By Drew Beck 

Daily Planet Staff 

East Bay youth and community members came together Wednesday with Native American prayer runners to rally for peace and dignity across the Americas.  

The rally was but one stop on a transcontinental run the Native Americans are engaged in. The run is part of Peace and Dignity Journeys 2000, an event that sees runners start from Alaska and Tierra del Fuego and meet on the temples of the Sun and the Moon in Teotihuacan, near Mexico City. 

The East Bay leg of Peace and Dignity Journeys 2000 was hosted by Youth Together, a multi-racial violence- prevention and socia-justice project operating in five high schools in the East Bay. Youth Together provided food and shelter for the Native American runners while they were in the Bay Area. 

Members of Youth Together took this opportunity to speak out against poor quality schools and the lack of preventative measures to stem the tide of youth violence.  

"We’re taking this opportunity to share with the runners our stories," said Raquel Jimenez, an organizer of the event and Youth Together participant. "We want them to take these stories with them as they continue across the continent." 

The event took place in Martin Luther King Jr. Park in downtown Berkeley. It started with the Youth Together participants and other community members in a circle while the Native American runners were still en route. From the center of the circle Juanita Chaves and Emilio Mariscal of Danza Cuahtonal, a local Aztec community dance group, explained to those present what the ceremony was about and what it would entail. 

As Chaves passed a bowl of burning incense in front of each of the participants, Mariscal beat a rhythm on a ceremonial drum and asked that anyone who wanted to leave the circle do so only through the east side of it. 

After the incense ceremony, the runners arrived and took their places in a smaller circle inside the larger. Jimenez welcomed the runners and asked for one of them to step forward and say some words on the goals of the runners. The man who stepped forward spoke of the history of Peace and Dignity Journeys and of the goal of starting 500 years of reconciliation with all peoples.  

"When Columbus got here what he brought was disrespect," he said. "And as a result we’ve had 500 years of disrespect." 

After this stirring speech, Pam Pradachit, a Youth Together organizer and recent Berkeley High graduate, spoke on the issue of violence in schools along racial lines. She exhorted the crowd to "struggle to find the solution within our selves." 

Later, another runner led the group in a traditional song of welcoming. 

At the end of the ceremony, Chaves and Mariscal guided the gathering in honoring the four directions, East, West, North and South.  

After the ceremony the runners took off once again to head towards Castlemont High School in Oakland where ceremonies would include African, Aztec, Polynesian and Mien dancers. pants and other community members in a circle while the Native American runners were still en route. From the center of the circle Juanita Chaves and Emilio Mariscal of Danza Cuahtonal, a local Aztec community dance group, explained to those present what the ceremony was about and what it would entail. 

As Chaves passed a bowl of burning incense in front of each of the participants, Mariscal beat a rhythm on a ceremonial drum and asked that anyone who wanted to leave the circle do so only through the east side of it. 

After the incense ceremony, the runners arrived and took their places in a smaller circle inside the larger. Jimenez welcomed the runners and asked for one of them to step forward and say some words on the goals of the runners. The man who stepped forward spoke of the history of Peace and Dignity Journeys and of the goal of starting 500 years of reconciliation with all peoples.  

"When Columbus got here what he brought was disrespect," he said. "And as a result we’ve had 500 years of disrespect." 

After this stirring speech, Pam Pradachit, a Youth Together organizer and recent Berkeley High graduate, spoke on the issue of violence in schools along racial lines. She exhorted the crowd to "struggle to find the solution within our selves." 

Later, another runner led the group in a traditional song of welcoming. 

At the end of the ceremony, Chaves and Mariscal guided the gathering in honoring the four directions, East, West, North and South.  

After the ceremony the runners took off once again to head towards Castlemont High School in Oakland where ceremonies would include African, Aztec, Polynesian and Mien dancers.pants and other community members in a circle while the Native American runners were still en route. From the center of the circle Juanita Chaves and Emilio Mariscal of Danza Cuahtonal, a local Aztec community dance group, explained to those present what the ceremony was about and what it would entail. 

As Chaves passed a bowl of burning incense in front of each of the participants, Mariscal beat a rhythm on a ceremonial drum and asked that anyone who wanted to leave the circle do so only through the east side of it. 

After the incense ceremony, the runners arrived and took their places in a smaller circle inside the larger. Jimenez welcomed the runners and asked for one of them to step forward and say some words on the goals of the runners. The man who stepped forward spoke of the history of Peace and Dignity Journeys and of the goal of starting 500 years of reconciliation with all peoples.  

"When Columbus got here what he brought was disrespect," he said. "And as a result we’ve had 500 years of disrespect." 

After this stirring speech, Pam Pradachit, a Youth Together organizer and recent Berkeley High graduate, spoke on the issue of violence in schools along racial lines. She exhorted the crowd to "struggle to find the solution within our selves." 

Later, another runner led the group in a traditional song of welcoming. 

At the end of the ceremony, Chaves and Mariscal guided the gathering in honoring the four directions, East, West, North and South.  

After the ceremony the runners took off once again to head towards Castlemont High School in Oakland where ceremonies would include African, Aztec, Polynesian and Mien dancers.

Pacifica executive should have known 

Editor: 

In an interview published July 25, Pacifica's Executive Director Bessie Wash says your reporter "caught [her] by surprise" with a question about democratization of the local advisory board for KPFA. She said she didn't know anything about it and referred you to Jim Bennett, KPFA's interim general manager. 

The change in the local board has been announced for some months now, and were Ms. Wash to take any interest in the largest station in the network she administers, she'd easily have known about it. And in asking your paper to direct questions about the local board election to Mr. Bennett, she showed either ignorance of station governance (Mr. Bennett is not a member of that board and isn't responsible for its procedures), or perhaps just inability to name any of the board's members. Either is alarming in an administrator hired to deal with a challenging situation.  

Ms. Wash has been caught off guard not by a pertinent question from the Daily Planet, but by the serious responsibilities of her job. 

David B. Aragon 

Berkeley 

Hills fire station not needed 

Editor: 

In response to the story in your July 22 issue about the proposed Hill Fire Station, I am writing this letter to you to express my views and concern about the project, according to my understanding of the proposal. My understanding of the project is that it will be built adjacent to the Shasta Pumping Station and that it will involve a three bay building of between 7,5000 and 10,000 square feet and that Fire Station 7 will be eliminated. I reside uphill and behind the Shasta Pumping Station. 

This project is causing a lot of controversy and conflict in our neighborhoods. It also does not conform to the requirements of Measure G – the bond measure providing funds that the City contemplates using to build the project. 

I start out with the assumptions that everyone is in favor of earthquake and fire safety and that we certainly have enough controversy and conflict within the borders of Berkeley. 

As I see it, there are two main aspects to the problem of providing adequate earthquake and fire protection to the hill area that need to be addressed: 

(1) The first aspect is that there must be an immediate, effective response to dire, medical, and other emergencies that arise in this area. These have been and now are being very adequately addressed by Fire Station 7 in the areas below the present location and in those areas above and east of the present location. 

(2) Another aspect of the problem is addressing the needs of the area in the case of a catastrophic event – such as an earthquake or an area-wide fire as occurred in 1991 with the Oakland wildfire. 

The time required to respond to these latter kinds of events does not have the same urgency as those of Number One but require the availability of equipment, supplies, and staff sufficient to meet the needs of the neighborhoods and to address combating the danger of the event and the needs caused b the event. 

It appears to me, that the proper way to prevent conflict and provide proper safety for the residents of this neighborhoods would be to retrofit Fire Station 7 and to build a separate, jointly staffed, maintained, and equipped emergency storage area in the vicinity of the Centennial Drive and Grizzly Peak (where almost all of our wild fires have started in the past) or elsewhere on Park or University land in co-operation with the Park and the University. 

This would probably meet the requirements of Measure G, would eliminate the conflict arising over the present proposed project, provide for the safety of out neighborhoods, and place the financial burdens of the project on the proper jurisdictions. 

I submit that the magnitude of the project presently contemplated would be inappropriate and unacceptable in any residential neighborhood in Berkeley and has certainly served to bring conflict into an otherwise peaceful and quiet, pleasant neighborhoods. 

Minor Schmid 

Berkeley 

Foldvary fighting for parents’ rights 

This letter was sent to the Berkeley Daily Planet by Foldvary for Congress: 

Fred Foldvary, Libertarian Party candidate for Congress in the 9th District (Berkeley-Oakland area), declares he will seek federal legislation that protects parental rights as a civil right. 

The rights of parents include teaching their cultural heritage to their children. That implies the right of parents to choose the education of their children, including private schools and home schooling. The Berkeley School Board attempted to deny the right to home schooling, but the Alameda County District Attorney has backed off from its efforts to charge families that homeschool their children with criminal truancy. 

In May, four families were brought before the School Attendance Review Board, which questioned the legality of the existence of home schools. The Berkeley Unified School District SARB demanded that the families produce evidence of their children's school attendance as well as information regarding their educational curriculum. The Home School Legal Defense Association told WorldNetDaily, which has been reporting on this case, that the SARB has no authority to request any information regarding curriculum. 

According to Julie Foster of WorldNetDaily.com, Alameda County is notoriously hostile toward home schoolers and may use the complaint to challenge the legality of home schools in the state. 

Foldvary notes that home and private schooling creates a loss of state reimbursement, which would be gained if the students were enrolled in the school district. The public school boards therefore have a strong incentive to stop home schooling and to stifle competition from private schools. 

To protect the rights of parents and students to choose their schooling and preserve their cultural and religious heritage, Fred Foldvary advocates federal legislation to declare home schooling a civil right, to be protected by federal civil rights law under the 9th and 14th Amendments to the USA Constitution. 

Foldvary for Congress 

Berkeley

Thursday, July 27

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra. Come find out how to best handle close encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, sharks and more. 

527-7377 

Tai Chi exercise with Brain  

Omeki 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Zoning Adjustments Board  

Agenda 

7:00 p.m. 

Council Chambers 

2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

Items on the agenda will include the request by Patrick Kennedy and Gordon Choyce to demolish the existing building at 2700 San Pablo Ave. 

705-8111 

Berkeley Art Center’s Salon  

for the 16th Annual National  

Juried Exhibition 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Three artist featured in the Berkeley Art Center’s 16th Annual National Juried Exhibition will present slide-lectures of their work. 

Friday, July 28

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley  

Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances. This free event is sponsored by Teen Services and the Friends of the Library. 

644-6100 x313 

Conversational Yiddish 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Disablity Awareness and  

Outreach Subcommittee  

Meeting 

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 

First Floor Conference Room 

Public Works Office 

2201 Dwight Way 

Items on the agenda will include “Sidewalk Benches and Planters Design Guidelines,” and sidewalk seating and obstacles on the sidewalk. 

665-3445 or 548-1351 

The Berkeley Gray Panther 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Come to this forum, hosted by the Berkeley Gray Panthers, to discuss nursing house reform. 

548-9696 

Saturday, July 29

63rd Annual Bay Regional Golf Tournament 

Saturday and Sunday July 29 and 30 and Saturday and Sunday August 5 and 6 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

The Tournament consists of 72 Holes with a cut made after 2 Rounds. NCGA player points awarded-over $5000 in Prizes  

$115 Entry Fee-Entries Close July 19  

925-253-0950 

Berkeley State Health  

Toastmasters Club 

12:10-1:10 p.m. 

State Health Building, Eighth Floor, 2151 Berkeley Way 

Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization, has been working for over 70 years to help people conquer their pre-speech jitters and improve communication skills. The local club meetings the second, third and fourth Thursdays of each month. 

649-7750 or higgins_edie@hotmail.com 

15th Annual Berkeley Kite  

Festival and West Coast Kite  

Championships 

11 a.m.–5 p.m. 

Cesar Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina 

COmes see hundreds of kites take to the sky in the Berkeley Kite Festival, Saturday and Sunday July 29-30. 

235-5483 

Sunday, July 30

“Hammering it out” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave 

“Hammering It Out” is the story of a community initiated laws that resulted in hundreds of women getting trained and working on a billion-dollar freeway in Los Angeles in the 1980s and 90s. 

$7 donation 

“The Secret Garden” 

3:00 p.m. 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch 

Recommended for ages 8+. Based on the classic children’s book by Francis Hodgson Burnett, this 1949 film version remains a classic in its won right. 

Tickets $4 

642-5249 

Monday, July 31

Newly Diagnosed Breast  

Cancer Support Group 

Professionally facilitated support group allows members to share their feelings and to support each other in the healing process. Support group held every first, third and fifth Monday of each month.  

Call 204-4330 or 204-1769 for time and location. 

“Italy: The Land of the Renaissance” with the Julians 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Tuesday, August 1

Genetic Engineering Teach-In  

and Strategy Session 

6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 

Ecology Center 

2530 San Pablo Ave 

From 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. there will be videos on genetically modified food issues followed by a feneral strategy session on local actions. There will be a detailed discussion of upcoming events by the Organic Consumers Association. 

548-2220 ext. 233 

erc@ecologycenter.org 

www.ecologycenter.org

Complexities in the proposed rent control ballot measure kept the City Council and staff in their seats into the wee Wednesday morning hours tweaking the measure until a passing 5-1-2 vote could be taken. The measure will go before the voters Nov. 7.  

Voting for the ballot language was the progressive bloc: Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek, and councilmembers Linda Maio, Margaret Breland, Dona Spring and Kriss Worthington. Councilmember Betty Olds voted in opposition and Councilmember Polly Armstrong and Mayor Shirley Dean abstained. Councilmember Diane Woolley was absent.  

The ballot measure, patterned after one passed by San Francisco voters, is designed to protect renters over 60 and the disabled from landlords moving into their apartments. Renters age 60 and over and the disabled who have been living in a unit for at least five years, may not be removed by a landlord who wants to move into the apartment.  

The measure will also protect long-term renters – those who have lived in a unit for five years where the landlord has a 10 percent ownership in five or more residential units in the city. 

Voting on the measure was complex. Councilmember Linda Maio owns a house she rents out and Mayor Shirley Dean owns three units of housing. This ownership meant that each would be in conflict under certain language in the measure. 

Maio fought successfully against the proposed section of the measure that said a landlord who owns a single unit would not be able to move their children into it. 

“It just wasn’t acceptable,” Maio said. “At some point, if push comes to shove, I would want my kids to move in (my rental house).” 

Several motions were brought up and shot down in an hour-long wrestling match to allow Maio to vote on the measure. 

Councilmember Betty Olds objected to the maneuvering of the progressives to get the passing vote.  

“You can’t vote because of a conflict of interest, then you let them vote to clear up that conflict. It’s mind-boggling,” she said. “I think it will be challenged.” 

The ballot measure will include a subsection that landlords must pay $4,500 to low-income tenants whom they displace. 

Critics say that the measure going on the ballot is much too complicated and punishes landlords. 

“The whole purpose is to protect the seniors and the disabled, and that’s what we’ve been trying to do. (Now) it’s too complex and vindictive. They’ve added so much language to punish the landlords,” Olds said. 

She added that the discussion came very late in the evening and that the council was harried. 

“Nobody knows what they voted for,” she said. “There should be a law against attempting to create a measure or law after 11 p.m.” 

Al Sukoff, a property owner in Berkeley and a member of the Berkeley Property Owners Association said he and the BPOA obviously oppose the measure and called it an “egregious usurpation of the rights of property owners.” 

Sukoff said it will probably result in litigation.  

Other Berkeleyans celebrated the passage.  

Councilmember Worthington said that it has been a “phenomenal public process.” 

“I’m thrilled. We almost got it in ‘98, but we ran into a time crunch. Then it came back up and has appeared on the agenda about seven times. We would keep getting comments from the public and we would make minor adjustments to try to accommodate (them). So we’ve been working on it for months. Now it will finally go to the voters,” he said. 

Some lamented the small changes, but still support the measure. 

“Frankly I think it’s a weakened ordinance,” said progressive rent board slate nominee Paul Hogarth. “The changes are minor, but the overwhelming majority of the ordinance is there. 

“Even though the language was slightly changed, I think it will protect thousands,” said Rent Board Member Stephanie Bernay.  

