Daily Planet Staff 

Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson calls the newly released health care statistics “outrageous.” 

African-American children in Alameda County are more than three times as likely to die during their first year of life than children of any other racial/ethnic groups. African-American children are the least up-to-date on their immunizations. In Berkeley, African Americans are more likely than their ethnic counterparts to die from AIDS, cancer, heart disease, injuries and violence. 

Alameda County’s report, released two weeks ago, underscores the disparate state of health between the black and white communities in the county. The health divide is mirrored in Berkeley and outlined the city of Berkeley’s 1999 Health Status Report, released earlier this year. 

“There are glaring statistics regarding health in the African American community,” said Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, who has joined Carson to host a community forum Wednesday on the Health Status of Blacks in the City of Berkeley. 

The findings in the Berkeley and Alameda studies will be discussed by health experts, including Dr. Michael LeNoir, physician and radio commentator; Dr. Poki Namkung, Berkeley’s health officer; Dr. Vicki Alexander, Director of Maternal and Child Health for the city of Berkeley; Dr. Melanie Tervalon, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital; and Shyaam Shabaka, a health outreach worker. 

Both Carson and Lee said the forum will bring information directly to the impacted South Berkeley community. But its intent is to go beyond education. The evening will be a venue where the community can begin organizing to address its own health needs, Carson said. 

“When more people are aware, they can take action,” Carson said. 

The forum is co-sponsored by a number of community groups, including the Berkeley chapter of the NAACP, the San Pablo Avenue Neighborhood Association and the Tyler King Neighborhood Association. 

Another participant in the forum will be Anthony Santangelo, director of the Berkeley High Health Center. 

Because of last week’s fire at Berkeley High, the health center, which serves some 55 students each day, is not usable. Santangelo said he hopes to make people attending the forum aware of the importance of the health center so that the school district will not forget the center when the school receives portable buildings to replace fire-scarred classrooms. 

The high school health center serves as the primary source of medical care for some 760 students who have no health insurance, Santangelo said. 

Lee told the Daily Planet that the issues that divide the black and white communities – and that lead to disparate health care – are huge: housing, jobs, education and more. It all cannot be tackled at once, but these issues need to be addressed nonetheless, she said. 

“It’s got to be a multi-faceted, comprehensive approach. We’ve got to look at the big picture,” she said. 

The task is not impossible, Lee said. “The first step is to have some dialogue.” 

The forum is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, at Progressive Avenue Baptist Church 3301 King St. in Berkeley. 

 

“Spring Break Science Week” 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park 

This is a weeklong program of activities for children ages 9 to 12. Registration is required, and the program costs between $125 and $139 per child, 

510-636-1684 

 

“Dinosaur Safari” 

Noon and 1:30 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive above UC Berkeley campus 

This is part of a series of family events being held through April 28. “Celebrate Spring” events are included with admission to the science center. 

510-642-5132; www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

 

Historical Institutionalism Seminar 

Noon 

119 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Chris Howard, from the College of William & Mary, will speak on “Social Citizenship in the American States, 1900-1935.” 

 

“Is Assertiveness chutzpah?” with Betty Goren 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

510-644-6107 

 

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 

 

“Pilgrimage: One Woman’s Return to a Changing India” 

7:30 p.m. 

Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave. 

Pramila Jayapal, an Indian-bored, Western-educated woman, returns to her country of birth and presents an inside look at contemporary societal issues in India. This event is free. 

510-848-3533 

 

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Wednesday, April 19

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“Spring Break Science Week” 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park 

This is a weeklong program of activities for children ages 9 to 12. Registration is required, and the program costs between $125 and $139 per child, 

510-636-1684 

 

Third Annual Spring Fling 

11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

People’s Park 

This will be a day of games, arts and crafts, face painting, interactive games and more, with a scheduled visit by the Easter Bunny. 

510-644-7729 

 

Korean Music and Dance 

Noon 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Members of the Korean Youth Cultural Center will join the Yong-In University Art Troupe in the final performance of their West Coast debut. This concert is free. 

 

Harris Seminar 

Noon 

119 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Dan Schnur, former Director of Communication for John McCain and IGS Visiting Scholar, will speak on “Straight Talk Talk.” 

 

“Art of Recycling Day” 

Noon 

Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive above UC Berkeley campus 

This is part of a series of family events being held through April 28. “Celebrate Spring” events are included with admission to the science center. 

510-642-5132; www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

 

Caregivers support group for Alzheimer’s 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

510-644-6107 

 

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 

 

“MAS 2000 Climbing School” 

6 p.m. 

REI Berkeley, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 

Mountain Adventure Seminars offers an introductory rock climbing school with instruction on equipment, fundamental climbing techniques, basic anchoring and safety procedures. Registration required. The in-store training will be followed by an outdoors session Saturday morning. Cost is $110. 

800-362-5462 

 

Citizens Humane Commission 

6:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

The commission will discuss the proposed animal shelter, affordable spay/neuter and the euthanasia policy at the Berkeley animal shelter. 

 

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission 

7 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

Among other items, the commission will discuss the proposed Living Wage Ordinance. 

 

Forum: Health Status of African Americans in the Berkeley Community 

7 p.m. 

Progressive Avenue Baptist Church, 3301 King St. 

Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and Congresswoman Barbara Lee will chair a community meeting on the health of African Americans in Berkeley. They will address the following concerns: the death rate for African Americans in Alameda County is 50 percent higher than any other ethnic group in the County; African-American children are three times as likely to die during their first year of life than children of any other racial/ethnic group; in Berkeley, African Americans are more likely than their ethnic counterparts to die from AIDS, cancer, heart disease, injuries and violence. 

510-272-6685 

 

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 

 

Poetry Flash 

7:30 p.m. 

Cody’s Books, 2454 Telegraph Ave. 

Diem Jones and Reginald Lockett will be the featured poets. 

510-845-7852; 510-525-5476 

 

Throat singers of Tuva, Siberia 

7:30 p.m. 

Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. 

The musical group Huun-Huur-Tu will perform this unique style of music created in Tuvan throat singing. 

510-653-1602 

 

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Thursday, April 20

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“Spring Break Science Week” 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park 

This is a weeklong program of activities for children ages 9 to 12. Registration is required, and the program costs between $125 and $139 per child, 

510-636-1684 

 

“Science Behind the Book: Inspired by Harry Potter” 

Noon 

Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive above UC Berkeley campus 

510-642-5132; www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

 

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; call ahead for a reservation. 

510-644-6109 

 

“Legends of Ancient India” 

3:30 p.m. 

West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 

Armin Palkhivala will present picture books and stories for children ages 3 through 9 highlighting ancient Indian legends and culture, and will incorporate the many and various festivals celebrated in India. 

510-644-6870 

 

American Political History Seminar 

4 p.m. 

119 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Gail Sheehy, contributing editor for Vanity Fair, will discuss her new Hillary Clinton biography “Hillary’s Choice.” 

 

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association General Meeting 

7-9 p.m. 

Live Oak Park Recreation Center, Shattuck Avenue and Berryman Street 

John Underhill, a retired biological photographer and geographer, will give a slide show and commentary about Rose Walk. He will also present a brief look at Berkeley Paths from his childhood. Underhill’s family history in the Rose Walk neighborhood dates back to 1904. 

 

“True Adventure Mountain Biking: Cycling the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route” 

7 p.m. 

REI Berkeley, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 

Bobbee Palmer and Jonna Uibel will make a slide presentation of their ride from Canada to Mexico along the Continental Divide. 

510-527-4140

 

 

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. 

 

SHOTGUN PLAYERS 

“The Skriker” by Caryl Churchill, April 29 and April 30. In this ecological play faeries are damaged due to polluted rivers and woods, and are forgotten. 

$15 general; $10 seniors and students. Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. Julia Morgan Center for the Art s, 2640 College Ave., 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. 

 

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MUSIC VENUES

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ASHKENAZ 

Rumeli, Westwind Voices, April 18, 9 p.m. $8. Dance lesson 8 p.m. 

DP and The Rhythm Riders, April 19, 9 p.m. $8. Dance lesson 8 p.m. 

Cannon and The Lion of Judah Band, DJ Peja Peja, April 20, 9:30 p.m. $8. 

Gumbo, April 21, 9:30 p.m. $11. 

West African Highlife Band, April 22, 9:30 p.m. $11. 

Cascabulho, April 23, 7 p.m. $11. 

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

 

BLAKES 

An Evening with Taos Hum, April 18. $3. 

Third World with UC Buh, DJ Add, Jah Bonz, Big Willie, April 19. $5. 

Ripe, April 20. $4. Shelley Doty X-tet, Habaneros, April 21. $5. 

Monkey, Fuzzbucket, April 22. $5. 

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

 

FREIGHT AND SALVAGE 

Jessie Turner, Shelley Doty, Deborah Pardes, April 18. $13.50. 

Sol y Canto, April 19. $14.50. 

The Battlefield Band, April 20. $18.50. 

Darryl Henriques, April 21. $16.50. 

The Bluegrass Intentions, April 22. $14.50. 

Quicksilver Messenger Service featuring Gary Duncan, April 23. $15.50. 

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

 

LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER 

Los Papines, April 21, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. $18. 

Ultra Gypsy and Fire Act, April 22, 9 p.m. $10. 

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

 

924 GILMAN ST. 

Plus Ones, Camera Obscura, Four Speed, April 21. 

Christdriver, Misery, Extinction of Mankind, Murder Takes No Holiday, April 22. 

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

 

THE STARRY PLOUGH PUB 

Ceili Dance featuring Brian Therlault and Friends, April 19. Free. 

Rhett Miller, Girl's Guitar Club featuring Mary Lynn Rhaskub, April 20. $10. 

Rube Waddell, Amy X. Neuberg and Men, April 21. $6. 

Mark Growden's Electric Pinata, Baby Grampa, April 22. $7. 

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. 

 

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MUSEUMS

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UC BERKELEY ART 

MUSEUM 

“Anne Chu/MATRIX 184 Untitled,” April 16 through June 18. The exhibition features a selection of Chu's T'ang dynasty funerary figures sculpted following her travels to Xian and Guangdong. The wooden figures range in height from 28 inches to over six feet.  

“China: Fifty Years Inside the People's Republic,” through June 18. The work of 25 Chinese and Western photographers explores half a century of social and political upheaval in this unusual exhibit. The 200 photographs, both black-and-white and color, cover the many regions, cultures and people that make up China as well as the mix of traditional life and the modern one. 

