More cartoons at <a href="http//jfdefreitas.blogspot.com">jfdefreitas.blogspot.com</a>
Justin DeFreitas
More cartoons at jfdefreitas.blogspot.com

Page One

New: Berkeley Today:Thursday

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 29, 2010 - 02:02:00 PM

A round-up of the day's interesting events as reported in other news media or otherwise. -more-



Updated: Berkeley Today:Wednesday

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Thursday April 29, 2010 - 03:28:00 PM

A roundup of important events in Berkeley, as reported in other media: -more-



New: Court Rejects Chevron Appeal in Refinery Expansion Case

By Bay City News
Wednesday April 28, 2010 - 02:15:00 PM

A state appeals court in San Francisco on Monday upheld a lower court decision that the environmental report for Chevron's Richmond refinery expansion project is inadequate under state environmental laws. -more-



New: More Cuts Suggested for AC Transit East Bay Service

By Riya Bhattacharjee
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 04:52:00 PM

AC Transit riders should brace for another round of cuts after major service changes and reductions went into effect March 28 to cope with a projected $56 million deficit in the 2010-2011 fiscal year. -more-



Cities Need to be the Deciders on BRT Alternatives

Partisan Position

By Joyce Roy
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 06:57:00 AM

On April 20 the Oakland City Council did indeed vote to support the full-build “Locally Preferred Alternative,” i.e., the alternative preferred by AC Transit. But it also directed that “Rapid Bus Plus” be studied as an alternative. The Public Works Committee had decided they wanted to “Study East Bay Bus Rapid Transit Project without the use of a dedicated traffic lane” and which would “Provide Level Boarding.” “Rapid Bus Plus,” unlike the no-build and the full-build alternatives, would split the line at downtown Oakland so you won’t get bunching like on the #51 line, and it, also, retains local service. So there is a lot to say for the “Rapid Bus Plus” but, unfortunately, you can’t get level boarding without bulb-outs (which would make it “Curbside BRT” or “Rapid Bus Plus Plus.”) The entry of the present Van Hool low-aisle buses is 14.56” above the street. (And the standard for American low-floor buses are “no more than 15 ½”.) Sidewalk curbs are about 6” so without bulb-outs one would have to do something really weird, and probably hazardous to pedestrians, in order to provide level boarding from sidewalks. -more-



The Albany Waterfront – Open Space Outcome For City Visioning Process.

Partisan Position

By Patricia Jones
Monday April 26, 2010 - 09:06:00 PM

The Albany community came together for open space and recreation for the Albany Waterfront, allowing only minimal ‘green’ development in its vision for the waterfront. -more-



Features

New Orleans After Katrina

News Analysis

By Ralph E. Stone
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:56:00 PM

My wife and I just returned from a visit to New Orleans. While there, we toured some of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, and Hurricane Rita in September 2005. Rose Scott was our personable and knowledgeable guide for the tours. Rose, born and raised in New Orleans, is a retired high school teacher who now works as a tour guide. Katrina flooding and an oil spill rendered her St. Bernard Parish home uninhabitable. -more-


Press Release: Civil Rights Advocates Condemn Arizona Immigration Law at Press Conference

Thursday April 29, 2010 - 08:42:00 AM

PHOENIX, AZ - On Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. (MST), MALDEF, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Arizona and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) will hold a news conference on the House lawn of the State Capitol Grounds in Phoenix, Arizona to announce that they are preparing to challenge Arizona's extreme new law, which requires law enforcement to question people about their immigration status during everyday police encounters and criminalizes immigrants for failing to carry their "papers." The unconstitutional law, the groups say, encourages racial profiling, endangers public safety and betrays American values. -more-


Haiti Earthquake Lecture Wednesday

By Steven Finacom
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 11:15:00 AM

The massive and shocking Haiti earthquake of January 12, 2010 is still periodically in the news, with much of the current focus on the human suffering and efforts at recovery. It was the fourth most deadly earthquake anywhere since 1900. -more-


Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 11:41:00 AM

I remain shocked, furious, and appalled by what's been done to the American people and how impervious the banking system and others who aren't living where and how we are in the age of job loss, rising prices, home losses, all the outcomes of the banks' cavalier disregard of those who don't hold the same priivilege--especially legal privilege. -more-


Arizona's Immigration Law and Likely Congressional Immigration Reform

By Ralph E. Stone
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:57:00 PM

Will Arizona’ s draconian immigration law prompt Congress to act soon on immigration reform? Unlikely. The Democrats have too much on their plate right now -- financial reform, global warming legislation, selecting a Supreme Court nominee, selling health care reform to the public -- to tackle the difficult job of comprehensive immigration reform, including a way for undocumented immigrants to become legal. -more-


When Will the University of California Stop Funding War Crimes Against Palestinian Civilians?

