Daily Planet Staff 

Investigators have determined that Wednesday’s fire at Berkeley High was an arson, and they’ve increased the damage estimate to the $750,000-$1 million range. 

The ongoing saga of fires at Berkeley High School took yet another twist Thursday, when the previous day’s fire managed to rekindle, leading to the early dismissal of classes yet again. But this time, students were told, classes were canceled for the rest of the week. Put another way: Spring break would begin immediately. 

The original-and-rekindled fire occurred in the school’s B Building, which houses administrative offices, the library, the Health Center and about a dozen classrooms. The Berkeley Fire Department responded to the original fire on Wednesday, just past noon, and administrators decided to cancel classes for the rest of the day because of smoky conditions and the potential risk to students and staff. Thursday morning, firefighters were back on campus, but they hadn’t returned to continue their investigation. They were there to fight the rekindled fire in the B Building’s photocopy room, which Orth said turned out to be a “relatively insignificant” fire of reams of paper and wooden cabinets. 

Exactly when the fire was rekindled is unclear. 

“When I came to school at 7:10 a.m., I smelled the smoke,” said one school worker who asked not to be identified by name. 

Berkeley Fire Department Asst. Chief David Orth confirmed that one employee did smell smoke around 7 a.m. but no one called in to report the fire. Orth said the department received a call around 8 a.m. 

Walter Mitchell, a high school safety officer, however, said he heard the first engine at 7:55 a.m. “I thought it might be left over” from Wednesday’s fire, he said. 

Orth admitted that the fire department took a “calculated risk” in how it handled the fire scene. He said that normally, firefighters will “haul everything out and wet things down” to make sure there are no embers that could rekindle a blaze. With the BHS fire, the department was looking at a potential crime scene, so everything could be considered potential evidence. 

He said the crews remained at the scene until around 8 p.m. Wednesday, and he made a final inspection around 10:30 p.m. 

Early break 

Classes for the rest of the week were canceled not so much because of Thursday’s rekindled fire but because of the damage the original fire caused to the school’s infrastructure. All of the school’s copy machines were damaged, administrators and counselors were unable to get into their offices, and the school’s telecommunication system was damaged along its route through the B Building. 

Students were directed to the Community Theater around 9 a.m. Thursday, where they were told that school would be shut down until April 24, after spring break. They poured out of the theater cheering and calling to each other. 

“Spring break starts today,” yelled one young man in a gray-hooded sweatshirt. 

“It’s good,” said Ivy Braum, who was practically skipping down the theater steps. 

Other students said their excitement for an extended spring break was tempered by concerns about how the fire’s damage would affect the rest of the school year. 

“It’s really cool,” said Jessica Kravin, who was standing with a group of friends. 

“But I don’t want the library or any of the resources to burn,” Sharon Koppman added. 

“If they catch (the arsonists), they should pay for the damages,” said Kelly Friedman. 

“Last year the parents had to pay,” Jessica said, referring to the numerous arson fires last year. 

While most the students appeared elated, three young men stood apart, watching the firefighters, until they were directed away. 

“This really is annoying,” one said. “We barely get to do anything in class.” 

Classes were dismissed early on April 6 because of a small arson fire in the C Building, and Orth reported that another fire occurred around 11:45 a.m. Thursday in the A Building, which is an extension of the Community Theater. That fire, which was deliberately set, was reported by teachers attending a meeting. 

Orth said there are some similarities between Wednesday’s fire in the administrative building and last week’s incident in the C Building, which occurred in the English department bookroom. Students aren’t supposed to have access to either room where the fires were started. 

“There are issues of access that are similar, some similarities in the fact that the fires were started by lighting combustibles,” he said. “There are the sorts of things we’re looking at, but they’re very broad similarities.” 

Damage inside 

Principal Theresa Saunders said that some staff members were able to go back into the B Building on Thursday afternoon to retrieve essential items. Workers also were able to round up the SAT-9 standardized tests that students had taken just last week. 

Damage inside the building is worse than original estimates. Saunders said it could take the Health Center up to four months to be restored. 

After spring break, some classes may be held in portable classrooms while work is being done on the B Building. 

Orth said his department will probably be finished with its investigation today, and will turn full control of the building back to the district by the end of the day. The arson investigation will be a joint operation of the fire department, police department and school district.

 

 

“Good Communications: Needed More as we Grow Older” 

Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 

Edna Shipley-Conner, a counselor for the hearing-impaired, will speak during this week’s meeting of the City Commons Club. Social hour begins at 11:15 a.m. Luncheon is served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Speaker starts promptly at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $11 or $12.25; admission to the speech is $1, free for students. 

510-848-3533 

 

“Kiss Me, Kate” 

7:30 p.m. 

Willard Middle School, 2425 Stuart St. 

The middle-school “innocents” present this not-so-innocent play complete with its incorrect sexual politics. The Cole Porter score for this 1950 “Taming of the Shrew” takeoff is “scandalous,” cynical - wonderful. The musical is performed by seventh- through ninth-graders from Berkeley public schools. Admission is a donation. 

510-848-1797; pwp.value.net/bwicinas 

 

Poetry readings 

7:30 p.m. 

Boadecia’s Books, 398 Colusa Ave., Kensington 

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Patti Sirens, reading from “Antarctica” and Abby Bogomolny who will read from “People Who Do Not Exist” and “New to North America: Writing by U.S. Immigrants.” This event is free. 

510-559-9184; www.boadeciasbooks.com 

 

Mozart’s Requiem 

8 p.m. 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

The University Chorus, under the direction of Marika Kuzma, will perform this Mozart classic. 

 

“Madrigals of Love and War” 

8 p.m. 

St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 

This will be a performance by Magnificat of voices and instruments of the early Baroque, and the NovAntiqua Dance Troop. Tickets are $20 general; $15 seniors; $10 students. 

415-979-4500 

 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 

8 p.m. 

Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

This performance will feature works by Jamison, Jones and Butler. Tickets are $18 to $42. 

510-642-9988 

 

---

Saturday, April 15

---

 

Cal Day 

9 a.m.-4 p.m. 

UC Berkeley campus 

A host of tours, events, activities and programs will be held around the university campus as part of the annual “open house” for the community. A full list of events may be found on the university’s web site (www.berkeley.edu/calday), or information may be obtained by calling 510-642-5215. 

 

Native plant sale 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park Botanic Garden 

Bring cardboard boxes to carry your purchases. 

510-841-8732 

 

Restore Cerrito Creek 

10 a.m.-noon 

Help Friends of Five Creeks and Sustainable El Cerrito clear invasive ivy and blackberries as part of restoring Cerrito Creek at the Ohlone Greenway. Meet at the southeast corner of El Cerrito Plaza parking lot, north of Brighton and south of El Cerrito BART on the BART right of way. Bring work gloves and loppers if you have them. 

510-848-9358; f5creeks@aol.com 

 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Center Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

510-548-3333 

 

Saturday Morning Children’s Programs 

10:30 a.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Jackeline Rago will perform Venezuelan music. Tickets are $4 general; $3 children. 

510-849-2568 

 

International House Spring Fest 2000 

11 a.m.-6 p.m. 

International House, Piedmont and Bancroft 

This celebration of unity will feature more than 50 cultural groups, including over 20 performing troupes or individuals, consular tables, food booths and children’s activities in the Discoverarium. Cost is $5 general; $3 seniors and students; free children under age 18.  

510-642-9460 

 

“Wiggly Worms!” 

11 a.m. 

Tilden Regional Park 

Get your hands in the dirt and learn about these wonderful creatures. 

510-525-2233 

 

Bay Area Children’s Theatre: “Vaudeville for Kids” 

1 p.m. 

John Muir Elementary School Auditorium, 2955 Claremont Ave. 

This performance will include host Johnny Cassino, “The Lounge Lizard for Kids,” plus “The Dangerous Dinos Show.” Tickets are $7.50 general; $5 children age 12 and under. 

510-762-2279 

 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 

2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

This performance will feature works by Brown, Zollar and Ailey. Tickets are $18 to $42. 

510-642-9988 

 

“Shakespeare at the Opera” 

8 p.m. 

Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. 

This will be an evening of readings from Shakespeare’s plays and excerpts from the operas based on the plays by directors and actors of the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, African American Shakespeare Company, and Woman’s Will along with Berkeley Opera singers. There will also be champagne and sweets, a balloon raffle, and a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the Berkeley Opera. Tickets are $40 general; $32 seniors. 

925-798-1300 

 

Mozart’s Requiem 

8 p.m. 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

The University Chorus, under the direction of Marika Kuzma, will perform this Mozart classic. 

 

---

Sunday, April 16

---

 

Berkeley Hiking Club 

8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. 

The club will be leading two hikes today: a mini-hike of four to five miles at Bruno Mountain (leaves at 8:30) and a hike or 8 to 9 miles at Shell Ridge (leaves at 9). Both groups meet at their respective times at the corner of Shattuck Avenue and Berkeley Way. 

510-523-4631 (Bruno Mountain); 925-944-9068 (Shell Ridge) 

 

“Science Camp Sampler” 

10 a.m. and 2 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park, Canon Drive off Grizzly Peak Boulevard 

Come sample activities such as thermolizards and dino puzzles. For age 9 and older. 

510-525-2233 

 

The Buddy Club 

11 a.m. 

Albany Community Center Theater, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany 

Circus Soozie and her dog Popcorn will perform amazing dog tricks, juggling, magic and comedy. Tickets are $7 general; free children under age 2. 

510-652-7469 

 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 

3 p.m. 

Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

This performance will feature works by Jamison, Jones and Butler. Tickets are $18 to $42. 

510-642-9988 

 

Adoption poems and stories 

7:30 p.m. 

Boadecia’s Books, 398 Colusa Ave., Kensington 

Editors Susan Ito and Tina Cervin, along with local contributors, will discuss and read from “A Ghost at Heart’s Edge: Stories and Poems of Adoption.” This event is free. 

510-559-9184; www.boadeciasbooks.com 

 

Poetry Flash 

7:30 p.m. 

Cody’s Books, 2454 Telegraph Ave. 

Glenn Ingersoll and Tim Donnelly will be the featured poets. 

510-845-7852; 510-525-5476

Daily Planet Correspondent 

The Women of Color Video and Film Festival, by it very name, proclaims both a narrowed focus and a wide range of subjects. African, Asian, Native American, Mexican find commonality in gender. 

The films and videos of the festival, screening this week and next at the Pacific Film Archive, were chosen by a group of students at Cal as part of a curatorial class, called – of course – the Women of Color Film Project. The undergrads sought well-regarded film artists and combed through submissions from unproven talent to select the short and feature-length works. 

And the criteria for selection? “It’s really hard to put into words, but the main criteria is diversity,” said Mona Atia, who spearheads the festival alongside co-curator Kristina Hsu. 

“Diversity,” being a loaded term in this town, socio-politically speaking, would be better spent describing the stylistic choices of the films and videos over their content. 

“Primarily, we looked for avant-garde, documentary, and narrative mixed together,” said Atia, “secondary was a wide plethora of minorities.” 

The short films in tonight’s program play with a variety of aesthetic approaches to women’s relations to bodies and culture. “Little Thunder,” a seven-minute video by UC senior Laura Merians and SFSU student Tita Poe, uses rough film footage (what appears to be home movie, Super-8 stock) to document a 20-year-old Native American woman who became unexpectedly pregnant during a religious ceremony. Her plan to raise her child outside the Western cultural hegemony is thwarted when medical complications disallow the natural birthing and child rearing she had envisioned. 

Next to that, in contrast, is “Industrial Bodies,” a highly processed 15-minute video pastiche of anatomy, cellular division, and blood movement with a droning synthesized soundtrack by San Francisco-based filmmaker Khamsea Hoa Bristol. Its organic and graceful vermeer points to a vague idea of human divination rooted in the mechanics of biology, and moves toward an ode to a graceful death as Bristol morphs her film into a cinematic letter to her dying grandfather in Vietnam. 

In a lighter tone, but with no less weighty subject, is Camille Billops’ “Take Your Bags,” in which an account of African cultural baggage – stolen by slave traders and later transposed onto European modernist art – is told in an informal, familiar storytelling style. A woman is warmly encouraging a young boy to consider African iconography in European art (all of which is unseen, off-camera), and the child is alternately yawning and playing with his toy VW Bug. Ultimately, this is an affectionate take on cultural cross-pollination, ending with the child’s rendition of “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” 

The personal documentary short, a mainstay form for minority and marginalized filmmakers, are plentiful. There are plenty of lousy ones and some extraordinary ones. Atia said they fell into her lap, but the really good work had to be coaxed from established artists who don’t send their films to every call for submissions. 

Tonight’s program of shorts is accompanied by a ringer: an hour-long feature documentary “Living with Pride: Ruth Ellis @ 100.” Winner of the Best Documentary award at the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, it is a portrait of purportedly the oldest “out” African-American lesbian (Ruth Ellis, 100 years old) who dances women 70 years younger under the table. 

To listen to her breezy recollections of her pursuit of pleasure and compassion through the turbulent 20th century, you’d think it was one long party: She graduated from high school, she owned a print shop, she opened her house as a gay meeting place on weekends. Filmmaker Yvonne Welbon produces on-screen statistics and historical facts to put Ruth’s life in context – to acknowledge the bravery and good humor Ruth steeled herself with in order to live joyfully with the formidable social odds of poverty, race, gender and sexuality. 

“Living with Pride” and the shorts play tonight at the PFA at 7:30. The Women of Color Video and Film Festival continues next Tuesday at the PFA with a narrative feature, Zeinabu Irene Davis’ “Compensation,” which, according to the program notes, is “a story of love between and deaf woman and a hearing man.” Its 7:30 p.m. screening will be subtitled and interpreted with sign language. 

For program and ticket information call the Pacific Film Archive at 510-642-5249.

THEATER 

ACTORS ENSEMBLE OF BERKELEY 

“Rough Crossing” by Tom Stoppard, April 7 through May 6. The writers of a Broadway musical are simultaneously trying to finish and rehearse a play while crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner. 

$10. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; May 4, 8 p.m. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 528-5620. 

AURORA THEATRE 

“The Homecoming” by Harold Pinter, April 6 through May 7. A dark comedy about a philosophy professor who brings his wife home to meet his all-male family. 

$25 to $28. Wednesday through Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822. 

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE 

“Let My Enemy Live Long!” by Tanya Shaffer, April 19 through May 12. The story of an ill-advised boat ride up West Africa's Niger River to Timbuktu. 

$19 to $48.50. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; April 19, 8 p.m.; NO PERFORMANCES APRIL 25 AND APRIL 26. 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 845-4700 or (888) 4BRTTIX. 

Subterranean Shakespeare 

“Measure for Measure,” by William Shakespeare. Run has been extended through April 30. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays, at 8 p.m. each night, and Sundays at 7 p.m. $10 general; $6 students. La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., Berkeley. (510) 234-6046. 

MUSIC VENUES 

ASHKENAZ 

Grateful Dead DJ Night with Digital Dave, April 14, 10 p.m. $4. 

Sensa Samba, April 15, 9:30 p.m. $11. 

Lavay Smith and The Red Hot Skillet Lickers, April 15, 9:30 p.m. $11. 

Most Chill Slackmob, Psychokinetics, April 16, 8 p.m. $7. 

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5099 or www.ashkenaz.com 

BLAKES 

Felonious, Blue and Tan, April 14. $5. 

Broun Fellinis, Rici Ric and Thread, April 15. $5. 

An Evening with Government Grown, April 16. $4. 

For age 18 and older. Music at 9:30 p.m. 2367 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-0886. 

FREIGHT AND SALVAGE 

The Holy Modal Rounders, April 14. $15.50. 

Cats and Jammers, April 15. $15.50. 

Rev. Billie C. Wirtz. $15.50. 

Music at 8 p.m. 1111 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 548-1761 or (510) 762-BASS. 

LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER 

Viento, April 14, 8:30 p.m. Part of The Silver Star Series. $14. 

Dulce Mambo, April 15, 9:30 p.m. The show is preceded by a Salsa Dance Class from 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Class and show, $13; dance only, $10. 

3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 849-2568 or www.lapena.org 

924 GILMAN ST. 

Stratford Mercenaries, April 16. 

$5. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. (510) 525-9926. 

THE STARRY PLOUGH PUB 

Mumble and Peg, Ramona The Pest, Bass Line Dada, April 14. $6. 

Giant Sand, Grandaddy, Brokeback, April 15. Featuring Doug McCombs of Tortoise. $10. 

For age 21 and over. Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:45 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082. 

MUSEUMS 

UC BERKELEY ART 

MUSEUM 

“Autour de Rodin: Auguste Rodin and His Contemporaries,” through August. An exhibit of 11 bronze maquettes on loan from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation in Los Angeles. The bronzes range in style from the artist's classically inspired “Torso of a Woman” to the anguish of “The Martyr.” Some of the maquettes were cast during Rodin’s lifetime, others have been cast fairly recently under the aegis of the Musee Rodin which alone is authorized to cast his sculptures posthumously. 

“2x2: Architectural Collaborations,” Jan. 22 through April 16. This exhibit elaborates on the theme of the “Equal Partners” exhibit looking at the innovative projects and the collaborative style of a newer generation of architects. 

“Roma/Pacifica: The Phoebe Hearst International Architecture Competition and the Berkeley Campus, 1896-1930,” through April 23. An exhibition showing how the campus developed from the original lavish design of Franco-Roman buildings by French architect Emile Bernard to the modified version with Italianate granite and stucco buildings and tile roofing by New York architect John Galen Howard to the vision of California Arts and Crafts architect Bernard Maybeck and his student Julia Morgan.  

$6 general; $4 seniors and students ages 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 1 1 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 642-0808. 

HALL OF HEALTH  

2230 Shattuck Ave. (lower level), Berkeley 

A hands-on community health education museum and science center sponsored by Children's Hospital Oakland and Alta Bates Medical Center. 

“This is Your Heart!” ongoing. An in teractive exhibit on heart health. 

“Good Nutrition,” ongoing. This exhibit includes models for making balanced meals and an exercycle for calculating how calories are burned. 

“Draw Your Own Insides,” ongoing. Human-shaped chalkboards and models with removable organs allow visitors to explore the inside of their bodies. 

“Your Cellular Self and Cancer Prevention,” ongoing. An exhibit on understanding how cells become cancerous and how to detect and prevent cancer. 

Free. For children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. 

(510) 549-1564 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERNICE LAYNE BROWN GALLERY 

“Bridging the Bay: Bridging the Campus,” through April 30. The exhibit has been created from the libraries of the eight University of California campuses. The exhibit includes books, documents, architectural drawings, blueprints, artifacts, maps and photographs that record the building of the San Francisco Bay area’s bridges. It also includes documents detailing Bay area bridge projects that were seriously considered but never built. 

Free. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Doe Memorial Library, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 643-9999. 

LAWRENCE HALL 

OF SCIENCE 

“Dinosaurs 2000,” through June 4. An exhibit featuring 16 lifelike robotic creatures, fossils, activities to compare yourself to a dinosaur, and daily live demonstrations. 

“The News About Dinosaurs,” through June 4. Learn more about the “Dinosaurs 2000” exhibit with live demonstrations exploring recent paleontological discoveries and how scientists know what they do about prehistoric creatures. Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

$6 general; $4 seniors, students and children ages 7 to 18; $2 children ages 3 to 6; free children under age 3. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

PHOEBE HEARST MUSEUM 

Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley 

“Modern Treasures from Ancient Iran,” through Oct. 29. This exhibit explores nomadic and town life in ancient and modern Iran as illustrated in bronze and pottery vessels, and textiles. 

“Pana O’ahu: Sacred Stones – Sacred Places,” through July 16. An exhibit of photographs by Jan Becket and Joseph Singer. 

“A Taste of Culture: Approaches to the Study of Cuisine,” objects and photographs from diverse places and times display the role of food in human cultures. 

“Food in California Indian Culture,” the first comprehensive overview of Native California foods-this exhibit illustrates the artistry of Native cooking in harmony with the natural world. 

“Native American Portraits: Photographs by William Heick,” this retrospective exhibition includes photographs between 1951 and 1984 from four regions of western North America: Northwest Coast (Kwakiutl), Southwest (Navajo), California (Kashaya Pomo, Hupa), and Plains (Blackfoot, Sioux). 

“Phoebe Hearst Museum-Approaching a Century of Anthropology,” a sampling of the vast collections of the museum, its mission, history, and current research, with selections from ancient Egypt, ancient Peru, California Indians, Asia (India), and Africa. 

“Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture,” Ishi, the last Yahi Indian of California, spent the final years of his life, 1911 to 1916, living at the museum, working with anthropologists to record his culture, demonstrating technological skills, and retelling Yahi myths, tales, and songs. 

Wednesday through Sunday 10 am -4:30 pm; Thursday until 9 pm (Sept-May) 

(510) 643-7648 

HABITOT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 

A museum especially for children age 7 and younger. Highlights include “WaterWorks,” an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library. 

Exhibit: “Back to the Farm,” open-ended. This interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels like an earthworm, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and much more.  

Admission is $4 for adults; $6 child age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child.  

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

(510) 647-1111 

JUDAH L. MAGNES 

MUSEUM 

2911 Russell St., Berkeley 

“Chagall: Master Prints and Posters, Selections from the Magnes Museum Collection.” Accompanying the exhibition is “Exploring Chagall and His Use of the Elements of Art,” a child-friendly Interactive Educational Room with five work-stations and a central activities space. 

Free. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

(510) 549-6950. 

GALLERIES  

A.C.C.I. GALLERY 

“Recycled Art,” April 1 through April 30. A group exhibit featuring jewelry, sculpture and functional art all from refuse. 

Free. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1652 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-2527. 

GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION 

“On Common Ground.” through June 23. This exhibit is a portrait of faith-based communities in Los Angeles. 

“Finding the Sacred Mountain,” through June 20. An exhibit of sumi-e and watercolors by Robert Kostka. 

Free. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd., Berkeley. (510) 649-2541. 

KALA ART INSTITUTE 

“High Touch/High Tech: Crossing The Divide,” through May 6. An exhibit of juried and invited artists. 

Free. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Workshop Media Center Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-2977. 

NEW PIECES GALLERY 

“Irish Stones and More,” April 1 through April 27. An exhibit of quilts by Denise Snell. 

“Down from the Attic,” April 1 through April 27. An exhibit of dolls by Gretchen Jennings. 

Free. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1597 Solano Ave., Berkeley. (510) 527-6779. 

TRAYWICK GALLERY 

“minimalPOP,” April 15 through May 14. A group exhibit of a variety of media. 

Artists Reception, April 15, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Free. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1316 10th St., Berkeley. (510) 527-1214. 

To publicize an upcoming event, please submit information to the Daily Planet via fax (841-5695), e-mail (calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.com) or traditional mail (2076 University Avenue, 94704). Calendar items should be submitted at least a week before the opening of a new exhibit or performance. 

Please include a daytime telephone number in case we need to clarify any information.

Dual meets haven’t exactly been a top priority for the Berkeley High girls track and field team this season. But after losing to Granada last week, the Yellowjackets entered Thursday’s meet at Foothill competing for their East Bay Athletic League reputation. 

Though BHS head coach Darrell Hampton once again fielded an incomplete squad in hopes of resting some athletes for this weekend’s Mt. SAC meet, he admitted that victory was more of a priority for the team in light of the stinging loss to Granada.  

“We still don’t want to deplete the team in dual meets,” Hampton said. “But after the way everyone felt after the last dual meet, we wanted to win (today).” 

The Yellowjackets would get their redemption – though just barely – edging the fleet-footed Falcons, 70-66. The BHS win was keyed by fine performances by Aisha Margain, who won the 200m and shotput events, and T’Carra Penick, who leapt 35-1 to take first place in the triple jump. Laura Winnacker echoed her first-place performance from last Thursday, elevating five feet in the high jump, while sprinter Katrina Keith took home top honors in the 200m. According to Hampton, the team triumph will mean momentum going into this weekend’s competition in Walnut.  

“It’s tough (to stay focused on league meets). They look past dual meets to invitationals,” the coach said. “We’re at a stage where we have to identify what we want to be. We still want to be league champions, but we want to be champions in both dual and (the) league (tournament).” 