“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. 

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. 

“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. 

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 Staff 

After 12 years at the helm of the highly successful Santa Clara University women’s program, head basketball coach Caren Horstmeyer broke away from the Broncos on Monday, signing a five-year contract to become the new women’s coach at Cal.  

Horstmeyer, who put together a 221-124 record at Santa Clara, beat out a short list of serious candidates for the job that included Xavier head coach Melanie Balcomb and UCLA assistant Willette White. As the most successful coach in Broncos’ history, Horstmeyer hopes her offense-oriented coaching style will yield similar results for the struggling Cal program, which hasn’t compiled a winning season in seven years. 

“I am very excited and honored to be the new head basketball coach at Cal,” the 37-year old Santa Clara graduate said at Monday’s press conference. “I see tremendous potential, great support from the administration and new and exciting challenges ahead of us.” 

The decision to offer Horstmeyer the position was made by the Cal athletic department last Wednesday, after interviewing nearly a dozen candidates in the weeks since Marianne Stanley’s March 13 resignation. According to Cal Athletic Director John Kasser, the decision came down to Horstmeyer’s proven patience and success, as well as her keen ability to get the most out of college players. 

“Caren was the top choice, and the only one offered the job,” Kasser said. “We were looking for a person who had been a head coach as one of our primary criteria. We believed those types of leadership skills were needed to bring this program forward. The other aspects we were looking for was someone who had been a proven winner and who had developed student-athletes. Those are all areas which Caren has excelled in at Santa Clara.” 

Though the new coach is excited about the challenge at Cal, she did not find leaving her alma mater and longtime home especially easy. As a former four-year varsity player and multi-record holder with the Santa Clara women’s basketball program, Horstmeyer admits the move was unexpected and previously unconsidered. 

“I figured that I’d end my coaching career at Santa Clara,” the coach said. “I think that’s a real credit to Cal and the people who recruited me to come here as your coach. Because, honestly, I thought I was going to end my career at Santa Clara.” 

“We admire her loyalty to her players (at Santa Clara),” added Cal Associate Athletic Director Chris Dawson. “If it was easy to say goodbye, it probably wasn’t the kind of person we wanted.” 

Horstmeyer led the Broncos to an impressive 21-9 mark in 1999-2000, earning the squad a berth in the WNIT tournament, where it fell to USC in the opening round. The coach has taken six teams to the postseason – including four to the NCAA tourney – and has not had a losing season in over 10 years. The Broncos defeated the Bears early in the 1999-2000 season, giving most everyone in the Cal program a taste of the kind of upset she is capable of.  

“(The Broncos) were really disciplined, really well-coached,” said Cal guard Kenya Corley, who was held to 4-of-13 shooting in the December 2 meeting with Horstmeyer’s former squad. “Hopefully, it’ll rub off on us. We need to be really disciplined, too.” 

“There are players who are excited about the program and where it’s heading,” Horstmeyer added. “I saw Cal play this year, and it was exciting to see the kind of talent they have and the enthusiasm they have.” 

In light of the disappointing women’s basketball attendance figures of 1999-2000, one of the athletic department’s main goals was to hire an individual who could drum up community support, and sell the program to a town that already packs Haas Pavilion for men’s games. Horstmeyer expects to bring the community aspect that characterized her Santa Clara teams to Cal by hyping the program – a task she admits may require a winning record.  

“From a community standpoint, I see a lot of room for growth,” she said. “Young girls and families will be a big draw. They see these people as role models. They want to see the Cal women’s basketball players play...and sign autographs.” 

Horstmeyer indicated that the Cal job was one of the few positions that could possibly have lured her from her Santa Clara post, due to the university’s academic reputation. Despite Cal’s recent struggles with wins and losses, the coach believes the program is more appealing – both academically and athletically – to potential recruits than Santa Clara’s. Horstmeyer has lost recruits to the more prestigious Bears program in the past, and expects to have little trouble recruiting quality student-athletes to Berkeley. 

“I’ll have a better chance of getting the elite players at Cal than Santa Clara,” said the coach, who will have the immediate task of filling six open scholarships. “There’s a lot of work to be done.” 

“I believe the team we have in place has a chance to earn an NCAA tournament bid if they work hard, and everyone gets on the same page,” Kasser added. “As we have six scholarships available for next year, recruiting will also be very important.” 

Though terms for the five-year contract were not disclosed, Dawson indicated that Horstmeyer’s deal was similar, financially, to that of men’s head coach Ben Braun.

Two KPFA-related cases remain in legal limbo. 

One concerns Kahlil Jacobs-Fantauzzi, charged with obstructing a police officer during the height of the summer conflict with KPFA’s parent organization, the Pacifica Foundation. 

Jacobs-Fantauzzi remains the only person arrested during the summer conflict whose charges are outstanding. More than 90 of the approximate 100 protesters had their charges dropped and a handful pled guilty to jaywalking charges. 

Jacobs-Fantauzzi’s pre-trial motion asking the judge to dismiss the case because he was unfairly signaled out from the other protesters, was to have begun Monday in Oakland. The case, however, was rescheduled. It will be put on the calendar for scheduling at 9 a.m., May 5, in the courts at 661 Washington St., Oakland. At that time, a judge will probably set the date for jury selection, although jury selection could begin that day, according to Jacob-Fantauzzi’s attorney, Richard Krech. 

In a separate case, a motion in the lawsuit that Oakland attorney Dan Siegel filed against the Pacifica Foundation was heard in Oakland Monday.  

The suit claims that Pacifica acted improperly when it changed its method of selecting its national board members. Originally, the local boards could select most the members, but Pacifica changed board selection to a method by which the board is self-selecting. 

It also claims that Pacifica has spent the listener-sponsor funds improperly. 

The judge Monday was to decide whether members of advisory boards of various Pacifica stations are allowed to sue Pacifica on this issue. The judge, however, did not make a decision. He said he will render the decision in writing in two days.

Faced with a shortage of post players for next season, the Cal men’s basketball team gave itself a boost in that area on Monday, when head coach Ben Braun announced the signing of 6-foot, 10-inch center Gabriel Hughes to a National Letter of Intent to play for the Bears. 

Hughes, the younger brother of current Cal sophomore Solomon Hughes, was highly recruited out of high school, after showing an unselfish ability to contribute in aspects other than scoring. Braun expects the incoming freshman to deepen the No. 5 position, which was depleted somewhat by the April exit of Shahar Gordon, who left the Bears to fulfill a military commitment in Israel.  

“I think Gabriel has a lot of potential to be a presence in the post,” the Cal coach said about the new addition. “With Shahar Gordon’s departure, Gabriel will add depth to a thin front line.” 

Originally a graduate of Bishop Montgomery High School in Torrance, Hughes played the 1999-2000 season for a New Hampshire prep school, at which he averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game. Like his brother, Gabriel is also a shot-blocking threat who averaged three blocks a game last season. As a senior at Bishop Montgomery in 1998-99, Hughes averaged 12 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.  

Solomon also played at Montgomery during his high school years, compiling slightly better overall numbers than his younger brother. 

“(Gabriel is) an active, 6-10 player who can run the floor,” Braun said. “He has good shot-blocking and rebounding abilities, so he’s further along on the defensive end than the offensive end.” 

Hughes joins his brother and freshman Nick Vander Laan as the only three centers currently on the Cal roster.

Sherwood Larned Washburn, the father of modern primatology who first glimpsed the evolution of human behavior in the actions of monkeys and apes, died Sunday from pneumonia at Alta Bates Medical Center. He was 88. 

A professor of anthropology at UC Berkeley from 1958 to his retirement in 1978 and one of a small number of faculty members appointed as “University Professor” for the nine-campus system, Washburn virtually established the field of primatology in the 1950s following his studies on baboon colonies in Kenya. 

For the next two decades, his theories dominated interpretations of human social evolution and his teachings inspired several generations of students. 

“Sherry Washburn established at UC Berkeley the most influential program of the century for the study of primatology, of fossil man, and the biological and cultural evolution of humanity,” UC Berkeley professor of anthropology J. Desmond Clark said in a statement. “Those who were his friends and those who continue his work will forever be in his debt. He will be missed the world over.” 

Washburn was the first to propose that tool use, hunting and a gender division in labor had been critical in human evolution. He also saw 40 years ago that humans had evolved from an ancestor that walked on its knuckles, like contemporary great apes – an idea that only this year has gripped the anthropological world anew. 

In one of his famous articles on the evolution of man, a 1978 article in Scientific American, Washburn had this to say about knuckle-walking: 

“Gorillas and chimpanzees (and the men who play some of the forward positions in American football), however, have developed a form of locomotion called knuckle walking that enables the apes (if not the football players) to walk normally as they carry objects between their fingers and their palm.” 

But it was his holistic approach, working from anatomy to function and behavior, that so inspired his students and colleagues. 

“Sherwood Washburn changed the way we study human evolution,” said professor of anthropology Adrienne Zihlman of UC Santa Cruz, and a former student. His influence was so pervasive, said Zihlman, that “everyone has adopted his approach but forgotten where it came from.” 

His lectures showing how bones, joints and muscles related to movement and social behavior in humans and other primates often won standing ovations from students. 

Born on November 26, 1911, Washburn was the younger son of the dean of Cambridge’s Episcopal Theological School. He received a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Harvard College in 1935 and a doctorate in 1940, also from Harvard. 

From a position at Columbia University as assistant professor of anatomy, Washburn moved to the University of Chicago where he was professor of anthropology for 11 years and chair of the department. 

During his career, Washburn won virtually every medal and prize given in his field, including the Wenner-Gren Foundation’s Viking Fund Medal in 1960, the Huxley Medal in 1967 and the American Anthropological Association’s Distinguished Service Award in 1983. The Fourth International Congress of Primatology was dedicated to his honor in 1972. 

Washburn is survived by two sons, Sherwood of Brooklyn, and Stan of Berkeley and five grandchildren. His brother, Bradford, is founder of Boston’s Museum of Science. 

Memorial services will be announced. 

An armed robber took the days receipts and money from the safe of the U-Haul Company location on San Pablo Avenue late Friday afternoon. 

Two employees had locked the front door and the side gate to the parking lot in the rear of the building and assumed they had sufficiently locked up the shop, said Capt. Bobby Miller of the Berkeley Police Department. 

