News Updates

Office Vacancies Climb, But Retail Remains Solid

By Richard Brenneman

Tuesday February 17, 2009

If housing is a bust, offices and commercial rentals aren’t far behind. -more-

Commission Expands Downtown Area for High Rise Construction

By Richard Brenneman

Tuesday February 17, 2009

A proposal to dramatically expand the section of downtown Berkeley where high rises could soar hit a rough spot last week. -more-

More Bad News For The News Biz

By Richard Brenneman

Sunday February 15, 2009

The California newspaper business continued its precipitous descent into an ever-growing pool of red ink last week, beginning with news of further layoffs. -more-

ZAB Allows Berkeley Thai Temple To Continue Sunday Brunch

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday February 13, 2009

Mango sticky rice and pad Thai aficionados in the Bay Area can finally breathe a sigh of relief. -more-

Chaotic BART Board Meeting Ends With Little Movement On Police Issues

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Friday February 13, 2009

In a chaotic, unruly, and frequently disrupted special meeting held in part to move forward on the Oscar Grant controversy, members of the BART Board of Directors took virtually no action Wednesday on the controversy itself, instead spending most of their time answering immediate audience concerns and, in some cases, responding to repeated audience participation. -more-

School Board Approves Berkeley High Redesign Plan

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday February 13, 2009

The Berkeley Board of Education voted 4-to-1 at a public meeting late Wednesday evening to approve the Berkeley High School redesign plan, as recommended by Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Bill Huyett and Berkeley High principal Jim Slemp, which aims to help close the achievement gap. -more-

Local News Round-up: reports from other sources

Friday February 13, 2009

Friday -more-

News

City Council Passes on Parking Meter Decision

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Caught between the need to find new sources of revenue because of the failing economy and state cutbacks and the overwhelming opposition of Berkeley neighbors and business owners, the Berkeley City Council postponed on Tuesday an ambitious project to add parking meters along long stretches of San Pablo Avenue and Gilman Street, one block areas of 9th, 10th, and Camelia streets in West Berkeley, and along Adeline Avenue and Shattuck Avenue in the vicinity of the Ashby BART Station and Berkeley Bowl. -more-

DA Moving Ahead With Charges in BART Shooting Protests

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Wednesday February 11, 2009

A volunteer attorney with the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild says that, while charges have been dropped for many of the individuals arrested in recent Oakland protests over the shooting death of Hayward resident Oscar Grant by a BART patrol officer, the Alameda County District Attor-ney’s Office is moving forward with between six and seven cases, at least three of them felonies. -more-

Mario’s La Fiesta Restaurant Leaves Telegraph After 50 Years

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Wednesday February 11, 2009

For half a century, Mario and Rosalinda Tejada have brought a little bit of Mexico to Telegraph Avenue by serving authentic, inexpensive meals to more than three generations at their restaurant, Mario’s La Fiesta. -more-

Obama Justice Dept. Moves to Keep Moth Spray Secret

By Richard Brenneman

Wednesday February 11, 2009

For one prominent Bay Area attorney, the bloom is already off the Obama rose. -more-

New State Law Strikes at Heart of Berkeley Development Fights

By Richard Brenneman

Wednesday February 11, 2009

(Editor’s note: This is the second of two articles on major changes in California development law.) -more-

Café Provides a Fresh Start For County Foster Youth

By Kristin McFarland

Thursday February 12, 2009

Elephant Pharm Transfers Prescriptions to Longs Drugs

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Stadium Gym Moves Ahead; New Athletic Site Proposed

By Richard Brenneman

Wednesday February 11, 2009

James Schevill and his golden retriever Emily Dickinson, circa 1980.

James Schevill, 1920-2009

By Dorothy Bryant Special to the Planet

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Injured Child Will Receive Temporary Home Schooling

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Police Blotter

By Ali Winston

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Fire Dept. Log

By Richard Brenneman

Wednesday February 11, 2009

17 Candidates to Vie for AC Transit Board Seat

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Berkeley Teachers Protest Lack of Contract

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Harry Brill stands next to the stone carvings proclaiming the work of the Federal Civil Works Administration inset in a low wall adjoining the Codornices Park tennis courts, just north of the Berkeley Rose Garden.

New Deal Civil Works Project Remembered in Berkeley

By Steven Finacom Special to the Planet

Wednesday February 11, 2009

In Light of State Budget Mess, School Board Says ‘Prepare for the Worst

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Landmarks Commission: Secretary Bids Adieu; New Elmwood Marquee Approved

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Judge: Oakland Must Repay Measure Y Money

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Planners Give Thumbs Down to Closed Center Street

By Richard Brenneman

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Merchants Unhappy With ‘Riots’ at Gaia Building

By Richard Brenneman

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Thai Temple Brunch Dispute Returns to Zoning Board

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Wednesday February 11, 2009

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Mario and Rosalinda Tejada are moving their Mexican restaurant to Haste Street.

Editorials

Oakland’s Example for Berkeley

By Becky O’Malley

Wednesday February 11, 2009

The first writing I did for publication after we moved back to California in the early ‘70s was a little article for a four-page pickup paper whose name now escapes me. -more-