West Berkeley is non-stop gentrification,” said Zelda Bronstein, a candidate for mayor and former planning commissioner. 

Planning staff insists that would not be the case because the new zoning proposal is limited to the proposed supermarket. 

The second run ning point of contention is traffic. West Berkeley Bowl would generate about 600 additional trips a day and would exacerbate traffic at the intersection of Ashby and San Pablo avenues. 

The environmental impact report concludes that additional traffic can be mitigated; however, many residents and businesspeople insist that congestion will increase. This is of particular concern to the French-American School, which stands adjacent to the proposed project and serves several hundred students between 3 and 11 years of age whose safety may be called into question with additional vehicles circulating the area. 

Planning commissioners approved a motion urging the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB), which heard the project Thursday after press time, to examine traffi c detriment. 

The commission also expressed concern over allegations that Berkeley Bowl owners would refuse to recognize union representation at the new store. The existing Berkeley Bowl is located on Oregon Street. 

A motion passed urging future decision-making bodies to take up the issue. Six commissioners voted in favor and three abstained because they felt they did not know enough about the allegations to make a decision. 

Wednesday’s approval at the Planning Commission does not mean the fight over We st Berkeley Bowl is finished. 

ZAB considered certifying the environmental impact report and granting use permits last night after press time. If those actions were taken, West Berkeley Bowl moves forward to the City Council May 23, and final approval could be granted as early as June 13. 

However, any stalls along the way could defer a verdict until the fall, when councilmembers return from summer recess. 

Planning Commissioners voted to recommend changes to the city’s contentious Creeks Ordinance on Wednesday as devised by the ad-hoc Creeks Task Force. Or did they? 

The commission agreed to support the work of the task force, which spent more than a year toiling over how to amend the 1989 legislation that regulates development on and near Berkeley’s waterways, but with several caveats. 

Among them, property owners should be allowed to rebuild their homes in the original footprint by right (currently a use permit is required of all homes), standards for environmental review should be relaxed and the use permit process for changing or adding on to existing structures should be “less onerous.” 

Many of these issues, particularly by-right rebuilding, were hotly debated but never resolved among Creeks Task Force members. Mayor Tom Bates, in conjunction with three city councilmembers, announced on Tuesday a proposal to allow by-right rebuilding after a disaster. The recommendation will go before the City Council May 16. 

A handful of members from the homeowners’ advocacy group Neighbors on Urban Creeks said they were pleased with Wednesday’s Planning Commission verdict, but they’re unclear as to exactly what the commission stands for. 

Commissioners Gene Poschman and Mike Sheen voted against the recommendations. Commission Chair Helen Burke abstained. 

The Creeks Ordinance was developed to protect the city’s natural waterways, but has come under fire because it forbids homeowners from rebuilding within 30 feet of a creek, whether open or interred. Many were not aware they owned creekside property until 2004, when the city released maps of Berkeley’s watercourses and sent notices to creekside homeowners informing them that they fall under the jurisdiction of the ordinance.  

The Creeks Ordinance has pitted creeks advocates, who encourage a stronger ordinance, against homeowners, who prefer fewer restrictions on development near natural waterways.  

An additional motion was passed Wednesday instructing staff to submit the opinion of Neighbors on Urban Creeks in addition to commissioner comments to the City Council. City councilmembers are expected to take up the issue for final approval before summer recess..

“While some mothers will be receiving flowers on Mother’s Day, there will be those who will be in tears.” 

With these words began the Mother’s Day Hour of Mourning and Reflection, observed 

in prayerful solidarity with all mothers impacted by the war in Iraq on the San Francisco City Hall Steps on Wednesday. 

The rally was led by students from Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union (GTU) and the San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness from City Hall to the War Memorial Veterans Building garden in San Francisco. 

The rally featured 13 giant saint and prophet puppets. Created by seminarians at Berkeley's Graduate Theological Union, the project was part of the GTU class, “Liberation Art: Saints and Prophets in the World.”  

According to Sally Hindman, associate faculty member, “The class looked at how liberation theology might enter into the arts—inspiring faith-based art for social justice in solidarity with those on the margins. It culminated in the decision of class participants to work with formerly homeless seniors from St. Mary’s Center in Oakland and Latino immigrant workers in making giant puppets of saints and prophets who would want to speak up in mourning for all the mothers directly and indirectly impacted by the war in Iraq.” 

The specific saints and prophets the class picked included: Miriam, Rabbi Hillel, St. Francis, a transgender Spirit, St. Martin de Porres, the Virgin of Guadalupe, Rosa Parks, Queen Esther, Job, Nelson Mandela, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Virgin de Rosio, and St. Jude. 

“We are here because we think that the billions that is going into the war in Iraq could be used to do away with problems at home, problems like homelessness, poverty and deprivation,” said Sarah Vecci, a volunteer from St. Mary’s Senior Center in Alameda. “It’s rather unfortunate, that while some mothers have the best of everything, there are those who don’t even have roofs over their heads, whose children are dying in wars being fought thousands of miles away.””

High school seniors who have not passed the exit exam could score a reprieve today. 

Alameda Superior Court judge Robert Freedman tentatively ruled in favor of a temporary injunction Monday. Today (Friday) he could finalize that ruling, paving the way for general education students in the class of 2006, who have met all other graduation requirements but have not passed the exit exam, to earn a high school diploma.  

The decision would come just over a week after the California Department of Education (CDE) announced results that 46,768 seniors statewide still had not passed the test, including more than 180 students in the Berkeley Unified School District.  

This is the first year the CDE is holding general education students to the requirement. (Special education students were granted a one-year exemption in January.) The test assesses 6th- to 8th-grade math, and 9th- and 10th-grade English language arts. A writing section is included. 

“I’m glad,” said Alternative High School student Guillermo Ronquillo Tuesday, when he learned of the tentative ruling. “But I still want to take the test to prove that I can do it.” 

Ronquillo emigrated from El Salvador to the United States five years ago and learned English from scratch. He has failed the English portion each of the four times he has tested, mostly because when he writes, he thinks and formulates sentences in Spanish. His grades are good, he has completed all the credits he needs to graduate, but the exit exam is holding him back, he said. 

“I come from another country,” he said. “Why should I be discriminated against because English isn’t my first language?” 

The lawsuit’s primary claim is that the test is unfair because many low-income and minority students, particularly English language learners, lack the necessary resources to pass the exam. 

Data show that English language learners, economically disadvantaged students, and African American and Latino students are passing at a lower rate than the statewide average.  

According to February test results, 71.2 percent of the state’s English language learners had passed the test, compared with 96.5 percent of white students and 89.3 percent of all students. 

At Berkeley High School, about 15 of 44 students in the English Language Learner department have not passed the English portion of the exam. 

“To me, it just seems unfair that this exit exam would prevent kids who are doing really well from graduating,” said Berkeley High homeschool liaison Raul Hernandez, who regularly fields inquiries from students desperate to find out whether or not they’ve passed. Results from a March administration of the exam are expected later this month. 

Original legislation dictated that students from the class of 2004 pass the test to earn diplomas, but because of disappointing scores, the state Board of Education agreed to postpone the requirement. 

A study conducted by the Center on Education Policy in 2003 found that 19 states have mandatory exit exams and another five—including California—were expected to implement tests by 2008. However, many of those states offer testing alternatives, whereas California does not, prompting some to question the fairness of the exam. 

“I understand we need some national standards, but a racially, ethnically, class-biased test—to put everyone to that standard means we’re not really doing justice to the students,” said Alternative High School teacher Kahlil Jacobs-Fantauzzi. 

Nonetheless, almost three-quarters of Californians believe that students should pass a statewide test to graduate from high school, according to a survey published by the Public Policy Institute of California in April. 

Victor Diaz, principal of the Alternative High School, agrees. On Wednesday, he called the tentative ruling “tragic,” insisting that high-stake test taking is an indispensable skill, particularly for low-income and minority students. 

“Most white kids grow up in an environment where testing is a common occurrence,” he said. “A lot of curriculum that kids of color face is just not designed like that. That, along with low expectations [means] our kids leave high school without the necessary tools [to succeed] ... To say you’re not going to have standardized testing until schools are equitable ... it seems like that would never happen.” 

In the fall, more than half the alternative school’s 30 seniors had not passed either portion of the exam. Teachers and administrators pushed students to ramp up on test preparation with one-on-one tutors, Saturday classes and extra math courses.  

At Berkeley High School, many English Language Learners have been attending a seventh-period exit exam tutorial since the beginning of the year. 

Alternative High School student Trina, who asked the Daily Planet not to use her last name, struggled relentlessly with the math portion of the test, and finally passed on her fifth try. It was an uphill battle, she said, ruing the many Saturdays she spent attending extra preparation sessions, instead of sleeping in. 

“Do you know how hard I worked?” she said. “I think the exit exam is good. It challenges your mind. It shows what you know and what you don’t know. If students need it to graduate, they’ll try.””

Oakland teachers approved a tentative contract agreement Wednesday, but union officials aren’t celebrating.  

Ending a divisive two-year battle for fair contracts, teachers, counselors and other members of the 3,200-member union, the Oakland Education Association (OEA), voted 931-639 in favor of a tentative agreement that union President Ben Visnick is calling “the best we could get.” 

State Administrator Randolph Ward, who was appointed to run the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) in 2003, sang a different tune Thursday, lauding the agreement as a “turning point and a new beginning” for Oakland. 

“This contract keeps Oakland Unified School District on the road to fiscal stability,” Ward said, citing declining enrollment, budgetary uncertainties and contract negotiations as the primary challenges the district has faced in the past few years. 

The contract, retroactive to last year, raises salaries 6.25 percent over three years, increases substitute teacher pay, ends free health care, and increases the mandatory student-counselor ratio from 500:1 to 700:1. 

On Thursday, Visnick commended the contract for preserving family health care, restoring a previous 4 percent pay cut and other features, but said salaries still aren’t competitive enough to keep teachers working in Oakland.  

“We’re going to lose a lot of teachers to other districts,” he said. 

Additional concerns include school consolidations and the involuntary transfer of teachers to other schools, funding for counselors and the ongoing approval of charter schools, he said. 

Both sides agreed to work collaboratively to improve conditions in the school district. 

“I think the community, the teachers and everyone who’s been involved only wanted one thing and that’s the best schools with the best teachers,” Ward said.  

Visnick is looking forward to the next round of contract negotiations in 2008.  

“Now is not the time to relax,” he said. “Together we will build on this contract so that in 2008, we can make teacher turnover an exception to the rule.””

Political luminaries are refusing to cross a picket line at UC Berkeley graduation ceremonies this week. 

State Assemblymember Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) was a no-show at the campuswide convocation Wednesday, where he was scheduled to give the keynote address. 

Howard Dean won’t attend the commencement he signed up to front Saturday for the Boalt Hall School of Law, according to UC Berkeley spokesperson Marie Felde. She said State Senator Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) is also planning to back out on her scheduled appearance at a UC Berkeley graduation ceremony.  

Richard Stapler, a spokesperson for Nunez, said Thursday, “He of course was planning to attend, but he does not cross picket lines.” 

That announcement at Wednesday’s commencement inspired graduating students to cheer. UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau stepped in for the assemblymember to give an impromptu speech.  

Nunez, Dean and Figueroa are refusing to break the picket line staged by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 (AFSCME), the union representing about 400 UC Berkeley custodians who have been battling university administration over compensation since November. Workers still have about two years left on a three-year contract. 

AFSCME is demanding that the university offer competitive rates, said union organizer Debra Grabelle. According to a study conducted in November, a five-year veteran custodian at UC Berkeley earns about $12 an hour, compared with $18.30 an hour for a similar employee at the Peralta Community College District, she said. 

“The university is dedicated to offering competitive wages at all levels of the university,” countered UC Spokesperson Noel Van Nyhuis, pointing out that wage comparisons aren’t necessarily fair because they fail to account for total compensation perks like health care and retirement benefits. 

UC Berkeley spokesperson Felde said Assemblymember Nunez promised to appropriate additional funds for all the UC’s lowest-paid employees, but union leaders rejected that offer.  

Grabelle would not confirm or deny that. Instead, she said, “We’re OK with the money coming from the state, but we can’t stop our campaign until the workers see the money.” 

Maricouz Manzanita, a single mother with three children, has worked as a custodian for UC Berkeley for seven years. She takes home $1,600 a month, just enough to cover rent. The rest comes from child support or she racks up credit card bills.  

“It’s a lot of stress for us and our families,” she said. “I can’t even take my kids to the movies.”  

Manzanita hopes the politicians’ refusal to cross the picket line will mount pressure on the UC to increase service worker pay. 

“That was wonderful” what Nunez did, she said. “That means he respects us, he cares about what’s going on.””

Gay ice skaters Alan Lessik and John Manzon-Santos praised Wednesday’s mediated settlement of a lawsuit in which they charged a Berkeley Iceland employee with discrimination. 

“I think it went really well. At the end we all agreed on the terms,” said Lessik, Western Regional Director for the American Friends Service Committee. “They apologized for any perception of discrimination.” 

In the complaint, filed in March with the Alameda County Superior Court, Lessik and Lessik’s ice-skating partner Manzon-Santos, executive director of the Asian Pacific Island Wellness Center, claimed that an Iceland employee booted them off the ice for no reason other than they were gay. 

Iceland Manager Jay Wescott said he feels good about the agreement. “I have a greater awareness of how sensitive the issue can be,” he said. 

“Berkeley Iceland will do everything it can to be more inclusive,” said Helen Carroll, sports project director with the National Coalition of Lesbian Rights, the organization that filed the lawsuit along with the law firm of Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati. “It’s a model for other ice rinks,” she said. 

Among the terms of the agreement, brokered with the help of the National Coalition for Lesbian Rights, are requirements for Iceland employees to undergo diversity training, for the rink to display placards stating it “undertakes continual efforts to open the world of skating to individuals in an environment free from intimidation, harassment, or bias,” to issue a public apology and to host a monthly gay-straight skate night.  

Lessik said he was particularly happy with the promise of gay-straight alliance nights. 

“The issue is that LGBT persons feel safe with allies,” he said. 

And he said the diversity training is key. “It’s important to understand that there are lots of different ways to look at people,” he said..

The Alameda County Medical Center moved this week to stop the budget bleeding at the county’s financially troubled hospital system, with trustees voting unanimously to approve more than $23 million in immediate budget reductions. 

The savings, recommended by the center’s Chief Executive Officer Wright Lassiter, will be made in part by staff reductions, but the bulk of the reductions are in efficiency savings. No service cuts or department shutdowns are part of the budget reduction plan passed by the board this week. 

The medical center operates several public medical facilities in Alameda County, including Highland Hospital in Oakland, Fairmont Hospital and John George Psychiatric Pavilion in San Leandro, and several clinics. 

Only $5.9 million of the ACMC cuts will come through staff reductions, trustees and medical center staff were told on Tuesday. Those will result in the loss of between 68 and 84 full-time-equivalent employees at ACMC, out of a total workforce of more than 2,000. Those staff reductions will begin taking place within 60 days. 

“You almost never want to make recommendations on staff reductions,” Lassiter said. “The process is never a pleasant one.” 

In addition, he added, “The medical center needs to recognize its role as employers.” 

At the same time, Lassiter assured trustees and and staff members at a crowded Fairmont Hospital cafeteria meeting on Tuesday that the budget reductions will result in no loss of services, but will come from implementing efficiency and cost-savings recommendations made during the system’s recently completed “margin audit” process. 

That “margin audit” process, carried out internally by the medical center, involved an extensive series of staff meetings and cost-saving investigations and collection and evaluation of staff suggestions over a 14-week period. 

One of those cost-saving measures was highlighted at Tuesday’s trustee meeting by ACMC Chief Operating Officer Bill Manns, who held up two nearly-identical kits for drawing blood from the umbilical cords of newborns. One of them, which Manns said was presently being used by the medical center, cost $96.50 apiece. The second, which the center is now switching to, costs 29 cents. 

Calling this the “poster child” for past inefficiency at the medical center, Manns said that switch alone will result in $322,000 a year in savings to the center. 

ACMC is currently running at a deficit of more than a million dollars a month, with a projected operating deficit of $11.5 million for the current fiscal year, expected to rise to a $28.7 million deficit in the fiscal year beginning July 1. The $23 million in budget cuts would leave ACMC $6.2 million short of breaking even next year. 

“I don’t want a break even budget,” Lassiter said. 

Noting that he wanted a $1.6 million surplus for FY 2006-07, he said that the center was still $7.8 million short of its goal. That could mean more layoffs, as well as service and program cuts, including ACMC’s operation of the medical facilities at the Alameda County Juvenile Hall. Lassiter said his office is currently doing a six-month evaluation on that program, with a report scheduled to come back to the board in January. 

“Although we’re not recommending reductions in any services at this time,” Lassiter said, “I want to caution the board there is still work to be done.” 

Included in Lassiter’s and Manns’ presentation to the trustee meeting was a not-so-subtle dig at Cambio Health Solutions, the Tennessee-based management consultants that managed the medical center from early 2004 until Wright was hired as CEO last September. Included in a PowerPoint show and printout handed out by Wright and was a chart comparing the staff cutbacks recommended by Cambio before they left (266 FTEs) with the cutbacks now recommended by the current management team (68). The largest difference was in acute care, with Cambio recommending 128 FTE cutbacks and the current management recommending 8. 

While the budget reduction plan sailed through the nine member trustee board with no dissent, it met with mixed reaction from ACMC union representatives and local public health advocates. 

In a letter released to trustees at Tuesday’s meeting, Vote Health organization Chair Kay Eisenhower said that the solution for the medical center’s lies with Alameda County government, not with the medical center. 

Vote Health is a Bay Area health activist organization that regularly monitors the medical center. 

“Vote Health is well aware that Alameda County has been underfunding its CMSP [County Medical Services Program] contract with ACMC and the Juvenile Hall clinic for some time,” Eisenhower wrote. “A significant portion of next year’s projected ACMC deficit of $30 million is attributable to this failure. … Vote Health urges your Board to request full funding from Alameda for the CMSP contract and the Juvenile Hall clinic.” 

Service Employees International Union Local 616 representative Brad Cleveland explained in a telephone interview that Alameda County is required by state law to provide indigent medical care, and does so through the medical center under the CMSP. 

But Cleveland said that, while the medical center is projecting indigent care costs of $117 million this fiscal year rising to $130 million next year, Alameda County only provides $67 million to the medical center, $34 million of which he called “pass-through money” that actually comes from the state and not out of county-generated revenue. 

Cleveland said that the medical center is forced to come up with the remainder of the indigent care costs from its own budget, even though the state mandate for that service puts the responsibility on the county. 

“That puts the medical center in an untenable position,” Cleveland said. 

SEIU Local 616 represents 1,300 registered nurses, hospital clerical staff, and allied health care professionals at the medical center. 

While calling any talk of layoffs “discouraging,” Cleveland praised ACMC management for “focusing on new revenues and cuts in expenses rather than layoffs. We just don’t want to see people go out the door. We appreciate their move to make the medical center more efficient.” 

Cleveland said that the union would work with medical center administrative officials to “minimize any layoffs” by identifying vacant positions where staff members slated for layoffs can be transferred. 

Cleveland was not present at Tuesday’s trustee meeting and said he had not yet seen details of the proposed staff cuts. 

Another union official, SEIU United Healthcare Workers Assistant Director Charlie Ridgell, used the budget reduction meeting to take a blast at former ACMC managers Cambio. 

“Where is Cambio now?” Ridgell told trustees. “You paid them $5 million to turn around the finances at the medical center, and now Lassiter has to come in and do it.” 

Ridgell said that medical center trustees “should have the courage to sue Cambio” for the contracted services the organization failed to provide. 

The Peralta Community College District Board of Trustees has joined the list of educational organizations calling for a change in the accreditation process for California community colleges. 

At Tuesday night’s board meeting, trustees unanimously voted to support resolutions passed earlier this year by the California Federation of Teachers (CFT) and the California Community College Academic Senate requesting the change as well as an investigation into the activities of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC).  

ACCJC is the accrediting commission for the Peralta Community Colleges, which just got off the organization’s “warning” list last January. 

Included in the Peralta trustee vote on Tuesday was a request, authored by Trustee Cy Gulassa, that the CFT and the state academic senate add a clause to their resolution which criticizes “ACCJC officials who have refused to recuse themselves from evaluation of institutions even though they have been previous employees of that institution.” 

The clause was a reference to ACCJC President Barbara Beno and Vice President Deborah Blue who were earlier employed by the Peralta district but left under unfavorable circumstances. 

In offering the request to trustees, Gulassa said that the accreditation process for state community colleges “has become way too punitive.” 

The CFT and academic senate resolutions were sparked by ACCJC’s pulling of the accreditation of Compton Community College. That action is currently under appeal by the college. 

CFT representatives had earlier said the organization was calling for an investigation of ACCJC by the state Legislature. 

Few recent events have prompted more letters to the Planet than last week’s announcement by Andy Ross that he plans to close the Telegraph Avenue Cody’s bookstore. Many of them can be found in this issue. Correspondents have a wide variety of reactions and theories about why this decision was made, and there’s probably some truth in all of them. 

First, it’s generally acknowledged that Telegraph Avenue is more than a bit seedy, and that a variety of dubious individuals hang out there. But the problem with this as a total explanation for closing the store is that Telly has been like this at least since we moved to Berkeley in 1973 and probably before. The publisher and I had our software development business in the ’80s upstairs in the historic building that now houses Rasputin’s records. The genteelly modernist Fraser’s furniture store downstairs was long gone, replaced, thanks to the city’s short-sighted economic development policy, with a Southern California western clothing chain, Miller’s Outpost, which was a dismal failure in hip Berkeley. Miller’s owned the elegant historic brick building, and was letting it slide rapidly downhill. That made for cheap rent on the second floor, of course, ideal for a start-up with no venture capital which needed easy access to computer science graduate students. But the 1989 earthquake gave us a good scare about being in an unreinforced masonry building, so we moved.  

We loved being on Telly while we were there. The Caffe Mediterraneum was still owned by people who took their responsibilities seriously, both for roasting coffee and for keeping order in the shop and on the street in front. The bookstores were splendid. But most of the annoyances which people complain about today were around then. The Hare Krishnas went past our windows twice a day with loud amplified music. Late at night, we worried about being mugged as we walked home or to our car. Sullen teenagers lounged on the ledge outside our door all day, looking as ugly as they could manage. Assorted street people, crazy, drunk and worse, were everywhere—there was a guy who would stick his index finger into your coffee and stir it. Once one of our customers wearing a suit parked next to People’s Park and was followed down the street by people yelling “Businessman, businessman!” 

And Andy Ross at Cody’s complained loudly about all of it, 20 or 25 years ago, just as he does today. City functionaries, some of them like Dave Fogarty still on the job 20 years later, scrambled to try to please. They banned parking even at night in the loading zones in front of the bookstores, and towed anyone (including our hapless programmers and late-night book shoppers) who parked there. The theory, I seem to remember, was that they were preventing out-of-town gangs (read non-white youth) from gathering. The loading zone in front of the Med was filled in so that outside tables could be added on what was once the public right-of-way, creating more opportunities for confrontations and sites for lounging. But Telegraph managed to maintain its rowdy edge, home away from home for those who enjoy behaving badly and experiencing the last gasp of the counter-culture in its head shops and leather emporia. Nothing much has changed since then, no matter what Ross or the politicians who’d like to profit from his problems would like us to believe. 

What has changed is the culture industry, specifically the book and record businesses. Multi-store corporations and Internet sales now dominate the new book business, and it’s not the fault of the ugly punks on The Ave. Moe’s Books, next door to Cody’s on Telegraph, selling mostly used books, has kept a toehold in the market by recognizing early that change was coming and building a strong Internet presence; Cody’s management didn’t.  

A variety of ways of blaming others for the store’s problems surfaced. Ross endorsed a Berkeley ballot measure aimed at stopping panhandlers from asking for money which was tossed out in federal court. He apologized later, but lost years of patronage from First Amendment absolutists like me who abhor attempts to restrict free speech. Independent booksellers, including Ross, launched an ill-fated anti-trust suit against the chains and lost that too.  

Ross’s most recent strategy has been to open two new branch stores in upscale locations, Berkeley’s Fourth Street shopping enclave and Stockton Street in San Francisco. I’ve only been to the Fourth Street store once, but I’d characterize it as Cody’s Lite: many coffee-table art books and best-sellers, very much like, in fact, the chains. Closing the Telegraph store seems to be not just a geographic decision, but a decision to abandon the infinite intellectual variety that was the hallmark of the original Cody’s.  

Meanwhile, if you believe Ken Sarachan, things aren’t bad at all on Telegraph. He’s the proprietor of Rasputin Records, Blondie’s Pizza and more. Encountered over Thai food in an area restaurant, he asked to be quoted as saying “I’m going down with the ship” on Telegraph—except that he says the ship’s still profitably afloat. He’s got a flourishing Internet operation and owns a good bit of property on and near The Ave. He earthquake-proofed and restored our nice old building, which is now his very successful flagship store. 

This would be where I ought to confess that Ken’s been a long-term advertiser in the Berkeley Daily Planet, believing as he does that local businesses should support one another. On the other hand, Cody’s has pretty much declined to do so, which, personal pique aside, I think is a mistake. I don’t usually get involved in the Planet’s advertising sales, but since I was a successful marketeer in my mid-life, I would advise booksellers, both local and chain, that our extra-literate readers are natural buyers for their products. I couldn’t say for sure that if Cody’s on Telegraph had advertised in the local paper they might have done better business in the last few years, but it might have helped. 

At a birthday party for a 4-year-old recently, a youngish mother of my acquaintance, in between bouts of chasing her very active baby who was just learning to walk, wondered why no one had ever tried to figure out some good way for parents to work part-time at interesting and responsible jobs with future promise. Of course, I told her, we did try. But it didn’t work as easily as we might have hoped. Why? she asked. 

She’s somewhere in age between my second and third daughters, born probably in the late ’60s, raised in the ’70s at a time when girls were being strongly encouraged to believe they could have it all, all at the same time. I applied for law school for the first time in 1970, and was personally rejected by an assistant dean of admissions who told me candidly to my face that the University of Michigan Law School had never admitted a mother of small children and wasn’t about to start.  