“I think when you step back and compare what you could have, to actually what you got, it’s not bad,” she said. “The tenants of Berkeley are the winners. This ordinance will help every single student.”

A pretrial hearing in the case of a Berkeley teenager charged with battery on a peace officer and resisting arrest was rescheduled yesterday after lawyers for the defendant asked Berkeley Superior Court Judge Carol Brosnahan for additional time to gather evidence in the case.  

“There are some pictures that were taken of my client and we have additional witnesses that we need to interview,” said defense lawyer Arthur Kennedy Mitchell of the office of Oakland civil rights attorney John Burris. 

Mitchell said yesterday that he also had not yet reviewed a police dispatch tape of the incident. Deputy District Attorney David Lim agreed yesterday to postpone the hearing until Aug. 30.  

Keith Stephens, a starting running back last fall on the Berkeley High football team, was arrested June 1 after a traffic stop in West Berkeley. According to police, Stephens got out of his mother’s 1996 Dodge Intrepid and attacked police officer Tim Gardner, pinning him to the ground. In the ensuing scuffle, police say, members of Stephens’ family joined a confrontation with Berkeley police officers who had responded to a radio call for an “officer down.” Stephens’ aunt and sister were also arrested in the incident but have not been charged. 

Stephens is African-American and his family maintains that race played a role in the incident. Civil rights attorney Burris, who specializes in cases involving police brutality, has indicated he may file a civil complaint against the Berkeley Police Department.  

The Berkeley DA’s office denies that race was a factor.  

“They think it’s a race-based attack on a young black man,” said Deputy DA Lim. “If I thought that was (true) I would dismiss the case,” he said.  

Lim added that he has a different explanation for what transpired after police stopped the 18-year-old on Channing Way after noticing his car had expired tags, but he declined to elaborate. 

“We have a pretty solid theory about why he did what he did,” Lim said Monday. “It’s not as random as it would appear to be, but I’m not willing to divulge (our theory) until this is resolved or goes totrial.” 

If the case does go to trial it will be transferred from Berkeley to Oakland Superior Court. Stephens faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in jail and a $2,000 fine.  

Defense attorneys say the charges are groundless.  

“My client did nothing wrong,” attorney Mitchell said after yesterday’s brief hearing. “He’s basically innocent of all charges.”  

Stephens, 5’10” and solidly built, graduated from Berkeley High this spring and is currently enrolled at San Francisco City College, where he is spending the summer working out with the football team. Stephens and three family members were present outside the courtroom yesterday, but Mitchell said he preferred that Stephens not speak with the press.  

Author Meredith Maran, who spent the past year writing a book about three Berkeley High students, including Stephens, told the Daily Planet that, according to family members, the police put Stephens in a choke hold and beat him with clubs. Maran says that as many as fifteen squad cars appeared on the scene in the melee that followed the traffic stop. But Deputy DA Lim said only four additional officers had responded to the scene. 

In researching her book, Maran attended classes with Stephens and visited his home. She has taken on an advocacy role in the case. 

“He’s not violent,” Maran said of Stephens. “He has a big personality, he has lots of charisma and charml. He’s very funny; he’s not docile,” she said.  

“I never would have wished this on Keith,” Maran added. “He missed the prom and his last few weeks of school were dominated by being arrested and beaten.”

The questions were too complex and too numerous to begin to answer at Tuesday evening’s Berkeley Housing Authority meeting, scheduled from 7 p.m. to 7:05 p.m. 

When should the meetings be held and how long should they last? And how can Berkeley residents get vouchers for Section 8 – low income – rental housing?  

The Berkeley Housing Authority is charged with overseeing some 60 units of public housing and about 1,400 Section 8 rental units. 

All 11 members of the housing authority – the nine councilmembers and two low-housing residents – agreed Tuesday evening that all the questions need full discussion. They decided that in order for that to take place they would have to wait until the council reconvenes after its summer break. 

“Many people equate the BHA with City Council,” said Helen Wheeler, who represents Section 8 renters. “The BHA has been shuffled off and especially recently, hasn’t had enough time and attention to see that it is well-managed.” 

The most pressing issue at hand is the progress of the Section 8 voucher lottery, Wheeler said. Of the 5,000 people that applied for a Section 8 voucher, 1,592 were accepted as qualified Berkeley residents, 160 have been interviewed for initial eligibility and 20 have submitted the required documents to determine their eligibility.  

Only five have been determined eligible. Those five candidates are scheduled for a group briefing later in the month. 

Meanwhile, people like Ed Rosenfeld teeter on the edge of homelessness while being placed on the waiting list to receive a voucher. “It’s been a long and arduous, not to mention tedious, process,” Rosenfeld said, during the public comment period at the beginning of the housing authority meeting. 

Rosenfeld was issued Number 287 in the lottery, filed all the required paperwork, and said he was assured by the BHA administration that he would receive his certificate by the end of the summer. He said he is still waiting. 

A differently-composed housing authority may be able to address some of the problems, Mayor Shirley Dean said. 

In a letter to members of the City Council, Dean said the new authority could be comprised of five members elected by the current members, with a possible mix of both property owners and residents of publicly-owned housing. These members could be elected by mail and represent each of the four quadrants in the city with one member at large. 

“The issues that are before the authority are becoming more and more complicated as the regulations change at HUD and congress cuts or augments programs such as Section 8,” she said. “Not only are the issues becoming more complex, they are also changing.” 

Dean was referring to programs such as the Resident Advisory Board, to be comprised of public housing residents and Section 8 participants.  

The board is currently operating on an interim basis until its members can be elected.  

Berkeley Housing Authority issues require more time than the five minutes scheduled once each month. On average, the meetings exceed the allotted time and last about one hour.  

Further, Dean feels that the BHA cuts into Cty Council time by delaying discussion of items on the council agenda, not to mention space in the council chambers. 

“There simply isn’t enough room for 11 people to sit in the Council seats that are meant to accommodate nine people,” she wrote. 

Wheeler, on the other hand, says that the meetings are not scheduled monthly. There have been only six meetings last year and five this year, she said. Housing Authority matters merit more attention, she argued.  

Members of Service Employees International Union Local 535 who work for the BHA, meanwhile, complain that they cannot properly accomplish their tasks without proper assistance from management. They say they are using outdated software and have an overload of paperwork.  

They place the blame on BHA director Lee Hightower and his supervisor, Stephen Barton. “From a staff perspective we must tell you, things get worse, not better,” said senior field representative Ron Rhone in a complaint letter to the city manager.

When a 170-foot communication tower was erected beside the new Public Safety Building at McKinley Avenue and Addison Street in April, the neighbors were not too pleased. 

Local residents immediately complained that the tower obstructed views from their houses and decreased the value of their properties. Those residents have since formed a group to discuss the tower, and their concerns may be answered when they meet with city officials next month. 

The small neighborhood group formed in June and has met on its own several times to discuss the issues surrounding the tower. However, it will not hold its first meeting with the city until Aug. 11. 

At a neighborhood meeting last week where neighborhood residents and city staff were discussing construction of the almost completed Public Safety Building, the city finally set a date to meet with the neighborhood group. Lorin Jensen, in charge of the PSB construction project will be meeting with the neighbors, said Carrie Sprague, a member of the neighborhood group. 

The neighborhood wants the tower to be moved from the PSB or modified in the near future, but has not developed a plan or strategy. Some issues that will be discussed in addition to the size and appearance of the communication tower are possible health hazards the tower creates and the necessity of each antenna on the tower. 

“The sooner we handle the tower issue, the sooner they can move into the Public Safety Building, which is what all the neighbors want,” Sprague said. 

A report was submitted to City Council in May listing five alternatives to the PSB location. The suggestions included moving the tower to another city-owned building somewhere within three blocks of the PSB, moving the tower farther than a three-block radius, and using different technologies to replace the tower. 

“It’s not realistic that we can expect the city to remove the tower,” neighbor Zoe Kalkanis said. “We have to find out what the alternatives are and find out what is possible. We just live here, we aren’t experienced in radio technology.” 

Councilmember Dona Spring asked the city to allocate $10,000 to hire an expert in communications equipment to examine alternative sites or configurations for the antenna. The city ended up allocating $50,000 for a consultant. The neighborhood group is working on its requirements for the consultant. 

The city estimated that moving or reconfiguring the tower could cost anywhere from $200,000 to over $2 million. 

“My hope is that it is moved by the end of the year,” Spring said. 

For the time being, the McKinley Avenue neighborhood will have to wait and see what comes out of the Aug. 11 meeting. 

“I would like to see the process move forward,” said Dave Williamson, one of the neighbors who wants the tower to be moved. “That’s what I would like to see. There are several steps and we have not taken the first one yet.” 

“We are on hold right now,” Kalkanis added. “We can’t do anything until we meet with the city.”

judith scherr/Daily Planet Staff 

A mermaid joins Marina workers and supporters at a rally before the City Council meeting Tuesday to remind councilmembers of their promise to discuss expanding the living wage to Marina workers at that council meeting. It was not placed on the agenda, however. Demonstrators say they want the issue discussed at the first council meeting in September. Because the city owns the Marina, its tenants would have to pay their workers at the city’s “living wage” standard, according to the city’s new law. However, since those lease negotiations do not come up for a decade or more, the Marina workers would not benefit from the law. So they want the city to find another way to apply the law to them.

Wednesday, July 26

Nursing Home Reform 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Prescott Cole, staff attorney and elder abuse coordinator for California Advocates for Nursing Ho me Reform is the featured speaker at the membership meeting. Also speaking is Betty Brown of Common Agenda. 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

Disaster Council 

7 p.m. 

997 Cedar St. 

Discussions include bicycle policy issues and BPD Chief’s report. 

644-6480 

Townhall Meeting on the  

Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110 

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. 

644-6870 

Deaf and Disabled  

Telecommunications Program  

with Mike Mening 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

510-644-6107 

Public Hearing on the  

Environmental Impact Report  

for the Goldman School of  

Public Policy Expansion  

Project 

7 p.m. 

Goldman School 

2607 Hearst Ave. in the conference room. 

Thursday, July 27

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra.  

527-7377 

Tai Chi exercise with Brain  

Omeki 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Zoning Adjustments Board  

Agenda 

7:00 p.m. 

Council Chambers 

2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

Items on the agenda will include the request by Patrick Kennedy and Gordon Choyce to demolish the existing building at 2700 San Pablo Ave. 

705-8111 

Berkeley Art Center’s Salon  

for the 16th Annual National  

Juried Exhibition 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Three artist featured in the Berkeley Art Center’s 16th Annual National Juried Exhibition will present slide-lectures of their work. 

Friday, July 28

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley  

Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances.  

644-6100 x313 

Conversational Yiddish with Allen Stross 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Disablity Awareness and  

Outreach Subcommitte  

Meeting 

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 

First Floor Conference Room 

Public Works Administration Office 

2201 Dwight Way 

Items on the agenda will include “Sidewalk Benches and Planters Design Guidelines,” and sidewalk seating and obstacles on the sidewalk. 

665-3445 or 548-1351 

The Berkeley Gray Panther 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Come to this forum, hosted by the Berkeley Gray Panthers, to discuss nursing house reform. 

548-9696 

Saturday, July 29

63rd Annual Bay Regional Golf Tournament 

Saturday and Sunday July 29 and 30 and Saturday and Sunday August 5 and 6 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

The Tournament consists of 72 Holes with a cut made after 2 Rounds. NCGA player points awarded-over $5000 in Prizes  

$115 Entry Fee-Entries Close July 19  

925-253-0950 

Berkeley State Health  

Toastmasters Club 

12:10-1:10 p.m. 

State Health Building, Eighth Floor, 2151 Berkeley Way 

Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization, has been working for over 70 years to help people conquer their pre-speech jitters and improve communication skills.  

649-7750 or higgins_edie@hotmail.com 

15th Annual Berkeley Kite  

Festival and West Coast Kite  

Championships 

11 a.m.–5 p.m. 

Cesar Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina 

Come see hundreds of kites take to the sky in the Berkeley Kite Festival, Saturday and Sunday July 29-30. 

235-5483 

www.highlineskites.com

THEATER 

ACTORS ENSEMBLE OF  

BERKELEY 

“Murder At The Vicarage” by Agatha Christie, through Aug. 12. Performance of the classic whodunnit. $10. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Aug. 10, 8 p.m. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave. 

528-5620. 

LOTTOMANIA: PLAY HERE 

“All you need us a dollar and a dream,” or so it goes when playingthe lootery. But just who plays the lottery? What’s it like to be one of the few winners of the lottery? Where do all the billions spent on lottery tickets go? Is the lottery a metaphor for anything-like life? Come see Lottomania: Play Here to find out. Written and directed by Gary Graves.  

For reservations and information call 558-1381. 

MURDER AT THE VICARAGE 

Agatha Christie’s “Murder At The Vicarage”, starring Miss Marple at Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave.  

Adapted for stage by Mole Charles and Barbara Toy, and presented by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, the City’s oldest theater company, the mystery will be on stage Friday and Saturday evening through August 12, plus a special Thursday evening performance on August 10. Admission is $10, with discounts for groups of 15 or more. 

For reservations call 528-5620. 

MUSIC VENUES 

YOSHI’S 

Sonny Fortune and Frank Morgan, July 25 through July 30. $18 to $22 general; Sunday matinee: $5 children; $10 adult with one child; $18 general.  

Unless otherwise noted, music at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.  

510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. 

238-9200 or (510) 762-BASS. 

924 GILMAN ST. 

924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, member-run no alcohol, drugs, and violence club located at the corner of 8th street and Gilman Street in Berkeley. Most shows are $5. Memberships for the year are $2. Shows start at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For the latest show information call 525-9926.  

July 28: Plan 9, Loose Change, Debris, Weakerthans, Big Link.  

July 29: Plan 9, Loose Change, Weaker Than, Debris, Big Link.  

July 30: Dillinger Escape Plan, Candira, Isis, Cadillac Blindside (5 p.m.).  

August 4: Hellchild, Benumb, Yellow Machine Gun, Spaceboy, Vulgar Pigeons.  

525-9926. 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL  

CHURCH 

“Rarities and Suprises” 

Join George Cleve, Music Director and Conductor, for a night the “Midsummer Mozart Festival,” on Friday, August 4. The concert will include “Three Adagios and Fugurd after J.S. Bach,” K. 404, “Six Variations on G minor on ‘Helas, j’ai perdu mon amant,’” K. 360, highlights from the “Abduction from the Seragio,” and “Divertimento” in D Major for 2 Horns and Strings K. 334. 

First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, at Dana. For ticket call City Box Office at 392-4400. 

MUSEUMS 

BERKELEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

"Berkeley's Ethnic Heritage." Through March 2001. 

The exhibit examines the rich cultural diversity of our city and the contributions of individuals and minority groups to our history and development. The exhibit look at the original native tribelets in the area and the immigrants who settled in Ocean View and displaced the Spanish/Mexican landowners. ICurated by Linda Rosen and the Berkeley Historical Society Exhibit Committee. Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Admission free. 

Berkeley Historical Society is located in the Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center Street, Berkeley. (510) 848-0181 

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc 

UC BERKELEY ART  

MUSEUM 

“Doug Aitken/MATRIX 185: Into the Sun,” through Sept. 3. An exhibit of works primarily in video and film, using the interplay of art and media to evoke deserted landscapes.  

“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.”  

“Images and Ideas: The Collection in Focus,” open-ended. The museum periodically displays some of its permanent collection in a context meant to highlight some aspect of the objects. The three areas of focus for this exhibit are Renaissance art, 19th and 20th-century American art and paintings from 1940 to the present. 

The Asian Galleries  

“Art of the Sung: Court and Monastery,” open-ended. A display of early Chinese works from the permanent collection.  

“Chinese Ceramics and Bronzes: The First 3,000 Years,” open-ended. 

“Works on Extended Loan from Warren King,” open-ended. 

“Three Towers of Han,” open-ended. 

$6 general; $4 seniors and students ages 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 11 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.  

642-0808. 

HALL OF HEALTH  

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. 

2230 Shattuck Ave. (lower level), Berkeley 

549-1564. 

HOLT PLANETARIUM 

Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. 

