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Rachel Warner, Cheryl Moore, Eliza O'Malley  and Kristin Genis-Lund are "the merry wives of Windsor" in Verdi's FALSTAFF
Rachel Warner, Cheryl Moore, Eliza O'Malley and Kristin Genis-Lund are "the merry wives of Windsor" in Verdi's FALSTAFF
 

News

New: Verdi’s Falstaff at the Hillside Club on Saturday, September 28, at 7 p.m.

Sunday September 22, 2019 - 12:44:00 PM
Rachel Warner, Cheryl Moore, Eliza O'Malley  and Kristin Genis-Lund are "the merry wives of Windsor" in Verdi's FALSTAFF
Rachel Warner, Cheryl Moore, Eliza O'Malley and Kristin Genis-Lund are "the merry wives of Windsor" in Verdi's FALSTAFF

Bay Shore Lyric Opera, a non-profit company based in Saratoga, presents Verdi's Falstaff, an opera in 3 acts by Giuseppe Verdi, on Saturday. September 28, at 7:00pm, at the Hillside Club in Berkeley, 2286 Cedar St.

This is the final performance of a fully staged and costumed production which has played in several Northern California venues, including Redwood City, Capitola, Santa Cruz and Big Sur. It will be sung in English accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra. Berkeley soprano Eliza O’Malley sings the role of Alice Ford, and Falstaff is Chris Wells.

Tickets, priced from $15-$37, are available at the door or may be purchased from Brown Paper Tickets by clicking here.

Admission includes a complementary wine and appetizer reception.

Verdi’s sophisticated Shakespearean comedy Falstaff is brimming with backfired plans, failed disguises, and uproarious personalities. This brilliant opera, Verdi’s last, features one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters: the rotund and lovably oafish knight Falstaff, from the Bard’s Henry IV and The Merry Wives of Windsor. In this operatic take, Falstaff attempts to seduce two wealthy (and married) women—but they concoct their own scheme to expose him for a fool.

A deeply human comedy full of humor and genuine emotion, Verdi’s last opera is a splendid finale to an unparalleled career in the theater. With a supremely well-crafted score, which has long commanded the respect even of Verdi’s critics, it is among the greatest operatic comedies of all time. 

 

 



Opinion

Public Comment

An American Tragedy: The Decline in Life Expectancy

Harry Brill
Friday September 20, 2019 - 02:35:00 PM

On average the population in The United States as well as in other developed nations have experienced during the past decades substantial gains in longevity. However, unlike other developed countries, life expectancy in the United States has recently declined for three years in a row. The decline for women has been relatively small. Their life expectancy averages slightly over 80 years. But men have been very hard hit. Life expectancy for males has dropped from 78.6 to 76.1 years. Drug overdoses, suicides, and alcohol are among the most frequent explanations that the mass media offers to explain the decline in longevity. Typical of the media, the victims are being blamed. It is their bad habits and psychological problems that are shortening their lives.

Yet little or nothing is said about the underlying causes that precipitate their premature death. Particularly important, historical factors that have contributed to and shaped the current lives of Americans are for the most part ignored. It is as if history does not exist. Yet, the evidence shows that developments which go back many decades have contributed to the decline of longevity and to shorter life spans than in many other countries

Serious troubles confronting working people became evident in the early 1970s. Good jobs were being replaced by low wage and temporary jobs. Enormous numbers of jobs were being exported to low wage countries. Also, Unions have been taking a serious beating, which has been depriving many workers of any leverage on the job.

But what do these developments have to do with longevity? As two Princeton faculty members discovered several years ago that there was an unusually high mortality rate among whites age 45 to 54 who lacked a college degree. In contrast to whites with college degrees, who did not experience high mortality rates, the researchers found that the attachment of this group to the labor force was marginal and their wages low. And so they lost their sense of status and belonging. In turn, they experienced poor mental health. As their study found, pain and distress had built up over time. The researchers characterized the high mortality rate as deaths of despair. As many more good jobs continue to disappear, will college graduates also suffer a similar fate?

As distressing as it is that life expectancy has recently been declining, the prior years have not been good. On the contrary, the life span of American males is shorter in more than 30 other countries. Moreover, in contrast to American males, the average lifespan of males in 20 other nations are in the eighties.

Certainly the most important measure of health is life expectancy. On this issue we are lagging behind. The NY Times recently reported that the percentage of the population that lacks health insurance climbed in one year from 7.9 to 8.5 percent in 2018.

In fact, although Jeff Bezos, the billionaire who owns Whole Foods, signed a pledge last month that corporations should serve employees and the community, he nevertheless eliminated last week health benefits for 1900 Whole Foods part-time employees. Some of these employees have been working for the supermarket chain for as long as 15 years. It is likely that the considerable drop in health coverage for working people and their families will be reflected in a higher death rate.

Also according to the New York Times the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen. As a result, the purchasing power of low income families, which was already minimal, continues to decline. This too is very troublesome because poverty is a life threatening issue.

How to reverse current trends and advance the health and general well being of the country's population is certainly a pressing issue. Unless we develop strategies to successfully challenge the callousness toward human life what lies ahead for most Americans is very worrisome. 


Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities

Jagjit Singh
Friday September 20, 2019 - 03:12:00 PM

US Intelligence is notoriously unreliable often manufacturing intelligence to suit political agendas, (The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution precipitating the Vietnam War, non-existent WMD’s leading to the “shock and awe” destruction of Iraq, the overthrow of Moammar Khadafy generating a horrific civil war in Libya. . .).

The Trump administration is now accusing Iran of helping the Houthis in Yemen of launching drone and missile attacks on two oil refineries in Saudi Arabia punishing Iran with more sanctions and possible military strikes.

The harsh reality is that finally little David Yemen has given the Saudi-US Goliath a bloody nose and dispelled the notion that it is impregnable to attacks. The UAE has wisely abandoned the Saudi-US coalition conceding that the war on Yemen is lost.

The question of the origin of the attack is TOTALLY IRRELEVANT.

By the law of war, Yemen has every right to defend itself from blistering Saudi air attacks that has killed a record number of civilians.

Secretary of State Pompeo's rush to judgment accusing Iran is ludicrous given our own dark role supporting Saudi air attacks on Yemen.

Furthermore, President Trump has created this crisis by abandoning the 2015 nuclear treaty and making a mockery of US treaty commitments.

He should stop boasting of record arms sales to the Saudis and broker a peace settlement between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. We must stop being proxies to Saudi Arabia and Israel and chart a new course putting the health and survival of the planet FIRST.


Stand by Your Word

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia
Sunday September 22, 2019 - 12:29:00 PM

President Trump has announced that 'We're going to Mars.' I'm all in favor of that so long as he is actually going and it's only a one way journey. 


Time to dethrone the King

Tejinder Uberoi
Sunday September 22, 2019 - 12:26:00 PM

The seamless wall of our democracy has been completely shattered by POTUS. 

Is there something inherently flawed in the US Constitution? We gained independence from King George III of England in 1776 but according to King Trump he claims broad powers - “I have the right to do whatever I want as president.” Oh, really? Does that include taking an AR15 or AK47 and letting loose on your political opponents? Fortunately, there are red lines to curb Trump’s increasing erratic behavior. Congress should use its oversight powers to reign in Trump’s blatant efforts to enrich himself in complete violation of the emoluments clause and stonewalling efforts to shield his tax returns from public scrutiny. What is even more alarmingly is White House efforts to silence a whistleblower's testimony claiming Trump demanded “dirt” on Senator Biden son’s business dealings in Ukraine before releasing $250m of military aid. 

To ensure Ukraine’s president, Zelensky understood what was expected, Mr. Trump’s hired gun, Rudy Giuliani met Ukraine’s President Zelensky’s adviser, Andriy Yermak. The Ukraine’s president was promised a US state visit if Trump’s demands were met. 

If proved, this political self-serving is the “mother of all” impeachable offences and Congress should stop dithering and commence efforts to dethrone the King. 

For more go to http://callforsocialjustice.blogspot.com/


Columns

ON MENTAL ILLNESS: The Usefulness of Journaling

Jack Bragen
Friday September 20, 2019 - 02:28:00 PM

Journaling of thoughts and feelings can allow almost any person to gain a greater understanding of oneself. When you write down some of the content of your conscious mind, it allows better ability for you to know what you are thinking.

