The Week
News
Sun calendar dream coming true
Santiago Casal has been dreaming of a sun calendar memorial for over 20 years, and he’s willing to wait as long as it takes to bring the project to fruition. -more-
Resident petitions Bush win
It seems Nick Slater has hit a nerve with a petition drive claiming that a George W. Bush presidency would be illegitimate. -more-
Governor releases proposal to expand families’ program
Four indicted in bogus blood tests
LOS ANGELES — In what prosecutors call the largest case ever involving fraudulent medical bills submitted by a California laboratory, a federal grand jury has indicted four people on charges of billing the Medi-Cal program for nearly $20 million worth of bogus blood tests. -more-
Woman throws daughters, self off of roof after facing eviction
LOS ANGELES — Every few minutes Thursday, someone would lean over the ninth floor courthouse balcony, standing on tiptoes to peer over the wall. -more-
A wreath brings joy in winter
Here we are in the 21st century, and still infusing life into our winters with cut evergreen boughs, just as did the ancient Egyptians, Persians, Jews, Christians, and Druids. -more-
Winterberries brighten landscape
Along fields and in the woods over much of North America, your eye could catch some bright color even this time of year. -more-
National organic standards released
Organic food could become cheaper and more widely available now that uniform federal organic standards, a decade in the making, have finally become law. The standards are expected to draw big growers into the small but growing market. -more-
Religious groups exempt from preservation laws
The California Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the constitutionality of a state law that exempts religious organizations from local preservation laws and lets them raze and replace historic church buildings. -more-
PUC backs utilities on consumer rate hikes
SAN FRANCISCO — In the strongest sign yet that millions of Californians will soon be paying sharply higher electric bills, state utility regulators Thursday said consumers should pay more to keep the state’s largest electric companies from going bankrupt. -more-
Stocks rise as investors abandon their fears
NEW YORK — Investors sought bargains on Wall Street Thursday, sending blue chips soaring while leaving the Nasdaq in positive territory for the first time in eight sessions. -more-
UPS bears the last-minute brunt
HODGKINS, Ill. — Not counting Santa’s workshop, or maybe Macy’s on Christmas Eve, it would be tough to find a busier place during the holidays than UPS’s mammoth package-processing plant outside Chicago. If the slowing economy has put a chill on holiday shopping, no such evidence was visible at the frenzied facility Tuesday on “Peak Day,” the busiest shipping day of the year. -more-
Antenna placement issue goes to commission
After neighbors of a proposed antennae site raised concerns about exposure to electromagnetic radiation emissions, the City Council adopted a 45-day moratorium Tuesday on the placement of all new antennae that support wireless communications. -more-
Letters to the Editor
When eligible voters do not participate, what do you expect? -more-
Bears riding winning streak into Newell Challenge
Riding a three-game winning streak, Cal hopes to maintain its momentum when the Bears meet Georgia in the fourth annual Pete Newell Challenge Thursday, Dec. 21. Cal is also a perfect 3-0 in previous Challenges, with wins over BYU (68-64 in 1998), North Carolina (78-71 in ’99) and Gonzaga (72-64 in ’00). -more-
Council considers running its own electric company
As Californians wait for the energy crisis to send utility rates through the roof, the City Council is looking into the possibility of running its own electric company. -more-
New Supervisor ready for challenge
Crises in housing, health care and the environment are just a few of the issues stacked regularly on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ plates. -more-
Officials make plans for federal money
The omnibus budget bill that passed Congress last week allocated $350,000 to improve the safety and security systems at Berkeley High School. -more-
Library sing-a-longs
Gerry Tenney encourages his audience to sing very high and “fancy” in a rendition of a song to teach vowels as part of a series of events the library is calling “A Season of Family Celebrations.” Tenney performed at the West Berkeley Public Library Wednesday afternoon. The last session in the series will be “Drumming and Dance” with percussionist James Henry at 2 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Claremont branch of the library at Benvenue and Ashby avenues. -more-
Depression may follow holidays
OAKLAND— Conventional wisdom holds that the pre-Christmas rush can lead to depression, but one mental health expert says emotionally vulnerable people should pay closer attention to the calm after the storm. -more-
Dion Aroner to discuss Emeryville district future
EMERYVILLE — Assemblymember Dion Aroner, D-Oakland/Berkeley, has scheduled meetings with Alameda County Superintendent Shiela Jordan and State Superintendent Delaine Eastin to discuss the financial status of the Emeryville School District. -more-