The incomplete Berkeley High boys contingent had considerably less success against talented Foothill, dropping the meet, 93-36. Senior Daveed Diggs highlighted the BHS effort, posting an impressive 15.2 to win the 100m hurdles. Though the BHS coach admitted the boys team’s lack of wins may be discouraging for top athletes like Diggs and Justin Cary, he insists that these runners are pushed by other factors. 

“They’re seniors, they just want to cut their times,” Hampton said. “Daveed Diggs wants to qualify for junior nationals, and Justin Cary wants to get his time down to go to (college). There are other ways to motivate them.”  

Both the boys and girls squads head south this weekend to take on competition from all over the state and beyond at the annual Mt. SAC meet held at Mt. San Antonio College. The two-day event is also expected to feature the Chinese and Mexican national teams. 

“We have an opportunity to run against the best in the state again,” Hampton said about this weekend’s action.

Daily Planet Staff 

The man who was shot and killed after an armed robbery Wednesday night had previously visited the jewelry store, the shop’s owners say. 

The owners of Sona Jewelers at 1640 University Ave., who were robbed at gunpoint, said they and their 3 1/2-year-old daughter were handcuffed and forced to lie face down on the floor of their store by the suspect. 

Berkeley residents Manisha and Vinod Patel told the Daily Planet on Thursday that they let the suspect into their store at closing time because he had been there before, ostensibly to order an Indian religious pendant for his meditation practices. 

He drew a design for them of the pendant he wanted, taking about 10 minutes to do so, then he pulled out a gun. 

Manisha Patel thought the man was joking but then the suspect told them his intention to rob them, and he produced handcuffs as well. 

The couple were lying down behind the counter while the suspect pulled jewelry down from displays on the walls, but they stood up when he put his gun away to put the items in his backpack. They were able to activate a silent alarm, right around 7:30 p.m., and the first officer arrived in two or three minutes, said Vinod Patel. 

As the suspect fled through the rear of the store, Mrs. Patel freed herself from loose handcuffs and released her husband’s handcuffs and the couple ran to the back door and shouted for help. 

The man fled the scene into an adjoining residential neighborhood. Police were able to seal off one block and began searching for the suspect. As officers conducted their search, a taxi cab van approached the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Allston Way. One of the officers believed an occupant matched the description of the suspect. When he attempted to stop the vehicle, the suspect pulled out a gun and pointed it at the officers, who shot the man. 

The suspect was transported to Highland Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. His identity had not been released as of Thursday night by the police department or the Alameda County Coroner’s Office. 

A woman passenger in the taxi cab van has been taken into custody, said Berkeley Police Lt. Maloney. She has been booked into the Berkeley City Jail, charged with one count of robbery. Maloney said that the department is not yet releasing her identity. 

He also said the names of the officers involved in the shooting are not being released yet. In accordance with the police department’s policy they have been placed on administrative leave for five days. 

Maloney said the Alameda County District Attorney’s office has sent an investigative team to work with the Berkeley Police homicide detail in the investigation. 

Mira Vista Golf Course’s difficult putting conditions cost both St. Mary’s and El Cerrito some strokes at Thursday’s varsity golf matchup, but the Panthers ultimately had the consistency to win the league match, 212-252. 

St. Mary’s No. 3 golfer Brian Haller managed to outwit the newly aerated greens, posting a very respectable 37 to pace the Panthers. No. 1 Chris Weidinger and No. 2 Ian Salisbury would card 39 and 43, respectively, and no St. Mary’s golfer scored above 46. 

“It was fairly difficult, they had just plugged and sanded the greens, and the putting was treacherous,” St. Mary’s coach Phil Doran said after the match. “Under the conditions, they did fine.” 

With the victory over the Gauchos, St. Mary’s improved to 10-2 in the Alameda-Contra Costa Athletic League, and currently stands in second place. First-place Alameda, which has won the last 10 league titles, remains undefeated and a shoo-in for another ACCAL crown.  

Though Doran does not expect Alameda to slip up in the remainder of the league season, he is convinced his team has the depth and consistency to hold onto second place in league and possibly turn some heads on the North Coast Section seeding committee. 

“They’re all very consistent,” the coach said. “It’s a luxury for the coach to have 13 kids on a team that, depending on who we’re playing, have an opportunity to get out there and be competitive.”

Daily Planet Staff 

The Alameda County School Board voted Tuesday to advise its students not to visit the Lawrence Hall of Science, located in the Berkeley-Oakland Hills. 

“The Lawrence Hall of Science is adjacent to the emissions stack of the National Tritium Labeling Facility, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which emits radioactive tritiated water vapor,” the county board’s resolution stated. 

Spokespersons for the Lab and for Lawrence Hall, who contend the releases are too low-level to be a danger, argue that the board neglected to advise them that they were going to consider the advisory. 

“They took action without input from the Lab or Lawrence Hall,” said Ron Kolb, LBNL spokesperson. 

Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Sheila Jordan defended the board action – in part. She said their questioning the validity of EPA thresholds and the safety of the tritium releases is entirely appropriate. However, the item should have been scheduled for a full discussion with both sides present, she said. 

Board President Jerome Wiggins agreed to put the issue on the agenda at the board’s next meeting, Jordan said. The meeting is at 7 p.m. April 25, 313 Winton Ave. Hayward. 

LBNL and Lawrence Hall representatives will argue their case at the county school board meeting on April 25. 

Board members heard testimony Tuesday from members of Berkeley’s Coalition to Minimize Toxic Waste, a group of mostly Berkeley residents, who have been working for years to shut down the facility that emits tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen used in medical research. 

This group says that the emissions may dangerous and that the labs need to thoroughly test the air, plants, water and look at the history of emissions – study it beyond the research that has been done – to ascertain whether the levels of tritium present a danger. 

The city of Berkeley has hired an independent consultant to review the labs’ studies. 

Gene Bernardi, of the Committee to Minimize Toxic Waste, said the committee presented the board with documents, including one by Physicians for Social Responsibility, which convinced the board that tritium could have adverse health effects, including those affecting human reproduction. 

Reviewing the school board’s resolution, Kolb said that the board’s statements are misleading. 

The resolution cites a day in 1998 when there was a release of 35 curies of radioactive tritium. Kolb says that the level of emissions, including the level that day, are well below the Environmental Protection Agency’s established standards. 

In another statement, the board says that the EPA “determined that the National Tritium Labeling Facility is eligible for the (designation of a) Superfund priority cleanup site” and notes tritium in air samples at the Lawrence Hall exceeded the limit of the EPA’s cancer risk screening concentration. 

But Kolb explained that, in fact, the data simply put LBNL on a track to do additional studies, which will further determine the level of emissions. The city’s consultant is working to verify the lab’s work in this area and to help determine how and where further testing is to be done. 

Barbara Ando, associate director of Lawrence Hall, has worked on the hill for 20 years, including during two pregnancies. Ando said she has never worried about her health. 

“Tests have been done, monitors are placed at the hall,” she said, adding, “The school board’s actions took us by surprise.” 

The East Bay Athletic League boys volleyball race got a little tighter on Thursday evening, when Berkeley High avenged its March 21 loss to Amador Valley, defeating the Dons in five games on the road.  

Though undefeated Foothill looks to have a solid hold on the EBAL championship, the Yellowjackets entered Thursday’s match knowing that a victory could propel them in their quest for second place. Things looked grim for Berkeley after it allowed the Dons a 15-2 win in the fourth game to tie the game score at two, but a strong showing in the final game would salvage the triumph for BHS, 15-13, 14-16, 15-9, 2-15, 15-7. 

“This was a pretty good win. We played much better than last time we played (Amador),” BHS coach Justin Caraway said. “We probably outscored them, 12-0, (at the end) of that fifth game. I think they got tentative, and didn’t expect us to come out and be as focused as we were.” 

Mason Chin and D.Q. Li controlled the tempo on offense, finishing with 17 kills apiece on the evening. As a team, the ’Jackets posted a sky-high 87 digs and 21 blocks, making it one of the squad’s best efforts of the season, both offensively and defensively. 

“With the exception of that fourth game, we really outplayed them all night long,” the BHS coach said.

Daily Planet Staff 

You don’t need a statistician to figure out that myriad Berkeley streets are growing more clogged with cars each year: Just look at the white knuckles of the guy stuck in traffic at San Pablo and Ashby. 

Numbers, nonetheless, underscore the experience: In 1977, there were some 8,500 cars using the stretch of Dwight Way between San Pablo Avenue and Sacramento Street. Now there are 15,800, an 86 percent increase. 

In 1977, 16,000 cars moved daily along Sacramento Street, between Ashby Avenue and Alcatraz Avenue. Today there are 21,600 cars moving every day along that stretch, a 35 percent increase. 

Some of the volume grew because people switched routes. But planners believe most the increase comes from more people driving in the city. Car ownership in Berkeley grew from 46,273 in 1970 to 56,488 in 1990, but that only tells part of the story. 

Some 60 “citizen planners” met Wednesday night at the South Berkeley Senior Center to brainstorm solutions to the car crunch, gathering with planning commissioners and staff to talk about the transportation element of the city’s General Plan. 

The General Plan is the city’s official roadmap to development for the next 20 years. Planning department staff and commissioners are working on the draft for a new General Plan. People can send comments or ideas to Andrew Thomas at the planning department. 

Good affordable public transportation would relieve the streets. But as one bus-dependent citizen pointed out, it takes over an hour to get from her home near Alcatraz and Telegraph avenues to her business at Eighth and Gilman streets. 

To get people to leave their cars at home, bus service needs to be reliable. 

“You need to keep in mind the needs and wants of the employer. If someone is 16 minutes late at Bayer (Corporation), they are docked an hour,” said John Atkinson, Bayer’s transportation director and former director of the employer-funded experimental electric shuttle service, no longer in operation. Bayer now funds compressed gas shuttles that run from the Ashby BART station to Bayer. 

Participants suggested a number of ways to speed up the buses: diamond mass-transit only lanes; “queue-jumper” lanes - the removal of a number of parking spaces at a corner, to allow buses to get around traffic jams; a mechanism on buses that turns the traffic signals green; and signage that says “yield to buses.” 

“AC Transit needs to coordinate its buses so people don’t have to wait more than five minutes to transfer,” said Suzanne Adams, adding to the list of ideas. 

Frequent short-route shuttle buses, similar to the Emery Go-Round, could make taking buses more palatable. And bus shelters, already in the pipeline, will keep commuters out of the elements. 

The cost of public transpiration must go down, people said. 

“Increase taxes on gas,” said Henk Bovenhuis. “The money would go toward public transit. People should get on buses for a quarter and on BART for 50 cents.” 

Another alternative is for the city to adopt a citywide pass, similar to the university “Class Pass.” All students pay $18 per year for access to a pass and can pick it up if they chose. The pass allows them to use AC Transit buses without additional cost. 

All Berkeley citizens could be taxed for access to a citywide pass. Or the pass could be employer-based, with employers opting for a bus plan for their employees. Transportation staff is looking into these ideas. 

Light rail should be a priority, said Roland Peterson of the Telegraph Avenue Business Improvement District. Hybrid electric/gas powered buses should be considered and ferries should be added to the mix, others said. 

How land is used – where people live and work – directly affects how many cars are on the streets. 

Developer Patrick Kennedy and Richard Register of Ecocity Builders said that is why high-density housing should be built near work sites and transportation corridors. 

Satellite parking with frequent shuttle service – Planning Commission Chair Rob Wrenn suggested parking at Golden Gate Fields – could help take cars off the street. 

There were several people representing downtown businesses and arts organizations who reminded the group that the use of cars is a reality, particularly when the business in question targets a regional audience. 

Others responded that planning should emphasize the use of public transportation for people’s daytime employment needs, but could accept that when people go to the theatre they might want to drive their cars. 

“We need to cut down on the number of cars coming into Berkeley and sitting here all day,” Carrie Sprague said. 

If evening theatergoers are to depend on their cars, parking must be available. Wrenn argued, however, that university parking is available, but some lots are underused. The university-owned lot available to the public at Bancroft Way and Fulton Street is very underused on weekends and in the evening, he said, calling for greater coordination with UC Berkeley. 

Cyclists called for a greater emphasis on bicycles in the General Plan, but Wrenn said that since the bike boulevards are already under way, new planning for bicycles is not a priority. 

Participants addressed the problem of speeding cars. Speed humps were once thought to be the answer, but they are now known to harm some physically disabled and elderly persons, when these persons traverse them cars or vans. 

A number of people said they thought the answer is stepped-up police enforcement. 

“Give them a ticket,” Sprague suggested, “then give them a couple of AC Transit passes.” 

Send comments for inclusion in the General Plan to Andrew Thomas, project manager, at the Berkeley Planning Department, 2118 Milvia St., Suite 300, Berkeley, CA 94704, with a copy, if possible, to Rob Wrenn at robwrenn@home.com. 

The next general plan meeting will discuss land use. It will be at 7 p.m., May 10, at the Northbrae Community Church at 941 The Alameda. 

A 27-year-old Berkeley woman reported Tuesday that a man exposed himself on Channing Way as he approached her about 7:15 a.m. that morning. 

She said it was not the first time he exposed himself on the street between Fulton and Atherton streets, according to Berkeley Police Capt. Bobby Miller. When she first saw him, Miller said, she thought he was “just another nice guy,” but since that encounter she said he exposed himself three or four other times. She said he approached her smiling but when she looked down his pants were open and he was exposing his penis. She was afraid and shocked but just continued walking, Miller said, and the man did not follow her but kept walking. 

The woman described the man as a Caucasian male in his 40s, about 6 feet tall, weighing 180 pounds. He was dressed casually in a white sweater, blue University of California sweatpants and white tennis shoes. Miller said the police are looking for him.

Daily Planet Staff 

For the second time in less than a week, a fire forced the early dismissal of classes at Berkeley High School. 

But this time around, the damage extended well beyond just a stack of English textbooks. 

Just before noon Wednesday, a two-alarm fire broke out in the building that houses administrative offices, the school library and about a dozen classrooms. No one was injured in the incident, but the fire department estimates that the fire caused at least $250,000 in damage to the building. 

Witnesses said that the fire began in a photocopy room on the first floor. Berkeley Fire Department Asst. Chief David Orth would only say that the most extensive damage occurred in one room on the first floor. He would not confirm or deny if it was the copy room, although the school’s principal indicated there was significant damage to that room. 

Orth also would not say whether the fire was considered to be arson or some kind of accident. The department is labeling it “a serious fire that is treated as a suspicious fire now,” he said. 

Only the B Building, located just north of Donahue Gym, was damaged in the fire, but the school initially evacuated the C Building because of smoke coming from the B Building. Around 12:30 p.m., the school announced that classes were dismissed for the rest of the day, and a short time later, most of the campus was evacuated. 

Classes will continue at Berkeley High today, although classes that regularly meet in the B Building will be relocated temporarily. The school district released a letter to parents outlining campus conditions for the rest of this week (see sidebar at right). 

Damage assessment 

Principal Theresa Saunders said the fire could have a “huge” impact on administrative services and activities. The biggest known impact will be in photocopy services, because all of the school’s copiers are located in the heavily damaged room, she said. 

Other impacts won’t be fully known until today or Friday, when administrators are able to make a more detailed assessment of damage. That could include water damage to computers and files, and moisture damage to the school library, which is located on the second floor of the B Building. 

But Saunders hopes full activity can resume in the B Building by April 24. The school will be on spring break next week, providing some time for repairs. 

As of Wednesday night, the fire department retained control of the building. Orth said the district may be given control sometime today, but only after the BFD has completed its investigation. 

Flames did cause extensive damage on the first floor Wednesday but were not visible from the outside of the building. 

The fire brought an initial response of three engines, one truck and a chief officer. The second alarm brought two more engines and a ladder truck, Orth said. Two ambulances also responded. He said the department had 33 firefighters and others who assisted at the fire scene Wednesday. 

The fire departments of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a detail of Oakland firefighters were standing by to assist in fighting other fires if they occurred in Berkeley while the BFD was at the high school. 

Campus frustrated 

Berkeley High students and staff have become accustomed to fire drills and alarms – in fact, too accustomed, some say. A number of people said they didn’t believe it was a serious fire until they saw how much smoke was coming from the building. 

Student Activities Coordinator Jamie Marantz said at first she “thought it was just another trash can fire” when she heard the command to clear the building. But as she turned off her computer the entire room was filled with smoke, most of which seemed to be pouring into her office through ceiling tiles that had been punctured, ironically enough, in one of last year’s fires. 

Maya Joseph, a sophomore, was in her English class at 12:15 p.m. when she smelled a lot of smoke. 

“I started coughing and then Mr. Wiggan (B. Wiggan, security services manager), said, ‘Come on everybody, we have to get out fast.’” 

Jeremy Reimann, another sophomore, was walking through the C Building to his history class when he saw the smoke billowing out from the B Building, which is connected to the C Building by a second-floor walkway. 

Reimann said the fire evacuations have been a nuisance, “but when you have a lot of them, it’s a real distraction. Some things are not getting done.” 

Other students expressed similar frustrations with the ongoing problems. 

“I think it’s terrible that people are trying to burn down our school. They’re trying to mess up our education,” said Maya Joseph. 

Obataiye Akintunde pointed out that for most students, the early dismissal meant the loss of at least two hours of class Wednesday. 

“We’re out here chillin,’” he said. “I wonder why we’re out here like this. We could be getting our education. It’s crazy. This is a high school here.” 

Another student, Jonathan Smith, said he missed his presentation on African-American inventors that was to take place Wednesday afternoon. 

Teachers were reluctant to talk on the record, but many expressed frustration, or outright anger, at the ongoing fire problems at Berkeley High. There have been around 24 fires on campus in the last two school years, although only three of them have occurred during the current school year. 

The most recent incident happened last Thursday afternoon, when a small arson fire in the English Department’s bookroom forced the early dismissal of classes. That blaze turned out to be pretty minor – fire only damaged a few stacks of book, and water damage appeared limited to the room. The C Building was inaccessible to students and teachers while firefighters conducted their investigation, which would have forced teachers to hold classes in Civic Center Park or near the football field. Officials felt those options weren’t feasible, so school was dismissed just after 1:30 p.m. The arson remains under investigation. 

Thursday, April 13

 

“Should E-Commerce Be Taxed?” Luncheon and Speakers 

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 Fourth St. 

The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce has assembled a panel of speakers, both for and against taxation of e-commerce: Professor Hal R. Varian, Dean of the School of Information Management and Systems, UC Berkeley; Michael Nelson, CEO of SacWeb, Inc., Sacramento; and Bill Petrocelli, Vice President of Book Passage, a Corte Madera bookstore. Cost is $25 per person. 

510-549-7000; chamber@dnai.com 

 

Free computer class for seniors 

1-4 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation. 

510-644-6109 

 

Income tax help 

2-4 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

Call ahead for an appointment. 

510-644-6107 

 

“Smart Investments: Ideas to Actions” 

3 p.m. 

Goldman School of Public Policy living room, 2607 Hearst Ave. 

California State Treasurer Phil Angelides will be the featured speaker. As California faces unprecedented growth in the years ahead, it cannot achieve sustained economic success if the environment is degraded and if there are pockets of poverty throughout the state. The state treasurer’s office is supporting a strategic and fiscally prudent approach to investment which calls for: investments that support livable communities, sustainable development and sound environmental practices; and investment in struggling communities to reverse a dangerous trend towards “two Californias” - one in poverty and the other enjoying an economic boom. 

510-642-1303; cecille@socrates.berkeley.edu 

 

Community Health Commission 

6:45 p.m. 

Mental Health Clinic, 2640 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way 

The commission’s agenda includes a discussion of the final health access report, crisis in East Bay hospital care and the midwife crisis. 

 

---

Friday, April 14

 

“Good Communications: Needed More as we Grow Older” 

Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 

Edna Shipley-Conner, a counselor for the hearing-impaired, will speak during this week’s meeting of the City Commons Club. Social hour begins at 11:15 a.m. Luncheon is served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Speaker starts promptly at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $11 or $12.25; admission to the speech is $1, free for students. 

510-848-3533 

 

“Kiss Me, Kate” 

7:30 p.m. 

Willard Middle School, 2425 Stuart St. 

The middle-school “innocents” present this not-so-innocent play complete with its incorrect sexual politics. The Cole Porter score for this 1950 “Taming of the Shrew” takeoff is “scandalous,” cynical - wonderful. The musical is performed by seventh- through ninth-graders from Berkeley public schools. Admission is a donation. 

510-848-1797; pwp.value.net/bwicinas 

 

Poetry readings 

7:30 p.m. 

Boadecia’s Books, 398 Colusa Ave., Kensington 

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Patti Sirens, reading from “Antarctica” and Abby Bogomolny who will read from “People Who Do Not Exist” and “New to North America: Writing by U.S. Immigrants.” This event is free. 

510-559-9184; www.boadeciasbooks.com 

 

Mozart’s Requiem 

8 p.m. 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

The University Chorus, under the direction of Marika Kuzma, will perform this Mozart classic. 

 

“Madrigals of Love and War” 

8 p.m. 

St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 

This will be a performance by Magnificat of voices and instruments of the early Baroque, and the NovAntiqua Dance Troop. Tickets are $20 general; $15 seniors; $10 students. 

415-979-4500 

 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 

8 p.m. 

Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

This performance will feature works by Jamison, Jones and Butler. Tickets are $18 to $42. 

510-642-9988 

 

---

Saturday, April 15

 

Native plant sale 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park Botanic Garden 

Bring cardboard boxes to carry your purchases. 

510-841-8732 

 

Restore Cerrito Creek 

10 a.m.-noon 

Help Friends of Five Creeks and Sustainable El Cerrito clear invasive ivy and blackberries as part of restoring Cerrito Creek at the Ohlone Greenway. Meet at the southeast corner of El Cerrito Plaza parking lot, north of Brighton and south of El Cerrito BART on the BART right of way. Bring work gloves and loppers if you have them. 

510-848-9358; f5creeks@aol.com 

 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Center Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

510-548-3333 

 

Saturday Morning Children’s Programs 

10:30 a.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Jackeline Rago will perform Venezuelan music. Tickets are $4 general; $3 children. 

510-849-2568 

 

International House Spring Fest 2000 

11 a.m.-6 p.m. 

International House, Piedmont and Bancroft 

This celebration of unity will feature more than 50 cultural groups, including over 20 performing troupes or individuals, consular tables, food booths and children’s activities in the Discoverarium. Cost is $5 general; $3 seniors and students; free children under age 18.  

510-642-9460 

 

“Wiggly Worms!” 

11 a.m. 

Tilden Regional Park 

Get your hands in the dirt and learn about these wonderful creatures. 

510-525-2233 

 

Bay Area Children’s Theatre: “Vaudeville for Kids” 

1 p.m. 

John Muir Elementary School Auditorium, 2955 Claremont Ave. 

This performance will include host Johnny Cassino, “The Lounge Lizard for Kids,” plus “The Dangerous Dinos Show.” Tickets are $7.50 general; $5 children age 12 and under. 

510-762-2279 

 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 

2 p.m. and 8 p.m. 

Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

This performance will feature works by Brown, Zollar and Ailey. Tickets are $18 to $42. 

510-642-9988 

 

“Shakespeare at the Opera” 

8 p.m. 

Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. 

This will be an evening of readings from Shakespeare’s plays and excerpts from the operas based on the plays by directors and actors of the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, African American Shakespeare Company, and Woman’s Will along with Berkeley Opera singers. There will also be champagne and sweets, a balloon raffle, and a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the Berkeley Opera. Tickets are $40 general; $32 seniors. 

925-798-1300

THEATER 

ACTORS ENSEMBLE OF BERKELEY 

“Rough Crossing” by Tom Stoppard, April 7 through May 6. The writers of a Broadway musical are simultaneously trying to finish and rehearse a play while crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner. 

$10. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; May 4, 8 p.m. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 528-5620. 

AURORA THEATRE 

“The Homecoming” by Harold Pinter, April 6 through May 7. A dark comedy about a philosophy professor who brings his wife home to meet his all-male family. 

$25 to $28. Wednesday through Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822. 

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE 

“Let My Enemy Live Long!” by Tanya Shaffer, April 19 through May 12. The story of an ill-advised boat ride up West Africa's Niger River to Timbuktu. 