“Target Earth,” July 29 through Aug. 25. Make your own estimate of how often Earth has been hit by comets or asteroids. Find out how sciences such as astronomy, chemistry, paleontology and geology are all needed to shed light on the mystery of the dinosaur extinction. Daily, 2:15 p.m. 

$2 plus museum admission of $6 general; $4 students, seniors, disabled and youths aged 7 to 18; children under the age of 6 are not admitted. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Centennial Drive, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

PHOEBE HEARST MUSEUM 

“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. 

“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 p.m.; Thursday until 9 p.m. 

Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley 

(510) 643-7648. 

UC BERKELEY MUSEUM OF  

PALEONTOLOGY 

“Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20-foot tall, 40-foot long replica of the fearsome dinosaur. The replica is made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing. 

“Pteranodon,” ongoing. A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22 to 23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. 

“California Fossils Exhibit,” ongoing. An exhibit of some of the fossils which have been excavated in California. 

Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  

Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 642-1821. 

HABITOT CHILDREN’S  

MUSEUM 

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. 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue. 

(510) 647-1111 

JUDAH L. MAGNES MUSEUM 

“Telling Time: To Everything There Is A Season,” through May 2002.  

An exhibit structured around the seasons of the year and the seasons of life with objects ranging from the sacred and the secular, to the provocative and the whimsical. Highlights include treasures from Jewish ceremonial and folk art, rare books and manuscripts, contemporary and traditional fine art, video, photography and cultural kitsch. Through Nov. 4: “Spring and Summer.” 

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

2911 Russell St., Berkeley 

(510) 549-6950. 

LAWRENCE HALL OF  

SCIENCE 

From a region where kite making is an important part of village life, sports, arts, worship, and work, these Indonesian kites are exciting examples of inspiration, ingenuity, and technology. 

Special Events: Kites and Culture opening day on Saturday, July 29, will include kite making and Indonesian coffee. Kites Kaleidoscope on Wednesday, August 9, Noon-2:00 p.m.; and a weekend celebration of Indonesian dancing, music, food, and kite making, on Saturday and Sunday, August 19-20, 12:30-3:30 p.m. 

The final weekend of the Kites and Culture: The Spirit of Indonesia exhibit will feature performances by Balinese dancers on Saturday, August 19 (1:30 p.m.) and a Javanese gamelan orchestra on Sunday, August 20 (1:30 p.m.); and fascinating demonstrations by Indonesian kite makers, delicious delicacies of the region, and-of course-opportunities for everyone to make and fly kites. The exhibit runs from July 29 - August 20, 2000. 

Solids, Liquids, and Gases 

August 2, 2000, 12:00 Noon and 1:00 p.m.  

Learn all about solids, liquids, and gases! Discover how solids can change into colorful gases and what happens when liquid nitrogen cools a gas to hundreds of degrees below zero. Learn how spooky-looking fog is made! This popular and fun event, developed as an LHS school program is great for children in grades K-1. 

Son de la Tierra Mexican Music and Dancing Sunday 

August 6, 2000, Performance at 1:30 p.m. Science activities, 12:30-3:30 p.m.  

Top of the Bay Family Days Sunday Afternoon Outdoor Family Concert: 

A performance of Mexican music and dance from Son de la Tierra, literally "Song of the Earth," talented students from Richmond's East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond. 

Kites Kaleidoscope  

August 9, 2000, 12:00 Noon-2:00 p.m. 

See rainbows of color flying high! Learn how to make your own kite as you get the lowdown on aerodynamics! An exhibit of hand-crafted kites from Indonesia will be on hand to offer inspiration as you design your own kite. 

Science Stew 

August 16, 2000, 12:00 Noon-2:00 p.m.  

Ever wanted to whip up your own play dough or create the world's best bubble solution? Young scientists, just like the best chefs, combine their ingredients with big heaps of fun, nspiration and creativity! Come create your own scientific stew of cool toys with materials, ideas, and the help of science education specialists from the Hall's renowned SEPUP curriculum. 

Indonesian Kites and Culture Celebration  

Saturday and Sunday August 19 and 20, 2000, 12:30- 3:30 p.m. 

The final weekend of the spectacular Kites and Culture: The Spirit of Indonesia exhibit will feature performances by Balinese dancers on Saturday (1:30 p.m.) and a Javanese gamelan orchestra on Sunday (1:30 p.m.); and fascinating demonstrations by Indonesian kite makers, delicious delicacies of the region, and-of course-opportunities for everyone to make and fly kites. Included with museum admission. 

Into the A, B, Sea 

August 23, 2000, 12:00 Noon-2:00 p.m. 

Dive into the wonderful world of the ocean with local author Deborah Lee Rose who will read from her new book "Into the A, B, Sea", published by Scholastic Press. Find out more about the sea with fun hands-on activities from the LHS Marine Activites, Resources and Education (MARE) program. 

LHS Summer Games 2000  

August 30, 2000, 12:00 Noon-2:00 p.m.  

Australia may have the Summer Olympics, but LHS has Summer Games 2000! Yo-yos, spinning tops, and juggling lead the list of games you'll get to watch and try yourself. Bring your own yo-yo to learn newmoves and tricks demonstrated byyo-yo experts from Yo-topia. 

The Lawrence Hall of Science is located at 1 Centennial Drive. Call 642-5132 for more information.  

GALLERIES  

KALA INSTITUTE 

“Markings/Imprints,” through July 28. The 2000 Kala Art Institute Fellowship Awards Exhibitions, Part I, featuring works by Susan Belau, Liliana Lobo Ferreira, and Jamie Morgan. 

Free. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m.  

Workshop Media Center Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-2977. 

ADDISON STREET  

WINDOWS GALLERY 

“Yangtze River: in the Dragon’s Teeth” 

Carol Brighton's poured paper paintings of the Yangtze River gorges, through July 31. Six-foot paper pieces in the long format of a Chinese scroll. This artwork is done in support of the International Rivers Network campaign to save the Yangtze River. The full impact of these beautiful compositions can even be viewed from across the street. 

Addison Street Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison St., Berkeley 

BERKELEY ART CENTER 

Ethnic Notion: Black Images in the White Mind 

The Berkeley Art Center brings back Janette Faulkner’s collection “Ethnic Notion: Black Images in the White Mind” an exhibit that explores racial stereotypes in commercial imagery. The collection will be on display at the Berkeley Art Center from September 10 through November 12. The Berkeley Art Center is located at 1275 Walnut Street. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.  

For more information call 644-6893. 

POETRY 

CODY’S BOOKS POETRY FLASH 

The Haiku Anthology Contributors Reading 

Garry Gay, Jerry Kilbride, Vincent Tripi, Micheal DylanWelch 

Edited and with a foreword by the former Haiku Society of America president Cor van den Heuvel, The Haiku Anthology collects 850 of the best English language Haiku and related works. A selection of Bay Area contributors will read at this event. "Haiku is basically about living with intense awareness, about having an openness to the existence around us-kind of openness that involves seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching."--Cor van den Heuvel August 2, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. 

Donation is $2. 

Joseph Di Prisco And Dean Young 

Joseph Di Prisco's newest book, Poems in Which, won the 2000 Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Prize. An essayist and reviewer, he is also the co-author of a recent book about adolescence and growing up, Field Guide to the American Teenager. His novel, Confessions of Brother Eli, is forthcoming in the fall. Dean Young has published three books of poems, most recently First Course in Turbulence. August 9, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Donation is $2. 

Parking is available at the Durant/Channing Garage; Cody's will validate one hour of parking with purchase. 

Cody's Books: 845-7852 • Poetry Flash: 525-5476 

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. 

It’s a time of flux in the Berkeley schools, with the high school principal and one vice principal reassigned and another vice principal on leave from the district.  

Now the Berkeley Unified School District has racked up a new loss – veteran administrative employee Frank Brunetti, 58, an Associate Superintendent, will leave the district to become superintendent of the Orinda Union School District.  

Brunetti who has been an associate superintendent in Berkeley for five years, was a key player in the heated BUSD teacher contract disputes which lasted for over a year. 

“He has been the board’s spokesperson for a number of years and has done an excellent job,” said Jack McLaughlin BUSD superintendent.  

In Orinda, Brunetti will replace Shalee Cunningham, who is moving to Napa with her family. He will oversee four elementary schools and one middle school. The district has an enrollment of about 2,400 students, while Berkeley has over 9,500 enrollees. 

The size of the Orinda district was one of its attractions, Burnetti said. 

“Orinda is a small school district. I am looking forward to the close relationship with the schools on the class level. Orinda has very supportive community and a real good board.” 

A number of options are being considered for Brunetti’s replacement. 

“We are looking at some alternatives now, including some transitions, recruiting and possible restructuring,” McLaughlin said. There will probably be no replacement by Sept. 1, he added. 

McLaughlin and the board will meet Aug. 16 and discuss how to reassign Brunetti’s duties and eventually replace him. 

Brunetti reflected on his five years as associate superintendent and said among the high points was “working directly with school sites, and establishing a new teacher support system.”  

He is also proud of his work with the special education department and with the Diversity Committee. 

“Working with the Diversity Committee around the issues of recruiting and hiring teachers of color (and) some of my work and improvements in special education have been very gratifying,” said Brunetti.  

Overall, “the high point is being in Berkeley and dealing with the people and the community. There are some very fine people here and tremendous board members.” 

However, the job of associate superintendent has not always been an easy one. 

“It’s the hardest, most challenging job I’ve ever had,” said Brunetti.  

Still, “It’s a double edged sword. I’ve always looked at the challenges as an opportunity and framed everything with a positive view.” 

Receiving undergraduate and masters degrees from the University of Nevada and his doctorate from Stanford, Brunetti has been a teacher, principal and central office administrator. 

In Orinda Brunetti will earn $125,000 as a base salary, compared to his $115,000 salary as an associate superintendent in Berkeley 

McLaughlin, who has been a finalist, but has not been appointed to superintendent positions in other school districts, said of Brunetti’s departure: “It’s a real pleasure for him, and a real loss to us.”

This is the second part of a two-part interview between the Daily Planet and Bessie Wash, interim executive director of the Pacifica foundation. In February, Wash was named to the post, taking the reins from Lynn Chadwick, the target of much of the wrath of KPFA supporters. Unavailable for interviews since her appointment, Wash is now reaching out to the public. 

DP: I understand that there’s been a number of stations that no longer carry the Pacifica Network news due to the removal of (former PNN news director) Dan Coughlin.  

(Coughlin was removed after reporting on air of a boycott of the PNN news by a number of affiliate stations. Pacifica has said Coughlin’s removal was unrelated to airing information about the boycott. Subsequent to Coughlin’s removal, a number of PNN freelance reporters have refused to work for PNN.) 

BW: Actually, there has been no significant fallout that I know of. If you wanted to ask me, “Have a few community radio stations decided that they don’t want to carry the national programming?” I’d answer, “We have gotten some requests,” but I can say that we have the highest number of affiliates in our history. In addition to that we’ve got more stories from PNN than we can file. So, we have a very strong team. They put on a superb program and they work very hard. And I encourage that. I also look forward to having a new national program director joining us very soon. And again, just building a team and moving forward.  

DP: Speaking of a new staff, what’s going to happen with KPFA’s interim general manager? Is there going to be a permanent person named to that post? 

BW: Right now I’m looking through resumes. And hopefully – I’ve got a lot of things on my plate – I’ve been trying to pull it through as quickly as I can. I’m certainly hoping that Jim Bennett will be one of those candidates. He has not indicated at this point whether he wants to be (a candidate) or not. 

DP: As I’m sure that you know, many people at the station and the listeners are supporting the return of former general manager Nicole Sawaya. Are you considering her for the post? 

BW: As you know, that incident (Sawaya’s termination) happened before I became executive director. I’m not involved.  

DP. Since you took over, in response to a number of events here, I've tried to call you a number of times and I’m really glad that you’ve chosen to talk now, but I’m wondering if I will be able to reach you in the future. 

BW: Of course you will. I have to tell you, it’s really hard trying to get an office set up and I’ve been trying to visit all of my stations and spend some time with the station managers and we’ve kept the position that we’re pulling together and putting together an operational vision for the foundation. It’s been really a struggle, but things are starting to fall into place. 

DP: That’s great to hear. 

BW: I’m really very excited being the executive director of the foundation. I’m had a lot of support. From all the station managers. It’s really been a great four months and a hectic four months. We’re ready to work through it all. 

DP: I’m sure it’s been hard to get everything together. Is there anything else that you’d like people in this area to know about you, about, your plans, anything else? 

BW: I want them to know that I have a full commitment to all the five stations and the foundation. And of KPFA, I have a commitment to localism and. I’m very interested in what their thoughts are in terms of the programming and the service that we provide. And I’m open any time I’m coming into town, they can certainly let Jim Bennett know and I will make myself accessible along with Jim. To hear what their comments are. Right now, I want to do great radio. And we’re really charged up about it. And if they can hear anything else, I’d like for them to know that – I just want to do great radio. 

Wash can be contacted at the Pacifica Foundation, c/o Haley, Bader & Potts, P.O. Box 3825 Arlington, VA 22203-9998. The foundation number is 703-243-6844.

Attorney John Burris asks city for $1 million. 

Claiming he was manhandled, hurt, and had his dignity and rights stripped away, Kahlil Jacobs-Fantauzzi is suing the Berkeley Police Department and the city for more than $1 million over his arrest last year during a demonstration outside the KPFA studios on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

“My sense is that this was a terrible wrong,” attorney John Burris said Tuesday. Burris is representing Jacobs-Fantauzzi. 

Police detained some 100 protesters during the KPFA demonstrations last summer, arising from a dispute between station employees, volunteers and listeners on the one hand and their governing board on the other. 

Jacobs-Fantuazzi was treated arrestees were, Burris said. Jacobs Fantauzzi “failed the attitude test,” the attorney said, explaining that Jacobs-Fantauzzi may have been arrested because the police did not like his attitude. 

“It happens mostly to African American men,” Burris said. 

The suit claims excessive force against arresting officers. “...despite the fact that Kahlil Jacobs-Fantauzzi offered no resistance, defendant police officers brutally assaulted and attacked (the) plaintiff, threw him to the ground, violently wrenched his arms behind his back, handcuffed him, pulled his jacked over his head, dragged (the) plaintiff by this arms and jacket across two lanes of traffic and to the opposite side of Grand Auto’s parking lot and threw him face first into a police van,” the suit says. 

Filed last week in U.S. District Court, the lawsuit also accuses officers of taunting Jacobs-Fantauzzi after his arrest. “How does it feel now that you’re in my territory?” said one officer, according to the suit. The claim also says police denied the plaintiff both medical attention and access to a telephone after his arrest.  

Police spokesperson Capt. Bobby Miller declined to comment on the suit which names Chief Dash Butler, Lt. Russell Lopes, Sgt. Randolph Files and Officer Kevin Schofield as well of the city of Berkeley as defendants. 

City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque said the city has not yet been served with a copy of the document and could not comment on it. However, referring to Jacobs-Fantauzzi’s May court victory, when a jury found the 24 year old not guilty of delaying or obstructing a police officer, Albuquerque noted that the outcome of that case would not affect the lawsuit. 

“The mere fact that he was acquitted in the other case has no bearing (on this one),” she said. In a separate but related matter, the City Council asked the city manager to investigate officer training and procedures relative to the arrest. Albuquerque said the investigation has not been completed. She added, however, that if officer training were changed as a result of the investigation, it would have no bearing on the case. 

Burris said his office has 30 days to serve the lawsuit, then the city has 90 days to respond. A status hearing on the case will take place in about three months. 

The skies above Cesar E. Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina will be swarming this weekend – with rainbow-colored dragons, purple cobras and chartreuse centipedes! 

Not monsters – kites. It will be the 15th annual Berkeley Kite Fest and the West Coast Kite Flying Championships Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.  

“This is one of the three largest events of its kind in North America,” said Tom McAlister, the event organizer, kite enthusiast and proprietor of HighlineKites.com. 

“We’ll have kite-flyers from all over the country, Canada and even a team from China,” he said. 

In celebration of this year’s theme, “Kites of the Pacific,” an eight-person team from Yang Jiang City, China will fly a 400-foot-long traditional Chinese Dragon Kite. The titanic kite is hand-crafted from silk and bamboo by master kite builders and marks the Lunar Year of the Dragon. 