Around 5 p.m., the suspect, wearing a red bandana that covered his face like a mask, walked into the office leading from the parking lot and pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the two employees. The suspect pulled a bag from his pocket and gave it to one of the employees and told him to open the safe and the cash register, and put the money in the bag. 

He shoved the handgun into the other man’s side. After the employee gave him the money, more than $1,000, the robber forced both men into the bathroom. 

From the window of the bathroom the employees saw the suspect – approximately 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 120 pounds – climb over a 6-foot gate and leave the site and get away on foot. 

The suspect, an African-American male wearing a dark jacket and light-colored blue jeans, may have been hiding in the parking lot between the trucks, said Miller.

An employee of Copy Central at 2560 Bancroft Way was arrested Friday on a grand theft charge for allegedly embezzling what may have been thousands of dollars from the photocopying store. 

According to Berkeley Police Capt. Bobby Miller, the alleged thefts occurred from October 1999 until the recent filing of the police report. The suspect’s employers became aware of a problem when the receipts and the cash register printout were different, said Miller, and they observed the suspect’s daily returns. 

At the present time the investigation is not completed, but 45-year-old Walnut Creek resident Heidi Asad has been arrested on a grand theft charge. 

Miller did not know why the store’s accounting system did not reveal the alleged thefts earlier.

Daily Planet Staff 

Residents will have an opportunity to offer suggestions and voice their concerns about the proposed new hills Fire Station 7 in a public meeting Tuesday night. 

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and will be held at the Northbrae Community Church at 941 The Alameda. 

The Berkeley Fire Department has received approval from seismic engineers on the safety of a site to build a state-of-the art station near Shasta Road and Park Gate Road, said Asst. Fire Chief David Orth. 

“We don’t feel there are other suitable sites available,” he said. 

The new station would replace the Station 7 at 2931 Shasta Road. Orth said the existing station could be seismically upgraded but questioned what would happen to coverage while No. 7 was displaced. 

The community meeting is a part of the Environmental Impact Report process to insure that the community will have a voice in what the city decides to do in providing fire protection for the hills, he said. 

“We definitely know there are some people out there with real concerns, and we want them to have a chance to start talking about those things,” he said. 

The city is working with five architects to make preliminary estimates of how large rooms and other areas would look, but no designs have been done, he said. 

Peter Cukor, a neighbor who lives near the proposed site, believes the “industrial” size of the proposed station is inappropriate for the rural, residential character of the neighborhood. 

Cukor also criticized the city’s intention to sue itself to get permission from the court to get approval to alter the provisions set forth in Measure G, the $55 million bond issue approved by Berkeley voters in 1992. 

“We would like an additional fire fighting facility as opposed to replacement, and what was promised in Measure G,” said the homeowner and software developer. 

“We think what the city offers is less protection than promised and less than we paid for.” 

Councilmember Betty Olds, who represents the Berkeley Hills, said that “a lot of people would like a separate room for the community in a new station.” She noted that there is no such facility now. 

“Everybody on the council thinks it is definitely needed,” she said. “We just want things to work out. Hopefully it will come around sometime in May for approval.” 

 

“Spring Break Science Week” 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park 

This is a weeklong program of activities for children ages 9 to 12. Registration is required, and the program costs between $125 and $139 per child, 

510-636-1684 

 

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 

 

“Butterflies, Bees, and Bugs” 

Noon 

Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive above UC Berkeley campus 

This is part of a series of family events being held through April 28. “Celebrate Spring” events are included with admission to the science center. 

510-642-5132; www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

 

Positive Political Theory Seminar 

Noon 

119 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Daron Acemoglu from MIT will speak on “The Colonial Origins of Comparative Development: An Empirical Investigation.” 

 

Rotary Club luncheon 

Noon 

H’s Lordship’s Restaurant, 199 Seawall Drive 

Dr. Daniel C. Peterson, director of the Center for the Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts at Brigham Young University, will be the featured speaker for this week’s North Oakland-Emeryville Rotary Club luncheon. 

 

Magnetic Massage 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

Learn about preventative health care from Japan with Terry Kekaha. 

510-644-6107 

 

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 

 

Rent Stabilization Board 

7 p.m. 

Council Chambers, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

The board will hold a public hearing on its 2000-20001 budget. The meeting is broadcast on KPFB, 89.3-FM and B-TV, Cable Channel 25. 

 

Relaxation and stress management 

7:30-10 p.m. 

135E Haas Pavilion, UC Berkeley campus 

This is a practicum to acquaint people with a broad repertory of relaxation and stress management techniques, life skills, information, and resources. Emphasis is placed on actual experience and involvement to encourage a synthesis of harmony and high quality performance in one’s life. Students $68, faculty and staff $77, community $85. 

510-849-2231 for information; 510-643-5151 to enroll 

 

Bach performance 

8 p.m. 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Organist John Butt will perform Bach’s Toccata and fugue in D minor, BWV 565, Sonata No 3 in D minor, BWV 527 & Prelude and fugue in G, BWV 550; Elgar’s Sonata in G; and Messiaen’s La Nativité (excerpts). This concert benefits Berkeley’s Music 150 program, which provides private lessons with professional musicians to advanced students in the Music Department. Admission is $12 general, $6 students and seniors. 

 

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Tuesday, April 18

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“Spring Break Science Week” 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park 

This is a weeklong program of activities for children ages 9 to 12. Registration is required, and the program costs between $125 and $139 per child, 

510-636-1684 

 

“Dinosaur Safari” 

Noon and 1:30 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive above UC Berkeley campus 

This is part of a series of family events being held through April 28. “Celebrate Spring” events are included with admission to the science center. 

510-642-5132; www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

 

Historical Institutionalism Seminar 

Noon 

119 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Chris Howard, from the College of William & Mary, will speak on “Social Citizenship in the American States, 1900-1935.” 

 

“Is Assertiveness chutzpah?” with Betty Goren 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

510-644-6107 

 

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 

 

“Pilgrimage: One Woman’s Return to a Changing India” 

7:30 p.m. 

Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave. 

Pramila Jayapal, an Indian-bored, Western-educated woman, returns to her country of birth and presents an inside look at contemporary societal issues in India. This event is free. 

510-848-3533 

 

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Wednesday, April 19

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“Spring Break Science Week” 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park 

This is a weeklong program of activities for children ages 9 to 12. Registration is required, and the program costs between $125 and $139 per child, 

510-636-1684 

 

Third Annual Spring Fling 

11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

People’s Park 

This will be a day of games, arts and crafts, face painting, interactive games and more, with a scheduled visit by the Easter Bunny. 

510-644-7729 

 

Korean Music and Dance 

Noon 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Members of the Korean Youth Cultural Center will join the Yong-In University Art Troupe in the final performance of their West Coast debut. This concert is free. 

 

Harris Seminar 

Noon 

119 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Dan Schnur, former Director of Communication for John McCain and IGS Visiting Scholar, will speak on “Straight Talk Talk.” 

 

“Art of Recycling Day” 

Noon 

Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive above UC Berkeley campus 

This is part of a series of family events being held through April 28. “Celebrate Spring” events are included with admission to the science center. 

510-642-5132; www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

 

Caregivers support group for Alzheimer’s 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

510-644-6107 

 

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 

 

“MAS 2000 Climbing School” 

6 p.m. 

REI Berkeley, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 

Mountain Adventure Seminars offers an introductory rock climbing school with instruction on equipment, fundamental climbing techniques, basic anchoring and safety procedures. Registration required. The in-store training will be followed by an outdoors session Saturday morning. Cost is $110. 

800-362-5462 

 

Forum: Health Status of African Americans in the Berkeley Community 

7 p.m. 

Progressive Avenue Baptist Church, 3301 King St. 

Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and Congresswoman Barbara Lee will chair a community meeting on the health of African Americans in Berkeley. They will address the following concerns: the death rate for African Americans in Alameda County is 50 percent higher than any other ethnic group in the County; African-American children are three times as likely to die during their first year of life than children of any other racial/ethnic group; in Berkeley, African Americans are more likely than their ethnic counterparts to die from AIDS, cancer, heart disease, injuries and violence. 

510-272-6685 

 

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 

 

Poetry Flash 

7:30 p.m. 

Cody’s Books, 2454 Telegraph Ave. 

Diem Jones and Reginald Lockett will be the featured poets. 

510-845-7852; 510-525-5476 

 

Throat singers of Tuva, Siberia 

7:30 p.m. 

Julia Morgan Theater, 2640 College Ave. 

The musical group Huun-Huur-Tu will perform this unique style of music created in Tuvan throat singing. 

510-653-1602

Daily Planet Correspondent 

SAN FRANCISCO – On April 4, 1991, three Vietnamese-American brothers stormed into a Good Guys electronics store in Sacramento, held 41 people hostage at gunpoint, and demanded a helicopter to take them back to Southeast Asia to fight the Viet Cong. 

During the eight-hour siege that followed, two of the brothers were killed. The surviving brother is currently serving 49 consecutive life terms in Corcoran State Prison. 

This tragic and complex event is the basis for “The Good Guys: An American Tragedy,” a multi-media play that opened its world premiere Thursday in San Francisco presented by Theater of Yugen, a performance group that stages work dealing with the Pan Asian diaspora. 

“Good Guys” is an ambitious project. It tries, with only partial success, to tell the complex and comprehensive story of the immigrant Sacramento Nguyen family.  

The play attunes itself to the dissonances of a family caught among several cultures - South Vietnamese, communist Vietnamese, American and Roman Catholic, to name a few. 

At one point in “Good Guys,” family patriarch Ba (Randall Nakano), an 18-year veteran of the South Vietnamese army, says of his life moving from culture to culture, that he feels he’s lived over and over as a child. 

The Nguyen family escaped Vietnam for the United States as refugee boat people in the 1970s, and suffered many abuses and privations. 

Once in America, the family’s three young boys, outcasts at school, grew quickly into cultural misfits and began downward social spirals. 

Eldest son Ly (Michael Cheng) is schizophrenic and delusional, with a growing psychosis, lost in a cultural fantasy world. Trouble-making youngest son Khang (Dong Nguyen) is locked in an oedipal battle with his disapproving, abusive father. 

Written by Yugen artistic directors Michael Edo Keane and Miko Lee, who also directed and choreographed the play, the script of “Good Guys” uses a cinematic story structure with many short scenes to tell its story. 