Soon thereafter deans learned not to say that to female applicants, but the assumptions that underlie his statement are not completely illegitimate. There is an inherent conflict between the demands of kids and the demands of schools and employers. It hasn’t been solved, even by the privileged classes who can afford the help of legions of undocumented immigrants. The New York Times Magazine has been dining out on the dilemma for 10 years or more, chronicling touching sagas of female Princeton graduates who have decided that there’s more to life than making partner in Manhattan. Berkeley’s own Caitlin Flanagan, the self-satisfied daughter of a stereotypically over-qualified earthmother/facultywife/nurse and a professor in the English Department, who is raising twins as a stay-at-home mother, is on her book tour right now. 

In law school with me in the mid-’70s (I finally did get in) were a number of women who were trying to raise their children before taking up demanding careers. I recently asked a friend, the graduate of a higher-prestige school than mine, qualified for the best jobs on the career ladder, why she, like so many women in our law-school cohort, had elected not to practice law after all. “Because it’s soul-deadening,” she said. “If you want the truth, it’s because I couldn’t figure out how to do it and not drink too much.” Beginning lawyers (and physicians and other well-paid professionals) are still expected to put in 80-hour weeks. Parents who care about how they carry out their parental role, not just women, don’t want to do that any more.  

And those parents, both men and women, who opt for the interesting jobs which pay less can’t even afford servants like Flanagan’s to help them out. Parents who are stuck in the dull poorly-paid jobs with no future are just desperately trying to figure out who’s taking care of the kids while they’re at work. 

My youngish mother friend is a faculty wife—her husband is on the lowest rung of a competitive tenure track ladder. She has an interesting three-and-a-half-day-a-week job, seemingly perfect, but she still worries about how they as parents can do justice to both jobs and their one child. The self-sacrificing faculty wives, who were putting gourmet meals on the table in Berkeley when Alice Waters was still in graduate school and editing their husbands’ books in their spare time, are just about extinct. 

Is there a middle ground? About the time I finished law school there were earnest meetings in Berkeley progressive circles about concepts like job-sharing and on-site day care. I remember then-Councilmember Loni Hancock as a leader in such discussions, which never came to much. Loni found some good part-time jobs over the years. I skipped practicing law and my husband left academia. Instead we raised our kids in our own mom-and-pop software company where they could do their homework on the conference table of our Telegraph Avenue office. Loni’s kids and our kids and other people’s kids grew up while we were struggling to figure out how to raise them and keep our own sanity. Many of them turned out well despite us.  

Many young people are putting off having children or deciding not to have any because they see that it’s not easy to balance kids and jobs. The world is crowded—there’s no reason to have kids if you don’t do it for fun. I’ve had a variety of interesting jobs which I might have spent more time on and gotten farther at if I’d been able put my full energy into them, but for me the kids were the fun part, and the rest was just work.  

One salutary difference between now and the ’70s is that many fathers as well as mothers are now concerned about doing their best for their kids. It’s not assumed by everyone any more that Mom will do it all without help. Since we took over at the Planet two men in the office have become parents, and both of them are taking their kids very seriously—one quit to stay at home with his baby. We aren’t big enough to have a day care center, but we’re always pleased to see kids, including our own grandkids, in the office. Not all workplaces can as easily be child-friendly, however.  

For most parents doing both jobs well—parent and breadwinner—will always be a constant struggle, even in families where there are two parents both doing their best. That’s just how it is. 

Parents, mothers and fathers both, will have to continue to balance costs and benefits in their own lives. They’ll set priorities as best they can, and the kids will probably be fine. Those of us who are able, not just official grandparents but everyone, should try to give parents of young children a bit of help from time to time. In case you haven’t figured it out by this time, this is our Mother’s Day message.  

c

A headline in Tuesday’s paper mistakenly said that Berkeley police officers have been sued for battery. Although the Berkeley officers are defendants in a lawsuit filed on behalf of pedestrian Michael Salisbury, the complaint specifically alleges only false arrest against them. 

The actual battery charge was made only about an off-duty officer from another city who participated in the incident.–

PAVING BERKELEY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Now that the City Council and ZAB have approved numerous oversized buildings without sufficient parking, they are ready for the residents to take up the slack. Today (Tuesday), the Berkeley City Council is poised to make it easier than ever to pave over the town. Oh well, who needs oxygen anyway? 

Georgette Wrigley 

• 

ENOUGH ZAB 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I was surprised by how much Zoning Adjustments Board coverage there was in the May 9 edition. It was as if Jesus was going to rise up from Heinz Street Thursday and reappear at the ZAB meeting to cast judgment on all of Berkeley: All the good people would get to spend their days shopping at the new Trader Joe’s, while all of the sinners would have to live out eternity in the new Hudson McDonald building. Here’s hoping that John Gertz and the Peace and Justice Commission will have to share a studio. 

Anyway, please mix it up a bit. 

Georges Perrault 

P.S. This doesn’t mean I want more Israel-Palestine stories. 

• 

TELEGRAPH AVENUE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

There is something odd about how Telegraph Avenue has deteriorated into a haven for homeless, drug users, drug dealers, and “crazies.” Who gave them the power to take over “the Ave.”? In my Berkeley neighborhood, the residents maintain order on our streets on a daily basis with the aid of the city. Why did the business owners, UC and the city just let this happen? 

Whether or not there was a subtle intention to let the area go, the result will probably be the same—urban renewal in the form of turning Telegraph Avenue into a street like the one that leads up to UCLA with its high-priced chain stores and high-rise buildings. Unless the community reclaims it now. With all the high-rise apartment buildings going up with the support of the mayor and city government can Telegraph Avenue be far behind? Already there are high-rise apartments going up near Andronico’s on Telegraph Avenue. 

And to the community who has supported Cody’s for so long, why not build that coalition to stop the deterioration now? Cody’s is a community resource which we cannot afford to loose. I don’t want to go to San Francisco or Fourth Street to find a good book and there are many others who feel the same way. You will find them on Shattuck Avenue at Pegasus, Barnes and Noble, and Half-Price Books and they can easily make their way to Cody’s if it is on Shattuck Avenue. 

So, Mr. Ross, please reconsider your decision to close the Telegraph Avenue store. You found the way to open the San Francisco and Fourth Street Stores. Find a way to keep a central Berkeley store. Also, open a website to sell books for those near and far who want to find a good book. 

Donna Carter 

• 

BLAME WORTHINGTON 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Kriss Worthington, you get credit for the state of the Telegraph Avenue. The ’60s are behind us and all the world has moved, on leaving the Avenue behind. There is no reason why socialism could not hold a dear place for commerce and mercantilism in its vision. Your lack of respect for business and economics and lack of a vision are driving the Avenue to ruin. Please gracefully step aside and allow others a chance to lead the Avenue.  

Peter Levitt 

P.S.: While this newspaper is doing soft interviews of/for Kriss in a full page recently, your competition is exposing and attempting to explain the Avenue’s decline. I have been criticized by this newspaper for calling on the editors to cheerlead for Berkeley, by pointing out real problems and debating possible solutions. Where is the Daily Planet’s explanation for the Avenue’s decline and Kriss’ Telegraph Avenue?  

• 

AGAINST THE ODDS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Like so many longtime residents of Berkeley, I can’t begin to convey how distraught I am to learn that Cody’s Book is closing. Fred Cody remains one of my few heroes and his successor, Andy Ross, continued to run a superlative enterprise. But given what should be evident to anyone who boldly ventures on Telegraph at night, it is clear why Cody’s and other decent businesses situated there operate against the longest odds. 

I say “it is clear,” but what should indeed be crystalline has gone unspoken for too long. Urban predators know that they can come to Berkeley, receive copious goods and services, and get away with behavior not tolerated elsewhere. And the sense of very real danger that their presence produces keeps much of our citizenry from patronizing businesses not just on Telegraph, but on Shattuck and University Avenues as well.  

To this we can thank the “Us v. Them” mindset created by the likes of KPFA, Copwatch, and the Berkeley Police Commission. Calling “classist,” “racist,” or “anti-homeless” those who dare designate the drug addicts, alcoholics and other felons for what they truly are—predators of the worst order—and maintaining the illusion that that festering swamp of thuggery, People’s Park, is sacred ground, such demagogues have helped transform much of Berkeley’s commercial sector into what is fast approaching a decrepitude akin to downtown Richmond. 

But the real blame should fall in larger measure squarely upon the ideological simpletons of our City Council, Kris Worthington, Linda Maio, Donna Spring and Maxwell Anderson. Their incessant anti-business stance and sanctioning of anti-social behavior has clearly reached a point of diminishing returns. If these ideologues are not soon voted out of office, the loss of cherished enterprises such as Cody’s will only continue apace and the aura of fear so palpable in our downtown sector will continue to expand exponentially. 

Dan Spitzer 

Kensington  

• 

HOSTILE TOWARD THE POOR 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Food Not Bombs co-founder Keith McHenry and I sat in a kiddie pool outside Cody’s a few years ago to protest Andy Ross’s anti-homeless/anti-street artist policy of repeatedly hosing down the sidewalk specifically under the butts of the people they didn’t want on the sidewalk in front of the book store. We called it Cody’s Shower and Watersports Program, but both of us knew it was something Fred and Pat Cody, the original owners, would never have done. I wonder how much more business Andy Ross would have had if he hadn’t been so hostile toward the poor.  

Carol Denney  

• 

SAD OCCASION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The departure of Cody’s Books from Telegraph Avenue will be a sad occasion for the entire city of Berkeley, but it may also be a tremendous opportunity for the city, Telegraph Avenue, and the University.  

Cody’s disappearance as a major feature of the South Campus area leaves a large building in a prominent location and the opportunity to use the site for something new and innovative on a street that has not launched a truly innovative project in 30 years. One suggestion: A combination art gallery/coffee house/art and literature bookstore. The space is big enough to house a full art gallery, one large enough to include sculptures and large paintings, with maybe a room for video and/or installations. There is no such gallery anywhere in the area. The bookstore could specialize in hard-to-find art books and small press literature that is not featured in many mainstream bookstores, and would thus not be overpowered by online booksellers. In addition, there would be room for a coffeehouse, possibly upstairs and possibly in the area where the magazines are now. There are art bookstores in most large European cities, and the coffeehouse-bookstore combination has been used to great success by at least one major American bookstore chain. The bookstore or the video room could also be used for the type of author appearances in which Cody’s now excels. Such an establishment could attract a wide audience of students, art and literature lovers, and University people, and may also help invigorate an area that, with the recent sale of the Mediterraneum Caffé, may be on its way back up. 

Dale Jensen 

• 

TELEGRAPH NEGLECTED 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Isn’t it great to read the words of our so-called leaders discussing the demise of Andy Ross’ bookstore on upper Telegraph Avenue? How happy I am to see that our Chamber of Commerce, our mayor and anybody but Kriss Worthington has so much faith in the urban commercial zone called “Telegraph Avenue” that they would state their profound support for such an important urban commercial zone? 

Andy Ross states, “the city has played a negative role, having ignored Telegraph Avenue. The city has decided to treat downtown as an economic opportunity and to treat Telegraph as a crime problem and not as an economic opportunity.” 

Mayor Tom Bates says he suspects that “older” (read post-yuppie prigs) book buyers feel more at ease shopping at Cody’s store on trendy Fourth Street. “It’s more upscale and more comfortable,” Bates said. “Telegraph Avenue is a great place, but some people (read upscale gentrifiers) don’t want to go there.” Yeah, yuppie elders and Bates supporters hate young, indigent people. 

Community Development Project Coordinator Dave Fogarty says “There are migratory youth and drug dealing,” noting that people “are acting out obnoxiously,” shouting and sitting on the sidewalk with their feet sticking out. “People find it unpleasant.” 

I’ll bet the remaining merchants on Telegraph are really happy with the public face Mayor Bates, who wants to be reelected, and the supposed supporters, have given to Telegraph avenue’s image. 

Hank Chapot 

• 

GENTRIFICATION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In her May 12 article on West Berkeley Bowl, Suzanne La Barre quotes Zelda Bronstein as saying “Approval of this project means that the future of West Berkeley is non-stop gentrification.” Well, Zelda, why should those of us (like you and me) who live near Solano Avenue keep all the gentrification to ourselves. Maybe if a little of it spilled over, West Berkeley could start paying a fair share of Berkeley’s excessive tax burden. 

Jerry Landis  

• 

RESPONDING TO BATES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

A couple important topics were absent from the commentary authored by Mayor Bates regarding his stewardship of our city as published in the May 12 edition.  

No mention that property crimes in Berkeley are far higher than other East Bay cities. In fact, Berkeley property crimes are much higher than even Oakland and Richmond. A report from the City of Berkeley website detailed 379.1 property crimes per 10,000 population in 2005. Richmond’s statistics are 291.9 per 10,000 and Oakland’s are 254.2. Vallejo’s property crimes are a mere 80.7. In other words, Berkeley’s property crimes occur at about five times the frequency of Vallejo! Too bad this topic was avoided.  

No mention that sales tax revenue is down in Berkeley, as much as 30 percent in the Telegraph area. Meanwhile, downtown gets the lion share of the attention and accolades.  

The City Council is considering making it easier to turn back and side yards into parking lots. The city already suffers problems with the storm drain system which will be aggravated by more concrete and more development. Our unique and precious architectural heritage is under assault as the mayor tries to weaken the Landmark Preservation Ordinance. Arson fires are being set in South Berkeley.  

Our quality of life is deteriorating with increased traffic, density, and crime.  

Mayor Bates, please tell us what you have done to address these problems. 

Robin Wright 

• 

APOLOGISTS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

A favorite tactic of John Gertz and other apologists for Israeli state policies is to try to smear as “anti-Semitic” all critics of same. Well, first, there is the little peculiarity that Arabs are Semites. If we wanted to sink to the Gertz level, we would have to label the Israeli government as anti-Semitic because of its unjust policies towards the Palestinian Arabs.  

Then we would have to assume that the critics of Israel’s barbaric policies of occupation, preventive detention, home demolitions and regular land seizures would favor these policies if the Israeli government were run by gentiles! 

A person who is anti-Jewish hates Jews qua Jews, ergo for any other type of prejudice. Objecting to a foreign state which has received hundreds of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars is hardly outside the pale.  

Then we are supposed to ignore the unbelievable influence that AIPAC—the Israeli lobby as they bill themselves—has over our political system. They are more powerful than the NRA, AARP or anyone else on the Hill. 

I think the leaders of certain Jewish organizations that equate Jews with blanket support of Israeli policies are responsible for anti-Jewish attitudes.  

Finally, there is the victim card always played by Israel’s apologists. In this bizarre scenario, Israel, which is the fourth strongest military power in the world, is in constant danger of being annihilated by the people it oppresses. I refuse to call such apologists “Zionists” as the great majority have no intention of going to live in Israel. 

They are content to fight to the last Israeli and for that matter have no qualms about American casualties in wars such as the Iraq war that were egged on by AIPAC and deranged neocons. 

Kris Martinsen 

• 

REBUILDING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

By all means, property owners wishing to rebuild after a disaster should have their obstacles minimized. The city can streamline the permit process as much as possible in the event of disaster. However, to make it policy that they can rebuild by right in the original footprint of the building would be, in my estimation, foolish in many circumstances. Specifically, if the original footprint of the building is on top of a creek or so near the creek that it is dangerous to build there, then a more careful process for permitting such building would be prudent. It may be possible, with unusually sturdy and erosion resistant techniques to build something viable on top of a creek. However, not all property owners are responsible enough or even competent to determine whether it is safe to build on or near a creek, or employ the appropriate construction strategies required. There are good arguments to be made that principles of hydrology dictate that it’s almost never really safe to build a structure on top of or near a creek. 

Has the city attorney given any opinion on the liability of the city should it permit a building to be constructed over or very near a creek, given known pitfalls and dangers of such construction? 

I urge the mayor and City Council to err on the side of cautiousness when it comes to property owner and tenants’ safety and financial risk of both property owner and city. 

Consider this situation: Earthquake disaster causes culvert failure and destruction of a home that was built on top of the culvert. What would be best course of action be in the aftermath? Take the opportunity to daylight the creek and rebuild a home at a safe distance from the creek? Rebuild by right in the original footprint of the home? Who is responsible for paying for the rebuilding of the culvert? Who pays for daylighting the creek? Which is more costly: maintaining a culvert system or maintaining open creeks? 

• Many advocates of the rebuild-by-right concept also insist that all the citizens of Berkeley should be responsible for cost of maintaining the culverts on private property. 

• The city cannot foot the bill for daylighting creeks, but it can create an environment in which federal or state funds for watershed improvement projects can be acquired for use in Berkeley creek restoration efforts. 

Alan Gould 

• 

BUS RAPID TRANSIT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I attended last Thursday’s BRT forum put on by the Willard Neighborhood Association, and I read Rob Wrenn’s recent commentary piece. 

The BRT is supposed to attract many new riders—from among the people who now clog Telegraph, Bancroft and Shattuck with their personal cars. We probably don’t need the BRT to carry the current riders on the BRT corridor—the present 40L bus line does that fairly well. But we do need to do something about traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, air pollution and oil consumption. Car congestion looks likely to get worse, because of population increase and UC’s parking expansion plans. After the Caldecott Tunnel gets a fourth bore, the cut-through traffic from Highway 24 will get worse. 

I have a pleasant vision of the BRT. I see the big buses coming often enough that nobody is concerned about schedule. At the BRT stations, people get on and off rapidly, having pre-paid their fares. Crowds of customers throng to the stores and restaurants; students hurry to their classes and employees to their jobs. Telegraph remains a Berkeley place, but now takes on more of the ambiance of a European city. I have a similar vision for Shattuck, near the BART plaza. 

I’m well aware of the prevalent unease at any prospect of losing the convenience of one’s personal car. Merchants think all their customers come by car. Even many Berkeley environmental advocates, for any trip, still choose their personal car first. 

The principal question about the BRT seems to be whether its deployment truly will motivate enough bus riding to reduce car congestion. Cars removed from the roads will have to more than compensate for the reduction in road capacity caused by bus-only lanes, reduced on-street parking and so on. 

Of course those drivers will not be so motivated—as long we keep our other public practices in place. Such as what? Well, a big start would be for the University to stop plans to build more parking lots, and to increase their support for the Class Pass and the bus pass for staff. The other major employers of Berkeley should follow the university’s example. 

For a liberal university town, Berkeley is still deeply conservative about transit. During the last major expansion at Stanford University, public policy produced a plan which did not increase car traffic to campus. Similar achievements have been made at UCLA and University of Washington. 

Berkeley definitely needs the BRT, not more car congestion and air pollution. 

Steve Geller 

• 

FLYING COTTAGE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In Friday’s article “Arson Fires Strike South Berkeley,” you quote 3045 Shattuck owner Christina Sun as saying her “plans were legal” and that the zoning code required no public hearings. Neither statement is true. 

Ms. Sun’s original permit was issued only because she deliberately misrepresented her existing and intended use of the property as a single-family residence. In reality, at the time of her application she had already converted it to what the Berkeley zoning code calls a “group living accommodation” (in layman’s terms, a rooming house) by renting out bedrooms on separate leases. When neighbors produced proof of this, the city issued a stop-work order, and the Zoning Adjustments Board nullified her permit. That nullification was held up on Ms. Sun’s appeal to the City Council and Alameda Superior Court. 

Planning staff committed several other mistakes in issuing Ms. Sun’s original permit. Converting a single-family residence into a rooming house requires a public hearing, as do putting parking in the required rear yard and locating residential storage space on the ground floor. 

Staff also failed to apply established design review standards: the only design requirement on her original permit was that the siding on the new portion of the cheap, hideous building match the original two-inch shiplap. It was the proper application of design review standards on her current application that led to the additional expense Ms. Sun complains of. 

Even Ms. Sun’s current plans cannot legally be approved without a public hearing, since they place the required off-street parking spaces in the required rear yard, which per zoning code section 23F.04 may not contain parking spaces. Legally, the permit can be issued only after a public hearing and approval by the Zoning Adjustments Board of a use permit under section 23E.52.070D.7. 

The city intends to issue Ms. Sun a permit anyway. This act would almost certainly be reversed if challenged in court. However, such a challenge would be counterproductive, since if the application were sent to the ZAB they would most likely resolve the problem by waiving the off-street parking requirement entirely. 

Robert Lauriston 

On our city streets, most anywhere, 

There’s a Starbucks opened there. 

Every store seems quite afflicted 

With lines of the caffeine-addicted. 

Throughout this nation, like busy ants, 

There’s quite a coffee ambiance 

From early morn to late night again. 

No wonder we need Ambien. 

—George Banks 

Oakland 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following letters only appear our website. 

• 

PHONE RECORDS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

After the latest Bush administration attack on our privacy rights was disclosed, House Minority Leader Pelosi’s office stated that she “raised concerns when she was told about the collection of phone company records and the security agency’s surveillance activities.” But what did she and others that knew of this illegal program do to actually stop the disclosure of phone records to the government? Why didn’t they inform the public of what was transpiring? 

Do not give me the excuse of “National Security and the need for secrecy.” Many crimes have been committed by this administration using this excuse as cover. And too many Democratic leaders have gone along with these crimes using the same excuse. 

The world can not afford to wait for more of these outrages to occur. It is time to drive out the Bush regime and all its lackeys before we have no freedom left to protect. To learn more about this, see worldcantwait.net. 

Kenneth J. Theisen 

Oakland 

• 

MORE ON PHONE RECORDS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I wonder why it is OK with Bush and Cheney that the government take phone records of millions and millions of Americans, and analyze who was talking to whom, yet, they refuse the public’s demand to know who the oil industry people were whom they met with in 2001, when they formed our government’s energy and war policies. 

Their double standard isn’t simply an example of arrogant hypocrisy. It obstructs the people’s right to hold our government accountable. 

Fomenting a frothy fear of terrorism like they did when invading Iraq’s oil fields, Bush and Cheney are invading America’s privacy. 

Bruce Joffe 

Piedmont 

• 

U.S. A ROGUE STATE? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Is the United States a rogue state? 

Ignoring all international agreements, led by a corrupt and incompetent organization, channeling all resources to its wealthy internal supporters,  

sure that God is the source of their policies, demonizing their opponents, and engaged in dangerous military adventures throughout the world? 

Comments welcomed. 

Brad Belden 

• 

MARIJUANA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

By choosing to pursue any marijuana related-investigation, such as the bust described by Suzanne La Barre in your March 31 issue, the Berkeley Police Department wastes taxpayers’ dollars and thumbs its nose at the will of the people.  

As public servants, Berkeley police are sworn to uphold the laws of the city of Berkeley, whose citizens have repeatedly voted in favor of BPD’s giving lowest-priority status to marijuana-related violations. For the Berkeley Police Department to arbitrarily decide that they can ignore the will of the people is disturbing enough; recent news that they have now turned this case over to DEA agents is positively horrifying. 

Regardless of the Younger v. Berkeley City Council decision, which struck down the earlier 1973 Berkeley Marijuana Initiative, BMI II is a completely separate vehicle with different parameters, passed by a strong majority of citizens in 1979. BMI II clearly states: “The city council shall seek to ensure that the Berkeley police department makes no arrests and issues no citation for violations of marijuana laws.” (Ord. 5137-NS 3, 1979) It adds, “...nor shall any expenditure be made by the city” on enforcing marijuana laws.  

Some readers may be thinking, “But what about the guns that were found?” Second Amendment issues aside, consider this: When marijuana prohibition ends, growers will have less perceived need to keep firearms around for protection. The black market will shrivel. Marijuana “crimes” will disappear and significant resources will be made available to support investigations of truly violent crimes, or to be redirected into the schools, or to community services that address the root causes of criminal behavior. 

Berkeley has long been a beacon of progressive thought for the entire nation. As Berkeley leads the way toward a more enlightened view of marijuana use in the United States, we especially need the support of our local police forces. We need to be able to trust that they are using our resources wisely and implementing the laws we voted for.  

Berkeley police services are overseen by City Manager Phil Kamlarz, appointed by the mayor. Concerned citizens are urged to write to Mr. Kamlarz and encourage him to support the BPD in upholding BMI II, giving lowest priority to marijuana “crimes,” and resisting federal intervention in all situations involving marijuana in Berkeley. He can be reached at 2180 Milvia St. 94704, by phone at 981-7000, by fax at 981-7099, or by e-mail at manager@ci.berkeley.ca.us. 

R. DeKeuster 

• 

APOLOGIES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Truly, on behalf of every western Iowan with half-a-brain, I profoundly apologize for the fact that anyone as stupid as Steve King could not only graduate high school but actually get elected to office. My only excuse is the ongoing brain drain that sends most of Iowa’s best and brightest any where else, especially California. Poor Steve is so dumb that he still hasn’t figured out that not only is Iowa not even an English word (its Siouan) but that Hispanic immigrants are the only folks actually willing to move here. Hopefully there’s enough irate immigrant meatpackers in Sioux City and denison to help kick the scheisskopf back to Kiron where he can peacefully resume his previous career as county sheep fucker. 

Ryan Roenfeld 

Glenwood, IA 

There is 12.5 percent tax proposed on the sale price of duplexes and triplexes for those owners who convert their owner-occupied buildings to condominiums. (The city has rationalized this as a “fee” through something called a “nexus study”—the newest tax strategy, so that the city does not have to take the issue to the voters.) This tax is in addition to the 1.5 percent transfer tax and the 6 percent real estate commissions, and the costs charged by the planning department for the conversions.  

While the conversion of a number of duplexes and triplexes in Berkeley could be a real source of affordable home ownership possibilities and a minor diminution of the rental housing supply, this will probably not be possible with this new ordinance. If people do sell as home owner opportunities, they will almost assuredly sell them as tenants in common which are not subject to control by the city.  

At the City Council meeting today (Tuesday), the council will likely formalize an ordinance on condominium conversions that will tax so highly the owners of duplexes and triplexes that they among others, will probably choose not to sell as condominiums. Many, like myself, have bought these buildings as the only way we middle- and lower-middle income residents could afford to live in Berkeley—by having some income from our buildings. Unfortunately, the improvements on my building have become so expensive that I will have to sell one unit in order to keep my own unit and then it is questionable whether the taxes will force me to sell the other. 

It was while visiting the Planning Department last September with regard to the details of my building improvements, that I first heard about the new ordinance (staff I am told has since been asked not to discuss this ordinance at the counter because it is being revised). It seems a $50,000 to $70,000 tax was not seen as significant enough to notify potentially affected tax paying property owners. There is much concern, however, about notifying renters of potential conversions—this too is important, but where is the balance?  