Woman sentenced to life for killing sister
OAKLAND — A woman who murdered her sister and impersonated her in public after stuffing her dismembered body in a freezer was sentenced Tuesday to life without parole. -more-
New books seen as tool to improve math learning
SACRAMENTO — In education offices around the state, brightly colored textbooks with bunnies and tigers on the front promise to help California teachers make their students math whizzes. -more-
NASA asks for robot mission to Pluto proposals
WASHINGTON — The on-again, off-again mission to faraway Pluto may be a go if NASA can do it on the cheap and without imposing long delays on a planned exploration of one of Jupiter’s moons. -more-
Governors urge electricity price cap
Energy Secretary Bill Richardson on Wednesday extended for a week an order requiring Western generators to sell electricity to power-strapped California. -more-
Path 15 is part of the problem
SACRAMENTO — Connecting Southern California, where power plants are humming along, and Northern California, which confronts a dwindling supply, is a congested transmission system known as Path 15. -more-
Bill would give amnesty to many in Central Valley
SACRAMENTO — About 400,000 people, half of them in California, could get immigration amnesty they were previously denied under a bill awaiting President Clinton’s signature. -more-
Market’s hopes for rebound dim
NEW YORK — Investors’ hopes for a happy end to Wall Street’s most dismal year in a decade are vanishing in a seemingly unending string of stock selloffs. -more-
There is a new economic reality now
NEW YORK — Christmas came early for investors in 2000. It came in March, as a matter of fact. Stocks were rising, confidence was soaring, homebuilders and carmakers couldn’t keep up with the demand. -more-
Market Brief
NEW YORK — Fears about a harsh economic slowdown and continuing weakness in corporate earnings sent stocks sliding Wednesday, with the Dow Jones industrials giving up more than 260 points and the Nasdaq hitting another low for the year. -more-
Pirate radio under attack, ready for fight
Berkeley Liberation Radio won’t be affected by the recent Congressional legislation limiting the number of licenses available to micro-radio stations throughout the country. It couldn’t get a license if it tried. -more-
Berkeley landlord back in court
OAKLAND — Lakireddy Bali Reddy and four of his relatives were back in court Tuesday as a deal with federal attorneys may be unraveling. The five had said in October that they would enter guilty pleas, but Reddy’s son Prasad Lakireddy is now refusing to do so. -more-
Air wave interference a consideration
Bay Area lawyers defending micro-radio broadcasters were dismayed by radio lobbyists’ role in passing The Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000. -more-
Residents opposed to death row toy
With only five shopping days left till Christmas, there’s a comic book character who is dying to make his way under your tree. -more-
State boasts four of nation’s best educated cities
SAN FRANCISCO — Four California cities rank among the nation’s best educated, new Census data show. -more-
Private market eyes profits as more cops collect profiling data
SAN FRANCISCO — More and more police departments are trying to learn whether officers target minorities for traffic stops. The trouble is they’re cops, not computer whizzes, and may not know how best to gather and analyze their findings. -more-
Voyager 1 heads to solar system edge
PASADENA — Voyager 1 is heading to the edge of the solar system, but first it must race the sun toward a milestone – a place where the supersonic solar wind backs up in a pressure wave. -more-
BRIEFS PASADENA — Voyager 1 is heading to the edge of the solar system, but first it must race the sun toward a milestone – a p
Experts design system -more-
Consumers may have to help bail out utilities
SACRAMENTO — Consumers will have to help bail out two giant utilities that say they have lost $8 billion because of a retail rate freeze and big increases in wholesale electricity prices, Gov. Gray Davis said Tuesday. -more-
Decision turns off the Trinity River tap
WEITCHPEC — Four decades after the remote Trinity River was dammed and diverted to pour water into California’s farm belt, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt tightened the spigot Tuesday, doubling the water kept in the north and outraging growers hundreds of miles away. -more-
Report: LAPD detective under a new scrutiny
LOS ANGELES — A veteran LAPD homicide detective who was transferred to the auto theft division after prosecutors complained about his testimony in a murder case is now the subject of a formal complaint from a prosecutor in an auto theft case, the Los Angeles Times reported. -more-
SUV sales soar, gas mileage hits 20-year low
WASHINGTON — America’s love affair with gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles and pickups is keeping national fuel economy at a 20-year low, the government says. -more-
Exxon found guilty of defrauding Alabama residents
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A jury returned a $3.5 billion verdict against Exxon Mobil Corp. on Tuesday, finding the oil company defrauded Alabama on royalties from natural gas wells in state waters. -more-
