Young Artists Win Trip to New Orleans
              Charles Hutson, a sophomore at B-Tech Academy, is one of five young artists from South Berkeley-based Youth Spirit Art Works who will travel to New Orleans next week. Hutson, who painted five chairs over a six-month period for the arts competition, will leave California for the first time Sunday to go on the week-long trip. Related story in this issue.
Lydia Gans
Young Artists Win Trip to New Orleans Charles Hutson, a sophomore at B-Tech Academy, is one of five young artists from South Berkeley-based Youth Spirit Art Works who will travel to New Orleans next week. Hutson, who painted five chairs over a six-month period for the arts competition, will leave California for the first time Sunday to go on the week-long trip. Related story in this issue.

Extra

Judge Puts Hodge on Ballot for Oakland Council

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday March 28, 2008

Posted Fri., March 28—A Superior Court judge ruled today that Oakland school boardmember Greg Hodge must be placed on the June 3 ballot for the City Council race for District 3, setting up what is expected to be a fierce election challenge to incumbent Councilmember Nancy Nadel. -more-



Page One

Friday March 28, 2008


West Berkeley Zoning Battle Generates Heat

By Richard Brenneman
Friday March 28, 2008

The ongoing battle over the future of West Berkeley won’t be a quick campaign, city planning staffers promised Wednesday. -more-



Planners Order Study of Narrowing Shattuck for Bus

By Richard Brenneman
Friday March 28, 2008

Planning commissioners Wed-nesday voted to conduct a transportation study on the impact of narrowing Shattuck Avenue from four lanes to two to make way for a proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane. -more-



Council Approves Controversial $40K Downtown Height-Profit Study

By Judith Scherr
Friday March 28, 2008

The marathon Berkeley City Council meeting on Tuesday night began on a high note, with staff playing a Pete Seeger CD lauding Berkeley’s efforts to reduce its waste stream. Lyrics were written by Zero Waste Commission members and Seeger wrote the tune. -more-



Public Hearing Called for Berkeley Draft Sunshine Law

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday March 28, 2008

The Berkeley city attorney’s office’s draft Sunshine Ordinance—supposed to provide citizens with greater access to local government—has been scheduled for a public hearing at the Berkeley City Council on April 22 . -more-



Police Review Commission Discusses Policing Crowds

By Judith Scherr
Friday March 28, 2008

The question of how best to police protesters surfaced over the last few months as anti-war and pro-war groups stepped up demonstrations at the downtown Marine Recruiting Center and other Berkeley venues. -more-



Features

Community Energy Services Gets New Head

By Judith Scherr
Friday March 28, 2008

The Community Energy Services Corporation board voted Wednesday to hire Kim Malcolm, an administrative law judge with 25 years’ working experience at the Public Utilities Commission, as its new executive director. -more-


De La Fuente Racks Up $81,000 in City Council Reelection Bid

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday March 28, 2008

Oakland City Council President Ignacio De La Fuente has pulled in more than $81,000 in his bid for re-election to his fifth-district central East Oakland City Council seat, far overshadowing any other campaign fundraising in contested races in five City Council districts and three Oakland Unified School Board districts. -more-


BUSD Proposes List of General Fund Cuts

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday March 28, 2008

The Berkeley Board of Education had its first look Wednesday at Berkeley Unified’s proposed budget reductions in the face of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed $4.6 billion in cuts from the state education budget over the next two years. -more-


Regents Appoint Yudof as President of UC System

Bay City News
Friday March 28, 2008

The University of California Board of Regents voted unanimously Thursday to appoint Mark Yudof, currently head of the University of Texas system, to lead the 10-campus UC system. -more-


BHS Hosts Green Career Week

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday March 28, 2008

The School of Social Justice and Ecology (SSJE) at Berkeley High School will round up its first Green Career Week with a career fair today (Friday) in the Jacket Gym. -more-


Youth Spirit Art Creates Opportunities for Young Artists

By Lydia Gans
Friday March 28, 2008

A few weeks ago, Youth Spirit Art Works hosted a novel event, described by director Sally Hindman as an “artists reception and art making event” at Sweet Adeline Bake Shop, a cafe on 63rd and Adeline streets. -more-