It might surprise you to realize that you may not be conscious of many of your thoughts and feelings. This is because some of them may be in the periphery of consciousness or beyond the periphery. Or, in other instances, some thoughts and feelings are submerged.

Sometimes we submerge emotions to protect our consciousness. Therefore, journaling could give some amount of air and light to things we've been avoiding. We could get in touch with pain that we've been afraid to face. Sometimes this can cause adverse results. Yet, for the most part, journaling will help most people.  

Journaling allows you to have effectively more processing power than you would otherwise have. As an analogy, computers are designed with something called "cache memory" which is extra storage that can be retrieved quickly by the system. A sheet of paper on which you write down your thoughts is like that. It effectively increases mental capacity. 

This is not to imply a lack of mental capacity. It is to say that more mental capacity is usually better. 

If you write down thoughts about which you have doubt, it is easier to focus on whether a thought seems to be realistic. If you write down angry thoughts, this is a better alternative than acting or speaking from anger. Yet, you should not write down any threatening content, even if you don't mean it. 

Journaling should never be done on a computer. 

For more than thirty years, I've regularly done exercises that combined journaling and meditation. When I write down a particular method that I want to use to meditate, it helps me remain on task. 

Journaling is a private form of self-expression. It allows you to express your thoughts and feelings, especially when the journal is not intended for anyone else's eyes. When you dispose of notebooks, it may be a good idea to shred them first. What you write is none of anyone else's business. 

In modern times, with Facebook, people post things that are completely inappropriate and that should be kept private. Journaling is a low technology alternative that prevents damage to your reputation. No one can access your material through computer hacking. 

For me, journaling was a precursor to writing for publication. Once I got most of the garbage out, I was able to express myself in a manner that other people could read. 

I continue to do journaling. All of the above reasons for me to do this are still valid. Additionally, I usually carry one or two mini notebooks in my shirt pocket. If I have an idea for an essay or fiction piece, I jot it down. If I didn't do this, the thought would be forgotten, and I would be absent of an idea for a piece that could be used. Someone said, and I forget where I read this, that for good memory, never rely on memory--write things down. 

The problem I now have is an abundance of partly filled small notebooks--many seem to get misplaced. But a person can't have everything. 


Jack Bragen is author of "Instructions for Dealing with Schizophrenia: A Self-Help Manual" and several other titles. He lives in Martinez, with his wife, Joanna Bragen.  

 


ECLECTIC RANT: Trump versus Iran

Ralph E. Stone
Sunday September 22, 2019 - 12:17:00 PM

Last weekend, coordinated strikes on key Saudi Arabian oil facilities knocked out half of the country's oil capacity. On Monday, U.S. oil prices spiked. Without presenting convincing evidence, the Trump administration and the Saudis claim that Iran was behind the attack. Iran denies responsibility. Given Trump’s history of lying, who would believe any “evidence” Trump provided? 

Assuming Iran is responsible for the strikes, the blame principally lies with Trump's failed Iran policy beginning when he unilaterally pulled out of the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal between Iran, the U.S., the P5+1(the five permanent members of the UN Security Council —China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, U.S.—plus Germany) together with the European Union. Iran was abiding by the deal. After the deal pullout, the U.S. renewed the sanctions and added new ones. 

To date, it is unclear whether Trump wants behavior or regime change. This leaves Iran in an untenable negotiating position. 

Iran is feeling the economic impact of the sweeping sanctions. What is Iran supposed to do in the face of Trump’s intransigence, keep suffering, or react? 

Meanwhile, Trump is “locked and loaded,” but for what? Remember, Trump was “cocked and loaded” back in June when Iran shot down a U.S. drone they claimed was in their air space, but he supposedly called off an attack at the last minute. 

The danger, of course, is that Trump may inadvertently stumble into a war with Iran.


THE PUBLIC EYE:Consequences of the Saudi Oilfield Attacks

Bob Burnett
Friday September 20, 2019 - 02:42:00 PM

On September 14, Saudi Arabia's Aramco oil fields were attacked by drones and cruise missiles, and approximately half of the Saudi oil capacity was "disrupted." The details are in dispute but Yemens' Houthi rebels took credit for the attack that appeared to originate across the Persian Gulf -- either in Kuwait, Iraq, or Iran. 

These attacks have three consequences. First, they illustrate that we have entered into a new phase of terrorist activity. Second, they put an end to Trump's recent attempts to forge a new "deal" with Iran. And third, they remind us -- once again -- that Trump, and his family are beholden to the (effective) Saudi leader, Mohammed bin Salman -- referred to as MBS. 

The terrorist attacks were carried out using sophisticated drones and cruise missiles. The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/16/saudi-arabia-oil-attacks-everything-you-need-to-know) stated: "The Houthis recently acquired much more powerful drone technology that has given them the power to strike targets up to 1,500km (~1000 miles). [An Aramco oilfield] is within about 1,000km of Houthi-held territory." (It's widely reported that Iran helped the Houthi rebels master this more sophisticated technology.) CNN (https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/19/middleeast/saudi-air-defense-analysis-intl/index.html) observed: "Saudi Arabia has spent billions on state-of-the-art air defense and early warning systems, but a mix of cruise missiles and drones was able to penetrate its airspace...That suggests serious shortcomings in where Saudi systems are placed and what they're designed to do." 

The success of the attacks on the attacks on the Saudi oilfields should be a wakeup call for Americans. The use of sophisticated drones and cruise missiles to attack critical infrastructure suggests that most U.S. assets are now vulnerable. For example, California is roughly 350 miles wide -- west to east. Thus, all California oil resources would be vulnerable to an attack launched at sea -- as would the state's lone nuclear facility at Diablo Canyon. 

The terrorist attacks came during a period where Trump seemed to be reversing his stance on Iran. After cancelling U.S. participation in the Iran nuclear agreement -- the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" or JPA -- Trump had taken a hard line with Iran. However, recently Trump appeared to be softening his stance, indicating that at the September 24th United Nations General Assembly, he might be willing to meet with Iran President Rouhani with no preconditions for the talks. (This reversal was one of the reasons that Trump parted ways with his national security adviser, John Bolton.) However, immediately after the Aramco attacks, Trump blamed Iran and appeared to, once again, be taking a hard line. 

On September 18, Trump's Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo described the Aramco attacks as an "act of war" orchestrated by Iran (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/18/world/middleeast/us-iran-saudi-arabia.html) Pompeo said the U.S. intends to build a "coalition to deter further attacks." Trump ordered further economic sanctions against Iran and muttered about military action -- although he's backed down in the last couple of days. 

It should be noted that the world community does not hold Iran responsible for the Saudi oilfield attacks. On September 18th, Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono remarked, "We are not aware of any information that points to Iran. We believe the Houthis carried out the attack based on the statement claiming responsibility." (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-aramco-attacks-japan/japan-defense-minister-not-aware-of-any-iran-involvement-in-saudi-attacks-idUSKBN1W30KV

Trump has no coherent Iran policy and has lost the support of our allies. According to the New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/17/world/middleeast/iran-saudi-arabia-oil-attack.html), an Iran expert observed: "Iranian hard-liners consider Trump’s inconsistency to be weakness... [They believe] their policy of ‘maximum resistance’ is working.” 

Trump has extensive financial ties to Saudi Arabia. During the 2015 presidential campaign, Trump boasted: "Saudi Arabia, I get along with all of them. They buy apartments from me... Am I supposed to dislike them? I like them very much... They buy all sorts of my stuff. All kinds of toys from Trump. They pay me millions and hundred of millions."(https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/16/trump-says-no-financial-interests-in-saudi-arabia-but-makes-money.html ) There's also evidence that Trump' son-in-law, Jared Kushner has ties to the Saudis. (https://www.npr.org/2018/10/16/657923244/jared-kushner-faces-scrutiny-for-his-ties-to-the-saudi-crown-prince ). Recently the Saudi's have been frequent visitors at Trump hotels. According to Jonathan Chait, writing in New York Magazine(http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/09/trumps-saudi-arabia-iran-oil-war-corruption.html): "The Saudis spend extravagant sums of money at his hotels in Washington and New York. Earlier this summer, a Saudi entourage of more than two dozen stayed at Trump’s resort in Scotland." 