$19 to $48.50. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; April 19, 8 p.m.; NO PERFORMANCES APRIL 25 AND APRIL 26. 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 845-4700 or (888) 4BRTTIX. 

Subterranean Shakespeare 

“Measure for Measure,” by William Shakespeare. Run has been extended through April 30. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays, at 8 p.m. each night, and Sundays at 7 p.m. $10 general; $6 students. La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., Berkeley. (510) 234-6046. 

MUSIC VENUES 

ASHKENAZ 

Grateful Dead DJ Night with Digital Dave, April 14, 10 p.m. $4. 

Sensa Samba, April 15, 9:30 p.m. $11. 

Lavay Smith and The Red Hot Skillet Lickers, April 15, 9:30 p.m. $11. 

Most Chill Slackmob, Psychokinetics, April 16, 8 p.m. $7. 

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5099 or www.ashkenaz.com 

BLAKES 

Ripe, April 13. $4. 

Felonious, Blue and Tan, April 14. $5. 

Broun Fellinis, Rici Ric and Thread, April 15. $5. 

An Evening with Government Grown, April 16. $4. 

For age 18 and older. Music at 9:30 p.m. 2367 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-0886. 

FREIGHT AND SALVAGE 

The Holy Modal Rounders, April 14. $15.50. 

Cats and Jammers, April 15. $15.50. 

Rev. Billie C. Wirtz. $15.50. 

Music at 8 p.m. 1111 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 548-1761 or (510) 762-BASS. 

LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER 

Helen Chaya, April 13, 8 p.m. A CD release party. $8 to $10. 

Viento, April 14, 8:30 p.m. Part of The Silver Star Series. $14. 

Dulce Mambo, April 15, 9:30 p.m. The show is preceded by a Salsa Dance Class from 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Class and show, $13; dance only, $10. 

3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 849-2568 or www.lapena.org 

924 GILMAN ST. 

Stratford Mercenaries, April 16. 

$5. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. (510) 525-9926. 

THE STARRY PLOUGH PUB 

Dona Luz 30 Minutos featuring Beth Custer, Will Bernard 4tet, April 13. $6. 

Mumble and Peg, Ramona The Pest, Bass Line Dada, April 14. $6. 

Giant Sand, Grandaddy, Brokeback, April 15. Featuring Doug McCombs of Tortoise. $10. 

For age 21 and over. Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:45 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082. 

MUSEUMS 

UC BERKELEY ART 

MUSEUM 

“Autour de Rodin: Auguste Rodin and His Contemporaries,” through August. An exhibit of 11 bronze maquettes on loan from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation in Los Angeles. 

“2x2: Architectural Collaborations,” Jan. 22 through April 16. 

“Roma/Pacifica: The Phoebe Hearst International Architecture Competition and the Berkeley Campus, 1896-1930,” through April 23. An exhibition showing how the campus developed from the original lavish design of Franco-Roman buildings by French architect Emile Bernard to the modified version with Italianate granite and stucco buildings and tile roofing by New York architect John Galen Howard to the vision of California Arts and Crafts architect Bernard Maybeck and his student Julia Morgan. 

$6 general; $4 seniors and students ages 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 1 1 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 642-0808. 

HALL OF HEALTH  

2230 Shattuck Ave. (lower level), Berkeley 

A hands-on community health education museum and science center sponsored by Children's Hospital Oakland and Alta Bates Medical Center. Free. 

For children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. 

(510) 549-1564 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERNICE LAYNE BROWN GALLERY 

“Bridging the Bay: Bridging the Campus,” through April 30. The exhibit includes books, documents, architectural drawings, blueprints, artifacts, maps and photographs that record the building of the San Francisco Bay area’s bridges. 

Free. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Doe Memorial Library, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 643-9999. 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE 

“Dinosaurs 2000,” through June 4. An exhibit featuring 16 lifelike robotic creatures, fossils, activities to compare yourself to a dinosaur, and daily live demonstrations. 

“The News About Dinosaurs,” through June 4. Learn more about the “Dinosaurs 2000” exhibit with live demonstrations exploring recent paleontological discoveries and how scientists know what they do about prehistoric creatures. Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

$6 general; $4 seniors, students and children ages 7 to 18; $2 children ages 3 to 6; free children under age 3. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

PHOEBE HEARST MUSEUM 

Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley 

“Modern Treasures from Ancient Iran,” through Oct. 29. This exhibit explores nomadic and town life in ancient and modern Iran as illustrated in bronze and pottery vessels, and textiles. 

“Pana O’ahu: Sacred Stones – Sacred Places,” through July 16. An exhibit of photographs by Jan Becket and Joseph Singer. 

Wednesday through Sunday 10 am -4:30 pm; Thursday until 9 pm (Sept-May) 

(510) 643-7648 

HABITOT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 

A museum especially for children age 7 and younger. Highlights include “WaterWorks,” an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library. 

Admission is $4 for adults; $6 child age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child.  

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

(510) 647-1111 

JUDAH L. MAGNES MUSEUM 

2911 Russell St., Berkeley 

“Chagall: Master Prints and Posters, Selections from the Magnes Museum Collection.” Accompanying the exhibition is “Exploring Chagall and His Use of the Elements of Art,” a child-friendly Interactive Educational Room with five work-stations and a central activities space. Free. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (510) 549-6950. 

GALLERIES  

A.C.C.I. GALLERY 

“Recycled Art,” April 1 through April 30. A group exhibit featuring jewelry, sculpture and functional art all from refuse. 

Free. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1652 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-2527. 

GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION 

“On Common Ground.” through June 23. This exhibit is a portrait of faith-based communities in Los Angeles. 

“Finding the Sacred Mountain,” through June 20. An exhibit of sumi-e and watercolors by Robert Kostka. 

Free. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd., Berkeley. (510) 649-2541. 

KALA ART INSTITUTE 

“High Touch/High Tech: Crossing The Divide,” through May 6. An exhibit of juried and invited artists. 

Free. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Workshop Media Center Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-2977. 

NEW PIECES GALLERY 

“Irish Stones and More,” April 1 through April 27. An exhibit of quilts by Denise Snell. 

“Down from the Attic,” April 1 through April 27. An exhibit of dolls by Gretchen Jennings. 

Free. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1597 Solano Ave., Berkeley. (510) 527-6779. 

TRAYWICK GALLERY 

“minimalPOP,” April 15 through May 14. A group exhibit of a variety of media. 

Artists Reception, April 15, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Free. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1316 10th St., Berkeley. (510) 527-1214. 

To publicize an upcoming event, please submit information to the Daily Planet via fax (841-5695), e-mail (calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.com) or traditional mail (2076 University Avenue, 94704). Calendar items should be submitted at least a week before the opening of a new exhibit or performance. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we need to clarify any information.

Daily Planet Correspondent 

SAN FRANCISCO – Welsh actor Gareth Armstrong, a veteran of Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company, brought his wonderful one-man show “Shylock” to the Bay Area Tuesday, opening it at San Francisco’s Gershwin Theater for a run that continues through the end of this month. 

Armstrong’s play, which he also wrote, is a fascinating, humorous and sobering deconstruction of the life, character and motivation of one of Shakespeare’s most famous and controversial characters – the moneylender Shylock from Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice.” 

Although Armstrong plays several characters in his solo show, mostly he performs as the character Tubal. 

Tubal is Shylock’s Jewish friend in “The Merchant of Venice,” a minor character in that play, with a scant eight lines. 

But Tubal is master of ceremonies for the current evening. With humor and wit, he speaks directly to the audience and recounts much fascinating literary, theatrical, historical and mythological information on the subject of Shylock, Shakespeare, Jews, theater, history and European culture. 

Tubal’s gloss on all these topics is interwoven with the five actual scenes from “Merchant of Venice” in which Shylock appears. 

Tubal has a lot to say, and he says it well. He reminds us that Shylock, Tubal and Shylock’s daughter Jessica are the only Jewish characters in all of Shakespeare. 

He adds that Shakespeare himself may never have met a Jew since Jews were chased out of England 300 years earlier, and fills us in on the details of that shocking episode in history. 

We learn also that Shakespeare borrowed his plot for “Merchant” from a 14th century Italian comedy, and that Jews were stock comic villains in European theater. 

There is interesting information about Shakespeare and Richard Burbage, Shakespeare’s leading man for 20 years, and humorous speculation by Armstrong on which actor in the original troupe played Shylock, and who got stuck with Tubal’s meager eight lines. 

Armstrong’s Tubal tracks interesting literary trivia about “Merchant” over the last 400 years – from Oliver Cromwell’s 17th century closing of English theaters for 18 years, to a rewrite of “Merchant” that entirely omitted Tubal in public performance for nearly a century, to an 18th century Drury Lane revival that turned “Merchant” into a 40-year national hit. 

There is discussion of Edmund Kean’s drunken performances, Henry Irving’s legendary 1,000 19th century performances of Shylock, and Jewish Max Reinhardt’s pre-Nazi 20th century German productions. 

Finally, humorously, Armstrong puts Shylock on the psychiatrist’s couch, where doctor and patient explore what Shylock’s real motivations might be for demanding a pound of flesh. 

Running 90 minutes without an intermission, Armstrong and director Frank Barrie have created a staging and a performance that are intelligent, thoughtful, probing, questioning, and often humorous. Only occasionally does Armstrong’s Welsh accent accidentally overtake the Elizabethan characters. 

The only slightly unsatisfactory note for me in “Shylock” is the very final one, which closes the play on Shylock’s broken heart over his dead wife. That experience doesn’t sum up the range of what Armstrong’s play has dealt with, or put it in an adequate final perspective. 

But otherwise, this is a great show, and highly recommended. 

Hosted by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, “Shylock” runs through April 30 at the Gershwin Theater, 2350 Turk Blvd., San Francisco. For tickets and information, call 415-392-4400.

Daily Planet Correspondent 

Berkeley High’s girls lacrosse team faced two battles on Wednesday – one against Monte Vista and one against the ball. And they lost them both. 

The Mustangs didn’t go soft, capitalizing on the Yellowjackets’ passing problems and pumping out a 13-5 victory at the BHS football field. 

“Our passing problem really affected our game,” Berkeley’s Dani Ganes said. “A lot of our marks switched around. People didn’t pick up any of their marks or talk to each other on the field too well.” 

Assistant coach Nannette Sartoris saw the loss as a much wider problem on both Berkeley’s defensive and offensive sides, citing the team’s inability to execute their plays against an especially aggressive Monte Vista squad that has chalked up eight wins this season.  

Throughout the entire second half, Mustang attacker Erin Boer tripped up Berkeley’s players with interceptions and scooped up a cornucopia of dropped balls. On these occasions, Boer would use her speed to break the Yellowjacket defense, and managed to score five times in the second half. 

“We were really pumped up. We wanted to beat this team,” Boer said. “It all came together really well – the scoreboard proves that.” 

Ganes seemed to fight a lone battle on the field, seeing many of her passes mishandled by teammates. At one point, the BHS attacker shouted to a teammate: “Something has to get through your mind.” 

“They were doubling me on the field,” Ganes explained. “I’d throw the ball, but our players couldn’t get it. I feel a little let down. I don’t like how (Monte Vista) plays (the game). They’re not sportsmanlike and will do whatever it takes to get the ball – they don’t care who they hurt or push.”  

During the first half, Ganes cut her hand when a Mustang pushed her onto the turf. She was still able to play the rest of the game.  

Despite the problems on the defense, Berkeley had some high moments. Catherine Etzel managed three interceptions against the Mustangs to mitigate the mistakes made by the ’Jackets. Ganes followed up on the offensive end, with two goals in the second half. 

“We still fought all the way through,” BHS defender Elizabeth Howe said. “When they were up by three or four points, we got a little discouraged, but we never gave up.”

Daily Planet Staff 

An armed robbery suspect was shot and killed Wednesday night after brandishing a weapon at Berkeley police officers. 

The shooting occurred at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Allston Way shortly before 8 p.m., and followed an armed robbery of a nearby business and a neighborhood chase. 

Police were unable to provide information Wednesday night on the identity of the man. The Alameda County Coroner’s Office also did not have any information, but it could be released later today. 

Here’s what was known as of 10 p.m. Wednesday, according to Berkeley Police Capt. Bobby Miller: 

The episode began around 7:30 p.m. at a jewelry store in the 1600 block of University Avenue, where the suspect robbed the shop at gunpoint. The owner was able to activate the silent alarm, which alerted police to the robbery in progress. 

A nearby officer quickly arrived on scene just as the man was leaving the story. The suspect was able to escape and ran south on Jefferson Avenue. Several other officers responded to the call and were able to establish a perimeter around the block where the man was believed to be hiding. Officers found articles of clothing dropped along the presumed route taken by the suspect. 

As the officers were conducting their search, a taxi cab van approached the intersection of Jefferson and Allston, and an officer thought that the vehicle’s passenger matched the description of the suspect. As officers attempted to stop the van, the passenger - apparently the armed robbery suspect - pulled out a gun and pointed it at the officer. Several officers opened fire, and the suspect was hit. 

The man was transported to Highland Hospital, where he was pronounced a short time later. 

Miller said that at least three officers were at the scene of the shooting, but he didn’t know if all three fired shots at the suspect. He said it appears the man did not fire any shots from his gun. 

Miller was unable to provide the exact time of the shooting, but the Daily Planet’s monitoring of the communications over the scanner indicated that officers were being called to the Jefferson and Allston intersection around 8:10 p.m., and a call for a transport unit - presumably an ambulance - was made at 8:31 p.m. 

The taxi van driver may have no connection to the robbery suspect, but Miller did not have that information immediately available Wednesday night. The driver apparently was not hit in the shooting, nor were any bystanders. No officers were injured, either. 

As of Wednesday night, the officers involved in the shooting had not been placed on any kind of leave. Miller said the department’s policy includes a provision to help the “well-being of officers involved in this kind of incident,” but no action has yet been taken. 

The investigation into the shooting continued late Wednesday night. 

The Cal women’s basketball team held its annual banquet honoring the players and coaches on Tuesday night at H’s Lordships Restaurant in Berkeley.  

Junior point guard Courtney Johnson took home team Most Valuable Player honors in recognition of her performance and leadership throughout the 1999-2000 season. Despite being hampered by injury for part of the conference season, Johnson led the Bears in scoring, with 11.7 points per game, and assists, averaging 3.1.  

The junior also excelled on defense, pacing the entire Pac-10 in steals with 3.2 per game. For her prowess on both sides of the ball, Johnson also picked up the team’s Defensive MVP award. 

Junior guard Kenya Corley and sophomore center Shavaki Jackson – who both averaged double figures in scoring for the 1999-2000 Bears – shared Most Improved accolades, while sophomore center Ami Forney garnered the Saul Becker award for spirit and inspiration. Senior Paige Bowie was also recognized at the banquet, picking up the All-Cal award.

Daily Planet Staff 

With the Willard Middle School garden and a batch of sixth-graders as her backdrop, City Councilmember Linda Maio reissued a challenge Wednesday for Berkeley residents to do their part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

“We are, by our habits, creating a very unhealthy world for ourselves and for our children,” she told the students during the morning event. “Something is happening to the climate, and it’s because of the way we’re living.” 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 6.6 tons of greenhouse gases are released every year, per person – that’s almost 15,000 pounds for each of us. Emissions increased about 3.4 percent between 1990 and 1997, the EPA says. About 82 percent of these emissions come from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and power cars. 

The city, led by the Berkeley Energy Commission and the Community Environmental Advisory Commission, has called on all residents to pledge to take actions that will reduce negative effects on the environment. Those actions include carpooling or reducing car travel by at least 15 percent, installing low-flow showerheads, using compact fluorescent light bulbs in at least four fixtures, and promising that the next car they purchase will be 30 percent more fuel-efficient than their current vehicle. 

The city has distributed pledge cards through residents’ recycling bins and through city offices. The goal is to have pledges submitted by Earth Day on April 22, when the annual fair and festival will be held in Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park. At that event, Maio will – again – reissue the city’s challenge, and extra pledge cards will be available. 

Neal De Snoo, the city’s energy officer, said city departments have made their own pledges to reduce total emissions by 15 percent. The city’s action plan focuses on four areas: reduced transportation fuels, reduced energy use in city-owned buildings, reduced levels of solid waste materials that generate methane as they decompose, and increased planting of trees. 

The city has expanded its fleet of electric vehicles, and has installed a recharging station downtown that can be used by city-owned and private vehicles. The recently adopted Bike Boulevard Plan is another beneficial step, De Snoo said. 

Energy-efficient bulbs can reduce the amount of electricity used in homes and business, he said, noting that about 30 major businesses have pledged to reduce energy use in this category. 

Methane emissions are worse for the environment than carbon dioxide emissions are, De Snoo said. The decomposition process in landfills is a significant contributor. As a carbon-based material decomposes, it produces methane if there is no oxygen present. That’s why composting is encouraged: The process incorporates oxygen into the mixture of food, dirt and green waste, and the end product can be used in a garden. 

After the councilmember’s presentation Wednesday, the students peppered Maio and other civic leaders with questions about the environment, ranging from how effective low-flow showerheads are, to how long the world has until it runs out of its supply of gasoline. 

Maio told the students that she was encouraged to see how well-informed many of them were, and that they seemed genuinely interested in the part they could play. 

The Berkeley High boys golf team played its third match in as many days on Wednesday afternoon, participating in the 18-hole San Francisco Tournament held at Sharp Park Golf Course in Pacifica. Though the difficulty of the course caused the Yellowjackets to tack five strokes onto their total 18-hole score from Monday’s tournament, the final score of 440 was good enough to place BHS in the middle of the pack – at 15th out of 26 teams. 

“There was some carryover from (Tuesday’s win over Granada) and Monday’s tournament,” BHS coach Matt Bremer said after the match. “We were looking to finish in the top half, set a low number, and hopefully break it. I’d say we actually played better today.” 

In contrast to the standard procedure for league matches, Wednesday’s tourney allowed only five entrants from each school, with all five cards counting toward the team’s final score. Forced to leave one golfer from the regular lineup behind, the Yellowjackets entered freshman Matt Wickett in place of Ronald Quintero at the No. 5 spot. Though Wickett would rise to the occasion with a respectable 98, Bremer admitted an extra score could have taken some of the urgency off of the top five.  

“I would say it’s a little more difficult format (than league matches), it puts more pressure on the first five people,” the coach said. “(Matt) did a good job today. He seems to be settling down a little bit, in terms of becoming comfortable.” 

Ivan Holmes led the BHS contingent with a 79, while Curran Kennedy, Adam Breckler and Walker Koppelman-Brown rounded out the scoring with 84, 88, and 91, respectively.  

The busy Berkeley squad returns to the links today, taking on Foothill at Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton.

Daily Planet Staff 

Fiscal realities took precedence over old bricks and mortar Tuesday night, as the City Council overturned the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s designation of 801 Grayson St. as a Structure of Merit. 

The designation would have made it difficult for the property owner, Bayer Corp., to demolish the four 80-year-old structures on the property. 

The new facility Bayer wants to build at the former Philadelphia Quartz property will bring 400 new, mostly union jobs and boost the city’s tax revenues, argued Councilmember Margaret Breland, whose district includes the 14-acre property. The vote to overturn the commission decision was 6-1-1, with Councilmember Diane Woolley abstaining and Councilmember Kriss Worthington voting in opposition. Mayor Shirley Dean was absent, attending an international mayor’s conference in Israel. 

In a second 7-0-1 vote, which was advisory in nature, the council asked Bayer officials to work with members of the Landmarks Preservation Commission to find ways of preserving some of the history of the site. Councilmember Betty Olds abstained on this vote. 

Commissioners had not argued that the site was of merit because it was designed by a noted architect or was outstanding in its construction. Rather, they argued that the buildings are worth preserving because they represent the construction of the era and are a reminder of a period in West Berkeley history of intense industrial expansion. 

“The West Berkeley plan seeks to...accentuate West Berkeley’s history,” Commissioner Carrie Olson told the council. 

Opposing landmark status, Bayer representatives underscored the humanitarian nature of the company’s work. 

“There are 7,000 young boys alive because of what we produce on our site,” Bayer site manager Dick Thomas told the council, referring to a drug the company has produced for hemophiliacs. 

If the site were designated as a landmark, the company would have to write an Environmental Impact Report, a formal document detailing the impacts of demolishing the four buildings on the site. The company would lose valuable time, Thomas said, noting that Bayer management had warned that if all necessary permits were not obtained by May 31, the new project and its jobs would go to Bayer facilities in North Carolina or Germany. 

Thomas offered, however, to preserve part of a façade of one of the buildings, including several of its distinctive arched windows. The facade would be incorporated into fencing that would run along the Grayson Street and Seventh Street portions of the property. 

Councilmember Dona Spring asked if the brick exterior could be incorporated into a new building, but Bayer representatives said that was not possible. Building materials for drug manufacture are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which prohibits the use of porous materials, they explained.  

Bayer got the support of the Chamber of Commerce. “Every time I see a business go elsewhere, I think we’re not doing the best for Berkeley,” said Rachel Rupert, the chamber’s executive director. 

But Woolley argued that businesses often come before the council pleading urgency and that, at least one of the buildings should be landmarked. 

“I think the big brick building is of merit,” she said. 

University of California police have issued an arrest warrant for the man they believe is responsible for stabbing a 48-year-old homeless man in People’s Park on Saturday. 

UCPD Lt. Adan Tejada said the department is looking for Robert Calvin Graves, also 48 years old. Graves is described as an African-American male, 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighing around 215 pounds. He wears his hair in dreadlocks. 

Tejada said Graves’ vehicle is a black 1966 Chevrolet pick-up truck with a camper shell and it is in poor condition. The license plate number is T52969, according to the UCPD. 

Tejada said the stabbing victim underwent extensive surgery but is expected to recover. He was stabbed while waiting in a food line in the park, after “an exchange of words” between the two men. 

Later as the victim was walking away, the suspect allegedly approached him and stabbed him three times in the torso and lower back, apparently with a small knife. The UCPD alleges that the suspect rode from the park on a bicycle that was later loaded into a pickup truck and driven from the area. 

The suspect faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon. 

Anyone with information about this case should immediately call UC Police Detective Chris Bowers at 510-642-3185. Tejada warns anyone who sees Graves, who frequents People’s Park, not to approach the suspect, but to call 911.

Daily Planet Staff 

The lights are dim now in the dining room of the Hotel Shattuck Plaza, but the once-elegant space is poised to regain some of the glory of its younger days. 

Right now the downtown dowager hotel with its sparely furnished lobby and empty restaurant space looking out on Allston Way seems a little tired. 

Opened in 1910, the hotel is a city landmark and many of its architectural details have not been lost and await restoration. The Hotel Shattuck’s new general manager, Michael Moore, who supervised the recent remodeling of the Hotel Durant as manager there, intends to seek National Landmark status for the hotel. 

Pointing to the arches that face each other across the dining room, he remarked on “the sense of grandness” that could be restored to the room, which has an adjacent ballroom. 

He walked back into the lobby and noted the lowered ceiling and the pillars that are covered with nondescript wood framing and mirrors. 

“For me the ceilings can’t be high enough,” he said. 

Moore thinks there’s hidden treasure underneath the bland coverings – the originals were black marble. 

The 175-room hotel was designed by Benjamin G. McDougall and has been described as a Spanish Renaissance-style building. It covers most of a full city block, bounded by Shattuck Avenue, Allston Way, Harold Way and Kittredge Street. The Kittredge street side was built as an annex in 1914. 

In the immediate future, Moore said he would pursue only cosmetic changes, because if the hotel receives landmark status, remodeling would be subject to government guidelines. The first things he envisions are a “light and bright” dining room, to be achieved with paint and repairs, and the reopening of a food and beverage service, possibly by September. 

That opening would not be with highfalutin fanfare, but a “humble or more modest breakfast and lunch service.” 

The goal for the first year is to bring people back to the hotel, said Moore, who says he was lured away from the Hotel Durant because of the challenge and “an offer I couldn’t refuse.” 

Hotels are in his blood. His uncle Bill Moore owns the Villa Hotel in San Mateo and the Shattuck’s new manager grew up in the business. Later as a drummer in rock and roll bands and then as a lecturer, he stayed in countless hotels around the United States. 