First Person: Learning Differently, Teaching the Same

By Ann Nomura
Friday March 28, 2008

My husband and I chose a Montessori School for our children because of small classes, low teacher-student ratios and a belief that our children’s imagination and curiosity should inform if not guide their education. We somehow managed to make every conceivable parenting mistake. -more-


B-Tech Student Artists to Travel to New Orleans During Spring Break

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Friday March 28, 2008

Five students from Berkeley Technology Academy (B-Tech) will fly to New Orleans Sunday as part of a week-long spring break arts and culture trip to help Hurricane Ka-trina victims and to mingle with local artists. -more-


Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Friday March 28, 2008

Commentary: SuperBOLD Wins James Madison Award

Friday March 28, 2008

EDITOR’S NOTE: On March 18, the Society of Professional Journalists held their annual Freedom of Information banquet in San Francisco. Recipients included Berkeley’s own Daily Planet for Community Newspaper and SuperBOLD for Citizens Activism. Following is the text of SuperBOLD’s acceptance speech, delivered by Gene Bernardi. -more-


Commentary: A Former Officer Speaks Up

By John F. Davies
Friday March 28, 2008

As a former Officer of Marines, I wish to make some comments on this fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, some of which will no doubt be controversial. During the Winter Soldier hearings two weeks ago in Washington D.C., a question was raised about why not many active or retired officers are speaking up against the war. There is indeed a reason for this, and it has to do with simple survival. Those officers on active duty, of course, risk the end of their careers. But those of us who are retired tend to gravitate toward the corporate world, who by the way, are the greatest beneficiaries of this war. Speaking from my own personal experience, to openly speak out against the Iraq war risks termination from one’s employment, potential bankruptcy, and social ostracism. -more-


Commentary: Crashing the Party, Burning the Party

By Rizwan A. Rahmani
Friday March 28, 2008

I am just astonished at the media for treating this democratic race as still somewhat viable for Hillary Clinton. Short of some devastatingly egregious blunder on the part of Obama’s campaign, there is virtually no chance for Hillary to win this nomination based on pledged delegates. The statistics are completely against her; she would have to win close to 70 percent of all remaining primaries to gain on Barack Obama’s pledged delegates. But despite all these unignorable facts, the media has many people duped into thinking that this campaign is a nail biter. Who are they fooling—or rather—who are these fools who believe this charade? -more-


Commentary: Avakian’s New Revolution for a Better World

By Kenneth Thiesen
Friday March 28, 2008

Since the invasion of Iraq the United States has occupied that nation for five years. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died, 4 million have become refugees, tens of thousands have been rounded up and incarcerated in hell holes called prisons, and millions more suffer on a daily basis, while the Bush regime brags how it is bringing democracy and freedom to the Middle East. In Afghanistan the U.S. occupation has been even longer with similar suffering for the people of that country. War with Iran could be launched any day by the United States, creating an unimaginable catastrophe for the people of Iran and the world. -more-


Editorial

Editorial: Where We’ve Made a Desert...

By Becky O'Malley
Friday March 28, 2008

Our friend the J-School professor has directed our attention to a 2005 interview with Michael Smith, a reporter for the Sunday Times of London, which ran in the Washington Post on June 16, 2005. She’s been using it as a text in a news reporting class. -more-


Columns

Column: Dispatches From The Edge: Afghanistan: A River Running Backward

By Conn Hallinan
Friday March 28, 2008

When historians look back on the war in Afghanistan, they may well point to last December’s battle for Musa Qala, a scruffy town in the country’s northern Helmand Province, as a turning point. In a war of shadows, remote ambushes, and anonymous roadside bombs, Musa Qala was an exception: a standup fight. -more-


Column: Undercurrents: Brace Yourself — Perata is Being Touted as a ‘Good Fit’ for Mayor

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor
Friday March 28, 2008

Back South, they say that if a single buzzard passes over your rooftop, don’t pay it no mind. But if you see a couple of them circling, you best check out in the yard. They’re most likely looking for easy pickings. -more-


Bay Area Architecture: The Identity Crisis Behind San Francisco’s Skyscraper Boom

By John Kenyon
Friday March 28, 2008
The current and proposed view of the San Francisco skyline from the East Bay.