It contains a mix of reality, memory and fantasy that tries to reflect the lives of a culturally displaced family. 

But “Good Guys” doesn’t have a clear central character or a clear unifying story line. It waffles here and there, often repeating information or the characters’ emotional states and situations a second, third, or fourth time. 

It also has the disappointing knack of telegraphing what’s to come, depriving the play of suspense, so this complex and fascinating story comes off as flat and predictable. 

With three long acts, the show is way too long, running more than three hours opening night, including two intermissions. The length could be cut in half. Flashbacks about the family’s boat arrival, for example, in the second half of the play, were old news by then and contributed little to the evening. 

The store shoot-out at the end, chopped up by flashbacks, was anti-climactic.  

Interactions among the brothers and the hostages were inexplicably omitted from the story. Interactions among brothers, hostages and police negotiators have the potential to be strong dramatic material. 

In one rather self-indulgent bit of posturing, writer/director Keane plays a pedantic Sacramento Vietnamese gangster and Nguyen family friend who for some inexplicable reason has a pronounced Hollywood theatrical accent that seems completely wrong for the character. 

“Good Guys” is a complicated technical show. It uses traditional theater plus audio tracks, live and taped video, shadow play performed against a backlit screen, radio commercials, political speeches by Reagan and Bush, snippets from Mr. Rogers’s television show, and Brecht-like aphorisms projected on a screen, serving as a gloss on the action. 

On opening night, there were many technical problems. Video and audio transmissions kicked in and out unexpectedly. 

The acoustics in Theater Artaud, where the play is being staged, are tough. Not infrequently the actors spoke towards the side or rear of the stage, and were hard to hear. Offstage voices were also often hard to understand in the cavernous, echo-prone space. 

Basically, the opening night show felt under-rehearsed, like the audience was watching a combination of technical and dress rehearsals. 

Which is too bad, because the 1991 Sacramento event is a significant and meaningful one from which we all have the potential to learn valuable things about America’s important history of inclusion, and the complexities of our melting pot culture. 

“The Good Guys, An American Tragedy,” presented by Theater of Yugen, plays Thursday through Sunday, through April 22, at Theater Artaud, 450 Florida St., San Francisco. For information and reservations, call 415-621-7797.

While the Dow and NASDAQ continued to plummet in the week leading up to the NFL draft, former Cal cornerback Deltha O’Neal’s stock was going up. The Denver Broncos took the kick return specialist sooner than almost anyone expected on Saturday, and with three other ex-Cal players being selected in the later rounds, it was clearly a Bear market. 

O’Neal, selected with the 15th overall pick, was the first cornerback, and the first of four Pac-10 players chosen in the first round. One day and five rounds later, Cal center John Romero broke the drought, becoming the Philadelphia Eagles’ sixth-round pick. In the seventh and final round, Cal linebacker Sekou Sanyika and defensive end Jeremiah Parker were selected within two picks of each other, by the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, respectively.  

Hailed as “the best corner...and best return man in the draft” by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr., O’Neal is expected to contribute immediately, at least on kick returns, for the Broncos, and possibly help fill the pass coverage void left by the suspension of star cornerback Dale Carter.  

“We like (Deltha’s) skills at defensive back,” Denver head coach Mike Shanahan told ESPN’s Chris Berman immediately following the pick. “He plays the ball extremely well, and once he does get the interception, he can do some things with it.” 

Romero, a graduate of Berkeley’s own St. Mary’s High School, happens to be the second offensive lineman from Cal drafted in two years by the Eagles. Last year, Philadelphia picked up former Bears guard John Welbourne with the second pick of the fourth round. Defensive lineman Brandon Whiting and wide receiver Dameane Douglas – both teammates of Romero at Cal – also appear on the Philadelphia roster.  

“(Being drafted) is quite an accomplishment, he’s quite an inspiration,” said St. Mary’s High head football coach Dan Shaughnessy, who coached Romero in his years as a Panther. “He’s got to make it first. It’s one thing to get drafted, and another thing to make the squad, but I talked to his position coach (at Cal), and he said (John) had a future in the NFL.” 

Conspicuously absent from the weekend’s draft board was tenacious linebacker Matt Beck, who was considered an early-rounder before suffering a season-ending foot injury during the 1999 season. Many draft pundits expected an NFL team to take a chance on Beck in the late rounds, despite his injury-riddled collegiate career. 

Six graduates of Berkeley High will be inducted into the school’s hall of fame at a ceremony later this month, joining 55 other BHS alumni who have been previously recognized for their accomplishments. 

This year’s inductees into the Berkeley High School Hall of Fame will be Jacqueline White, Philip Elwood, Sylvia and Stephen Sharnoff, Gregory Hoblit and Kenneth Cameron. The Berkeley High School Hall of Fame was established in 1990 to recognize and honor graduates who have distinguished themselves in their chosen field or fields of endeavor and who serve as excellent role models for current students. 

This year’s inductees join a distinguished group of their peers including: Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Thornton Wilder, 1915 graduate; fitness expert Jack LaLanne, 1934; basketball great Don Barksdale, 1940; television journalist Belva Davis, 1951; environmentalist David Brower, 1928; Supreme Court Justice Wiley Manuel, 1945; Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, 1957; Grammy award winning gospel singer Tramaine Hawkins, 1969; jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman, 1986; and rhythm and blues great Johnny Otis, class of 1939.  

Jacqueline White, class of 1938, Berkeley High School English teacher and department chair. Hall of Fame organizers note that many of the members of the Hall of Fame would not be where they are today if it was not for the teaching staff at Berkeley High School, and Jackie White exemplifies the best of that staff. Born, raised and educated in Berkeley, White brought her talents back to the high school in 1961 after receiving her B.A. and teaching degrees from San Francisco State University. She taught English at Berkeley High for 25 years, and served as department chair from 1973 to 1978, inspiring many students in the love of literature and fine writing, including several of the teachers who are currently on staff. She received many honors during her career including the John Hay Whitney Fellowship. She served as supervisor to many UC teaching interns at various Bay Area schools. For the last 10 years of her teaching career, Jackie taught at University High School in San Francisco. Even in her retirement she volunteers much of her time helping students. 

Philip Elwood, class of 1943, the “Dean of West Coast Jazz Critics.” Elwood is also a distinguished historian and teacher of American cultural history, and an honored journalist and broadcaster. After his graduation from Berkeley High, he enrolled at UC Berkeley, graduating in 1945, and then immediately went into the Navy. While at Cal, he was a drummer in the marching band and was well known in many saloons around town for his piano playing. After returning to the Bay Area, Elwood taught history at Albany High School for many years. He has also taught at Berkeley High, Laney College, and the Peralta Community Colleges. He joined KPFA radio in 1952 and broadcast there continuously for 44 years. He joined the San Francisco Examiner in 1965 and has been its popular music critic for 35 years. He is close friends with many of the jazz greats of the past half-century and has interviewed dozens of musicians including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Bonnie Raitt, Woody Allan, Mel Torme, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Jerry Garcia. 

Stephen and Sylvia Duran Sharnoff, class of 1962, nature photographers. Steve and Sylvia met at Berkeley High School and married in 1965 after she attended Scripps College and he the University of Chicago. Their relationship has been a partnership, a team, a collaboration, and true soul mates. They began taking photographs of lichens (colorful fungus which grows on rocks and tree trunks) in the early 1970s and their work has been published widely. They have traveled all over the United States and Canada photographing lichens, and their book, “Lichens of North America,” will be published by Yale University Press in 2001. They have amassed the largest library of lichen photographs in North America. Their work has been featured in National Geographic Magazine and has been displayed at the Oakland Museum and the display subsequently traveled to 16 other museums. Sylvia was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, but was still able to travel and photograph in between medical treatments. She passed away in 1998, just after her 54th birthday. Steve continues to do nature photography and is working on a book about plants in the Sierra Nevada. 

Gregory Hoblit, class of 1962, television and film director. Hoblit has received numerous awards for his work including Emmys for “LA Law,” “Hooperman,” and “Hill Street Blues,” as well as the television movie “Roe vs. Wade.” In addition to the Emmys, Hoblit has received numerous Golden Globe, People’s Choice, and Peabody awards. After graduating from Berkeley High School, Hoblit attended Oakland City College and UC Berkeley, but transferred to UCLA where he found his way into the Film and Television School. He eventually joined Steven Bochco at 20th Century Fox where they collaborated on several TV projects. He directed the critically acclaimed film “Primal Fear” with Richard Gere in 1996, “Fallen” with Denzel Washington, John Goodman and Donald Sutherland in 1998, and his newest film, “Frequency,” is due to open this month. 

Kenneth Cameron, class of 1946, Navy captain and pilot and prisoner of war, Vietnam. Cameron was born and raised in Berkeley, attending Berkeley schools and graduating from Berkeley High School, where he had been very active in athletics, lettering in both football and basketball. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1950, with a major in business administration. He was commissioned as an ensign in the Naval Air Corps in 1952 and flew 40 missions over North Korea during the Korean War. After his release from the Navy in 1954, he moved to Washington, D.C. and joined the FBI. Dissatisfied with his FBI career, Cameron returned to active duty in the Navy and served on the USS Saratoga. He was sent to Vietnam in 1967. While flying a A-4C aircraft off of the USS Bon Homme Richard to North Vietnam, he was shot down, imprisoned, and held in solitary confinement. His wife, Eileen, received a letter in 1974, confirming Ken’s death in October of 1970. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Purple Heart, among many, many other awards. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery and his buddies from Berkeley had a special gravestone placed on his grave there. 

The criteria for hall of fame membership are that the candidate: must have been a student in good standing with the majority of high school years spent at Berkeley High; must have graduated 10 years before becoming eligible for induction; must be a person of integrity; must serve as a role model for current students; and must have achieved excellence in his or her chosen field or fields of endeavor. 

These graduates will be inducted at a school-wide assembly on April 28, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Berkeley Community Theater. The public is invited to attend the assembly.

Offensive consistency was the focus when the Cal football team participated in a 90-play scrimmage on Saturday morning, and though projected starting quarterback Kyle Boller had a strong outing in the air, it was the productive ground game that drew the most attention. 

Both Joes – Igber and Echema – were better than average in the Bears’ backfield, combining for 174 yards on just 22 carries. Igber broke off runs of 27 and 31 yards on the way to averaging almost eight yards per carry, while Echema averaged 8.1 on nine attempts.  