Moore said the Shattuck has been in decline since the mid-1980s, although it underwent a $2 million renovation in 1987. 

“It has been barely maintained for a long time,” he said. “The plumbing is ancient, and that has to be addressed, and there’s no sprinkler system. We’re putting one in.” 

The Hotel Shattuck Plaza got its reprieve when it was purchased in September 1999 by the Anaheim-based Royalty Hotels chain for $8.5 million. Although the company’s president, Satish Patel, was killed in an auto accident in December, the company continues his plans for the hotel improvements. 

In the transition before the sale was completed, a number of employees left the hotel because its future was uncertain, Moore said. Currently the Shattuck is operating with a skeleton crew of about 20 people. 

The previous owners left 30 additional furnished rooms, after holding a liquidation sale for the rest. Moore said Royalty already has spent “hundreds of thousands of dollars” on new furniture and carpeting and curtains for 100 of the 175 rooms. 

The remaining rooms await repair and possible re-configuration. 

Wednesday, April 12

---

 

Three piano solos 

Noon 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Ivan Ilic will perform Copland’s Piano variations; Yi-Fang Tsai will perform Chopin’s Etude No 7, op. 25 and Debussy’s Prélude, Book I, No XII; and Brian Christian will perform Prokofiev’s Sonata No 7 in B-flat major, op. 83. 

 

Harris Seminar 

Noon 

119 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Jeannette Money from UC Davis will speak on “Xenophobia and Xenophilia: Immigrant Voters as counterweights to the Extreme Right.” 

 

Art in the Garden 

2-4:30 p.m. 

UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive 

Karen LeGault, a local artist and teacher whose work has been exhibited internationally, is leading this eight-week class in drawing and painting from nature. Both experienced artists and beginners are welcome. Call ahead for more information or to enroll. 

510-643-2755 

 

“The End of the City? ‘The report of my death was an exaggeration’” 

4:10 p.m. 

International House Auditorium, Piedmont and Bancroft 

Planning Professor Emeritus Sir Peter Hall will deliver this lecture, part of the Charles M. and Martha Hitchcock Lectures. 

510-643-7413; www.grad.berkeley.edu/lectures 

 

“The Spare Part and the Machine” 

7 p.m. 

160 Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Friedman Visiting Professor Charles Correa will be the featured lecturer. 

 

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

7 p.m. 

West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 

This storytime program is designed for families with children up to 3 years old. The free, participatory program features a half hour of multicultural songs, rhymes, lap jogs and stories to give very young children a lively introduction to the magic of books. Parents also will enjoy the new stories, rediscover old favorites and learn new songs and games to share. 

510-644-6870 

 

“Kiss Me, Kate” 

7:30 p.m. 

Willard Middle School, 2425 Stuart St. 

The middle-school “innocents” present this not-so-innocent play complete with its incorrect sexual politics. The Cole Porter score for this 1950 “Taming of the Shrew” takeoff is “scandalous,” cynical - wonderful. The musical is performed by seventh- through ninth-graders from Berkeley public schools. Admission is a donation. 

510-848-1797; pwp.value.net/bwicinas 

 

Poetry Flash 

7:30 p.m. 

Cody’s Books, 2454 Telegraph Ave. 

Julie Bruck and Patti Trimble will be the featured poets, with jazz by Bill Horvitz. 

510-845-7852; 510-525-5476 

 

---

Thursday, April 13

---

 

“Should E-Commerce Be Taxed?” Luncheon and Speakers 

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 Fourth St. 

The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce has assembled a panel of speakers, both for and against taxation of e-commerce: Professor Hal R. Varian, Dean of the School of Information Management and Systems, UC Berkeley; Michael Nelson, CEO of SacWeb, Inc., Sacramento; and Bill Petrocelli, Vice President of Book Passage, a Corte Madera bookstore. Cost is $25 per person. 

510-549-7000; chamber@dnai.com 

 

Free computer class for seniors 

1-4 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation. 

510-644-6109 

 

Income tax help 

2-4 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

Call ahead for an appointment. 

510-644-6107 

 

“Smart Investments: Ideas to Actions” 

3 p.m. 

Goldman School of Public Policy living room, 2607 Hearst Ave. 

California State Treasurer Phil Angelides will be the featured speaker. As California faces unprecedented growth in the years ahead, it cannot achieve sustained economic success if the environment is degraded and if there are pockets of poverty throughout the state. The state treasurer’s office is supporting a strategic and fiscally prudent approach to investment which calls for: investments that support livable communities, sustainable development and sound environmental practices; and investment in struggling communities to reverse a dangerous trend towards “two Californias” - one in poverty and the other enjoying an economic boom. 

510-642-1303; cecille@socrates.berkeley.edu 

 

Community Health Commission 

6:45 p.m. 

Mental Health Clinic, 2640 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way 

The commission’s agenda includes a discussion of the final health access report, crisis in East Bay hospital care and the midwife crisis. 

 

---

Friday, April 14

---

 

“Good Communications: Needed More as we Grow Older” 

Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 

Edna Shipley-Conner, a counselor for the hearing-impaired, will speak during this week’s meeting of the City Commons Club. Social hour begins at 11:15 a.m. Luncheon is served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Speaker starts promptly at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $11 or $12.25; admission to the speech is $1, free for students. 

510-848-3533 

 

“Kiss Me, Kate” 

7:30 p.m. 

Willard Middle School, 2425 Stuart St. 

The middle-school “innocents” present this not-so-innocent play complete with its incorrect sexual politics. The Cole Porter score for this 1950 “Taming of the Shrew” takeoff is “scandalous,” cynical - wonderful. The musical is performed by seventh- through ninth-graders from Berkeley public schools. Admission is a donation. 

510-848-1797; pwp.value.net/bwicinas 

 

Poetry readings 

7:30 p.m. 

Boadecia’s Books, 398 Colusa Ave., Kensington 

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Patti Sirens, reading from “Antarctica” and Abby Bogomolny who will read from “People Who Do Not Exist” and “New to North America: Writing by U.S. Immigrants.” This event is free. 

510-559-9184; www.boadeciasbooks.com 

 

Mozart’s Requiem 

8 p.m. 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

The University Chorus, under the direction of Marika Kuzma, will perform this Mozart classic.

THEATER 

ACTORS ENSEMBLE OF BERKELEY 

“Rough Crossing” by Tom Stoppard, April 7 through May 6. The writers of a Broadway musical are simultaneously trying to finish and rehearse a play while crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner. 

$10. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; May 4, 8 p.m. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 528-5620. 

AURORA THEATRE 

“The Homecoming” by Harold Pinter, April 6 through May 7. A dark comedy about a philosophy professor who brings his wife home to meet his all-male family. 

$25 to $28. Wednesday through Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822. 

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE 

“Let My Enemy Live Long!” by Tanya Shaffer, April 19 through May 12. The story of an ill-advised boat ride up West Africa's Niger River to Timbuktu. 

$19 to $48.50. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; April 19, 8 p.m.; NO PERFORMANCES APRIL 25 AND APRIL 26. 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 845-4700 or (888) 4BRTTIX. 

Subterranean Shakespeare 

“Measure for Measure,” by William Shakespeare. Run has been extended through April 30. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays, at 8 p.m. each night, and Sundays at 7 p.m. $10 general; $6 students. La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., Berkeley. (510) 234-6046. 

MUSIC VENUES 

ASHKENAZ 

Brenda Boykin and Her Band, April 12, 9 p.m. $8. 

Grateful Dead DJ Night with Digital Dave, April 14, 10 p.m. $4. 

Sensa Samba, April 15, 9:30 p.m. $11. 

Lavay Smith and The Red Hot Skillet Lickers, April 15, 9:30 p.m. $11. 

Most Chill Slackmob, Psychokinetics, April 16, 8 p.m. $7. 

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5099 or www.ashkenaz.com 

BLAKES 

“Third World” with UC Buu, DJ Add, Jah Bonz, Big Willie, April 12. $5. 

Ripe, April 13. $4. 

Felonious, Blue and Tan, April 14. $5. 

Broun Fellinis, Rici Ric and Thread, April 15. $5. 

An Evening with Government Grown, April 16. $4. 

For age 18 and older. Music at 9:30 p.m. 2367 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-0886. 

FREIGHT AND SALVAGE 

Dale Ann Bradley and Coon Creek, April 12. 

The Holy Modal Rounders, April 14. $15.50. 

Cats and Jammers, April 15. $15.50. 

Rev. Billie C. Wirtz. $15.50. 

Music at 8 p.m. 1111 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 548-1761 or (510) 762-BASS. 

LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER 

Helen Chaya, April 13, 8 p.m. A CD release party. $8 to $10. 

Viento, April 14, 8:30 p.m. Part of The Silver Star Series. $14. 

Dulce Mambo, April 15, 9:30 p.m. The show is preceded by a Salsa Dance Class from 8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Class and show, $13; dance only, $10. 

3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 849-2568 or www.lapena.org 

924 GILMAN ST. 

Stratford Mercenaries, April 16. 

$5. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. (510) 525-9926. 

THE STARRY PLOUGH PUB 

Dona Luz 30 Minutos featuring Beth Custer, Will Bernard 4tet, April 13. $6. 

Mumble and Peg, Ramona The Pest, Bass Line Dada, April 14. $6. 

Giant Sand, Grandaddy, Brokeback, April 15. Featuring Doug McCombs of Tortoise. $10. 

For age 21 and over. Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:45 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082. 

MUSEUMS 

UC BERKELEY ART 

MUSEUM 

“Autour de Rodin: Auguste Rodin and His Contemporaries,” through August. An exhibit of 11 bronze maquettes on loan from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation in Los Angeles. The bronzes range in style from the artist's classically inspired “Torso of a Woman” to the anguish of “The Martyr.” Some of the maquettes were cast during Rodin’s lifetime, others have been cast fairly recently under the aegis of the Musee Rodin which alone is authorized to cast his sculptures posthumously. 

“2x2: Architectural Collaborations,” Jan. 22 through April 16. This exhibit elaborates on the theme of the “Equal Partners” exhibit looking at the innovative projects and the collaborative style of a newer generation of architects. 

“Roma/Pacifica: The Phoebe Hearst International Architecture Competition and the Berkeley Campus, 1896-1930,” through April 23. An exhibition showing how the campus developed from the original lavish design of Franco-Roman buildings by French architect Emile Bernard to the modified version with Italianate granite and stucco buildings and tile roofing by New York architect John Galen Howard to the vision of California Arts and Crafts architect Bernard Maybeck and his student Julia Morgan.  

$6 general; $4 seniors and students ages 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 1 1 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 642-0808. 

HALL OF HEALTH  

2230 Shattuck Ave. (lower level), Berkeley 

A hands-on community health education museum and science center sponsored by Children's Hospital Oakland and Alta Bates Medical Center. 

“This is Your Heart!” ongoing. An in teractive exhibit on heart health. 

“Good Nutrition,” ongoing. This exhibit includes models for making balanced meals and an exercycle for calculating how calories are burned. 

“Draw Your Own Insides,” ongoing. Human-shaped chalkboards and models with removable organs allow visitors to explore the inside of their bodies. 

“Your Cellular Self and Cancer Prevention,” ongoing. An exhibit on understanding how cells become cancerous and how to detect and prevent cancer. 

Free. For children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. (510) 549-1564 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERNICE LAYNE BROWN GALLERY 

“Bridging the Bay: Bridging the Campus,” through April 30. The exhibit has been created from the libraries of the eight University of California campuses. The exhibit includes books, documents, architectural drawings, blueprints, artifacts, maps and photographs that record the building of the San Francisco Bay area’s bridges. It also includes documents detailing Bay area bridge projects that were seriously considered but never built. 

Free. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Doe Memorial Library, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 643-9999. 

LAWRENCE HALL 

OF SCIENCE 

“Dinosaurs 2000,” through June 4. An exhibit featuring 16 lifelike robotic creatures, fossils, activities to compare yourself to a dinosaur, and daily live demonstrations. 

“The News About Dinosaurs,” through June 4. Learn more about the “Dinosaurs 2000” exhibit with live demonstrations exploring recent paleontological discoveries and how scientists know what they do about prehistoric creatures. Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

$6 general; $4 seniors, students and children ages 7 to 18; $2 children ages 3 to 6; free children under age 3. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

PHOEBE HEARST MUSEUM 

Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley 

“Modern Treasures from Ancient Iran,” through Oct. 29. This exhibit explores nomadic and town life in ancient and modern Iran as illustrated in bronze and pottery vessels, and textiles. 

“Pana O’ahu: Sacred Stones – Sacred Places,” through July 16. An exhibit of photographs by Jan Becket and Joseph Singer. 

“Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture,” Ishi, the last Yahi Indian of California, spent the final years of his life, 1911 to 1916, living at the museum, working with anthropologists to record his culture, demonstrating technological skills, and retelling Yahi myths, tales, and songs. 

Wednesday through Sunday 10 am -4:30 pm; Thursday until 9 pm  

(510) 643-7648 

HABITOT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 

A museum especially for children age 7 and younger. Highlights include “WaterWorks,” an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library. 

Admission is $4 for adults; $6 child age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child.  

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (510) 647-1111 

JUDAH L. MAGNES MUSEUM 

2911 Russell St., Berkeley 

“Chagall: Master Prints and Posters, Selections from the Magnes Museum Collection.” Accompanying the exhibition is “Exploring Chagall and His Use of the Elements of Art,” a child-friendly Interactive Educational Room with five work-stations and a central activities space. 

Free. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

(510) 549-6950. 

GALLERIES  

A.C.C.I. GALLERY 

“Recycled Art,” April 1 through April 30. A group exhibit featuring jewelry, sculpture and functional art all from refuse. 

Free. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1652 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-2527. 

GRADUATE THEOLOGICAL UNION 

“On Common Ground.” through June 23. This exhibit is a portrait of faith-based communities in Los Angeles. 

“Finding the Sacred Mountain,” through June 20. An exhibit of sumi-e and watercolors by Robert Kostka. 

Free. Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd., Berkeley. (510) 649-2541. 

KALA ART INSTITUTE 

“High Touch/High Tech: Crossing The Divide,” through May 6. An exhibit of juried and invited artists. 

Free. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Workshop Media Center Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-2977. 

NEW PIECES GALLERY 

“Irish Stones and More,” April 1 through April 27. An exhibit of quilts by Denise Snell. 

“Down from the Attic,” April 1 through April 27. An exhibit of dolls by Gretchen Jennings. 

Free. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1597 Solano Ave., Berkeley. (510) 527-6779. 

TRAYWICK GALLERY 

“minimalPOP,” April 15 through May 14. A group exhibit of a variety of media. 

Artists Reception, April 15, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Free. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1316 10th St., Berkeley. (510) 527-1214. 

To publicize an upcoming event, please submit information to the Daily Planet via fax (841-5695), e-mail (calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.com) or traditional mail (2076 University Avenue, 94704). Calendar items should be submitted at least one week before the opening of a new theatrical production, gallery exhibit or museum exhibit. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we need to clarify any information.

Daily Planet Correspondent 

Berkeley High’s boys lacrosse team entered the fourth quarter of Tuesday afternoon’s game against Acalanes with a close 3-2 lead. Unfortunately, the Bears clawed their way from behind – getting a 6-3 triumph over the Yellowjackets at BHS football field. 

“What do you want?” Acalanes’ coach Mark Reardon shouted to his boys in a pep talk before the fourth quarter. “That is what you must answer in the next 15 minutes.” 

Bears attacker Magnus Duborg responded to that challenge by rocketing in three goals – one of them with less than 30 seconds on the clock. Matt Bissell chimed in with one more to end the quarter. 

“We are a lot better than these guys, and we wanted to show them,” Duborg boasted. “It just took us a few quarters to warm up.” 

Some of Berkeley’s problems can be attributed to a lot of foul calls by the referees, which resulted in a pulled defender every quarter. This obstacle sapped the endurance of the defenders on the field, who were forced to fill in the gaps for the missing teammates. 

“The defense had zero energy (in the fourth quarter),” BHS defender Chris Mays explained. “I just ran out of strength. I feel like those fouls were unfair.” 

BHS offense wasn’t able to pick it up in the end either, rarely moving onto the Bears’ territory. The ’Jacket attackers were unable to cope with the Bears’ new fourth-quarter defensive strategy. In the beginning of the match, Acalanes focused on a zone defense, but in the fourth shifted to a man-to-man coverage. 

“We kind of collapsed out there,” attacker Nick Schooler said after the game. “Our stick or cutter (plays) didn’t work.” 

The loss marked another notch onto the Yellowjackets’ five-game losing streak, this time to a team they beat last month. BHS coach Chris Sparhawk was disappointed with the loss because Berkeley seems to suffer from the same problems every game – a lack of mental recall from the playbook. In his mind, this is due to a plethora of young players on the team. 

“Our guys just stand out there like trees on the offense,” Sparhawk commented. “They just don’t seem to mentally get it.” 

The game did hold some high moments for Berkeley, in the first and second quarters, when it was able to keep the Bears at bay. Schooler managed to ratchet in a goal during each of these quarters, and was followed up by Ashley Day with a score in the second. The first half ended with Berkeley up, 3-1. 

“It always happens this way,” BHS attacker Joe Rabinowitz explained. “We’re psyched before and during the first part of the game, but halfway through, things go downhill.” 

The third quarter saw the game begin to turnaround for the Bears. Acalanes’ Brian Etheridge managed to up his team’s score by two points, knocking one of his goals in with just nine seconds left in the quarter. 

“We slacked off after getting a good lead,” defender Eli Block said.  

Coach Sparhawk doesn’t feel his boys became cocky, but just need a lot more work during practice. Unfortunately, he’s less than sure the boys will be able to improve to the necessary level of success by the season’s end. 

“I just don’t think I’m going to be able to do it right now,” Sparhawk conceded.

Daily Planet Staff 

OAKLAND – Berkeley landlord Lakireddy Bali Reddy and his son Vijay Kumar Lakireddy are likely to face expanded charges, U.S. Attorney John Kennedy said in federal court Tuesday. 

Reddy is charged with conspiring with his son to bring foreign workers to the United States under false pretenses. He is further charged with exploiting the workers for their labor and using women, including minors, for sexual purposes. 

In a motion that was to be heard before U.S. District Court Judge Saundra Brown Armstrong, attorneys for the indicted men asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to be more specific in their allegations. 

Kennedy told the judge, however, that he was preparing a superceding indictment and that there was more to the case than had been previously brought out in court documents. 

“The continuing investigation in this matter will result in expanded charges,” Kennedy said, explaining that it would take two to three months to complete the investigation. The investigation has already yielded 9,000 pages of documentation and audio tapes, Kennedy told the court. 

The attorneys for the prosecution and defense will return to court at 9 a.m. June 13 to report on the status of the case. 

In a separate ruling, the judge denied the defense’s request to hold disciplinary hearings regarding statements made to the court by Berkeley City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque. The defense contends Albuquerque “grossly misrepresented the facts” in her role representing the city of Berkeley as a friend of the court. 

The allegation had to do with the Nov. 24, 1999, death by carbon monoxide poisoning of Chanti Jyotsna Devi Prattipati. The Indian national is alleged to have been 17 years old at the time of her death, which Berkeley police ruled as accidental. 

Prattipati is one of the women alleged to have been brought to this country by Reddy and Lakireddy for sexual exploitation by Reddy. She had been living with her younger sister and an older roommate in an apartment at 2020 Bancroft Way at the time of her death. The apartment is owned by Reddy. 

Based on preliminary information given her by a police investigator, a man who was Reddy, or who resembled Reddy, was at the scene on Nov. 24, trying to take the unconscious Prattipati away in a Reddy Realty van. Albuquerque told the court that there was only one 911 call made at the time, not from Reddy or his associates, but from a passer-by. 

Later, police found that, in fact, two calls had been made to police, one of which came from a man in the apartment where Prattipati was living. 

First the judge chided defense attorneys for including the criticism of Albuquerque in a motion that requested handwriting samples. 

“The statements were not reckless,” Armstrong said. “At most, they were negligent.” 

The judge went on to note that the facts as presented were based on statements made by the lead police investigator, which, she said, are not always reliable in the early stages of an investigation. 

“The court denies the defendants’ request,” Armstrong concluded. 

In response to the request for handwriting samples, defense attorneys said the samples have been turned over to the prosecution. 

Also, in recent written motions, the defense and prosecution both asked the court – and the court agreed – to preserve tissue samples from the 10-day-old fetus found when the coroner examined Prattipati. 

The Berkeley High boys volleyball team finished off the first round of East Bay Athletic League regular season play on Tuesday evening, taking care of California High in a three-game sweep at Donahue Gym.  

Despite a strong block by the Grizzlies’ sizable front line, the ’Jackets were able to pick up the slack with a strong outside game, and collected their third league win in their last four attempts, 16-14, 15-5, 15-13. 

“We looked at it as an opportunity to come out and continue the way we’ve been playing,” BHS coach Justin Caraway said after the game. “Across the board, they were a pretty tall team. (We) stayed fairly focused (today).” 

Mason Chin anchored the Yellowjackets’ defensive effort, posting 17 digs to go along with 11 kills and three blocks. Defensive specialist Oliver Monday also stepped up against the Grizzlies, finishing with 12 digs. 

“Mason Chin just had an outstanding game for us,” Caraway said. “We’ve been working on hitting everywhere across the court. He ran some very impressive patterns today.”

Daily Planet Staff 

Without debate Tuesday night, a unanimous City Council took the first steps toward putting a measure on the November ballot that would protect the city’s most vulnerable citizens against landlord move-in evictions. 

The proposed ballot measure would prohibit landlords from moving into apartments rented for 10 years or more by seniors and the disabled, and apartments rented for five years or more by those with catastrophic illnesses. People with low-income Section 8 vouchers would also get protection under the proposed law. 

Property owners were conspicuously absent when public comment was made, but renters, mostly advocates for senior citizens, were evident, carrying signs with the message: “No unjust owner move-in evictions.” 

“Many Berkeley seniors live alone in small rented units, carefully budgeting Social Security checks,” senior citizen advocate Helen Wheeler told the council. 

“Right now, we can at least protect disabled persons and low-income seniors from the abuse and trauma of owner move-in evictions by passage of a ballot measure.” 

Grace Christie, 78, facing an owner move-in eviction, told the council that she “fell in love with Berkeley over 50 years ago.” She asked the body to pass the resolution that would “work to keep (the city) that way.” 

Although property owners may have decided not to come to the council to debate the issue at this early stage, they may fight it when it comes to the council in July or when it is on the November ballot. 

Berkeley Property Owner Association President Robert Cabrera told the Daily Planet recently that he believes that the best way to assure housing for all is by building more housing and not by passing new laws. 

He also said that he thought the measure could hurt seniors because property owners might become more hesitant to rent to them. 

The Rent Board, Housing Advisory Commission, Commission on Aging and the Commission on Disability will all give their input into the ballot proposal, which will be written by city staff and brought back to the council by July in order to be considered for placement on the ballot for November. 

The vote was 8-0, with Mayor Shirley Dean absent for an international mayors conference in Jerusalem. 

The Yellowjackets walked onto Tilden Park Golf Course with brand new uniforms on Tuesday afternoon, and left with a brand new feeling – the feeling of triumph. 

BHS finally picked up the league win that had been avoiding it all season, squeaking out a 220-221 victory over Granada High. Though the total score marked a 12-stroke jump from their last league match, the ’Jackets were thrilled with the win. 

“They were really whooping it up (after the match),” BHS coach Matt Bremer said. “They had no idea what was going on (on the final holes)... It was a big one.” 

Curran Kennedy and Ivan Holmes spearheaded the Berkeley win, carding a 38 and 39, respectively. Adam Breckler, Ronald Quintero and Matt Wickett also finished in the Yellowjackets’ top five.

Daily Planet Staff 

Berkeley educators, parents and community leaders are joining forces in an attempt to persuade Gov. Gray Davis to propose increased school spending when he releases his revised budget next month. 

But those some people – who have formed a new organization called “Advocates for Public Schools” – admit their effort may not be successful if they’re unable to create a broad base of support throughout California. 