Since then I have been bird-dogging this ordinance, speaking to all but one councilmember, some two and three times, and going to most of the Housing Advisory Committee meetings. I have been trying to learn about the process by which this came about, to make sure there was a public notification of this ordinance and a public workshop on the complex issues involved. What instead has happened is three or four postponements of the Workshop until at last the housing director, the author of the ordinance, ended up with a date with “no available workshop slot” in which extended public opinion could be heard, and an agenda that is so packed with important issues, that a thoughtful hearing is highly unlikely.  

The Housing Advisory Commission (HAC) was the reputed source of this ordinance. The commission in large part shares the same ideology as Dr. Barton with two or three major exceptions, so his suggestions are often just rubber stamped by HAC. They look to and frequently ask him for direction, rather than asking their constituents. I was on several occasions the only citizen present. Dr. Barton while setting Berkeley housing policy, has chosen to live in El Cerrito, Contra Costa County, where he is isolated from the tax consequences of his decisions. His latest 22-page treatise, called “Background Information on the Condominium Conversion Ordinance”—part of the May 16 agenda attachments, is a must read for anyone interested in the ideological basis of the Commission and the Berkeley Housing Department. More disturbing have been the attempts to manipulate the minutes and the agenda of these meetings to try to avoid a Condo Conversion Commissioner’s Workshop at HAC. Since the minutes are published by the housing staff, it is only with an extremely vigilant Michael St. John and Marie Bowman that most funny business has been avoided and the truth has come out. (This is not to denigrate the insight brought to bear by Jesse Arreguin and some other commissioners who share Steve Barton’s stance.) Most notably absent at these meetings—is public input, and the lack thereof seems more of a relief than and an interest. 

The lack of public input into the formation of this ordinance and its subsequent modifications has been most strongly stated by Darryl Moore. He was the only one with whom I spoke that thought this ordinance should not go forward without a more careful hearing, but Laurie Capitelli, Gordon Wozniak, and Betty Olds seem to support a more inclusive process as well. For most the driving rationale for the passage of this ordinance has been the need to get money into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund which has been decimated by overspending. Why there is overspending is unclear, but one problem appears to be the lack of clearly defined numerical goals for affordable rental housing that the city subsidizes. The demand for affordable rental housing with our large student population is obviously a bottomless pit. (The only mandate that the Housing Department currently has is for affordable rental housing. “Ownership” is seen as de facto, unaffordable, even though other cities in California have programs to bring as many people into ownership positions as possible.) Berkeley is creating a divided city of homeowners who pay the property taxes and renters who have the numerical power to pass ordinances. If we are really concerned about diversity in this city, we should be concerned also about programs for different economic levels of home ownership as well as affordable rentals—with numerical goals and limits of spending on both.  

With home ownership in Berkeley at about 40 percent, there is a need for affordable ownership opportunities which this ordinance could help ameliorate. The ordinance as it is currently written will only exacerbate disparity, making condominiums all that much more expensive. By allowing conversion to condominiums in smaller buildings without the fees, the city would still be bringing in transfer tax revenues and increases in assessed property values, but simultaneously it could help current Berkeley renters move into ownership positions: market rate and potentially subsidized through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. If these smaller buildings are not granted conversion exception, those who want will simply sell them as tenants-in-common. The city has much to gained in the clearer title of condominiums as well as money from HUD through their incentive programs.  

The inclusionary housing element of the current ordinances has generated more affordable rentals subsidized by the developers, the university has built more units, and private developers have built more market rate rental units, but there has not a comparable increase in affordable ownership possibilities.  

In short, the City Council should not pass this ordinance in its current form. This ordinance needs much more work before it sees the light of day. Let’s make Berkeley a city in which its inhabitants have a financial stake in the city, as well as a say in the city—it will lead to more economically sound policy, a benefit to all.  

John Blankenship is a Berkeley homeowner.  

You are invited to a platform convention for Berkeley progressives to prepare for next November’s election. The convention will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at Unitarian Universalist Hall and Cedar and Bonita streets.  

It has been a long time since Berkeley’s progressive community has had a broad-based coalition to represent us. This year, however, we are building an open Progressive Coalition Convention. Our first job will be to write progressive platform and principles for Berkeley. You are invited to help endorse and amend these platforms this Saturday. 

In July we will have an open convention to choose candidates. 

You will be joined by people who are seeking to “promote a more equitable economic and social life in our city, and to enhance social justice, ecological sustainability and democratic co-operation on every level.” 

There are at least five reasons why progressive Berkeley needs a united political convention. 

1. Unity. If we are not united, if we run more than one progressive candidate per office, we most likely lose. Four years ago three progressive candidates ran against Gordon Wozniak for the District 8 City Council seat. Against this divided field, Gordon won, with about 43 percent of the vote. He is now the councilmember most opposed to affordable housing and rent control. Progressive candidates to the School Board have also defeated each other. A coalition convention will help us to unite and win. 

2. Guidance. We need a united people’s coalition which will hold officials to their principles between elections. Left to themselves politicians tend to “follow the money.” And alas, we have left the City Council alone, so that it has been free to give concessions to developers without extracting the maximum commitment for low cost housing; free to deal in secret with the University without insisting that they pay in full for the services they cost the city, while funding for essential city services is declining. We can guide our officials to do better, but only if Berkeley’s progressive community learns how to co-operate and stay together. 

3. Platform. To guide our politicians we first need to agree on principles. This Saturday we will present platform planks in these six areas: fair elections; labor; youth and education; city planning, environment and neighborhood; homelessness and poverty; health and disability. These platforms are works in progress, and they will continue to grow and develop. But we can use our shared principles to question prospective candidates in July, and office holders all year round. 

4. Co-operation beyond elections. If we can co-operate for elections, why not for social projects—sustainable, ecological neighborhoods or union organizing, for example? Why not web sites and festivals for communication, or seminars on organizing techniques? We have to get into the habit of creative co-operation. 

5. Multi-party coalition. The Coalition Convention which we are building does not belong to any one party or organization, nor is it beholden to any specific candidate. In July we will endorse candidates in an open convention. But we want to preserve the Berkeley tradition of a multi-party progressive coalition, which has been in existence since 1971, and which relates directly to our community rather than to a national machine. 

We invite all progressive organizations and individuals to join together. Only a revived progressive coalition can restore us to justice and to sanity, in our city and, eventually, in our nation. 

The nation was recently shocked by the beating death of 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson in a Florida boot camp. Sadly, this is not the first case of a death occurring in a “behavior modification” facility; in fact, there have been three deaths in such facilities throughout the country since December 2005. Although the camp that Anderson attended has recently been shut down, many similar ones are still in operation throughout the country.  

You’ve probably seen people from these programs on daytime TV. They’re the “drill sergeants” that yell at kids until they break down (at least that’s all they do on live TV). They say that their version of “tough love” is completely safe, and effectively treats problems such as defiance and drug use. The evidence shows otherwise. 

One hundred and nineteen deaths have been reported due to treatment received in these facilities. Many are caused by asphyxiation due to the use of restraints. These are not typical handcuff restraints, as you may be thinking. Some of these cases have involved arms being twisted behind the back to the point of breaking and staff members lying or sitting on top of the child for upwards of 30 minutes. Restraints are commonly used to punish such horrendous offenses as talking out of turn and making eye contact with another student. It should be noted that restraints have caused at least 30 of the 119 deaths. 

First-hand accounts from students and former staff members of these facilities are equally disturbing. Their statements and experiences make these facilities seem less like boot camps and more like Abu Ghraib. Stress positions, beatings, hog-tying, humiliation (including making students soil themselves), and sexual abuse are among the charges. 

Fox News ran a three-part expose last year on one of the main groups of facilities that operates under the name of WWASPS, or World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools. The former president of WWASPS admitted under oath, in WWASPS v. PURE, that abuse “probably” happens. In the same court case the current president of WWASPS, Ken Kay, stated that most allegations of abuse are not investigated. He further explained that because these children are not the typical “college prep type,” sexual relations between staff members and students may not constitute abuse. For those who doubt this, the court transcripts are available at www.isaccorp.org. Much of the other information given above can also be verified at that site, as well as at www.caica.org. 

With all of this information readily available, one would think that the government would be investigating these programs or would have legislation regulating them. However, despite requests from Congressman George Miller (D-California), the Justice Department has refused to investigate. Senate and Congressional hearings have not been held, either. How can steroid abuse in professional baseball warrant a Senate hearing while the deaths of 119 children and the abuse of many others is completely ignored? 

These facilities are not safe, plain and simple. Until there is some form of oversight, the abuses will continue, and the death toll will rise. If you know of a child enrolled at one of these facilities, do everything in your power to get them out. Their life may depend on your action. 

Robert Reynolds is the president of the National Youth Rights Association (www.youthrights.org). 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following commentary appears only on our website. 

Wednesday morning, April 5, Doug Henwood, editor of the Left Business Observer, posted an interesting poll report on the list of the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR). Doug found that someone had spent a lot of time and money polling people in dozens of countries on whether or not they believe capitalism is the best economic system. The poll found that a majority of the people surveyed worldwide said yes. But what intrigued Doug was the ranking in support: China (1), India (2), the United States (3) etc. China and India are booming within the capitalist world economy as production, as well as service industries runaway from their native lands, slash work forces and seek out the cheap labor the two population giants have to offer. But in both China and India the disparity of income between rich and poor is huge and a majority of the population is still rural, living under extreme economic pressure. In his posting Doug pointed out that, unlike the United States, most people in China and India do not have access to telephones. As a result any pretense that a telephone survey is a random sample of the general population in China or India, is just that, a pretense.  

Those results may be an accurate reflection of the views of the successful upwardly mobile urban class that is tearing up the asphalt and benefiting from the exceptional economic growth. But the reported results can’t represent the opinions of the people of those nations in general because the typical person wasn’t eligible to be polled. In the United States it might be a different story, reflecting the spell (or delusion) that Americans have been put under due to U.S. military and economic supremacy after World War II. That period of unequal prosperity for the U.S. has ended as real wages are falling for most workers—despite the still large strata making six-figure salaries—while living costs skyrocket in key areas of economic necessity (housing and health care in particular). But old loyalties die hard and few people know much about the economic causes of the World Wars, including the one that the United States has just begun. 

This poll on capitalism has me wondering who put up the money to poll tens of thousands of people (costing at minimum $100,000 to $200,000) to see if capitalism still holds sway in the hearts and minds of people? Because even asking the question implies that someone is worried. Of course, they ought to be. We’ve got Ken Lay and his crowd, Abramoff and his crowd, Mr. Delay and his staff, Mr. Cheney’s Scooter. Most of these guys are going to jail but they are sort of the advance guard, stand ins for a system run amok with thievery via de-regulation and the de-legitimization of law, fairness or social concerns. As if that weren’t enough we have the legitimization of wars of aggression, government sponsored terror and torture, the seizings and renditions and torture of people, often innocent, who don’t have to be tried or charged or even permitted to defend themselves in a court. And now the scapegoating of the undocumented, as if Congress didn’t have their hands full taking all that money from lobbyists. The social and cultural fabric of Capitalism is obviously in trouble and that’s why the Right wing has been called forth to insist that we not say the word capitalism, but to call it liberalism. The problems are all due to “liberals” and “liberalism.”  

Now don’t get me wrong. I do agree that liberalism is an aspect of capitalism and a liberal politician is not necessarily more honest than a conservative. But it sure isn’t liberalism that spawned Ken Lay or the rest of the rampant dishonesty, selfishness, deceit, and moral depravity that the Religious right rails against. It’s the damned trillions in profits and its insatiable appetite to eat the world up—eating up all our decency and turning our culture into an internecine web of gang warfare. And just to make the point that liberalism isn’t quite what it claims to be here’s the state of Massachusetts—this very same day—one of the most politically liberal states, announcing a wonderful solution to the health care crisis. They are going to waste God knows how many millions to create a new bureaucracy that will tell every person how much they must pay for private health insurance (partially subsidizing the poor) and then give their folks differing qualities of insurance based upon this means testing. Not only will Massachusetts thus institutionalize inequality in health care, they’re calling it “health care for all” (co-opting the slogan of the national health insurance single payer movement) while guaranteeing more profits to the health care industry; not only will Massachusetts waste vast sums on an unneeded state bureaucracy that will burden and tie down the poor; but in a fitting move, they will make it a punishable crime to fail or refuse to pay whatever they tell you must pay.  

No, capitalism is not everlasting, impenetrable, nor even stable. And it should not surprise any of us that some folks with big bucks are worried. What I think they are worried about is that the W card instead of clearing up some of the ambiguities of power that liberalism reflected in the era of incredible U.S. economic worldwide expansion, has had the opposite affect. It has narrowed the prerogatives and increased the instability of U.S. capitalism. Even the now stagnated Iraq war, which temporarily forestalled a major U.S. depression by some years, seems to have left the United States no options but to pursue other more definitive invasions, so as to leave no doubt about U.S. power, control of oil resources, and stability. Of course, a brief contemplation leads to the conclusion that more aggression will not stabilize the situation at all. And so there is no where to go, except to poll and wonder how long the people are going to stay loyal. My guess is, not very long. But I could be wrong. 

Marc Sapir is the executive director of Retro Poll (www.retropoll.org). 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following commentary appears only on our website. 

I’m a Republican sympathizer you see. Barbara Lee doesn’t speak for me and I have never voted for her either and don’t intend to. While I still am a registered Democrat, I have been voting Republican ever since the mid ’90s. I think my last vote for a Democrat was for Bill Clinton over Bob Dole.  

The Democrats just seemed so boring and out of it. Stuck with old, tired ideas and all of the tiresome multi-culti orthodoxy of grievance groups combined with plans for more government and more taxes on the “rich,” a category I was disturbed to discover might eventually include me. The parasitic relationship of public employee unions with the Democratic party was as disheartening as was the excitement with which the Left greeted each new edict from the bench setting forth how our society is to improve whether we like it or not. The capper of course was the Left’s unwillingness to engage in the war on terror. A war that is defending all that the Left holds dear from a very real threat to take it all away. 

I cheered Newt and the boys when they managed to sweep out the decrepit Democratic ancient regime in 1994 using the Contract with America. I marveled at how politics can sometimes effect real change when the GOP managed to force Bill Clinton to sign the much needed welfare reform act and the deficit fell to zero. I had high hopes when conservatives finally seized the Senate and promised, with a Republican in the White House, to effect real change.  

However, I am feeling a bit disillusioned right now. There is nothing quite like the disappointment of true political love being truly jilted. The last important thing the conservative Congress did was pass President Bush’s tax cuts which not only staved off a recession but set the table for the fine economic performance we have enjoyed for the past several years. Since then nada, zip, zilch. The Congress has descended into the mire of wild pork barrel spending; lobbying disgrace, an obvious interest in power over principle and worse has accomplished absolutely nothing in years. Just now we are being treated to the absurd spectacle of election year pandering over immigration and gasoline prices at the same time. I had thought that virtue would win out a bit longer before the rot set in. 

The Founders really were wise and I now plan to take heart and refuge in that wisdom. They created a carefully modulated system of governance that responds to the wishes of the electorate in subtle combinations. For example, should the people wish to have change at an accelerated pace they can place the presidency and the Congress in the hands of the same party and over time the Supreme Court will join that structure. If the electorate wishes to modulate the pace of change then one house of Congress can be returned to control by the opposition. And in the event that the people don’t like the direction government is taking then both houses of Congress can oppose the president and the pace of change stops altogether. 

It seems to me that to enforce a penalty on the GOP in Congress for accomplishing nothing over the past several years and completely losing its intellectual bearings and wasting the public purse that a period of divided government is called for. This is hard for me to say, but I think that it would be for the best if Democrats take back control of the House in November. Now, I do admit that the specter of Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House may be enough to cause many voters to blanch. However, this would be an ideal way to force the GOP to reconsider what it really wants to do. It may also give the Democrats a chance to think about what they can offer going forward. More of the same won’t cut it for either party. The Senate, and its control over presidential appointments is too important to sacrifice in this cleansing operation, but let’s focus on paralyzing the government for a while so as to lessen the chances that Congress will do any more harm than it already has. 

This November, I still can’t vote for Barbara Lee, but I won’t vote Republican either.  

Alan Swain was born in Berkeley and hold a masters degree from Columbia’s School of International Affairs. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following commentary appears only on our website. 

I’ve been to a few neighborhood meetings about the Ashby BART lot and what to do with it and it’s always the same old same old; affordable housing, height limits, density, the Flea Market, whether to build there or not, who gets the grant money. The people who are steering the meetings have their own agendas. They are always very negative and about what we can do, or about what we will be allowed to do. Height and density, affordable housing and low-income housing always come up. Talk about doing something different is stymied. “We can’t have a 20 story high-rise because…. 

And then there are all the reasons why: We can’t have this and we can’t have that. And then there is this guy there with all the reports and all the data supporting his politically correct directive about the project. The way it looks now, we are planning another Salvo Village. All this has nothing to do with what the neighborhood needs. 

What this neighborhood needs is jobs. Except for the Berkeley Bowl, South Berkeley has squat as far as economic vitality goes. We don’t have University Avenue, Shattuck Avenue, Solano Avenue, or Fourth Street. All the development money seems to go to downtown and north. What we have here is a dying Flea Market that’s trying to hang on to it’s home at the Ashby BART parking lot. Any economic vitality that used to be here was destroyed by the BART development. 

We are desperate to have something happen here so we camouflage the project by using words like low income or affordable housing. We want you to think that it will be housing for police, firemen, and other city workers. How sad! Police and firefighters are not going to bring their families to live in south Berkeley. This is a high-crime neighborhood. 

Some grant money has been dangled if front of the various community factions and they are spending their time arguing over who gets it. It’s a waste of time. All the parameters for building have been stated and outlined by the city. It looks like a Salvo Village.  

Building a mundane housing development is not what this neighborhood needs. Why can’t we shine? Why can’t we build something exciting here Why can’t we build something that’s really worth building and that does something for the neighborhood instead of some mundane block of housing? 

I mention Hotel and I get “it can’t happen.” I mentioned MacDonald’s to a few people and the response I got was like I said a dirty word. “You can’t bring a MacDonald’s in here, it wouldn’t be good for those people.” Who is to tell us what we can eat, and what we can do with our community. A while back we were thrown a few scraps of community development money, and what it was used for was to put in cute streetlights. The streets are empty at night.  

To make it clear about whom the city thinks we are and what we are. There were some planters built into the sidewalks south of the BART lot, on Adeline. The planters had seats going around them for people to sit on. So, the people started using them to sit on, and the city got scared, and fixed them so no one can use the seats. I don’t know what they had in mind when they built them. I do know they had no idea who was really going to use them. This is not suburbia where moms are going to be hanging out with their strollers and tow headed kids. 

Planners have some kind of utopian idea about how things should be. It’s almost like the “White Man’s Burden” and so the people who come in to direct our meetings and guide us have no idea about how things really are. They just want to help us. They want us to be politically correct. They want us to be healthy. They want us to eat the right foods, and they want us to have housing that conforms to their idea of neatness and order. Thank you! It’s not a cutesy neighborhood. It never was. That doesn’t mean it can’t be exciting. 

Personally, I think there should be a 20-story office, hotel and condo project built there. It should have affordable housing, a mall with room for some restaurants and places to hang out, and anything else the people from the community want. A lot of the construction jobs should go to the community and it should be sensitive to community needs. The Berkeley Flea Market should be part of the project, and we should try to get the Derby Street Farmers Market to be part of it also. How about Ashby Plaza with the Hotel Ashby? 

Who would use a Hotel on the BART lot? The answer is, anybody who wants to visit Berkeley or the East Bay using BART. It is centrally located, close to Alta Bates hospital, and could become the hub of a public transportation system. Things are not going to be the same when gasoline costs $6.00 and $7.00 a gallon. There’s a hotel and convention center planned for downtown. Why can’t we have our little piece of the action? A hotel would certainly bring jobs into the neighborhood. An exciting project here would certainly turn things around. 

c is the owner of the Berkeley Musical Instrument Exchange, located across from the Ashby BART for 31 years.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following commentary appears only on our website. 

President Bush nominated General Hayden as CIA director. Due to his link to the president’s illegal surveillance operations some object. He defended circumventing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act stating that compliance involved too much “looping paperwork.” He appears to have no problem with the fourth amendment. His ability to break the law and then to defend these actions before the press and congress make him the perfect candidate. The CIA has institutionalized law breaking and it needs a director who can continue this record. A brief look at CIA history is illustrative.  

The CIA has been repeatedly involved in regime change. In 1953 it overthrew the democratically elected leader of Iran. In 1954 the CIA ousted the Guatemalan president. In 1963 and then again in 1968 the CIA sponsored coups that brought the Baath Party and Saddam Hussein to power in Iraq. In 1965 the CIA brought General Suharto to power in Indonesia. Immediately after this coup over 500,000 Indonesians were massacred. In 1973 the CIA assisted General Pinochet in overthrowing the elected government of Chile. Of course these coups were only a small fraction of the regime changes fostered illegally by the CIA. 

The CIA has regularly participated in assassinations. In Operation Phoenix according to a 1971 congressional report, the CIA assisted South Vietnam to murder about 20,000 Vietnamese opponents of the South Vietnam regime. In the Congo, Patrice Lumumba was murdered. In both the Iraqi coups and the coup in Indonesia, the CIA furnished lists of “leftists” to the death squads. 

The CIA has also been involved in covert wars in Southeast Asia, Afghanistan, Central and South America, Africa, etc. which have resulted in the deaths of millions. 

And let us not forget about the CIA’s domestic activities. In Operation CHAOS the CIA infiltrated the anti-war and civil rights movements. It regularly opened domestic and foreign mail and conducted domestic spying. 

The CIA has not only violated the fourth amendment, but also the first amendment guarantee of a free press. In Operation Mockingbird the CIA recruited news organizations and journalists to become spies and to disseminate propaganda. Some 25 news organizations and 400 journalists became CIA assets as a result. 

The above are just a tiny fraction of the CIA’s criminal past but they show why General Hayden is the right man for the job. He will not be bothered by any “looping paperwork” such as the constitution. 

Kenneth J. Theisen is an Oakland resident.

GREEN BERKELEY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I’m confused. Berkeley touts itself as “green” with its 25 years of curbside recycling and its clean-burning garbage trucks, yet the City Council wants to make it easier to pave paradise and put up a parking lot. There are so many reasons to retain green space—the biggest one being oxygen. Has everyone forgotten that trees and plants provide the oxygen we need to breathe? What the council is proposing will reduce oxygen production and increase toxic fumes right beside your bedroom or living room. Other reasons to retain restrictions on backyard/lawn/side yard parking: 

• Noise. If you park your car there, you can also repair your car there. Loud car radios blasting as cars are driven in and out of yards. Fumes and noise from vehicles warming up before driving pouring into my home is not something I relish. Motorcycles and classic cars with loud engines no smog control. Will of course aggravate the problems. 

• Drainage/flood control. Anytime you mess with the substructure of the earth, you weaken the chain that holds it all together. Each weakened link in the chain of root systems and soil structure increases the likelihood of earthquake damage and flooding. Privacy will be drastically decreased. If you don’t want to wake up and find that your backyard haven is now next to a parking lot, please contact the Berkeley City Council before May 16, and let them know you’d like to keep Berkeley green. 

Diana Sewell 

• 

PIT BULLS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As the humane commissioner who is proposing the mandatory spay/neuter code for pitbulls, related breeds and some pitbull mixes, I’d rather not have a fight with a dog advocacy organization, but Judith Scherr’s article about the proposed spay/neuter law sheds light on the scare tactics employed by a powerful lobbying group like the American Kennel Club. 

When the spokeswoman states that the AKC position is to target “the deed, not the breed” she and I are in agreement. Our code seeks to ban the breeding, not the breed. Breed bans do not work. Spay/neuter does. I support responsible dog breeding, and any code would include exemptions to the law and permits for breeding. 

But perhaps she doesn’t live in the world the rest of us do, where homeowner’s insurance has been denied to owners of bully breeds, where rental units or condo regulations specify no pitbulls, where parents refuse to let their children play near or around a pitbull or cross breed. These dogs cannot find homes—they are bred and discarded. What part of that doesn’t the AKC understand? Or is it that to protect their monopoly over dog breed standards and championship shows, and the profitable interests that flow from that, the plain realities of life for most dogs is unimportant? 

Seventy-five percent of dogs killed in shelters in the Bay Area are pit bulls or pit mixes. You don’t hear the AKC crying foul over that. Killing’ em is OK, but trying to stop the breeding generates outrage. 

Jill Posener 

• 

BUSD MAINTENANCE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Thanks for Suzanne La Barre’s May 5 article on the disarray in the Berkeley Unified School District Maintenance Department. If the meltdown in maintenance came as a shock to the administration, it can only be because they were not paying attention to the employees, their union, community members involved in oversight and the school community that relies on their services. The warning signs had been obvious to anyone looking for some time. The recently departed maintenance director lacked the experience, training and ability to oversee the department and its budget. That she was hired in the first place was astonishing. That she was allowed to mismanage the department into disarray must be laid squarely at the door on the BUSD administration.  

While we remain optimistic about a change in direction in maintenance and stand ready to work with the BUSD to improve matters, we remain concerned about another looming disaster that the administration is bringing about. In the new BSEP measure, the superintendent has eliminated all funding for facilities enhancement and improvement. In the current measure, BSEP only provides seven cents out of every dollar for facilities, a very small amount. However, those monies allowed the district to upgrade all its playgrounds to replace worn-out and unsafe equipment as well as meet new mandatory state and federal safety regulations. That project costs hundreds of thousands of dollars that weren’t available anywhere else, certainly not from the overburdened general fund. Certainly such a sum wasn’t available from Measure BB that just covers the cost of employees, equipment, vehicles and outside contracts in the maintenance department. And remember, such playground upgrades are not discretionary. Either the district meets federal and state safety regulations or students cannot use the playgrounds. Without the BSEP funds, many school would not have been able to use their playgrounds. There are many other facilities’ improvements that BSEP provides. That seven cents has gone a long way over the years and to eliminate it is not only short-sighted but leaves the district’s general fund financially vulnerable. It is another indication of the administration’s inability or unwillingness to plan properly for critical, essential facilities and maintenance needs. We can only hope that the community and the School Board corrects this defect in the new BSEP measure and restores the minimal amount from the current measure for facilities maintenance. 