McAlister said that’s just the tip of the kite’s tail. 

There will be “windsocks as big as houses,” a two-to-six-man team kite flying ballet, that McAlister described as a “combination of the Blue Angles and pair ice-skating,” and the Fest is also host for the West Coast Championship. 

Competitive stunt flyers from around the country will be vying – actually flying for points – to qualify for the Grand Championships in Florida.  

McAlister said another favorite is the “Rokkaku Battle for the Skies,” where a field of six to 10 teams battle each other with the spectacular, six-sided Rokkaku kites. 

Not to mention the “Mass Acensions,” where all different kinds of kites, ranging from “Centipede Dragon” kites and Diamond kites to a “Mile O’ Sky Tube Trail,” take to the air en masse. 

And the candy drop for the kids. Which is, sort of, a kite world version of a piñata, just a little higher in the air and no swinging sticks.  

There will also be kite-flying lessons by representatives from Prism Designs and Revolution Kites, so even rookies can look like pros.  

The Kite Fest is free. 

“This is just something we do to promote kiting and give something back to the community,” said McAlister, who started the Fest back in 1986. 

He said a team of 60 volunteers join in to help out at the Fest. 

“They’re the heroes,” he said. “We couldn’t do it without them.” 

McAlister said he expects a crowd of between 10,000 to 20,000, depending on the weather, which is forecast to be clear and warm with a perfect kite-flying sea breeze from 10 to 25 mph. 

Check out the website at www.highlinekites.com for a schedule and more information. 

Spectators are asked to arrive early and encouraged to take public transportation. Bus 51M will run down to the Marina. Parking is free however.

Peralta Community College District Trustee, Susan Ducan, announced her intention to seek reelection in November. Ducan has served since 1985, representing north and east Berkeley, and the Rockridge and Montclair sections of Oakland. 

Assemblywomen Dion Louise Aroner and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Cardon will serve as co-chairs of Ducan’s reelection campaign. 

Ducan has been a strong supporter of Vista Community College in Berkeley, and will make a priority of building a new, state of the art facility at 2050 Center Street in Downtown Berkeley. 

“Everything we do must meet the test of helping students achieve their educational goals. Every employee must put students first,” said Duncan in support of students. 

The Peralta Community College District has 25,000 students at the College of Alameda in Alameda, Vista Community College in Berkeley and Merritt and Laney Colleges in Oakland.

Although last year was considered by most to be one of broad economic expansion, five businesses in the South Shattuck area closed shop. 

The loss of these businesses, located along Adeline Street and Shattuck Avenue from Dwight Way to Ashby Avenue, brought out concerns from city planners and neighbors. 

Even earlier, in 1998, nearby residents had called for a study into the blight they saw in the area. 

That same year, the City Council approved the South Shattuck Strategic Plan which contained a recommendation for a preliminary study looking into whether the location should become a Redevelopment Area. 

That study, which Redevelopment Manager Daniel Vanderpriem called a “first-look” draft, concluded that the area “appears to be a suitable candidate for further study and includes several conditions that are within the conditions described in pertinent sections of (state law).”  

A June update identified the five new vacancies in the area and provided the impetus for an expanded redevelopment feasibility study for the area, which the City Council will consider approving that study tonight. 

“There has to be one physical blight and one economic blight for an area to be considered,” Vanderpriem said. 

He explained that a physical blight means a dilapidated building, or one that is built from un-reinforced masonry. Vanderpriem said the area contains 18 URMs.  

The area also contains 22 “soft-story” buildings, or buildings with minimal load-bearing walls, and one “tilt-up,” or one in which concrete is poured horizontally, then tilted up to form a wall.  

Vanderpriem said that these are all physical blights and earthquake hazards, and said that tilt-up walls could theoretically come down “like fly-swatters” during an earthquake. 

Vanderpriem said the state usually uses five indicators when determining economic blight: 

• Depreciated or stagnant property values or impaired investments (including properties with hazardous wastes.) 

• Abnormally high business vacancies, low lease rates, high turnover rates, abandoned buildings or excessive vacant lots within an area developed for urban use and served by utilities. 

• A lack of necessary neighborhood commercial facilities (characterized by grocery stores, drug stores and banks or other lending institutions.) 

• Residential overcrowding or excess bars, liquor stores or other businesses catering exclusively to adults. 

• A high crime rate. 

Vanderpriem said that the number of vacancies can categorize it as an economicly blighted area.  

“You don’t need something in each category,” he said.  

The Council will also vote on whether to include the South San Pablo area, from University Avenue to the Oakland border, in the redevelopment study. 

Vanderpriem said that, though the planning commission hasn’t been directed to study the South San Pablo area, a preliminary inventory was concluded that the area is blighted. 

He said that the area was scoped for blight while the commission was researching opportunities to strengthen the financial feasibility of redevelopment in the South Shattuck area. 

If the areas were consolidated, he said, it would increase the available cash flow by 75-percent, and during the fifth year of the combined project areas, a bond issue of approximately $1 million could be issued for commercial use, two years sooner than South Shattuck alone. 

“It generates more money to use earlier in the process”, he said of combining the two neighborhoods. “And it gives us a more diverse tax base.” 

He explained that property tax money paid to the county would be diverted back into the city for use in the redevelopment. 

“It has nothing to do with increasing people’s taxes. It’s a democratization of the whole property-tax system,” he said. 

Several potential projects that could reduce the conditions of blight in the South Shattuck area include: 

• A URM retrofit program with loans or grants to leverage private property investment in earthquake strengthening. 

• Bike route improvements to implement the Bikeways Plan. 

• Traffic signalization to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. 

• Parking improvements in the vicinity of the Berkeley Bowl and the proposed Walgreens (in the former Rite-Aid pharmacy). 

• Recruitment efforts to secure a full-service commercial bank to serve residents, businesses and the expanded auto dealership. 

• Property acquisition and developer recruitment for properties suffering from long-term decay and vacancy. 

If the council chooses to go ahead, a formal “project study area” as required by state law will be designated.  

The “project study area” would provide the detailed legal and financial basis for pursuing the establishment of the two redevelopment areas.

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical  

Musical Concert with Cooper  

and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26 

Nursing Home Reform 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Prescott Cole, staff attorney and elder abuse coordinator for California Advocates for Nursing Ho me Reform is the featured speaker at the membership meeting. Also speaking is Betty Brown of Common Agenda. 

 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

 

Deaf and Disabled  

Telecommunications Program  

with Mike Mening 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

510-644-6107 

 

Disaster Council 

7 p.m. 

997 Cedar St. 

Discussions include bicycle policy issues and BPD Chief’s report. 

644-6480 

 

 

Townhall Meeting on the  

Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110 

 

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. 

644-6870 

 

---

Thursday, July 27

Tai Chi exercise with Brain  

Omeki 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra. Come find out how to best handle close encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, sharks and more. 

527-7377 

Zoning Adjustments Board Agenda 

7:00 p.m. 

Council Chambers 

2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

Items on the agenda will include the request by Patrick Kennedy and Gordon Choyce to demolish the existing building at 2700 San Pablo Ave. 

705-8111 

Berkeley Art Center’s Salon for the 16th Annual National Jutied Exhibition 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Three artist featured in the Berkeley Art Center’s 16th Annual National Juried Exhibition will present slide-lectures of their work. 

Friday, July 28

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances. This free event is sponsored by Teen Services and the Friends of the Library. 

644-6100 x313 

Disablity Awareness and  

Outreach Subcommitte  

Meeting 

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 

First Floor Conference Room 

Public Works Administration Office 

2201 Dwight Way 

Items on the agenda will include “Sidewalk Benches and Planters Design Guidelines,” and sidewalk seating and obstacles on the sidewalk. 

665-3445 or 548-1351

NAACP does not endorse  

As a lifetime member of the Berkeley branch of the NAACP and the current Chairman of the Black Property Owners Association, I am aware that the policy of the NAACP is never to endorse political parties, i.e. the Green Party, BCA, or any other party. The flagrant error on the front page of the Berkeley Daily Planet on July 17 sent a message to the Black community that the NAACP endorsed the Green Party and BCA. The good name of the NAACP was used to boast the candidates of these parties and it was made to appear that they represented the Black community and had a coalition as rent slate. While this front page error was subsequently corrected in the Berkeley Daily Planet on the bottom of the third page on July 18 the signal suggests that it is okay not to check facts and discredits how the NAACP conducts itself. 

Because I have received numerous calls asking what is happening I think it is fair to let the reading public know that the president of the local chapter of the NAACP, Mr. Johnnie Porter, has registered his disappointment and affirmed that the NAACP has not changed its focus or policies and accordingly does not make endorsements as a membership organization. We simply ask that the public not be misled. 

Frank Davis, Jr. 

Berkeley 

Reflections on Jerusalem 

Recently you ran a letter of mine about Israel being one-sixteenth of an inch on a map of the Middle East; on 22 July 00 I was blown away by the following item from the LA Times (via The Chron): 

“The Old City (of Jerusalem), a cramped half-mile square enclave, contains the holiest site in Judaism, the Western Wall that is a remnant of the second temple mourt. 

“A few feet above the Western Wall is the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. And the holiest site in Christendom, the Holu Sepulcher Church where Jesus is said to have been crucified and resurrected, are also located inside the Old City’s ancient walls.” 

In other words, all this is not even a square mile, all this is where the victors will drown in their own blood. My wife and I were in all the above places a few years ago, plus Christmas Eve in Bethlehem; we are not Jewish or religious. just bewildered. 

George Kauffman

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical  

Musical Concert with Cooper  

and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26

Nursing Home Reform 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Prescott Cole, staff attorney and elder abuse coordinator for California Advocates for Nursing Ho me Reform is the featured speaker at the membership meeting. Also speaking is Betty Brown of Common Agenda. 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

Deaf and Disabled  

Telecommunications Program  

with Mike Mening 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

510-644-6107 

Disaster Council 

7 p.m. 

997 Cedar St. 

Discussions include bicycle policy issues and BPD Chief’s report. 

644-6480 

Townhall Meeting on the  

Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110 

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. 

644-6870 

Thursday, July 27

Tai Chi exercise with Brain  

Omeki 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra. Come find out how to best handle close encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, sharks and more. 

527-7377 

Zoning Adjustments Board Agenda 

7:00 p.m. 

Council Chambers 

2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

Items on the agenda will include the request by Patrick Kennedy and Gordon Choyce to demolish the existing building at 2700 San Pablo Ave. 

705-8111 

Berkeley Art Center’s Salon for the 16th Annual National Jutied Exhibition 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Three artist featured in the Berkeley Art Center’s 16th Annual National Juried Exhibition will present slide-lectures of their work. 

Friday, July 28

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances. This free event is sponsored by Teen Services and the Friends of the Library. 

644-6100 x313 

Disablity Awareness and  

Outreach Subcommitte  

Meeting 

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 

First Floor Conference Room 

Public Works Administration Office 

2201 Dwight Way 

Items on the agenda will include “Sidewalk Benches and Planters Design Guidelines,” and sidewalk seating and obstacles on the sidewalk. 

665-3445 or 548-1351

In the early 1980s, politicians told California voters that the state lottery would be a way to improve schools. In the 15 years since the lottery has been running, however, California schools have deteriorated and lottery earnings have simply replaced some tax revenues. 

Starting with that information last winter, Berkeley’s collaborative theater Central Works created its latest production “Lottomania: Play Here,” which is currently running at Durham Studio Theater on the Cal campus. 

With a final script written and directed by Gary Graves, “Lottomania” was initially generated by Central Works actors out of improvisations. The improvisations were themselves based on real-life people who had important experiences with the lottery. 

Performed competently by a Central Works cast of six doubling in multiple roles, “Lottomania” in its final form weaves through and around about a dozen stories, featuring different characters, to create an 80-minute intermission-less show. 

For example, in one story, blue collar worker Bud (Ken Ingram) wins $2 million and goes on a spending spree. Later he discovers that the monthly check he gets from the lottery for 20 years, isn’t enough to cover his expenses. 

Elsewhere, panhandler Willie (Claudia Rosa), who lives in a tent near the freeway, spends nearly half his panhandled money each day on lottery tickets. He debates about whether he has a problem or not. 

In another scene, pony-tailed Xer Richy (Gregory Scharpen) wipes out his $6,000 savings on 6,000 lottery tickets. Similarly, a young couple blows its $16,000 housing down payment. 

In one of the funnier segments, two dancers (Jan Zvaifler and Bonnie Akimoto) working as big ping pong balls on the Pennsylvania lottery big spin television show try to weight the show’s actual ping pong balls in order to rig the numbers that are drawn. 

One on-going story follows strong-armed negotiations between a representative (Norman Gee) of a professional lottery operations business, and the state administrator (Zvaifler) that he is lobbying. 

Connecting the scenes, sort of, are the voices of reason and unreason, in the form of an angel (Akimoto) and a devil (Zvaifler). They whisper in the gamblers ears, pulling them in opposite directions. 

In “Lottomania,” the people who are addicted to gambling come to bad ends. The play ends up being a cautionary moral fable about the dangers and destruction of gambling. But “Lottomania” is a didactic script. 

Much of the interactions among the characters consists of moralistic pitches about whether one should or should not gamble – not particularly dramatic material once the basic point has been made. 

Nor are the characters’ voices particularly distinct, which makes them more symbolic than real. After a while their dilemmas become predictable and repetitious. 

Also, the device of the angel and devil having a tug of war inside each gambler’s head doesn’t benefit from repetition. 

“Lottomania’s” scenes feel more like actors’ improvisation work, than they do a play. This is no surprise, since that’s how the material was created. 

But scene improvs are not a play. Some basic unifying element is missing. Largely, there is no inherent relationship among the different stories in “Lottomania,” beyond the gambling connection in general. 

A collaborative piece like this would have benefited from a stronger dramaturgical hand in development. 

Scenic designer Chad Owens is one of the evening’s stars, creating a black numerological set covered with white lottery numbers. Lottery numbers painted on the black floor look like so many discarded betting tickets.  

Since 1991, Berkeley-based Central Works has mounted thirteen productions, six of which were originals created collaboratively. Their previous effort was “Taming of the Shrew (Revised),” a thoughtful and harrowing deconstruction of the domestic violence in Shakespeare’s play, staged last February at Venue 9 in San Francisco 

“Lottomania: Play Here,” presented by Central Works, runs Thursday through Saturday through August 5 at Durham Studio Theater (the west side of Dwinelle Hall), on the U.C. Berkeley campus. Most shows start at 8 p.m., although there are some 5 p.m. shows at half price. For reservations and information, call (510) 558-1381. 

Expect a late one tonight, folks. 

In its final meeting before the City Council’s summer break, the city’s mothers and father plan to go into special session at 5:30 p.m., have a quick Housing Authority meeting, hear a report from staff regarding the Hills Fire Station, vote to put two measures on the November ballot and try to squeeze in everything from toilets to telephones. 

The council will hold a Housing Authority meeting at 7 p.m. to decide whether BHA meetings should be longer than the regular five minutes every third Tuesday. The BHA says that their concerns merit more than the scheduled five minutes, which inevitably leads to delays in the council’s agenda and deflects attention from significant BHA matters.  

And they will request the city manager analyze whether the BHA should continue to be composed of the City Council plus two Housing Authority tenants.  

Points of interest on the 86-item agenda include: 

• A vote whether or not to put a measure on the Nov. 7 ballot issuing a $9.75 million bond and the approval of a special tax to finance a portion of the cost of a mobile disaster fire protection system. 

• A vote to put the Rent Stabilization Ordinance on the Nov. 7 ballot. 

• A presentation from the Fire Department and the staff about the proposed Hills Fire Station, including: why the retrofitting of Fire Station 7 is not enough; the analysis that has been made of factors such as response time; the preparation of a map showing specifically which sites have been studied; the factors determining the size of the station; a recommendation of a preferred site; an explanation of the process, including the use of Measure G funds; an outline of a time frame for each step of the process and a recommendation to the council as to what the next steps should be. 