“This needs to be a statewide document,” said Mark Coplan, president of the Berkeley PTA Council. “It’s critical that it gets out everywhere, so it’s not just a Berkeley document. There are just so many people in Berkeley, and we’ve got to be bigger than that.” 

The “document” was introduced Tuesday night during a meeting of the Blue Ribbon Resources Advisory Committee, which is examining ways for the Berkeley Unified School District to find new sources of revenue and is exploring options for restructuring the district’s budget in an attempt to save $2 million. The figures the district is working with are based on the original state budget introduced by the governor earlier this year. He will deliver a revised budget proposal on May 10, and teachers, parents and community members from around the state are planning on rallying in Sacramento on May 8 to urge him to allocate more money for education, particularly with the state looking at an ever-growing budget surplus. 

“This of course is aimed not just at the May 8 action in Sacramento, but we see this as a long-term document,” said Russ Ellis, vice chancellor emeritus at UC Berkeley and one of the supporters listed in the petition. “It is completely useful for you to get two people or one organization to sign on.” 

So far, the endorsement list includes all five members of the BUSD School Board, representatives from the Berkeley Public Education Foundation and the Berkeley chapter of the League of Women Voters. 

Tuesday night, most of the Blue Ribbon Budget committee members endorsed the measure, and former UC Berkeley Chancellor Chang-Lin Tien has added his name to the list. 

The petition calls for the state to help provide “fair pay” for teachers, fund ongoing teacher training and parent involvement, finance academic support programs and allow districts greater flexibility in how they use certain portions of state-allocated funds. 

Organizers will begin distributing the petitions today, and committee member Marissa Saunders, whose child attends City of Franklin Microsociety Magnet School, encouraged her colleagues to use “traditional” means for getting out the word – not just email and other high-tech means, which leave lower-income families out of the loop. 

“I’m sure that there are parents out there who don’t know this is going on because they’re not as involved as we are,” she said. 

Barry Fike, president of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers, issued his own word of caution after Tuesday’s meeting. He told the Daily Planet that he’s concerned the focus on drawing more money out of Sacramento could be a distraction for local ways to resolve the stalled contract negotiations between the teachers union and the district. 

“The concern I have is that this is not addressing the internal scandal here in Berkeley,” he said, referring to figures distributed by the union showing that even though the district’s base revenue limit continues to increase, the amount of money allocated for teachers’ salaries has not increase at the same rate.

Daily Planet Staff 

OAKLAND – Inside a federal courtroom Tuesday, the case of the United States vs. Berkeley landlord Lakireddy Bali Reddy and his son Vijay Lakireddy was in its pre-trial stages. 

But outside the courts a dozen mostly South Asian women held placards denouncing the exploitation of foreign workers and of women. They asked those going into the courts to focus their attention less on the men on trial, then on their alleged victims. 

The women, members of the newly formed Alliance of South Asians Taking Action, came together in response to the Reddy case but are expanding their message to “all the workers caught in the web of involuntary servitude,” said Shaily Matani, a coordinator for ASATA. 

Helping the victims is not an easy task. 

“They do not have power. There is nothing to protect them,” Matani said. 

Members of ASATA who are close to the Reddy case say that the two alleged Reddy victims, named in court documents, have received assurances from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that they will not be deported once the trial is over. 

The Daily Planet was unable to confirm this with the INS, which referred the call to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. A spokesperson for that office declined to comment. 

Members of ASATA say they are concerned about other alleged victims that could be named in the future. 

“The INS said they are not interested in prosecuting victims, but (they said) ‘the law is the law,’” Matani said. 

Another of ASATA’s goals is to make it clear that the Reddy case is not about sex. 

“Sex implies, requires consent,” Matani said. 

When one person demands sex of another, is responsible for that person’s employment and holds that person’s passport, “that is sexual assault,” she said. 

Matani added that the group wants to underscore that even though they focus on the problem of exploitation in the South Asian immigrant community, the problem of rape and sexual exploitation is not any greater in that community than it is in the general population in the United States. 

ASATA can be reached at ASATA_organization@hotmail.com.

Police are investigating two armed robberies that occurred in Berkeley over the weekend. 

A Berkeley woman walking home from the Downtown Berkeley BART station was robbed at gunpoint at about 8 p.m. Saturday night in the 1300 block of Addison Street. 

The victim was unable to describe both suspects, said Berkeley Police Lt. Bob Maloney, but she said the man who got out of the white sedan near her and held up a gun was a Hispanic male in his 20s about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing about 120 pounds. He was wearing a light-colored top and dark pants. 

He took her leather shoulder bag containing a wallet, identification and checks but no cash. 

Around 4 a.m. Sunday, a man riding a bicycle near Haskell Street and San Pablo Avenue was robbed at gunpoint by two men. 

Maloney said the man, who lives in that area was approached by the suspects, who robbed the victim of cash and a wristwatch, 

The men drove away on Haskell Street in a yellow Jeep. 

The suspects were described as African-American males, one about 25 years old and 5 feet tall with a medium build, and the other about 40 years old, 5 feet 9 inches, 170 pounds. 

No suspects have been identified and Berkeley police are continuing to follow up on the incident.

Daily Planet Staff 

Society may seek to muffle the voices of young people, but teens who take a stand for the causes they feel passionately about frequently find that their involvement can have an impact. 

“We’re being labeled in all kinds of negative ways,” 24-year-old activist Brahm Amadi told a group of Berkeley High students Monday. “Taking action proves that we do care and we can make a difference.” 

Amadi was one of five activists who visited the campus to encourage young people to address the serious problems facing society. Each activist talked about his or her area of involvement, using their own stories as a means for motivating the BHS teens: 

• Amadi told the students about Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES), a Soquel-based group that provides training on environmental and human rights issues 

• Castlemont High School juniors Portia Smith and Monica Holloway, who are involved in Teens on Target, a program of Oakland-based Youth ALIVE! talked about roots of violence and violence prevention efforts 

• Vicki Larkowich, a senior at St. Ignatius Prep, talked about the efforts to shut down the controversial School of the Americas, where Latin American soldiers are trained to fight 

• Megan Dobchuk-Land of Ontario, Canada, spoke about Free the Children, an international organization that works on behalf of needy and exploited children, founded five years ago by a Canadian boy who was 12 years old at the time 

The common theme ran through each presentation: Even when facing daunting odds, young people can make their voices heard and can effect change. 

Dobchuk-Land recalled the story behind the formation of her organization. Craig Keilburger was just 12 when he heard about another 12-year-old boy, living in Pakistan. Iqbal Masih was killed for speaking out against the child labor industry, which had enslaved him since he was 4 years old. 

“One 12-year-old’s voice had so much of an effect on the carpet industry, of all things, that the people who ran that industry felt they had to get rid of him,” Dobchuk-Land said. 

Amadi told the students that it was time for young people to “shake that old tree” of society, to “get some new juice flowing” and bring down “fruit from those branches.” 

The tour, which continues through Friday, is visiting about 10 schools in the East Bay, in addition to two community forums. The first forum was held Monday night in Pleasanton, the second will be Friday evening in Orinda. The tour is sponsored by Free the Children, Youth Alive!, Youth for Environmental Sanity and the Jubilee 2000 Office of the Catholic Diocese of Oakland. 

This week’s campus visits and community forums will culminate in a Saturday event at St. Mary’s College High School here in Berkeley. From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., young people will participate in a series of sessions designed to help them get involved in issues they choose to pursue, whether it be the environment, human rights issues, or another causes that stir their emotions. 

Saturday’s event is free, but participants are asked to bring a signed permission form from a parent or guardian, and either a lunch or $2 for pizza. For more information on obtaining a permission form or about the program, call Bev Hoffman at 510-267-8379 or David Beiser at 510-658-3341. 

 

Free computer class for seniors 

1-4 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation. 

510-644-6109 

 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

510-548-3333 

 

Income tax help 

2-4 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

Call ahead for an appointment. 

510-644-6107 

 

“Cities in Civilization: Culture, Innovation and Urban Order” 

4:10 p.m. 

International House Auditorium, Piedmont and Bancroft 

Planning Professor Emeritus Sir Peter Hall will deliver this lecture, part of the Charles M. and Martha Hitchcock Lectures. 

510-643-7413; www.grad.berkeley.edu/lectures 

 

City Council executive closed-session meeting 

5:30 p.m. 

1900 Addison St., Third Floor Conference Room 

 

City Council meeting 

7 p.m. 

Council Chambers, Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

 

Blue Ribbon Budget committee 

7 p.m. 

Berkeley Alternative High School auditorium, corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Derby Street 

 

BAHA Spring Lecture Series 

7:30 p.m. 

College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Ave., Oakland 

Wendy Hitchmough will speak on “The Arts & Crafts Home: A Quiet Revolution in Lifestyle.” This is the second of four spring lectures sponsored by the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. Cost is $10 per person. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. 

510-841-2242; 510-652-0975 

 

---

Wednesday, April 12

---

 

Three piano solos 

Noon 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Ivan Ilic will perform Copland’s Piano variations; Yi-Fang Tsai will perform Chopin’s Etude No 7, op. 25 and Debussy’s Prélude, Book I, No XII; and Brian Christian will perform Prokofiev’s Sonata No 7 in B-flat major, op. 83. 

 

Harris Seminar 

Noon 

119 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Jeannette Money from UC Davis will speak on “Xenophobia and Xenophilia: Immigrant Voters as counterweights to the Extreme Right.” 

 

Art in the Garden 

2-4:30 p.m. 

UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive 

Karen LeGault, a local artist and teacher whose work has been exhibited internationally, is leading this eight-week class in drawing and painting from nature. Both experienced artists and beginners are welcome. Call ahead for more information or to enroll. 

510-643-2755 

 

“The End of the City? ‘The report of my death was an exaggeration’” 

4:10 p.m. 

International House Auditorium, Piedmont and Bancroft 

Planning Professor Emeritus Sir Peter Hall will deliver this lecture, part of the Charles M. and Martha Hitchcock Lectures. 

510-643-7413; www.grad.berkeley.edu/lectures 

 

“The Spare Part and the Machine” 

7 p.m. 

160 Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Friedman Visiting Professor Charles Correa will be the featured lecturer. 

 

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

7 p.m. 

West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 

This storytime program is designed for families with children up to 3 years old. The free, participatory program features a half hour of multicultural songs, rhymes, lap jogs and stories to give very young children a lively introduction to the magic of books. 

510-644-6870 

 

“Kiss Me, Kate” 

7:30 p.m. 

Willard Middle School, 2425 Stuart St. 

The middle-school “innocents” present this not-so-innocent play complete with its incorrect sexual politics. The Cole Porter score for this 1950 “Taming of the Shrew” takeoff is “scandalous,” cynical - wonderful. The musical is performed by seventh- through ninth-graders from Berkeley public schools. Admission is a donation. 

510-848-1797; pwp.value.net/bwicinas 

 

Poetry Flash 

7:30 p.m. 

Cody’s Books, 2454 Telegraph Ave. 

Julie Bruck and Patti Trimble will be the featured poets, with jazz by Bill Horvitz. 

510-845-7852; 510-525-5476 

 

---

Thursday, April 13

---

 

“Should E-Commerce Be Taxed?” Luncheon and Speakers 

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto, 1919 Fourth St. 

The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce has assembled a panel of speakers, both for and against taxation of e-commerce: Professor Hal R. Varian, Dean of the School of Information Management and Systems, UC Berkeley; Michael Nelson, CEO of SacWeb, Inc., Sacramento; and Bill Petrocelli, Vice President of Book Passage, a Corte Madera bookstore. Cost is $25 per person. 

510-549-7000; chamber@dnai.com 

 

Free computer class for seniors 

1-4 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation. 

510-644-6109 

 

Income tax help 

2-4 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

Call ahead for an appointment. 

510-644-6107 

 

“Smart Investments: Ideas to Actions” 

3 p.m. 

Goldman School of Public Policy living room, 2607 Hearst Ave. 

California State Treasurer Phil Angelides will be the featured speaker. As California faces unprecedented growth in the years ahead, it cannot achieve sustained economic success if the environment is degraded and if there are pockets of poverty throughout the state. The state treasurer’s office is supporting a strategic and fiscally prudent approach to investment which calls for: investments that support livable communities, sustainable development and sound environmental practices; and investment in struggling communities to reverse a dangerous trend towards “two Californias” - one in poverty and the other enjoying an economic boom. 

510-642-1303; cecille@socrates.berkeley.edu 

 

Community Health Commission 

6:45 p.m. 

Mental Health Clinic, 2640 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way 

The commission’s agenda includes a discussion of the final health access report, crisis in East Bay hospital care and the midwife crisis.

Daily Planet Correspondent 

OAKLAND – Since 1993, Berkeley-based Emerald Rain Productions has produced 12 theatrical events, with an emphasis on original rock musicals that address the interests of audience members in their late teens and 20s. 

Friday at Open Arts Circle in Oakland, Emerald Rain premiered its latest show “Itgirl” – an ambitious, but only partially successful, right-of-passage story about a high school prom that turns into a science fiction adventure featuring holographic body transport, evil technology genius, corporate mind and body control, social apocalypse, and the uncertainty of human identity. 

Written and directed by Berkeleyan Dominic Mah, with music by Gaby Alter, Sam Dorman and Ian Jurcso, “Itgirl” is an ambitious show. A youth angst story, it asks the question, very relevant in the world of the play’s characters, “Do things get better after you leave high school?” 

In “Itgirl,” high school lesbian dates Veronica (Berkeley High School junior Meggy Hai) and Eileen (Rebecca Fureigh), and Veronica’s brother Paul (Ian Jurcso) are excited that pop singer Itgirl (Ilana Berman) will be singing at their prom. 

Celebrity television VJ Lucy (Tina Chilip) is there to cover the event with her odd full body secret cameras, which are designed by a corporation that employs mysterious computer guy Tap (Euclides Pereyra), who appears to be the benign boyfriend of teacher Lark (Berkeley High’s Ashley Kelly). 

When the punch at the prom is spiked, however, things turn weird. The play makes a sudden shift, and veers into the world of science fiction melodrama. 

There is much in this play that is very good. The ideas it covers about the uncertainty of human identity, or about how in the future there will be no future, are interesting themes to work with. 

But the script in the second half of “Itgirl” spends enormous amounts of time sorting out the twists and turns of the science fiction technology, and going through a lot of exposition to explain them to the audience. 

When this happens, the characters and their plight take a back seat to the technology, which is not as interesting as the dilemmas in the characters hearts. At times the play sounds like an operating manual. 

Less might have been more, preserving the basic technology story ideas, but not feeling obligated to nail down every detail. 

Featuring just six tunes, “Itgirl” feels more like a play that contains a few songs than a full-fledged musical. Highlights are the ensemble’s Act I closer “Afterworld,” a song about the realization that the world is a place of one’s own imagining; and the right of passage transformation song “Comedy is Tragedy + Time.” 

Emerald Rain won a 1999 Bay Area Theater Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Score for its earlier musical “Vapor Tales.” 

“Itgirl” runs Friday and Saturday, through April 15, at Open Arts Circle, 530 E. Eighth St. (at 6th Avenue, near Laney College), Oakland. It then plays Friday and Saturday, April 21 through May 6 at Renaissance Ballroom, 285 Ellis St., San Francisco. All shows are at 8 p.m. 

The tickets are affordable for youth audience members. Admission is $12 (general), $8 (students, seniors and Theater Bay Area members). For reservations or information, call 510-982-0433.

It’s been almost a month since the Berkeley High boys lacrosse team last played Acalanes, but you can bet that March 21’s road victory is still on the Yellowjackets’ minds. After all, the 5-3 win marked the last time Berkeley beat any league opponent. 

The ’Jackets look to snap a four-game league losing streak this afternoon, when they host Acalanes at the BHS football field. The 4 p.m. showdown matches up the two Bay Area teams which Berkeley High coach Chris Sparhawk thinks are most similar to each other. 

“(Acalanes) is probably the most analogous team to us in the league,” the coach said. “They play well as a team, like us, but they’re not individually strong.” 

Despite the Yellowjackets’ losing skid, Sparhawk had been encouraged by his squad’s recent play, especially its showing at April 1’s Golden Gate Tournament in Novato. According to the coach, Berkeley is beginning to shed its obvious signs of inexperience, and blossoming into a more cohesive unit. 

“I think the main thing is we need to play smart, like we did in the tournament last weekend,” Sparhawk said. “Each guy has to count on his teammates, rather than try to do too much.” 

Nearly all of Berkeley’s recent losses have been decided in the final quarter – a fact which Sparhawk says testifies to the team’s youth. While he considers Acalanes a similarly youthful squad, he stresses the potential danger of entering the match too confident, especially with an emotional team like BHS. 

“(The momentum) could go either way,” Sparhawk said about today’s game. “The truth of the matter is, we have a young team. Typically, young teams win games they shouldn’t win and lose games they shouldn’t lose.  

“This win could really bolster our confidence.” 

After today, Berkeley heads into the final three games of its 2000 league schedule, starting with San Francisco’s St. Ignatius on the road on Thursday. That game is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m.

Daily Planet Staff 

Scofflaws in Berkeley? 

Yep. 

And the city auditor has ferreted out dozens of them – businesses that did not pay their annual business license taxes. 

In the last fiscal year, ending in June, 186 business owners or professionals did not pay their business license taxes, five businesses under-reported their earnings and three had delinquent taxes, according to a report on tonight’s City Council agenda.  

“Based on these results, it appears that 10 percent or more of Berkeley businesses sampled were operating without a license,” Auditor Anne-Marie Hogan wrote. 

These business owners owed $340,000 to the city’s coffers last year. After the businesses 

were identified, the city collected $216,500 of the money owed. 

The City Council will discuss the auditor’s report at its meeting tonight. 

All persons engaged in business in Berkeley are required to obtain a license and pay fees based on their earnings.  

Some people do not know they are supposed to have a license, but ignorance of the law is no excuse, Hogan said. 

“I do believe the city could do a better job of publicizing the (requirement for) business licenses,” she added. 

In her report, the auditor recommends that the finance department do a better job of collecting the taxes. The finance department responds that it has just hired additional personnel to do the job. 

Liens were attached to some 20 properties last year, amounting to $43,000 in uncollected taxes. The county remits these funds to the city twice a year and the finance department receives payments on these liens. However, the finance department does not have a system in place to track the liens against the county’s remittances. So some of this money owed to the city may have been paid, but the auditor’s office has no way of knowing it. 

The finance department has agreed to make this information available to the auditor. 

The auditor’s report also asks the finance department to update its business license brochure. 

Another recommendation is one which Hogan is asking the council to put before the voters in November. 

It seems that in 1990, the city added savings and loans to its professional services category. (Business license taxes vary according to category.) 

“When ‘Savings and Loans’ was added, the rest of the list of professional categories was deleted from the section and placed in the nonprofessional section in error,” the report says. 

This reduced the taxes of businesses in that sector, including doctors, veterinarians, lawyers, engineers, architects, bookkeepers from $3.60 per $1,000 in gross receipts to $1.80 per $1,000 in gross receipts. 

These groups were inadvertently moved from a professional to nonprofessional category. 

Because of Proposition 218, and in order to put the professionals back into the professional category, the correction must be approved by voters. Hogan says she had asked for this to go on the November 1998 ballot, but, she said, “it slipped through the cracks.” 

The council may vote tonight to ask the city attorney to prepare a ballot measure, correcting the error.

The Berkeley High girls track team got another taste of non-league competition over the weekend, competing against runners from all over the state at the 33rd Arcadia Invitational. 

As expected, the BHS sprinting contingent left with several first-place finishes, and strong showings in virtually every event. Katrina Keith and Aisha Margain set the tone for the ’Jackets, winning the 100m and 200m sprints, respectively. Keith and Margain also anchored Berkeley’s relay teams, helping the Yellowjackets to a first-place finish in the 4x100m, and a second-place showing in the 4x400m. 

T’carra Penick, also a part of both relay teams, made her individual mark by taking third in the 400m, while Simone Brooks contributed a fourth-place in the 100m hurdles.

For the fourth time since 1989, Berkeley Arts Magnet School has been selected as a California Distinguished School. 

The school was among 233 elementary school campuses that have been chosen for the award, State Superintendent of Schools Delaine Eastin announced Monday. 

“These schools are committed to a superior standard of education, making them leaders in the education community,” Eastin said in a news release. 

Berkeley Arts Magnet previously was named a Distinguished School in 1989, 1993 and 1997. Another Berkeley campus, Malcolm X Arts and Academics Magnet Elementary School, was selected as an honorable mention this year. 

The Berkeley Unified School District achieved a singular feat in the state this year: It was the only district to have two schools – Malcolm X and Berkeley Arts Magnet – honored with the Excellence in Arts Education award. 

“A panel identified 16 schools whose arts education programs serve as models of excellence for others,” Eastin noted.  

“The inclusion of this category reflects my strong support of arts education as essential and integral to the basic education of all students in California public schools.” 

The “special emphasis” award follows a pattern established by the federal Department of Education and its National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, which has begun honoring schools that excel in specific areas of education, including arts education, “character education” and “service learning.” 

The Distinguished School program does not evaluate every school in California, but only those campuses that choose to apply for the award. This year’s arts emphasis award winners were chosen from applicants to the Distinguished School program. 

The awards will be presented in May at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim.

It’s finally starting to look like golf weather in Berkeley, and the course conditions aren’t the only things improving.  

After carding a season-best 208 in a league match last week, the Berkeley High boys golf team continued to compete on a higher plane on Monday, taking 12th place at the reasonably prestigious Ukiah Golf Classic. 

“Most of our guys knew the course from last year, knew it was open, and easy to let things go,” BHS co-coach Rodney Kopish said after the match. “We did really well – 12th out of 20 teams – and with a stroke here and there we could have gone up to eighth.” 

Berkeley High’s total score of 435 marked a tremendous improvement over last year, when the squad shot well over 500 on the same course. Ivan Holmes’ score of 74 was good enough to tie for the best score in the tourney, though Holmes would drop to second place after a two-hole playoff with the co-winner. Adam Breckler and Curran Kennedy carded the Yellowjackets’ next two best scores, finishing the 18 holes in 83 and 87 strokes, respectively. Walker Koppelman-Brown and Ronald Quintero rounded out the BHS scoring.  

Berkeley High gets perhaps its only chance of the season at a league win this afternoon, when it hosts East Bay Athletic League rival Granada at Tilden Park Golf Course. Though the Matadors took the first matchup of the year between the two schools, played at Livermore’s Las Positas Country Club, Kopish believes his squad’s improvement is sufficient to compete for a victory this time around. 

“(Granada) is our big shot at a league win,” the coach said about today’s match. “We had a great performance (in Ukiah), but we’ve got a lot of room for improvement.  

“I think we should go down to 205 (strokes). I think that’s reasonable.” 

Today’s match tees off at 3:30 p.m.

A man leaped to his death Monday morning from Evans Hall on the UC Berkeley campus in an apparent suicide. 

Capt. Bill Cooper of the UC Police Department said paramedics and police offices pronounced the man dead at the scene. Cooper said there was no sign of foul play but university police will investigate the death, which occurred around 9:30 a.m. The man apparently jumped from the ninth floor of the 10-story classroom and office building. 

The Alameda County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 31-year-old Duane Alan Mathews of Oakland, who was reportedly a UC Berkeley graduate. 

An autopsy is scheduled to be done today.

By Michelle Locke 

The Associated Press 

A Monday rally at UC Berkeley opened up a generation gap as graying veterans of the battle to create People’s Park were largely ignored by 20-something students eating and chatting in front of the main administration building. 

Speakers exhorted students to take a stand for posterity. 

“Vote to stand up to the corrupt corporate powers that have taken over this university. Vote to keep People’s Park a park,” said Berkeley City Councilmember Dona Spring. 

But some seemed unconvinced. 

“People’s Park – well, it represents something right now, I guess, but I think housing would make a lot more people happy,” said sophomore Steve Chinn. 

The counterculture field of dreams known as People’s Park is again the subject of debate as UC students vote this week on whether the land should be a preserve for housing or history. 

At issue is a nonbinding proposition on the student government slate that asks, “Do you think the People’s Park area should remain a park as opposed to having (the university) explore alternative uses for the space/land?” 

