Features

Business leaks 300 to 400 gallons of ammonia 

Berkeley firefighters called for a shelter-in-place on Wednesday, for a number of blocks surrounding the Takara Sake Factory in west Berkeley, where an ammonia spill occurred about 3:45 p.m. 

Assistant Fire Chief Michael Migliore said no reports of injuries came in following the spill. He said a leak of between 300 and 400 gallons of ammonia was reported at the factory, located at Fourth and Addison streets. 

The problem apparently arose as workers there attempted to transfer the volatile material from one tank to another and a gasket or a similar device failed. 

The shelter in place order was lifted before 8 p.m., Migliore said. 

About 35 people were evacuated in the area between Fourth and Fifth streets and Allston Way and Addison Street. Those who did not wish to leave were asked to remain indoors during the four-hour incident. 

A larger area – from Fourth Street to Bancroft Way, including University Avenue and down to Aquatic Park – was temporarily cordoned off to keep people from getting into the problem area. 

Ashkenaz hosts Camp  

Winnarainbow Benefit  

For 29 years children have been coming together at Camp Winnarainbow to learn juggling, tightrope walking, improvisation, music, dance and other performing arts. This multicultural circus camp was founded by local activist and clown Wavy Gravy and his wife, Jahanara, to provide an arena where children of all backgrounds can work and play together in a supportive atmosphere, according to a press statement. Wavy Gravy will appear at Ashkenaz Sunday at 7 p.m. in a benefit on behalf of the camp’s Scholarship Program. Also performing are The Flying Other Brothers with Pete Sears and Greg Anton, David Gans and surprise guests.  

Junior college transfer numbers rise for UC 

Students transferring from community colleges to the University of California increased by more than 9 percent for the fall of 2001, with minorities up nearly 18 percent, the university announced today. African Americans, American Indians and Latinos accounted for the large leap in minority transfers with respective increases of 14 percent, 85 percent and 16 percent. 

UC President Richard Atkinson said, “Transferring from the community colleges is an excellent and affordable way to come to the University of California, so it is encouraging to see the increases in transfer students this year.” 

A partnership between the university and Gov. Gray Davis calls for a 6 percent annual increase through 2005-06 of transfer students from community colleges to the university. The university said the recent findings indicate that the partnership is well on its way to attaining that goal. 

“Increasing student access to UC through the transfer route is one of the university's highest priorities,” Atkinson said. 

— staff, wire reports