The Week

Richard Brenneman: Littered with mounds of trash and improvised shelters for the homeless, this site at Ninth Street and Heinz Avenue will be the site of the new Berkeley Bowl.
Richard Brenneman: Littered with mounds of trash and improvised shelters for the homeless, this site at Ninth Street and Heinz Avenue will be the site of the new Berkeley Bowl.
 

News

Flash: Albany Mall Opponents Deliver November Ballot Signatures

By: Richard Brenneman
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


ZAB Gives Green Light to West Berkeley Bowl Plan

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Berkeley Teachers to Pay For May Day Absences

By Suzanne La Barre
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Flash: Pacific Steel Faces Lawsuit by Environmental Group

By Suzanne LaBarre
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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


Missed Signs In Case of Cop Who Stole Drugs

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Oakland School District Property Up For Sale?

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Introducing the Daily Planet News Flash

Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


ZAB Approves Pacific Steel Casting Air Filter, Says No to Quiznos

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Organizer Leaves Suit Against Pacific Steel

By Suzanne La Barre
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


City Council to Look at Condo Conversion Law

By Judith Scherr
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Downtown Plan Committee to Hear Environmental Concerns

By Suzanne La Barre
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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


‘Opt-Out’ Bill Faces Uncertain Fate

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Derby Field EIR Funding On BUSD Board Agenda

by Suzanne La Barre
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Effort to Capture Sea Lion at Berkeley Marina Called Off

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Fire Department Log

By Richard Brenneman
Tuesday May 16, 2006

Another arson -more-


50th Anniversary of the Great UC Panty Raid

By Steven Finacom, Special to the Planet
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Flash: No Jail Time for Former Berkeley Cop

By Judith Scherr
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Flash: ZAB Approves EIR, Issues Permit for New Bowl in West Berkeley

By Richard Brenneman
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Arson Fires Strike South Berkeley

Judith Scherr
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Cody’s Books Turns the Page On Telegraph Avenue Era,

Judith Scherr
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Sea Lion Attacks Three, Eludes Capture at Berkeley Marina

Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday May 12, 2006

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


First Person:

Anthony Cody
Friday May 12, 2006

It finally happened. -more-


West Berkeley Bowl Project Moves Closer to Approval

Suzanne La Barre
Friday May 12, 2006

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


Creeks Ordinance Revisions Move on to City Council

Suzanne La Barre
Friday May 12, 2006

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? -more-


GTU Students Lead Mother’s Day Protest of Iraq War

Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday May 12, 2006

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


Local High School Students Await Judge’s Decision on Exit Exam

Suzanne La Barre
Friday May 12, 2006

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


Oakland Teachers OK Contract, Concerns Continue

Suzanne La Barre
Friday May 12, 2006

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


Politicians Refuse to Cross UC Worker Picket Lines

Suzanne La Barre
Friday May 12, 2006

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


Gay Ice Skaters Agree to Settlement with Iceland

Judith Scherr
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Alameda County Medical Center Approves $23 Million in Budget Cuts

J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Peralta Joins Groups Calling For Accreditation Reform in State

J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Opinion

Editorials

Editorial: Don’t Blame Telly for Cody’s Woes

By Becky O’Malley
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Editorial: Minding the Kids While Minding the Store

Becky O'Malley
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Cartoons

Correction

Friday May 12, 2006

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday May 16, 2006

PAVING BERKELEY -more-


Commentary: Condo Conversions Fee Bad for Landlords

By John Blankenship
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Commentary: Berkeley Progressive

By Laurence Schechtman, Bill Hamilton, Bonnie Boru
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Commentary: Behavior Modification Facilities Are Not Safe

By Robert Reynolds
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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. -more-


Commentary: Thoughts on Capitalism

By Marc Sapir
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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


Commentary: True Political Love Truly Jilted

By Alan Swain
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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


Commentary: Hotel Ashby

By George Katechis
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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


Commntary: CIA Director General Hayden

By Kenneth J. Theisen
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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


Letters to the Editor

Friday May 12, 2006

GREEN BERKELEY -more-


Commentary: Why I’m Running for Re-Election

Mayor Tom Bates
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Commentary: BUSD Maintenance Problems No Surprise

Yolanda Huang
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Columns

Column: The View From Here: Reflections on Motherhood, Loss and Love

By P.M. Price
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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


Column: When You Come to a Fork in the Road

By Susan Parker
Tuesday May 16, 2006

“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. -more-


Bananas in Berkeley? Yes, We Have Some

By Ron Sullivan, Special to the Planet
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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


Column: Dispatches From the Edge: Despite Stunning Success, China is a Troubled Dragon

Conn Hallinan
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Column: UnderCurrents: We Are All Immigrants, Legal or Illegal

J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Planning a Point Richmond Getaway

Marta Yamamoto
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


About the House: Finding the Right Way to Repair an Old Floor

Matt Cantor
Friday May 12, 2006

Dear Matt, -more-


Garden Variety: Fun With the California Rare Fruit Growers

Ron Sullivan
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Arts & Events

Arts Calendar

Tuesday May 16, 2006

TUESDAY, MAY 16 -more-


Arts: ‘Fresh Voices’ Series Aims to Make Opera Accessible

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet
Tuesday May 16, 2006

“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. -more-


Bananas in Berkeley? Yes, We Have Some

By Ron Sullivan, Special to the Planet
Tuesday May 16, 2006

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


Berkeley This Week

Tuesday May 16, 2006

TUESDAY, MAY 16 -more-


Arts Calendar

Friday May 12, 2006

FRIDAY, MAY 12 -more-


Arts: Bay Area’s American Bach Soloists Bring ‘The St. Matthew Passion’ to Berkeley

Ken Bullock
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Arts: Moving Pictures: Art and Artifice in ‘Lost City,’ ‘Art School Confidential’

Justin DeFreitas
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Planning a Point Richmond Getaway

Marta Yamamoto
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


About the House: Finding the Right Way to Repair an Old Floor

Matt Cantor
Friday May 12, 2006

Dear Matt, -more-


Garden Variety: Fun With the California Rare Fruit Growers

Ron Sullivan
Friday May 12, 2006

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. -more-


Berkeley This Week

Friday May 12, 2006

FRIDAY, MAY 12 -more-