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 11:21:00 AM

When will the University of California stop funding war crimes against Palestinian civilians and the occupation of Palestinian land? How much longer will grieving mothers have to wait for justice? -more-


Rapid Bus Plus is the Best Alternative to Bus Rapid Transit

By Vincent Casalaina
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 08:15:00 AM

Rapid Bus Plus (RB+) is Berkeley's answer to the environmental disaster that is Bus Rapid Transit(BRT). The RB+ Coalition has been working on this plan since AC Transit's Draft EIRs came out and it became clear that the number of new transit riders on BRt would be negligible and the reduction in greenhouse gases with BRT would be miniscule. We believe that RB+ will provide 80% of the projected benefits of BRT for 20% of the cost and virtually none of the detriments. Beyond that, RB+ can be implemented immediately with the current funds AC Transit has on hand. We don't need to wait another 5 years, or longer, for BRT to be fully funded. We need better public transit today! -more-


Resolution Opposing "Citizens United" Decision at City Council Today (Tuesday)

By Phoebe Sorgren
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 07:07:00 AM

Ending corporate dominance of our government is key to most of what we want whether climate justice, fair trade, food security, affordable quality healthcare, or -- in many cases -- peace. The "CITIZENS UNITED" Supreme Court ruling against the Federal Elections Commission lifted corporate limits on buying elections, so Berkeley's Peace & Justice Commission recommends that the City Council again call for constitutional amendments saying that a corporation is not a person and may not claim constitutional "rights" (such as corporate financing of election ads being defined as free speech.) These resolutions are researched/vetted by volunteer commissioners, cost the city almost nothing, and have more weight than individual lobbying. Corporations may operate by privilege, the way they did historically, and can more easily be held accountable, when needed, if they no longer have human rights. -more-


New: Court Decision on Chevron EIR Vindicates Richmond Critics

By Tom Butt
Wednesday April 28, 2010 - 02:19:00 PM

In a stunning victory for environmental groups, the California Court of Appeal rejected most of Chevron’s challenge to a lower court decision that stopped construction on a $1 billion refinery upgrade. -more-


Using Section 8 funding to dispose of Berkeley's public housing

By Lynda Carson
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 03:15:00 PM

Berkeley -- During July 1944, when famed Lieutenant C.D. "Lucky" Lester of the Tuskegee Airmen shot down 3 Nazi enemy aircraft over Europe in a brief span of 4-6 minutes with his P-51 Mustang while on a mission to protect some B-17 Flying Fortresses on their way to bomb a German airfield in southern Germany, he probably had no idea then that his actions would lead to the day he became one of the founders in 1969 of a small venture capital firm called the Inner City Fund, that was later renamed ICF International. It now plays a direct role in the scheme of some high priced consultants who desire to grab Section 8 funding from the poor, to finance their master plan to privatize Berkeley's 75 public housing units. -more-


Editorial

How Much Government is Too Much?

By Becky O'Malley
Friday April 23, 2010 - 09:04:00 AM

The current discussion about what Americans now think of government, to which NPR has devoted this whole week, can be summed up in one very old Borscht Belt joke:

Two ladies discuss a Catskills hotel: “How did you like it?”

“It was awful. The food was terrible, and there wasn’t enough of it.”

That’s roughly what the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press reported in “Distrust, Discontent, Anger and Partisan Rancor: The People and Their Government” about the principal findings from a series of surveys designed to provide a detailed picture of the public’s opinions about government.

The bottom line? The government’s terrible, and there isn’t enough of it. -more-


The Editor's Back Fence

The Activist's Guide to What's Happening in Berkeley This Week

By Becky O'Malley
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 10:24:00 AM

This is one busy week for the civic-minded amongst us. I had originally thought to do a preview, without comment, in the news section, of some of the wide selection of meetings that the conscientious Berkeleyan who wanted to be influential or just well informed could attend this week, but I find that I am constitutionally unable to comply with the “without comment”stipulation, so as we move through the week you’ll find some notes on what’s happening and why you should care. -more-


Columns

SENIOR POWER:Meet some not-young members of the community.