Stephanie Allan 

Business Representative 

Stationary Engineers, Local 39  

• 

DONA SPRING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

It’s odd how a three-year resident of Berkeley and District 4 wonders about the whereabouts of District 4 Councilmember Dona Spring, one of two or three of the most accessible and responsive councilmembers in the city. Dona Spring has served District 4 with distinction since 1992, and has faced many challengers over that span of time. She has handily won re-election each time because the residents and voters of District 4 recognize her commitment to their needs and to the needs of the city as a whole. She has been and will continue to be a tireless representative who truly encourages and promotes public process and community input, and has been a leader in the areas of open government, full disclosure, and fair campaigns and campaign funding. 

Developers and business interests have for years tried to unseat Ms. Spring, because it has always been clear who Dona represents: the residents of District 4. I believe the voters of District 4 will see this new challenge as yet another example of moneyed interests attempting to wrest control of the city, and will once again re-elect Dona Spring to the City Council. 

John T. Selawsky 

• 

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

A “secret design charette”? I was surprised to learn that the culminating event of greatest public interest of the “Downtown Design Process” was held behind closed doors. I hope it was at least videotaped as these customarily are. The valuable time donated by eminent designers was a gift to the people of Berkeley but, alas, consumed only by city insiders. What an opportunity lost. The city officials’ “safe environment” assertion is silly. These professional designers are accustomed to public glare; it exhilarates them to best performance. What does our city think of us? Here is disdain for the “genius of Berkeley” seen in other venues. (Never mind for now the “contrary orneriness” of Berkeley!) I don’t want to consider other possible motives for the city’s secrecy. 

I hope to see a full and fair sharing of all—debate, dissent, proposal. The populace must “own” any resolution of downtown in order it to succeed. Hence we must have a voice in fashioning it. There are more people tuned in, and far more with a great personal stake, than those who have time to attend “DAPAC” meetings. 

Bruce Wicinas 

• 

PRIVATE MEETING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The May 9 front page article on the press and public being locked out of the TAC meeting on Friday, May 5, reminded me of the tactics of Vice President Dick Cheney. We all remember his energy policy formulation meetings of 2001 attended by oil company representatives. These too were closed to the public. The arguments used by Cheney and Principal Planner Matt Taecker come from the same playbook. According to Taecker: Committee members need space to meet without the glare of public scrutiny. “It’s a safe environment for them to just blurt stuff out.” Change Taecker’s name to Cheney and the same comments are appropriate. If Cheney had said these things, the Berkeley community, mayor and City Council would be rightly outraged. 

Will there be any such expressions by our public elected officials regarding the public having no say about how downtown Berkeley will be developed? Will this be like the agreement between the university and the City of Berkeley where no public debate was permitted before the City Council votes? Is this type of meeting, having nothing to do with privacy regarding personnel matters, covered by the Brown Act that bars many secret meetings by California governments? Speak up Mr. Mayor and councilmembers and get the doors opened to the public and the press. 

Don McKay 

• 

STORY OR OP-ED? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I just finished reading your story entitled “Neighborhood Corporation Chooses Panel to Plan Ashby BART Village.” 

I couldn’t see anything on the page to denote this as an op-ed piece, so I can only assume that it was intended to be a news story. It concerns me that you’d publish a story with such a strong directional bias. Richard Brenneman wrote: “Ed Church, the consultant picked by the board to ramrod the development of a major housing and commercial complex at the BART parking lot, had refused to say how many would be picked.” 

When one writes a sentence using the word “ramrod” it implies negative judgment to the action taken by Mr. Church. He could have easily said “the consultant picked by the board to manage/supervise/lead/etc.” I doubt that the board would agree that they selected anyone to ramrod anything, and I didn’t see any evidence in the story to support this claim by Berkeley Daily Planet. Is your reporter saying that he’s identified that the City Council and the redevelopment team are doing something illegal or unscrupulous?  

The next statement also makes some leaps of faith. “The project would feature up to 300 units of housing, presumably condos, built above commercial space.” 

As far as I can tell by reviewing the facts available, there isn’t enough information to “presume” that condos will be built. Maybe they will build condos, maybe they’ll build a hotel, who knows? Again, if there’s fact to back up the assumption, I didn’t see any in the story. 

I also saw an interview with only one person in the story, who was not in support of the development, however no attempt was made to contact those in support of it. There was however an attempt to make it seem as though your reporter did do so: “Anthony referred all questions to Church.” 

Written in this way, it makes it appear that the Daily Planet/Richard Brenneman contacted Mr. Anthony and was referred to Mr. Church. However, earlier on, we see that he’s just referring to an e-mail. Where’s the journalism? I can read e-mails just as well as anyone else. Why didn’t you guys just make a phone call? Is it really that difficult? 

I really feel that you are doing your readership a great disservice by having op-ed pieces published as real stories. Doing so unfortunately puts you in the same league as Fox News. I genuinely hope that this was oversight rather than a new Daily Planet policy. 

Tony Bautts 

• 

CORRECTIONS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Your May 9 article “Neighborhood Corporation Chooses Panel to Plan Ashby BART Village” characterizes Ed Church as “the consultant picked by the [South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation] board to ramrod the development of a major housing and commercial complex at the BART parking lot.” You’ve got that backwards: Church picked the SBNDC. 

Ed Church came up with the vision of a Fruitvale-style transit village at Ashby BART on his own, and spent several years quietly refining his plan and discreetly shopping it around before getting the support of District 3 City Council representative Max Anderson and Mayor Tom Bates. To apply for a Caltrans grant, Church needed a tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit as a front, so he and Anderson enlisted the SBNDC. 

The SBNDC has been remarkably cooperative, even going so far as to allow Church to pick new board members. Given the conclusion of Church’s 2004 feasibility study (available on nabart.com) that the kind of for-profit project he’s promoting could not subsidize any below-market-rate housing, it’s hard to understand why Jesse Anthony and the other longtime SBNDC board members have been going along with this. 

Robert Lauriston 

• 

IMMIGRANT RIGHTS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Where do blacks stand on immigrant rights? Your juxtaposition of two contrasting views in the May 9 issue could not have been more poignant. For Van Jones the immigrant movement is a bandwagon that resurrects from the grave the spirit, the hope, the excitement, the expectation and the determination of the black struggle of decades ago. Jones bases his view on participation in the march. He “walked that walk” with the Latinos in the street. 

On the other hand, the article by Jasmine A. Cannick and Earl Ofari Hutchinson represents much that is wrong with some professional political pundits. They cite a poll and compare the publicity releases of black and brown leaders on the immigrant issue, and they conclude that black and brown are not communicating. They chastise Latinos declaring that they “must make a visible and concerted effort to reach out to blacks.” But where are the big black marches for Latinos to join? Jones laments that they seem a thing of the past, so, he marches with the immigrants. He mentions songs during the march. He was probably humming along, “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.” 

Ted Vincent 

• 

STAR SPANGLED BANNER 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

A footnote to Becky O’Malley’s editorial on the Star Spangled Banner and my piece on the (checkered?) artistic career of Margot Schevill. Margot reports that at the 1961 Democratic Convention that nominated John F. Kennedy, she sang the Star Spangled Banner with the Rat Pack. She noted (no big surprise) that “I was the only one who could hit the high F on ‘land of the FREEEEE!’” 

Dorothy Bryant 

• 

CRYING OVER CODY’S 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I burst into tears when a young student at UC told me that Cody’s was closing, and I’ve kept on crying whenever I think about it. Also, I’m in a rage. The first words to come out my mouth about the closing were: “That’s the death knell for Berkeley.” Theatrical, I admit, but let’s face it, there are people in Berkeley who haven’t walked on Telegraph Avenue in 30 to 40 years since the last riots. They’re up in the hills or down in the flats; I’m not. I’m in the neighborhood. 

During the riots—against the university, against the Vietnam War—Cody’s was the only store on Telegraph Avenue that didn’t get a brick through the windows; the late Fred Cody was that respected. Cody’s was a haven and, for me, at any rate, it still is. Even though on the evenings when I want to hear an author speak there, I feel obliged to run for my life to my car afterwards. Cody’s, I should add, is within walking distance to my house, but not after dark. 

Now, let me tell you about my rage. If you’ve ever gone to Stanford, you’ll notice that its gateway is named, not surprisingly, University Avenue. We’ve got one, too. And it doesn’t look that great to me, either, but we’re talking Telegraph here, and Telegraph is not inviting, to say the least. It looks OK in daylight, mainly because people thronging it cover up the decrepitude of it, but come the night, it’s a different story. It is frightening to gentle souls and enraging to the civic minded (me, for one). The street lighting is yellowish—a gesture to environmentalists—and casts a gloomy spell over the street, and people you wouldn’t notice during daylight are present—maybe they’re innocent, maybe not, but as I race to the car I don’t care to interrogate them. 

Telegraph Avenue is a blighted area. It is the gateway to the University of California at Berkeley, which I’ve noticed through the years, does little to contribute to the support of our city without a big fight. It is our neighbor and it is not our friend. (According to the newspapers lately, it looks like UC is no stranger to corruption—we, the citizens of Berkeley might find this a good time to ask for some of that under-the-table money that seems to be available.) 

But I digress.  

Take a look, say, at the City Council of Berkeley: When it comes to dealing with the university, it has been in a holding pattern with it ever since the riots. There’s been an apres vous, monsieur routine between city and state. Nobody budges without a lot of baloney slicing, and then the slice is scarcely visible. Surely, after so many years, the city and the university could have found a way to make the gateway—Telegraph Avenue—attractive to investors, to shopkeepers, to consumers, to strollers. But, no, the stalemate continues. 

I applaud Andy Ross, the owner of Cody’s and the very decent spiritual heir to Fred Cody, for sticking it out for years, and I don’t blame him for giving up. This is a heartbreaking chapter in Berkeley’s life. I do blame the city. I do blame the university. And I do blame myself, my neighbors and fellow residents up on the hills and down to the shore for letting an important part of our town go to hell. 

Heidi Seney 

• 

DOWNTOWN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

A few readers have written saying that the BART plaza redesign is not needed, that the current design works well. These people apparently have never tried to cross Shattuck Avenue while walking on the north side of University Avenue. 

Because Shattuck splits into two branches at the BART plaza, northbound through-traffic passes through this crosswalk at the same time as pedestrians are crossing. With two lanes of through traffic turning right through the crosswalk to continue north, this is a very dangerous crossing for pedestrians. I myself know two people who were hit while crossing here, one of whom was permanently disabled.  

This dangerous crossing is partly responsible for the poor business conditions on the northeast corner of University and Shattuck, where there have been vacant storefronts for many years. People have told me that they tend not to cross to this corner because of the danger. In addition, parking has been removed on the north side of Shattuck between the two branches of university to accommodate the northbound through traffic, and it is not pleasant for pedestrians to have that heavy traffic right next to the sidewalk.  

Two of the alternatives for the BART plaza redesign, options 2 and 3, would solve these problems by making the west branch of Shattuck two-way. This would make Shattuck and University work like a normal intersection. North-bound through traffic would not have to be routed through the crosswalk while pedestrians are crossing.  

To the people who say the BART plaza redesign is “a solution in search of a problem,” I recommend that you try starting at McDonalds and walking eastward across Shattuck, so you can see the two lanes of through traffic bear down on you when you cross. I do not recommend turning around and crossing again walking westward; if you do this, the through traffic bears down on you from behind your back, which is an even worse safety hazard.  

Once you try crossing here, you will realize that the current situation is a very real safety problem and that the BART plaza redesign offers a solution. 

Charles Siegel 

• 

INACCURACIES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

There were some inaccuracies in the letter of mine that you printed last Tuesday. 

After the UC police officer’s completely unwarranted harassment of Mr. McMullan (for having his son move a traffic barricade placed across the driveway of People’s Park so that he could pull his wheelchair into the park), Mr. McMullan refused to surrender his ID, at which point the police officer placed his hand on Mr. McMullan. Mr. McMullan asked the police officer repeatedly to remove his hand, at least three, if not four times, at which point the other officer placed his hand upon Mr. McMullan’s wrist, in what turns out to be a pain compliance hold, at which point Mr. McMullan got out of his wheelchair and started resisting arrest, including “spitting” upon officer Uranus. A plainclothes cop ran up when the two officers were not able to cuff Mr. McMullan and jabbed his knee very hard into Mr. McMullan’s kidneys at which point our three brave police officers were able to get the cuffs on Mr. McMullan in front of his two young sons. 

Arthur Fonseca 



EDITOR’S NOTE: The Daily Planet has invited all the mayoral candidates to write a regular commentaries. Previous editions included contributions from Zelda Bronstein and Zachary RunningWolf. Of the officially declared candidates, only Richard Berkeley has yet to respond. 

Four years ago I entered the race for mayor with a simple promise—that we would turn a new page in Berkeley’s political history by setting aside the old political divisions and working together to make Berkeley the very best it can be. I pledged that we would take decisive action to help our kids and schools, make Berkeley an environmental leader again, create more affordable housing, and build a new partnership with the university. 

We have made great progress. Our city is working together and solving problems like never before. But there’s a lot we still need to do—and that’s why I have decided to seek re-election as mayor of Berkeley this November. 

In 2002, I promised to be a champion for our kids. We have made remarkable strides. Working in partnership with our schools and community agencies, we created a wonderful new program—Project BUILD—that is providing nearly 1,000 low-income Berkeley children with UC student tutors and mentors to help with their reading, exercise, and nutrition. We are funding the entire $360,000 price tag of this program with private donations and federal funds provided through UC Berkeley’s Cal Corps program.  

We created Berkeley Champions for Kids, a program that promotes, coordinates, and recruits volunteers and resources for local youth programs. And recently, we announced new grants to place city public health nurses in our elementary schools and begin a groundbreaking new joint effort to bring city mental health and other social service programs to children and families at the schools. 

Of course, we have much still to do. My goal is to ensure that every Berkeley child has access to quality pre-school and after-school programs and to find new and innovative ways to combat violence among our youth. 

Working together as a community, we have truly made Berkeley an environmental leader again. Since 2002, Berkeley reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 14 percent—double the requirement of the Kyoto Protocol and more than any other city has documented. We created a novel new program to share part of our fleet of hybrid cars with the community as part of the City CarShare program—saving the city budget $450,000 and reducing the number of cars on our streets.  

In fact, two recent national studies ranked Berkeley among the 10 greenest cities in the country. But we are just getting started. I am working with community partners to achieve an ambitious new goal—reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions to zero and lead the country away from a climate-change nightmare.  

I promised to bring new development of affordable and workforce housing to our downtown and transit corridors. With skyrocketing rents and home prices, Berkeley is quickly becoming unaffordable to all but the wealthiest among us. To begin to address this crisis, we have approved more than 1,400 units of new housing, including more than 500 units of permanently affordable apartments and condominiums, in the last three years. This housing is bringing vitality to our downtown and providing working people with a real chance to live in Berkeley rather than just commute here. This new housing is located on major thoroughfares and downtown in order to maintain and protect our existing neighborhoods. 

Again, there is more we can do. While more than 200 of the new affordable housing units have been set aside for very low income people and families, we need to focus more effort on affordable housing that reaches those who most need it, including housing with support services for homeless people and “emancipated” foster children trying to stabilize their lives. 

In 2002, I pledged to restore the broken relationship between the city and UC Berkeley. After a serious dispute over the university’s Long Range Development Plan, we reached an agreement that increases total contributions to the city from the $7.5 million in the previous agreement to more than $22 million, reduces new parking by 45 percent, and allows our community a real voice in future university development. In particular, the university is now required to work collaboratively with the city on new development in the downtown rather than simply use its Constitutional exemption from all local laws and regulations to build whatever it wants. The San Francisco Chronicle editorialized that the agreement “could serve as a model for many other California communities that have similar symbiotic relationships with a public university.” 

When I ran for office, I did not know that the city was on the brink of the worst budget crisis in its history. We worked through some extraordinarily tough choices, cutting more than $20 million from the city’s budget and reducing the city’s workforce by more than 10 percent. I am proud to report that our budget is balanced. Now, we must continue investing in crucial infrastructure and social services to meet our pressing needs. 

If we had not set aside our old divisions and worked together—as City Council and as a community—none of this could have been accomplished. There certainly have been disagreements, as well there should be when we face difficult decisions. But the council has worked together with respect and civility. We have an opportunity in November’s election to reinforce our commitment to civil and inclusive involvement in Berkeley’s political life.  

Because of our shared vision for what Berkeley can be, a broad cross section of more than 300 of Berkeley’s elected and community leaders have stepped forward to endorse my re-election—including Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Supervisor Keith Carson, a majority of both the City Council and the School Board, and 10 former city councilmembers from across the political spectrum. 

I have been truly honored to serve as your mayor and look forward to continuing our work together. 

Tom Bates is the mayor of Berkeley and a former state assemblymember. 

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The fact that the Berkeley Unified School District’s maintenance department is in disarray and lacks accountability is not new. BUSD’s maintenance department has been functioning poorly state for over two decades. And more money isn’t the cure. And a new department organizational structure isn’t the cure. The problem is the continuing lack of a qualified, skilled head of maintenance, a continuing lack of a competent plan of action, and the continuing lack of a system of accountability to evaluate whether BUSD is getting the job done. 

From 1999-2001, a Maintenance Oversight Committee (MAC), formed by then Superintendent Jack McLaughlin, spent 18 months working with consultants hired by the school district to develop clear specific plans and agreed-upon priorities on how to rectify maintenance’s disarray. The School Board adopted and approved these plans. However, once the parcel tax, Measure BB, which gives BUSD $4 million a year for maintenance, was passed, the School Board then reneged on its agreements and threw out the agreed-upon plans and priorities. So now, five years and 20 million dollars later, the department is still a mess.  

In 1999, I was asked by then Superintendent Jack McLaughlin to join an oversight committee on maintenance. We were a representative group including those in the union, parents, contractors working in construction, administrators and staff. Together we came to the conclusion that there were four basic problems: lack of money, lack of leadership, poor quality construction and poor coordination between the extensive construction BUSD had undertaken and the maintenance department, and most importantly, the lack of an accountability system. 

The lack of money resulted from the school district’s practice in the 1980s and ’90s of raiding the maintenance budget, to the point where the department only had $120,000 for supplies to keep up all the buildings. As a result, things became so broken that they became irreparable. And part of the sales job to taxpayers for the $275 million in construction bonds, was the need to replace what could not be repaired. However, between 1992, when the construction program began, and 1999, there still had been no maintenance. For example, brand new boilers installed in brand new buildings, which should’ve lasted for 50 years, had to be replaced after five because of the lack of routine maintenance. Citizens were appalled. To rectify this, the Oversight Committee proposed a new parcel tax, Measure BB, which was passed by voters in November 2000 with members of the Oversight Committee walking precincts to get this measure passed. 

The next issue, lack of leadership, was an extremely critical component. The current mess with BUSD’s maintenance department reflects this continuing problem. With the new high tech buildings we were constructing, the head of maintenance needs to be someone savvy on electronics as all new systems were electronically controlled (think fire alarm, security alarm, lighting heating and cooling systems), and savvy about the intricacies of plumbing, roofs, floors, as well as be able to coordinate and schedule so all maintenance is well done and completed in good time. For example, at LeConte school, when the new remodeling was completed, a new fire alarm system was installed that was not connected to the old fire alarm system. If a fire broke out in one part of the building, the alarm would not sound in the other part. Correcting these problems required expertise in both electrical systems and fire codes.  

To fix this problem, hiring a highly qualified, competent person was at the top of the Oversight Committee’s list. Members of the Oversight Committee helped convince the head of maintenance for Kaiser Hospital in Marin to become the director of maintenance for BUSD. His reputation was of someone extremely technically knowledgeable. And he proved so in his short tenure. He was able to provide the necessary guidance and supervision so that staff could get the job done. Staff morale improved. One of BUSD’s money wasters is hiring of outside contractors to do work because BUSD staff lacked the expertise to do it themselves. With Gene LeFevre, we knew, we had someone who could save us the money on outside contractors.  

The next problem we took upon ourselves was the burden on maintenance created by poor quality construction. We saw that unless BUSD built high quality buildings, and the construction took into consideration the future maintenance needs of the construction, all the construction mistakes became maintenance burdens. Some of the examples we faced when the Oversight Committee started was that Rosa Parks, then a brand new school, developed dry rot three years after the building was finished because of poorly installed gutters, and the sinks in the student bathrooms were falling off the wall because BUSD had failed to require that they be bolted to the walls. Improving construction bid specifications and requiring that Maintenance, specifically our newly hired and highly qualified director of Maintenance, Gene LeFevre be given the opportunity to review design drawings for maintenance issues, was the Oversight Committee’s recommendations. 

And lastly, the maintenance oversight committee then developed a detailed plan with clear specific priorities. The first priority was to fix all the fire and safety code violations. Then, all things broken would be fixed. While these corrective repairs were made, a schedule would be implemented so that routine preventative maintenance, tune-ups, would occur for all the new construction. And to accomplish this, accountability was the top priority. The Oversight Committee stated that there had to be a system to track all repair requests (work orders) so the department could tell what was broken, how quickly things were repaired, and what still needed attention. 

The Maintenance Oversight Committee told the board that BUSD needed all the components of this plan. The board agreed and unanimously adopted the Maintenance Oversight Committee’s plan. 

But the Boar’s decision was vacated shortly afterwards by the Board. After Gene LeFevre was hired, and the parcel tax adopted, Jack McLaughlin resigned as superintendent. Our current superintendent, Michele Lawrence, was hired in the summer of 2001, just when the new parcel tax monies started flowing into BUSD’s coffers. Superintendent Lawrence decided to dump the Oversight Committee’s plans, and to install her own. At that time, the Oversight Committee vociferously objected. However, the School Board chose to support the Superintendent. Gene LeFevre quickly resigned. The accountability system was ditched. The Superintendent implemented her plan. A new head of maintenance was hired, whose primary background was as a painter, not a strong technical or systems background. Over the last three years examples of the impact of this hiring includes the repeated flooding of Malcolm X. BUSD staff was not competent to deal with these problems, so outside had to be hired, creating delays and additional expenses. 

The coordination between construction and maintenance never happened. One easily visible example are the newly installed “security grates” at Willard Middle School visible along Stuart Street. Instead of increasing security, these grates reduce security because the grates are designed like a ladder, making it easier to climb into the school.  

We as a community have invested over $275 million in new construction for the school district. It is vital that the school board members to honor our generosity by properly maintaining this investment. It is vital that the next head of maintenance be a technical expert and a management expert. It is also vital that BUSD have an accountability system which evaluates how efficiently and effectively BUSD. This is why I have advocated for over five years, for “performance auditing”. Performance auditing could be seen, not as a threat to the administration, but as the periodic check-up portion of good administrative health. Given the $20 million maintenance debacle, perhaps BUSD could welcome performance auditing and accountability as important parts of good stewardship for an important public institution.  

Yolanda Huang is a Berkeley resident and community gardener.?

It is Mother’s Day and I am motherless. I am a mother. I have been childless as well. 

My own mother died in my arms on Aug. 25, 2003, of breast cancer. I didn’t think I could do that; sit with someone, much less my own mother, as she transitioned from this world into the next. As each breath became deep and heavy, she looked directly into my eyes with an intensity I will never forget. I experienced such a strong connection that it seemed as though I were transported to another plane. I suddenly felt strong and confident. I felt elevated, as though a blessing had been laid upon me. I realized in that instant that it was an honor to be chosen to assist my mother through her process.  

“It’s all right, Mom,” I said with authority I didn’t know I possessed. As her breath became even more labored, her eyes widened. She seemed to be startled with the realization that it was finally happening, that this was it. I watched her still beautiful face as she worked hard to breathe her spirit out of her once lovely, now useless body. The cancer had spread to her bones and was quite painful. 

“It’s OK, Mom,” I said, attempting to reassure her that she needn’t be afraid, for herself or for us—those she was leaving behind. “Just relax, Mom. It’s OK.” 

Meanwhile, my father had come home from work. Having been happily married for 53 years, he was terrified of losing his soul mate. We took turns holding her; he, trying to urge her to come back and me, trying to assist her in letting go. As my father left their bedroom to open the door for the hospice nurse, I continued to cradle my mother in my arms. And then she left. 

Eighteen years ago, I held my firstborn child, Arianne, in my arms, in total awe of the miracle of childbirth. All of the pain, fear and shock handily delivered to my entire system was well worth it. All of it. I had been initiated into the world of motherhood and for the first time in my life I knew what it meant to love unconditionally, completely and without reservation. Three months later, Arianne would also leave my arms, a victim of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. I was consumed with overwhelming pain and depression. I had now been initiated into the world of grief. I had not known what true suffering was before I lost my child. I had not a clue.  

With my mother, the parting had been expected. Even so, it was painful; a tremendous loss. The kind where you think: “I wish I had said... I wish we had done...I hope she knew...” 

With my daughter, her parting was so unexpected and shocking, it was all I could do to hold myself up. I didn’t know what to do with my now empty arms, my full, hardened breasts. I was completely lost and distraught. I wondered; am I still a mother? Or was I a mother for only three months and am no longer? 

Two years later, I gave birth to my second daughter, who is now a junior at Berkeley High School. Although I didn’t sleep until she was about two years old, her happy, beautiful spirit brought me back to the joys of motherhood. She is 16 and my son is 11 and today is Mother’s Day and I am very grateful to be one. 

My children asked me what I wanted for Mother’s Day and I told them that I wanted three things: I wanted them to clean the house; for my daughter to help her brother with his math homework and that they accompany me to church. Well ... what I got was half of a clean house, one third of the homework accomplished and we all slept through church. I drove my son to his playoff basketball game while my daughter and her boyfriend decorated the house with handmade cards and flowers. We came home, I cooked their favorite spaghetti dinner and they brought me a cake with candles arranged in the shape of a heart.  

What I get every day is two wonderful kids with whom I exchange many hugs and “I love yous.” What I try to give is a non-judgmental ear and an open heart and mind. Particularly now, with their parents engaged in the process of divorce, my kids need to know that no one person is all right or all wrong; that there is always room for questions and different points of view.  

Life is precious and so tenuous. Too many of us die way too young. To begin each day as though it were not your last, not your first but your very best day—I think that just might be the key. It’s worth a try. 

“Do you think you are a nymphomaniac?” is the question that begins A Round-Heeled Woman, My Late-Life Adventures in Sex and Romance, by Elmwood resident Jane Juska. 