Igber suffered a knee sprain near the end of the scrimmage, and did not return to action. Though the injury is apparently not serious, the running back is expected to sit out for the remaining weeks of spring practice, which concludes on April 29. 

Boller’s outing served to allay the coaching staff’s fears regarding his shoulder injury, which is apparently no longer hindering the slinger’s distance or accuracy. Boller tossed three touchdown passes of 60-plus yards on Saturday, including a 70-yarder to running back-turned-slot receiver Marcus Fields.  

“We showed a little spark on offense, and that’s encouraging,” Cal head coach Tom Holmoe said after the scrimmage. “We’re emphasizing getting the ball in the hands of our playmakers, and that seemed to click today.”

The Alameda County Coroner’s Office has identified a robbery suspect fatally shot by Berkeley police on Wednesday as 23-year-old Christopher Garcia. 

A coroner’s office spokesman said no home address has been reported for the young man who died at Highland Hospital at 9:04 p.m. that night, but said his occupation is listed as “musician.” 

Berkeley police Capt. Bobby Miller said officers shot Garcia after he brandished a gun at them from the window of a taxi. 

Miller said at about 7:30 p.m. April 12 police received a report of an alarm sounding and a robbery in progress at Sona Jewelers at 1640 University Ave. 

Miller said an officer arrived to see a man leaving the store and alerted units in the area, who quickly set up a perimeter and began a search. Soon after the call, officers stationed at Jefferson Avenue and Allston Way stopped a taxi cab van that was heading south through the intersection, Miller said. 

He said as officers approached the van, a passenger stuck a gun out the window and aimed it at them. The officers opened fire and the suspect was hit, he said. 

Miller said a woman who was in the taxi with Garcia was arrested on robbery charges.

The Berkeley High girls sprint medley relay team ran a dazzling 1:42.08 over the weekend at the Mt. SAC relays in Southern California. The Berkeley High girls sprint medley relay team ran a dazzling 1:42.08 over the weekend at the Mt. SAC relays in Southern California. If you think this sounds like a broken record, that’s because it is. 

BHS coach Darrell Hampton fielded the lineup of Aisha Margain, Raqueta Margain, T’carra Penick and Katrina Keith for the first time all year in that event, and the combination clicked, as the Yellowjackets went on to set a new national record. 

“It’s a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting this at all, but we’ll take it,” said Hampton, who considered using hurdler Simone Brooks in the medley team, before deciding on the alternate lineup. “I played a hunch, and the hunch was correct. They ran the time.” 

Though the weekend-long meet featured teams from all over California, it would ultimately evolve into a two-sided battle between Berkeley High and Wilson – a Southern California track and field powerhouse. In the end, the BHS contingent took home first-place honors in four girls events, including two relays, and a first-place medal for hurdler Daveed Diggs on the boys side.  

Aisha Margain also gained national recognition apart from the relay team, posting a blazing 23.10 in the 200m to set the top mark in the United States this season. Penick pitched in the Yellowjackets’ other individual first-place finish, running the 400m in 55.54. 

Though Berkeley High’s spring break prevents any league meets from taking place this week, the ’Jackets will head to their third invitational meet in three weeks this weekend. The North Bay’s Vallejo Invite will feature more stiff competition for the BHS girls, and Hampton believes they can continue to improve – even on the record-setting relay time.  

“We definitely have a lot of space where we can improve (this weekend),” said Hampton, who felt the handoffs could have been smoother in the Mt. SAC relay races. “We’re kind of nomadic, in a sense. We went to New York, Arcadia, Mt. SAC. We like to travel, and that’s a great thing. 

“We’re getting plenty of frequent flyer miles.”

Daily Planet Staff 

As UC Berkeley grows in number of students and research facilities, and as it replaces its seismically unsafe buildings, it reaches out and up into the Berkeley community. There’s a dearth of housing for students and city streets are jammed with cars, many of them heading to the university. These are among the causes of tensions between the city and the university. 

Chancellor Robert Berdahl, in the second of a two-part interview (the first part appeared in the Weekend edition of the Daily Planet), addresses some of these questions and points to ways to ease tensions. 

Q: What can be done to ease the tensions with the city?  

A: I’ve been disappointed that city hasn’t carried through with the Memorandum of Understanding that we created between the university and the city to create a joint planning board. I think that those kinds of things would help in the easing of whatever tensions there might be. 

We have worked, we have changed many of our plans, in response to criticisms. We have reduced the height of that building, on the Oxford site, in accordance with some of the criticism. We have been responsive to the criticism. 

There have been a number of changes to the Southside Plan, in response to conversations that have been held with the city. It isn’t as if we turn a deaf ear to these criticisms. It is that we need to move forward. We cannot simply be stymied in the effort to make changes that are imperative for the continued effective operation and safe operation of this campus. 

Q: The students desperately need housing. What has the university done to provide it? 

A: We started planning housing shortly after my arrival here. There had been a long hiatus from development of that long-range development plan and the construction of Foothill (university dorms at Galey Road and Hearst Avenue), which was the last residence hall to be constructed. And as you may recall, Foothill was to be considerably larger than, in fact, it turned out to be. It couldn’t be built larger because of the presence of the Hayward Fault. The fault made it unsafe to build. 

When I arrived in 1997, and we faced a housing shortfall, in the fall of 1998, we undertook a lot of short-term measures to address that shortfall. And we launched an immediate plan for the new housing that will be on the Southside. And we have that in the design stages now. 

Like all such activities, there’s a domino effect, before one can do certain kinds of things. For example, the first housing will be built on some of the parking lots, on two different sites, and then the next phase of housing will be to replace the current dining facilities, between the units on the Southside, with a new dining facility that will serve all of those units. Then we will build housing, low-level infill housing, between the housing sites, among the units.  

In order to do that, though, we have to complete the planning for the dining facility, and the Underhill site adjacent to it. And so, we’re working very hard. We’re talking with private developers to develop more housing in the city of Oakland, and I have had several meetings with regard to a variety of sites that are close to BART stations, so that students could take public transportation to the campus. 

I don’t want to build undergraduate housing that far away, possibly because we think that would pull us apart. And, as you know, there are also some proposals of private developers to build private residence halls, on sites on the south side of campus. I don’t know if that will develop or materialize, but that’s a solution that’s a common on many campuses. It’s a common solution at the University of Texas. That provides 900 more units, which is nearly a 20 percent increase. 

Q: The university has done a lot in terms of its transportation - there are new bike paths, the class pass, the shuttles, still Berkeley streets become more and more clogged with traffic coming and going from campus. What is the university doing to improve the situation? 

A: We have done quite a bit to reduce it. As you know, we have been working with public transportation, with the bus system to give bus passes to the students, so that the students, for a minimal fee, can ride the buses.  

We have certainly tried, through our own shuttle system, to reduce car trips and to provide safe transport for students, particularly at night. If they’re studying late on the campus, they can take late-night shuttles home so that they don’t feel they have to drive, in order to avoid walking through unsafe neighborhoods on the south side of campus. 

There has been a lot of effort to encourage public transportation. There is the conviction, among some, that I don’t happen to share, that if you build more parking, you encourage more use of private cars. I would suggest that an awful lot of the congestion is the absence of people being able to find places to park, when they have no alternative than to drive cars. And the congestion therefore, could be mitigated a bit, if we had more parking places. 

Q: You mean people driving around? 

A: Yes. I mean, if you can’t find a parking place, you’re on the street driving. And so the notion that, somehow, parking itself increases the use of the automobile is questionable. I think that most studies would show that the absence of parking is a net cost, because of gas consumed, pollution, and all the rest. 

On the other hand, we are not planning on any expansion of the traditional parking available to the campus. We’re just planning to try to restore parking that has been lost. 

We lost about 1,000 spaces, over the past decade. Most of them, was due to the loss of Underhill, when that parking structure had to be taken down because of the seismic condition. We really have to restore the parking that is missing. 

We are a very large employer and I would venture to say we probably have a much higher percentage of the people who come to this location taking either public transportation or shared automobiles or walking, or taking bikes, than any other site in the city of Berkeley. And so I think that we’ve done a lot to encourage it, and I don’t think people who drive to campus, drive to campus because they want to. 

In many cases I know of, I’ve talked to faculty who used to take buses and public transportation, who no longer can because it is not available. The time from home to work has increased or doubled, because of curtailment of public transportation. If the East Bay really got very much engaged in the use of public transportation or expansion of transportation, that would help, too. 

Q: Does the university have a lobbyist who advocates for public transportation? 

A: We work closely with AC Transit. That’s how we got the class pass. In the (1990) Long-range Development Plan, there was talk of satellite parking, but that never really happened. 

In the first place, parking is not a free good. Any parking place is expensive. Just the surface parking place, in terms of site preparation, costs about $20,000 per space. And unless one can provide satellite parking that is attractive in terms of its access, either through bus service or shuttle bus, it really doesn’t work. 

We do have some satellite parking. We have it across from the Lawrence Museum and we have bus service that runs to the Lawrence Hall of Science. And so there is parking in more remote sites. I’m encouraging the use of more sites up behind Foothill, where we have a large parking lot and then running a shuttle service down to the campus. 

We’re looking at some satellite sites, but it has to be closely coordinated with timing. People are not going to park in a remote site if it is unsafe, if they have to stand there waiting for a long period of time, particularly in the evening. 

Q: In the couple of minutes we have remaining, I’m wondering if there’s anything else that you wanted to say about the city-university tensions, and maybe some things that you’d like to see the city do to, on its part, to help reduce them. 

A: Sometimes if one looks at the history of the University of California, and the city of Berkeley, you discover, as I have, from looking at old documents, that there have been at times, tensions between the city and the university. I wouldn’t exaggerate those tensions at any given moment. I think that they are a product of many things. And so I don’t think they should be exaggerated. I think the city, for its part, should really recognize the problems that we have as a university in our need to maintain the quality of this institution. This city is what it is, because of the university. Berkeley has become an attractive place to live because of the university and everybody recognizes that. 

In order to be that university, we cannot stand still. We cannot live in the past. We have to look toward the future and do those things that are really necessary, to make sure that we have quality and safe facilities. Think for a moment of what this university brings to the economy of Berkeley, a $1.3 billion a year budget. Most of that money is spent here. 

If we have an earthquake on the Hayward Fault, that renders 27 percent of our campus incapable of use, you will see faculty leave, you will see students leave, you will see this university and this community go into a real serious depression. It is in the interest of the university and the community to make certain that we are able to make this a safe place and a place that will withstand any kind of disaster. I think that when you look at Northridge, when you look at Loma Prieta, when you look at what happened in Taiwan, where I was just a month or so after the earthquake, you begin to really recognize that this is serious business. We’ve got to take it seriously and we’re going to.

Nestled in the heart of Berkeley, with hills sloping above it and a creek skipping through it, the 134-year-old Berkeley campus of the University of California is one of the most renown places of learning in the world. 

In September 1873, when the university moved from its temporary quarters in Oakland to the town that would be chartered as the city of Berkeley in 1878, there were 191 students. There were more cows, goats and sheep on the farms than residents in the town – just around 2,000 – in the 1870s. 

There were few stores, some muddy roads and no practicing physician in the area when the university opened its doors, so some faculty members opted to continue to live in Oakland. The Regents arranged to provide horsecar service for them so they could get to their classes, writes Verne Stadtman in “The University of California 1868-1968.” 

In contrast, the prestigious 178-acre university today schools 30,000 students and brings 10,000 faculty and staff daily to its hallowed halls. 

The city’s 110,000 residents live in the confines of 18 square miles. 

As the university and city grow according to their own needs, clash is inevitable. No longer confined to the 178-acre central campus area, the university’s printing facility and parking garage are just west of campus. The university took over the former School for the Deaf to the south, renamed it the Clark Kerr campus, and now has conference facilities and housing there. The university has a number of student services and residence halls to the south of the university proper. It owns property on the Berkeley/Oakland/Emeryville border, where the biotech company DNA Plant Technology is located, and it owns property in Albany, where family housing is provided. 

When the university buys property in the city, it creates a particular problem: Those properties are taken off the city’s tax roles. Armstrong College on Harold Way, for example, was bought by the university and now houses extension courses. Loss of these revenues is a city concern. 

Finally, state law exempts the university from adhering to the city’s zoning laws. So the university, if it chooses to do so, can build its buildings higher than others can build in a particular area, closer to the street, or with less parking. 

In an attempt to hear the university’s point of view on some of the points of disagreement and in the hope of mapping out possible solutions, the Daily Planet recently interviewed Chancellor Robert Berdahl. 

Berdahl, 61, took office as chancellor in July 1997. Before coming to Berkeley, he served as president of the University of Texas at Austin for four years. And before that time, he was on the history faculty at the University of Oregon. 

Following is the first of a two-part interview. The second part of the interview will appear Monday. 

Q: After your time here as chancellor, which of your accomplishments do you hope people will remember? 

A: The issues that I have been trying to address in many facets are really the foundations of excellence upon which this university’s quality have been based. And I think renewing those foundations of excellence is really what I hope to achieve in my tenure. That began with the investment in the library, which had suffered in the course of the inflation and the budget cuts. It began with the SAFER (Seismic Action Plan for Facility Enhancement and Research) program, identifying the buildings on the campus that were seismically unsafe.  

The review of the entire campus that was undertaken in the summer of 1997, showed us that 27 percent of our buildings were rated poor or very poor and would present a threat to life in the event of a major earthquake. It has to do with the replacement of some of the facilities, and the effort in the replacing of those facilities to reconceptualize how work is done at this university, in a much more collaborative fashion, so that the health science initiative is part of that renewing of the foundation. (The Health Sciences Initiative redefines health science research by instituting collaboration between physical and biological scientists and engineers.) 

I think that recruiting the very best faculty, bringing the very best students to this campus are part of that entire effort. I would put it in terms of making certain that the foundations upon which the excellence of this university have been built are stronger when I leave than when I came. 

Q: The SAFER program and some of the physical changes at the university has a direct effect on the city. The city is very small and very dense, so any time the university moves, the city reacts, particularly when the university moves across where its physical boundaries have been. 

A: None of these projects anticipate taking (city property.) 

Q: The Surge Building (the Seismic Replacement Building planned for the Oxford Tract at Hearst Avenue and Oxford Street) will bring you up higher. The Surge Building, for example, will change the configuration at the Oxford Tract. 

A: Well, it will replace one form of building with another. That’s true on many of the campus sites. We will be replacing the Stanley Hall building with another major building. We will be replacing Warren Hall with another building. The Surge Building is part of the long-range plan of the city and the university. It is nothing new for the city. Height is completely in accord with city regulations. So I don’t see that as particularly new or different. 

Q: As you know, the city has expressed great discomfort with the Surge Building. Basically the City Council would like you to look at another site. It is one of a number of things that is causing tension. 

A: I understand that. Obviously, we don’t seek unnecessary tension with the city and don’t want to have any unnecessary tension with the city. There are many voices that speak in this city. And I believe that there is a great deal of recognition that the university has to do. 

We’re talking about life-safety issues. We’re talking about issues that put our students, our faculty, our staff at risk. And I would be extraordinarily irresponsible, as chancellor, if I didn’t do everything in my power to make certain that we build a safe campus. 

And I frankly don’t understand any of the basis for an objection, that is consistent with a plan that the city itself developed. 

Q: Given that there is a discomfort with that, and that there are other issues, such as institutions that the university has moved downtown. One is the University Extension move into the old Armstrong Business School. And then there is office space that the university occupies on Shattuck Avenue. 

A: Everything that the university has done, if you want to look at Shattuck Avenue, in the mixed-use construction that is there, is an enhancement to Shattuck Avenue. It has provided much better retail facilities. It has provided housing, that the city is very eager for the university to build. 

There are many parts of Shattuck Avenue, where there are visual blights, that I should think the city would be pleased to have the university do something constructive with, instead of having empty ramshackled buildings that are falling down. 

And so I think that we’re trying to be a good neighbor. We’re trying to be constructive. We have in this particular case of the seismic building, a profound need. We will have 900,000 square feet of campus under construction or renovation next year. We have to have places to move faculty. We cannot undertake that SAFER project unless we have places in which to move faculty before undertaking those kinds of shifts. 

So I think I have an obligation to work with the city, and I will. I think the city has an obligation to work with the university to make certain that we carry forward, providing a safe environment for our students and our faculty. That would be paramount for the city. We’re looking at facilities that are in the interest of the city. 

I have ordered, for example, that the new dining facility, which we have to build, because we have to replace the unsafe dining facilities that we have, should be built to standards – and it costs a lot to build it to these standards – that dining facility would withstand any kind of an earthquake and be operational. 

We know that a lot of buildings will be standing (after an earthquake), but we won’t be able to use them. That building has to be used because it may have to feed an awful lot of people in south Berkeley in the case of an earthquake. That’s in the interest of the city of Berkeley. 

It’s a community resource. It has to be seen as a community resource. We want to be a responsible partner with the community, helping to provide venues where food can be distributed and emergency services provided, in case of an earthquake. So, we’re trying very hard to look at this as not simply, in terms of the campus, but in terms of the campus and the community, and I really think it’s imperative that we move with some dispatch.

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. 

Youth activism 

9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

St. Mary’s College High School, Peralta Park 

Young people can learn how to get involved in the causes that matter to them most, through the “Shaking the Tree” conference on youth activism and involvement. Participants need to bring a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian, and either a lunch or $2 for pizza. 

510-267-8379; 510-658-3341 

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 

Volunteer appreciation 

11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Multi-Agency Service Center, 1931 Center St. (Veterans Memorial Building) 

BOSS (Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency) will present its Volunteer Leadership Award to Glenn Clark, an attorney with the local law firm Miller, Clark, Calvert, and Obenour. Other BOSS volunteers will be honored at this luncheon. 

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 

Free meditation program 

1:30 p.m. 

Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. 

510-845-9648 

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 

Volunteer celebration 

2:30-4:30 p.m. 

The Berkshire Retirement Community, 2235 Sacramento St. 

Residents of The Berkshire will honor the more than 40 volunteers who donate their and services to the retirement center. 

“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  

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 

Monday, April 17 

“Spring Break Science Week” 

10 a.m.-4 p.m. 

Tilden Regional Park 

This is a weeklong program of activities for children ages 9 to 12. Registration is required, and the program costs between $125 and $139 per child, 

510-636-1684 

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

10:30 a.m. 

Central Branch Berkeley Public Library, 2121 Allston Way 

510-649-3943 

“Butterflies, Bees, and Bugs” 

Noon 

Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley campus 

This is part of a series of family events being held through April 28. “Celebrate Spring” events are included with admission to the science center. 

510-42-5132; www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

Positive Political Theory Seminar 

Noon 

119 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley campus 

Daron Acemoglu from MIT will speak on “The Colonial Origins of Comparative Development: An Empirical Investigation.” 

Rotary Club luncheon 

Noon 

H’s Lordship’s Restaurant, 199 Seawall Drive 

Dr. Daniel C. Peterson, director of the Center for the Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts at Brigham Young University, will be the featured speaker for this week’s North Oakland-Emeryville Rotary Club luncheon. 

Magnetic Massage 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

Learn about preventative health care from Japan with Terry Kekaha. 

510-644-6107 

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. 

Rent Stabilization Board 

7 p.m. 

Council Chambers, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

The board will hold a public hearing on its 2000-20001 budget. The meeting is broadcast on KPFB, 89.3-FM and B-TV, Cable Channel 25. 

Relaxation and stress management 

7:30-10 p.m. 

135E Haas Pavilion, UC Berkeley  

This is a practicum to acquaint people with a broad repertory of relaxation and stress management techniques, life skills, information, and resources. Students $68, faculty and staff $77, community $85. 

510-849-2231 for information; 510-643-5151 to enroll 

Bach performance 

8 p.m. 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley  

Organist John Butt will perform Bach’s Toccata and fugue in D minor, BWV 565, Sonata No 3 in D minor, BWV 527 & Prelude and fugue in G, BWV 550; Elgar’s Sonata in G; and Messiaen’s La Nativité (excerpts). Admission is $12 general, $6 students and seniors.

Daily Planet Correspondent 

What proper dreamer raised on fairy tales and Horatio Alger wouldn’t want to live in a castle? Unfortunately, however, castles aren’t quite as romantic as the Narnia-esque ideal; on the whole they’re big, drafty, stone fortresses. So unless you build your own (like Elvis Presley, for example, who sat in a plush, overstuffed throne shaped like a monkey and adorned his citadel with decor befitting a man who enjoyed peanut butter and bacon sandwiches), you’ll probably need some wall coverings to cut the chill. 