By Helen Rippier Wheeler
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 10:54:00 AM

Part 1: “With our own hands.” -more-


Odd Bodkins -- Happy Chem Trails to You

By Dan O'Neill
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 11:06:00 AM

The Tea Party

By Justin DeFreitas
Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 11:03:00 AM

Arts & Events

Berkeley Arts Festival Starts This Weekend with Sarah Cahill and the Dazzling Divas

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 01:38:00 PM

The Berkeley Arts Festival will soon be in full swing, starting this weekend on Saturday with pianist Sarah Cahill at 8pm and continuing on Sunday at 8 pm with the Dazzling Divas ,Pamela Connelly, Kathleen Moss and Eliza O'Malley and pianist Hadley McCarroll,presenting favorites from the opera repertoire. -more-


Oakland Museum re-opening this weekend

By Steven Finacom
Monday April 26, 2010 - 09:16:00 PM

The Oakland Museum of California reopens the weekend of May 1-2, 2010 with a continuous 31-hour long stream of events. The main building has been closed for two years for extensive renovations and creation of what the museum calls a “re-imagined” exhibit program. -more-


BAHA House Tour Focuses on Julia Morgan

By Daniella Thompson
Monday April 26, 2010 - 09:10:00 PM

Nine houses designed by Julia Morgan in the Claremont and Elmwood districts will be open on the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association’s Spring House Tour, to take place Sunday, May 2, between 1 pm and 5 pm. -more-


Exhibition: “Women Hold Up Half The Sky: Bay Area Women's Posters of the 1970s and 1980s”

How do we remember a social protest movement? Often by words that have been left behind: founding documents, manifestos, flyers, and the like. But visual artifacts can be powerful too: sometimes a movement’s images reveal its deepest character and commitments. -more-


Home & Garden

East Bay Then and Now:The Goddards and Julia Morgan

by Daniella Thompson
Wednesday April 28, 2010 - 06:16:00 PM
2615, 2617, 2619 Parker St., designed by Julia Morgan for Louise Goddard in 1905.

Around the turn of the last century, it was common practice for middle-class or well-to-do families with adolescent children to move their residence to Berkeley in order to secure good education for their young. Among those was the household of Clark and Louise Goddard. -more-


Arts Listings

GENERAL-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:10:00 PM

STAGE-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:06:00 PM

CLASSICAL MUSIC-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:04:00 PM

POPMUSIC-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:05:00 PM

EXHIBITS-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:02:00 PM

GALLERIES-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:01:00 PM

CLASSICAL MUSIC-SAN FRANCISCO THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:03:00 PM

Events Listings

MUSEUMS-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 11:58:00 AM

OUTDOORS-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 11:57:00 AM

TOURS AND ACTIVITIES-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 31

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 11:55:00 AM

KIDS-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 12:00:00 PM

TOURS AND ACTIVITIES-SAN FRANCISCO THROUGH MAY 31

Tuesday April 27, 2010 - 11:51:00 AM

Back Stories

Opinion

Editorials

How Much Government is Too Much? 04-23-2010

The Editor's Back Fence

The Activist's Guide to What's Happening in Berkeley This Week 04-27-2010

Worth a Look 04-22-2010

Cartoons

Odd Bodkins -- Happy Chem Trails to You By Dan O'Neill 04-27-2010

The Tea Party By Justin DeFreitas 04-27-2010

Odd Bodkins -- Opening Day By Dan O'Neill 04-22-2010

Public Comment

Letters to the Editor 04-27-2010

Arizona's Immigration Law and Likely Congressional Immigration Reform By Ralph E. Stone 04-27-2010

When Will the University of California Stop Funding War Crimes Against Palestinian Civilians? By Matthew A. Taylor 04-27-2010

Rapid Bus Plus is the Best Alternative to Bus Rapid Transit By Vincent Casalaina 04-27-2010

Resolution Opposing "Citizens United" Decision at City Council Today (Tuesday) By Phoebe Sorgren 04-27-2010

New: Court Decision on Chevron EIR Vindicates Richmond Critics By Tom Butt 04-28-2010

Using Section 8 funding to dispose of Berkeley's public housing By Lynda Carson 04-27-2010

Letters to the Editor 04-22-2010

New: When Will the University of California Stop Funding War Crimes Against Palestinian Civilians? By Matthew A. Taylor 04-26-2010

New: Dangers of Cell Towers Continued By Harry Brill 04-24-2010

An Open Letter to the Mayor and Councilmembers: What’s the Real Intended Usage of the 2707 Rose Street Structure? By John English 04-22-2010

The Blight Meg Will Bring to Calfornia By Jack Bragen 04-23-2010

Moments of Tragedy & Test for Beijing By Chime Tenzing ( Dharamsala - India ) 04-22-2010

Climate Equity: A Lost Cause? By Craig Collins, Ph.D. 04-22-2010

The Scandal of PG&E's New Meters By Steve Martinot 04-23-2010

Updated: Judge Richard Goldstone, Invited to Move Bar Mitzvah To San Francisco,to be Honored Instead By Rabbi Michael Lerner 04-22-2010

News

New: Berkeley Today:Thursday By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-29-2010

Updated: Berkeley Today:Wednesday By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-29-2010

New: Court Rejects Chevron Appeal in Refinery Expansion Case By Bay City News 04-28-2010

New: More Cuts Suggested for AC Transit East Bay Service By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-27-2010

Cities Need to be the Deciders on BRT Alternatives

Partisan Position
By Joyce Roy 04-27-2010

The Albany Waterfront – Open Space Outcome For City Visioning Process.