Now, three years later, Jane has penned a follow-up memoir, Unaccompanied Women: Late-Life Adventures in Love, Sex, and Real Estate, that reads like a comfortable conversation between good friends. It’s as if the author and her readers are strolling down nearby College Avenue, peeking into the storefront windows of Sweet Dreams, ducking in for coffee at Café Roma, eating lunch at La Mediterranee, or waiting in line at the Elmwood Theater while discussing the nymph-o issue, and much more. 

In her chatty, no-nonsense style, Jane writes about her life since her first book hit the shelves and caused a stir. Articles in the New York Times and the foreign press, readings at the 92nd Street Y, and in London, appearances on Charlie Rose and The Early Show catapulted Jane into the public eye and made her a self-declared “sexpert” at the ripe, juicy age of 70. 

I caught up with Jane at a reading at Mrs. Dalloway’s. The cozy College Avenue bookstore was filled to overflowing with fans eager to hear of Jane’s latest exploits. Like a stand-up comic, or a more easier on the eyes and ears Dr. Ruth, Jane dished. She read chapters from her new book, and entertained with stories about the men she has dated, bedded, lamented, and spurned since A Round-Heeled Woman made the bestseller lists. She kvetched about real estate prices, local and international politics, the closing of Cody’s and Clean-Well Lighted Books, and the necessity and difficulty of finding a well-made, properly shaken martini. 

More importantly, she talked about the women she has met since she became a reluctant authority on sex and the over-50 set. At readings and speaking engagements, in letters and e-mails, women have sought her advice, and confessed how they’ve been transformed by her words and actions. Many of these encounters are chronicled in Unaccompanied Women: the well-dressed, sophisticated Persian ladies from Oakland who befriended her and described their difficult upbringings and failed marriages; the 68-year-old woman who went on-line to find a date, fell in love, and then realized she was, after all, content with her former life; the woman who lost (and eventually regained) her heart and her identity to a seemingly charming but ultimately devious man determined to destroy her; the elderly couple who’d fallen in love as teenagers and re-found one another 65 years later. Jane weaves her personal experiences with theirs, chronicling her ups and downs, and her hesitancy to give counsel when her own life feels inadequate and out-of-control. 

Since A Round-Heeled Woman went into multiple printings, and was translated into French, Italian, Japanese, and Russian, Jane has been on a roller coaster, heady with excitement, exploration, and, sometimes, disappointment. 

Along the way she has gained insight into who she is and what she wants: a stable roof over her head, a diamond or two, and a warm, male body to hold her close, but not too tightly. 

Jane has been asked by her fans where to buy dildos, (Good Vibrations), and how to have tantric sex (she doesn’t know). Strangers have requested her guidance on learning to love their overweight bodies and child birthing scars, on how to handle the unexpected departure of a once adored husband and the death of a longtime, beloved spouse. 

Jane readily admits she doesn’t have the answers to any of these questions. But by writing down her fabulously naughty and oftentimes painfully awkward journey, she provides encouragement and hope to those who are lonely, confused, and wanting. Like Yogi Berra, whom she quotes in Unaccompanied Women, Jane says firmly and without an apology, “When you come to the fork in the road, take it.”

Lemons aren’t the only fruit trees growing in Berkeley’s streetside strips. Yes, we have some bananas.  

Parts of the East Bay and San Francisco are known as “banana belts” because they have slightly higher average temperatures than the rest of the place. It doesn’t take much, just a few degrees Fahrenheit, to tip the balance to a friendly microclimate—most years—for tropical and semitropical plants. The Mission in San Francisco gets more sun than the outer avenues, for an example that’s hardly a surprise. 

There’s a sort of nanoclimate strip through Berkeley that, on a good day, might include the neighborhood of the Daily Planet’s office, and a broader swath of East Oakland where people can grow hot peppers and big tomatoes. The banana belts on this side of the bay are, in my experience, less predictable than San Francisco’s unless you have the time to perch on a hill, watch the fog patterns, and hold a finger to the wind all day.  

Or you could walk around looking for big bananas. Banana trees.  

They aren’t technically trees, of course; they’re even shrubs mostly by courtesy. A banana plant is typically big but the whole thing is herbaceous, not woody. The functional equivalent of a trunk might strike you, if you’ve ever seen one cut down, as a sort of vertical green onion structure of leaves tightly wrapped in more leaves until the whole is strong enough to support a broad umbrella of extravagantly big floppy feather-shaped leaves. These hang along a central midrib in various configurations, depending on the variety of the plant, and generally get shredded into little pennants by the wind. 

The Oxford Companion to Food, which I recommend reading if you can heft it, calls this “a neat evolutionary adaptation to lower their wind resistance, for the ‘trunk’ is not as strong as a real tree trunk and risks being blown down.” 

Like most adaptations, it’s not perfect, and they get blown down sometimes anyway. Don’t fret; the stalk dies back anyway after flowering and maybe fruiting, and the whole plant retreats to its bulbous tuber. Over a few years, it grows offsets from that cache of energy, and makes its own little grove. Offsets—“pups”—can be separated from the central plant along with some roots, and replanted elsewhere.  

What fouls up bananas here is not so much pests as cold, poorly drained clay soils. The plant likes rich, well-drained humus, warmth, and lots of moisture but not soggy root zones.  

Even those of us who shop at the Berkeley Bowl or the produce stores on East 14th or whatever they call it this year might be surprised at the variety of bananas in existence. Your basic Cavendish or Gros Michel, the yellow ones you see everywhere, aren’t the half of it; one Georgia grower mentions ripe fruit that can be green, pink, red, orange or purple, and the classic cooking banana, generally labeled “platanos” on grocery shelves and restaurant menus, is best for baking when it’s good and black outside.  

Hide color isn’t all that varies. Descriptions of flavors—“sweet but sharp,” “aromatic,” “approaching apple”—make me curious mostly because they’re so vague. I’m not sure that precision would be more helpful, though. Durian has been closely described, as by Alfred Russell Wallace (“… indescribable. A rich butter-like custard highly flavoured with almonds,,, intermingled with it come wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, brown sherry…”) but there’s something to it that no one has quite named, and I can’t either. Good tho’, as Utah Philips says.  

Banana flowers, meaning the male part of the inflorescence, and banana leaves have their culinary uses too, cooked or cooked-in. Aside from wrapping sweet rice for desserts, the leaves, used to line a cooking pot, give the rice a nice flavor even when they burn a little on the bottom.  

In spite of the assertion that some edible banana varieties can be grown as far north as Kentucky, most of the ones I know personally are decorative. They’re handsome and evocative, and the red and mottled cultivars are spectacular. Still, I wonder if we might give the big corporations as well as the scary Panama Wilt disease a bit of competition by growing our own.  

Photograph by Ron Sullivan 

Very Berkeley pairing: banana (Musa X paradisiaca, probably) flower and foliage in foreground, coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) behind.

The image of China in the Western press is less the dragon of the Celestial Kingdom than J.R. Tolkin’s Smaug, a beast of enormous strength and cunning, ravaging oil markets in Africa, copper ore in South America, and uranium deposits in Australia. “The world begins to feel the dragon’s breath on its back,” intones the Financial Times. 

Even dismissing the media’s hyperbole, the creature is impressive. Since 1990, its exports have climbed 1,200 percent. Each year it turns out twice as many engineers as the United States. Its central bank has $710 billion in currency reserves. Its growth rate was 10.2 percent last quarter and has averaged 9.8 percent for the past 12 years. It has the biggest mall in the world. 

The capitalist dragon has created great wealth and lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. But the Chinese leadership is discovering a downside to this narrative, one that is generating a growing social crisis for a huge section of the population. 

For all its vaunted power, the dragon is troubled.  

According to the China Poverty-Relief Fund, some 30 million of its people live in absolute poverty, defined as not having enough money for food or clothes. Another 60 million make under 28 cents a day. Income for rural Chinese—where 800 million of China’s 1.3 billion people live—is one-third of those in urban areas, a gap, according to government studies, that threatens to widen over the next half decade.  

The official Xinhua News reports that the top fifth of China’s population corners 50 percent of the country’s total income, while the bottom fifth takes home just 4.7 percent. In 25 years, China has gone from a nation with one of the smallest income disparities in the world to a country with one of the greatest. 

“The income gap, which has exceeded reasonable limits, exhibits a further widening trend,” Xinhua News wrote in an editorial last fall. “If it continues this way for a long time, the phenomenon may give rise to various sorts of social instability.”  

That “instability” is already a reality. Whipsawed by a collapsing social security net, a vanishing health care system and, until recently, a market-focused, tone-deaf government, millions of Chinese have taken to the streets. In 2004, there were 74,000 such “incidents” involving almost four million people, a seven-fold increase in less than a decade.  

The growing disparity between rural and urban income was a major focus of last month’s National People’s Congress, where Prime Minister Wen Jinbao committed the country to closing the gap and creating a “new socialist countryside.” 

But while the new five-year plan is long on rhetoric, its spending goals are modest, to say the least. The government will pump $42.3 billion into the countryside. But as a percentage of total spending, that is only an increase of .1 percent over last year, and less than the government spent in 2004. It also represents only 8.9 percent of total government spending, in spite of the fact that tax revenues rose 20 percent in 2005.  

The Congress did vote to phase out many agricultural taxes, along with school fees and tuition for required schooling, but those will only amount to about $19 a year, which will hardly bridge the gap. The average city dweller earns about $1,000 annually, while his or her rural counterpart makes slightly more than $300. 

The state of China’s once all embracing healthcare system was also a major concern for the Congress. 

The government will beef up health spending, most of it to re-build community health centers in China’s major cities by 2010. Those clinics were largely dismantled in the 1980s, a cost cutting measure that has come back to haunt the government. 

The 2003 SARS epidemic is a case in point. According to Indian journalist P. Sainath, who has reported extensively on health issues in Asia, the virus got out of hand because without clinics there was no early warning system that a health crisis was building. While closing the clinics saved hundreds of millions of dollars, in the end, SARS cost China several billion in damages to the economy and tourism.  

Chinese health care spending is heavily weighted toward expensive hospital care. While the hospitals are non-profit, they still need a revenue stream. According to a study by the British medical journal, The Lancet, up to 75 percent of that revenue comes from selling drugs.  

This system for financing healthcare encourages doctors and hospitals to prescribe drugs, whether they are needed or not. A World Bank study found that in the case of village clinics, less than 1 percent of the drugs prescribed were appropriate.  

Starting with re-building clinics in the cities makes a certain sense, given the pollution problems that most urban dwellers face. Officials estimate that over 400,000 people die prematurely from respiratory aliments, most of them in the cities, and that pollution levels could quadruple in the next 15 years.  

But rural health care is also in crisis, in part because rural dwellers are poorer and thus more likely to consider health care a luxury, and partly because “rural” does not mean “pristine.” One survey in eastern Jiangsu Province found mercury, lead and cadmium present in 41 percent of the local fish. All three heavy metals are associated with birth defects, child development problems, and cancer. 

Because urban land is at such a premium—Shanghai real estate prices have climbed 74 percent in the last four years—many of China’s industries, including coal-fired power plants and cement factories, are located in the countryside. The former produce substantial amounts of sulfur dioxide, a compound associated with asthma and a variety of lung aliments. The latter generate dioxin and furon, among the most carcinogenetic compounds on the planet.  

The government plans to reduce pollution by 10 percent over the next five years, but since local authorities are judged by how much growth they can deliver, it is not clear anyone will pay much attention to decrees. 

The only formal “targets” in the new five-year plan are to double the gross domestic product by 2010 and to reduce energy consumption. Improving the environment is mentioned, but the central theme of the plan, according to the National Development and Reform Commission, is to “give greater play to market forces.” 

There is a division in the Chinese leadership between gung ho free marketers and a growing sector which is clearly worried about the damage China’s run away economy is inflicting on its environment and people. While the split is portrayed in the West as “conservative old guard” vs. “reformers,” that characterization has more to do with the Cold War than the reality in China today. 

The steps on healthcare, fees and taxes, modest though they are, suggest that the leadership is trying to get a handle on the problems. 

Several provinces are also responding to the unrest by raising the minimum wage. Shenzhen, which accounts for one third of China’s exports, is planning to raise wages by 23 percent, and other provinces are considering similar upgrades. As government lawyer Yang Yiping told the Financial Times, “We can’t rely on cheap labor alone to attract investment. Workers won’t tolerate low wages.”  

At least not forever.  

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Sometime in the late 1970s, I drove with a friend to visit her family home in Gramercy, a small Mississippi River town not far from New Orleans. Fate takes odd turns. I knew less about my own family history at the time, but I later learned that Gramercy is in St. James Parish, the Louisiana county that my father’s people stopped in for a time on their way from Senegambia to Oakland. 

One evening my friend and her uncle and I went to a local bar for beer-and-crawfish, a local favorite, and while we were waiting for our order the uncle pointed out a row of men sitting at the bar. “You’re a stranger in town,” he said, “so they’re talking about you.” Of course, I tried to pick out their conversation. It all seemed like gibberish. I could pick out words and a couple of phrases but all out of order, like a jigsaw puzzle that had been scattered over the floor. Seeing my confusion—which was the whole point of his comment—the uncle broke out laughing. “You can’t understand them, can you?” he said. I shook my head, no. “Ain’t your fault,” he said. “They’re running through three languages, over there. Creole, English, and French. You don’t speak French, do you?” 

I didn’t. The uncle did, as did most people of a certain age, both black and white, in that part of lower Louisiana, the last echo of the long years when the French colonized that part of the country, as the English had done in the rest. The uncle lamented that he was one of the last to grow up learning French. His brother, only a few years younger, had been discouraged from the practice by teachers and community leaders seeking to assimilate children into the English-speaking world. Today, that language has virtually disappeared from Louisiana, except in colorful street names. A shame. 

Creole is still around, because unlike the classical languages, it adapts and morphs into something else, sometimes unrecognizable from its origins. Creole is like the blue notes in jazz, which bended tones between the African and European scales that existed in neither, creating modern music. In acting as a bridge between French-English and the various language spoken by African captives brought to Louisiana, Creole developed into a separate language itself. My cousin, Betty Reid Soskin, who grew up in Oakland but spent many summers visiting St. James Parish in her childhood, says that all of the family elders spoke Creole, and she can still roll off a few phrases, herself, if you give her encouragement. My mother used to say that my grandfather spoke with a mild French accent, though he passed away so long ago that I can scarcely remember how it sounded. 

I wish, now, that I had been old enough to have learned Creole and French from my grandfather and other family members. I wish I could have been able to pass that language down to my own children and grandchildren. I view that sadly, with a great sense of loss. 

Multilingualism among African immigrants to America was not confined to Louisiana, of course, though you’d never know it from present common knowledge. Along the South Carolina coast, they give that English-African bridge language another name, Gullah, and it is seen as something as an abberation. Actually, it wasn’t. If your exposure to the speech of the slaverytime African peoples is limited to the dialogue in the movie Gone With The Wind, you probably think that everyone in the Quarters spoke English only, with a mid-Georgia accent. A better depiction of African-American speech in the 18th and 19th centuries would be Haile Gerima’s Sankofa, which shows a delicious musical blend of language and dialect from various parts of African, Europe, and the Caribbean all going on at one time, mixed together like a good gumbo stew. 

The African effect on American culture was so enormous—in music and speech and style and dress and even how we worship our various gods—that even the African descendants tend to lose sight of its origins, and so sometimes fail to recognize when the same process is happening with other peoples. 

Such as with our Mexican brothers and sisters. And that brings us to part two of today’s discussion, sparked by the recent Mexican pride demonstrations which were in turn sparked by the call to turn illegal immigrants into felons. 

Although it is easy to find reasons, it is difficult to locate reason in the increasing hue and cry in the country over the growing presence of Mexican illegals in our midst. 

In trying to understand the concern over Mexican “illegals,” I find it hard to determine whether my own ancestors were “legal” or “illegal” immigrants to this country. Those who were brought in after the abolishment of the slave trade in the early 19th century were “illegals,” certainly, since the slave trade itself was declared illegal, but those of my family captured on the African continent and enslaved and then brought to America before that time were “legal.” It seems a ghastly perversion of that term, though, as if “legal” somehow equates with “moral,” or even just plain “right.” Enslaved African people were never called “illegals” in this country, regardless of when they came here. They were simply called “slaves” or, if they declined the offer to remain in the service of their enslavers, “runaways.” During the Civil War, when folks bolted from the plantations en masse to follow around the campaigning Union armies, they were called “contraband.” And through it all they—we—retained the term “niggers,” even down to today. 

Referring to Mexican immigrants who come here without the proper clearance and papers as “illegals” seems to be along that same pattern; a not-so-subtle dehumanization of humans by referring to them by some imposed condition, rather than by their actual names. 

So, too, is concern over their speaking of Spanish rather than English as their first language. 

It is interesting that someone speaking English with a deep Spanish accent is often considered crude and backwards, as opposed to someone speaking English with a French accent, who used to be considered “cultured,” at least in the days before the Iraq invasion when so many of our citizens got pissed off with the French (my great-grandmother, Mamá Breaux Allen, who spoke mostly French and Creole in her St. James Parish home, would have found it ironic, I am sure, how the speaking of French went from out of favor to in favor back to out again, seemingly at whim). Whatever the case, speaking English with a deep Spanish accent (or a Tagalog or Vietnamese or Cantonese accent, for that matter) usually means that the speaker is able to speak in two languages rather than one, even if they have not quite mastered the second, a sign that ought to connote ability, rather than disability. Interesting how we seem to have turned that around into making it a sign of ignorance. 

If I were a professional educator, which I am not, I would design an elementary school curriculum in which the kids speaking Spanish or Vietnamese or whatever as a first language would get paired up with kids speaking English as a first language, sort of like you pair up in a science experiment. Each student would help the other student in the pair learn their native language so that rather than ending up with only one language being spoken—English—each student would end up with two. It seems an awful waste of resources, having so many neighbors in our midst speaking another language and urging them to give up the speaking of it rather than encouraging them to teach theirs to us while we teach ours to them. 

Meanwhile, there is tremendous energy and opportunity in this new surge by our Mexican brothers and sisters to assert themselves, an echo of the great Black civil rights and Black Freedom movements in which many of us grew up. And just as those movements transformed this country into a much better place, I expect that this new Mexican movement—whatever it comes to be called—will probably eventually do the same, if we give it help. 

These are just some preliminary thoughts during the course of what should be a long and thoughtful discussion. In the two great bodies of ethnic people that make up so much of Oakland and the East Bay—those who came here from Africa with stops in the Deep South plantations, and those who come from Mexico to a place that only recently stopped being Mexico—I find myself seeing far more similarities than I do differences. 

“Legal” or “illegal,” however we are called, we are immigrants, all. 

?

Ever get that midweek feeling of wanting to escape up the coast? Spend some time near the water in a picturesque town? Walk past quaint cottages and historic buildings? Roam the landscape allowing your eyes and mind to expand across open space? Discover a café, deli or fine restaurant and treat your taste buds to new flavors? Even without the time needed to reach Mendocino, a solution for the midweek blues is close at hand. 

Amazingly located along the border of industry, the compact town of Point Richmond seems a lifetime away. It’s one part small village and one part bayside open space, connected by a tunnel under a large hill dotted with interesting dwellings, historic and contemporary.  

Point Richmond gave Richmond its start. The deep water off Ferry Point drew the Santa Fe Railway creating a short-lived ferry service to San Francisco. Standard Oil Company purchased land and its refinery took off. Both fueled Richmond’s economic engines and drew workers by the hundreds resulting in a boomtown initially heavy on tents and soggy land and low on amenities. 

By 1902, families began arriving and settled in. A hotel, bank, merchant shops, grocery and funeral parlor occupied the flatland while residences and churches advanced up the hill. The town of Point Richmond was up and running. 

Today’s Point Richmond retains the foundations of its past with adjustments befitting the current population. Historic buildings, many lovingly restored, have new occupations, but a wander along the main streets still echoes with that small town feel.  

I felt my pace slow as I explored town central, home to a tiny town museum, the Point Richmond History Association. If you don’t know its location, you might mistake the small tan clapboard for a child’s playhouse. Built in 1903 as the Richmond Supply Company it holds the distinction of being the oldest commercial building in town. Inside artifacts, photographs and newspaper articles bring to life the past. 

Sharing Center Square is The Sentinel, a bronze statue by Kirk St. Maur, honoring the first Indian and the quest for freedom and survival. Below is a circle of dedicated bricks, purchased by supporting residents. A small park, library, community center and fire station stand side by side to complete this community oriented space.  

Bricks play a large part in Point Richmond’s architecture as does the attractive tri-color scheme of painted clapboard. On alert for architectural details I admired awnings of different shapes and colors like eyebrows over windowed eyes. The Old Firehouse’s arched brick windows, the round ventilation portholes on The Masquers Playhouse and lovely iron lamp fixtures furthered my interest. One building, The Point, is just that, constructed to fit the triangular shape of a narrow corner property. A more recent mural colorfully portrays workers in Richmond’s past. 

Putting the past to good use resonates throughout town, especially with restaurants. My meander stimulated my appetite; for a small community, Point Richmond has a high density of places to tempt the taste buds.  

The Pub at Baltic Square has had as many lives as a cat. From the town’s first tavern in 1904, it’s been reinvented as city hall, residence, funeral parlor, speakeasy, House of Prostitution and storage area. Today the back bar and mirror hark back to pre-1906 San Francisco, dark wood covers walls and floor and stained glass lampshades reflect light. This boomtown atmosphere is the perfect setting for lunchtime Pub Burger, Reuben or Shepherd’s Pie. 

The pale mustard walls hung with eye-pleasing paintings and peppers take Rosamaria’s Café a long way from the turn of the century bakery once occupying this space. Authentic Mexican food California style using healthy, fresh ingredients fills the menu. You know Mama’s tostada with citrus cilantro vinaigrette over cabbage, red onions, greens, jicama, black beans and guacamole has to be delicious and good for you. 

Little Louie’s draws quite a crowd for breakfast and lunch. More warm yellow walls, wood wainscoting and eye-catching murals of boats and beaches increase the relaxation factor. This must be everyone’s favorite deli, with choices too numerous to list. Pick from hot, deli or panini sandwiches or a three-egg scrambler, but don’t think the choice will be easy. 

Enter the historic building housing the Hotel Mac and you’ll swear you’ve walked into an established sporting club. With colors of rust, blue and forest green, paintings of waterfowl, sink-into easy chairs, club tables, fringed lampshades and a long wood bar leaving may be difficult. Try Wednesday’s “Steak & Shake” for a true club experience. 

Even the market in this town has character. Santa Fe Market reminded me of an old country store where you knew everything was fresh. Displaying produce in baskets and old woodbins; with old labels like Strength Valencia’s, Rhino and Fontana Girl Grapefruit adorning the walls; and stocked with all manner of groceries and wine, I could have been miles away on a rural lane. 

A little shopping always adds to that vacation feeling. The Art Lounge occupies the old Fire Building and its wares could raise a few temperatures. So much fun in a small space. Rhinestones, beads, jewelry, purses, feather boas, dangling candle holders and beaded lampshades—something for the diva in all of us. 

Hydrangea grabbed my attention with its floral theme in gifts, cards and plants. White wood shelves and flowered wall paintings create buy-me appeal. I eyed a French metal flower bucket brimming with yellow callas and a pot of mini daffodils, and then breathed in the fresh scent of Persian pear soap and lotion, wanting them all. 

Much of Point Richmond’s appeal comes from its setting, where bay views and salt-tinged breezes easily clear the head. A short drive took me through the tunnel to Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline. Also known as A Park For the People, these 300-acres of open space surrounded by chemical plants and oil tanks represent the hard efforts necessary for its creation. 

Once there, eyes drawn across the bay toward the Marin Hills, I felt miles away. Shore-side the open grassland is huge, dotted with eucalyptus and pine trees, saltwater lagoon, picnic facilities, multi-use trail and abundant bird-life. At the north end Keller’s Beach beckons with protected cove and swimming beach awaiting happy paddlers and hopeful fisher-people.  

Across the road, narrow trails wind up into hills thick with wild grasses, coyote bush, scotch broom, spring wildflowers and remnants of long-ago Indian villages. Topside panoramic views are icing on the cake. 

It’s amazing how just a few hours away can feel longer. Slowing down expands time. This may not make sense, science-wise, but perception is what counts. Take the time to visit Point Richmond, to partake of its amenities and relish its hard won Regional Shoreline. You don’t have to travel far; you just need to know where to look.

Dear Matt, 

I read your recent column on heating, and it motivated me to replace the ancient floor heater in my tiny 100-year-old house with central heat, which is being installed as I write. 

After they remove the old floor furnace, they will patch the floor with plywood (the intake hole is being cut elsewhere, in a less visible/central location). My floors are softwood, fir I think, and have a lovely patina of age.  

My question for you is this: Is there any way to patch it so that it'll look decent? Any way to match the old aged look? Or will this area always stick out like a sore thumb? 

Your answer might help me determine if I should get just the hole patched which would show a seam, or take out all the slats around the hole and replace a bigger area, so that there is no seam. 

If it's going to stick out like a sore thumb, then better to just patch the smaller area I think; if it can be made to look good, then I'll patch the bigger area. 

Thanks! 

Karin, Berkeley 

Dear Karin, 

What a great question. As you may recall and for the others reading, I generally favor turning the old floor furnace into a cold air return so that this problem is avoided but if the location isn’t where you want the cold air return to end up and prefer to fix the old floor it’s time for the Over-qualified Contractors of Berkeley, those multi-faceted artists who eschew the corporate culture in favor of the airy life of the general contractor. 

They can be found almost any day sipping cappuccino out in front of Fat Apples or the French Hotel discussing their role in the latest anti-war march or practicing lute with the Society for Creative Anachronism. Some have problems showing up for work on time as they struggle through the last few pages of their dissertation on early Japanese Buddhism or mop oil paint off their elbow as they apply the final brush strokes to their latest painting. 

I’ve been meeting these guys (and gals) over the last 25 years around here and it always amazes and delights me to see that this fraction of society which could have trod the road worn rutty had chosen instead to amble, not run through a series of fortuneless events. 

The Berkeley area seems to specialize in this sort and though most are general contractors or handyfolk, many have specialized as tilers, painter and even plumbers doing extraordinary things in their areas of specialty. Some of the tilers even make their own tile and more than a few painters specialize in a range of faux finishes.  