Study shows no effects of short-term cell phone use
CHICAGO — A study of people who used cell phones for an average of less than three years found no evidence the devices cause brain cancer. -more-
Gore and the Clintons rumored to be in line for Harvard president
BOSTON — Vice President Al Gore is one of about 500 people nominated for the presidency of Harvard University, according to the chairman of the university’s presidential search committee. -more-
EU bank to help European media
BRUSSELS, Belgium — A bank better known for financing roads and railways said Tuesday it is earmarking $445 million to help European media companies compete with Hollywood and Silicon Valley. -more-
EMusic sues rival Mp3.com for infringement
LOS ANGELES — Online music retailer EMusic.com Inc. is suing its Internet rival Mp3.com, saying the company violated the copyrights of the independent record labels EMusic represents. -more-
Market in Brief
NEW YORK — The Nasdaq composite index fell to its lowest level in more than a year Tuesday after the Federal Reserve indicated it was worried about the slowing economy, but declined to cut interest rates. -more-
Audie Bock changes parties
OAKLAND — A former state Assembly member has changed her party affiliation once again, but she’s not saying if it’s a strategic move to eventually pursue another office. -more-
Emergency services contract up for raise
In its last meeting of the year, the City Council will consider a request by Easy Does It Emergency Services Programs to increase its annual contract by $50,000. -more-
Gore leaves supporters without a vision – but agenda is clear
In conceding defeat, Al Gore made a gracious and humorous speech. But it was what he didn’t say that pinpointed the limitations of his leadership and the frustration of his followers. -more-
Homeless program may get windfall
The homeless mentally ill are often the most critically in need of basic services such as housing and medical treatment. But, in what social workers call a cruel twist, they are also the hardest to reach. -more-
Need to gripe, shout, then organize
It’s 12:51 a.m. Thursday morning, Dec. 14 and I’m angry and I can’t sleep. My stomach roils when I imagine that on Jan. 20, I will be the citizen of a country whose president is George W. Bush. Oh my God! Oh my God! -more-
Council considers instant runoff elections
Run-off elections are costly, voters stay away from the polls in droves, and they don’t serve third-party candidates well. -more-
Carolyn Haydu, a recent graduate from UC Berkeley’s art program, shows off a section of her art piece that will be embedded in the sidewalk in front of the new Berkeley Repertory Theater on Addison Street. The final project will be approximately 84 square feet and will give pedestrians the sensation of walking on air, she said. Haydu who plans to attend graduate school after she completes the project said: “This almost like a graduate project but in the real world.” -more-
CalWORKS recipients work, often stay poor
Aimee Fisher got pregnant her senior year of high school, and the Christian day care she worked for fired her when she wouldn’t marry her baby’s father. -more-
Sociologist to receive national medal
A sociologist from the University of Berkeley at California has been named a recipient of the National Humanities Medal, to be awarded by President Bill Clinton in the nation's capital later this month. Robert Bellah joins the heady company of novelists Toni Morrison and Barbara Kingsolver, along with musician and composer Quincy Jones, in this year'’ list of 12 honorees, according to a UC Berkeley spokeswoman. -more-
East Bay projects get federal money
U.S. Rep Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, has announced that more than $1 million in federal funding has been earmarked for three East Bay community projects. -more-
Tsunamis pose coastal risk
SAN FRANCISCO — Tsunamis generated by underwater landslides pose a serious threat to coastal communities in California and elsewhere, say researchers who are trying to determine where submarine slips are most likely occur. -more-
Last surviving son of William Hearst dies at age 85
SAN FRANCISCO — Randolph Apperson Hearst, the last surviving son of newspaper billionaire William Randolph Hearst, died Monday at a New York hospital following a massive stroke. He was 85. -more-
States can keep unused insurance funds
California could keep about $350 million in federal funds to subsidize low-cost health insurance for children, under a bill approved by Congress. -more-
Defense lawyer could be removed from SLA case
LOS ANGELES — Sara Jane Olson’s lead attorney was ordered Monday to appear in court and explain why he should not be taken off the Symbionese Liberation Army attempted-bombing case for failing to prepare for trial. -more-
Winds whip up holiday fires
LOS ANGELES — An arsonist torched a car during a hot, dry Southern California windstorm, sparking a fire perilously close to dozens of homes, and a 480-acre wildfire in a condor refuge burned untamed Monday, although the birds weren’t in danger. -more-
Deputies given marine creature duty
DANA POINT — Sworn to serve and protect, Sheriff’s Deputy Russ Chilton never figured that pledge would extend to mussels, crabs and starfish. -more-