Although the vote is purely advisory, its symbolic value is being watched closely. 

Community activists are rallying to support the park, created on April 20, 1969, when hundreds of people showed up with shovels and sod, transforming the nearly 3-acre space from a muddy parking lot into a green space. 

“It’s one of the only places that is common land on some level and so there’s a lot of people that are involved in it,” says a woman who tends flowers in the park and goes by the name Terri Compost. 

But many students shun the university-owned space a block or two from campus; it has become a hangout for the homeless and drug-users in recent years. 

“I’m all for preserving People’s Park, but it also should be cleaned up a bit,” said sophomore Kevin De Liban, who was campaigning for a spot in student government from the comfort of a chair in the sunny expanse of Sproul Plaza Monday. 

De Liban said he doesn’t want to chase anyone out of the park, but students should be made to feel comfortable, too. “I don’t really feel safe going into People’s Park.” 

People’s Park began in 1967, when the university bought and bulldozed a line of apartment houses but delayed doing anything with the land. A month after activists turned the resulting rutted land into a park, the university struck back, putting up a line of chain link fences that set off a riot that left one man dead. 

In 1972, antiwar demonstrators tore down the fence and the idea of a park “for the people” was revived. 

The student government member who put the proposition on the ballot did not make a public appearance at the rally and did not return telephone calls Monday to The Associated Press. He has said he is mainly interested in giving students a place to state their opinions on People’s Park. 

“It’s only meant to give students a place in the decision-making process,” Sabet told the Daily Planet last week. 

“The initiative is not meant to be any sort of ‘anti’ or ‘pro’ People’s Park tool.” 

Over the years, the university has occasionally tried to assert its property rights to the land, only to retreat in the face of vigorous protest. 

UC Berkeley spokeswoman Marie Felde said officials have no plans to make any major changes at the park, but they’re watching the measure, as a way to “better understand student sentiment.” 

Votes are being cast today through Thursday as part of the regular student government elections. 

Park supporter Compost, who refused to give her real name, said students need to look back on battles fought before they were born. 

“It has a lot of history and it has a lot of sweat,” she said, “a lot of our work and our dreams.” 

Daily Planet staff contributed to this report. 

University police still are investigating the stabbing Saturday of a 48-year-old man, who was attacked at noon in People’s Park while waiting in a food line. 

“He had two or three cuts, but we certainly expect him to live,” said Capt. Bill Cooper of the UC Police Department. The man was taken to Alameda County Medical Center. 

The stabbing apparently occurred after an argument between the two men as they stood in line to receive food at the park. The incident occurred just about an hour before a concert organized by park supporters who are closing following this week’s UC student advisory vote on the park. 

Cooper said he did not know if the assailant and victim had “crossed paths before.” 

Detectives are trying to locate witnesses, and they are following promising leads to identify the assailant, he said.

Daily Planet Staff 

The chair of the Commission on Disability was trapped for more than 20 minutes inside the elevator in Old City Hall two weeks ago. The incident was the impetus behind a resolution on tonight’s council agenda, asking that the city make Council Chambers completely accessible to people with disabilities. 

“It was frustrating,” said Commission Chair Miyo Rodolfo-Sioson, who missed the item she had wanted to hear at the City Council meeting that was taking place on the second floor. 

Rodolfo-Sioson operates a motorized wheelchair independently and has limited use of her hands. 

She was able to call the elevator by depressing the call button with her wheelchair, but once inside the elevator, she was unable to access the button to move the elevator to the second floor. 

Stuck inside the elevator, Rodolfo-Sioson had to wait until someone else called the elevator from the second floor. 

The solution for her is an elevator equipped with a mechanism that can be accessed with the footplate on her wheelchair. 

“A lot of people are like me,” Rodolfo-Sioson said. “They don’t have use of their hands.” 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington reacted to the incident by writing a council resolution, asking the city to make Council Chambers completely accessible, including the elevator. 

“It is very important for all disabled citizens to have equal access to the City Council meetings,” he said. 

The council meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Daily Planet Staff 

By the end of this month, 40 homes and 15 community centers and schools in Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville and North Oakland will be repaired and renovated thanks to more than 2,000 volunteers participating in the Christmas in April program. 

“I give my thanks to Christmas in April. They’re lifesavers, because without them, we wouldn’t be able to do this,” said Betty Alcutt during a Saturday morning work session-turned-press conference at her mother’s house on Mathews Street. Volunteers will be installing a wheelchair lift outside Georgia and Lenzy Taylor’s home and will remodel a bathroom to make it wheelchair accessible. 

Organizers estimate that this year’s volunteers in the four communities will be doing more than $500,000 in repair work. Nationally, around 237,000 volunteers will provide an estimated $78 million in repairs this year in 720 communities. 

Since 1991, volunteers with the Albany-Berkeley-Emeryville branch of Christmas in April have rehabilitated 256 homes and 54 community facilities, including schools and community centers. Most of the homes belonged to low-income seniors or disabled residents. 

“There are lots of people who put lots of time and lots of energy into this, and it’s really worthwhile,” said Berkeley Police Chief Dash Butler, who serves on the board of the local group. 

Butler recalled that despite some kinks in the process the first time around, in 1991 – he joked that it was “Christmas in April and May” – he found the experience rewarding, and a team from the police department has volunteered every year since. 

On Saturday, with reporters and cameramen wandering around the Taylors’ property, volunteers from Community Impact participated in the first workday of the Christmas in April season. The primary workday will be April 29, but volunteers are working at several sites around the area on every Saturday this month. 

That means by this time in May, Georgia Taylor will be able to leave her home in her wheelchair, something that has been a Herculean task since a stroke in May 1999 left her confined to that wheelchair. Her husband, Lenzy, took part in Saturday’s press conference, offering a brief but heartfelt remark. 

“I thank all of you all, and I appreciate it very much,” he said. 

Executive Director Christa Hill noted that organizers are still accepting donations of materials for the workdays, including lumber, carpet, range hoods, a floor furnace, ovens, washers, dryers, refrigerators, linoleum and paint (a paint donation should consist of a 20-gallon minimum of one color, such as off-white, white and cream). Volunteers are also still needed, especially carpenters, electricians, plumbers, tilers, roofers and carpet installers. 

For more information on making a donation or becoming a volunteer, call 510-644-8979. 

Monday, April 10

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

10:30 a.m. 

Central Branch Berkeley Public Library, 2121 Allston Way 

This storytime program is designed for families with children up to 3 years old. The free, participatory program features a half hour of multicultural songs, rhymes, lap jogs and stories. 

510-649-3943 

People’s Park rally 

Noon 

Sproul Plaza, UC Berkeley campus 

Supporters of People’s Park will hold a rally about the history of the Park and why students should vote yes on Prop 1 in the upcoming ASUC elections. Scheduled speakers include Dan Siegel (ASUC President in 1970), Osha Neumann (civil rights attorney), Michael Delacour (co-founder of the park), and numerous students and members of student government. 

510-272-2421; yes4thepark@hotmail.com 

e-Campaigning: Ethics & the Internet 

Noon-4 p.m. 

Seaborg Room, The Faculty Club, UC Berkeley campus 

The purpose of this conference is to explore methods of improving management of campaigning in the digital age. In particular, the conference is designed to promote discussion within the community of political advisers, electronic fund-raisers, journalists and other commentators, and to consider ways of regulating electronic campaign fund-raising to ensure legitimacy and ethical management. Lunch at noon will be followed by a keynote presentation by California Secretary of State Bill Jones at 1 p.m., a panel discussion at 2 p.m. and Q&A session at 3 p.m. Panelists include John Gage, Sun Microsystems; Leslie Goodman, Political Strategies, Inc.; Wade Randlett, Red Gorilla; Kim Alexander, California Voter Foundation; Jack Kavanaugh, Rough & Tumble; Gene Rochlin, UC Berkeley Energy & Resources Group; and Peter Lyman, UC Berkeley School of Information Management Systems. This event is free and open to the public. 

510-642-5158; 510-649-3099 

Transportation Demand Management Study Working Group Meeting 

4-6 p.m. 

Unit 1 Recreation Room, 2650 Durant Ave. (at College) 

The City of Berkeley and University of California are jointly preparing a Transportation Demand Management Study. This study is designed to develop strategies for efficient, environmentally friendly, economically sound transportation for the Southside/Downtown areas of Berkeley for the next 20 years. The study will consider facilities and programs for automobiles (e.g., parking structures), bicycles (e.g., bicycle parking), pedestrians (e.g., sidewalk improvements), and transit (e.g., expanded transit subsidy programs). The purpose of the working group meeting is to discuss the community’s goals and priorities for transportation improvements in Berkeley’s core. 

The Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

6 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

The Berkeley Housing Authority is sponsoring a series of meetings aimed at improving authority operations. 

Free Copwatch Class 

6 p.m. 

Copwatch office, 2022 Blake St. 

Learn about police accountability, your rights when dealing with the police and how to stop police brutality. Sponsored by Berkeley Copwatch. 

510-548-0425 

“Designing Sustainable Communities: Learning from Village Homes” 

6:30 p.m. 

Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St. 

Every Builders Booksource employee who graduated from UC Berkeley knows the importance of Michael and Judy Corbett’s time-tested design for sustainable Village Homes in Davis. Examine the success of this community and learn what important aspects of its design can be translated to your community design. This free event includes a slide presentation, talk and booksigning. 

510-845-6874; www.buildersbooksite.com 

“What about Economic Rights?” 

7:30-9:30 p.m. 

International House Auditorium, Piedmont and Bancroft 

This symposium will focus on wealth, poverty and the human rights legacy. Scheduled speakers include: Laurel Fletcher, associate director, International Human Rights Law Clinic at Boalt Law School; Anuradha Mittal, policy director, Food First Institute; Cheri Honkala; founder and director, Kensington Welfare Rights Union; and Charles Henry, former U.S. State Department official. The event is free of charge and open to the public. 

Tuesday, April 11

Free computer class for seniors 

1-4 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation. 

510-644-6109 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2-7 p.m. 

Derby Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia  

510-548-3333 

Income tax help 

2-4 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

Call ahead for an appointment. 

510-644-6107 

“Cities in Civilization: Culture, Innovation and Urban Order” 

4:10 p.m. 

International House Auditorium, Piedmont and Bancroft 

Planning Professor Emeritus Sir Peter Hall will deliver this lecture, part of the Charles M. and Martha Hitchcock Lectures. 

510-643-7413; www.grad.berkeley.edu/lectures 

City Council meeting 

7 p.m. 

Council Chambers, Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

Blue Ribbon Budget committee 

7 p.m. 

Berkeley Alternative High School auditorium, corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Derby Street 

BAHA Spring Lecture Series 

7:30 p.m. 

College Avenue Presbyterian Church, 5951 College Ave., Oakland 

Wendy Hitchmough will speak on “The Arts & Crafts Home: A Quiet Revolution in Lifestyle.” This is the second of four spring lectures sponsored by the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. Cost is $10 per person. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. 

510-841-2242; 510-652-0975 

Wednesday, April 12

Three piano solos 

Noon 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Ivan Ilic will perform Copland’s Piano variations; Yi-Fang Tsai will perform Chopin’s Etude No 7, op. 25 and Debussy’s Prélude, Book I, No XII; and Brian Christian will perform Prokofiev’s Sonata No 7 in B-flat major, op. 83. 

Art in the Garden 

2-4:30 p.m. 

UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive 

Karen LeGault, a local artist and teacher whose work has been exhibited internationally, is leading this eight-week class in drawing and painting from nature. Call ahead for more information or to enroll. 

510-643-2755 

“The End of the City? ‘The report of my death was an exaggeration’” 

4:10 p.m. 

International House Auditorium, Piedmont and Bancroft 

Planning Professor Emeritus Sir Peter Hall will deliver this lecture, part of the Charles M. and Martha Hitchcock Lectures. 

510-643-7413; www.grad.berkeley.edu/lectures 

“The Spare Part and the Machine” 

7 p.m. 

160 Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Friedman Visiting Professor Charles Correa will be the featured lecturer. 

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

7 p.m. 

West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 

“Kiss Me, Kate” 

7:30 p.m. 

Willard Middle School, 2425 Stuart St. 

The musical is performed by seventh- through ninth-graders from Berkeley public schools. Admission is a donation. 

510-848-1797; pwp.value.net/bwicinas

Despite my desire to believe that I live in a community that is diverse in its culture and would not tolerate any form of racism, my desire and belief have been daunted with the constant reminder that it is still “us” against “them.” I have become over the last three years increasingly aware of the underlining and subtle racism that exists in the Berkeley community. Whether or not anyone will or can admit to it also frightens me. With the passage of Prop. 21 and the new State Mandated Retention Policy, it is obvious that the entire State of California down to the Berkeley Unified School District has an agenda that is NOT to benefit the children of color. 

As an African-American parent of a child in the school district, I am appalled at the obvious racism that exists. I have attended forum after forum, workshop after workshop, and meeting after meeting where everyone in attendance has insisted that they would like to be part of the process of eliminating the obvious exclusion the white community has caused over the years. With that in mind, those same “helpful” people are all a part of the exclusion process that exists. When a family comes to a school in the district, EVERYTHING is already in place by the white parents who have been a part of the community for eons. Is this fair? Is this inclusion? 

Committees have come together time and time again to discuss how to assist the African-American/Latino communities in helping their children become more successful in school and in life. The amusing thing is that these same committees do not invite or do outreach to the communities to receive their valuable input about their children. Just live slavery, segregation and all other forms of oppression, “We know what you need, never mind what you think you need.” It doesn’t change. And no matter how many times this total disregard is brought to everyone’s attention, it doesn’t change. Of course the committee leaders say that they contact people, but whom? For instance, how can you have a PTA Council meeting but not contact every PTA Council member, as well as the board members about the meeting? The most interesting thing is that the members that are of color and do not have e-mail are the ones that are left out of the loop. Another glowing example is the Literacy Project that the Berkeley Reads Committee has begun. A wonderful concept, but unfortunately, there are only two African Americans that sit on the committee and no Latino representation that I could see. 

It appears that the district receives numerous grants and funds to assist children and families of color, but no one of color is ever hired to distribute the funds, develop or implement programs. Of course the argument would be that the committee and district leaders have tried to do outreach to those communities, but whom have they contacted? How have they let the communities know that their help is needed? Through e-mail? 

Am I wrong for feeling insulted? Am I wrong for not wanting to tolerate it any longer? I wonder if anyone that is reading this is actually reading, hearing or understanding this. My only other question is, how can a community that does not want to admit to the problem be a part of the process? I only hope that the African-American/Latino communities wake up and then stand up for their children and families before it’s too late. 

Thanks for listening. 

A Berkeley resident, Marissa Saunders is a Berkeley parent advocate.

Daily Planet Correspondent 

Berkeley’s Aurora Theater opened a strong production Thursday of English playwright Harold Pinter’s bizarre and appalling, through oddly dated 1965 play “The Homecoming” – the story of a very shocking and dysfunctional family reunion. 

In “The Homecoming,” a comfortable working class family of four men living near London have their small, spiteful, bickering routines upset when a long-estranged brother Teddy (James Carpenter) shows up unexpectedly at the house after years of absence, bringing his wife Ruth (Rebecca Dines) whom the others didn’t know existed. 

The men go crazy over the fact that there is suddenly a woman in the house. They assault the serene, Sphinx-like Ruth with bawdy insults and propositions. Things advance down a taboo-breaking sexual road. 

Playwright Pinter’s people live in an ambiguous, contradictory and disjointed world. It’s not always clear who’s doing what to whom. 

Even individual personalities in “The Homecoming” are hard to pin down, since characters sometimes undergo unexpected reversals of behavior that make their motivations unclear. 

Using dialogue that is filled with vague but portentous innuendo, the tone of “The Homecoming” is a mix of comedy and drama. Sometimes the characters are funny. Sometimes they are threatening. 

One of the keys to understanding playwright Pinter, who is also an actor, is to appreciate the extent to which he is an actor’s playwright. 

When Pinter’s writing expresses non-sequiturs, or big jumps in tone, emotion or subject matter, he relies very much on the performance choices of actors to provide continuity. 

Similarly, when a Pinter character contradicts himself, it’s up to the actor to create something emotionally that allows the performance to make sense. 

At its best, this synergy between playwright and actor creates a wonderful and mysterious effect, and a unique kind of theatrical language. 

There is a lot of this wonderful Pinteresque theatrical language in the current Aurora production. Tom Ross’ wise direction keeps things moving, and there are some very good performances. 

James Carpenter is fascinating as the moist-eyed, long-suffering, fearful, returning prodigal Terry. This character inflates and deflates depending on how the primal battle is going that he’s fighting with his father, his brothers and his wife. 

Rebecca Dines is extraordinary as mystery wife Ruth. Cautious, alert, wary, aware, sexually unraveled, she is the hub around which much of the play’s activity moves.  

Jonathan Rhys Williams is good as the sometimes unctuous, sometimes brittle brother Lenny, a vicious psychotic misogynistic gangster. Chad Fisk is appropriately punchy as boxer son Joey. 

A wonderful foil to all the testosterone posturing, Chris Ayles plays mild, sweet-hearted chauffeur Sam, uncle to the three boys. 

Julian López-Morillas’s angry, violent patriarch Max, who refers to his sons as “bitches,” might have been a little more threatening and a little less blustering.  

As the taboo-breaking family sexual story heats up in “The Homecoming,” the play pulls its conflict and mystery increasingly from the repressed sexual energy of the puritan middle class world of 1965 when the play was written. 

But that puritan world doesn’t exist today the way it did 35 years ago. So the play’s sexual tension seems diluted. It has lost some of its punch. Pinter’s long final propositioning scene seems to go on too long. 

Nonetheless, this story of pathological gender imbalance in the family psyche is a classic of English theater, and the current Aurora production is a great opportunity to experience the play. 

“The Homecoming,” presented by Aurora Theater, plays Wednesday through Sunday, through May 7, at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. For tickets and information, call 510-843-4822.

It was the numbers that initially convinced high school All-American triple jumper Jerriod Mack to choose Cal – namely, the 80 percent graduation rate on the Bears’ men’s track team and the school’s 10-mile proximity from his hometown of Richmond.  

With a maturity that defies his sophomore status, Mack set lofty academic and athletic goals for himself after high school. And with the newly rededicated Edwards Stadium complex in place, the former St. Mary’s High School standout is, literally, on the right track.  

“Nine out of 10 (high school athletes) go on to college and become a nobody again,” said Mack, who took sixth in last year’s Pac-10 triple jump competition as a freshman. “(Cal is) a great academic institution. If you don’t have the academics, you can’t run.” 

While Mack may acknowledge the odds against becoming a “somebody” at the ultra-competitive collegiate level, he isn’t intimidated by them. And judging by his first-place performance on what he considered to be “an off-day” at Saturday’s Brutus Hamilton Invitational, he isn’t intimidated by his opponents, either. Mack’s longest jump of 49-2 was more than two feet short of his personal record, but still a foot longer than his closest competition at the meet. Whether or not “home field advantage” was a factor, the sophomore admits his excitement at finally having a home track. 

“It’s home,” Mack said. “(The renovation) brought all our spirits up, because now we don’t have to coordinate with Berkeley High (for track time). It’s great having my family here (at meets) – it gave me a lot of confidence today.” 

Thanks to the hype surrounding the St. Mary’s track team in his junior and senior years of high school, Mack’s jump to the collegiate level was as smooth as his jumps on the track. The future Cal business major took second in the state in the triple jump in his senior year at St. Mary’s, leading the much-improved Panthers to one of their best overall seasons ever, and all of a sudden found himself a hot commodity for collegiate track programs. 

“We started off at the bottom of the barrel (at St. Mary’s) and worked our way to the top,” Mack said. “At the end of my junior year, we got big – started having reporters come to school. It kind of opened my eyes to what’s really out there.” 

Having set a new personal record of 51-5 earlier this season, Mack appears well on his way to achieving his immediate goal of putting up a qualifying mark for the olympic trials. Coming from the academics-first environment of St. Mary’s High, however, he is not afraid to put his athletic goals on the back burner in favor of success in the classroom, should such an ultimatum ever present itself. 

“Academics came first at St. Mary’s, and it’s the same thing here,” he said. 

“The No. 1 goal is to get my diploma.” 

Daily Planet Staff 

Grace Christie and Jill Hutchby have made their home in a south Berkeley apartment building for 30 years. First they shared a large studio, then they moved into a more spacious two-bedroom unit with a spectacular view of the bay. 

“This has been home for us,” said Hutchby, 65. She and Christy, 78, have been told to move by their building’s new owner, who said he wants to move into their apartment. 

Although a 30-day notice was tended more than a month ago, property owner Anatole Olczak may be having second thoughts, said Berkeley attorney Michael Sims, who represents the landlord. 

“He cares. He’s not mean and heartless,” Sims said. Olczak was not aware that Hutchby and Christie were seniors when he 

presented them with the eviction notice, Sims said. “Maybe it can be postponed.” 

Christie is a former teacher in the Berkeley and Oakland schools, and a former receptionist at UC Berkeley. Hutchby is a retired secretary and former small-business owner. 

They say they live on limited incomes. Until recently, both worked a few hours each day delivering the Daily Planet. 

They had a dream of visiting England, Hutchby’s homeland, which she had not visited in 20 years. They had purchased cheap tickets to London for a March trip. 

But all plans changed Feb. 21. Hutchby remembers the door buzzer sounding. The resident manager was there. He said he’d come to introduce Christie and Hutchby to the new building owner. Olczak immediately told the pair he wanted to move into their apartment with his two children. 

“Then he handed us an eviction notice,” Hutchby said. “We were absolutely stunned.” 

Hutchby and Christie rent their two-bedroom apartment for $680 and pay a $30 fee for the use of the garage. A similar apartment directly below them, leased a year ago, rents for $1,400, plus $85 for the garage, Hutchby said. 

Under the state vacancy decontrol law, when apartments are vacated voluntarily, the apartment owner can set the rent as high as the market will bear. 

Hutchby points out that their old studio was available at the time she was given the 30-day notice, but that the landlord did not offer it to them. 

“We don’t want to be unreasonable, if the man has a family,” Hutchby said. 

Hutchby and Christie are being assisted by attorney Laura Lane from the East Bay Community Law Center. 

“We have reason to believe that the landlord may not be intending to move in,” Lane said, explaining that the center has looked at the owner’s affluent lifestyle and does not believe he would actually live with two children in a two-bedroom apartment across from People’s Park. 

She said she’s waiting for Olczak to file the formal eviction notice. If he does, she will take the case to court and represent Hutchby and Christie. 

“A jury will have to decide if he is intending to move in,” she said. 

Sims said that there is no question that it has been his client’s intention to live in the apartment with his daughters, 15 and 10. The teen-ager, in particular, would love to live near Telegraph Avenue, he said. 

The studio that had been available is currently rented, Sims said. “It did not occur to the owner that they would be interested,” he said. 

Defending the character of his client, Sims pointed to a former resident manager of the building who is an elderly woman. “He could have raised her rent, but did not,” Sims said. 

Sims said his client believes something may be able to be worked out. 

“We will be meeting with them,” he said.

Self-dealing. Hypocrisy. Elitist cronyism. Union busting. Subterfuge. What comes to mind ... multinational corporations, greedy capitalists, the “old boy network,” secret cabals? Where can such inequity be found ... Lagos, Nigeria; Washington, D.C.; Antwerp, Belgium; Berkeley City Manager’s Office? Certainly. 

While the ears of many of us are still ringing from our city’s administration, in late December, telling unionized workers that there was no money to pay them the wages they sought, a new assault of clanging cash registers and jackpot prize alarms may force others to get either a hearing, or, at least, reality check. 

After courageously holding the workers’ net wage increases to 3 percent per year, the City Manager was gifted with a 9 percent increase for one year plus other perks. Apparently flush with victory, he shamelessly accepted these spoils of empire and acquiesced as his cohorts among the ruling elite sat in line for increases ranging from 23 percent to 6 percent. The justification for their pay increase is the same argument the rulers rejected from the unionized workers. 

Compare those special public servants to the electricians and communications techs who, when seeking to renew their long-expired contract, openly fretted about taking funds that otherwise might go to needed social services like the warm water pool and homeless people programs. 