Among the general contractors I’ve met over the years one will find painters, sculptors and poets who manage to insinuate their talent into the framing of buildings and the casting of concrete. 

The trick for these, mostly underpaid and often underemployed artisans, is to find people who will pay for what they have to offer. People who are willing to incorporate something non-traditional in their “personal space.” 

Many are too fearful to do so and select, instead, for square rooms and neutral colors. Those of you bold enough to let your freak-flag fly can avail yourselves of talents not available in much of the United States and make a part of your home into a work of art. 

Returning to your problem, Karin, the secret is to find an artist, who is willing to find the right materials and take the time to match what you have. 

Here are some tips on how to go about the repair of your floor. The first thing is to match the species, if possible. Your softwood floor is probably 1x4 tongue-in-groove flat-grain fir. It has probably gotten very hard and probably worn and pitted over time. 

There are a number of suppliers of used building materials in town that just might have what you need but you’ll have to do some spelunking amidst the salvage. As you may recall from a recent column, Berkeley has a number of salvage yards. Several have salvaged wood. I’d start with Urban Ore. 

If you can’t find just what you’re looking for, you and your artistic helper can distress some new matching wood. If you can’t find exactly the right size and shape, a good carpenter should be able to mill a few pieces that are just the right size. 

If this is beyond their skill set, you can take a small piece from the edge of the opening (you’re going to need to take a few pieces out anyway before you’re done) and take it to one of our local lumber mills to make some length of matching material. I like Beronio in S.F. but we have a few places in the East Bay that can also do this. Once you have enough board feet of lumber, you can generally beat up on it. This is where the artist comes into play. 

A person with the right vision can come up with a way to abuse it just the right way and get it to come out looking much like your old floor. You want to do this prior to installation. You can then paint with stain, testing on a piece you won’t use, until you have a pretty good match 

Lastly, you want to cut the planks that meet the opening so that there are very few that terminate right at the edge of the opening. If you cut many of the boards back to other joists (the supports your flooring nails onto), you won’t end up with a box of replacement wood and it will be a much more convincing patch. This is sort of like a reweave on a tweed coat. 

The best examples of flooring repairs involve removing as much as 50 percent more wood along the lengths that make up the opening. It’s best if some run longer than others. When you get done with this phase, you’ll be happiest if you put a new finish on the entire floor. 

In fact, if you sand and refinish all of the floor after this “reweave,” you can achieve a near perfect result, but this level of repair isn’t necessary if you’ve been really good about finding or manufacturing a good copy. Your carpenter will need to work carefully with chisels and perhaps a router (a great way to cut out old board if you know the tricks) to fit the new boards in. 

This sort of thing will take time and great care in the tiny details. Try not to rush your artiste and be prepared for it to cost a lesser limb. But if you do it well, you’ll be showing it off at dinner parties for years to come. Bon Chance. 

Matt Cantor owns Cantor Inspections and lives in Berkeley His column runs weekly. 

Copyright 2006 Matt Cantor›

It’s been way too long since I’ve gone to a meeting of California Rare Fruit Growers. There’s one such meeting tomorrow (Saturday May 13) in Walnut Creek that is weirdly tempting because it will feature Dr. Robert Raabe, whose approach to plant diseases is of the gleeful sort, which can be fun but rarely works well as a bedside manner for humans.  

This is typical, in my experience, of CRFG’s approach and gatherings: useful, wonky (one thing I love about them), sociable, and fun. It figures that an organization devoted to pushing the borders of what can be grown where would be that upbeat. They get to expand the frontiers of applied science and then eat the results. 

The current issue of the house magazine, Fruit Gardener, features a close-up of the flowers of pineapple guava, Feijoa sellowiana. It grows well right here, and gets used as a boundary shrub in institutional plantings as well as in home gardens. 

It’s pest-resistant from what I know of it, drought-tolerant, and it you put it in a sunny enough spot it can bear lots of fruit, which is oddly expensive at the market and tastes best fresh with its wonderful scent to enhance it.  

And those flowers are edible: you just pick off the petals and leave the main flower organs to develop into fruit. (You might get less fruit, depending on whether the flower’s been pollinated and what gets attracted to pollinate it despite the absent petals.) The petals are frosty white on one side, deep crimson on the other, thick and succulent for a flower petal, and taste of sweetness and cinnamon. They’re the sort of thing that is best savored one at a time as you walk through the garden.  

That’s the sort of information you get from CRFG. You might get a taste, too, by way of direct teaching. Meetings tend to have somebody’s never-heard-of-it jam or wot-the-heck fruit in slices at the back of the room, for sampling and showing off. 

The atmosphere is half county-fair, half scholarly, and members apparently love questions like, “What’s that??” You learn not only what it is but how to grow your own. 

Part of the fun is growing stuff you thought was strictly airfreight—the friend who introduced me to CRFG has a pair of macadamia trees in his yard, and they bear nuts, as do other members’ trees I’ve met—and pricey to buy. 

Even if you should perchance end up with the equivalent of the $45 tomato, you’ll have priceless fringe benefits: knowledge about growing, a story to tell, and mostly that landscape value of the plant. Those macadamia trees are quite handsome, and so are the guava shrubs. Factor in what you’d pay for shadetrees or fencing that just stood around looking pretty, and the price looks better and better. 

CRFG isn’t only about tropicals. It’s the best source I know of for finding out about apples and peaches and such varieties that have a low enough required “chill” time to let them bear good fruit in Berkeley. If you remember some fruit from way back or far away, here’s the brain trust you need to grow your own. 

Non-members are welcome at meetings. Locally, they’re usually on the second Saturdays of odd-numbered months in various locations. See the website, write, or call for schedules. 

TUESDAY, MAY 16 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Shaunna Oteka McCovey, Yurok tribe member, reads from her book of poetry, “Smokehouse Boys” at 6:30 p.m. at the Dimond Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave. 482-7844. 

Shelby Steele describes “White Guilt: How Blacks & Whites Together Destroyed the Promise of the Civil Rights Era” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Gerard Landry & The Lariats at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

Singers’ Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Gove Scrivenor at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Howard Barken Trio, jazz, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 

CHILDREN 

“Zink: The Myth, The Legend, The Zebra” A musical play by Park Day School, Wed. and Thurs. at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Suggested donation $10 for adults and $5 for children at the door.  

FILM 

“Caribe” Politics, passion, and environmentalism in Costa Rica at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$6. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Michelle Goldberg describes “Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852.  

Café Poetry hosted by Paradise at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Donation $2. 849-2568.  

John Curl will read from his new books “Ancient American Poets” and “Scorched Birth” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Music for the Spirit with organ music of women composeers at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

Whiskey Brothers Old Time and Bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Le Jazz Hot at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

Bernard Anderson & The Old School Band at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. 

Mazacote at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Solo Bass Night with Michael Manring, Jean Baudin, Jeff Schmidt and Dave Grossman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Blue Roots at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Delinquent Monastery, Lost and Found Generation, Bumbalo at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8. 848-0886.  

Rebeca Mauleón at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, MAY 18 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Wood Sculpture by Paul Hoffman” Reception at 5 p.m. at The Sculpture Court, 1111 Broadway, Oakland. Exhibit runs through July 19. 238-6836. 

“Works by William Wareham and Keith Ferris” Reception at 5 p.m. at Gallery 555, 555 12th St., Oakland. Exhibit runs through July 28. 238-6836. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Nomad Spoken Word Night at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Alvin Toffler introduces his new book “Revolutionary Wealth” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

Word Beat Reading Series with Robert Tricaro and Cherise Wyneken at 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 526-5985. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Natya Indian Dance, the art of storytelling through classical Indian dance at 1 p.m. at the Brookfield Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 9255 Edes Ave. 615-5725. 

Albany High School Jazz & Rhythm Bound R&B Bands at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$10. 525-5054.  

Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

Maya Kronfeld Group at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ.  

Wayward Monks at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082.  

Vienna Tang, singer songwriter, at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15-$20. 548-1159.  

Showtime @ 11 Hip Hop at 10 p.m. at the Ivy Room, 585 San Pablo Ave. at Solano. 524-9220. 

Bop City at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100.  

Keiko Matsui at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $24-$28. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

FRIDAY, MAY 19 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. 1409 High St. through June 11. Tickets are $12-$15. 523-1553.  

Berkeley Rep “The Miser” at 8 p.m. at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. Tickets are $53. Runs through June 25. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Berkeley Rep “The Glass Menagerie” at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $59. Runs through June 18. 647-2949.  

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Animal Crackers” at 8 p.m. Fri and Sat., and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Contra Costa Civic Theater, 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through May 20. Tickets are $12-$20. 524-9132.  

Impact Theater “Money & Run Episode 4: Go Straight, No Chaser,” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. Cost is $10-$15. Runs through May 27. 464-4468.  

Shotgun Players “King Lear” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. to June 18. Tickets are $15-$30, reservations suggested. 841-6500.  

Subterranean Shakespeare “Richard III” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. at Rose in Live Oak Park, through May. 20. Tickets are $12-$17. 276-3871. 

TheatreFIRST “World Music” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Old Oakland Theatre, 461 Ninth St. at Broadway. Tickets are $18-$22. 436-5085.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Notations” Introducing artists Keiko Ishihara, Erik Schmitt, and Carol Lee Shanks. Reception at 6 p.m. at Cecile Moochnek Gallery, 1809-D Fourth St. 549-1018. 

“Mindscapes” Paintings by Dianne Arancibia. Reception at 6:30 p.m. at Red Oak Realty Gallery, 1891 Solano Ave. 849-9990, ext. 2160. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Vision and Misperception: What Art Lovers Need to Know” with Ariella Popple, Vision Scientist, UCB, at 7:30 p.m. at 4th Street Studion, 1717D Fourth St. 527-0600. 

Paul Rieckoff describes “Chasing Ghosts: A Soldier’s Fight for America From Baghdad to Washington” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Kairos Youth Choir “We Travel Along, Singin’ Our Song ... Side by Side” at 4 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, Live Oak Park. Tickets are $8-$12. 704-4479. 

Oakland East Bay Symphony “Let Us Break Bread Together” Chorale Concert with the Oakland Symphony Chorus, the Kucy Kinchen Chorale, the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and Mt. Eden High School Choir at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$60. 625-8497.  

Soli Deo Gloria and the Russian Chamber Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 1700 Santa Clara, Alameda. Tickets at the door are $20-$25. www.sdgloria.org  

Jacqueline Castro Ravelo, Chilean singer, with Raphael Manriquez at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568.  

Culture Shock Oakland “Bringing Back the Boogie!” at 8 p.m., Sat. at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $12-$20. www.shockfamily.org  

Forensic Science, Enzyme Dynamite, Distant Relatives at 8:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Beegie Adair Trio, piano jazz, at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373.  

Ed Reed with Laura Klein Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Don Neely’s Royal Society Five at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $16. 525-5054.  

Amy Meyers, singer-songwriter, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

Terry Rodriguez Trio at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Jaia Suri and Renee Asteria, singer-songwriters, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Jonathan Segel, Victor Krummenacher, Lucio Menegon at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Batalion of Saints, Deadfall at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

Santero, latin fusion, soul at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low. Cost is $5. 548-1159.  

The Mad Youth Orchestra at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $10. 451-8100.  

Gabriel Mann, Cas Lucas and Zack Hexum in an all ages show at 8 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5. 644-2204. 

The Regiment at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Keiko Matsui at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $24-$28. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, MAY 20 

CHILDREN  

“How to Be” Lisa Brown introduces her new picture book for children at 11 a.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

“It’s NOT a Piece of Cake” Children’s Theater by the Berkwood Hedge School at 2 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $6 at the door. 

THEATER 

Living Arts Playback Theatre Ensemble Personal stories shared by audience members then transformed by the ensemble into improvised theater pieces at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $12-$18. 595-5500, ext. 25.  

Livarte opens at 8 pm, with a stage appearance and art installation in a living room atmosphere, 3230 Adeline St. 601-5774. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“FinnArt” Art by Finns and art inspired by Finland From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Finnish Kavela Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. Free. www.geocities.com/finnartexhibits/info.html  

“Fresh Paint - Second Coat” works by 25 Bay Area artists opens with a reception at 6 p.m. at Piedmont Lane Gallery, 4121 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Exhibit runs to June 17. www.3lisha.com/freshpaint/  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jan Steckel reads from her new book of poetry, “The Underwater Hospital” at 5 p.m. at the Laurel Book Store at 4100 MacArthur Blvd., corner of 39th Ave., Oakland. 531-2073. 

Storytelling Festival from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area in El Sobrante. Tickets $11-$55. 869-4946. www.bayareastorytelling.org 

Matthieu Racard, a Buddhist monk, introduces “Happiness” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Celebrating 25 Years of Integrated Dance in America” a festival of physically integrated contemporary dance featuring AXIS Dance Company, Dancing Wheels and Full Radius Dance at 8 p.m. at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. 925-798-1300.  

Chamber Mix performs music of Tann, Hoover, Tower, Bilotta, McManus, and Stoddard, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. bet. Durant and Bancroft. Tickets are $12-$18. 549-3864.  

“Till You Find Your Dream” Broadway selections, American folk and popular music by the Cantare Chorale and All Star Singers at 7:30 p.m. at Woodminster Amphitheater, 3300 Joaquin Miller Rd., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$25. 836-0789.  

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra at 8 pm at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. www.ypsomusic.net 

Hip Hop Festival at 7 p.m. and Dream, El Efe and Company of Prophets at 9:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15 for both shows, or $10 for each. 849-2568.  

Robin Gregory & Bill Bell Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054.  

Steve Taylor, folk-country-blues, at 7 p.m. at A Cuppa Tea, 3202 College Ave., at Alcatraz. 

Jared Karol, singer-songwriter, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Re-Ignition, The Miserables, Index A, Displace at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Good for Cows and John Schott’s Dream Kitchen at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373.  

Caroline Chung Duo at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

George Cotsirilos Jazz Trio at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Ray Cepeda at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

The Hoo, The Rave Ups, Sun Kings at 8 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $20. 451-8100.  

bonoR, Danny Partridge Experience at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

Jinx Jones Trio at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Corrupted Youth, Civilian Outbreak, The Deadly Rhythm at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Keiko Matsui at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $24-$28. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, MAY 21 

CHILDREN 

Asheba, participatory Caribbean music concert, at 3 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

“It’s NOT a Piece of Cake” Children’s Theater by the Berkwood Hedge School at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $6 at the door. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Healing Waters” paintings by Judi Miller, glass sculpture by Carol Holmes, and “Katrina’s Children” art and poetry by gulf coast youth from River of Words. Reception at 4 p.m. at the Community Art Gallery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2450 Ashby Ave. Exhibit runs through July 5. 204-1667.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Storytelling Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area in El Sobrante. Tickets are $11 for a single event, $55 for the entire weekend. 869-4946. www.bayareastorytelling.org 

Joe Fischer will discuss his new book “Poker Passion” at 2 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Poetry Flash with Lynne Knight and Kathleen Lynch at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. Donation $2. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jazz on Fourth Street from noon to 5 p.m. with Bill Bell Quartet, Big Belly Blues Band, John Santos Quartet and the Berkeley High Jazz Orchestra & Combos. 526-6294.  

Volti and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra “Our Voices Rise in Song Together” at 4 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way, at Ellsworth. Tickets are $15-$20. 415-771-3352. www.voltisf.org 

Prometheus Symphony Orchestra performs Mahler’s Ruckert Lieder with Elspeth Franks, mezzo soprano, and Claudio Santome, tenor, at 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. Admission is free, donation requested. www.prometheussymphony.org 

Kairos Youth Choir “We Travel Along, Singin’ Our Song ... Side by Side” at 4 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, Live Oak Park. Tickets are $8-$12. 704-4479. 

Golden Gate Boys Choir at 2 p.m. at Calvary Christian Center, 1516 Grand St., Alameda Tickets are $10 adlts, $5, children. 887-4311. www.ggbc.org 

Organ Music at St. John's with Roberta Gary, University of Cincinatti, in an an all-Bach recital on the Brombaugh organ at 4 p.m. at St. Johns Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Donation $15. Reception follows performance. 845-6830. 

Oakland School for the Arts Big Band, Drum Corp, and Percussion Ensemble at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Donations benefit Oakland School for the Arts. 228-3207. 

Kenny White at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Ben Adams Quintet, CD release party, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Americana Unplugged, bluegrass and oldtime showcase, with The Earl Brothers at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Creative Aging Benefit Concert with Avotcja, Rafael Gonzalez, Judith-kate Firedman, and many others, at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $12. 849-2568.  

Advanced High School Jazz Workshop Ensemble at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.  

Stephanie Neira, flamenco open stage at 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

DJ Hamouris at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Howard Alden Quartet at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.

“Our definition of opera is that it has music more interesting and complex than musical theater,” said Harriet March Page, artistic director of Goat Hall Productions, which will be staging Fresh Voices VI with 10 short operas—as well as bookending their NOW Festival of new compositions and a program of art songs—Thursday through Sunday for the next two weeks at Thick House on Potrero Hill in San Francisco.  

Besides her expanded definition of opera, Page said that Fresh Voices is committed to accessible operatic storylines, even “to do something a little political.” This explains in part the festival’s subtitle or motto, “Pipers & Puppets,” taken from Music Director Mark Alburger’s piece, “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” (from the Robert Browning poem, but insinuating that a present-day president may be the piper to more than just hordes of terrorist rats), as well as the sock puppets that cropped up as choruses in a couple of the works that will be staged. 

The “motto” goes on to ask, “Who’s piping the tune ... and who’s dancing?”  

“This year, we wanted to do something thematic, “ said Page, “which followed as soon as I got onto the Pied Piper Principle. The Pied Piper is at once puppet and puppet master. I see at least a little bit of it in all our pieces—but of course, no theme is worthy unless it can be expanded to fit everything!”  

Music Director Alburger said the festival included a wide range of music and themes. 

“Lisa Scola Prosek’s ‘Leonardo’s Notebooks’ is highly melodic, with a minimalist thing, yet a feeling for traditional Bel Canto,” he said. “Steven Clark’s ‘Amok Time’ has vocal lines taken from a Star Trek episode, which will be played silently behind the singers, to a tongue-in-cheek insipid pop score that goes from swing to reggae. My own ‘Pied Piper’ features a severe reworking, or rat poisoning, of classic material, with ‘Cosi Fan Tutti’ under there, somewhere.” 

Other delights include: John Beeman’s four minute “Dear Composer” (rejection letters from festivals and conductors in counterpoint against a pseudo-jazz score) and Connie Tyler’s “relentlessly Celtic” hagiography of the Irish saint, “Brigid, Fiery Arrow.” Another legendary strong woman is eulogized in John Partridge’s “Joan of Arc.” Mark Alburger’s score is combined with Harriet Page’s words for “Cats, Dogs and Divas.” “The Music Department,” is Allan Crossman’s day in the life of a conservatory that goes from Mozart to “an intergalactic Ed Sullivan show.” 

The first of two operas featuring sock puppets is “Eye Eye Sailor” by Steven Clark and Michael Wertz. The other sock puppet entry, “The Fashion God,” Brian Holmes’ operatic settings of FEMA’s ex-director Michael D. Brown’s self-regarding emails. Holmes also is represented by “Tales of the Cultural Revolution,” based on an incident “I heard about from the Canadian Brass, who were among the first to tour China after the purges. Apparently, Madame Mao heard a piece with a tuba that so offended her sensibilities, she demanded the player be fired. This was interpreted that all tuba players should be fired.” 

Sundays will be dedicated to nonoperatic works, “Songs for the 21st Century” on May 21 and the NOW Festival on May 28, which Alburger said may have an entry by Lukas Foss. 

FRESH VOICES IV 

Thursday through Sunday May 18-21 and May 25-28 at the Thick House, 1695 18th St., San Francisco. $15-$25. For more information, including show times, call (415) 401-8081.

Lemons aren’t the only fruit trees growing in Berkeley’s streetside strips. Yes, we have some bananas.  

Parts of the East Bay and San Francisco are known as “banana belts” because they have slightly higher average temperatures than the rest of the place. It doesn’t take much, just a few degrees Fahrenheit, to tip the balance to a friendly microclimate—most years—for tropical and semitropical plants. The Mission in San Francisco gets more sun than the outer avenues, for an example that’s hardly a surprise. 

There’s a sort of nanoclimate strip through Berkeley that, on a good day, might include the neighborhood of the Daily Planet’s office, and a broader swath of East Oakland where people can grow hot peppers and big tomatoes. The banana belts on this side of the bay are, in my experience, less predictable than San Francisco’s unless you have the time to perch on a hill, watch the fog patterns, and hold a finger to the wind all day.  

Or you could walk around looking for big bananas. Banana trees.  

They aren’t technically trees, of course; they’re even shrubs mostly by courtesy. A banana plant is typically big but the whole thing is herbaceous, not woody. The functional equivalent of a trunk might strike you, if you’ve ever seen one cut down, as a sort of vertical green onion structure of leaves tightly wrapped in more leaves until the whole is strong enough to support a broad umbrella of extravagantly big floppy feather-shaped leaves. These hang along a central midrib in various configurations, depending on the variety of the plant, and generally get shredded into little pennants by the wind. 

The Oxford Companion to Food, which I recommend reading if you can heft it, calls this “a neat evolutionary adaptation to lower their wind resistance, for the ‘trunk’ is not as strong as a real tree trunk and risks being blown down.” 

Like most adaptations, it’s not perfect, and they get blown down sometimes anyway. Don’t fret; the stalk dies back anyway after flowering and maybe fruiting, and the whole plant retreats to its bulbous tuber. Over a few years, it grows offsets from that cache of energy, and makes its own little grove. Offsets—“pups”—can be separated from the central plant along with some roots, and replanted elsewhere.  

What fouls up bananas here is not so much pests as cold, poorly drained clay soils. The plant likes rich, well-drained humus, warmth, and lots of moisture but not soggy root zones.  

Even those of us who shop at the Berkeley Bowl or the produce stores on East 14th or whatever they call it this year might be surprised at the variety of bananas in existence. Your basic Cavendish or Gros Michel, the yellow ones you see everywhere, aren’t the half of it; one Georgia grower mentions ripe fruit that can be green, pink, red, orange or purple, and the classic cooking banana, generally labeled “platanos” on grocery shelves and restaurant menus, is best for baking when it’s good and black outside.  

Hide color isn’t all that varies. Descriptions of flavors—“sweet but sharp,” “aromatic,” “approaching apple”—make me curious mostly because they’re so vague. I’m not sure that precision would be more helpful, though. Durian has been closely described, as by Alfred Russell Wallace (“… indescribable. A rich butter-like custard highly flavoured with almonds,,, intermingled with it come wafts of flavour that call to mind cream-cheese, onion-sauce, brown sherry…”) but there’s something to it that no one has quite named, and I can’t either. Good tho’, as Utah Philips says.  

Banana flowers, meaning the male part of the inflorescence, and banana leaves have their culinary uses too, cooked or cooked-in. Aside from wrapping sweet rice for desserts, the leaves, used to line a cooking pot, give the rice a nice flavor even when they burn a little on the bottom.  

In spite of the assertion that some edible banana varieties can be grown as far north as Kentucky, most of the ones I know personally are decorative. They’re handsome and evocative, and the red and mottled cultivars are spectacular. Still, I wonder if we might give the big corporations as well as the scary Panama Wilt disease a bit of competition by growing our own.  

Photograph by Ron Sullivan 

Very Berkeley pairing: banana (Musa X paradisiaca, probably) flower and foliage in foreground, coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) behind.

TUESDAY, MAY 16 

Public Hearing on the David Brower Center at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. 981-6900. 

Wilderness First Aid Basics with certified wilderness EMT David Yacubian at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Strawberry Tasting at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Derby St. at MLK Jr. Way. Samples and book signing with Jessica Prentice, author of “Full MoonFeast: Food and the Hunger Connection.” 548-3333.  

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Family Story Time at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Branch Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Free, all ages welcome. 524-3043. 

“Pain-free Naturally” with Lorenzo Puertas, licensed acupuncturist at noon at the Maffly Auditorium, Herrick Campus, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2001 Dwight Way. Please refrain from wearing fragrances. Free. 644-3273. 

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

Discussion Salon on “Predictions for the Future” at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. at Rose. Please bring snacks to share, no peanuts please. 

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17  

Walking Tour of Oakland City Center Meet at 10 a.m. in front Oakland City Hall at Frank Ogawa Plaza. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

“All About Reverse Mortgages” with Cherisse Baptiste of ECHO Housing at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Gray Panthers Office, 1403 Addison St., behind the Univ. Ave. Andronico’s. 548-9696. 

“The Making of a Revolutionary” a new film about Israel’s conscientious objectors at 7:30 p.m at Grand lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Cost is $10-$13. Benefits Jewish Voice for Peace. 465-1777.  

League of Women Voters Annual Meeting with guest speaker Daniel Purnell, Oakland Public Ethics Commission on “Let the Sun Shine on City Government” at 5 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Cost is $15. 843-8824. http://lwvbae.org 

“Invisible Ballots” and “Help America Vote ... On Paper” two documentaries on the problems with electronic voting at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St. Donation of $5 accepted.  

Safe Medicine Disposal Day Don’t flush or trash medicine! Bring old medicines to Oakland City Hall between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for safe disposal. www.baywise.org  

Classes in English and Citizenship offered by the Oakland Adult Education program Mon.-Fri. from 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Register at Lincoln Elementary School, 225 11th St., room 205. 879-8131. 

American Red Cross Blood Ser Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at its headquarters in Oakland. We need your help to support the more than 40 blood drives held each month all over the East Bay, evenings and weekends included. For more information, phone Anne at 594-5165.  

Lupus Research Update with Dr. Franc Barrat, Senior Scientist Dynavax Technologies, Inc. at 6:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, Berkeley Marina. Hosted the Alliance for Lupus Research. Please RSVP to 800-867-1743. 

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

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m.  

THURSDAY, MAY 18 

Bike to Work Day Ride your bike to work and see how fast, healthy, and fun it can be. Energizer Stations throughout Alameda County. 415-246-8078. www.511.org 

“Insects of Lake Merritt and Greater Oakland” with Eddie Dunbar at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

“Shopping with the Chef” with Jessica Prentice on how she makes shopping decisions at 3:30 p.m. at the North Shattuck Farmer’s Market. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

LeConte Neighborhood Association meets at 7:30 p.m. at the LeConte School cafeteria. Councilmember Worthington will give an update of City affairs. Paving over back and side yards, Earthquake retrofitting, Bus Rapid Transit and Helping curb auto theft will be discussed. 843-2602. 