Back in the late 1960s I had lunch in Regent’s Park in London with the editor of the RIBA Journal. As we strolled around in that lovely landscape, he gestured to the new Post Office Tower, a novel “foreign object” rising above the grand old trees and Regency terraces. Almost 600 feet high, crowned by a revolving-view restaurant and hung with satellite dishes, it was a living insult to any passionate contextualist. “I don’t dislike it,” said my colleague, “but it quite takes away that special joy of London—a collection of distinct neighborhoods.” -more-


Where Are We Going, and Why Are We in This Handbasket?

By Jane Powell
Friday March 28, 2008

With more bad economic news being revealed daily, I think even those of us who aren’t planning to sell, buy, or refinance a house are getting rather nervous. It’s come to the point where one starts to wonder how surreal it could get, given that some lenders are suddenly deciding to cancel or freeze home equity lines of credit, even for borrowers who have made all their payments on time, or are refusing to subordinate to new first mortgages, making it impossible for people to refinance. -more-


Garden Variety: Westbrae Nursery: Your Chance to Start a Trend

By Ron Sullivan
Friday March 28, 2008
Tree peony blossom the size of my dainty hand at Westbrae Nursery.

All you gardeners within striking distance of northwest Berkeley: Here’s your chance to be influential. Westbrae Nursery on Gilman Street changed hands in January and just had an official Grand Opening. Jeff Eckhart, who owns the business now along with his sister Chris Szybalski, told me he has a few definite ideas about new directions and he’s open to more. -more-


About the House: Rebuilding Together Needs You

By Matt Cantor
Friday March 28, 2008

I don’t know about you but I’m a person that’s very expert at feeling sorry for myself. If it’s not done my way, I’m grouchy. If they didn’t know what I wanted or anticipated how I was going to respond, I feel slighted. I’m not proud of it but that’s just the kind of gigantic baby I am. Waaaa. That’s why I volunteer. -more-


Arts Listings

Arts Calendar

Friday March 28, 2008

Friends of Negro Spirituals Celebrate at Mills

By Ken Bullock
Friday March 28, 2008

‘Tartuffe’ at the Masquers

By Ken Bullock
Friday March 28, 2008

Events Listings

Berkeley This Week

Friday March 28, 2008

Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

Editorial: Where We’ve Made a Desert... 03-28-2008

Editorial: Dreaming About Bringing the Country to the City 03-25-2008

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor 03-28-2008

Commentary: SuperBOLD Wins James Madison Award 03-28-2008

Commentary: A Former Officer Speaks Up By John F. Davies 03-28-2008

Commentary: Crashing the Party, Burning the Party By Rizwan A. Rahmani 03-28-2008

Commentary: Avakian’s New Revolution for a Better World By Kenneth Thiesen 03-28-2008

Letters to the Editor 03-25-2008

Commentary: Thoughts on the New Center Street Designs 03-25-2008

Commentary: Family Traditions: Easter and Passover By Brooke Chabot 03-25-2008

Commentary: Trying Times for Teachers By Beth Trevor 03-25-2008

Commentary: How Relevant is the Economy? By Marvin Chachere 03-25-2008

Commentary: Hillary Clinton Lied About Outsourcing, Too By Paul Rockwell 03-25-2008

Commentary: Why Are the Democrats Determined to Self Destruct? By Bob Smith 03-25-2008

News

Judge Puts Hodge on Ballot for Oakland Council By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-28-2008

03-28-2008

West Berkeley Zoning Battle Generates Heat By Richard Brenneman 03-28-2008

Planners Order Study of Narrowing Shattuck for Bus By Richard Brenneman 03-28-2008

Council Approves Controversial $40K Downtown Height-Profit Study By Judith Scherr 03-28-2008