Partisan Position
By Patricia Jones 04-26-2010

New Orleans After Katrina

News Analysis
By Ralph E. Stone 04-27-2010

Press Release: Civil Rights Advocates Condemn Arizona Immigration Law at Press Conference 04-29-2010

Haiti Earthquake Lecture Wednesday By Steven Finacom 04-27-2010

04-28-2010

THE PUBLIC EYE:Big Liars and the Voters Who Love Them By Bob Burnett 04-26-2010

48-Day March Culminates in Sacramento Rally Against Budget Cuts Raymond Barglow 04-23-2010

Flash: Three More Awards for the Planet 04-23-2010

Southside Lofts Residents Triumph Over Laundromat Once Again By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-22-2010

Berkeley Residents Strongly Oppose BRT at Council Hearing By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-22-2010

UC Student Senate Still Deliberating on Israel Divestment Bill By Riya Bhattacharjee 04-22-2010

Berkeley Police Apprehend Robbery Suspects 04-22-2010

Support for Animal Testing Ban Fails at Humane Commission By David Blake 04-23-2010

Defendant’s Character Examined in Cal Student Stabbing Case By Bay City News 04-22-2010

Science Labs Controversy and Other Governance Issues at Berkeley High Raymond Barglow www.berkeleytutors.net 04-23-2010

Bart Fires Second Officer in Grant Killing By Bay City News 04-23-2010

The People’s Life Fund Awards: A Night to Feel Good about Taxes Gar Smith 04-22-2010

NEWS ANALYSIS: “We are going to actually start amputating.” By Helen Rippier Wheeler 04-22-2010

Bart Launches Bike Officer Patrol Progam By Bay City News 04-21-2010

New: Reaching Out at the Berkeley Public Library By Phila Rogers 04-22-2010

CAL DAY 2010 - Photo Essay By Steven Finacom 04-22-2010

Kyle Harty Strang Memorial On Tuesday 04-23-2010

04-26-2010

Flash: Great news for Richard Goldstone and his family....Mazel Tov! By Betty Medsger 04-23-2010

Columns

SENIOR POWER:Meet some not-young members of the community. By Helen Rippier Wheeler 04-27-2010

East Bay Then and Now:The Goddards and Julia Morgan by Daniella Thompson 04-28-2010

THE PUBLIC EYE: Big Liars and the Voters Who Love Them By Bob Burnett 04-23-2010

East Bay Then and Now:The Goddards and Julia Morgan by Daniella Thompson 04-22-2010

Arts & Events

GENERAL-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

STAGE-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

CLASSICAL MUSIC-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

POPMUSIC-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

EXHIBITS-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

GALLERIES-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

CLASSICAL MUSIC-SAN FRANCISCO THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

Berkeley Arts Festival Starts This Weekend with Sarah Cahill and the Dazzling Divas 04-27-2010

Oakland Museum re-opening this weekend By Steven Finacom 04-26-2010

BAHA House Tour Focuses on Julia Morgan By Daniella Thompson 04-26-2010

Exhibition: “Women Hold Up Half The Sky: Bay Area Women's Posters of the 1970s and 1980s” Raymond Barglow 04-26-2010

East Bay Then and Now:The Goddards and Julia Morgan by Daniella Thompson 04-28-2010

MUSEUMS-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

OUTDOORS-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

TOURS AND ACTIVITIES-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 31 04-27-2010

KIDS-EAST BAY THROUGH MAY 9 04-27-2010

TOURS AND ACTIVITIES-SAN FRANCISCO THROUGH MAY 31 04-27-2010

Folk,Jazz,Pop,Rock for the East Bay: April 23 through May 2 By Bay City News 04-23-2010

Theater for the East Bay: APRIL 23 THROUGH MAY 2 By Bay City News 04-23-2010

Classical Music in the East Bay: APRIL 23 THROUGH MAY 2 By Bay City News 04-23-2010

Opening Choices This Week Around and About East Bay Theater By Ken Bullock 04-22-2010

Girlfriend is All About Love, Love, Love By John A. McMullen II 04-22-2010

The Second Annual Bay Area Musicians' Self-Help Healthcare Fundraiser is Tonight (Friday) By Ken Bullock 04-22-2010

Islamic Culture Panel at Oakland Library By Ken Bullock 04-22-2010

East Bay Then and Now:The Goddards and Julia Morgan by Daniella Thompson 04-22-2010