The subsequent development of central heating and thermal underwear hasn’t detracted one iota of the grandeur a comely wall covering can bring to a room. And if you get 60-plus comely wall coverings into a room -– well that would really be something. 

For a month of every year, the North Branch of the Berkeley Public Library is inundated with the cream of the East Bay’s quilt-making crop. The annual quilt show, kicked off 21 years back by librarians Starr LaTronica and Phyllis Partridge, transforms the relatively tiny library into the United Nations of quilts, as the exposition features of every style, shape, size and background imaginable. 

“Unlike many quilt shows, we’re not juried, we’ll accept anything,” says Debbie Carton, an 11-year librarian and one of the North Branch’s several “quilt mavens.” 

“We wedged in 60 (quilts) this year. That’s about all we can handle.” 

And that’s no understatement. Quilts – some easily large enough to comfortably cover Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – hang from virtually every available wall and rafter in the library, and even take up windows and a display case. 

“It’s gotten bigger and bigger, and I’m seeing more diversity among the types of quilts submitted and the types of quilters submitting things,” says Carton of the show’s evolution over the past decade. “One year we had a whole bunch of quilts from the Japanese American Senior Center of the East Bay, this year we have a few from Ebony Threads, an African-American quilting group. We also have three quilts made by teen-agers, and that’s pretty much unheard of. 

“We’re seeing more quilts as art rather than craft,” continues Carton, a quilter herself. “The small pieces are created as artwork rather than something to cuddle under. The materials are more exotic and fragile; the purpose is to delight the eye rather than be a bedspread.” 

It is possible, however, to do both. Every quilt comes with a story – yet since we can’t tell you 60-odd stories unless we shrink the type or begin printing in the margins, we’ll have to abbreviate ourselves: 

• If an award were to be handed out for heaviest quilt, Kazue Granich’s “Puff Quilt” would win, hands down. Constructed of 1,444 strawberry-sized “puff balls” (38 in length, 38 in width), the colorful quilt weighs in at over 20 pounds, and, in Carton’s words, would be a bad idea to stand under it in the event of an earthquake. 

• “Edith’s Secret,” loaned by quiltmaker/collector Lu Sweeny is certainly the oldest of the bunch, having been completed way back in 1860. The completely handmade gem was obtained from the estate of Professor Edith Pickard, and sat, for years, in Sweeny’s mother-in-law’s closet. 

• “Log Cabin,” crafted by UC Berkeley student Monique Berger, provides viewers with an impromptu history lesson. Crafted from 1930s-style prints and featuring a tiny, Pepto Bismol-pink scrap from a dress belonging to Berger’s grandmother, the black squares at the center of the “log cabin” strips hearken back to the days of the Underground Railroad. A quilt featuring black center squares hanging in a window or on a clothesline was utilized to indicate a safe house for runaway slaves. 

• It took 10 years of work and three decades of life experience for Gwen McMillan to craft her entry, “Around the World in 30 Years.” The quilt features dozens of separate, ornate panels representing the countries the globetrotting McMillan visited between 1965 and 1995. “Every design is contained in its square except for the Chinese dragon,” observes Carton of the fiery red, snake-like dragon spilling into several neighboring panels. “You can’t keep a dragon in one place.” 

• Some quilts come with bittersweet stories. “Garden Path” was a gift to a gardening enthusiast unable to partake in his favorite hobby because he was suffering through chemotherapy. The deep forest green quilt is punctuated by bright, spring colors, reminiscent of a lovely garden. The quilt also features a flannel backing, so it could be used to provide warmth on a dark, cold day. “I think he got a lot of use out of it before he died,” says Carton. 

The 21st Annual Quilt Show continues until May 7 at the North Branch Library at 1170 The Alameda. For more information, call 510-644-6850 or check out www.infopeople.org/bpl

Daily Planet Correspondent 

The single most thrilling image of the new surfing documentary film, “Surfing for Life,” comes only at the end of the film, and it’s not even a shot of surfing. It’s John “Doc” Ball skateboarding down a sidewalk. Ball was 89 years old. And while he’s not getting radical on that deck, he is doing it. What you can see in his face, behind his own excitement, is fearlessness. 

Judging by the hour-long film by San Francisco-based filmmakers David L. Brown and Roy Earnest (screening this weekend at the UC Theater in Berkeley), the key to healthy aging is do what you love, and try something new. To Ball and the other 60-, 70- and 80-year-old subjects of “Surfing for Life,” growing older gracefully involves getting a little wet, and, if the swells are light, maybe giving sidewalk surfing a try. 

The film’s characters include Doc Ball, now 93, surfer, dentist, and one of the first people to photograph waves from the water with a waterproof camera housing (he published a landmark book of photos, “California Surfriders, 1946”); Woody Brown, 87, surfer, inventor of the catamaran; Anona Napolean, 60, surfer, who, paralyzed at 18 after breaking her back in a diving accident, recuperated to become a championship swimmer; and Eve Fletcher, 73, surfer, animator at Disney Studios, who went on a Hawaiian surfari in 1958. A year later “Gidget” was unleashed on the world and forever tainted the image of girls who surf. 

The film works as a history of surfing in the 20th century, with its cast of senior citizens giving first-hand accounts of surf culture, pre-Gidget (do you know how long “stoked” and “bitchin’” have been in use?). But the heart of the film is a portrait of the cumulative effect of decades of passionate – even single-minded – devotion to a sport and to a lifestyle. 

Earnest works with elderly people as a gerontologist, and is a surfer of 30 years. Brown is a documentarian who made his mark making films about environmental and nuclear technology issues for 15 years. 

“At the end of the Cold War, around ’92 and ’93, I started looking around for something a little lighter, a little more life-affirming and fun,” said Brown. 

The two of them wanted to use surfing to show how it is possible to maintain vitality into the golden years. 

“The sport is so youth-identified, to see an 80- or 90-year-old surfer is eye-opening,” said Brown. “Our key overriding theme was: keep doing what fills your well, what fires you up, what fills your heart with joy, what makes you laugh.” 

Surfing, and a love of water, encourages more than just healthy exercise. The film traces surfing as the key commonality in a global outlook, a sense of community, political activism (re: environmentalism), and spirituality. 

Some sequences in “Surfing for Life” flirt with Zen notions of living in the moment, and accepting what comes. Fred van Dyke, a renown big-wave surfer from the ’60s to the ’80s and another of the film’s subjects, tells of catching glimpses of perfection while inside a 40- to 50-foot wave. 

The film is light on pulse-pumping, apocalyptic wave footage you might see in your typical surf video. It is much more reliant on archival stills and movies from decades previous. But since the early surfing community was small, much of the archival material features the film’s subjects in their younger years, in action. In fact, some stills used in the film were shot by Doc himself. 

Van Dyke, a retired school teacher who splits his time between Hawaii and Montana, said during his stay in the Bay Area this week that although it’s been a “paradise,” his life in surfing is not without regret. “In order for me to be selfish enough to surf as much as I did, I hurt a lot of people.” 

“My involvement with surfing was 90 percent ego and 10 percent need for recognition,” said van Dyke. “I don’t need it anymore.” 

Although essentially a cheerleading film for joie de vivre, “Surfing for Life” touches on the underside of blind devotion. Many of the subjects let their passion for surfing affect their jobs and marriages. 

“In many cases other things have to take a back seat, and in some cases it impacted relationships,” said Brown. “They would all agree with that.” 

“For me it’s like psychotherapy,” said van Dyke about “Surfing for Life.” “Every time I watch it I find something more about my friends and something more about myself.” 

“My wife says this. I’m easier to live with now.” 

“Surfing for Life” screens this Sunday and Monday at the UC Theater, and then goes up at the Fine Arts Cinema in Berkeley May 3-10. For program and ticket information call the UC at 510-843-FILM or the Fine Arts at 510-848-1038.

 

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. 

 

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MUSIC VENUES

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ASHKENAZ 

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 

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 

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 

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 

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. 

 

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MUSEUMS

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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. 

“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 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. 

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. 

 

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GALLERIES

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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 exhibit or performance. 

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

Daily Planet Staff 

NFL Draft Day is upon us, and fans of the original Hit Squad will have to come to terms with the fact that, after this weekend, Deltha O’Neal, Sekou Sanyika and Matt Beck will no longer be Bears. At least not Cal Bears. 

The Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers are reportedly among a growing list of pro squads potentially interested in linebackers Sanyika and Beck, and at this point, just about everybody seems to be down with Deltha. Though questions remain in the minds of some scouts and draft pundits about the adaptability of all three to the NFL game, it seems safe to assume that these three dominant defenders have the best shot, among eligible Bears, at getting drafted this weekend. 

Deltha O’Neal:  

A First-round Steal? 

After all the miraculous numbers O’Neal put up in his senior year at Cal (six touchdowns, four INT’s for TDs), it seems farcical that the number that brought him the most attention was the 4.38 he posted in a 40 in March. With the rumors on the cornerback’s speed sufficiently squelched, O’Neal has found his way onto most teams’ draft boards, and has been projected by some analysts as a first-rounder. 

Among those expecting O’Neal to be selected in the opening round are ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr., who has him going 19th overall to Seattle, and the ESPN online editor’s panel, which also sends him to the Seahawks, but with the 22nd pick. Russ Lande of Football Insider.com also projects O’Neal as a late first-round pick, expecting Minnesota to make him the draft’s 25th overall selection. Called “a natural ballhawk” by Pro Football Weekly, the Cal star is widely believed to have the ball instincts and athleticism to make an immediate impact in the pros. 

Ohio State’s Ahmed Plummer has emerged as the other first-round candidate at the cornerback position, and is believed by many to have the edge on O’Neal. Minnesota, San Francisco and Kansas City – each boasting picks in the late first round – are all among NFL teams with documented weaknesses at defensive back. The fact that O’Neal played under 49er head coach Steve Mariucci in 1996 could also add another interesting piece to the puzzle, in light of the cornerback’s Bay Area popularity. 

Projection: Seattle skips O’Neal, hoping he’ll still be around three picks later. He won’t, as Kansas City nabs him with the 21st selection. 

Beck: How bad will the injuries really hurt? 