While recent boom times have enheartened many job seekers, none have fared as well this past decade as the itinerant administrators. Like snake oil salesmen, they ply their dubious wares to a market clamoring for relief from all manner of perceived ailment. Seldom does the plight of the fooled or disappointed consumer affect the itinerant’s progress in appropriating more of the wealth. 

This exemplifies a condition, some would say a sick one, which pervades our society: to a significant degree, the people whom are least able to bear a burden are the most likely to shoulder it. Responding to such dissonance is a longtime Berkeley tradition, but, perhaps, the people who held the tradition are deaf, or tired. It may be that silence is the only appropriate response to the realization that a subtle parasite has invaded our sensibility. Are we to announce to the world that we too have succumbed to the same infestation we’ve castigated others for? Maybe it’s better to slink away and pretend that the fact does not exist. Visualize public servicing. 

Pat McCullough is union steward for the city’s IBEW Local 1245.

Daily Planet Staff 

Lacking a complete team, the Berkeley High girls rugby squad combined with a contingent from Piedmont High on Sunday to take on talented Elsie Allen of Sacramento. Though the far less experienced Yellowjackets lost the game at Berkeley’s Fielding Park, the 25-15 final score marked the closest game of the season vs. their league rivals, and sent the BHS girls home with reason for encouragement.  

“(Today) was the first game we’ve really gotten together and done a good job,” said Sophia Chytry, who scored two of Berkeley’s three tries despite competing with a foot injury. “I think today showed how much we’ve improved. People are getting down what they need to do, like passing instead of just running through.” 

With the regular Berkeley High coaches competing in a collegiate tournament, Piedmont coach Jen Crawford took over the helm of the combined squad, and was impressed by what she saw. According to the coach, whose team is considering merging with BHS permanently, the Yellowjackets have made strides in both the physical and fundamental aspects of the sport over the course of 2000. 

“I saw things start clicking for them,” Crawford said after the game. “Some really good running, tackling. It takes a long time, but for their first year, they’re doing fabulous.” 

“It was a total change from the first time we played Elsie Allen,” added Joanna Hoch, who round out the Berkeley High scoring with a try of her own. “It was actually almost an equal match. We really held our own.” 

According to the Berkeley High girls, the best thing about the strong weekend showing is the message they sent to Elsie Allen – that with a little more improvement and experience, they can compete with much more established programs. 

“They definitely got a taste of what we’ll give them in the years to come,” Chytry prophecized. 

Berkeley High hopes to get back to the playing field this Thursday, on the road against Roseville, though the game has not yet been officially scheduled, due to possible conflicts caused by Roseville’s spring break.

Daily Planet Staff 

Progressives on the City Council point to the pending eviction of seniors Grace Christie and Jill Hutchby as a perfect example of why the city needs to pass new laws protecting tenants. 

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Councilmembers Kriss Worthington, Dona Spring, Linda Maio and Margaret Breland will introduce a resolution to place a measure on the November ballot that will guard against the eviction of seniors, disabled and ill people. 

But Robert Cabrera, president of the Berkeley Property Owners Association, says new laws are not the way to protect tenants. 

“The idea is to increase the housing supply and preserve the existing stock,” Cabrera said. 

Before considering such a ballot measure, the city ought to look at the very population it hopes to protect – the elderly, ill and disabled. 

Such a law could make landlords more reticent to rent to people in these categories. 

“These are the hard questions that Berkeley does not want to face,” he said. 

Cabrera added that he understands the plight of elderly tenants firsthand. An aunt, who owned 30 percent of a building in which she lived, left the country to care for an ailing relative in Argentina. When she returned, the rent board would not allow her to reclaim her apartment since she did not own more than 50 percent of the building and did not have owner move-in privileges. 

“She was living on $750 per month,” he said. 

Cabrera accuses the city government of looking at only one side of the coin. 

Attached to the resolution on Tuesday’s agenda, are San Francisco’s Measure G, which was approved by voters in November, and an initiative being circulated by Berkeley’s Green Party. If the council approves the resolution, the City Attorney will work with rent board attorneys to write an ordinance. Then the council will approve a final draft in July. 

The ballot measure could include: 

• Requiring a property owner who moves into an apartment in a building he owns to live there for at least 36 months. 

• Requiring a landlord to offer a tenant being evicted the right to rent any other unit owned by the landlord that becomes vacant. 

• Prohibiting a property owner from moving into a unit where the tenant is 60 years old and has lived there 10 years, where the tenant is disabled and has lived there 10 years or where the tenant has a catastrophic illness and has lived there five years. 

• The specific unit occupied by the property owner, after an owner move-in eviction, would be the only unit which future landlords could occupy. 

Daily Planet Staff 

The Cleavers had the insufferable Eddie Haskell, and Jerry Seinfeld had the nefarious Newman, but the Berkeley High girls lacrosse team may have the most obnoxious neighbor of all. 

Perhaps the Bay Area’s most established girls program, San Francisco’s St. Ignatius High has owned Berkeley the past three years, dealing the Yellowjackets six straight defeats in that span. The Wildcats had already swept BHS in both regular season league games of 2000 heading into last weekend’s Western States Tournament, so it was only fitting that the two schools would meet up once again in the weekend tourney hosted by Stanford.  

Berkeley and SI each won their first four games at the event to earn a trip to the championship game, where the Wildcats would ultimately triumph, 10-3. With the 4-1 weekend record, BHS took home second place honors.  

“SI was the first team (at the tournament) to challenge us,” said BHS attacker Jamie Lee, who scored two of the squad’s three goals against the cross-bay nemesis. “We were really pumped up (going in) because we’d been having such a good weekend.” 

The Yellowjackets managed to post the championship game’s first goal, and found themselves down by only two scores at halftime, but a second-half SI surge would render the advantage insurmountable. According to Lee, the team was taken out of the game emotionally, rather than physically, due in large part to the specter of the losing streak vs. the Wildcats. 

“I think some players got a little intimidated that it was SI,” she said. “We definitely thought we could still take them at halftime, but the tide just turned.” 

The ’Jackets registered victories over Santa Barbara’s Cate High, and Washington’s Holy Names and Bainbridge Island, on Saturday before taking care of Menlo School in Sunday’s semifinal. Despite the setback in the championship game, the squad left Palo Alto loaded with confidence for the remainder of the league season. 

“It was exciting to see the offense come up in the Bishop O’Dowd game (last Wednesday), and it was the same thing on Saturday,” said goalkeeper Joanna Hoch, who shared time in net with Kristen Braasch during the weekend. “They’re really being aggressive.” 

Berkeley High hopes to ride the weekend’s momentum to another league win this Wednesday, when it hosts Monte Vista in a 4 p.m. showdown at the BHS football field. 

Celina Yong, a junior at UC Berkeley, is the recipient of a prestigious Truman Scholarship. The award is based on leadership potential, intellectual ability and the likelihood of “making a difference.” 

Yong, who is from Rohnert Park, is one of 61 Truman Scholars. She was selected from among 599 candidates nominated by 311 colleges and universities across the country. Each scholarship provides $30,000: $3,000 for the student’s senior year and $27,000 for two or three years of graduate study. 

A molecular environmental biology major, Yong plans to pursue medical and Master’s of Public Health degrees. She hopes to work as a physician and, eventually, in global public health care policy. 

While at UC Berkeley, Yong has maintained a 3.971 grade point average while involved in several leadership and public service activities. In 1998, she founded Promise America, a program that trains student volunteers to visit elementary schools, encouraging disadvantaged youth to set and achieve their goals. Yong is now national director of the program, which she has expanded to 22 states. 

Yong is also an accomplished ballet dancer and poet. 

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to the 33rd U.S. president. There have been 2,003 Truman Scholars elected since the first awards were made in 1977.

Two longtime professors at UC Berkeley recently died, university officials announced. 

William Alfred Shack, professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, and dean emeritus of the graduate division, died March 31 after a battle with cancer. He was 76. 

A prominent scholar of African cultures, Shack was known internationally for his pioneering fieldwork on the Gurage people of Ethiopia and for a series of books on African society. 

Shack also was one of the first American anthropologists to undertake ethnographic studies focused on the problems of urban America. In the last years of his life, he returned to that interest, completing a manuscript just before his death on the role of African-American soldiers in the development of the jazz scene in Paris between 1918 and 1939. That work is now in press. 

“He was a scholar and a gentleman, one of the leading anthropologists of Africa and a man dedicated to public service,” Paul Rabinow, chair of UC Berkeley’s Department of Anthropology, said in a statement. 

Shack’s public service achievements extended beyond the campus. As dean of the Graduate Division, he established a student exchange program with several French universities that won him a high honor, the Chevalier L’Ordre National Du Merite, from France in 1987. Earlier in his career, Shack established a department of sociology and anthropology at Haile Sellassie 1 University in Ethiopia. 

Also, as chair for 10 years of the International African Institute based in London, Shack played an important role in promoting the study of Africa. 

In 1991, UC Berkeley conferred its highest honor, the Berkeley Citation, on Shack, in recognition of his multiple contributions. In addition to his top-ranking position as graduate dean, Shack chaired the anthropology department and was faculty assistant to the vice chancellor on affirmative action. Shack retired that year after 21 years on the faculty. 

Born in Chicago, Shack served in the South Pacific during World War II and later completed a bachelor’s degree at the Art Institute of Chicago, followed by a master’s degree in anthropology at the University of Chicago. 

Following pre-doctoral work in Ethiopia, where he became interested in the never-before-studied Gurage culture, Shack entered the London School of Economics, where he completed a Ph.D. in 1961. He held academic positions at the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois before coming to UC Berkeley as professor in 1970. 

Shack is survived by his wife, Dorothy Nash Shack of Berkeley; a son, Hailu Araya Shack of San Francisco; a nephew and a niece. 

A memorial service was held last week. Memorial contributions may be sent to the William A. Shack Memorial Fund at the UC Berkeley Foundation, 2440 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, 94720. 

Earle Gorton Linsley, dean of the University of California, Berkeley, College of Agricultural Sciences from 1960 to 1973, died March 8 at a nursing home in Sonoma. He was 89. 

Among many contributions to the campus, Linsley played an important role in transforming UC Berkeley’s former agricultural college into the current College of Natural Resources, Henry J. Vaux Sr., former dean of UC Berkeley’s School of Forestry, said in a statement. 

“Dean Linsley led the college in the years leading up to the creation of the College of Natural Resources,” Vaux said. “He was very much concerned about the future of the College of Agricultural Sciences, and it was his leadership that enabled the college to retain its strength and to adapt.” 

At that time, “there were several departments in our college that could not be matched anywhere in the world,” said Professor Emeritus Woodrow Middlekauff, an associate dean under Linsley for 10 years. “( Linsley) fought to keep the academic strengths of these departments here on the Berkeley campus, where they originated.” 

Born in Oakland, Linsley was one of the world’s leading authorities on the classification and biology of wild bees and wood-boring beetles. He also made contributions in related fields including forest entomology, the pollination of agricultural seed crops, and the study of insects affecting stored food products. 

Linsley earned his Ph.D. in systematic entomology at UC Berkeley in 1938. He began his teaching career as an instructor at UC Berkeley the following year, and advanced to professor of entomology in 1953. He chaired the entomology and parasitology department from 1951 to 1959, and then became dean of the college. 

He published more than 400 scientific articles and books. His many honors included the Fellows Medal of the California Academy of Sciences, the Centennial Medal of the State Agricultural Experiment Station and the Berkeley Citation, a high honor on campus. 

After his retirement from UC Berkeley in 1974, Linsley focused on his other interests, including photography, sports, and a substantial stamp collection featuring birds, insects, flowers and other biological themes. 

Linsley is survived by two children, James Linsley of Santa Rosa and Joan Linsley MacFarlane of Auburn.

Daily Planet Staff 

UC Berkeley formally announced plans Friday to build new housing for nearly 900 students and construct a parking facility for at least 1,000 cars through the “Underhill Area Projects.” 

The proposals, outlined in a draft Environmental Impact Report, set the stage for perhaps the final round of battles over the Southside’s controversial Underhill site, bordered by College Avenue, Channing Way, Bowditch Street and Haste Street. 

Major elements of the proposed projects include three new multi-story residence halls; two apartment-style student housing complexes; central offices for housing and dining operations; demolition of two dining halls deemed seismically unsafe and construction of a new central dining facility; a three-story parking garage; and a sports and recreation field on the parking structure’s rooftop. “Amongst our many challenges as an institution, seismic safety and student housing are two big issues,” Ed Denton, vice chancellor for capital projects, said during a Friday morning press conference. “This addresses both needs.” 

But many aspects of the various projects are sure to draw criticism from Southside activists and preservationists, and some students are likely to argue that the university isn’t proposing enough new housing. 

“Whether you agree or disagree with the number of parking spaces being proposed, it appears that the university is snubbing its nose at the neighborhood and students,” said City Councilmember Kriss Worthington, whose district includes the heart of the Southside neighborhood. “A year ago, there were more than 100 neighbors and more than 100 students who came out to the university’s meetings, and virtually all of them said less parking, more housing on the Underhill site. But I don’t see major modifications in this draft.” 

In 1993, the university demolished the parking garage that sat in the Underhill block after engineers determined it was seismically unsafe. Four years later, UC released its first proposal for development at the site through its Auxiliary Facilities Replacement Project. That report evolved into a master plan for the Underhill area, and has culminated in the environmental impact study for the various projects being proposed. 

Underhill lot 

The university wants to build two structures in the Underhill block: the parking garage and the combined dining facility/housing and dining offices building. 

The peak of the garage would be level with College Avenue on the east. A sports field would be on top of the structure. 

The dining/housing complex, located along the Bowditch side of the block, would vary in height from 38 feet tall to 82 feet tall. 

Right now, the Underhill lot is a 325-space surface parking lot. With attendant parking spaces, it can hold up to 425 vehicles. 

One of the controversial elements for preservationists is the fate of the historic Fox Cottage, located in this block. A few months back, the university announced plans to demolish the Channing Way structure unless a buyer came forward. UC would sell the building for just $1, as long as the buyer paid for the transport. The draft EIR doesn’t completely close the door on relocating Fox Cottage, but the primary recommendation is to demolish the structure. The university says the estimated $750,000 cost for relocation is “infeasible and inconsistent with the project objectives.” Officials also assert that all options for keeping the Cottage on the Underhill site were “untenable.” 

New housing 

UC is proposing new student housing on four different sites, with a total of 870 new “beds” provided. 

At Units 1 and 2, after the dining structures are demolished, infill dorm buildings would be constructed. The Unit 1 addition would provide 360 additional beds, and the Unit 2 addition would have 180 additional beds. The Unit 2 project also would include room for “academic support.” 

The Channing/Bowditch Apartments, located in the northwest corner of that intersection, would provide 210 beds in apartment-style units. The project would not displace the historic Shorb House. 

The first building that the university wants to undertake is the College/Durant Apartments at the southeast corner of that intersection. It would provide 120 beds in apartment-style units. 

The College/Durant project would cost an estimated $12 million, and all of the housing projects would total around $83 million. 

The first public hearing on the draft Environmental Impact Report will be held at 7 p.m. April 24 in UC Berkeley’s Unit 1 Residence Hall at 2650 Durant Ave. Officials say the EIR is scheduled to go to the UC Board of Regents in September.

Saturday, April 8

Creek cleanup 

9 a.m.-noon 

John Muir Elementary School, 2955 Claremont Ave. 

The school is holding its second clean-up day of the year, and parents, neighbors, community members and creek enthusiasts are invited to participate. 

510-654-8511 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Center Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street 

The market has expanded its Saturday hours by one hour in the afternoon. 

510-548-3333 

“Growing Healthy Roses” 

10 a.m. 

UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive 

Dr. Robert Raabe, emeritus professor of plant pathology at UC Berkeley, will talk about common pests and diseases that afflict roses, which can make people think the flowers are difficult to grow. Cost is $10 for garden members, $15 for nonmembers. Call ahead to enroll. 

510-643-2755 

Saturday Morning Children’s Programs 

10:30 a.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Colibri will perform songs from Latin America. Tickets are $4 general, $3 for children. 

510-849-2568 

“The Forgotten Roots” 

Noon-10 p.m. 

155 Dwinelle Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

The Zaytuna Institute is sponsoring this conference to examine the historical past of various ethnic groups in the Americas. Zaytuna is a nonprofit, non-political institute committed to the dissemination of traditional Islam. The event is co-sponsored by several UC Berkeley academic divisions, including the African American Studies Department, Near Eastern Studies Department, and the Graduate minority students project. 

510-744-3692; www.zaytuna.org 

Track and field dedication 

12:30 p.m. 

Edwards Stadium, UC Berkeley campus 

University officials will dedicate Goldman Field as part of the renovation of the historic complex. 

Concert in the Park 

1-5 p.m. 

People’s Park 

Scheduled musicians will include: People’s Park Jazz Allstars, the Librarians, Rebecca Riots, sun asiatic from AME, Mantra, DJ eli b, Carol Denney, DJ 725, and possible guest performances from numerous other musicians. Scheduled speakers include Wavy Gravy, Osha Neumann, Michael Rossman, Michael Delacour, and many students and community members. 

510-272-2421 

“T. rex: Mover and Shaker. How Can We Tell How T. rex Stood and Moved?” 

1:30 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive, above UC Berkeley campus 

Learn how some of the largest creatures to roam the earth managed to maneuver their massive bodies. John Hutchinson, a University of California graduate student, will use hands-on activities and video to explore how anatomy and locomotion evolved in dinosaurs. Presented in conjunction with the current exhibition “Dinosaurs 2000.” Included with admission to the museum. 

510-642-5132; www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

“Nature and Knots” 

3 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park, Canon Drive off Grizzly Peak Boulevard 

Learn the structures, functions and natural history of knots. For age 9 and older. 

510-525-2233 

People’s Park Film Festival 

7-9 p.m. 

B-TV, Cable Channel 25 

This is the second of two parts of a film festival highlighting the history of People’s Park. The promoters are involved in the pro-park campaign in next week’s UC Berkeley student referendum. 

“When We Were Warriors” 

7:30 p.m. 

International House, Piedmont and Bancroft 

Director Lane Nishiwaka will be in attendance for the screening of his film about the liberation of Jewish prisoners at Dachau by a Japanese-American U.S. artillery unit in World War II. 

510-642-3386 

“Kiss Me, Kate” 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Arts Magnet School, 1645 Milvia St. 

The middle-school “innocents” present this not-so-innocent play complete with its incorrect sexual politics. The Cole Porter score for this 1950 “Taming of the Shrew” takeoff is “scandalous,” cynical - wonderful. The musical is performed by seventh- through ninth-graders from Berkeley public schools. Admission is a donation. 

510-848-1797; pwp.value.net/bwicinas 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra 

7:30 p.m. 

First Congregational Church, Dana and Durant 

Nicholas McGegan conducts a performance of Bach’s “St. John Passion.” Guest soloists: Dana Hanchard, soprano; Andreas Scholl, countertenor; Benjamin Butterfield and Marc Molomot, tenors; father-son duo Gary Relyea and John Relyea, bass-baritone; the Philharmonia Chorale. Tickets $30 to $45. 

415-392-4400; 

www.philharmonia.org 

“Scintillating Samplings of Java” 

8 p.m. 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Ben Brinner and Santosa will direct this performance showcasing the variety of ensembles, genres and styles currently played in Central Java. It includes a mix of traditional & newer compositions. 

Sunday, April 9

“Early A.M. Birdwalk” 

8 a.m. 

Tilden Regional Park, Canon Drive off Grizzly Peak Boulevard 

Find the spring arrivals on the trails. Beginners welcome. There are binoculars to loan for those who do not have any. For age 10 and older. 

510-525-2233 

Composting Workshop 

1-4 p.m. 

People’s Park 

Learn more about the magic and mystery of composting with Master Composter Kim Caler. This is a hands on workshop. We will both learn about composting and maintain the park’s current piles. 

510-658-9178 

“Protist April” 

2 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park, Canon Drive off Grizzly Peak Boulevard 

Use the plankton net to see what is in the pond and examine them with microscopes. 

510-525-2233 

Prometheus Symphony Orchestra 

3 p.m. 

St. Ambrose Church, 1145 Gilman St. 

Eric Hansen conducts, with guest artists Aaron Brown and Peter Schroeder, violin. This will be a program of works by Bach and Mahler. The concert is free. 

510-527-1519 

Organ concert 

6 p.m. 

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way 

Organist George Emblom will program of works by Bach, Part, Alain, Hampton, and Barber. Donation. 

510-845-0888 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra 

7 p.m. 

First Congregational Church, Dana and Durant 

Nicholas McGegan conducts a performance of Bach’s “St. John Passion.” Guest soloists: Dana Hanchard, soprano; Andreas Scholl, countertenor; Benjamin Butterfield and Marc Molomot, tenors; father-son duo Gary Relyea and John Relyea, bass-baritone; the Philharmonia Chorale. Tickets $30 to $45. 

415-392-4400; www.philharmonia.org 

Hoover Quintet 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 

The Hoover Quintet presents a program of works by Nielsen, Butler, Fine and Poulenc. Tickets are $5 to $10. 

510-845-6811 

Labor films 

7:30 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave 

“Lifting The Veil” examines the International Monetary Fund and structural adjustment programs in India. Also, screening for the first time in Berkeley will be “Labor Battles The WTO,” a documentary video on the role of workers and the unions that went to Seattle to protest the WTO. Admission is a donation of $7 to $10. This is a benefit event for LaborFest 2000. 

415-642-8066; laborfest@hotmail.com 

Poetry Flash 

7:30 p.m. 

Cody’s Books, 2454 Telegraph Ave. 

Michelle T. Clinton and Terry Wolverton will be the featured poets. 

510-845-7852; 510-525-5476 

Monday, April 10

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

10:30 a.m. 

Central Branch Berkeley Public Library, 2121 Allston Way 

This storytime program is designed for families with children up to 3 years old. The free, participatory program features a half hour of multicultural songs, rhymes, lap jogs and stories to give very young children a lively introduction to the magic of books. 

510-649-3943 

People’s Park rally 

Noon 

Sproul Plaza, UC Berkeley campus 

Supporters of People’s Park will hold a rally about the history of the Park and why students should vote yes on Prop 1 in the upcoming ASUC elections. Scheduled speakers include Dan Siegel (ASUC President in 1970), Osha Neumann (civil rights attorney), Michael Delacour (co-founder of the park). 

510-272-2421; 

yes4thepark@hotmail.com 

e-Campaigning: Ethics & the Internet 

Noon-4 p.m. 

Seaborg Room, The Faculty Club, UC Berkeley campus 

The purpose of this conference is to explore methods of improving management of campaigning in the digital age. In particular, the conference is designed to promote discussion within the community of political advisers, electronic fund-raisers, journalists and other commentators, and to consider ways of regulating electronic campaign fund-raising to ensure legitimacy and ethical management. California Secretary of State Bill Jones will deliver the keynote address at 1 p.m.; a panel discussion is at 2 p.m.; and Q&A session is at 3 p.m. This event, which is free and open to the public, is co-sponsored by UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and American University Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies. 

510-642-5158; 510-649-3099

Daily Planet Correspondent 

It’s a simple rule: If you see a brick building in the Bay Area, it’s probably really old. And, not surprisingly, the same goes for organizations housed within those brick buildings. 

This is certainly the case for Hobart Hall, the red brick Julia Morgan fortress on Dwight Way and Bowditch Street that has housed the American Baptist Seminary of the West for the better part of 80 years – with a brief interruption. 

More or less a gutted exoskeleton since the onset of its extensive renovations in January of 1999, the landmark may yet be reborn by October of this year. 

“It used to be so dark up here,” recalls ABSW President Keith Russell, standing in the hollowed-out work-in-progress that used to be his office. While once somewhat dimly lit, the combined effect of the removal of several walls, large windows (with no panes yet installed) and a lovely Spring afternoon conspire to shower Hobart Hall’s third floor with light. 

“I used to sit my desk facing right at the Campanile,” continues Russell, pointing straight down Bowditch at the 100-yard-high tower in the distance. “This is going to be a lovely space, I think.” 