• A recommendation to investigate the number of heavy trucks still using residential streets six months after the implementation of the citywide truck route system 

• A recommendation to add $920,475 to the contract with Exp@nets of California Inc., for the purchase and installation the second phase of the citywide telephone system. 

• A recommendation to execute a contract for the purchase and implementation of the Duncan Meter rechargeable Smart Meter Debit Cards which includes the purchase of the necessary software program, handheld units and training to implement the cards and the maintainance and audit programs. 

• A recommendation to direct our state lobbyist, Lynn Suter and Associates, and staff to work with the City of Oakland’s state lobbyist and Senator Perata’s staff to develop the request for a State Legislative Audit of the California Natural Assistance Program. 

• A recommendation to begin the immediate enforcement of existing city regulations at Black & White Liquors and Grove Liquors. 

• A recommendation from Councilmember Linda Maio directed toward improving the working relationships with the city staff and the City Council. 

• A request to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to provide information on activities at its other labs in the city, including information that clarifies what activities are there, what kind of radioactive, hazardous and mixed waste substances are located or used at those facilities. 

• A recommendation to establish regulations to control the unnecessary cruelty in the operation of live animal markets and to send letters in support of the bill to Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl, members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and our state elected officials. 

• A recommendation to allow for excused absences from a commission meeting for religious purposes. 

• A recommendation to execute a contract with Elbasani & Logan Architects to add interior design services for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Building at 2180 Milvia and increase the authorized contract amount by $71,500, bringing the grand total to $2,571,000. 

• A recommendation to refer a proposal to install two Adshel automatic toilets in commercial districts and the removal of billboards within the city in exchange for a billboard along I-80 to the City Manager. 

The Council will go into closed session at 5:30 p.m. at 1900 Addison to confer with the City Attorney about possible litigation stemming from a letter that suggests the city’s inclusionary housing ordinance may violate state law. 

They will also discuss in closed session whether or not the city should file suit against Grace Chizar to enforce the provisions of a loan agreement and related deed of trust concerning property located at 1504-14 10th Street, where such agreement requires that the units be rented at specified rates to low income tenants. 

The council meets at 7 p.m. at 2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. 

Meetings are broadcast on KPFB 89.3-FM and telecast on TV-25.

Dear Neighbors, 

Have served two terms as your Councilmember, I will not be a candidate for District 5’s City Council seat this November. 

I feel privileged to have been allowed to serve as your Councilmember for these six years. You and this office have given me an extraordinary education in human nature, in life and in the perplexities of city government. This education has been beyond price. 

I hope that I’ve succeed in softening the rough edges of government for some and perhaps heading off or paring down some of its worst blunders. I’ve worked hard for District 5 and for the betterment of all Berkeley. My hope is that my gift to you is a city that has benefited from these efforts. 

I have gotten to meet scores of you, made friends, and carry many of you and your causes in my heart. 

With thanks, hope and love, 

Diane Woolley 

P.S. When you have a chance, ask the next Council to increase the budget for fixing the sewers.

Maverick City Councilmember Diane Woolley is beating a retreat from the harsh spotlight of public officialdom. 

She will not run for reelection for a third City Council term.  

Well known for her brash independence, Woolley often has voted with the liberal/progressive block on social issues – she is a self-described civil-rights activist – and with the moderates on fiscal and tax matters. 

She says she’ll be happy to see folks on the street now and be able to say hello without the constant tug at her to bring this or that matter to the council.  

“It’s a cloud that hovers over you,” she said. 

She’s looking forward to a more relaxed life – perhaps writing and taking classes. And she’s looking back on her council years with some pride. 

“I saved the city $22 million on the pipeline,” she said, referring to the pipe system that was to be built for firefighting purposes. It was dropped after Woolley and others fought it, arguing it was an inappropriate way to spend Measure G bond funds and a less-than-optimal firefighting system. 

Woolley’s also proud of her fight not to allow some Sea Scouts, a branch of the Boy Scouts, to have a free berth at the Marina, because of the Boy Scouts’ refusal to allow homosexuals into its ranks. 

Another victory Woolley points to is her role in blocking a new hotel at the waterfront. She had argued that further commercialization of the Marina would hurt the environment and the ambiance. 

Her experience in city government has not been jading. “To know that so many people would like to participate is heartening,” she said of the commissioners, particularly those who sit on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board. 

There is no good time to leave the job of councilmember, Woolley said. Once one job is done, there is always another to do. 

“Still, nobody likes to leave something in the middle,” she said, adding, however, “At some point you realize you’ve learned what you can learn and you’ve done what you can do.”

In February, Bessie Wash was named interim director of the Pacifica Foundation, which holds the license to KPFA and four other listener-sponsored stations around the country. She took over from the former Executive Director Lynn Chadwick – the target of much of the wrath of KPFA aficionados. 

Chadwick fired popular General Manager Nicole Sawaya last March and enforced the hated “gag order” that resulted in a number of staff members being tossed off the air, either temporarily or – in the case of national programmer Larry Bensky – being permanently removed from the paid national staff. 

Since her ascension to the helm of the Pacifica Foundation’s administrative branch, the Daily Planet has tried to contact Wash a half-dozen times without success. 

Recently Wash has been reaching out to the media and made herself available for the following interview of which the following is the first part. The second half of the interview will appear in Wednesday’s paper. 

Daily Planet: I appreciate you taking the time to call me, we’ve not been able to connect earlier. Now that you’ve taken over as executive director, I’d like to know what your goals are? 

Bessie Wash: To do great radio. Expanding our programming so that we reach a wider and broader audience.  

DP: I’m wondering how you feel about taking over when there’s so much conflict, particularly out here at KPFA, and some, I guess at WBAI (in New York) as well. 

BW: Well, you know, I can only tell you that my experience as I went around to the stations was that everyone only wants to be in the business of radio. And they want to get back to doing their programming.  

They were interested in ways that they can strengthen their programming. 

They wanted to know, just like you did, what my feelings were, how I saw moving the foundation forward. There was just a general interest, I think, in the fact that I am new in coming in. There’s also an appreciation, I think, that I came from one of the other stations (Wash is general manager at WPFW in Washington D.C.). I also feel that there was appreciation for my commitment to the foundation. 

DP: I’m wondering what you think of the new move, out here at KPFA, to actually have an elected Local Advisory Committee.  

(KPFA is going through the process of nominating candidates to the Local Advisory Board. Elections will follow in August. The board has been appointed up to now.) 

BW: I don’t know, I really don’t know. You kind of caught me off guard because I really don’t know much about that. I can only tell you that it is the role of the governance board to govern the foundation. The governance board has the authority to exercise policy control over the station and the foundation. The advisory board is there as advisory only. 

That’s a policy statement that you’re asking me about, I couldn’t really address it. And I don’t know anything about any kind of election. I guess the person to ask would be Jim Bennett, who is our interim station manager there. And I certainly will ask because I don’t know anything about it. 

DP: One of the complaints of the KPFA supporters is that the new way that the governance board is chosen leaves local people out of the loop. 

BW: I can only speak to that from my knowledge base, which is that there were members of the Local Advisory Board present (as members of the governance board) when the changes were made. If they had concerns, I don’t know because I wasn’t (in my present position). I would assume it would have been expressed, but those same members are members who came from the community, and are still part of the governance board.  

I would say that the input, before and after, from the community is the same. I know that I definitely have an interest in the needs of the community because I want to make sure that we are providing a viable service – meaning that we are providing a program that the community is interested in hearing. 

I also know that Jim Bennett is also very interested in that. At least one public affairs program in the afternoon has been added that would be appealing to the youth that specifically came from requests and concerns from the community. 

DP: I know that one of the concerns is that the station appeals to a broader range of people. I wonder how you find out how to do that because I understand that the Arbitron ratings don’t include Asian/Pacific Islanders, Arab-Americans, South Asians and some other minority groups. In addition to that one program that has come on in the afternoon, how do you see broadening the station’s appeal? 

BW: I only brought up that one program because I know it is a new program that is Jim’s baby. He wanted to put it on the air and wanted to be sure that it did occur. And you’re absolutely right. We very much want to include the growing Asian, Hispanic and African American communities. You’re also right that the Audiographic numbers that we look at from Arbitron don’t really give us the true measurement of everything. 

What we try to do, or are attempting to do, [our goal] is to put on our own programming that would attract those audiences, and then attract the community response to that.  

The tool that you’re talking about, in terms of audience measurement, is the only one that we use. We also look to feedback – feedback from the advisory boards, feedback from the community and the schools. One of the things that I want to do very much, as I visit the signal areas, is to go to the schools, speak with the teachers, try to attract more youth, find out what it is that they want to hear. And, if they are listening to the station, try to address the minority groups in the community and begin to get feedback directly from them, to let them know that we are very interested in their needs and making sure that they are heard and that we are providing a service to them.  

DP: Do you see other kinds of programming changes in order to broaden the appeal?  

BW: Programming changes and new programming (decisions) are made on the local level within the station. So I’ll be depending, again, very heavily on the general manager, along with his programming staff, on what programs either go on or come off the air, and are either extended or not extended. 

Those are all local decisions. Right now, what we are interested in is strengthening the two national programs that we do have – which is Democracy Now! And Pacifica Network News – to make sure, again, that they do fit in with the local flavor and that the community also feels that it is satisfying a local need. 

The programming that comes on the station that you hear is actually made by the general manager and the program director and the staff at the stations themselves. They are not made at the foundation level and will not be made at the foundation level.

A 23-year-old Richmond man was shot three times about 8:30 p.m. Sunday night at the corner of Berkeley Way and Walnut Avenue. 

“We still do not know much about what went on,” said Capt. Bobby Miller, spokesperson for the police department. The victim, who was rushed into surgery as soon as he reached the hospital, was in stable condition Monday at Highland Hospital in Oakland.  

Miller said investigators hoped the man would be alert by evening and able to tell investigators about the incident. 

The shooting seemed to begin with a dispute between the victim and two other people, Miller said. After the man was shot, he managed to get into his car and drive to the downtown BART station. Police were called from there. 

Before being taken to the hospital, the victim was able to describe the suspects as two black males around 17 or 18 years of age, each with one gold front tooth. One male was 5 feet 9 inches, 160 pounds and the other is described as 5 feet 7 inches, 155 pounds.  

The suspects fled the scene in a white Ford Mustang of an unknown year.

Quiet activists, resident anchors, low–key community builders – they’re in every community. Neighbors know them and generally appreciate what they do, but the appreciation is usually pretty quiet too. Such neighborhood treasures are all too often taken for granted. 

One such unsung hero for the neighborhood south of Ashby and just east of Sacramento is Bob Clear, who has occupied the modest white house with blue trim with his family for over twenty–three years. What has Bob Clear done for this South Berkeley neighborhood? Better known as “Bicycle Bob,” Clear has been fixing the bicycles children bring to him for over twenty years. 

His neighbor, Jack Moore, who lives next door, has watched the story unfold for the whole two decades. 

“He’s been doing this for years. I see children there almost every day. Whenever a child has a problem with a bicycle, they come knock on Bob’s door.” 

An unassuming man with a slightly sardonic smile, Clear is modest about his contribution. 

“Mostly I do it just to be part of the community. I’m not a religious person and I’m not a joiner, so when I think about community and ask myself what am I gonna give back, my answer is, one of the things I can do is work on bicycles. There are a lot of people doing things, but most of them do it in an organization.” 

At least twice others in the community tried to organize what Clear does into more formal youth development efforts. 

“Two or three years ago, a woman who was part of the church up the street tried to organize my repair work at the church. She tried to tie it to getting the children involved in doing things in the community. And recently someone else came by and asked me to teach the children how to fix their own bikes, but the children wouldn’t come on a regular basis. Some of the children are amenable to learning how to fix bikes themselves and some of them aren’t.”  

Clear doesn’t remember exactly how the tradition got started. “It was very much chance. Probably somebody walked by pushing a bike with a flat tire and I said, ‘you want that fixed?’ But then it got to be too much – I found I was doing it all the time – so I ended up having to set hours. Wednesday afternoon and most of Saturday I try to be here. I don’t always succeed.” 

Before Clear established regular hours, children would knock on an almost daily basis with a bicycle in hand. 

As good as Clear feels about giving back to the community, he’s had his doubts about it from time to time. 

“It’s had it’s ups and downs. You know, children can play rough, and sometimes games get out of hand, especially if they get into the insult game. One child says something that strikes too close to home and gets someone mad. It can escalate real fast. I’ve had concerns that I might be creating a nuisance, with there being so many children gathered here and some of them not always polite.”  

A few times, Clear or his wife have even been threatened “because I didn’t do something they wanted me to do, or I broke up a fight.” 

“I worry sometimes whether it’s too much for my neighbors who live in the first floor apartment, because it’s happening so close to them. And sometimes, though not recently, I’ve had a hard time keeping a hold of tools and that can get discouraging.” 

But the satisfactions outweigh the discouragement.  

“What’s most satisfying is to have the children you’ve helped come up to you a few years afterwards and say they’re doing okay, that they have a job, that they’re making something of themselves. Often it’s the children I’ve had lots of problems with. Seeing them doing well as adults feels good.” 

As he talked, Marshawn, 7, and Michael, 9, rode up.  

“What do you need?” 

“I need my handlebars straightened,” said Marshawn. 

“And I need air in my front tire,” said Michael. 

Examining Michael’s bike, Clear said, “That’s not the only thing you need. This is going to be a real problem. See all this loose stuff hanging here?” he said pointing to the frayed ends of Michael’s pants legs. 

Marshawn looked at his friend’s ankles and concurred with Clear’s prognosis. “I hit a pole once when my pants got stuck in the chain.” 

Clear tells a story of how he and his wife, Barbara, were riding their bikes and came upon a boy fallen by the roadside lashed tightly to his bike by his pants. 

“He was locked to his bike. We had no tools, so we ended up having to cut the end of his cuff off and then burn the torn end out from under the chain.” 

The children said that they learn a lot from Clear. “The last time my chain was broken I brought it here and I kept on watching him so I could learn how to fix it,” Marshawn said. “I come here every time I get a problem.” 

“Really, what I have is access to tools,” Clear said as he worked on the handlebars, “and patches are inexpensive.” 

“And I’ve learned things from the children too,” Clear said, telling how once a child came to him with an inner tube that was too big for the tire. “He had a unique way of holding the tube and stuffing it inside on itself to get it in the tire. It was very clever.” 

Clear came to the Bay area with a doctorate in chemistry from UC San Diego, but he hasn’t worked as a chemist for over twenty years. Instead, he ended up at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, working on energy conservation.  

He and his wife looked around for what they could afford, and ended up in their present home, which he expanded five years ago by adding a second floor. 

Clear, 53, is now semi–retired, only occasionally being called to the Lab to help out. He puts in a lot of unpaid time developing mathematical models. 

“My wife and I live simply. Our house is paid for. We have no car. A lot of people take a lot of money to live. Seeing the prices of houses climb the way they are right now, I must confess I’m pretty concerned that soon people won’t be able to afford to live here anymore.” 

But while such larger issues of community sustainability worry him, he nonetheless constantly radiates the calm assurance that he is doing what he can to help knit the community together. 

“It makes me feel good about being in the community. I can provide a model. Once a child asked me how much I charge and I told him, ‘I charge an awful lot. I’m doing you a favor and I want you to go out and do a favor for someone else,’” Clear said 

“So in some ways it does get back to philosophy. I’m not religious, so when I ask myself the question ‘what’s the purpose of life?’ my answer is ‘the only purpose I have is the purpose I make for it.’”

Monday, July 24

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Parks and Recreation Commission 

7 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

The commission will address naming the tot lot at San Pablo Park after Corene Butler Bayless and the audiorium/meeting room there after Esther Bell. There will be a public hearing on naming the new park at Fifth and Harrison streets and a discussion of the use/management/maintenance agreement for People’s Park.  

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Monday, July 24 

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Parks and Recreation Commission 

7 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

The commission will address naming the tot lot at San Pablo Park after Corene Butler Bayless and the audiorium/meeting room there after Esther Bell. There will be a public hearing on naming the new park at Fifth and Harrison streets and a discussion of the use/management/maintenance agreement for People’s Park.  