Matt Beck has accumulated a lengthy list of bumps and bruises throughout his collegiate career, but anyone who has seen the linebacker play through injury knows he is anything but “soft.” A possible first-rounder before his foot injury last September, Beck dropped into virtual obscurity among NFL scouts, before a recent rekindling of interest reemerged the linebacker as a potential early-round pick.  

Though virtually every draft report makes note of Beck’s history of injury, the defender’s on-field intensity and instinct have reportedly attracted interest from the Bears Packers and Colts – all in need of young linebackers. Considered anywhere from an immediate NFL contributor to a hopeless injury case by draft analysts, Beck’s draft position could fall anywhere between the mid-to-late second and fourth rounds.  

Projection: Third round, to Indy or Green Bay. 

Sekou Sanyika:  

No. 13’s lucky day? 

With the number of quality linebacker available, Cal’s most productive pass-rusher may also be its biggest wild card going into today’s draft.  

Sanyika impressed the right people with his record-setting 18 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in 1999, and after putting up relatively competitive numbers in the combine, appears to have turned heads on many an NFL scouting staff. According to NFL Digest.com, Arizona, Chicago, Green Bay, Indianapolis and Oakland have all considered Sanyika. 

While Sanyika’s ability to defend the run in the NFL has been questioned, his pass-rushing and general instincts, along with his leadership in the Beck-less 1999 season, put him among the top 10 linebackers on most analysts’ draft boards.  

Projection: Fourth round, to Oakland 

(subhed) The other guys 

For Cal’s less-often discussed potential draftees, Sunday may be the day of reckoning. Defensive ends Mawuko Tugbenyoh and Jeremiah Parker both upped their stock with impressive senior season, and could be safe day-two picks for squads in need of help on the d-line, like New England, Buffalo, Arizona and Minnesota. The same scouts may also have their eyes on defensive tackle Jerry DeLoach, who entered his senior season virtually assured of an NFL future, before a stinger severely limited his minutes with the 1999 Bears.  

Other Cal defenders eligible for this weekend’s draft are linebacker Keith Miller, who racked up 62 tackles in an injury-hindered 1999, and safety Pete Destefano, who led all Bears with a sky-high 88 tackles in his senior season. Despite the 1999 Bears’ horrendous offensive reputation, offensive guard John Romero - from Berkeley’s St. Mary’s High School - and fullback Joshua White both have a chance to continue their careers at the next level. 

Daily Planet Staff 

Berkeley police arrested 10 people and have warrants for the arrests of 13 more people following a six-week undercover drug sweep conducted jointly with the University of California Police Department. 

Lt. Bob Maloney of the Berkeley Police Department said Friday afternoon that police were on the street looking for the remaining 13 suspects. 

He said the investigation centered on street-level illicit drug sales around the campus area of Telegraph Avenue and on downtown Shattuck Avenue. 

Undercover officers purchased illicit drugs, ranging from marijuana to cocaine, from 23 individuals, but Maloney would not disclose the amounts of the purchases or the quantities of the various drugs. 

The “undercover buy operation” was initiated by complaints of drug dealing to the police from business owners and residents, he said. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington, whose district encompasses the campus area of Telegraph Avenue, commented on the as-yet-unrevealed quantities of the different drugs purchased, saying he has requested a report. 

“If they’re (police) entrapping 25-year-old young people to buy one marijuana cigarette and call that a drug dealer that’s not an appropriate use of city resources,” he said. 

Entrapment for the sale of heroin and crack is another matter, he said, and it is beneficial to the community. 

Worthington said the downtown Shattuck area has been plagued more in the past year by crack and heroin dealing than Telegraph. 

Councilmember Dona Spring, whose district includes downtown, noted that “when police presence was really heavy up on Telegraph it drove a lot of the drug dealers down to Shattuck.” 

“We can’t afford drugs being sold on Shattuck, because there are a lot of high school students. We can’t afford to have drug dealers in Berkeley period,” she said. 

The unforgiving fairways of Pleasanton’s Castlewood Country Club wreaked havoc on the Berkeley High boys golf team on Thursday, adding 42 strokes to the Yellowjackets’ best home score to send them home with a less-than-spectacular 247. 

The deep and consistent Foothill Falcons took full advantage of its home course, navigating the hilly nine holes in an impressive 201 strokes. The BHS loss dropped the ’Jackets to 1-11 in the East Bay Athletic League, where they are currently tied with struggling Granada High in last place. 

“(The course was) much harder than Tilden,” BHS coach Rodney Kopish said after the match. “It’s a country club course, very hilly, with tight, narrow fairways, and a really hard-breaking green. It was a tough, tough course.” 

BHS No. 1 golfer Ivan Holmes once again turned in the team’s best score, carding a 42. Curran Kennedy and Adam Breckler also played well at the Nos. 2 and 3 spots, posting 46 and 48, respectively. 

Matt Wickett and Ronald Quintero completed the BHS top five, scoring 55 and 56. 

“They’re starting to realize (their potential), and getting more upset when they don’t play well,” Kopish said about the team’s newly adopted competitive attitude. “That makes a big difference.” 

The match marked the fourth in four days for Berkeley, which participated in tournaments on Monday and Wednesday. While Kopish was pleased with the progress he witnessed throughout the busy week, he admits that the upcoming week off will be therapeutic for the exhausted ’Jackets. 

“There was a sense of relaxation and exhaustion today,” the coach said. “They’re very much looking forward to spring break, for a chance to put the clubs down for a few days in a row.” 

After spring break, Berkeley High returns to the links for two more league matches before the regular season ends. The ’Jackets host San Ramon Valley at Tilden Park on April 24, before closing out the 2000 campaign on the road against California High on April 27. The EBAL tournament is slated to begin May 1.

The Berkeley Unified School District is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information about an arson fire at the Berkeley High School campus that caused $1 million damage Wednesday. 

Asst. Fire Chief David Orth, who announced the reward Friday, said it would go to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the fire. 

Orth said a special arson tip telephone number has been established at 510-644-8721, where callers can leave messages regarding Wednesday’s fire in the B Building or any of the other arson fires he said have occurred on the campus this year. That includes the April 13 fire in the English Department’s bookroom, and a small trash can fire late Thursday morning. 

He said security at the high school’s campus is being beefed up with additional security cameras and fire detection equipment, and the installation of digital locks that record the identity of users. 

A meeting with parents is planned for April 24 at 7 p.m. in the Berkeley Community Theater to discuss the fires, the measures that have been taken and the investigation, which is ongoing, Orth said.

Daily Planet Staff 

Three power outages hit downtown Berkeley as the week drew to a close, and a PG&E spokesperson said two of the incidents appear to be linked. 

The first outage occurred at 9:06 p.m. Thursday, and only affected about 25 customers in the area near Allston Way and Shattuck Avenue. Power was restored to those customers at 2:25 a.m., said PG&E spokesperson Jonathan Franks. 

The next incident occurred a few minutes after midnight Friday, when more than 1,850 customers lost power for about an hour. Ironically, the affected area was identical to an outage a week earlier. The early morning problems on April 7 were caused by the explosion of an underground transformer, but Franks said this time around, it appears a tree brought down an overhead power line. 

The third outage happened in the Allston-Shattuck area, this time just past noon Friday. Franks said 32 customers lost power – including the temporary Central Library, which closed for the rest of the day. Power had been restored to 26 customers by Friday evening, but six were expected to remain without electricity until around 3 a.m. 

Several residents called the Daily Planet on Friday to complain about the ongoing power outages in the downtown area. 

Franks said that the two Allston-Shattuck problems were related, due to equipment problems, including a transformer connector and circuits that were linked to that location. 

“With any underground system, if there are equipment problems, it is not unheard of to have them over a period of a few days because the equipment is not visible and it’s not easily accessible,” he said.

Daily Planet Staff 

Sales tax and the Internet – it’s an issue that needs to be addressed immediately, according to one local independent bookseller who spoke at a Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday. 

Bill Petrocelli, co-owner of Book Passage, a “ma and pa” bookstore in Corte Madera, said the giant booksellers are “trying to kill us with the sales tax issue.” 

Customers at Main Street bookstores here must pay California sales tax, but Amazon.com customers in California do not pay sales tax on their purchases from the mega-merchant. 

The state determines if the business has sufficient connection or nexus in the state to pay sales tax here, and states have no jurisdiction over out-of-state sellers. 

But Petrocelli believes the online Amazons, Barnes and Nobles and Borders do have such a connection. 

“I think they’re obligated (to pay sales tax) under the present law,” said Petrocelli. 

The bookseller would exempt small online businesses that lack the resources to economically add sales tax to customer bills. 

Berkeley bookstore owner Andy Ross, who operates two Cody’s bookstores in town, has been a vocal critic of the e-commerce advantage in gaining customers who don’t want to pay sales tax. 

He had said in an earlier civic meeting that sales tax feeds communities and that it pays for one-quarter of Berkeley’s services, including police, parks, fire and road repair. 

Speaking from an opposite viewpoint, an information economics expert told Chamber business leaders that time is available to work on solutions to level the playing field. 

Hal R. Varian, dean of the School of Information Management and Systems at UC Berkeley, said later that an ideal world scenario would offer a “dramatically different sales tax. 

“You would either have an income tax surcharge or a value added tax,” he said. 

In presenting an option to retain the sales tax until a better solution is determined, Varian reminded the audience that online purchases within the state are taxed. 

Additionally, he said airline tickets are the largest online purchases and those sales “completely swamp the sales of books and CD’s.” 

He also said that mail order companies out of state don’t pay tax either, and they have about 6 percent of total retail sales, compared to the one-half percent of those sales through e-commerce. 

He talked about the complexity and inefficient implementation of sales taxes. 

There are 7,500 taxing jurisdictions, and while federal uniformity has been suggested it would be difficult to implement. Varian said Congress would decide, but the states would spend the money. 

As did Petrocelli, Ross viewed Varian’s viewpoint of the problem as a recipe for inaction. 

To scrap sales tax and increase income tax is a fine proposal, said Ross, but not politically feasible. Like Varian he said the political reality makes the penny raises of sales taxes more palatable to the voters than income tax. 

In the meantime, said Ross, the sales tax should become more fair by eliminating its exclusion on Internet commerce. 

“The same products sold to the same consumer in the same locality should be taxed the same way,” he said

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 

 

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Saturday, April 15

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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. 

 

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Sunday, April 16

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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. 

 

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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 

 

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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

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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 

 

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Thursday, April 13

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“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. 

 

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Friday, April 14

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“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 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.