Holiday cheer dampened by layoffs
Happy holidays. Just not for everyone. -more-
Market Brief
NEW YORK — Optimism that interest rates might soon be lowered sent blue chip stocks soaring Monday, while earnings worries again dogged the tech sector. -more-
Electoral College casts votes
With unwavering support Monday from the electors who had pledged to vote for him, George W. Bush secured the Electoral College majority needed to become the 43rd president. -more-
Philippines says it won’t negotiate for American hostage
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine military said Monday it won’t revive negotiations for the release of an Oakland man being held hostage and instead plans to fight his captors until they “surrender or are wiped out.” -more-
Cloned bull could boost beef safety
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Scientists at Texas A&M University unveiled a disease-resistant black Angus bull Monday, a feat they said could lead to safer beef and more efficient ranching worldwide. -more-
Elementary school did teach life’s lessons
I heard local schools were looking for substitute teachers, so I registered to take the California Basic Educational Skills Test. -more-
Cell phone antenna plan put on hold
Concerns about electromagnetic radiation prompted directors of the Jewish Community Center on Walnut Street to temporarily withdraw its application for rooftop wireless communications antennae. -more-
Top baseball players sign intent with Cal
The University of California baseball team has signed seven athletes to national letters of intent, including four players who are listed on TeamOneBaseball.com Top-100 High School Prospects List -more-
Berkeley High seeks lunch vendors
Every school day at 11:24 a.m., a line of students streams out of Berkeley High School toward downtown Berkeley food vendors. -more-
Supervisors hold interviews for open seat
Alameda County Supervisors are today interviewing five people who want to fill the District 3 seat left vacant by Wilma Chan's election to the California Assembly. -more-
Gas prices fall more than 5 cents
Gasoline prices during the past two weeks fell more than 51/2 cents on average, according to an industry survey released Sunday. -more-
UC revives discussion of dropping SAT requirements
BERKELEY — University of California officials played down a report that they have developed preliminary proposals for major changes in admissions, including eliminating the SAT requirement. -more-
Asteroid crater examined for clues to dinosaurs’ demise
SAN FRANCISCO — The rock and dust kicked up by an asteroid impact 65 million years ago was not enough to kill the dinosaurs, according to researchers – but the debris may have sparked a deadly global chemical reaction in the atmosphere. -more-
Pac Bell not yet ready to sell long distance, state says
SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Bell should not be allowed to sell long distance service in California until it sorts through a tangle of service issues, a report to the state’s Public Utilities Commission concludes. -more-
State’s wholesale power suppliers reap big profits
LOS ANGELES — The six companies that bought power plants in California when the state deregulated its utilities have seen profits rise dramatically this year, according to the companies’ third-quarter statements. -more-
Alaska Airlines probe ends with questions of safety
A government hearing into an Alaska Airlines crash that killed all 88 people aboard ended Saturday night with investigators questioning the safety of a critical part used in the popular MD-80 and DC-9 series of jetliners. -more-
Council members receive free home Internet service
SANTEE — Council members in Santee and Oceanside are the only city officials in San Diego County who receive free home Internet access – a perk that has some people concerned. -more-
Complications mount in SLA fugitive case
LOS ANGELES — When she was arrested a year and a half ago, Sara Jane Olson was still legally known as Kathleen Soliah, a fugitive who had eluded authorities for 25 years. Much has changed since then, including her name. -more-
Cisco dropout bets on the future 32-year-old talks about taking over the Internet
At 32, Brendon Mills was already a millionaire veteran of two start-up technology companies when he left Silicon Valley and holed up last year in a rented office in Austin, Texas, equipped with a computer and a supply of caffeinated soda. -more-
Doing it on their own
Students serve up annual meal -more-
Coach see boys basketball as ‘sleeping giant’
By Jared Green -more-
Board OKs final Beth El impact report
The Zoning Adjustments Board approved on Thursday the controversial Final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Beth El synagogue and school at 1301 Oxford St. -more-
University Avenue group honors project leader
When businesses on University Avenue have a problem, they turn to Dave Fogarty. -more-
ZAB seat dilemma resolved at meeting
There was Election 2000 fall out Berkeley style at the Thursday night Zoning Adjustments Board meeting, when a new ZAB commissioner tried to claim his seat. -more-
Arctic ozone layer recovery may take longer than expected