At the moment, Trump's strongest ally in the Middle East is Mohammed bin Salman -- who is a thug, (Readers will remember that most observers blame MBS for the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/09/19/after-oil-field-attacks-saudi-arabias-mohammed-bin-salman-straddles-line-between-victim-villain/).) If MBS decides to attack Iran, then Trump will probably go along. Such a war would have catastrophic consequences. It would involve the entire region. And the United States. 

Most of us have grave concerns about Donald Trump's ability to lead the United States. We worry that, in a time of national crisis, he would be woefully inadequate. The Saudi oilfield attacks are a wakeup call. If terrorists can successfully attack the Aramco oil fields -- penetrating Saudi Arabian and U.S. defenses -- why do we think terrorists would spare domestic oil fields or other critical U.S. targets? 


Bob Burnett is a Berkeley writer and activist. He can be reached at bburnett@sonic.net  


SMITHEREENS: Reflections on Bits & Pieces

Gar Smith
Friday September 20, 2019 - 02:54:00 PM

Sprouts Gives Loiterers a Pass

Between the parking lot behind the Spouts outlet on San Pablo Avenue and the adjacent forest of the Gill Tract, the powers-that-be have posted a sign.

The sign was meant to punish people for "loitering." But because of a punctuation error (a missing period), it actually grants one and all the opportunity to loiter without fear of consequences.

Here's is the message the sign was intended to send:

"No loitering. Violators will be prosecuted."

But here's what the sign actually promises:

"No loitering violators will be prosecuted."

So feel free to linger, all you local lay-abouts. Period. Full stop. End of sentence. 

A Sign of the Times Simmers on the Sidewalk 

With the global Climate Strike protests underway it was encouraging to find the following message scrawled in chalk on a local sidewalk alongside a child's drawing of planet Earth: 

"We are the first generation to feel the sting of climate change. 

We are the last generation that can stop it." 

 

Thinking Outside the Box 

One sign of summer (and so long, dear season) is the proliferation of drawings chalked on neighborhood sidewalks. One of the most common items drawn on the concrete—alone with sketchings of monsters, space rockets, and animals—is the omnipresent ten-box hopscotch grid. 

A month ago, in one North Berkeley neighborhood, some precocious youngster created a hopscotch challenge unlike any ever seen before. It contained 71 hopping blocks (some large; others as small as a postcard) that stretched well beyond one property line and into another. The last box, topping off the play-zone to the east, contained the message: "You made it!" 

While the overachiever behind this minor miracle remains unknown, I can reveal the street where it appeared. The world's longest hopscotch challenge was discovered on — where else? — Hopkins Street! 

Grab Your Shoes and Get a March On 

This is a busy week. On September 20, the People's Climate Strike begins. (Find a Bay Area Climate Strike event near you—just click here.) 

On September 21, people are preparing to march for Puerto Rican independence. On September 22, crowds will gather in New York's Herald Square for the four-day People's Mobilization to Stop the US War Machine. And September 23 marks both the start of the UN Climate Summit in New York and the convening of activists calling for "A Path to International Peace: Realizing the Vision of the United Nations Charter." 

How Homeowners Can Cut Wildfire Risks 

In the aftermath of the horrific Camp Fire that destroyed the town of Paradise, aerial photos of the fire-zone revealed something odd—in the midst of all the devastation, some homes remained intact while all the surrounding dwellings had been reduced to ashes. 

 

I have a theory and it has to do with rain-gutters. 

A close look at the surviving structures seems to reveal that the owners had installed special "leaf guard" gutters to prevent vegetation from accumulating and blocking the downspouts during heavy rains. 

During firestorms, these gutter guards serve another purpose. 

Secondary fires are started by flying embers that can be blown more than a mile in mere minutes. What happens when these embers fall on a house? 

Embers coming to rest in a gutter filled with paper-dry leaves will quickly ignite a new blaze—one that is particularly dangerous because it erupts at the roofline, directly below the first overlay of roofing tiles. The perfect "ignition point" for a fire that will skate up a sloping roof until it collapses, dumping flaming debris into the home's interior and destroying the entire dwelling. 

Photos from the Paradise inferno appear to show that many of the homes began burning at the roofline, not at the foundation. 

When I questioned several local firefighters about the gutter-clutter threat and the cover-the-gutter solution, they were nonplussed but said they would look into it. 

The California Fire Safe Council recently issued an 8-page guide on "Hardening Your Home to Better Survive Wildfire" that confirmed my suspicions. The CFSC noted that, contrary to popular belief, "the flaming front of a wildfire is often not hot enough to ignite a house" but can ignite plants lining the walls. In fact, the CFSC notes: "Embers cause the majority of wildfire home ignitions." And, when it comes to embers, the CFSC has a specific warning: "They can create spot fires when they land on combustible materials, such as leaves in your gutter." 

The manual repeats the advice to "inspect and clean gutters regularly" but only contains a single mention of the better alternative: "Install a noncombustible gutter guard to reduce accumulated debris." 

So here's a mystery: why isn't this solution being promoted? Why is it that full-page ads for capping devices designed to guarantee "clog-free gutters" never mention their ability to prevent the entire home from going up in flames? 

In the meantime, if you're looking for a fire-fighting solution that's not so simple or cheap, you might want to consider hosing down your home with NovaCool. 

 

Climate Chaos: Adapt or Die 

The Global Commission on Adaptation—composed of 34 science, business and political leaders—has announced a plan for how much it could cost for humans to survive extreme climate changes that are quickly becoming unavoidable. 

Since we've failed to prevent, mitigate, or slow the human-caused, carbon-fueled transformation of our global climate, it no longer makes sense to debate "How do we prevent it?" Our situation has now become: "We failed to stop it, so how can we survive in a world that's collapsing around us?" GCA's leaders—former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates—have called for spending $1.8 trillion on adaptation strategies. Unfortunately, the to-do list sounds mundane rather than transformational with a series of non-brainer "solutions" that include "better warning systems" to signal the approach of hurricanes, wildfires, and tidal surges and building "suitable infrastructure to handle the altered climate." 

 

Trump Can't Wait to Trample the Constitution 

In July, President Trump said he believes the US Constitution gives him “the right to do whatever I want as president.” Before he stages a coup, Trump's enablers might suggest that he go online and Google "dictatorship." 

And here's another online asset for the "stable genius." 

In celebration of Constitution Day, September 17, the Library of Congress launched a new website, constitution.congress.gov—"the authoritative source for how the Supreme Court has interpreted the nation’s governing document over the years. The new website makes the US Constitution searchable with Supreme Court interpretations throughout history." 

I doubt that Trump has ever read the document. 

Maybe it's time to amend the Constitution with some new no-nos. For example: make serial lying an impeachable offense. We could call it the First Admonishment. 

Citizen Phil Allen chimes in on the prospect of Constitutional adjustments: "One of my thrills about the Big C is its elegant concision of language. Modern attempts to expand it show the failings of their authors in getting across their hopes in any but cumbersome text. 

"Along with dealing with the Electoral College, what I'd like to see . . . is language added to Article II, Sec.1, Part 3 (presidential qualifications), regarding 'further necessary qualities of fitness'—perhaps in-elegantly including a Body Mass Index level, or ability to pass under the limbo bar three times." 

Class Clash over Housing Hassle 

When the poor sleep on the street they're ordered to move indoors. When they move into tents, they're told to move along and find "more suitable" housing. When they start building secure mini-homes out of wooden pallets on vacant land under elevated BART tracks, they are told their homes are fire hazards and will be torn down. 

Last week, Caltrans officials announced plans to target a neighborhood of hand-built houses beneath an underpass in West Berkeley but, as the Chron reported, "there is no plan for resettling the residents elsewhere." 

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Oakland's Department of Human Services explained the department's policy on handling a homeless encampment adjacent to BART tracks in West Oakland as follows: 

"We have a duty and obligation to maintain public safety and pubic health but, at the same time, as a resident, as a citizen, you have certain freedoms and autonomy. But when those freedoms and autonomy starts to jeopardize the general public's safety, the general public's health, well that's the need for government to intervene." 

An interesting argument. This rationale proposes that the rights of mere "residents" and "citizens" are not as important as the rights of something called "the general public." This is problematic thinking that weaponizes vocabulary to justify rank discrimination against fellow citizens who are judged to be "less equal." Orwell would wince. 

Who's Your Presidential Pick: Let Us Tell You 

A few days ago, End Citizens United/Fight for Reform sent out an email inviting recipients to chose from among 20 Democratic candidates and select their preferred presidential and vice-presidential ticket. 