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Tuesday, July 25  

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical Musical Concert with Cooper and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26 

Nursing Home Reform 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Prescott Cole, staff attorney and elder abuse coordinator for California Advocates for Nursing Ho me Reform is the featured speaker at the membership meeting. Also speaking is Betty Brown of Common Agenda. 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

Disaster Council 

7 p.m. 

997 Cedar St. 

Discussions include bicycle policy issues and BPD Chief’s report. 

644-6480 

Townhall Meeting on the Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110 

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. 

644-6870 

Thursday, July 27  

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra. Come find out how to best handle close encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, sharks and more. 

527-7377 

Friday, July 28 

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances. This free event is sponsored by Teen Services and the Friends of the Library. 

644-6100 x313 

Saturday, July 29 

63rd Annual Bay Regional Golf Tournament 

Saturday and Sunday July 29 and 30 and Saturday and Sunday August 5 and 6 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

The Tournament consists of 72 Holes with a cut made after 2 Rounds. NCGA player points awarded-over $5000 in Prizes  

$115 Entry Fee-Entries Close July 19  

925-253-0950 

Berkeley State Health Toastmasters Club 

12:10-1:10 p.m. 

State Health Building, Eighth Floor, 2151 Berkeley Way 

Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization, has been working for over 70 years to help people conquer their pre-speech jitters and improve communication skills. The local club meetings the second, third and fourth Thursdays of each month. 

649-7750 or higgins_edie@hotmail.com 

Sunday, July 30 

“Hammering it out” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave 

“Hammering It Out” is the story of a community initiated laws that resulted in hundreds of women getting trained and working on a billion-dollar freeway in Los Angeles in the 1980s and 90s. 

$7.00 donation 

Monday, July 31 

Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Support Group 

Professionally facilitated support group allows members to share their feelings and to support each other in the healing process. Support group held every first, third and fifth Monday of each month.  

Call 204-4330 or 204-1769 for time and location.  

Friday, August 4 

“Human Nature” 

8:30 p.m. 

New College Cultural Center 

766 Valencia 

San Francisco 

Watch or participate in an idyllic nude ritual of groupbody which reconnects us to a merged mindset. Put on by X-plicit Players. 

Ticket: $12 

484-1985 

www.xpliciteplayers.com 

Sunday, August 6 

Creative Writing Workshop with Dr. Joi Barrios, 

10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 

Pusod, Center for Arts, Culture and Ecology 

1808 Fifth Street 

Berkeley, CA 

Barrios is an acclaimed Filipina writer and Associate for Fiction at the Creative Writing Center at the University of the Philippines. 

Pre-registration is required by July 25. Pre-submission of written work that would be the subject of the workshop is also required. 

A registration fee of $15 would cover basic costs, which will be waived for participants with resulting poetry that tend to integrate arts, culture and ecology in the content. 

Please contact Pusod at ipat@bwf.org or call 883-1808 for more details. 

“The San Francisco Chronicle Tour de Peninsula 2000” 

8 a.m. 

A 33-mile bicycle tour which benefits the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation. The ride, open to all ages, is a scenic loop that includes the Sawyer Camp Trail in the San Francisco Watershed. It starts at 8 am at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. Early registration fee, by July 28: $25 adults, $15 children 16 years and under. Race day entry fee: $30 adults, $20 children 16 years and under. Stop by REI to pick up a registration brochure. For additional information about the ride please call (415) 759-2690.  

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical Musical Concert with Cooper and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26

Nursing Home Reform 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Prescott Cole, staff attorney and elder abuse coordinator for California Advocates for Nursing Ho me Reform is the featured speaker at the membership meeting. Also speaking is Betty Brown of Common Agenda. 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

Disaster Council 

7 p.m. 

997 Cedar St. 

Discussions include bicycle policy issues and BPD Chief’s report. 

644-6480 

Townhall Meeting on the Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110 

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. 

644-6870 

Thursday, July 27

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra. Come find out how to best handle close encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, sharks and more. 

527-7377 

Friday, July 28

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances. This free event is sponsored by Teen Services and the Friends of the Library. 

644-6100 x313 

Saturday, July 29 

63rd Annual Bay Regional Golf Tournament 

Saturday and Sunday July 29 and 30 and Saturday and Sunday August 5 and 6 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

The Tournament consists of 72 Holes with a cut made after 2 Rounds. NCGA player points awarded-over $5000 in Prizes  

$115 Entry Fee-Entries Close July 19  

925-253-0950 

Berkeley State Health Toastmasters Club 

12:10-1:10 p.m. 

State Health Building, Eighth Floor, 2151 Berkeley Way 

Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization, has been working for over 70 years to help people conquer their pre-speech jitters and improve communication skills. The local club meetings the second, third and fourth Thursdays of each month. 

649-7750 or higgins_edie@hotmail.com 

Sunday, July 30

“Hammering it out” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave 

“Hammering It Out” is the story of a community initiated laws that resulted in hundreds of women getting trained and working on a billion-dollar freeway in Los Angeles in the 1980s and 90s. 

$7.00 donation 

Monday, July 31

Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Support Group 

Professionally facilitated support group allows members to share their feelings and to support each other in the healing process. Support group held every first, third and fifth Monday of each month.  

Call 204-4330 or 204-1769 for time and location.  

Friday, August 4 

“Human Nature” 

8:30 p.m. 

New College Cultural Center 

766 Valencia 

San Francisco 

Watch or participate in an idyllic nude ritual of groupbody which reconnects us to a merged mindset. Put on by X-plicit Players. 

Ticket: $12 

484-1985 

www.xpliciteplayers.com 

Sunday, August 6

Creative Writing Workshop with Dr. Joi Barrios, 

10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 

Pusod, Center for Arts, Culture and Ecology 

1808 Fifth Street 

Berkeley, CA 

Barrios is an acclaimed Filipina writer and Associate for Fiction at the Creative Writing Center at the University of the Philippines. 

Pre-registration is required by July 25. Pre-submission of written work that would be the subject of the workshop is also required. 

A registration fee of $15 would cover basic costs, which will be waived for participants with resulting poetry that tend to integrate arts, culture and ecology in the content. 

Please contact Pusod at ipat@bwf.org or call 883-1808 for more details. 

“The San Francisco Chronicle Tour de Peninsula 2000” 

8 a.m. 

A 33-mile bicycle tour which benefits the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation. The ride, open to all ages, is a scenic loop that includes the Sawyer Camp Trail in the San Francisco Watershed. It starts at 8 am at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. Early registration fee, by July 28: $25 adults, $15 children 16 years and under. Race day entry fee: $30 adults, $20 children 16 years and under. Stop by REI to pick up a registration brochure. For additional information about the ride please call (415) 759-2690.

Editor: 

Regarding the letter published on July 18, “Letting dogs run off-leash in Chavez park is a mistake.” 

Many people worked very hard to create the small off-leash area in Cesar Chavez Park. Dog owners, some of whom no longer use soccer fields, playgrounds, or even schools, do pay taxes; and I believe we are entitled to a place where we can give pleasure to ourselves and our usually-confined animal companions. 

The suggestion – threat, really – that those of us who follow the rules will be punished for those who do not is based on a very poor principle of government. 

In fact, my husband and I do caution those we see whose dogs are loose improperly. 

Beyond that, the city police who patrol down there on bicycles, or the animal control people who drive through now and then, could certainly issue tickets to offenders. 

As for wildlife, there's a lot of it around, both predators and prey. While the occasional loose dog may savage a rabbit, it's likely that the real enemies of ground-nesting birds and young rabbits, at least, are raccoons, possums, rats, those big white egrets, feral cats, and possibly even coyotes. 

Janet LaPierre 

Berkeley 

While some may be disillusioned with government, one wouldn’t guess it from the list of 13 hopefuls who took out election papers last week, the first week candidates could pick up the candidacy forms from the city clerk.  

All five incumbent city councilmembers up for re-election have taken out papers to run again – Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek, District 3, Councilmember Margaret Breland, District 2, Councilmember Diane Woolley, District 5 and Councilmember Betty Olds, District 6. 

The most crowded race to date is District 2 in southwest Berkeley, where Breland will face challengers Carol Hughes-Willoughby, a minister and employee of an after-school program, Betty J. Hicks, a retired postmaster, church, youth and San Pablo Park area activist and District 2 resident Jon Crowder a substitute teacher. 

AC Transit Director Miriam Hawley has taken out papers to run for the central Berkeley District 5 seat. When the Daily Planet reached Hawley on her cell phone Sunday afternoon, she was standing  

on a corner collecting signatures for her run. Each candidate needs at least 20 signatures to run for office. Hawley said she is giving up her transit post to make the run. 

She’ll face incumbent Diane Woolley, sometimes known as a maverick, often voting with the liberal/progressive block on social issues and voting with the moderate faction on tax and fiscal issues. 

Incumbent Betty Olds took out election papers Thursday. She’ll face challenger Norine Smith, active in planning issues. No challenger has surfaced to face Shirek, a 16-year incumbent. 

Two school board seats are open and four people look like they are entering the race to date. All candidates run “at large,” that is, they do not run by district. 

They are incumbent School Board President Joaquin RIvera, Irma Parker, who is working on the Diversity Project, has volunteered in the schools for 15 years and is working to get the special schools tax passed, Sheri Morton, whom the Daily Planet could not reach and John Selawsky, active on numerous school committees and chair of the city’s Community Environmental Advisory Commission. 

No one has taken out papers to run for any of the four rent board seats that are open. 

In principal, candidates must return papers by Aug. 11. However, when an incumbent is not seeking office – for example School Board Member Pamela Doolan is not running again – the filing period is extended until Aug. 16. 

Elections are Nov. 7, with run-offs by mail scheduled for Dec. 5.

Every summer, Buddhist churches across California hold fundraisers. These events attract members of the church and members of other local Buddhist churches to celebrate their ancient culture. 

Saturday and Sunday, The Berkeley Higashi Honganji Church held its annual summer bazaar at its Oregon Street location. 

Hundreds of people turned out over the two afternoons to eat traditional Japanese food – as well as some American food – prepared by the members of the church. Games were set up for children to play and win prizes, and the Higashi Honganji Church also held a raffle. 

“The (Buddhist) philosophy is very good for children nowadays because it’s all about balance and wisdom and passion, which I don’t think kids get elsewhere,” Dorise Ouye, chairperson of the Ohtani Bazaar said. “You can’t get compassion playing a video game.” 

Ouye said that many Japanese-American churches lose members and take over. The purpose of the Ohtani Bazaar is to pass along the culture and traditions to younger generations, who will hopefully end up staying active in the church. 

“There’s not enough examples of things positive,” she said. “And so this is one way for kids to have that balance and have that value.” 

The bazaar is the church’s main fundraising event of the year. It attracts many of the 300 or so families that are members of the church as well as many people who are not involved in the church. Over the weekend, they sold about 100 dinners, which people ate either on the church’s patio or took home. 

The Higashi Honganji Church in Berkeley opened in 1926. Higashi Honganji is a division of Jodo Shinshu, which is a sect of Buddhism. Its headquarters are in Kyoto, Japan, but it has churches around the world, including about a half dozen in California. 

One of the church’s main goals is to teach the traditional Japanese cultures to young people who were born in the United States. Its minister, the bishop of Higashi Honganji in North America, teaches classes on Buddhist and Japanese traditions. The Ohtani Bazaar is also set up to attract the interest of younger members of the church. 

Dick Fujii, treasurer of the church, said that the annual bazaar dates back as long as he can remember, which is over 50 years. 

“It’s kind of a traditional thing,” Fujii said. “It brings the families together to work together and participate in the church. It also gives us a chance to teach some of the younger adults some of the culture; how to make sushi and some of the foods that we have traditionally every year.”

On Wednesday, East Bay youth and community members will take a stand against what they see as deteriorating conditions of schools and the lack of proactive measures to reduce youth violence. They will be participating in the East Bay leg of “Peace & Dignity Journeys 2000,” a Native American-human rights alliance and transcontinental prayer run.  

The event is being organized by Youth Together, a multi-racial violence prevention and social justice project operating in five high schools in Berkeley, Oakland and Richmond. Youth Together has sponsored unity events and led discussions on the topics of social injustice and violence since its inception in 1996. 

The Youth Together participants will meet up with Native American runners, who started running in early May from Arctic Village, Alaska. A second set of runners set out from Tierra del Fuego in South America, also in early May. The two groups of runners will meet up in October at the temples of the Sun and the Moon in Teotihuacan, near Mexico City. 

On Wednesday, the runners will gather at 6 a.m. at Point Reyes Station, run east through the county and across the San Rafael Bridge. At noon they will be welcomed in Richmond at the YMCA. 

They will then continue on to Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Berkeley, at the corner of Martin Luther King Way and Center Street where there will be a welcoming ceremony and speeches by Youth Together students and community leaders. 

From there, they will run to Castlemont High School in Oakland where there will be a welcoming ceremony with African, Aztec, Polynesian and Mien dancers and additional Youth Together student speakers. 

Funded initially by the U.S. Department of Education's hate crimes prevention grant, Youth Together is currently funded by the department as well as additional private foundation grants, including the Evelyn and Walter Haas Foundation. 

Jan Schultz taught her kids to ride bikes on the trails under the water towers at Shasta and Park Hills Road. 

Now those trails are gone and seven tall pine trees stand like doomed sentries guarding the hill that has been partially excavated to make room for the 7,000 to 10,000 square-foot Hills Fire Station. 

“The hill used to be covered with greenery,” Schultz said, moving her hand from one side to the other to encompass the entire landscape. 

The residents use this area as a little park, she said. They walk their dogs, feed the birds and the squirrels, and enjoy the semi-wilderness that faces the fountain and concrete sign that serves as the gateway to the Park Hills neighborhood.  

City voters approved funding for a new Hills Fire Station in 1992 as part of Measure G, which promised a multi-jurisdictional fire station in a region where there is the greatest danger for a firestorm resulting from an earthquake or other disaster. 

Since the passage of Measure G, Schultz and others have raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed fire station, and the legality of the proposal. They are asking whether the station fits into the specifications of Measure G and they have threatened legal action against the city. 

Others say the new fire station is critical and argue that a judge will agree that Measure G funds can be used to pay for it. 

Councilmember Betty Olds, who represents the area, contends the “vast majority” support the new station. 

“This is the Fire Department’s preferred site,” she said. “They have to have a site where they can have a quick response to the threat of wildfire from Tilden Park.”  

Jack Washburn, a former fire safety commissioner, agrees with Olds. In a letter to the Daily Planet Washburn blasted the opponents of the station, calling them “a small well-organized group of people...many of whom are not even close neighbors of the proposed site.”  

Washburn says the site at Shasta and Park Hills roads is large enough for a “first-class facility,” which would be critical to fighting a hills fire. 

Residents opposing the new station wonder if it is necessary. They say they would rather keep using the current 1,600-foot Firestation 7, just three blocks away. They want to use Measure G funds to retrofit it. 

And Andrea Cukor argues that the new station will add nothing. 

“We’re not getting any extra support,” Cukor said, noting that the same three-person crew would be on duty at the new station. “The city isn’t being up front about this. It’s absurd to build this Taj Mahal of fire prevention for this,” said David Johnson. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington explained that the idea outlined by Measure G, when it passed in 1992, was to retrofit the existing fire station and build a new multi-jurisdictional station to be shared by Berkeley and Oakland. The measure G funds would have been used to pay for the retrofitting and one-fourth of the new station; its bill would have been shared by both cities, the East Bay Municipal Utility Department and the East Bay Regional Parks District. 

However, the cities could not agree on a site, so Oakland built its own station in the Oakland Hills leaving Berkeley high and dry. 

As a result, the city developed a proposal to build the new station at Shasta and Park Hills roads and abandon the old station. Building the new station requires validation action – going before a judge – because the plan is not consistent with the language in Measure G. 

In June the City Council unanimously approved a validation action to get a judge’s permission to use measure G funds to build the Hills Station. 

If this process is contested, court proceedings may take up to a year or more, Worthington said. 

The neighbors say they would not mind the delay. 

“(The station) would change the neighborhood from a rural-appearing area to an industrial one,” Schultz said. 