Women’s Cancer Resource Center Benefit with a performance of “Jonna’s Body, Please Hold” at 8 p.m. at Montclair Women's Cultural Arts Club, 1650 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $125. www.wcrc.org 

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755.  

Historical & Current Times Book Group meets on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1249 Marin Ave. 548-4517. 

FRIDAY, MAY 19 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Edward Holbrock, Prof. of Law on “Estate Planning” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020.  

“A Quarter-Century of Preserving Oakland’s History” Fundraiser for Oakland Heritage Alliance at 6 p.m. at the historic Lake Merritt Hotel, 1800 Madison St. at Lake Merritt, Oakland. TIckets are $40-$50. 763-9218. info@oaklandheritage.org 

Conscientious Projector: “The Take” A documentary on the worker takeover of Argentina’s factories at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalist Hall, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Donation $10. 528-5403. 

International House Garage Sale For Charity for Darfur and Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 2299 Piedmont Ave. To volunteer email garagesaleforcharity@gmail.com 

Bay Area Classical Harmonies Benefit Dinner and Concert at 7:30 p.m. at Pro Arts Gallery in Oakland. Tickets are $60-$100. 290-3604. www.bayareabach.org  

“Organizing Your Life as a Spiritual Practice” with Eve Abbott at 7:30 p.m. at Unity of Berkeley, 2075 Eunice St. Cost is $15-$25, registration required. 528-8844.  

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A drop-in, rated scholastic tournament follows from 7 to 8 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave., Room 17. 843-0150. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. 845-1041. 

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

SATURDAY, MAY 20 

Himalayan Fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Live Oak Park, 1300 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman. Cost is $8, benefits grassroots humanitarian projects in the Himalayas. 869-3995. www.himalyanfair.org 

Kid’s Garden Club for ages 7-12 to explore the world of gardening, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

California Wildflower Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun. from noon to 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. www.museumca.org 

Botanical Illustration Workshop with Catherine Watters using fresh wildflowers from the Museum’s California Wildflower Show, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. For reservations call 238-3884. 

Basic Organic Vegetable Gardening Learn how to grow your own food, taught by Herman Yee, an avid gardener who has worked in many community garden projects in the East Bay. Bring sunscreen, hat, and sun protection if needed. Class will be held in Albany, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-registration required. Cost is $15-$10. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

West Stege Marsh Restoration Volunteers are needed to assist with the on-going effort to restore a portion of West Stege marsh, its surrounding uplands, and adjacent grassland, on the UC’s Richmond Field Station from 9 a.m. to noon. 665-3689. www.thewatershedproject.org 

Berkeley Progressives Platform Convention at 2 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Hall, Cedar and Bonita. 

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 

Berkeley History Center Walking Tour: “The Sisterna Tract in West Berkeley: A Small Chilean Ranch Transformed” led by Stephanie Manning, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0181.  

Walking Tour of Old Oakland uptown to the Lake to discover Art Deco landmarks. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of the Paramount Theater at 2025 Broadway. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

“Designing for a Vertical Garden” with Gail Yelland at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Landscape Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

Chef Demonstration with Jessica Prentice, author of “Full Moon Feast: Food and the Hunger for Connection” at 11 a.m. at the Farmer’s Market, Center St. at MLK, Jr. Way. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Emergency Preparedness Class on Fire Supression from 9 a.m. to noon at the Berkeley Marina, 201 University Ave. Free, registration required. 981-5506. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes 

Latino College Day for Chicanos and Latinos in the East Bay Area. Information on admissions, financial aid, scholarships and special programs, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Laney College, 900 Fallon St., Oakland. 464-3161. 

Foster Youth Alliance Walkathon & Resource Fair in support of youth transitioning from foster care. Registration begins 9 a.m., Walk begins 10 a.m.; Resource Fair open until 1:30 pm. at the Lake Merritt Band Stand Area near Fairyland, Oakland. Walkathon fee is $35, $15 for children and seniors, free for current and former foster youth up to age 24. 428-9821. www.fosteryouthalliance.org  

The West County Coalition to Inform Voters Democratic Candidates Forum from 1 to 5 p.m. at John and Jean Knox Center for the Performing Arts, Contra Costa College, 2600 Mission Bell Drive, San Pablo. 233-2786, 215-5780.  

California Writers Club meets to discuss “Surprise Characters: Animators or Antagonists?” at 10 a.m. at Barnes and Noble, Jack London Square. 272-0120. 

Satsuki Arts Festival & Bazaar with San Jose Taiko, other performers, a variety of Japanese food, Asian arts and crafts, a silent auction and carnival games. From 4 to 9 p.m. , and noon to 7 p.m. on Sun. at Berkeley Buddhist Temple, 2121 Channing Way. Free. 841-1356. 

Safe Medicine Disposal Day Don’t flush or trash medicine! Bring medicines to Walgreens, 5055 Telegraph, Oakland, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for safe disposal. www.baywise.org  

Lead-Safety for Remodeling, repair and painting of older homes. A HUD & EPA approved class held in Oakland from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To register, call Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 567-8280. www.ACLPPP.org 

Pre-School Storytime for 3-5 year olds at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., through June 22. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

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, MAY 21 

Himalayan Fair from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Live Oak Park, 1300 Shattuck Ave. at Berryman. Cost is $8, benefits grassroots humanitarian projects in the Himalayas. 869-3995.  

Celebration of Old Roses with heritage, hard-to-find, miniature, and modern roses from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the El Cerrito Community Center, on Loeser at Ashbury. Free.  

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m., Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. 526-7377. info@ 

eastbaylabyrinthproject.org 

Teens Touch the Earth Community Service from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Damon Marsh, Martin Luther King, Jr. Shoreline. Help remove invasive plants and shoreline debris while learning about protecting watersheds, wildlife and native plants. For ages 12-19. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Unselt Lecture on “Urban Bee Gardening” with Dr. Gordon Frankie of the College of Natural Resources, UCB, at 10 a.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Free, but registration required. 643-2755. 

“Plentiful Poppies” Wildflower discovery day for children and thier families from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. www.museumca.org 

“Shake it, Don’t Break It” A family earthquake program from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. www.museumca.org 

Bug Patrol for ages 6 to 12 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to hunt for local creepy crawlies around the Tilden Nature Center. Fee is $3. 525-2233. 

California Wildflower Show from noon to 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. www.museumca.org 

Botanical Illustration Demonstration with Catherine Watters using fresh wildflowers from the Museum’s California Wildflower Show, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. www.museumca.org 

Victorian Preservation Center of Oakland invites the public to view the ongoing preservation projects at the Cohen-Bray House, built in 1884, from noon to 4 p.m. at 1440 29th Ave., Oakland. Donation of $10 requested. www.cohen-brayhouse.info 

Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley 's “La Place du Marché” French marketplace from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1009 Heinz Ave. www.eb.org 

Berkeley CyberSalon “Is the Future of Music Now?” with Gerd Leonhard, author of “The Future of Music”; Tom Conrad, CTO of Pandora; Ann Greenberg, cofounder of ION; Brian Zisk, founder and board member of the Future of Music Coalition; and Amy Tobin, singer, composer, and multimedia show producer, at 5 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $15. 

Salem Salutes Recognition Banquet honoring the 2006 recipient of the Milton Moore Award, Joan Roberts, at 5 p.m. at Scott’s Seafood Restaurant at Jack London Square, 2 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $100 for dinner and entertainment. 434-2828. 

Young People’s Symphony Orchestra Auditions from 2 to 6 p.m. Rehearsals are every Mon. eve. in Berkeley. For audition time please call 849-9776.  

Hands-on Bike Clinic Learn how to fix a flat at 10 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Bring your bike and tools. Free. 527-4140. 

KIDsational Fashion Benefit for Music in the Community at 5 p.m. at Black Repertory Group, 3201 Adeline St. Tickets are $15-$20. 652-2120. 

Meet the Guinea Pigs Learn all about guinea pigs and how enjoyable they can be as companion animals for every family member, from 2 to 4 p.m. at RabbitEARS, 303 Arlington Ave., behind ACE Hardware, Kensington. 525-6155. 

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

Tibetan Buddhism with Lama Palzang and Pema Gellek on “The Healing Mantras” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

ONGOING 

Poll Workers Needed in Alameda County for June 6 Primary Election. Poll workers must be eligible to register to vote in California, have basic clerical skills. Training classes begin in May. 272-6971. 

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Youth Sports Classes NFL Flag Football for boys and girls ages 9 to 12 begins May 9, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Cost is $10-$15 for 5 weeks, and Pee Wee Basketball for boys and girls ages 6 to 8 begins May 13, 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $25-$35 for 6 weeks. For more information contact BYA Sports & Fitness Department 845-9066.  

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., May 16, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., May 17, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., May 17, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/aging 

Commission on Labor meets Wed., May 17 at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. Delfina M. Geiken, 981-7550. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/labor 

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. May 17, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Library Board of Trustees meets Wed. May 17, at 7 p.m. at South Berkeley Senior Center., Jackie Y. Griffin, 981-6195. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/library  

School Board meets Wed. May 17 at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. Queen Graham 644-6147 or Mark Coplan 644-6320. 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., May 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Anne Burns, 981-7415. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/designreview  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., May 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/faircampaign 

FRIDAY, MAY 12 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “Small Tragedy” Wed.-Sat at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through May 14. Tickets are $38. 843-4822.  

BHS Drama Dept. “Bat Boy” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at the Florence Schwimley Little Theater, BHS Campus. Tickets are $12 general, $7 students. Arrive early, shows sell out. 332-1931.  

Berkeley Rep “The Glass Menagerie” at 8 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. Tickets are $59. Runs through june 18. 647-2949.  

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Animal Crackers” at 8 p.m. Fri and Sat., and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Contra Costa Civic Theater, 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito, through May 20. Tickets are $12-$20. 524-9132.  

Impact Theater “Money & Run Episode 4: Go Straight, No Chaser,” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave. Cost is $10-$15. Runs through May 27. 464-4468.  

Shotgun Players “King Lear” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. to June 18. Tickets are $15-$30, reservations suggested. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Subterranean Shakespeare “Richard III” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. at Rose in Live Oak Park, through May. 20. Tickets are $12-$17. 276-3871. 

TheatreFIRST “World Music” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Old Oakland Theatre, 461 Ninth St. at Broadway. Tickets are $18-$22. 436-5085. www.theatrefirst.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Black Artists Expressions of Father” opens with a reception and artists talk at 6 p.m. at Richmond Main Street Intiative, 1101 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. Exhibition runs to July 28. 236-4049, 626-8703. 

“Generations: A Retrospective of the Figure” and “Rendevous” Exhibitions opens with a reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1625 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. www.accigallery.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“The Elegant Gathering: Art, Politics, and Collecting in China” A conference on the collection of Chinese art with keynote address by Jonathan Hay, New York University on “The Effects of Imperial Collecting on the Transmission of Chinese Paintings” at 4:30 p.m. at UC Berkeley Art Museum, 2621 Durant Ave. http://ieas.berkeley.edu/events/elegantgathering 

James Howard Kunstler describes “The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of Oil, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-First Century” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Natya Indian Dance, the art of storytelling through classical Indian dance at 1 p.m. at the Lakeview Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 550 El Embarcadero. 238-7344. 

Women’s Antique Vocal Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church,1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $5-$15. www.wavewomen.org 

Doug Arrington & his Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Fred Frith in a benefit for the Community School of the East Bay at 7 and 9 p.m. at 215 Ridgeway off Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Donation $20. Reservations suggested. 923-0505. www.cseb.org  

The Sounds We Make with The Bananas, 1918, The Cars The Doors and others at 8 p.m. at 21 Grand, 416 25th St., Oakland. Cost is $5-$10. 444-7263. 

Sin Voz, Waiting in Vain, Weapons at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886. 

The KTO Project at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

With River and Philp Rodriguez, song-writing duo, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Bill Miller at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Peter Barshay Duo at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

DJ & Brook, jazz, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Blue Turtle Seduction, Al Howard at 9 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Harold Ray, Rock ‘N’ Roll Adventure Kids at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Ise Lyfe, Sol Rebelz, The Attic, hip hop, at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$8. 548-1159.  

Vagabond Opera, CD release party, at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 644-2204.  

Sistas in the Pit, Coal Pitts Wash at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100.  

Eleven Eyes at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Hugh Masekela at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, MAY 13 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Modern Landscapes Plus” works by Barbara Bailey-Porter, Ron Mohoan, and John Crawford. Reception at 6:30 p.m. at Stone Gallery, 600 50th St., Oakland. 536-5600. 

“Gathering Time” Photographs by Heidi B. Desuyo opens at Photolab Gallery, 2236 Fifth St., and runs to June 24. 644-1400.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Power of The Spoken Word with performances, discussion and a documentary on the influence of Hip Hop at 2 p.m. at African Children’s Advanced Learning Center, 33rd St., corner of San Pablo, Oakland. Cost is $10. Nefertinaproductions@ 

yahoo.com 

“The Elegant Gathering: Art, Politics, and Collecting in China” Panel discussions from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at UC Berkeley Art Museum, 2621 Durant Ave. http://ieas.berkeley.edu/events/elegantgathering 

Youth Speaks Poets celebration and readings at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852.  

Miriam Engelberg describes “Cancer Made Me a Shallower Person: A Memoir in Comics” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

American Bach Soloists “St. Matthew Passion” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $18-$40. 415-621-7900. www.americanbach.org 

San Francisco Early Music Society “Paris in the Spring” Songs of the 17th century French Court, at 8 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. at Garber. Tickets are $10-$25. 528-1725.  

The Sounds We Make with Up the Voltage, Abi Yoyos, Hey Girl at 3 p.m. at Rock, Paper, Scissors, 2278 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Free. 238-9171. 

Praise ‘n’ Hip Hop at 3 and 7 p.m. at Black Repertory Theater, 3200 Aldeline St. Tickets are $15-$20. 384-4566. 

The Sounds We Make with Christopher Willits, Cenk Ergun, Wobbly and others at 8 p.m. at 21 Grand, 416 25th St., Oakland. Cost is $5-$10. 444-7263. 

Rhonda Benin & her Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

West African Highlife Band at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. African dance lesson at 9 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054.  

Dandara & band, Beto Guimarães, Bateria Lucha at 8 p.m. at The Beat at Eddie Brown Center for the Arts, 2560 9th St. Cost is $15-$20. 548-5348. www.the-beat.org 

Famous Last Words, Rick Didia and Nate Cooper at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

The Kathy Kallick Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Damond Moodie, Kiff at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100.  

Finless Brown, The Get Down, Vera Clique at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Kristen Strom, saxophonist, at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373.  

Caroline Chung Duo at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Strange Angels, local blues veterans, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Hollow Point Syndicate, Imagika at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082.  

StevenThe Jets at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Naked Aggression, Retching Red, Mouth Sewn Shut at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, MAY 14 

CHILDREN 

Mary Miche Mother’s Day Concert at 3 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Now-Time Venezuela Part 2: Revolutionary Television in Catia” with selections from the community television station, opens at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way, and runs through July 16. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“Healing Waters” paintings by Judi Miller, glass sculpture by Carol Holmes, and “Katrina’s Children” art and poetry by gulf coast youth on display at the Community Art Gallery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2450 Ashby Ave. through July 5. 204-1667.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Now-Time Venezuela Part 2: Revolutionary Television in Catia” Panel discussion on media activism at 2:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808.  

Poetry Flash with Deena Metzger and Jayne Lyn Stahl at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. Donation $2. 845-7852.  

Brian Keene and J.F. Gonzalez introduce their new horror novels at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

St. Mark’s Choir and Orchestra celebrates Mozart’s 250th birthday at 10 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way at Ellwsorth. 845-0888. 

Pacific Boychoir Mother’s Day Concert at 2 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. 

Crowden Music Center Faculty Concert at 4 p.m. at 1475 Rose St. at Sacramento. Cost is $12, free for children.  

Bella Musica “A Choral Menagerie” at 5 p.m. in the Chapel of Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Blvd. Suggested donation $10-$15. 525-5393. 

Giorgio Parolini, organist, at 6:10 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way at Ellsworth. 845-0888. 

College of Alameda Jazz Band performs a free jazz concert from 2 to 6 p.m at the Oakland Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. Families welcome. 748-2213. 748-2312. 

Kathy Kallick Mother’s Day Concert at 1 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $7.50 children, $9.50 for adults. 548-1761. 

The Sounds We Make with Rose Melberg, Finchers, Nedelle and others at 3 p.m. at Rock, Paper, Scissors, 2278 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Free. 238-9171. 

Jennifer Lee Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $7. 841-JAZZ.  

Americana Unplugged with The Grizzley Peak Bluegrass Band at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 655-5715. 

Homenagem Brasileira at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15-$18. 845-5373.  

Ellen Robinson at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

The Sick, Troublemaker, GunPowder at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, MAY 15 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

David Korten talks about the consolidation of power in “The Great Turning” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$13. 845-7852.  

Spuyten Duyvil Night with Tod Thilleman, Tsipi Keller and Dean Kostos at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Simon Schama reads from “Rough Crossings: Britain, The Slaves, and The American Revolution” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph. 845-7852.  

Poetry Express with Sonya Renne, 2004 slam national slam champion, at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jazz at the Chimes with Oakland School of the Arts Big Band at 2 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Donation $15. 228-3207. 

Zilberella Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Trovatore, traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Blue Monday Jam, MC Little Jr Crudup, Sam One Blues Band at 7:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. 

Northgate High School at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$15. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, MAY 16 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Shaunna Oteka McCovey, Yurok tribe member, reads from her book of poetry, “Smokehouse Boys” at 6:30 p.m. at the Dimond Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 3565 Fruitvale Ave. 482-7844. 

Shelby Steele describes “White Guilt: How Blacks & Whites Together Destroyed the Promise of the Civil Rights Era” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Gerard Landry & The Lariats at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

Singers’ Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Gove Scrivenor at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Howard Barken Trio, jazz, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 

CHILDREN 

“Zink: The Myth, The Legend, The Zebra” A musical play by Park Day School, Wed. and Thurs. at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Suggested donation $10 for adults and $5 for children at the door.  

FILM 

“Caribe” Politics, passion, and environmentalism in Costa Rica at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$6. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Michelle Goldberg describes “Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852.  

Café Poetry hosted by Paradise at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña. Donation $2. 849-2568.  

John Curl will read from his new books “Ancient American Poets” and “Scorched Birth” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Music for the Spirit with organ music of women composeers at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

Whiskey Brothers Old Time and Bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Le Jazz Hot at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100.  

Bernard Anderson & The Old School Band at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. 

Mazacote at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Solo Bass Night with Michael Manring, Jean Baudin, Jeff Schmidt and Dave Grossman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Blue Roots at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Delinquent Monastery, Lost and Found Generation, Bumbalo at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8. 848-0886.  

Rebeca Mauleón at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, MAY 18 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Wood Sculpture by Paul Hoffman” Reception at 5 p.m. at The Sculpture Court, 1111 Broadway, Oakland. Exhibit runs through July 19. 238-6836. 

“Works by William Wareham and Keith Ferris” Reception at 5 p.m. at Gallery 555, 555 12th St., Oakland. Exhibit runs through July 28. 238-6836. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Nomad Spoken Word Night at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Alvin Toffler introduces his new book “Revolutionary Wealth” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

Word Beat Reading Series with Robert Tricaro and Cherise Wyneken at 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 526-5985. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Natya Indian Dance, the art of storytelling through classical Indian dance at 1 p.m. at the Brookfield Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 9255 Edes Ave. 615-5725. 

Albany High School Jazz & Rhythm Bound R&B Bands at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$10. 525-5054.  

Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

Maya Kronfeld Group at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Wayward Monks at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Vienna Tang, singer songwriter, at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15-$20. 548-1159.  

Showtime @ 11 Hip Hop at 10 p.m. at the Ivy Room, 585 San Pablo Ave. at Solano. 524-9220. 

Bop City at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $8. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Keiko Matsui at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $24-$28. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

When the American Bach Soloists take on the grandeur (and three-hour-plus extent) of The St. Matthew Passion at Saturday at the First Congregational Church, it will be with a somewhat different, more unified sense of that great work’s contemporary significance.  

“Most modern interpreters have observed several different perspectives in The St. Matthew Passion,” said Musical Director Jeffrey Thomas. “There’s the narrative of the Gospel According to St. Matthew, which stands on its own, yet is interspersed with two other movements: arias, sung by anonymous bystanders who come in on the story— comments from outside the action, like our own today, and the chorales, from the German for “hymns,” which in Bach’s day represented the congregation—but in ours, the audience.”  

Thomas explained the particular sense that sets this performance apart: “Just as when, say, Garrison Keillor tells a story, he tells us what its characters say, so Bach handpicked the poetic texts for the interspersed arias and chorales—the i ndividual and group commentaries—and placed them where the voices would clarify what he saw as St. Matthew’s narration of the Passion of Christ. So Bach is the architect of an assemblage that was not pre-existent. It’s like a play by Shakespeare. What you remember is how his words, his rhetoric brought the characters and the drama into the foreground. Not just the story, but the way it’s told.” 

Besides the play of perspectives, “which are like a dialogue, a conversation back and forth, that seems to be discussing what emerges as from a single viewpoint,” Thomas talked about the changing perspective on the master himself. “In Bach’s day, to be a church musician was nothing glamorous. In many ways, he was happily subservient to the views of his patrons in the court and the Lutheran Church. Yet his time butted right up against that of the Enlightenment, when the message of his texts became less associated with God and more with mankind. So Bach emerged as the hero, though that’s not what he intended.” 

So w hat is the message today? “Unlike the listeners in Bach’s time, many of us have no religious background, but that doesn’t diminish the power of his rhetoric. The episodes are still transcendental, no matter what background the audience is from. Take the e pisode about Peter, who catches himself lying, denying Christ, and is filled with remorse. The Gospel stories function within our own experience, represent our humanness and comment on it. That’s the core of the work. How humanity plays a role in these fa ntastic scenes of tremendous, sometimes harrowing, power with the voice of crowds ... it’s a great experience to perform, to hear it together, share it with everyone else in the concert hall, and then emerge thinking about your own life in light of the meanings in that story.”  

The production comprises two separate orchestras and two separate choruses, as well as soloists, “55 performers or so ... though when Mendelssohn staged it for its centennial in 1827—the first time it was performed since at least Bach’s death in 1750—there were literally hundreds of performers,” Thomas said. “We try to strike a balance!” 

Thomas singled out Wesley Rogers, who sings the Evangelist. 

“What he has to do is more than being the narrator, not only must he sing his own p art, but hand over the foreground to the others in such a way that they deliver their role in character according to the Evangelist’s mindset,” he said. “It’s a phenomenal performance.” 

American Bach Soloists was founded 17 years ago in the Bay Area to b ring together the best American Bach specialists. Originally based in Tiburon-Belvedere in Marin County, they’ve expanded their concertizing around the Bay and to Davis, appeared at the UC Berkeley Early Music Festival, and produced over a dozen recording s. The St. Matthew Passion is the last show of their season. The annual summer Bach festival comes up in July. 

Actor, director, composer Andy Garcia’s The Lost City is billed as a love song to Garcia’s native Cuba, to the island as it existed before Fidel Castro’s revolution. The movie attempts to evoke a paradise lost, a land of music and dance and family destroyed by corruption and violence.  

Garcia plays Fico Fellove, owner of a Havana nightclub. He brings to mind Humphrey Bogart’s Rick Blaine from Casablanca, a white-coat-clad impresario, a no-nonsense man who refuses to believe in political causes and only reluctantly takes up the fight. As the revolution comes to a boil, his family is torn apart as his father preaches moderation to Fico’s unyieldingly radical brothers and Fico himself does everything he can to hold the family together. 

In the history of the movies, there is only a handful of actor-directors who manage to do both jobs well. Usually they are adept at one job or the other but fail when they take on both at once, and unfortunately Garcia is no exception.  

The movie is rather hamfisted, beating us over the head with its messages, its themes and its symbols. “I am a sincere man,” Garcia says toward the end of the film, and that is both his virtue and his vice as a director. He is so close to this material that he is unable to distinguish the affecting from the overwrought, the drama from the melodrama, the romantic from the trite. 

Films like this are often called vanity projects, and while the term seems a bit harsh for a project as heartfelt as this, it nevertheless has a certain amount of truth to it. Garcia makes several textbook vanity project mistakes. First of all, the camera rarely leaves him; he is in virtually every scene. It is a rare director who can extract from himself a great performance; a second opinion is desperately needed. Garcia attempts to underplay the role of Fico, whether by choice or by limitation, but just doesn’t pull it off, giving off not the slightest spark of genuine emotion.  

The notion of the auteur is so enticing, so romantic, that it has cemented its place in the public consciousness despite the fact that it is still hotly debated; the public generally believes that movies are solely the work of the director. And though this has sometimes been the case, more often than not, films are collaborative and benefit greatly from that fact. Garcia would have done far better had he hired a director, or at least an equal co-director, to help shape the stilted performances of Garcia and his cast and to help smooth the plot transitions that Garcia patches up with awkward expository dialogue.  

At times the film strays erratically into histrionics. As director, Garcia attempts a sort of expressionistic symbolism, especially in the film’s final moments, but these episodes come across as silly and amateurish. And throughout the film, flowery but trite poetic statements flow from the mouths of characters at the most unlikely of moments.  

Even Bill Murray can’t save the film; his superfluous sad-eyed comedic character parachutes in now and then to rescue a scene from itself, but the script is so dull that Murray’s improvisations have nothing of substance to build on. 

Garcia has so often played the ruthless, cynical tough guy that it seems he can do nothing else. Whether he simply can’t or whether we won’t let him is unclear. But for whatever reason, he’s simply not believable as the good guy. Every smile, every good deed seems disingenuous. “I’m no good at being noble,” the Bogart character says in Casablanca, and the same goes for Garcia. 

Terry Zwigoff’s Art School Confidential veers in the opposite direction. Zwigoff has an apparent predilection for misfits, as well as for cartoonists, not that the two are mutually exclusive. Zwigoff, a San Francisco resident, made Crumb, the award-winning documentary about the life and art of 1960s Bay Area underground cartoonist R. Crumb, as well as Ghost World, a movie based on the comic art of Oakland’s Daniel Clowes.  

Art School Confidential is another collaboration with Clowes and the results are similar, producing a film that falls in that murky category somewhere between drama and comedy. 