SAN FRANCISCO — The Arctic ozone layer will not bounce back as quickly as expected from damage caused by ozone-depleting chemicals despite recent cutbacks in their use, scientists said Friday. -more-
Troubled satellite tracks space weather
SAN FRANCISCO — The $5.5 billion Iridium global telephone system couldn’t attract enough customers to keep the company out of bankruptcy court, but its network of 66-plus satellites is paying off for scientists. -more-
Diabetes monitor maker pays $60 million fines, pleads guilty
SAN JOSE — Lifescan Inc., a leading maker of diabetes monitors, pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges and was ordered to pay $60 million in fines, ending a three-year government investigation of a defective blood-glucose meter. -more-
Scientists detail ocean exploration plan
SAN FRANCISCO — Scientists are planning an ambitious mission to a new and barely explored world that isn’t far from the old one: the oceans. -more-
Bay Bridge design withstands simulated quake
SAN DIEGO — A major earthquake would cause only minor damage to the massive concrete and steel columns that will support a portion of the new eastern span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, a seismic test showed Friday. -more-
Most favor higher taxes for better health care
LOS ANGELES — Most Californians favor paying higher taxes to help everyone have affordable health care, according to a poll released Thursday. -more-
State’s electricity market faces overhaul
Federal regulators ordered an overhaul of California’s electricity market Friday to try to control skyrocketing prices that have pushed the state to the brink of blackouts this month. -more-
Man gets life for daycare deaths
SANTA ANA — A 40-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison Friday for murdering two children and injuring four others and a teacher’s aide by intentionally driving his car onto a preschool playground last year. -more-
Chalet resorts replace seedy motels at Tahoe
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — When an extortionist’s bomb ripped through Harveys Resort & Casino in 1980, the company found opportunity in the tragedy and rebuilt Tahoe’s first high-rise to match the glitter of its newer neighbors on the south shore. -more-
Seeking out SUVs to make their mark Pair see vehicles at gas guzzlers, hurting the environment
CORTE MADERA — A pair of mischievous middle-aged men has been stalking through shopping mall parking lots - the habitat of the mighty sports utility vehicle – doing a little civil disobedience in hopes that their prey will become extinct. -more-
FBI agents protest clemency request from convicted killer
WASHINGTON — Nearly 500 current and retired FBI agents marched to the White House Friday in an unprecedented protest, opposing any presidential clemency for an American Indian activist convicted of killing two FBI men. -more-
Palestinian released from Florida jail
BRADENTON, Fla.— A Palestinian was ordered released from jail Friday after being locked up for three years on secret government evidence without ever being charged with a crime. -more-
EToys holiday sales running low
LOS ANGELES — Online toy retailer eToys says it will cut its workforce and may run out of operating cash by the end of March because of weak holiday sales. -more-
Shockwave.com acquires AtomFilms in deal
LOS ANGELES — Shockwave.com says it will acquire Internet short film distributor AtomFilms to form a new company in an attempt to dominate the struggling Internet entertainment field. -more-
Market in brief
NEW YORK — Investors who thought the resolution of the presidential election would set off a rally on Wall Street found themselves instead in the midst of a huge selloff. -more-
Opinion
Editorials
Lawyers say homeless claims not fully evaluated
SAN FRANCISCO — Federal and state agencies systematically deny benefits to California’s homeless and disabled by failing to evaluate their claims fully, a group of attorneys from the San Francisco Bay area claim. -more-
Blaze destroys three-story home
A two-alarm blaze gutted an unoccupied three-story home on Thousand Oaks Boulevard early Wednesday morning. -more-
High-tech companies graded on being green
SAN JOSE — Hoping to hit high-tech companies where it hurts, an environmental organization is encouraging consumers to buy from businesses that do the best job of warning the public about the toxic chemicals they use. -more-
UC denies claims of scrapping the SAT
In response to recent published reports, a University of California provost has denied that California's flagship system for higher education is considering scrapping the Scholastic Aptitude Test. -more-
New theories into what sank ancient Egyptian cities
SAN FRANCISCO — Two ancient Egyptian cities that mysteriously sank into the Mediterranean about 1,500 years ago could have fallen victim to floods or a major earthquake — or a combination of both, researchers said Sunday. -more-
Unknown if woman fell or jumped from plane
SAN JOSE — A bizarre mystery unfolded Friday out of a usually routine corporate flight: Why did a Hewlett-Packard employee jump or fall from a small company plane at 2,000 feet, despite an attempt by another passenger to restrain her? -more-