Public Hearing Called for Berkeley Draft Sunshine Law By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-28-2008

Police Review Commission Discusses Policing Crowds By Judith Scherr 03-28-2008

Community Energy Services Gets New Head By Judith Scherr 03-28-2008

De La Fuente Racks Up $81,000 in City Council Reelection Bid By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-28-2008

BUSD Proposes List of General Fund Cuts By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-28-2008

Regents Appoint Yudof as President of UC System Bay City News 03-28-2008

BHS Hosts Green Career Week By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-28-2008

Youth Spirit Art Creates Opportunities for Young Artists By Lydia Gans 03-28-2008

First Person: Learning Differently, Teaching the Same By Ann Nomura 03-28-2008

B-Tech Student Artists to Travel to New Orleans During Spring Break By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-28-2008

Judge Orders Oakland to Prove Hodge Should Be Kept Off Ballot By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-25-2008

Pro-War Group Roars Into Berkeley By Judith Scherr 03-25-2008

Code Pink Arrests Mark 4,000 Deaths In Iraq War By Judith Scherr 03-25-2008

West Berkeley Speakers Plead for Industrial Jobs By Richard Brenneman 03-25-2008

School District Employees Protest State Budget Cuts By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-25-2008

Council Discusses Tax Measures, Condo Conversion By Judith Scherr 03-25-2008

Neighbors Try to Stop Chevron Mini-Mart By Riya Bhattacharjee 03-25-2008

Nurse Strike Numbers Disputed by Sutter, CNA Officials By Richard Brenneman 03-25-2008

West Berkeley, Density, Downtown Plan On Planning Commission Agenda By Richard Brenneman 03-25-2008

Thurmond Continues to Lead Assembly 14 Fundraising By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-25-2008

Hancock Leads Chan in District 9 Fundraising By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-25-2008

Bennett ‘Bud’ Hassink, 1926-2008 By March Hajre-Chapman 03-25-2008

Berkeley Gets New Rent Board Member And Acting Housing Director By Judith Scherr 03-25-2008

West Berkeley Man Dies in I-80 Collision By Richard Brenneman 03-25-2008

Columns

Column: Dispatches From The Edge: Afghanistan: A River Running Backward By Conn Hallinan 03-28-2008

Column: Undercurrents: Brace Yourself — Perata is Being Touted as a ‘Good Fit’ for Mayor By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor 03-28-2008

Bay Area Architecture: The Identity Crisis Behind San Francisco’s Skyscraper Boom By John Kenyon 03-28-2008

Where Are We Going, and Why Are We in This Handbasket? By Jane Powell 03-28-2008

Garden Variety: Westbrae Nursery: Your Chance to Start a Trend By Ron Sullivan 03-28-2008

About the House: Rebuilding Together Needs You By Matt Cantor 03-28-2008

Wild Neighbors: Egrets, Deer and Prince Kropotkin By Joe Eaton 03-25-2008

Arts & Events

Arts Calendar 03-28-2008

Friends of Negro Spirituals Celebrate at Mills By Ken Bullock 03-28-2008

‘Tartuffe’ at the Masquers By Ken Bullock 03-28-2008

Bay Area Architecture: The Identity Crisis Behind San Francisco’s Skyscraper Boom By John Kenyon 03-28-2008

Where Are We Going, and Why Are We in This Handbasket? By Jane Powell 03-28-2008

Garden Variety: Westbrae Nursery: Your Chance to Start a Trend By Ron Sullivan 03-28-2008

About the House: Rebuilding Together Needs You By Matt Cantor 03-28-2008

Berkeley This Week 03-28-2008

Arts Calendar 03-25-2008

Books: Prof. Joseph Voyle’s Buried Ancient City Under UC Berkeley By Richard Schwartz 03-25-2008

The Theater: ‘Tragedy: A Tragedy’ at Berkeley Rep By Ken Bullock, Special to The Planet 03-25-2008

Wild Neighbors: Egrets, Deer and Prince Kropotkin By Joe Eaton 03-25-2008

Berkeley This Week 03-25-2008