The movie features small, strong performances from a variety of indie-film creepcases like John Malkovich and Steve Buscemi. The film has fun ridiculing art school student stereotypes, but one needn’t have attended art school to recognize them; they’re familiar to anyone who did time in a college dorm or whose high school had a drama department.  

The movie is essentially a smarter, more thoughtful version of any number of teen movies: An awkward dreamer of a boy (Jerome, played by Max Minghella) moons over a girl (Sophia Myles) who opts instead for a tall, blonde jock type while the boy tries to woo her back with some kind of public demonstration of his prowess. It’s actually a great deal more complicated than this, but to say more would be to give too much away.  

The satire is entertaining but the film gets more interesting, if a bit clumsy, as it enters its final stretch. Jerome, eager to win first prize at a showing of student artwork, commits an artistic and ethical crime, yet is simultaneously being tracked as a suspect for a real-world crime. The film plays a subtle and effective trick, somehow managing to develop the suspense not from the threat that Jerome might serve time in jail but that he might be exposed as an artistic fraud. 

As with The Lost City, there are a few lame expository moments as the characters and the camera go out of their way to explain the obvious to us. But somehow these transgressions are more in keeping with the teen-drama aspects of the film: a little lame, a little light, a little trite. 

However, Art School Confidential uses this a device for something deeper, as a way to comment on art itself. The teachers are portrayed as has-beens and the students are pretentious, talentless blowhards, while the two artists who display any sort of real talent—Jerome and an alcoholic recluse played by Jim Broadbent—are vilified. The only way to gain recognition is to play the game, to incorporate sham with sincerity, showmanship with artistic integrity; to resign oneself to the cult of personality and sell oneself as a commodity for the sake of acquiring an audience. And ultimately, whether he likes it or not, the artist finds that the artifice becomes an art in itself.  

Ever get that midweek feeling of wanting to escape up the coast? Spend some time near the water in a picturesque town? Walk past quaint cottages and historic buildings? Roam the landscape allowing your eyes and mind to expand across open space? Discover a café, deli or fine restaurant and treat your taste buds to new flavors? Even without the time needed to reach Mendocino, a solution for the midweek blues is close at hand. 

Amazingly located along the border of industry, the compact town of Point Richmond seems a lifetime away. It’s one part small village and one part bayside open space, connected by a tunnel under a large hill dotted with interesting dwellings, historic and contemporary.  

Point Richmond gave Richmond its start. The deep water off Ferry Point drew the Santa Fe Railway creating a short-lived ferry service to San Francisco. Standard Oil Company purchased land and its refinery took off. Both fueled Richmond’s economic engines and drew workers by the hundreds resulting in a boomtown initially heavy on tents and soggy land and low on amenities. 

By 1902, families began arriving and settled in. A hotel, bank, merchant shops, grocery and funeral parlor occupied the flatland while residences and churches advanced up the hill. The town of Point Richmond was up and running. 

Today’s Point Richmond retains the foundations of its past with adjustments befitting the current population. Historic buildings, many lovingly restored, have new occupations, but a wander along the main streets still echoes with that small town feel.  

I felt my pace slow as I explored town central, home to a tiny town museum, the Point Richmond History Association. If you don’t know its location, you might mistake the small tan clapboard for a child’s playhouse. Built in 1903 as the Richmond Supply Company it holds the distinction of being the oldest commercial building in town. Inside artifacts, photographs and newspaper articles bring to life the past. 

Sharing Center Square is The Sentinel, a bronze statue by Kirk St. Maur, honoring the first Indian and the quest for freedom and survival. Below is a circle of dedicated bricks, purchased by supporting residents. A small park, library, community center and fire station stand side by side to complete this community oriented space.  

Bricks play a large part in Point Richmond’s architecture as does the attractive tri-color scheme of painted clapboard. On alert for architectural details I admired awnings of different shapes and colors like eyebrows over windowed eyes. The Old Firehouse’s arched brick windows, the round ventilation portholes on The Masquers Playhouse and lovely iron lamp fixtures furthered my interest. One building, The Point, is just that, constructed to fit the triangular shape of a narrow corner property. A more recent mural colorfully portrays workers in Richmond’s past. 

Putting the past to good use resonates throughout town, especially with restaurants. My meander stimulated my appetite; for a small community, Point Richmond has a high density of places to tempt the taste buds.  

The Pub at Baltic Square has had as many lives as a cat. From the town’s first tavern in 1904, it’s been reinvented as city hall, residence, funeral parlor, speakeasy, House of Prostitution and storage area. Today the back bar and mirror hark back to pre-1906 San Francisco, dark wood covers walls and floor and stained glass lampshades reflect light. This boomtown atmosphere is the perfect setting for lunchtime Pub Burger, Reuben or Shepherd’s Pie. 

The pale mustard walls hung with eye-pleasing paintings and peppers take Rosamaria’s Café a long way from the turn of the century bakery once occupying this space. Authentic Mexican food California style using healthy, fresh ingredients fills the menu. You know Mama’s tostada with citrus cilantro vinaigrette over cabbage, red onions, greens, jicama, black beans and guacamole has to be delicious and good for you. 

Little Louie’s draws quite a crowd for breakfast and lunch. More warm yellow walls, wood wainscoting and eye-catching murals of boats and beaches increase the relaxation factor. This must be everyone’s favorite deli, with choices too numerous to list. Pick from hot, deli or panini sandwiches or a three-egg scrambler, but don’t think the choice will be easy. 

Enter the historic building housing the Hotel Mac and you’ll swear you’ve walked into an established sporting club. With colors of rust, blue and forest green, paintings of waterfowl, sink-into easy chairs, club tables, fringed lampshades and a long wood bar leaving may be difficult. Try Wednesday’s “Steak & Shake” for a true club experience. 

Even the market in this town has character. Santa Fe Market reminded me of an old country store where you knew everything was fresh. Displaying produce in baskets and old woodbins; with old labels like Strength Valencia’s, Rhino and Fontana Girl Grapefruit adorning the walls; and stocked with all manner of groceries and wine, I could have been miles away on a rural lane. 

A little shopping always adds to that vacation feeling. The Art Lounge occupies the old Fire Building and its wares could raise a few temperatures. So much fun in a small space. Rhinestones, beads, jewelry, purses, feather boas, dangling candle holders and beaded lampshades—something for the diva in all of us. 

Hydrangea grabbed my attention with its floral theme in gifts, cards and plants. White wood shelves and flowered wall paintings create buy-me appeal. I eyed a French metal flower bucket brimming with yellow callas and a pot of mini daffodils, and then breathed in the fresh scent of Persian pear soap and lotion, wanting them all. 

Much of Point Richmond’s appeal comes from its setting, where bay views and salt-tinged breezes easily clear the head. A short drive took me through the tunnel to Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline. Also known as A Park For the People, these 300-acres of open space surrounded by chemical plants and oil tanks represent the hard efforts necessary for its creation. 

Once there, eyes drawn across the bay toward the Marin Hills, I felt miles away. Shore-side the open grassland is huge, dotted with eucalyptus and pine trees, saltwater lagoon, picnic facilities, multi-use trail and abundant bird-life. At the north end Keller’s Beach beckons with protected cove and swimming beach awaiting happy paddlers and hopeful fisher-people.  

Across the road, narrow trails wind up into hills thick with wild grasses, coyote bush, scotch broom, spring wildflowers and remnants of long-ago Indian villages. Topside panoramic views are icing on the cake. 

It’s amazing how just a few hours away can feel longer. Slowing down expands time. This may not make sense, science-wise, but perception is what counts. Take the time to visit Point Richmond, to partake of its amenities and relish its hard won Regional Shoreline. You don’t have to travel far; you just need to know where to look.

Dear Matt, 

I read your recent column on heating, and it motivated me to replace the ancient floor heater in my tiny 100-year-old house with central heat, which is being installed as I write. 

After they remove the old floor furnace, they will patch the floor with plywood (the intake hole is being cut elsewhere, in a less visible/central location). My floors are softwood, fir I think, and have a lovely patina of age.  

My question for you is this: Is there any way to patch it so that it'll look decent? Any way to match the old aged look? Or will this area always stick out like a sore thumb? 

Your answer might help me determine if I should get just the hole patched which would show a seam, or take out all the slats around the hole and replace a bigger area, so that there is no seam. 

If it's going to stick out like a sore thumb, then better to just patch the smaller area I think; if it can be made to look good, then I'll patch the bigger area. 

Thanks! 

Karin, Berkeley 

Dear Karin, 

What a great question. As you may recall and for the others reading, I generally favor turning the old floor furnace into a cold air return so that this problem is avoided but if the location isn’t where you want the cold air return to end up and prefer to fix the old floor it’s time for the Over-qualified Contractors of Berkeley, those multi-faceted artists who eschew the corporate culture in favor of the airy life of the general contractor. 

They can be found almost any day sipping cappuccino out in front of Fat Apples or the French Hotel discussing their role in the latest anti-war march or practicing lute with the Society for Creative Anachronism. Some have problems showing up for work on time as they struggle through the last few pages of their dissertation on early Japanese Buddhism or mop oil paint off their elbow as they apply the final brush strokes to their latest painting. 

I’ve been meeting these guys (and gals) over the last 25 years around here and it always amazes and delights me to see that this fraction of society which could have trod the road worn rutty had chosen instead to amble, not run through a series of fortuneless events. 

The Berkeley area seems to specialize in this sort and though most are general contractors or handyfolk, many have specialized as tilers, painter and even plumbers doing extraordinary things in their areas of specialty. Some of the tilers even make their own tile and more than a few painters specialize in a range of faux finishes.  

Among the general contractors I’ve met over the years one will find painters, sculptors and poets who manage to insinuate their talent into the framing of buildings and the casting of concrete. 

The trick for these, mostly underpaid and often underemployed artisans, is to find people who will pay for what they have to offer. People who are willing to incorporate something non-traditional in their “personal space.” 

Many are too fearful to do so and select, instead, for square rooms and neutral colors. Those of you bold enough to let your freak-flag fly can avail yourselves of talents not available in much of the United States and make a part of your home into a work of art. 

Returning to your problem, Karin, the secret is to find an artist, who is willing to find the right materials and take the time to match what you have. 

Here are some tips on how to go about the repair of your floor. The first thing is to match the species, if possible. Your softwood floor is probably 1x4 tongue-in-groove flat-grain fir. It has probably gotten very hard and probably worn and pitted over time. 

There are a number of suppliers of used building materials in town that just might have what you need but you’ll have to do some spelunking amidst the salvage. As you may recall from a recent column, Berkeley has a number of salvage yards. Several have salvaged wood. I’d start with Urban Ore. 

If you can’t find just what you’re looking for, you and your artistic helper can distress some new matching wood. If you can’t find exactly the right size and shape, a good carpenter should be able to mill a few pieces that are just the right size. 

If this is beyond their skill set, you can take a small piece from the edge of the opening (you’re going to need to take a few pieces out anyway before you’re done) and take it to one of our local lumber mills to make some length of matching material. I like Beronio in S.F. but we have a few places in the East Bay that can also do this. Once you have enough board feet of lumber, you can generally beat up on it. This is where the artist comes into play. 

A person with the right vision can come up with a way to abuse it just the right way and get it to come out looking much like your old floor. You want to do this prior to installation. You can then paint with stain, testing on a piece you won’t use, until you have a pretty good match 

Lastly, you want to cut the planks that meet the opening so that there are very few that terminate right at the edge of the opening. If you cut many of the boards back to other joists (the supports your flooring nails onto), you won’t end up with a box of replacement wood and it will be a much more convincing patch. This is sort of like a reweave on a tweed coat. 

The best examples of flooring repairs involve removing as much as 50 percent more wood along the lengths that make up the opening. It’s best if some run longer than others. When you get done with this phase, you’ll be happiest if you put a new finish on the entire floor. 

In fact, if you sand and refinish all of the floor after this “reweave,” you can achieve a near perfect result, but this level of repair isn’t necessary if you’ve been really good about finding or manufacturing a good copy. Your carpenter will need to work carefully with chisels and perhaps a router (a great way to cut out old board if you know the tricks) to fit the new boards in. 

This sort of thing will take time and great care in the tiny details. Try not to rush your artiste and be prepared for it to cost a lesser limb. But if you do it well, you’ll be showing it off at dinner parties for years to come. Bon Chance. 

Matt Cantor owns Cantor Inspections and lives in Berkeley His column runs weekly. 

Copyright 2006 Matt Cantor›

It’s been way too long since I’ve gone to a meeting of California Rare Fruit Growers. There’s one such meeting tomorrow (Saturday May 13) in Walnut Creek that is weirdly tempting because it will feature Dr. Robert Raabe, whose approach to plant diseases is of the gleeful sort, which can be fun but rarely works well as a bedside manner for humans.  

This is typical, in my experience, of CRFG’s approach and gatherings: useful, wonky (one thing I love about them), sociable, and fun. It figures that an organization devoted to pushing the borders of what can be grown where would be that upbeat. They get to expand the frontiers of applied science and then eat the results. 

The current issue of the house magazine, Fruit Gardener, features a close-up of the flowers of pineapple guava, Feijoa sellowiana. It grows well right here, and gets used as a boundary shrub in institutional plantings as well as in home gardens. 

It’s pest-resistant from what I know of it, drought-tolerant, and it you put it in a sunny enough spot it can bear lots of fruit, which is oddly expensive at the market and tastes best fresh with its wonderful scent to enhance it.  

And those flowers are edible: you just pick off the petals and leave the main flower organs to develop into fruit. (You might get less fruit, depending on whether the flower’s been pollinated and what gets attracted to pollinate it despite the absent petals.) The petals are frosty white on one side, deep crimson on the other, thick and succulent for a flower petal, and taste of sweetness and cinnamon. They’re the sort of thing that is best savored one at a time as you walk through the garden.  

That’s the sort of information you get from CRFG. You might get a taste, too, by way of direct teaching. Meetings tend to have somebody’s never-heard-of-it jam or wot-the-heck fruit in slices at the back of the room, for sampling and showing off. 

The atmosphere is half county-fair, half scholarly, and members apparently love questions like, “What’s that??” You learn not only what it is but how to grow your own. 

Part of the fun is growing stuff you thought was strictly airfreight—the friend who introduced me to CRFG has a pair of macadamia trees in his yard, and they bear nuts, as do other members’ trees I’ve met—and pricey to buy. 

Even if you should perchance end up with the equivalent of the $45 tomato, you’ll have priceless fringe benefits: knowledge about growing, a story to tell, and mostly that landscape value of the plant. Those macadamia trees are quite handsome, and so are the guava shrubs. Factor in what you’d pay for shadetrees or fencing that just stood around looking pretty, and the price looks better and better. 

CRFG isn’t only about tropicals. It’s the best source I know of for finding out about apples and peaches and such varieties that have a low enough required “chill” time to let them bear good fruit in Berkeley. If you remember some fruit from way back or far away, here’s the brain trust you need to grow your own. 

Non-members are welcome at meetings. Locally, they’re usually on the second Saturdays of odd-numbered months in various locations. See the website, write, or call for schedules. 

FRIDAY, MAY 12 

Resource Fair for Blind and Low Vision People Learn about the agencies and services available and the latest in vision products, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Berkeley Senior Center, 1900 Sixth St. Lunch served, with reservations 981-5180.  

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Daniel Strohl on “The Potomac: FDR’s Yacht” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

Early Childhood Safety: Water Safety Information about baby pools, water buckets, scalding, and bathtub safety at 11 a.m. at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $5-$6. 647-1111. 

Womensong Circle, participatory singing group for women at 6:45 p.m. at First Congrega- 

tional Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, at Dana. Lyrics provided. Suggested donation $15-$20. 525-7082. 

John Lennon Educational Tour Bus with state-of-the-art mobile recording and multimedia studios will let visitors write an original song, perform and record it, videotape it, and go home with a completed music video. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bay Street in Emeryville. www.lennonbus.org 

“Berkeley’s Movers and Shakers” a celebration of Berkeley’s past, present and future community at 6 p.m. at the Hillside Club. 

Berkeley Critical Mass Bike Ride meets at the Berkeley BART the second Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m.  

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A drop-in, rated scholastic tournament follows from 7 to 8 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave., Room 17. 843-0150. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. Players at all levels are welcome. 845-1041. 

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

Kol Hadash Family Pot Luck Humanistic Shabbat Celebration at 6 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. RSVP with food choice to info@kolhadash.org 

SATURDAY, MAY 13 

The Garden Conservancy’s National Open Days Visit eight private gardens in Berkeley, Oakland, and Richmond, as part of The Garden Conservancy’s National Open Days Program. Berkeley locations include: 3017 Wheeler St., 2810 Webster St., and 620 Spruce St., open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to each garden is $5. 888-842-2442.  

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Walk to End Poverty at 9 a.m. around Lake Merritt in Oakland to raise awaremenss of poverty in Alameda County. 981-5427. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Preservation Park to see Victorian architecture. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Preservation Park at 13th St. and MLK, Jr. Way. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Emergency Preparedness Class on Basic Personal Prepar- 

edness from 10 a.m. to noon at 997 Cedar St. Also from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Free, but registration required. 981-5506. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes 

Vegetarian Cooking Class on Thai and Southeast Asian Cuisine from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. Cost is $45. 531-2665. www.compassionatecooks.com 

Sign up for Summer Youth Programs from noon to 5 p.m. at the Calvin Simmons Middle School Playground, 2101 35th Ave. in East Oakland. Choices include education programs as well as Skateboarding, Breaking, Basketball and Capoeria. 625-9940. 

Early Childhood Safety: Free Child Car Seat Check from 10 a.m. until noon at the UC Garage on Addison at Oxford. 647-1111. 

Cardweaving and Kumihimo Demonstration of two “Narrow Weave” techniques at 3 p.m. at the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles, 2982 Adeline St. Free. 843-7290. 

East Bay Atheists “Science and Scientists in Ancient Greece and Rome” with Richard Carrier at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 222-7580.  

“The Power of Nightmares” Part III, a new documentary by BBC journalists on the “War on Terrorism” at 3 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27st., Oakland. Cost is $10. Benefits Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club.  

“Democracy: Can We Keep It? Only if we work at it!!” with Lee Sanders, Field Organizer for Common Cause and General Counsel, Citizens for Civic Justice, at 7 p.m. at the Home of Truth Center, 1300 Grand Street, Alameda. Sponsored by the Alameda Public Affairs Forum. www.alamedaforum.org 

Power of The Spoken Word with performances, discussion and a documentary on the influence of Hip Hop at 2 p.m. at African Children’s Advanced Learning Center, 33rd St., corner of San Pablo, Oakland. Cost is $10. Nefertinaproductions@ 

yahoo.com 

Annual Gigantic Friends of the Albany Library Book Sale, 1247 Marin Ave., Sat. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All proceeds benefit the programs and services of the Albany Library. 526-3720, ext. 5.  

“Women on the Move: From Vision to Action” all-day conference and interactive workshops for women at the Oakland Marriot Convention Center. Tickets are $65-$75. 654-7557. 

Blue Hydrangea Tea Party to benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition at 3 p.m. at L’Amyx Tea Bar, 4179 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Cost is $75, all proceeds benefit NOCC. For reservations call 593-8896. 

“Everyday Green” at talk by author Annie Somerville, executive chef of Greens Restaurant, at 1 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

The Great War Society meets to discuss “The Military History of J. Giles Farquhar” at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

“Smart Ideas for Sage Eating” at 10 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Romance Writers of America “Undressing Your Hero & Heroine” A workshop with Tonda Fuller at 10 a.m. at Pyramid Restaurant. Cost is $30. Reservations required. www.sfarwa.com 

Pre-School Storytime for 3-5 year olds at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., through June 22. 526-3720. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 841-8732.  

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755.  

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, MAY 14 

Mother’s Day Morning Walk along the Bay Trail at Pt. Isabel with a stop at the Rosie the Riveter National Museum, from 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at Ryden Road entrance before Costco. For information call 525-2233. 

Mother’s Day Breakast on board The Red Oak Victory ship, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., includes a tour of the ship. Cost is $6, children under 5 free. Located at Berth #6, 1337 Canal Blvd., Richmond, off Hwy 580. 237-2933. 

Mothers Say “No” to War A walk, picnic and short program with Alameda Peace Network. Meet at 1 p.m. at Alameda City Hall, Santa Clara and Oak, to walk to Jackson Park. 

Spring Rhododendron Tour from 10 a.m. to noon at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $8-$12. Registration required. 643-2755. 

Green Sunday; Venezuela’s New Democracy with Laura Wells, Green Party candidate for State Controller who has done political research in Venezuela, at 5 p.m. at the Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th in Oakland.  

People Radio Public Meeting to discuss the upcoming KPFA elections at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Universalist Hall at Cedar and Bonita.  

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. Call to confirm. 841-8732.  

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

Tibetan Buddhism with Santosh Philip on “Tibetan Yoga for Stress Reduction” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, MAY 15 

Rally Against Military Recruiting at 4 p.m. at Oakland City Center, 12th and Broadway. March to the recruiting center at 5 p.m. www.objector.org 

“The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community” with author David Korten, with Joanna Macy, Maryam Roberts, Alli Chagi-Starr, and Xiomara Castro, poetry by Shailja Patel, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison, at 27th St., Oakland. Cost is $10-$12. Benefits Global Exchange. 415-255-7296, ext. 200.  

Story Tells, a story telling swap with guest teller Mary J. Kelly at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble Events Loft at Jack London Square. 238-8585. 

Swing Into Spring benefit for Central Works Theater with music and food at 6:30 p.m. at Downtown Restaurant. Tickets are $85 and up. For reservations call 558-1381.  

Lead-Safe Painting & Remodeling Free introductory class to learn about lead safe renovations for your older home, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the West Oakland Branch Library 1801 Adeline St. Offered by Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. 567-8280. www.ACLPPP.org 

“How to Expand Your Mind- Body Connection” by creating soothing living spaces, at 5:30 p.m. in the Rose Room at Mercy Retirement Center, 3431 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $30 or $120 for the entire series. 534-8547, ext. 666. 

Breathexperience?Classes “Oh, My Aching Back!” 12-1 p.m., $10; “Restoring Viitality” 5:30-6:45 p.m., $10; “The Experience of Breath” 7-8:15 p.m., $12, at MIBE, 830 Bancroft Way, #104. 981-1710. 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60+ years old meets at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Cost is $2.50. 524-9122. 

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

TUESDAY, MAY 16 

Public Hearing on the David Brower Center at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. 981-6900. 

Wilderness First Aid Basics with certified wilderness EMT David Yacubian at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Strawberry Tasting at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Derby St. at MLK Jr. Way. Samples and book signing with Jessica Prentice, author of “Full Moon Feast: Food and the Hunger Connection.” 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Family Story Time at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Branch Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Free, all ages welcome. 524-3043. 

“Pain-free Naturally” with Lorenzo Puertas, licensed acupuncturist at noon at the Maffly Auditorium, Herrick Campus, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2001 Dwight Way. Please refrain from wearing fragrances. Free. 644-3273. 

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

Discussion Salon on “Predictions for the Future” at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. at Rose. Please bring snacks to share, no peanuts please. 

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17  

Walking Tour of Oakland City Center Meet at 10 a.m. in front Oakland City Hall at Frank Ogawa Plaza. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

“All About Reverse Mortgages” with Cherisse Baptiste of ECHO Housing at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Gray Panthers Office, 1403 Addison St., behind the Univ. Ave. Andronico’s. 548-9696. 

“The Making of a Revolutionary” a new film about Israel’s conscientious objectors at 7:30 p.m at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Cost is $10-$13. Benefits Jewish Voice for Peace. 465-1777.  

League of Women Voters Annual Meeting with guest speaker Daniel Purnell, Oakland Public Ethics Commission on “Let the Sun Shine on City Government” at 5 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Cost is $15. 843-8824. http://lwvbae.org 

“Invisible Ballots” and “Help America Vote ... On Paper” two documentaries on the problems with electronic voting at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St. Donation of $5 accepted.  

Safe Medicine Disposal Day Don’t flush or trash medicine! Bring old medicines to Oakland City Hall between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for safe disposal. www.baywise.org  

Classes in English and Citizenship offered by the Oakland Adult Education program Mon.-Fri. from 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Register at Lincoln Elementary School, 225 11th St., room 205. 879-8131. 

American Red Cross Blood Ser Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at its headquarters in Oakland. We need your help to support the more than 40 blood drives held each month all over the East Bay, evenings and weekends included. For more information, phone Anne at 594-5165.  

Lupus Research Update with Dr. Franc Barrat, Senior Scientist Dynavax Technologies, Inc. at 6:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, Berkeley Marina. Hosted the Alliance for Lupus Research. Please RSVP to 800-867-1743. 

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

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m.  

THURSDAY, MAY 18 

Bike to Work Day Ride your bike to work and see how fast, healthy, and fun it can be. Energizer Stations throughout Alameda County. 415-246-8078. www.511.org 

“Insects of Lake Merritt and Greater Oakland” with Eddie Dunbar at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. 

“Shopping with the Chef” with Jessica Prentice on how she makes shopping decisions at 3:30 p.m. at the North Shattuck Farmer’s Market. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Women’s Cancer Resource Center Benefit with a performance of “Jonna’s Body, Please Hold” at 8 p.m. at Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club, located at 1650 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $125. www.wcrc.org 

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Historical & Current Times Book Group meets on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1249 Marin Ave. 548-4517. 

ONGOING 

Poll Workers Needed in Alameda County for June 6 Primary Election. Poll workers must be eligible to register to vote in California, have basic clerical skills. Training classes begin in May. 272-6971. 

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Youth Sports Classes NFL Flag Football for boys and girls ages 9 to 12 begins May 9, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Cost is $10-$15 for 5 weeks, and Pee Wee Basketball for boys and girls ages 6 to 8 begins May 13, 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $25-$35 for 6 weeks. For more information contact BYA Sports & Fitness Department 845-9066.  

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. May 15, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Mon. May 15, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

City Council meets Tues., May 16, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., May 17, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., May 17, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/aging 

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. May 17, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Library Board of Trustees meets Wed. May 17, at 7 p.m. at South Berkeley Senior Center., Jackie Y. Griffin, 981-6195. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/library  

School Board meets Wed. May 17 at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. Queen Graham 644-6147 or Mark Coplan 644-6320. 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., May 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Anne Burns, 981-7415. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/designreview  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., May 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/faircampaign 

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