It certainly was before the extensive retrofitting/renovation/technological upgrade. Constructed between 1919 and 1921, Hobart Hall was the first institutional project Morgan designed in the “Tudor Revival” style she would utilize so often thereafter. The Hall’s attractive exterior has long complemented the internationally renowned Maybeck masterpiece First Church of Christ, Scientist across the street, and the ornate interior (now safely packed away awaiting re-installation) featured two stories of oak paneling that Morgan reportedly paid for out of her own pocket. 

While Hobart Hall has served as something of a symbol of the seminary (and, as Russell attests, without its ample office space he and the rest of the ABSW’s professors and administrators are crowded into a former dormitory across the way), the ABSW had been around long before Morgan designed the brick beauty. 

Disagreements over slavery during the Civil War era led to a schism in the Baptist population. Those objecting to the practice split off from the more well-known Southern Baptists and became what are now known as American Baptists. 

American Baptists missionaries founded the ancestor organizations of today’s ABSW back in the 1870s. The seminary reached Berkeley by 1904. 

“We’ve been here a long time, doing our thing,” says Russell. “We’ve been training pastors for churches on the West Coast for 128 years.” 

The ABSW is of the nine schools that joined forces in 1962 to form the Graduate Theological Union. (You may have noticed a preponderance of seminaries on North Berkeley’s “Holy Hill.” Across town, the ABSW is somewhat isolated.) All told, over 1,300 students attend the schools of the Theological Union, taking advantage of a situation Russell says one would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. 

“It’s the only thing of its kind in America,” claims the ABSW president, who also serves his school’s 100-odd students as a professor of pastoral theology. “You have so many denominations cooperating: Catholics and Protestants, and you also have Jewish and Buddhist centers.” 

Yet the ABSW’s partnership in the atypical Graduate Theological Union isn’t its only unique aspect. In order to better reflect the wide variance of races and cultures within American Baptist communities, the seminary actively pursues a “Multiracial and Multicultural” environment. What’s more, the ABSW was the first theological seminary in the nation to admit women on equal terms with men. 

“This school in particular has a major focus on being multiethnic and multicultural, and that makes us very unique,” says LeAnn Flesher, a professor of the Old Testament. “One of our goals is that students leave this place with the ability to apply what they learn here in a variety of contexts. They could move from a mixed congregation to a black congregation to an Asian congregation quite comfortably.” 

And the first seminary to admit women on full terms is still very much committed to the cause. 

“We are a big supporter of women in the ministry,” says Flesher. “Upwards of 50 percent of the student body is female, and it’s been that way since I got here (six years ago). We even work aggressively to help place (women) ... which is still a difficult thing, for women to get placements even in the most mainline denomination.” 

In addition to being diverse and sexually proportionate, most of the ABSW’s students are also a little older. With two-thirds of the student body coming from off campus and a good chunk of them holding down jobs during the day, the ABSW offers a number of its classes at night. 

“We serve adult needs; second-career people as well as young people right out of school training for the ministry,” says Russell. “Students who are very young and very old sit in the same classrooms.” 

The 128-year-old seminary is in the midst of an effort to overhaul its curriculum, moving toward training leaders “for the church of the 21st century.” 

“In the past, theological education has been very theoretical, with a lot of time on books, theoretical ideas and concepts,” says Flesher. “It’s not been very heavy in practical applications, helping students build the bridge from school to the church. The new curriculum, along with being multiethnic in focus, is also heavy into building up that practical application. 

“It’s a lot of work,” sums up Flesher, “but it’s fun. We’re having a good time with it.”

THEATER 

ACTORS ENSEMBLE OF BERKELEY 

“Rough Crossing” by Tom Stoppard, April 7 through May 6. The writers of a Broadway musical are simultaneously trying to finish and rehearse a play while crossing the Atlantic on an ocean liner. 

$10. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; May 4, 8 p.m. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 528-5620. 

AURORA THEATRE 

“The Homecoming” by Harold Pinter, April 6 through May 7. A dark comedy about a philosophy professor who brings his wife home to meet his all-male family. 

$25 to $28. Wednesday through Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822. 

SHOTGUN PLAYERS 

“3 Sisters” by Anton Chekhov, through April 9. A play about three provincial sisters yearning to move to Moscow and the toy-soldier men who adore them. $15 general; $10 students and seniors. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m.; March 27, 8 p.m. Speakeasy Theatre, 2016 Seventh St., Berkeley. (510) 655-0813. 

Subterranean Shakespeare 

“Measure for Measure,” by William Shakespeare. Run has been extended through April 30. Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays, at 8 p.m. each night, and Sundays at 7 p.m. $10 general; $6 students. La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., Berkeley. (510) 234-6046. 

MUSIC VENUES 

FREIGHT AND SALVAGE 

Ellis Paul, Stephan Smith, April 8. $15.50. 

Vance Gilbert, David Olney, April 9. $13.50 

Music at 8 p.m. 1111 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 548-1761 or (510) 762-BASS. 

ASHKENAZ 

Zydeco Flames, April 8, 9:30 p.m. $11. 

Rachel Garland, April 9, 7 p.m. $8 general; $6 students. 

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5099 or www.ashkenaz.com 

BLAKES 

An Evening with Groove Junkies, April 8. $5. 

Crazy from the Heat, April 9. $3. 

For age 18 and older. Music at 9:30 p.m. 2367 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-0886. 

LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER 

Tribu, April 8, 8 p.m. $12. 

3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 849-2568 or www.lapena.org 

924 GILMAN ST. 

30 Sec. Fury, Spishak, Shoot The Dog, April 8. 

$5. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. (510) 525-9926. 

THE STARRY PLOUGH PUB 

The Vagabond Lovers, Noe Venable, April 8. $6. 

For age 21 and over. Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:45 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082. 

MUSEUMS 

HALL OF HEALTH  

2230 Shattuck Ave. (lower level), Berkeley 

A hands-on community health education museum and science center sponsored by Children's Hospital Oakland and Alta Bates Medical Center. 

Free. For children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. 

(510) 549-1564 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERNICE LAYNE BROWN GALLERY 

“Bridging the Bay: Bridging the Campus,” through April 30. The exhibit has been created from the libraries of the eight University of California campuses. The exhibit includes books, documents, architectural drawings, blueprints, artifacts, maps and photographs that record the building of the San Francisco Bay area’s bridges. Free. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Doe Memorial Library, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 643-9999. 

LAWRENCE HALL 

OF SCIENCE 

“Dinosaurs 2000,” through June 4. An exhibit featuring 16 lifelike robotic creatures, fossils, activities to compare yourself to a dinosaur, and daily live demonstrations. 

“The News About Dinosaurs,” through June 4. Learn more about the “Dinosaurs 2000” exhibit with live demonstrations exploring recent paleontological discoveries and how scientists know what they do about prehistoric creatures. Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

$6 general; $4 seniors, students and children ages 7 to 18; $2 children ages 3 to 6; free children under age 3. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

PHOEBE HEARST MUSEUM 

Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley 

“Modern Treasures from Ancient Iran,” through Oct. 29. This exhibit explores nomadic and town life in ancient and modern Iran as illustrated in bronze and pottery vessels, and textiles. 

“Pana O’ahu: Sacred Stones – Sacred Places,” through July 16. An exhibit of photographs by Jan Becket and Joseph Singer. 

“Food in California Indian Culture,” the first comprehensive overview of Native California foods-this exhibit illustrates the artistry of Native cooking in harmony with the natural world. 

“Native American Portraits: Photographs by William Heick,” this retrospective exhibition includes photographs between 1951 and 1984 from four regions of western North America: Northwest Coast (Kwakiutl), Southwest (Navajo), California (Kashaya Pomo, Hupa), and Plains (Blackfoot, Sioux). 

“Phoebe Hearst Museum-Approaching a Century of Anthropology,” a sampling of the vast collections of the museum, its mission, history, and current research, with selections from ancient Egypt, ancient Peru, California Indians, Asia (India), and Africa. 

Wednesday through Sunday 10 am -4:30 pm; Thursday until 9 pm (Sept-May) 

(510) 643-7648 

HABITOT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 

A museum especially for children age 7 and younger. Highlights include “WaterWorks,” an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library. 

Admission is $4 for adults; $6 child age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child.  

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

(510) 647-1111 

JUDAH L. MAGNES 

MUSEUM 

2911 Russell St., Berkeley 

“Chagall: Master Prints and Posters, Selections from the Magnes Museum Collection.” Accompanying the exhibition is “Exploring Chagall and His Use of the Elements of Art,” a child-friendly Interactive Educational Room with five work-stations and a central activities space. 

Free. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

(510) 549-6950. 

GALLERIES  

A.C.C.I. GALLERY 

“The Women’s Show,” March 3 through April 8. A group exhibit of works by six Bay area artists. 

Free. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1652 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-2527. 

NEW PIECES GALLERY 

“Irish Stones and More,” April 1 through April 27. An exhibit of quilts by Denise Snell. 

“Down from the Attic,” April 1 through April 27. An exhibit of dolls by Gretchen Jennings. 

Free. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1597 Solano Ave., Berkeley. (510) 527-6779.  

TRAYWICK GALLERY 

Dennis Begg, March 11 through April 9. An exhibit of new sculpture and installation. 

Lothar Osterburg, March 11 through April 9. An exhibit of new photography. 

Free. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1316 10th St., Berkeley. (510) 527-1214. 

To publicize an upcoming event, please submit information to the Daily Planet via fax (841-5695), e-mail (calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.com) or traditional mail (2076 University Avenue, 94704). 

Calendar items should be submitted at least a week before the opening of a new gallery exhibit, museum exhibit or theatrical performance. 

Please include a daytime telephone number in case we need to clarify any information.

It wasn’t exactly a pitcher’s duel at the St. Mary’s diamond on Friday afternoon, but even the most snobbish of baseball purists would have had to agree that it was good baseball.  

With 13 of the game’s 21 runs scored in the first two innings, Albany and St. Mary’s made it clear early that it would be no day for lowering ERAs. Albany starter Adam Phillips struggled with the powerful Panther lineup from the opening at-bat, and found himself in a seven run hole in the second inning, before being pulled for a reliever. Though the Cougar bats caught fire in the fifth, producing five runs, the late rally wasn’t enough to prevent a 12-9 Panther victory. 

“They made it a game,” St. Mary’s coach Andy Shimabukuro said about the Cougars’ near-comeback. “I was happy. We kinda figured we’d have to score runs, since the pitching hasn’t been up to par.” 

The Panthers got their damage done early, getting a grand slam from starting pitcher Anthony Miyawaki and a three-run homer from Joe Starkey in the first two innings. Albany got in on the batting practice with a two-run jack in the second, but still trailed, 10-3, by the end of the inning. Miyawaki pitched five solid innings to earn the win, before shortstop Jeremiah Fielder came in to close the Cougars out and pick up the save. Miyawaki and Starkey’s eight combined RBIs accounted for most of the St. Mary’s scoring, though a 2-for-3, 3 RBI outing by catcher Ryan Bahado-Singh would turn out to be the difference. 

With the victory, St. Mary’s improved its overall record to 7-5, and its Alameda-Contra Costa Athletic League mark to a perfect 3-0. Shimabukuro expects the squad to find its first real league challenge next Wednesday, when it visits major league prospect Dontrelle Willis and the Encinal Jets. Willis, who suffered his first loss of the season to fall to 5-1 on Wednesday, is expected to get the starting nod vs. St. Mary’s. 

“I’m sure we’ll see Mr. Willis,” the Panther coach said. “We’re going to have to score some runs to beat them.”

Daily Planet Staff 

Boutiques are cute, but where does a person go when she needs a bar of soap? 

Close to midnight Tuesday, the council debated the question of allowing new chain stores in Berkeley. 

A resolution by Councilmembers Linda Maio and Dona Spring won the day: city staff and the Planning Commission will explore creating a policy to limit the number of “formula” businesses coming into the city, those businesses where the name, the merchandise and the look are all the same. If this policy is adopted, a chain applying for a business license would undergo a review specific to formula businesses. 

The resolution also asked staff to explore creating a “buy Berkeley” program, to encourage people to shop at local small businesses. 

The vote was fractured, with Mayor Shirley Dean and Councilmembers Maio, Spring, Margaret Breland, and Kriss Worthington voting for the resolution, Councilmember Betty Olds voting in opposition, and Councilmembers Maudelle Shirek, Diane Woolley and Polly Armstrong abstaining. 

There was no consensus among councilmembers on which businesses would qualify for the “buy Berkeley” certification. While Maio argued that non-chain businesses get involved in community activities and good works, the mayor said she believes it is the chain stores, such as Starbucks, that get involved. 

Maio attacked the “big boxes,” saying “they tend to drive out locally owned business.” 

But Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rachel Rupert wrote the council with a diametrically opposing view: “If the council is really interested in creating a unique niche for small business, you are going to have to understand how important business like Kinko’s, Sees candies, Walgreen’s, Ross and Barnes and Nobel are to the economic vitality of Berkeley.” 

Rupert explained that these businesses are often anchor tenants that attract people to a shopping district. 

Armstrong said allowing chain stores provides a choice for shoppers. 

“I don’t want to turn Berkeley into a place that is a boutique (only),” she said. “Some of those chain stores provide people with lower cost goods.” 

Shirek had another concern. She wanted to be sure that rules were made so that chains would not be excluded in the more affluent areas, yet allowed in lower-income parts of town. 

“I hope we are not spot zoning,” Shirek said. 

Cal junior forward Sean Lampley added another piece of hardware to his trophy case on Thursday, taking home the 2000 Cal basketball team’s Most Valuable Player award at the Bears’ annual awards banquet. 

Lampley, who began to show his dominance at the end of 1999 by winning the NIT tournament MVP award, averaged 16.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game as the Bears’ only starting upperclassman in 1999-2000. In this year’s NIT tournament, the junior averaged a team-high 20 points over three games. 

“He’s giving us a total game,” Cal head coach Ben Braun said during this year’s NIT. “At the same time, what doesn’t show up is his leadership. He’s been there to provide that for our younger guys.” 

Sophomore forward Ryan Forehan-Kelly, who performed his way to extended minutes in 1999-2000, left with Best Defensive Player accolades.

About 1,800 customers lost electricity and phone service early Friday morning when an underground transformer exploded. 

The incident occurred around 12:50 a.m. in the 2000 block of University Avenue. According to PG&E spokesperson Maureen Bogues, the problem was caused by a bad cable that was connected to the transformer. 

Witnesses at the scene reported seeing flames briefly come from the transformer, located under the sidewalk on the north side of the street. 

Bogues said power and phone service were restored to all but 35 customers by 2:30 a.m. The remaining customers had utilities restored by 10 a.m.

Daily Planet Staff 

The Bishop O’Dowd Dragons came out breathing fire in Friday’s girls lacrosse showdown with visiting Berkeley High, but a second-half surge on both offense and defense kept the Yellowjackets from getting burned.  

Despite coming off a convincing victory over Menlo School on Wednesday, the ’Jackets entered Friday’s game tentatively, yielding two early goals in an echo of the March 15 matchup between the two schools, which BHS ultimately won. By halftime, the Yellowjackets found themselves trailing, 5-3, and would require a stifling second-half defense to come out on top, 10-8. 

“I think our team is definitely a second-half team,” said BHS attacker Dani Gaines, who led all scorers with four goals. “We see that we’re down, and come back from behind. We were too confident in the beginning.” 

“When we play teams we expect to beat, if we start losing, we play really well,” added sophomore goalie Joanna Hoch. “It was an awesome second half for the offense. We were getting draws, and taking it all the way.” 

Jamie Lee and Naomi Coffman got in on the offensive action, each netting second-half goals for the ’Jackets, while Hoch’s stingy effort between the pipes secured the win for Berkeley. With the victory, BHS extended its league winning streak to two games and improved its league mark to 7-3. 

“Joanna played a great game, she always does. She’s a really strong goalie, especially for her first year,” Gaines said about her teammate. “We definitely got back on defense a lot quicker (in the second half), started double-teaming a little better.” 

The Yellowjackets head to Stanford this weekend to take part in the annual Western States Tournament, an event featuring high school and collegiate lacrosse teams from all over the West Coast. The two-day tournament will feature some teams from within Berkeley’s league, like Acalanes and St. Ignatius. 

“We’re definitely prepared,” Hoch said. “We showed a lot of aggression (today), and we need to play that way in all the games.”

Daily Planet Correspondent 

In the words of Jimmy Cliff, “You can get it if you really want, but you must try, try and try, try and try – you succeed at last.” 

UC Regent Bill Bagley echoed a similar sentiment in his struggle to repeal the 1995 measures passed by the Board of Regents eliminating affirmative action in UC system admissions. Addressing students for the first time about his proposal to revoke the UC’s affirmative action ban, Bagley spoke and answered questions for over an hour Wednesday afternoon at Boalt Hall’s Booth Auditorium. 

The Boalt alum, former state legislator and San Francisco lawyer expressed confidence that “within the short term” of a year or two, the Board of Regents would reverse its 1995 decision. 

“Oh, the Board of Regents, they all work hard and care about the university, but every 20 or 25 years they do something to screw up the university,” said Bagley, a regent since 1988. “Think back, my friends. In 1950, they passed the loyalty oath. A massive number of professors were fired or quit and the university got a bad reputation, worldwide. Twenty-five years later, Ronald Reagan used the university as a foil. There were some inordinate activities on campus in the Sixties, you know about that. Clark Kerr was president of the university at the time, so what did the regents do? Fire Clark Kerr. Then, 25 years later, 16 months before the 1996 presidential election in July of 1995, this Board of Regents again put a black mark on the university, passing the resolutions we all know about, 14-10.” 

The regents’ actions of 1995 were bolstered by the subsequent passage of Proposition 209, meaning that even if Bagley were successful and the Board of Regents’ measures SP-1 and SP-2 were repealed, affirmative action would still not be a criteria for admission to the UC system. Bagley emphasized that revoking the regents’ measures would be “an important gesture, a dramatic gesture.” 

“What we did in 1995 introduced the UC into the genesis, into the origin of a raw political issue,” said Bagley. “Regardless of whether you or I or anyone in the room or the university wants or doesn’t want to return to affirmative action, the (Board of Regents) should not be the leader in bringing forth any raw political issue into society. This is one of my major, major, points. If these guys want to change society, let ’em run for office.” 

While Bagley said that expanded outreach efforts are showing some promise, he claimed the black eye the regents inflicted upon the UC system continues to drive away many of the most qualified minority applicants, especially at the graduate school level. 

“The worst example, or best, if you will, is the UCLA Law School Class of ’99. Eighteen African-Americans were admitted, two now attend,” said Bagley. “Why is that? Two reasons. One is ... (a feeling of) unwelcomeness. The other is the massive recruitment effort of the Stanfords and the Harvards and the Yales. These are quality people, the tops of their classes. It’s not affirmative action, they simply feel rejected by the UC.” 

Bagley feels that by moving in “small and important circles,” he may be able to garner enough votes to overturn measures SP-1 and SP-2 within a year or two, an action he feels would “put a new face on the university.” In the meantime, Bagley is highly critical of fellow regent Ward Connerly’s grandstanding actions in an attempt to quell affirmative action across the nation. 

“When I think of my colleague running around the country and, frankly, getting his jollies by speaking to these groups and becoming a public figure on the issue of anti-affirmative action, I think ... what (repealing SP-1 and SP-2) would do to our national reputation is clear. (Connerly) is simply exacerbating what we did in 1995, continually portraying that reputation we now have.”

Daily Planet Staff 

An estimated 30,000 visitors from the Bay Area and across California are expected to come to the UC Berkeley campus Saturday for Cal Day 2000, UC Berkeley’s free open house featuring tours, activities and lectures. 

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the campus will open the doors to its labs, lecture halls and museums, giving visitors an inside look at the nation’s top public university. Throughout the day there will be a variety of free musical and dance performances, sporting events and scientific demonstrations. 

Visitors will learn how UC Berkeley scientists could use their backyard to study earthquakes at the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory. They can also follow professor Roland Burgmann on a guided tour that traces the Hayward Fault through campus. 

For those interested in literature, UC Berkeley’s libraries will have plenty to offer. The only movie footage ever shot of Mark Twain will be on display along with many of the famous author’s manuscripts. During hourly tours, visitors will get a chance to look at these artifacts and talk to the editors of the university’s Mark Twain Project, the world’s foremost collection of the author’s work. 

Here are highlights of the day’s free events: 

• Tours: Student guides will lead campus walking tours every half hour. In addition, visitors can learn about the university while riding around the campus in motorized cable cars. There will also be a variety of specialized tours ranging from a guide to campus trees to a behind-the-scenes tour of the campus’s sewer system. 

• Sports: From 9:30 to 11 a.m. Cal’s football team will show off its newest recruits during a scrimmage in Memorial Stadium. And, at 2 p.m. watch the women’s intercollegiate lacrosse team as they take on UC Davis in Memorial Stadium. 

• Children’s events: Young people can experience the thrill of finding fossils at the Museum of Paleontology or listen to storytellers at the 9th annual Celebration of Children’s Literature in Tolman Hall. 

On Saturday, admission is free to all campus museums, including the Lawrence Hall of Science, the Botanical Garden and the Berkeley Art Museum. Parking in most campus lots is free as well. A detailed schedule of events is available on the Cal Day web site at www.berkeley.edu/calday. 

For more information, contact Visitor Services at 510-642-5215.

Daily Planet Staff 

Tonight, the City Council will meet to sift through as many of the 56 items piled onto its agenda as it can. It’s the last meeting before the council’s annual three-week spring break, so any decisions not made tonight will come ‘round again in May. 

One issue on the to-discuss list, guaranteed to generate lively conversation, is a proposed ballot measure aimed at protecting seniors, the disabled and ill people from owner move-in evictions. As the law currently stands, owners are permitted to move into one of their units and displace the current resident. San Francisco voters amended their rent control ordinance last year to include a provision similar to the one that is proposed. 

Another hot button issue is the landmarking of 801 Grayson St. While the Landmarks Preservation Commission voted March 6 to certify the 80-year-old structures as a city landmark, the Bayer Corporation has appealed the decision. It owns the property and wants to demolish the structures on it. Once the structures have landmark status, demolition of structures on the property has to go through the Landmarks Commission. 

The commission says the property, where Epsom salt was once refined, should be designated as a structure of merit. 

“Philadelphia Quartz is one in a row of early 20th century industrial plants along the southwest Berkeley waterfront...(that was) part of a period of intense industrial expansion in the Bay Area around World War I...” says a commission report. 

But the landmarks staff contends the structure lacks architectural merit and is similar to many existing late-19th and early 20th century industrial complexes and therefore does not merit the designation. 

Another controversial issue on the agenda is the city’s 170-foot communication tower, cemented into place next to the new Public Safety Building a few weeks ago. Neighbors of the tower say the city broke faith with them when they installed the giant tower without first advising them. Top city officials argue, however, that the tower was in the city’s plans and that it is critical for emergency operations. 

Councilmember Dona Spring is asking staff to report on alternatives to the tower. 

Also tonight, Spring will ask her colleagues to support building an annex to the Civic Center Building, where the old public safety site sits today. That building is slated for demolition. 

Spring wants the council to go to the voters in November to ask them to tax themselves for an $11 million project that will include replacing parking lost by construction of the new Public Safety Building and building a new user-friendly council chambers. The current chambers lacks comfortable accessibility for people who use wheelchairs and wheelchair accessible bathrooms; it also lacks good access for councilmembers who use wheelchairs; and it is too small for meetings on controversial topics. Spring wants to build a modern council chambers where the audience can better hear what’s going on. Part of the project could be paid for in savings from leases the city has for private office space, she said. 

The council will also consider banning smoking in tot lots, enforcing term limits for commissioners, purchasing a microphone and recording device for General Plan and Southside Plan meetings, adding Councilmember Betty Olds to the council subcommittee on the city manager’s evaluation, and more. 

The complete agenda is on the Internet at http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ and at city offices at 1900 Addison St. The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. on the third floor at 1900 Addison to discuss possible litigation by Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc., a telecommunication company that has applied for an encroachment permit to construct fiber optic lines under various streets in Berkeley. 

The regular council meeting is at 7 p.m. at 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way and will be broadcast on KPFB, 89.3-FM and B-TV, Channel 25.