Louise Larson, a neighbor of Schultz agrees. 

“It’s not that we oppose the fire station, we support responsible fire protection,” she said. “We oppose this building.”

Saturday, July 22

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

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

548-3333 

Sunday, July 23

“The Wind and the Willows” 

3 p.m. 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch 

Recommended for ages 7+. Monty Python fans and kids of all ages will revel in this witty and imaginative live-action adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 tale in which Rat, Badger and Mole team up to save their wealthy, reckless friend Toad from losing his estate. 

Tickets $4 

642-5249 

Sunday Brunch & Lecture Series 

10 a.m. 

Berkeley Richmond JCC 

1414 Walnut Street 

The Life and Music of Kurt Weill with conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner. 

The son of a Jewish Cantor, Kurt Weill was famous in Weimar, Germany for his collaborations with Berthold Brecht (including Three Penny Opera). Weill escaped to the U.S. in 1933, where he reinvented himself for the Broadway theater. His music became freer and jazzier, influenced by Cole Porter and Leonard Bernstein. 

Maestro Steiner will share insights on the genius of this legendary composer, and how his move from Germany to the U.S. impacted his work. Recorded examples will be played to illustrate the lecture. 

Admission is $7 general, $5 for JCC members, students and seniors. Reservations are advised. 

848-0237 ext. 110. 

“A Wobbly High Mass and Church Social” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Pena Community Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Join the Church of Saint Emma, “Our Lady of Perpetual Dissent,” n an evening of word and song. Tonight’s sermon: “ Saints and Heroes,” with a special tribute to Judi Bari, “ Our Lady f the Redwoods.” Featuring the vocal quartet Folk This! with invited guest performers. “Hymn” books provided with admission. 

415-431-8485 

marcusd@igc.org 

Music of J.S. Bach  

7:30 p.m.  

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Karen Bentley, violin, Marvin Sanders, flute, Elaine Kreston, cello will play several Bach pieces.  

Admission is $10, students and seniors $9.  

Live Oak Telephone 644-6893. 

Monday, July 24

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will dis$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

549-6950

Growing up near San Pablo Park has always been special. Some people raised in the neighborhood decades ago, have never moved away. 

Bordered by Ward, Park, Russell and Mabel streets, the park has remained a home for neighbors to meet and children to play.  

San Pablo Park is also filled with history. Not only is it the oldest park in Berkeley, but the 50-year-old San Pablo Neighborhood Council is also the oldest neighborhood council in the city. 

The 12.95 acres of land in South Berkeley were purchased in 1907 by the city for $35,000. By 1918, San Pablo Park had two baseball diamonds, two tennis courts and a field house. According city records, it was known as one of the best recreation fields in the Bay Area at that time. 

Kermit Bayless, the current San Pablo Neighborhood Council president, is one of those who grew up in the neighborhood and never left. His mother, Corene Bayless, still lives in his childhood home, just across the park from where he lives today.  

“Back then, when they said it takes a village to raise a family, it was practice,” Bayless said. 

Today Bayless and Debbie Dillahunty, another neighbor involved in the council, sit around and talk about growing up in the San Pablo Park neighborhood. They remember playing games in the streets with other neighborhood children and going over to the park to borrow basketballs and tether balls. 

“To think about growing up in this area always brings a smile to my face,” Dillahunty said. 

“At the park they had so many activities. That’s another thing that we would like to get back to having. We always had a talent show to look forward to. It was just a place where you could go. They had cooking classes, you name it and it was over there for us to do.” 

Doris Branch Tabor moved into the neighborhood from Texas in 1943. The neighborhood has changed some in the last half century, she says. The main difference she has noticed is that she used to know everybody on the block, but there isn’t as much of a community feel any more. 

Tabor is one of many neighbors who have been involved in the neighborhood council for decades. Her husband was a founding member, as were Corene Bayless and Esther Bell, who are both still members, but Tabor didn’t start attending meetings until the 1970s. 

“We are a group of dedicated people who want the best for our neighborhood,” Tabor said. “We are few in number but we are in unison and we are in cohesion.” 

The council was formed in the 1950s by a group of people concerned about changes the city wanted to make at the park. The city was thinking about building a fire station and school on the grounds of San Pablo Park, and the residents wanted input on the direction in which their park was heading. 

“At that time, out in the center of the park was a little shack that was dilapidated, ready to fall down,” Kermit Bayless said. “The park needed a lot of work.” 

The early members of the council had the park totally renovated during the 1960s. New tennis courts were resurfaced and three full-length basketball courts were added. The renovation also replaced the old clubhouse in the center of the park, which by that time was over 30 years old. 

“There were a lot of stories about that old clubhouse,” Bayless joked. “We thought ghosts were in there. It had some history; spooky history.” 

The council, made up of residents who live between San Pablo Avenue and Sacramento Street and Dwight Way and Ashby Avenue, is constantly working to improve the park and bring back some of the community feel to the area that has been lost over the years. Monthly meetings usually attract 25 to 30 people from the neighborhood. 

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the neighborhood council will hold an all-day festival in the park on Sept. 23. Bayless is arranging baseball, basketball and tennis tournaments, entertainment, food vendors and other neighborhood merchants to be at the event. 

Organizers hope that the association will grow as a result of the festival and that it will rebuild a sense of community that the San Pablo neighborhood has been lacking. 

The festival is being held, in part, for the children of the area, Dillahunty said. “We want them to take over the position that Kermit is handling now and to appreciate the park in the same manner. But they have to know the history so that they can appreciate the beauty of the park as well.” 

Organizers of the San Pablo Neighborhood Council’s 50th Anniversary Fair are looking for vendors and advertisers for the event. The public may contact Kermit Bayless at (510) 845-4951 for more information.

City Councilmember Kriss Worthington is proposing a compromise to build a new Hills Fire Station at Shasta and Park Hills roads without stepping on too many toes. 

In an informational report passed out at last week’s City Council meeting, Worthington outlines a settlement that he hopes will be palatable enough to get on the November ballot before the August 11 deadline passes. 

He suggests returning to the taxpayers the $2 million already approved in Measure G bonds, either through a city-issued check or as credit on next year’s tax bill, and asking the voters to approve a new bond of $2 million to build the new station.  

Worthington said that this is a much better solution than the city going through a validation suit to use the Measure G funds. 

“This is the taxpayers’ money,” he said “We have a moral and legal obligation to give it back to them if we are not doing what we are supposed to do with it.” 

He also hopes to please the neighbors of the proposed station by trimming it down a few thousand square feet. 

Residents of the Park Hills neighborhood think the 7,000-10,000 square feet proposed is just too colossal. So, he suggests working with the residents to find a compromise. 

“Perhaps 3,500 or 4,000 He said he hopes his compromise will be discussed at Tuesday’s council meeting along with Councilmember Betty Olds’ item on the agenda calling for the Fire Department to “answer some crucial questions.” 

Olds said she supports the Hills fire station, but does not subscribe to Worthington’s method. 

“Of course I renounce it,” she said of his plan. “Why would Berkeleyans in his district care about what happens in the hills.”  

Worthington said that the validation lawsuit the city is involved in could delay the Hills Fire Station’s construction for up to a year or more. And if the city loses the validation action, he said the city may have to have a special election or wait two years until the next regular election before the matter could be addressed again. 

If five Councilmembers request to have a special meeting regarding his ideas, they will be legally required to do so. But, he said, “compromises are hard to work out around here.”

At a meeting Thursday night to discuss the controversial permanent lighting plan for Memorial Stadium, the general consensus among the audience of about 80 Berkeley and neighboring residents seemed to be that panelists representing UC Berkeley just weren’t listening to them. 

Halfway through the meeting, Frederika Drotos, past president of the Panoramic Hill Association, which opposes the lights, asked the panel if this meeting weren’t a waste of her time.  

Drotos’ question came after panelist Jackie Bernier, a principal planner for auxiliary programs at Cal, said that the university would “review everything and then issue a categorical exemption for the lights” (which basically means that the university, with no other oversight body, will find that the permanent light towers pose no adverse environmental risks and approve them).  

“There is no other body that will review the proposed lighting study,” Drotos shot back at the panel. “You’re saying, ‘We are the body, and we will issue our report.’ being paid to tell us there is nothing wrong,” she snapped. 

Bernier tried unsuccessfully several times to interrupt Drotos and bring order back to the discussion. Drotos, with support from the audience, refused to yield the floor and simply talked louder and more forcefully than Bernier. At that point, Bernier admonished the audience to show the same respect “we expect our children to give.” 

At that remark, the audience let loose a large collective groan. Janice Thomas, president of the Panoramic Hill Association, walked out, commenting under her breath that she didn’t have to take this kind of treatment.  

Even City Councilmember Kriss Worthington, during his allotted three minutes, said, “Being treated as somebody’s children is so offensive to me. We have to think of the community and treat people with dignity and respect.”  

Bernier tied several times to explain her comment, but the audience bunkered deeper into its perception that the university would do what it wants despite residents’ research and concerns. 

“The bottom line,” said audience member Jim Sharpe, as if he were speaking for the university, “is that if you don’t like what we’re doing, then sue us.” 

The neighbors believe the university ought to write a formal Environmental Impact Report. 

Before the meeting began, Janice Thomas said that if an EIR were done and it suggested the lights could be installed without impacting the neighborhood, she would accept that decision. 

What angers her and most of the nearby residents, she said, is the way due process is being circumvented. “If we have to live with the impact, at least acknowledge it. But we want the process.” 

University says study is adequate 

Panelist Jennifer Lawrence, a principal planner with the university, argued that UC Berkeley’s study is adequate and an EIR is unnecessary. 

Monday is the last day the public can make formal comments on the study. Lawrence said that on Tuesday the university will file its “categorical exemption” exempting them from doing an EIR. 

Neighbors then have 35 days to file suit to try to force the university to do an EIR, she said. 

Panelist Bernier also contended that an EIR is unnecessary. The project was examined by a design review committee, which concluded that there would be no impact to the historic structure, and therefore no need for an EIR, she argued.  

When asked on what the design committee based its conclusions, Bernier said it was the university’s computer-generated simulations.  

A shout from the back rows asked if they were the inaccurate simulations or the revised ones. Bernier said it was both, referring to original, then revised simulations.  

Panelist Marsha Gail, a principle at Environmental Vision, the West Berkeley company that generated the simulations, assured the audience that the discrepancies between the light standard measurements listed in the initial study and the revised measurements “in no way affect the original conclusions,” which include the notion that a permanent lighting system poses no significant environmental impact to the surrounding area or to the stadium itself. 

Worthington, whose district does not include the stadium, said he’s concerned about people into whose homes the light rays will beam. “My biggest worry,” he said before the meeting, “is how many days of the year are the lights going to be on and after you spend this amount of money – $1 million – how many more times will you want them on?” 

Several residents spoke to his concern. They said that at first the university promised only to use the lights two or three times a year. Thursday night, however, panelist Bob Driscoll, director of athletic administration for the university, stated that the permanent lights could be used as many as six times per year. It was noted that university Director of Community Relations Irene Hegarty, who was not in attendance, said in June 1999 that the university could not provide a contract to limit the use of the stadium lights. One woman suggested there might be a conspiracy between FOX-TV (which is footing the $1 million light bill) and Cal athletics to use the stadium more than six times a year, and for events other than football, including rock concerts. Lawrence said that a year ago the commitment was for a broader scope of games and that “the university does listen and we are sensitive to the community.” To that, one attendee suggested residents get a real contract with the city that states the times the lights will be in use. 

A spokesperson for Mayor Shirley Dean read a statement that simply said, “Stop the project, cut your losses and move on.” A spokesperson for Oakland City Councilmember Jane Brunner, District One, read a letter requesting that the university perform a full EIR “before making the decision to install the lights.”  

According to Thomas, the City Planning Commission and the Landmarks Preservation Commission both object to the proposed lighting plan and requested an EIR.  

Armstrong is optimistic 

City Councilmember Polly Armstrong, whose district includes the stadium, was optimistic. “I felt the panel was listening to me when I reiterated the possibility of a design competition,” she said after the meeting.  

One design suggestion is for retractable lights that would fold over when not in use. 

Driscoll said the hope is that this lighting system would shed more light on the perimeter making it safer for people. Immediately, several voices cried in unison, “That’s what we don’t want, the light spilling into the surrounding areas.”  

After the meeting, Bernier said it was an “incredibly articulate audience” and she was glad that everyone addressed the issue. 

“What seems as a gift,” Robert Breuer said, “comes at a great cost.” He compared installing the 135-foot light standards for use less than six times a year to installing a giant buzz saw in one’s living room, just in case the carpenter needed to cut wood once or twice a year.  

Breuer said the neighborhood group has already raised $45,000 toward an eventual lawsuit against the university. 

In the words of Councilmember Worthington, “There’s no such thing as a free light.”  

Comments on the study can be addressed to Jennifer Lawrence, Principal Planner, Physical and Environmental Planning, 300 A & E building, Berkeley CA 94720-1382.

The Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists is taking a stand for the environment this week as it hosts the first ever Redwood Sequoia Congress. 

The event, which began Thursday morning, is attracting three days of speakers and performers, who will be educating others about what they can do to take care of the planet. The organizers say they want to get people involved in government, business and education to work together in this effort. 

People are coming from all over the state to participate, organizers say. 

“We expect it will broaden the number of people consciously thinking of these matters,” said Ann Fagan Ginger, an organizer of the event. 

Ginger hopes conference attendees will back the Declaration of Berkeley 2000, a document which Ginger played a major role in drafting. 

The declaration urges the federal government and United Nations to promote and fund sustainable development around the world, rather than destruction of land for instant profit. People attending the congress will sign the declaration, which will be mailed to government officials including President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Gov. Gray Davis and Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan. 

The congress kicked off in Civic Center Park Thursday morning, where a small group gathered to discuss the role education plays in conserving the environment.  

In a brief speech, Berkeley Unified School District Board vice president Terry Doran said he would like every Berkeley school to plant a garden. Doran said that it would teach students to respect the environment and value organic foods, two issues the congress is addressing. 

Doran also noted that Berkeley High School is developing an ecoliteracy institute that will offer a series of classes on the relationship between the environment and the economy. 

Following a song led by Berkeley resident Dave Welsh, the group walked along Martin Luther King Way and stopped on the sidewalk outside the KPFA studios, while drivers passing by honked their horns in support.  

Many of the marchers held signs supporting environmental causes. Three people controlled a giant puppet as the crowd moved to the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists at Cedar Street and Bonita Avenue. 

“The central problem to the economic system is that the government is interested in profit, not human needs,” Welsh said. “People need to get together to oppose the degradation of the quality of life in our environment.” 

In the afternoon, several guest speakers discussed environmental issues. Michael McAvoy, an academic director at New College in Santa Rosa talked about programs the school offers. Local teachers also spoke about ways to incorporate environment into school curriculum. 

All the while, children in the BFUU courtyard made arts and crafts and listened to musicians and story tellers. 

The first day of the Redwood Sequoia Congress ended at night with author Gray Brechin speaking about urbanization of the environment. 

The event continues this morning at BFUU, located at 1924 Cedar Street. There will be panels held from 9 a.m. to noon and then again from 1-6 p.m. After a 6:30 p.m. dinner, activities will go until 10 p.m. On Saturday the congress begins at 9 a.m. and ends after an 8 p.m. dance. For a complete schedule of the Redwood Sequoia Congress, visit www.tolivenow.com. 

Friday, July 21

Route 24/Caldecott Tunnel Corridor Study 

9:30-11:30 a.m. 

Alameda Congrestion Management Agency Board Room 

1333 Broadway, Suit 220 

Oakland 

Items on the agenda include “Dry Run” presentation for proposed public workshop. 

“Does Winning by Intimidation Count?” with Betty Goren 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

“Schubert Songs” with Baker Lake 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Saturday, July 22

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

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

548-3333 

Sunday, July 23

“The Wind and the Willows” 

3 p.m. 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch 

Recommended for ages 7+. Monty Python fans and kids of all ages will revel in this witty and imaginative live-action adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 tale in which Rat, Badger and Mole team up to save their wealthy, reckless friend Toad from losing his estate. 