But there was a problem. The form presented on the main page had already been filled in! The sample form began with only two choices for president: Joe Biden and Cory Booker. The pre-selected VP candidates were Sherrod Brown and Stacey Abrams. 

A third box invited recipients to exercise an option to "Select your own combination." This linked to a go-to page where people could select their preferred ticket from the full score of Dem contenders. 

This was followed by one of those "Did you know?" lists. The last question on the list read: "Would you support an aggressive campaign to expose Trump's corruption, lower his approval numbers, and elect Pro-Reform Democrats?" But there was another problem: There was only one box, it was labeled "Yes," and it was already filled in with a checkmark! 

A lingering question: What's the deal with "lowering Trump's approval numbers"? That sounds like a meddling mission designed for Russian trolls. 

And, Finally . . . 

There's a new art exhibit opening at the David Brower Center in downtown Berkeley. The exhibition, which debuted on September 20 honors National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore, the latest recipient of the Brower Center's annual Art/Act Award. Executive Director Laurie Rich saluted Sartore's photograpy as work that "follows in David Brower's tradition of utilizing powerful environmental images to inform, engage, and ultimately inspire people to action." 

Sartore's stunning wildlife imagery will be on display in the Hazel Wolf gallery through February 14, 2020. Exhibition hours: M-F, 9AM-5PM. Sat. 10AM-2PM. 

 

 


Arts & Events

Great Singing in Gounod’s ROMÉO ET JULIETTE

Reviewed by James Roy MacBean
Sunday September 22, 2019 - 12:22:00 PM

It’s been more than thirty years since I last heard Charles Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette (in San Francisco Opera’s 1987-88 production starring Ruth Ann Swenson). So this year’s new production, which opened the season on September 6, was eagerly awaited by me, especially given that soprano Nadine Sierra was scheduled to sing the role of Juliette (or, as Shakespeare spelled it, Juliet). Then, however, only a few days prior to opening night, tenor Bryan Hymel, who was scheduled to sing Romeo, withdrew suddenly for unspecified “personal reasons.” Into Hymel’s place stepped Pene Pati, who is familiar to local audiences from his years with the Merola Program and the Adler Fellowship Program. In this context my initial decision to skip opening night and attend a later performance seemed all the wiser, since Pene Pati had very little time to prepare himself for opening night, even if he was scheduled to sing the last performance of Roméo et Juliette on October 1with his wife, Amina Edris, as Juliet.  

So it was that I attended the Saturday, September 21, Roméo et Juliette; and I was glad I had waited. Although Pene Pati’s opening night performance drew quite favourable reviews, it was noted that he sounded a bit hesitant at the beginning. By the September 21 performance, any hint of hesitation was gone; and Pati sang gloriously from beginning to end. Moreover, Nadine Sierra was absolutely sensational as Juliet! Her Act I aria, “Je veux vivre dans le rève qui m’enivre,” set to a waltz-tune, was, as always, a coloratura show-stopper! Likewise, Pene Pati’s Act II aria, “Ah! lève-toi soleil,” in the so-called balcony scene, which in Jean-Louis Grinda’s staging was set in a garden with only a retaining wall in place of a balcony, was beautifully sung. 

Earlier in the opera, when Romeo and Juliet first catch sight of one another and are instantly smitten, they approach each other formally, singing a tender, polite “Madrigal” as they test out their feelings for one another. However, by the Act II balcony scene, they exchange mutual vows of love. And by Act III, Scene 1, the lovers meet in the den of Friar Lawrence, sung here by bass James Creswell, who consents to marry them in secret, withholding the news of this marriage due to the enmity between the Montagues and the Capulets.  

Although happy in their love, Romeo and Juliet experience a major setback when a fight breaks out between the warring families. Stephano, Romeo’s page, gloriously sung here by debuting soprano Stephanie Lauricella, mockingly taunts the Capulets. Tybalt, a Capulet, sung here by tenor Daniel Montenegro, picks a fight, first with Romeo, who initially declines the challenge. Romeo’s friend Mercutio, here robustly sung by baritone Lucas Meachem, vigorously takes up Tybalt’s challenge. But when Romeo seeks to dissuade Mercutio from fighting, Tybalt takes advantage of Mercutio’s momentary inattention, and stabs him, killing Mercutio. Now Romeo seeks to avenge his friend’s death at the cowardly hand of Tybalt; and in their duel Romeo kills Tybalt. The Duke of Verona, majestically sung here by veteran bass-baritone Philip Skinner, arrives on the scene and banishes Romeo from Verona. At the close of this fight scene, Romeo, alone on stage, now facing exile, laments his fate in an aria ending in Pene Pati singing what may be the longest=held high note we’re likely to hear all season long! 

Act IV’s bedroom scene features the third of Romeo and Juliet’s four love duets, and this one, following a night of love, is a full-blown love duet in which the formalities and hesitations of their first two duets have disappeared, replaced now by mature confidence in their love and secret marriage. But when Romeo leaves in the early morning, Juliet’s father, sung here by baritone Timothy Mix, arrives in Juliet’s bedchamber to announce that she is to marry Tybalt’s nephew, Paris, this very day. When Capulet leaves, Friar Lawrence offers Juliet a potion that will induce in her a fake death, from which she will awaken a day later and be met secretly by Romeo. 

Left alone, Juliet sings the technically difficult “Potion Aria,” which Gounod dropped from the opera’s premiere and was rarely performed until as recently as the late 1980s. Needless to say, Nadine Sierra brought this treacherous aria off brilliantly.  

Act V takes place in the tomb where the Capulets, believing Juliet dead, have placed her on a funeral bier. Romeo enters, also believing Juliet dead, and bids her a loving farewell, then drinks poison. As he lies dying, Juliet gradually awakens from her potion-induced sleep. Seeing Romeo, Juliet is overjoyed. But soon she realises that Romeo, believing her dead, has taken a poison. Vowing to die with Romeo, Juliet stabs herself with his dagger, and the doomed lovers die in each other’s arms, asking God’s forgiveness.  

Conductor Yves Abel led orchestra, chorus, and singers in a lush, Romantic treatment of Gounod’s score. Jean-Louis Grinda’s staging used simple, evocative sets by Eric Chevalier, which kept the drama focused on the characters themselves. Costumes by Carola Volles were of simplified period dress. Ian Robertson was chorus director. Lawrence Pech choreographed the elaborate dance scene; and Dave Maier staged the fight scene.  

Romeo et Juliette continues for three more performances with the same cast on 9/24 at 7:30, 9/29 at 2:00, and on 10/1 at 7:30 with Amina Edris as Juliette.  

 

 

 


Daniil Trifonov’s Exquisite Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 4

Reviewed by James Roy MacBean
Friday September 20, 2019 - 02:55:00 PM

In reviewing Daniil Trifonov’s exciting performance last spring of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, I wrote that Trifonov played like a man with his hair on fire. Now, playing Rachmaninoff’s much less frequently heard Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Daniil Trifonov offered a performance full of his usual intensity yet one that brought out in exquisite detail Rachmaninoff’s late style. This concerto’s middle movement, a Largo, was a lyrical masterpiece in Trifonov’s hands. His piano opens this movement with an exquisite phrase, which is immediately picked up by the strings. Then Trifonov plays Rachmaninoff’s simple embellishment of this theme, followed again by the strings, and so on. The theme itself is forever changing registers and colours, offering ever new harmonizations. Some find this Largo’s main theme brooding, but I find it hauntingly beautiful.  

There is indeed something new in Rachmaninoff’s late style of concerto writing. Earlier, his piano concertos were all piano-driven. The orchestra was given short shrift as a mere accompanist. Writing about his Third Piano Concerto, Rachmaninoff stated that he wanted the piano to “sing,” and that he sought a “suitable orchestral accompaniment, or rather one that would not muffle this singing.” Now, however, in his Fourth Piano Concerto, Rachmaninoff makes the orchestra a true partner with the solo pianist. So much so, in fact, that Rachmaninoff had misgivings, writing that here, the orchestra “is almost never silent, which I regard as a great sin. This means that it’s not a concerto for piano, but a concerto for piano and orchestra.” In this San Francisco Symphony performance, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas did a fine job of allowing the orchestra to effectively partner Daniil Trifonov as piano soloist, while never dominating the proceedings.  

Bookending the middle movement are two Allegros. The opening movement features a melody borrowed by Rachmaninoff from an Etude-Tableau of 1911 that he never published. Here it is a grand melody introduced by the piano. A second theme is introduced, lyrical and even whimsical. When the first theme reappears in the recapitulation, it is heard in high violins with support from the woodwinds and rapid arpeggios from the piano. The English horn offers a sudden wail, but the first movement comes quickly to an end.  

The third and final movement opens in almost whimsical fashion with a brief phrase from the piano. Then begins a propulsive romp that presents enormous technical difficulties for the pianist. Needless to say, Daniil Trifonov’s awesome technical prowess was more than up to meeting and transcending the difficulties. Here, in this finale, we recognise what Martha Argerich noted when she first heard Trifonov play in Carnegie Hall: Trifonov combines formidable technique with an element of the demonic in his playing. Along with Martha Argerich we can only agree that “we have never heard anything quite like that before.” Daniil Trifonov, now aged 27, only gets better and better, if that’s possible. I can’t wait to hear him again and again. 

For what little it was worth, the opening work at the Thursday, September 19 matinee I attended at Davies Hall was a newly commissioned piece by John Adams, “I Still Dance.” Only 8 minutes in length, “I Still Dance” seems to go on forever, beating away relentlessly in irritating mannerism. A friend from Island City Opera who happened to sit in front of me said “I Still Dance” sounded to her like popcorn popping innocuously in a microwave. In a pre-concert dialogue with Sarah Cahill, John Adams called “I Still Dance” “a toccata with a disco beat.” Suffice it to say that it’s heavy on percussion. Like so much of Adams’ work, this is a throwaway piece.  

Why do I call it a throwaway piece, you might ask? Because you never need to hear it a second time. What little there is in this music is there on the glib surface. There’s simply no depth that a second hearing would reveal. You simply hear it once and that’s it, you throw it away. If disposable music is your thing, this is it. But like the disposable plastic water bottles that clutter our ocean waves, John Adams’ throwaway music clutters our sound waves. 

Since I bought a ticket with my own money for this concert, the press tickets having been fully allocated when I requested mine two weeks before the concert, I didn’t feel obliged to stay after intermission for Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major. I came to hear Daniil Trifonov, and I was happy to make my exit with Trifonov’s performance still ringing splendidly in my mind.


A BILLY BUDD for the Ages

Reviewed by James Roy MacBean
Thursday September 19, 2019 - 02:35:00 PM

I’ve seen quite a few productions of Benjamin Britten’s Billy Budd in the past, including the first two — in 1978-9 and 1985-6 —of three prior productions at San Francisco Opera. I’ve enjoyed and learned something from each of these productions, as well as from those I’ve seen elsewhere. However, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a production until this one that effectively highlighted the intensity of the morality play inherent in Herman Melville’s unfinished novel of Billy Budd, and did so in Benjamin Britten’s strikingly idiosyncratic musical terms. In short, for me, this San Francisco opera production of Billy Budd, which opened on September 7, and which I attended on Sunday, September 15, is a Billy Budd for the ages. 

Lest I get carried away, however, let me say that the stage set for this Billy Budd, imported from Glyndebourne, England, presented me, and not only me, it seems, with some initial difficulties. This unitary set offers us a view that seems to be of the inside of the hull of a British man of war circa 1797. Yet the libretto, a carefully written work by none other than E.M. Forster with help from Eric Crozier, repeatedly gives us scenes from outside, on the deck of the ship, where sails are unfurled, distant enemy ships are sighted, and cannons are fired. The spatial ambiguity of this unitary set, a product of the combined vision of director Michael Grandage and designer Christopher Oram, caused me to reorient myself at several stages towards the drama that unfolds. The question it raises is an interesting one: Is this an exterior drama or an interior one? That it is both is obvious. The question becomes, which vision of this drama does one wish to emphasize? By choosing a view of the interior of the British man of war ship the Indomitable, this production deemphasizes straightforward realism to the benefit of suggestive ambiguity and allusiveness. By giving us the inside of the ship, this production emphasizes the claustrophobia of the common sailors on a ship at sea, constantly up against one another and their superiors. Moreover, the ribs and vertebrae of this ship’s interior might well suggest the inside of the belly of a whale, evoking the Biblical Jonah’s captivity therein, a reference not at all out of line with both Herman Melville’s and Benjamin Britten’s view of things. Both Melville and Britten seem to be interested, mainly, in the moral dilemma experienced by Captain Vere, who finds himself caught amidships, as it were.  

We’ll get to this moral dilemma of Captain Vere’s in a moment. Let’s acknowledge, first and foremost, that the singing of the principals in this production of Billy Budd was uniformly excellent! As Captain Vere, tenor William Burden was outstanding. From his opening moments, wherein as an old man, he recalls the incidents involving Billy Budd, then through the harrowing enactment of those moments, down to Captain Vere’s old age closing lines at the end of the opera, William Burden was a sympathetic, tragically conflicted individual. He managed to convey vocally the inner conflicts he experienced between dutifully enacting the Articles of War that called for the capital punishment of Billy Budd for striking a superior officer and killing him, on one hand, and his profound intuition, on the other hand, of the goodness and innocence of Billy Budd.  

In the title role, baritone John Chest was also excellent. His high baritone easily captured the nuances of a role often assigned to a tenor. As Budd, John Chest was earnest, forthright, and full of the naiveté that Billy Budd’s character calls for in spades. John Chest’s delivery of Billy Budd’s final ballad as he awaits hanging, “Billy in the Darbies,” was a thing of utmost beauty. The third point in this opera’s triangle of goodness and evil, whose pivotal point is Captain Vere, was, of course, Master-at-Arms John Claggart, here sung with merciless ferocity by bass-baritone Christian Van Horn. If there is anyone who can make evil sound beautiful, it’s Christian Van Horn. Where the villainous operatic role of John Claggart is concerned, I don’t envy the task of the singer. But, believe me, Van Horn was more than up to this task.  

Among the minor roles, a few stood out. Veteran bass-baritone Philip Skinner was impressive as Dansker, the sympathetic old-timer who befriends Billy. Three other bass-baritones also sang impressively: Christian Pursell as Mr. Ratcliffe, Philip Horst as Mr. Redburn, and Wayne Tigges as Mr. Flint. Tenor Brenton Ryan was compellingly pathetic as A Novice suborned by Claggart to entrap Billy. And tenor Matthew O’Neill brought comic relief to the role of Squeak. 

The Opera Chorus’s male contingent, led by Ian Robertson, sang robustly as the crew, and they were aided by members of the Ragazzi Boys Chorus led by Joyce Kell. The orchestra, led by Lawrence Renes, who was making his local debut, gave a robust account of Britten’s score. The sea is ever present in Britten’s Billy Budd, as it also is in this composer’s Peter Grimes; and here the orchestra faithfully renders the dark, swirling waters while the chorus of crew members sing “O Heave! O heave away!”, and are thus identified with the mysterious energies of the sea. Finally, the orchestra alone takes over the opera near the end, and for three long minutes we hear brass, strings, winds, and horns, intone a series of mysterious chords. During this 34 bar stretch of instrumental music, no action occurs onstage. Perhaps this is Britten’s musical rendering of a scene Herman Melville declined to put in words — the unseen interview wherein Captain Vere communicates to Billy Budd the verdict of the court martial — Billy must be hanged from the yardarm. Musically, this is a moment of sublime solemnity; and it is the highlight of this opera. 


ERRATA: In writing that conductor Lawrence Renes was making his local debut in Billy Budd, I thought I was following the San Francisco Opera program notes, for directly above the name Lawrence Renes in its Artist Profile on p. 43, I read “San Francisco Opera Debut” as well as “Role Debut.” It turns out, however, that these are simply indications of markers to identify debuts throughout the Artist Profiles. In any case, I am grateful to Teresa Concepcion of the Communications Department for informing me that Lawrence Renes’ local debut was in 2012 conducting Nixon in China.


Updated: Around & About--Jazz: 17-Piece Electric Squeezebox Orchestra, with Guest Vocalist Kalil Wilson, on Their Way to the Monterey Jazz Festival, Plays the Jazz Conservatory on Addison Sunday at 5:30

Ken Bullock
Sunday September 22, 2019 - 12:20:00 PM

Erik Jekobson's 17-piece jazz ensemble of fine local players, featuring guest vocalist Kalil Wilson--one of our swingingest young singers--will play this Sunday at 5:30 in Rendon Hall of the California Jazz Conservatory, 2040 Addison (just off Shattuck), where they've been in residence with the Conservatory. Wilson appeared with Jeckobson's other, smaller jazz ensemble, String-tet, featuring some of the same players, at the Hillside Club recently, a fine show. The CJC Student Band will precede the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra Sunday at 4. $10-15. Info & tickets: https://cjc.edu/concerts


The Berkeley Activist's Calendar, September 22-29

Kelly Hammargren, Sustainable Berkeley Coalition
Friday September 20, 2019 - 11:11:00 PM

Worth Noting and Showing Up:

Tuesday – City Council

Wednesday – The Disaster and Fire Safety Commission agenda includes parking and fire truck access in the hills. The Joint Subcommittee for the Implementation of State Housing Laws agenda includes objective standards for density.

Saturday – Berkeley has designated Opportunity Zones – the Opportunity Zone Forum explores how a Trump administration created mechanism for reducing capital gains taxes through real estate development affects / may affect Berkeley residents



Sunday, September 22, 2019

District 5 Residents, Town Hall with Councilmember Sophie Hahn and Mayor Jesse Arreguin, 10:30 am at Beth El Synagogue & “BYO” Picnic for noon to 2 pm, at Live Oak Park in front of the Berkeley Art Center 

Monday, September 23, 2019 

City Council Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community Committee, 10 am, at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor Redwood Room, Agenda: 2. Leonard Powell, receivership, City Actions, policy recommendations, public meetings a. HAC, b. Peace&Justice Commission, c. Kesarwani, d. Bartlett 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Home/Policy_Committee__Health,_Life_Enrichment,_Equity___Community.aspx 

Traffic Circle Policy Task Force – Planting Subcommittee Committee, 6:30 pm, at 2000 University, Au Coquelet, III. 2. Aligning Vegetation Subcommittee Report with Summary Report 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Traffic_Circle_Policy_Task_Force.aspx 

Zero Waste Commission, 7 – 9 pm at 1326 Allston Way, Willow Room, City of Berkeley Corporation Yard, 2. Reusable Cup Program, 3. Single Use Foodware, 6. Community Composting, 7. Deconstruction – Demolition Materials Markets, 8. Plastics Recycling, 9. Closure Redemption Centers. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Zero_Waste_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Tax the Rich Rally, with music by Occupella, 5 – 6 pm at the Top of Solano in front of the Closed Oaks Theater, 

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 

Berkeley City Council, Tuesday, 1231 Addison Street, BUSD Board Room, 

Closed Session, 5:30 - 6 pm, Agenda: Pending litigation, 1. Claim by David Dhailwal, Austine Warren, Gary Fong No. 0109BC2019-0001, 2. Taehee Park v. City of Berkeley RG 17 852489 

Regular Meeting, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Agenda, Consent: 2. Increase NetFile Contract to $133,200 thru May 31, 2023 for regular annual maintenance for online campaign report, Form 700 filing and tracking and lobbyist registration, 3. 1 yr contract $150,000 with NV5 to develop City’s website, 4. IKE Smart City Kiosk Locations in Downtown, Telegraph and Lorin Commercial Districts, 5. Modifications(streamlining) Zoning Ordinance to allow approvals in commercial districts for permitting and licensing by zoning certificate, 7. Amend Bay Area Community Services Contract add $300,000 total $6,880,149 (4yr contract) for homeless people presenting at North County Housing Resource Center, 8. $28,115for Community Housing Development Organizations, 9. Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) Ordinance, 10. Authorizes City Manager authority to settle Worker’s Comp Claims up to $75,000, 11. Provide 3% Special Class Commercial License Premium to Solid Waste Supervisor Job Classification, 12. Contract with Ghilotti Construction Co for John Hinkel Park Improvement $658,588 – 20% contingency $131,718, total $790,306, 13. Contract with The Dutra Group $261,100 – 15% contingency $39,165, total $300,265 for ADA accessible Gangway Project at Berkeley Marina South Cove, 14. Contract with Mar Con Builders $5,226,363 – 20% contingency $1,045,272 total $6,271,635 for Live Oak Community Center seismic Upgrade, 15. Contract with Don Fowler Construction for Tuolumne Camp Repairs $228,735 which includes 15% contingency, 16. $7,000 for Technical Assistance in Grant Application for Housing Protection and Preservation, 17. Add $500,000 (total $900,000) to add 1 yr thru June 30, 2022 to Contract with Coastland Civil Engineering for on-call Civil engineering Services for Sanitary Sewer Program, 18. Add $225,000 (total $725,000) Fehr & Peers, Inc for On-call Transportation Planning Services, 19. Support H.R. 2809 – Nutrition Act of 2019, 20. United Against Hate Week 2019, 21. Declare Oct 2, 2019 as Clean Air Day, 22. Support AB 342 Prohibiting Use of Public Lands for Oil and Gas Production, 23. Support SB 210 Implement heavy duty vehicle inspection and maintenance program 24. Pollinators and Habitat referral to City Manager, 25. Naming Berkeley Paths for Women Founders of Berkeley Path Wanderers Association, 26. Support Resolution to CPUC Rule 20A projects (undergrounding utilities) 27. Support ACA – 8 Elections: lower voting age to 17, 28. Set aside $100,000 for freestanding 24/7 public restroom facility in Telegraph Business Improvement District, 29. Referral Telegraph Crosswalk Art Installations, Action: 31. ZAB Appeal 2325 Sixth St, 32. Referral Response Grant Writing Services, 33. Allowance 3404 King Street to Covenant House to operate a Shelter for Homeless Youth, Amend Contract by $357,020 total $1,630,572 to Covenant House to operate 12-bed transitional housing program (currently awarded to Fred Finch Youth Center), 34. Develop Bicycle Lane and Pedestrian Street Improvements Policy, 35. Referral Response (May 26, 2015 and Nov 13, 2018) Lava Mae Mobile Shower and Hygiene Services, 36. a&b. Health Study Health Disparities and Mortality Rates of Berkeley’s homeless, 37. a.&b. Utilization of 1281 University for up to 8-10 RV dwellers selected on strength of ties to Berkeley, 38. Wage Theft Program, Information Reports: 39. Short Term Referral Process Update, 40. Remove Berkeley Big People on I80 pedestrian bridge from City of Berkeley civic art collection, 41. First Year Data Pathways STAIR Center, 42. 2019 HAC Work Plan, 43. Planning Commission work Plan. 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission – Sustainable Mobility Subcommittee, 7 pm at 2000 University, Au Coquelet, III1. 1. Combustion Vehicle Operation Plan, 2. Combustion Vehicle Resale Plan, 3. Fossil Fuel Sales Ban 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Community_Environmental_Advisory_Commission/ 

Fair Campaign Practices Commission – Officeholder Account Subcommittee, 10 am at 2180 Milvia, 1st Floor, Chinquapin Room, 6. Recommendation Eliminating or Restricting Officeholder Accounts. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/FCPC/ 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019 

Civic Arts Commission, 6 – 8 pm at 1901 Russell St, Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Library, Agenda: 6. a).Short Term Rental revenue, c)Public Art Heart Sounds Bench, d) Diana Rossi Mosaic for Live Oak Park, e) Final Artwork N. Berkeley Senior Center, f) Accept Photos by Orin Rutchick into Collection. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CivicArtsCommissionHomepage/ 

Commission on the Status of Women, 6:45 – 9 pm at 2180 Milvia, Cypress Room, NO Agenda Posted – check before going https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Commission_on_the_Status_of_Women_Homepage.aspx 

Disaster and Fire Safety Commission, 7 – 9 pm at 997 Cedar St, Fire Department Training Center, Agenda: Recommendation Council Action on Ensuring Fire Equipment Access, 4. Safe Passages, 5. Vegetation Management, 6. Wildfire Priority Issues – Parking, Prevention, Emergency Preparedness, 8. Sirens, 9. Power Shut-offs, 10. Special Tax Assessment for Wildfire Prevention, 11. Drones for Disaster Management 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Disaster_and_Fire_Safety_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Energy Commission, 6:30 – 9 pm at 1947 Center St, Agenda: 4. Recommendation to Council 2019 Building Code Amendments w/Deep Green Initiative, 5. Presentation Proposed Transfer Tax Rebate Program 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Energy_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Joint Subcommittee for the Implementation of State Housing Laws, 7 – 9 pm at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor Redwood Room, Agenda: 9. Objective Standards for Density 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Joint_Subcommittee_for_the_Implementation_of_State_Housing_Laws_Homepage.aspx 

Thursday, September 26, 2019 

Community Health Commission, 6:30 – 9 pm at 2939 Ellis St. South Berkeley Senior Center, NO Agenda Posted – check before going 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Community_Health_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Mental Health Commission, 7 – 9 pm at 1947 Center St, Agenda: 3. Covenant House Presentation – Jarekhye Covarrubias, 4.&5. Nominations Edward Opton & Maria Moore to Commission, 6. Recommendation to Council that BMH develop 5 yr Strategic Plan, 8. Data Collection Client Population for Evaluation Service Delivery, 9. Overall Costs for 50 Highest Frequency Service Users, 10. Capability of Adeptly Serving Clients Who Use Substances 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Mental_Health_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Zoning Adjustment Board, 7 pm at 1231 Addison St, BUSD Board Room, Agenda: 

2526 Durant – Add distilled spirits – continue to October 10 

1923 Ninth Street – demolish existing 1-story duplex, construct 3 detached 3-story single family units – continue to October 10 

2215 Parker – “0” Parker – Construct 2-story duplex on vacant parcel – continue to October 10 

1825 Berkeley Way – construct two additional dwelling units on parcel with single-family dwelling, Staff Recommend - Approve 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/zoningadjustmentsboard/ 

Strawberry Creek Park Phase 2 Renovation Project, 6:30 – 8 pm at 1326 Allston Way 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventMain.aspx?calendarEventID=16294 

Free Smoking Cessation Clinic, 6 – 8 pm at South Berkeley Senior Center 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventMain.aspx?calendarEventID=16270 

Friday, September 27, 2019 

Councilmember Cheryl Davila Open Office Hours, 2 – 4 pm, 2033 San Pablo, Lanesplitter Pizza 

Saturday, September 28, 2019 

Economic Opportunity Zones: An Opportunity for Berkeley?, 10 am – 12 pm, 1744 University Ave, Church of the Cross, forum on how Opportunity Zones affects Berkeley, sponsored by BNC Berkeley Neighborhoods, invited participants, Berkeley Economic Development – Christopher Karachale, Councilmembers – Ben Bartlett, Cheryl Davila, Kate Harrison, City Manager’s Office and Mayor’s Office. 

Ohlone Park Proposed Improvements Community Meeting, 10 am - 12 pm at 2180 Milvia, Cypress Room 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventMain.aspx?calendarEventID=16306 

Sunday, September 29, 2019 

No City meetings or events found 

_____________________ 

 

 

Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals 

0 Euclid Ave – Berryman Resevoir (denial of 4G telecom facility), ZAB, 10-29-2019 

2701 Shattuck (construct mixed-use building) (remanded) 11-12-2019 

Notice of Decision (NOD) With End of Appeal Period 

2241 Glen, 10-2-2019 

2758 Matthews 10-7-2019 

1410 Peralta 10-2-2019 

1520 Sacramento 10-2-2019 

1685 Solano 10-1-2019 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/planning_and_development/land_use_division/current_zoning_applications_in_appeal_period.aspx 

Remanded to ZAB or LPC With 90-Day Deadline 

1155-73 Hearst (develop 2 parcels) – referred back to City Council – to be scheduled 

 

WORKSHOPS 

Oct 22 – Berkeley’s 2020 Vision Update, Census 2020 Update, Short term Rentals 

Nov 5 - Transfer Station Feasibility Study, Vision Zero Action Plan, Update: goBerkeley (RPP – Residential Parking Permit) 

Unscheduled – Cannabis Health Considerations 

 

Unscheduled PRESENTATIONS 

Adeline Corridor Plan 

_____________________ 

 

To Check For Regional Meetings with Berkeley Council Appointees go to 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/City_Council__Committee_and_Regional_Body_Appointees.aspx 

 

To check for Berkeley Unified School District Board Meetings go to 

https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schoolboard/board-meeting-information/ 

 

_____________________ 

 

This meeting list is also posted on the Sustainable Berkeley Coalition website. 

http://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet under activist’s calendar http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com 

 

When notices of meetings are found that are posted after Friday 5:00 pm they are added to the website schedule https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and preceded by LATE ENTRY 

 

 

Worth Noting and Showing Up: 

Tuesday – City Council 

Wednesday – The Disaster and Fire Safety Commission agenda includes parking and fire truck access in the hills. The Joint Subcommittee for the Implementation of State Housing Laws agenda includes objective standards for density. 

Saturday – Berkeley has designated Opportunity Zones – the Opportunity Zone Forum explores how a Trump administration created mechanism for reducing capital gains taxes through real estate development affects / may affect Berkeley residents 

 

Sunday, September 22, 2019 

District 5 Residents, Town Hall with Councilmember Sophie Hahn and Mayor Jesse Arreguin, 10:30 am at Beth El Synagogue & “BYO” Picnic for noon to 2 pm, at Live Oak Park in front of the Berkeley Art Center 

Monday, September 23, 2019 

City Council Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community Committee, 10 am, at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor Redwood Room, Agenda: 2. Leonard Powell, receivership, City Actions, policy recommendations, public meetings a. HAC, b. Peace&Justice Commission, c. Kesarwani, d. Bartlett 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Home/Policy_Committee__Health,_Life_Enrichment,_Equity___Community.aspx 

Traffic Circle Policy Task Force – Planting Subcommittee Committee, 6:30 pm, at 2000 University, Au Coquelet, III. 2. Aligning Vegetation Subcommittee Report with Summary Report 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Traffic_Circle_Policy_Task_Force.aspx 

Zero Waste Commission, 7 – 9 pm at 1326 Allston Way, Willow Room, City of Berkeley Corporation Yard, 2. Reusable Cup Program, 3. Single Use Foodware, 6. Community Composting, 7. Deconstruction – Demolition Materials Markets, 8. Plastics Recycling, 9. Closure Redemption Centers. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Zero_Waste_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Tax the Rich Rally, with music by Occupella, 5 – 6 pm at the Top of Solano in front of the Closed Oaks Theater, 

Tuesday, September 24, 2019 

Berkeley City Council, Tuesday, 1231 Addison Street, BUSD Board Room, 

Closed Session, 5:30 - 6 pm, Agenda: Pending litigation, 1. Claim by David Dhailwal, Austine Warren, Gary Fong No. 0109BC2019-0001, 2. Taehee Park v. City of Berkeley RG 17 852489 

Regular Meeting, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Agenda, Consent: 2. Increase NetFile Contract to $133,200 thru May 31, 2023 for regular annual maintenance for online campaign report, Form 700 filing and tracking and lobbyist registration, 3. 1 yr contract $150,000 with NV5 to develop City’s website, 4. IKE Smart City Kiosk Locations in Downtown, Telegraph and Lorin Commercial Districts, 5. Modifications(streamlining) Zoning Ordinance to allow approvals in commercial districts for permitting and licensing by zoning certificate, 7. Amend Bay Area Community Services Contract add $300,000 total $6,880,149 (4yr contract) for homeless people presenting at North County Housing Resource Center, 8. $28,115for Community Housing Development Organizations, 9. Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) Ordinance, 10. Authorizes City Manager authority to settle Worker’s Comp Claims up to $75,000, 11. Provide 3% Special Class Commercial License Premium to Solid Waste Supervisor Job Classification, 12. Contract with Ghilotti Construction Co for John Hinkel Park Improvement $658,588 – 20% contingency $131,718, total $790,306, 13. Contract with The Dutra Group $261,100 – 15% contingency $39,165, total $300,265 for ADA accessible Gangway Project at Berkeley Marina South Cove, 14. Contract with Mar Con Builders $5,226,363 – 20% contingency $1,045,272 total $6,271,635 for Live Oak Community Center seismic Upgrade, 15. Contract with Don Fowler Construction for Tuolumne Camp Repairs $228,735 which includes 15% contingency, 16. $7,000 for Technical Assistance in Grant Application for Housing Protection and Preservation, 17. Add $500,000 (total $900,000) to add 1 yr thru June 30, 2022 to Contract with Coastland Civil Engineering for on-call Civil engineering Services for Sanitary Sewer Program, 18. Add $225,000 (total $725,000) Fehr & Peers, Inc for On-call Transportation Planning Services, 19. Support H.R. 2809 – Nutrition Act of 2019, 20. United Against Hate Week 2019, 21. Declare Oct 2, 2019 as Clean Air Day, 22. Support AB 342 Prohibiting Use of Public Lands for Oil and Gas Production, 23. Support SB 210 Implement heavy duty vehicle inspection and maintenance program 24. Pollinators and Habitat referral to City Manager, 25. Naming Berkeley Paths for Women Founders of Berkeley Path Wanderers Association, 26. Support Resolution to CPUC Rule 20A projects (undergrounding utilities) 27. Support ACA – 8 Elections: lower voting age to 17, 28. Set aside $100,000 for freestanding 24/7 public restroom facility in Telegraph Business Improvement District, 29. Referral Telegraph Crosswalk Art Installations, Action: 31. ZAB Appeal 2325 Sixth St, 32. Referral Response Grant Writing Services, 33. Allowance 3404 King Street to Covenant House to operate a Shelter for Homeless Youth, Amend Contract by $357,020 total $1,630,572 to Covenant House to operate 12-bed transitional housing program (currently awarded to Fred Finch Youth Center), 34. Develop Bicycle Lane and Pedestrian Street Improvements Policy, 35. Referral Response (May 26, 2015 and Nov 13, 2018) Lava Mae Mobile Shower and Hygiene Services, 36. a&b. Health Study Health Disparities and Mortality Rates of Berkeley’s homeless, 37. a.&b. Utilization of 1281 University for up to 8-10 RV dwellers selected on strength of ties to Berkeley, 38. Wage Theft Program, Information Reports: 39. Short Term Referral Process Update, 40. Remove Berkeley Big People on I80 pedestrian bridge from City of Berkeley civic art collection, 41. First Year Data Pathways STAIR Center, 42. 2019 HAC Work Plan, 43. Planning Commission work Plan. 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission – Sustainable Mobility Subcommittee, 7 pm at 2000 University, Au Coquelet, III1. 1. Combustion Vehicle Operation Plan, 2. Combustion Vehicle Resale Plan, 3. Fossil Fuel Sales Ban 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/Community_Environmental_Advisory_Commission/ 

Fair Campaign Practices Commission – Officeholder Account Subcommittee, 10 am at 2180 Milvia, 1st Floor, Chinquapin Room, 6. Recommendation Eliminating or Restricting Officeholder Accounts. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/FCPC/ 

Wednesday, September 25, 2019 

Civic Arts Commission, 6 – 8 pm at 1901 Russell St, Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Library, Agenda: 6. a).Short Term Rental revenue, c)Public Art Heart Sounds Bench, d) Diana Rossi Mosaic for Live Oak Park, e) Final Artwork N. Berkeley Senior Center, f) Accept Photos by Orin Rutchick into Collection. 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CivicArtsCommissionHomepage/ 

Commission on the Status of Women, 6:45 – 9 pm at 2180 Milvia, Cypress Room, NO Agenda Posted – check before going https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Commission_on_the_Status_of_Women_Homepage.aspx 

Disaster and Fire Safety Commission, 7 – 9 pm at 997 Cedar St, Fire Department Training Center, Agenda: Recommendation Council Action on Ensuring Fire Equipment Access, 4. Safe Passages, 5. Vegetation Management, 6. Wildfire Priority Issues – Parking, Prevention, Emergency Preparedness, 8. Sirens, 9. Power Shut-offs, 10. Special Tax Assessment for Wildfire Prevention, 11. Drones for Disaster Management 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Disaster_and_Fire_Safety_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Energy Commission, 6:30 – 9 pm at 1947 Center St, Agenda: 4. Recommendation to Council 2019 Building Code Amendments w/Deep Green Initiative, 5. Presentation Proposed Transfer Tax Rebate Program 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Energy_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Joint Subcommittee for the Implementation of State Housing Laws, 7 – 9 pm at 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor Redwood Room, Agenda: 9. Objective Standards for Density 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Joint_Subcommittee_for_the_Implementation_of_State_Housing_Laws_Homepage.aspx 

Thursday, September 26, 2019 

Community Health Commission, 6:30 – 9 pm at 2939 Ellis St. South Berkeley Senior Center, NO Agenda Posted – check before going 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Community_Health_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Mental Health Commission, 7 – 9 pm at 1947 Center St, Agenda: 3. Covenant House Presentation – Jarekhye Covarrubias, 4.&5. Nominations Edward Opton & Maria Moore to Commission, 6. Recommendation to Council that BMH develop 5 yr Strategic Plan, 8. Data Collection Client Population for Evaluation Service Delivery, 9. Overall Costs for 50 Highest Frequency Service Users, 10. Capability of Adeptly Serving Clients Who Use Substances 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/Commissions/Commissions__Mental_Health_Commission_Homepage.aspx 

Zoning Adjustment Board, 7 pm at 1231 Addison St, BUSD Board Room, Agenda: 

2526 Durant – Add distilled spirits – continue to October 10 

1923 Ninth Street – demolish existing 1-story duplex, construct 3 detached 3-story single family units – continue to October 10 

2215 Parker – “0” Parker – Construct 2-story duplex on vacant parcel – continue to October 10 

1825 Berkeley Way – construct two additional dwelling units on parcel with single-family dwelling, Staff Recommend - Approve 

http://www.cityofberkeley.info/zoningadjustmentsboard/ 

Strawberry Creek Park Phase 2 Renovation Project, 6:30 – 8 pm at 1326 Allston Way 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventMain.aspx?calendarEventID=16294 

Free Smoking Cessation Clinic, 6 – 8 pm at South Berkeley Senior Center 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventMain.aspx?calendarEventID=16270 

Friday, September 27, 2019 

Councilmember Cheryl Davila Open Office Hours, 2 – 4 pm, 2033 San Pablo, Lanesplitter Pizza 

Saturday, September 28, 2019 

Economic Opportunity Zones: An Opportunity for Berkeley?, 10 am – 12 pm, 1744 University Ave, Church of the Cross, forum on how Opportunity Zones affects Berkeley, sponsored by BNC Berkeley Neighborhoods, invited participants, Berkeley Economic Development – Christopher Karachale, Councilmembers – Ben Bartlett, Cheryl Davila, Kate Harrison, City Manager’s Office and Mayor’s Office. 

Ohlone Park Proposed Improvements Community Meeting, 10 am - 12 pm at 2180 Milvia, Cypress Room 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/CalendarEventMain.aspx?calendarEventID=16306 

Sunday, September 29, 2019 

No City meetings or events found 

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Public Hearings Scheduled – Land Use Appeals 

0 Euclid Ave – Berryman Resevoir (denial of 4G telecom facility), ZAB, 10-29-2019 

2701 Shattuck (construct mixed-use building) (remanded) 11-12-2019 

Notice of Decision (NOD) With End of Appeal Period 

2241 Glen, 10-2-2019 

2758 Matthews 10-7-2019 

1410 Peralta 10-2-2019 

1520 Sacramento 10-2-2019 

1685 Solano 10-1-2019 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/planning_and_development/land_use_division/current_zoning_applications_in_appeal_period.aspx 

Remanded to ZAB or LPC With 90-Day Deadline 

1155-73 Hearst (develop 2 parcels) – referred back to City Council – to be scheduled 

 

WORKSHOPS 

Oct 22 – Berkeley’s 2020 Vision Update, Census 2020 Update, Short term Rentals 

Nov 5 - Transfer Station Feasibility Study, Vision Zero Action Plan, Update: goBerkeley (RPP – Residential Parking Permit) 

Unscheduled – Cannabis Health Considerations 

 

Unscheduled PRESENTATIONS 

Adeline Corridor Plan 

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To Check For Regional Meetings with Berkeley Council Appointees go to 

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Clerk/City_Council/City_Council__Committee_and_Regional_Body_Appointees.aspx 

 

To check for Berkeley Unified School District Board Meetings go to 

https://www.berkeleyschools.net/schoolboard/board-meeting-information/ 

 

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This meeting list is also posted on the Sustainable Berkeley Coalition website. 

http://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet under activist’s calendar http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com 

 

When notices of meetings are found that are posted after Friday 5:00 pm they are added to the website schedule https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html and preceded by LATE ENTRY