Tickets $4 

642-5249 

Sunday Brunch & Lecture Series 

10 a.m. 

Berkeley Richmond JCC 

1414 Walnut Street 

The Life and Music of Kurt Weill with conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner. In celebration of Weill’s 100th birthday, the Jewish Music Festival hosts a lecture with Urs Leonhardt Steiner. 

The son of a Jewish Cantor, Kurt Weill was famous in Weimar, Germany for his collaborations with Berthold Brecht (including Three Penny Opera). Weill escaped to the U.S. in 1933, where he reinvented himself for the Broadway theater. His music became freer and jazzier, influenced by Cole Porter and Leonard Bernstein. 

Maestro Steiner will share insights on the genius of this legendary composer, and how his move from Germany to the U.S. impacted his work. Recorded examples will be played to illustrate the lecture. 

Admission is $7 general, $5 for JCC members, students and seniors. Reservations are advised. 

848-0237 ext. 110. 

“A Wobbly High Mass and Church Social” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Pena Community Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Join the Church of Saint Emma, “Our Lady of Perpetual Dissent,” n an evening of word and song. Tonight’s sermon: “ Saints and Heroes,” with a special tribute to Judi Bari, “ Our Lady f the Redwoods.” Featuring the vocal quartet Folk This! with invited guest performers. “Hymn” books provided with admission. 

415-431-8485 

marcusd@igc.org 

Monday, July 24

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical Musical Concert with Cooper and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26

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. 

644-6870

Dogs can be dangerous 

I read the article “Letting dogs run off-leash in Chavez park is a mistake” (Tuesday, July 18th, 2000 Page 4) and appreciated it so much. I think it is a very realistic article. 

I happen to be among those who are frightened of dogs and get scared easily by their darting and sudden movements. Being a senior, I have absolutely no courage to take a walk in such an off-leash dog park as Cesar Chavez Park. I don’t want to run the risk of having my bones broken. 

Thank you, Carol, for speaking for people like us, and thank you for speaking for all those mutilated creatures such as rabbits and birds, which naturally constitute an important part of a beautiful park. 

Jane Zhu

THEATER 

ACTORS ENSEMBLE OF BERKELEY 

“Murder At The Vicarage” by Agatha Christie, through Aug. 12. Performance of the classic whodunnit. $10. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Aug. 10, 8 p.m. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave. 

528-5620. 

CALIFORNIA  

SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 

“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare, July 1 through July 22. Shakespeare probes the shadowy corners of the human psyche in this dark, compelling tragedy of vengeance, madness and murder most foul. 

Cost is $21 to $38 general; $19 to $38 seniors; $10 to $38 children. Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m.; July 22, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Bruns Memorial Amphitheatre, Shakespeare Festival Way/Gateway Exit on state Highway 24.  

548-9666 or www.calshakes.org 

MUSIC VENUES 

YOSHI’S 

“The 3rd Annual East Bay Blues Revue Benefit,” July 24, 7:30 p.m. Featuring Delta Wires, Brenda Boykin, Felonious, Smith Acoustic Blues Combo, Archie Lee Hooker, Rene Solis and The Persuaders. $15.  

(510) 317-5000 ext. 5049. 

Sonny Fortune and Frank Morgan, July 25 through July 30. $18 to $22 general; Sunday matinee: $5 children; $10 adult with one child; $18 general.  

Unless otherwise noted, music at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.  

510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. 238-9200 or 762-BASS. 

924 GILMAN ST. 

924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, member-run no alcohol, drugs, and violence club located at the corner of 8th street and Gilman Street in Berkeley. Most shows are $5. Memberships for the year are $2. Shows start at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For the latest show information call 525-9926. 

July 21: Dory Tourette And The Skirtheads, Blood Brothers, Divit, Panty Rade, Erase Erata.  

July 22: American Steel, Enemies, Thumbs, I-Farm, Pitch Black.  

July 28: Plan 9, Loose Change, Debris, Weakerthans, Big Link.  

July 29: Plan 9, Loose Change, Weaker Than, Debris, Big Link.  

July 30: Dillinger Escape Plan, Candira, Isis, Cadillac Blindside (5 p.m.).  

August 4: Hellchild, Benumb, Yellow Machine Gun, Spaceboy, Vulgar Pigeons.  

August 5: Causey Way, Black Man - White Man - Dead Man, Boy Pussy USA, Monday Mornings.  

August 11: Hellbillys, Riffs, Menstrual Tramps, Fleshies, Shut Up Donny.  

August 12: Excruciating Terror, Plutocracy, Chupalabre, Creation Is Crucifiction, State Of The Union. 

525-9926 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL  

CHURCH 

“Rarities and Suprises” 

Join George Cleve, Music Director and Conductor, for a night the “Midsummer Mozart Festival,” on Friday, August 4. The concert will include “Three Adagios and Fugurd after J.S. Bach,” K. 404, “Six Variations on G minor on ‘Helas, j’ai perdu mon amant,’” K. 360, highlights from the “Abduction from the Seragio,” and “Divertimento” in D Major for 2 Horns and Strings K. 334. 

First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, at Dana Street.  

For tickets call City Box Office at 392-4400. 

CLUB MUSE 

Marie Schumacher and the Invisible Band 

Friday, July 21 from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. is with the band. Thursday, August 3 from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. is with the band. 

856 San Pablo Ave., Albany. 

528-2872.  

OPERA 

THE BERKELEY OPERA 

“Beatrice and Benedick” by Hector Berlioz, through July 23. A joyous evening of wit, deception and romance based on William Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” Jonathan Khuner conducting. Sung in English. 

$16 to $30 general; $24 senio rs; $15 youths age 17 and under. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley.  

(925) 798-1300 or www.juliamorgan.org 

MUSEUMS 

BERKELEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

"Berkeley's Ethnic Heritage." Through March 2001. 

The exhibit examines the rich cultural diversity of our city and the contributions of individuals and minority groups to our history and development. The exhibit look at the original native tribelets in the area and the immigrants who settled in Ocean View and displaced the Spanish/Mexican landowners. It also examines the influence of theUniversity of California, the San Francisco earthquake, and World War II on the population and culture of Berkeley, and subsequent efforts to overcome discrimination. Curated by Linda Rosen and the Berkeley Historical Society Exhibit Committee. Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Admission free. 

Berkeley Historical Society is located in the Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center Street, Berkeley. 

848-0181 

UC BERKELEY ART  

MUSEUM 

“Doug Aitken/MATRIX 185: Into the Sun,” through Sept. 3. An exhibit of works primarily in video and film, using the interplay of art and media to evoke deserted landscapes.  

“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. 

“Images and Ideas: The Collection in Focus,” open-ended. The museum periodically displays some of its permanent collection in a context meant to highlight some aspect of the objects. The three areas of focus for this exhibit are Renaissance art, 19th and 20th-century American art and paintings from 1940 to the present. 

The Asian Galleries  

“Art of the Sung: Court and Monastery,” open-ended. A display of early Chinese works from the permanent collection.  

“Chinese Ceramics and Bronzes: The First 3,000 Years,” open-ended. 

“Works on Extended Loan from Warren King,” open-ended. 

“Three Towers of Han,” open-ended. 

Special Event  

Chaksampa, July 23, 3 p.m. A music performance by this Tibetan ensemble in conjunction with the “Mandala: The Architecture of Enlightenment” exhibit. In Gallery B. 

$6 general; $4 seniors and students ages 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 11 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. 642-0808. 

HALL OF HEALTH  

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. 

2230 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley 

549-1564. 

PHOEBE HEARST MUSEUM 

“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. 

“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 p.m.; Thursday until 9 p.m. 

Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley 

643-7648

LAWRENCE HALL OF  

SCIENCE 

“Experiment Gallery,” through Sept. 10. Step inside a giant laboratory and experiment with concepts surrounding sound, light, mechanics, electricity, and weather. 

“Math Rules!” ongoing exhibit. A math exhibit of hands-on problem-solving stations, each with a different mathematical challenge. Make mathematical ice-cream cones, use blocks to build three dimensional structures, make dodecagon pies from a variety of mathematical shapes and stretch mathematical thinking. 

“Within the Human Brain,” ongoing installation. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. 

$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.  

642-5132 

HOLT PLANETARIUM 

Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. 

“Target Earth,” July 29 through Aug. 25. Make your own estimate of how often Earth has been hit by comets or asteroids. Find out how sciences such as astronomy, chemistry, paleontology and geology are all needed to shed light on the mystery of the dinosaur extinction. Daily, 2:15 p.m. 

$2 plus museum admission of $6 general; $4 students, seniors, disabled and youths aged 7 to 18; children under the age of 6 are not admitted. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Centennial Drive, Berkeley. 

642-5132 

UC BERKELEY MUSEUM OF  

PALEONTOLOGY 

“Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20-foot tall, 40-foot long replica of the fearsome dinosaur. The replica is made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing. 

“Pteranodon,” ongoing. A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22 to 23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. 

“California Fossils Exhibit,” ongoing. An exhibit of some of the fossils which have been excavated in California. 

Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  

Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, University of California, Berkeley. 

642-1821. 

HABITOT CHILDREN’S  

MUSEUM 

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. 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue. 

647-1111 

JUDAH L. MAGNES  

MUSEUM 

“Telling Time: To Everything There Is A Season,” through May 2002.  

An exhibit structured around the seasons of the year and the seasons of life with objects ranging from the sacred and the secular, to the provocative and the whimsical.  

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

2911 Russell St., Berkeley 

549-6950. 

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.

Berkeleyans who enjoy the annual beer-fest at Civic Center Park may have to hang up their steins for good if an amendment to ban the sale of alcohol in city parks gets adopted in September. 

Roused by neighborhood complaints and security problems, the City Council went ahead and adopted an ordinance Tuesday night to help prevent disturbances from large private parties and events in city parks, sans language prohibiting alcohol sale – for now.  

A Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation to amend the ordinance to prohibit the sale of alcohol at any event in a city park was pulled from the consent calendar for closer review, and sent back to staff to come up with a more comprehensive policy.  

That policy would ban alcohol under any circumstance in city parks, and is supported by Councilmember Dona Spring. 

Under the ordinance, Spring said organizers may obtain a permit to hold events where alcohol can be sold only if they have a license with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and provided adequate security. 

“Drinking alcohol in public parks is illegal,” she said. “Why should we let someone get a permit (to sell alcohol). This is not consistent, we have to apply the law equally.” 

Spring said the staff will report back to the council sometime in September when she hopes to make the new amendment a regulation. 

The Council hopes the ordinance will keep in check the number of problems at the city’s parks, including several large parties and “raves” at Cordornices and Cesar Chavez Parks that resulted in violence, trash and noise over the past few years. 

Assistant City Attorney Zach Cowan said that many of the problems resulted from easy-to-get permits. 

He said that the big parties and raves were required to have permits, though some occurred without permits, but it was a much more “general” permit. 

“This gives us a few more tools to use,” he said.  

Under the new ordinance, park events are defined as “any assembly of 50 or more adults or teenagers within a 500-foot radius, except in Cesar Chavez Park, Aquatic Park and Civic Center Park where an event must have at least 100 or more adults or teenagers within a 500-foot radius before it is regulated.” This contrasts with the existing ordinance, which sets no lower limit on the size of regulated events. 

And problematic events are now defined as ones that “require the assignment of six patrol officers between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m., or three patrol officers at any other time to quell.” It also authorizes the city manager to impose an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 on the sponsors of such events. 

Another new twist is that the ordinance “prohibits the issuance of a park event permit to any person who has been involved in a problematic event within 12 months.” 

Spring said she thinks the “no alcohol” amendment will help significantly. Besides, it “sets a bad example for our young people,” she said. 

“There is a real serious problem at UC and other campuses across the country (from) binge-drinking,” she said. “This isn’t helping.”  

With hopes of expanding its education program, the Berkeley Repertory Theartre revealed plans, Thursday, for the Nevo Educational Center. The center will be housed in the historic Golden Sheaf Bakery warehouse. Remodeling will begin in September, with a completion date set for the summer of 2001.  

The warehouse, located at 2071 Addison Street, is on the east side of the existing Berkeley Repertory’s theater and has been owned by the Berkeley Rep since 1993. Built in 1905, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The new plans for the building include bringing it up to current seismic, life-safety and building codes, as well as increasing handicap access and creating a historic restoration on the South Elevation of the building. 

The theatre’s Hilde Mosse Educational Program includes a School Touring Program, which, this year performed, “Rhubarb Jam,” 56 times in 44 different Northern California locations. Another facet of the Educational Program has been a series of Poetry Slams in cooperation with Berkeley High School and its students. One of the major goals the programs is to create an atmosphere in which people can learn from each other. 

“We have had three poetry slams which we offered through Berkeley High,” Tony Taccone, Artistic Director at Berkeley Rep, said. “I felt so privileged and blessed to be around (the students.) We hope to create an environment in which we can learn from the students,” as well as the students learning from the instructors. 

As a part of the plan Berkeley Rep sold the warehouse to Developer Avi Nevo, who remodeled the Francis Shattuck building at the corner of Addison Street and Shattuck Avenue. Nevo, with architect James Novosel of Bay Architects, will pay for the restoration and construction. After the renovation is completed Nevo will lease the Nevo Educational Center, named for himself, back to Berkeley Rep for $1 per year. The lease agreement is for eight years. The renovation is estimated to cost $1 million dollars. After the eight year period has expired, Berkeley Rep will have the option to buy back the Nevo Educational Center at market rate or consider a new lease agreement. 

Nevo’s motivation for helping Berkeley Rep was, “just giving back to the immediate community.” His gift to the theater company was much appreciated by all persons involved. Nevo is a long time resident of Berkeley. The developer, who owns a number of downtown Berkeley sites, came to the United States in 1976 from Israel. He attended UC Berkeley, and has remained in Berkeley ever since. 

Berkeley Rep had had conversations with the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association and other historic organizations about what to do with the building but never had the resources to act. 

“(Nevo’s gift) feels like a blessing,” Susan Medak, Managing Director of Berkeley Rep said. “With Avi and Dalia’s gift we have been able to expand art related activities in Berkeley. This will enable us to fast foreword our educational program by 5 years.” 

The new building will have staff offices on the second level and two high ceiling classrooms. The lower level will have one class room. There will also be a resource center for students and staff. As a part the agreement Nevo will retain a small portion of the second floor for his investment business. In addition to housing the Nevo Educational Center the plans for the warehouse include the entrance of the new Aurura theater at the eastern most side of the building.

The Downtown Berkeley Association let loose a little Wednesday night and held a party to show appreciation and honor the achievements of three of their leaders at Jupiter’s Outdoor Patio. 

Dann Logan, Larry Bush and Rauly Butler were toasted for their contributions to the DBA.  

Logan is retiring as the DBA’s Vice President of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Design Committee. He is a former principal of the Elbasani and Logan Architectural Firm. 

Larry Bush, a past DBA President, was honored for his election as the President of the Berkeley Rotary Club. Bush continues to serve on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the DBA. 

Rauly Butler, the current DBA President was also praised for his continued involvement with the city and his recent promotion to head of Retail Banking at the Mechanic’s Bank Hilltop Mall main branch.

Dr. Jack Finegan, 92, died July 15. A highly respected scholar and professor of the New Testament and archaeology, he was a summer session dean, director of the Bade Institute of Biblical Archeology at the Pacific School of Religion, and served for twenty-five years as pastor for the University Christian Church, in Berkeley. 

Dr. Finegan was the author of more than thirty books on archeology and theology, many used as source and textbooks and has been listed in many biographical dictionaries, including Who’s Who in the World, The World Who’s Who of Authors and 2000 Outstanding intellectuals of the 20th Century. For many years with the assistance of his beloved wife, Mildred, he conducted tours to far-reaching archeological and religious sites giving lectures en route. 

He was a man of many interests and was an accomplished mountain climber, skilled yachtsman and aviator. 

He is survived by his son Jack Richard Finegan, his two grandsons, Sean and Kevin, his great grandson Ryon and great granddaughter Jordan. A memorial service will be held July 29 at 2:30 p.m. at Piedmont Garden in the Sky Room. 

Contribution can be made to the Jack and Mildred Finegan Fellowship, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave.