Members of the board that oversees Pacifica Radio Network have until 5 p.m. today to resign if they want to avoid being named in three lawsuits that target the company. -more-
From the unconventional opening to a new twist of the knife at the end, Berkeley Opera’s production of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” is engaging. -more-
Thursday, July 19
In response to a series of home-fire deaths last year, the City Council adopted a new housing ordinance Tuesday designed to increase housing safety. -more-
Why would a recent high school graduate choose to spend part of his summer cooped up in a windowless laboratory using laser beams to test the elemental composition of a nickel? -more-
Homeless advocates, city officials and community activists applauded a Berkeley judge’s decision to rule, in the case of Ken Moshesh, that a law that makes sleeping outside a misdemeanor is unconstitutional. -more-
An Oakland man drowned Tuesday after he and a friend jumped off the Berkeley Pier as part of a bet to see who was the better swimmer. -more-
The Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative will be giving away compost on Saturday July 21 at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market as part of “Sustainable Agriculture” Day. Berkeley residents can bring a bag or bucket to Center Street and Milvia to be filled with compost from their own yard debris that is collected by the city every other week. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — University of California regents have endorsed a change in admissions policy they hope will increase enrollment, particularly of blacks and Hispanics, by blunting the disadvantage of being a high-achieving student in a low-performing school. -more-
NEW YORK — The change has been momentous, but it arrived so subtly that even those involved haven’t stopped to think about how it has changed their financial perspective. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Napster Inc. can resume its song-swapping operations on the Internet, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. -more-
Some say there’s a better solution to amnesty issue -more-
Berkeley’s Speakeasy Theater opened a pretty good grassroots stage production last weekend of Lyle Kessler’s 1983 gangster tale “Orphans.” This stage play was the source for Kessler’s somewhat reworked 1987 movie of the same title starring Albert Finney and Matthew Modine. -more-
On the front steps of the old Berkeley city hall, employees of MSGi Direct protest their company’s plan of moving to Southern California. MSGi Direct conducts telemarketing on behalf of environmental and progressive causes. Workers fear the move is in response to their efforts to unionize. They hope the City Council will persuade MSGi Direct to “remain in Berkeley or in the East Bay,” said Kerry Drew, one worker. “The City -more-
The City Council closed back-to-back public hearings Monday after listening to nearly 170 comments on the controversial proposal to build a synagogue, school and social hall at 1301 Oxford St. -more-
Lucia Rodriguez, a clerical assistant at the Berkeley Adult School for more than 20 years, sometimes has trouble explaining to friends why she loves her job so much. -more-
The California State Automobile Association reports today that the average price for gasoline in Northern California dropped 16 cents last month to $1.83, the lowest since March, after oil companies overestimated consumer fuel consumption. -more-
MODESTO — Protesters chanting “Where’s Chandra” and “Liar, liar, pants on fire” on Tuesday scolded Rep. Gary Condit for his relationship with an intern and demanded he resign. -more-
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE— An Air Force F-16 chase plane crashed in a remote mountainous area of eastern California on Tuesday, killing both men on board. -more-
LOS ANGELES — An Asian-American watchdog group demanded an apology Tuesday from NBC’s “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” because a comedian used a racial epithet on the show. -more-
WASHINGTON — More than 180 computers, at least one containing classified material, are missing from the FBI along with some 450 weapons, officials said Tuesday. -more-
CHICAGO — A heart-monitoring procedure used more than a million times a year during major operations appears to serve no benefit and may actually raise the risk of heart attacks, a study found. -more-
HARTFORD, Conn. — When Sheila Matthews’ son was in first grade, a school psychologist diagnosed him with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and gave his parents information on Ritalin. -more-
WASHINGTON — Manufacturing activity plunged in June for the ninth month in a row as the beleaguered industrial sector continued to suffer heavy damage from the yearlong economic slowdown. -more-
WASHINGTON— Amtrak is reviewing its expenses and may cut personnel and service to meet a congressional deadline for self-sufficiency. -more-
LONDON — Obese people who exercise have half the death rate of those who are trim but don’t exercise, a leading expert said Tuesday. -more-
LONDON — The Concorde took a big step closer to resuming service Tuesday after British Airways completed its first supersonic test flight of the aircraft since last year’s Air France crash near Paris grounded the fleet. -more-
The City Council will likely not take any action to establish zoning policies that would limit marijuana cooperatives because of a recent Supreme Court ruling against “medical necessity” legal defenses. -more-
MUSEUMS
Wood chips from a cut-down grove of Eucalyptus trees contaminated with radioactive Tritium is alarming a group of concerned residents near the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. -more-
The Parks and Waterfront Department is asking the City Council to approve a environmental report that deems the Harrison Street Skate Park project is ready to continue after months of setbacks related to the discovery of a carcinogen in the groundwater below the site. -more-
If pro-choice supporters aren’t vigilant in the months and years ahead, then they could see increasing limitations on women’s access to reproductive services like artificial contraceptives, in-vitro fertilization, sterilization and abortion. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — One of the nation’s top embryonic stem cell scientists is leaving the country to work overseas, and the university that employed him has temporarily halted new research in the area. -more-
MARIPOSA — Prosecutors said Monday they will seek the death penalty against a man if he is convicted of killing three Yosemite National Park tourists. -more-
MODESTO — On many of the sleepless nights since Chandra Levy vanished, her mother slips into her daughter’s small bedroom, full of memories, and curls up in the little bed. -more-
Twenty Indian tribes have no right to any of the $200 billion the tobacco industry agreed to pay under the landmark 1998 accord between cigarette makers and 46 states, a federal appeals court ruled Monday. -more-
WICHITA, Kan. — Tense moments unfolded when anti-abortion protesters descended on a church attended by an abortion provider – only to be met by churchgoers less than pleased by the disruption. -more-
WASHINGTON — Law enforcement agencies should review the way they recruit, train and supervise their officers to combat practices that unfairly target minorities, a group of police officials said Monday. -more-
WASHINGTON — When it comes to minorities and women, the face of the federal government looks more and more like America. When it comes to promotions, it’s a different story. -more-
WASHINGTON — The Bush administration wants to put on hold and re-examine a Clinton-era program spelling out federally required state cleanup plans for thousands of lakes and rivers around the nation, two administration officials said Monday. -more-
NEW YORK — Along with the tailings and other debris of the recent stock market debacle, some bright specks of pay dirt are filtering into the news of late. Not many, but enough to excite prospectors. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Attacking an increasingly popular Internet business practice, a consumer watchdog group Monday filed a Federal Trade Commission complaint alleging that many online search engines are concealing the impact that special fees have on their results. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The tap water of at least 7 million Californians is contaminated with a chemical from rocket fuel, a problem that affects people in at least 17 other states, according to an environmental group’s study. -more-
The Berkeley City Council unanimously approved a resolution calling on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to set aside $11.9 million for a three-year program to provide free bus passes for low-income middle and high school students last week. -more-
924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. July 20: Raw Power, Decry, S.M.D., Scurvy Dogs, Blown To Bits; July 21: Babyland, 78 RPMs Derelectics, Man Alive, Philps & Reuter; July 27: Throw Down, Glood Clean Fun, Count Me Out, Time Flies, Faded Grey, Lab Rats; July 28: Over My Dead Body, Carry On, Merrick, Some Still Believe, Black Lung Patriots; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-
Missed opportunities, wild pitches spell disaster for Legion squad -more-
Dressed in shorts, sneakers and a large blue apron, David Dobkin is getting ready for a big meal. He is marinating a salmon, cooking greens and cutting bread. It’s Friday night, and as they do three times a week, Dobkin and his neighbors are about to have dinner together in the common area of their cohousing development on Sacramento Street. -more-
The University of California women’s head crew coach Dave O’Neill announced Friday the hiring of Sara Nevin as the school’s women’s novice crew coach. She will begin her duties on August 15. -more-
The Berkeley City Council voted on Tuesday to support a museum exhibition that primarily features 15th- and 16th-Century European instruments of torture and death. -more-
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — Sixteen Greenpeace activists were being held Sunday on suspicion of domestic terrorism following an unsuccessful attempt to halt a test of a ballistic missile defense system, officials said. -more-
Oakland police say the body of a man was found swinging from a freeway overpass near the Grand Lake Theater early this morning. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – At least eight energy companies have plans to build natural gas pipelines, which could lead to cheaper prices for consumers. -more-
SACRAMENTO – A $101 billion state budget failed to pass the state Assembly for the fourth time as Republicans on Saturday continued their opposition to a sales tax hike. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – The Internet economy is nursing a hangover, but the industry intends to party on this week at the Webby Awards — the dot-com version of the Oscars. -more-
Medical experts, patients and legislators are supporting a bill by state Assemblywoman Dion Aroner, D-Berkeley, that addresses under-prescribed pain medication. -more-
Imagine a mystery novel sans middle aged lonely guy, hyper-femme perp or insanely effacing schoolmarm. In “The Big Nap”, the second novel in the “Mommy-Track Series” by Ayelet Waldman, we don’t even get a self-respecting set of four inch pumps. Don’t even think of asking for generic blood n’ guts n’ guns n’ cigarette smoke swirling into the blue. -more-
Players attend workshops before every league game -more-
Councilmember Kriss Worthington mailed his Candidate Intention Statement to the Secretary of State and officially threw his hat — or bicycle helmet — into the ring for the 14th state assembly seat. Worthington, a progressive member of the City Council, said he will launch his bid for the Assembly by conducting a bicycle campaign through the district which includes North Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley, Albany, Richmond and El Cerrito. -more-
By John Geluardi -more-
In what appears to be the most successful fundraising effort ever among a single graduating class of Berkeley High School alumni, the class of 1951 has raised $70,000 to endow a scholarship fund for graduates. -more-
In the early years of the 20th Century, Telegraph Avenue was a grand residential street lined with elegant homes. The two residences at 2740 and 2744 Telegraph Avenue were built by John Albert Marshall. They are the houses on the right side of the picture. -more-
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., today began pushing for a limit on the amount of alcohol airline passengers can consume in an effort to halt the rise of so-called air rage incidents. -more-
After spending six months in precarious Middle Eastern waters, the Coast Guard Cutter Sherman – the first U.S. Coast Guard vessel to circumnavigate the world – will dock in tranquil Alameda today. -more-
MENLO PARK – Since there is no federal oversight of human embryonic stem cell research, the three U.S. companies working in the field are left to police themselves. -more-
SACRAMENTO – About 30 percent of customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Southern California Edison qualified for rebates on their power bills in June – surprising state officials who thought only a fraction of the utilities’ customers would cut their energy use to get a rebate. -more-
SACRAMENTO – State Controller Kathleen Connell canceled a $2 million payroll Friday for 2,000 legislative employees as the state budget stalemate reached its 13th day. -more-
SACRAMENTO – The Legislature’s top Republicans on Friday sharply criticized a state commission ruling creating an exception to campaign contribution limits approved by voters last November. -more-
Dear Tom and Ray: -more-
LOS ANGELES – BMW officials traveled to one of the nation’s smoggiest cities this week to show off a fleet of luxury cars that run on rocket fuel but belch virtually nothing but water and steam from their tailpipes. -more-
WASHINGTON – Rep. Gary Condit took a lie-detector test arranged by his lawyer, and it showed he “was not deceptive in any way” in denying knowledge of what happened to missing intern Chandra Levy, the lawyer said Friday. -more-
SACRAMENTO – The California Coastal Commission, a state agency that regulates coastal development, is appealing a Sacramento Superior Court judge’s ruling that it violated the state constitution. -more-
SAN JOSE – Andrew Burnett apologized for the death of a small dog he threw into traffic in a fit of road rage. But a judge called him a liar, and sentenced Burnett to the maximum three-year prison term. -more-
SANDPOINT – Six children who staged a days-long standoff with authorities following their mother’s arrest on child-neglect charges will remain in a foster home indefinitely, a judge ruled Friday. -more-
KLAMATH FALLS – About 10 men used a crowbar to partially open a canal head gate at the Klamath irrigation project on Friday, the fourth time someone has tried to release water that is being held back by federal officials to protect endangered and threatened fish. -more-
If the potential for heart attacks and lung cancer doesn’t scare you off your cigarette habit (you may think those things just happen to other people), consider these other risks: -more-
Ideas for spicing up your home -more-
Wisteria, one of the most beautiful plants on earth, can last for 50 years and more. It can also, and has a reputation for doing so, drive you and your heirs nuts. -more-
As Bush ponders issue, three companies begin farming cells -more-
Parents and administrators of a nonprofit Berkeley school are mobilizing against a play-equipment manufacturer, that allegedly failed to properly inform them about the risk of arsenic contamination of the play structure they acquired. -more-
You’d think that at the age of 68 I’d have something better to do than march in the streets of Genoa facing menacing Italian polizie armed with gas masks and truncheons and the even more menacing anarchists and revolutionaries seeking opportunities to destroy property before the cameras. -more-
924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. July 13: Special Duties, Oppressed Logic, Violent Society, Zero Bullsh*t, Born Dead; July 14: Lonely Kings, Onetime Angels, Stay Gold, Thought Riot, Youth Gone Wild; July 15, 5 p.m.: Bobbyteens, Los Rabbis, Finky Binks, Off Balance; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-
924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. July 13: Special Duties, Oppressed Logic, Violent Society, Zero Bullsh*t, Born Dead; July 14: Lonely Kings, Onetime Angels, Stay Gold, Thought Riot, Youth Gone Wild; July 15, 5 p.m.: Bobbyteens, Los Rabbis, Finky Binks, Off Balance; 924 Gilman St. 525-9926.
A group of public housing residents complained to the City Council Tuesday of a rat infestation they said is threatening their children and keeping them up at night. -more-
Editor: -more-
Every wonder why Berkeley High – with all the graduates it sends to top notch universities, with its incredible roster of illustrious alumni – doesn’t have an endowment to rival that of a small liberal arts college? -more-
The flier said “in seven days”… I felt the excitement of the seventh-day itch. The six other itches intensified my state of utter turbulence. I was a little out of control, moving around my attic and basement creating more storage space. I dreamed of a warehouse, or an abandoned lot. -more-
SACRAMENTO – An administrative law judge mediating talks between the state of California and energy companies says the state is likely owed “hundreds of millions of dollars” in refunds, much less than the $8.9 billion the state wants. -more-
OAKLAND – It was Keith Batt’s childhood dream to become a police officer. But after just nine nights patrolling the tough streets of west Oakland, his dream was shattered. -more-
SACRAMENTO – A San Francisco charter school run by a for-profit company will reopen next month under state charter, ending three years of bickering with the local school board. -more-
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved $135 million for California water projects Thursday. -more-
WASHINGTON – Federal authorities have opened an initial criminal inquiry into whether Rep. Gary Condit obstructed justice or encouraged perjury in the investigation of Chandra Levy’s disappearance, law enforcement officials said Thursday. -more-
If you thought the Berkeley Arts Festival was over, and that the busy schedule of musical events was burned out, flown by, finished, think again. -more-
Here’s a malady homeowners want to avoid: The “while you’re at it syndrome.” -more-
Comfort and ease evoke the spirit of today’s country look. Americans, spurred on by the nation’s bicentennial 25 years ago, continue to look to a simpler time to reduce stress on their daily lives. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – Oakland is a city on the rise and it just won’t take any more slights. No more references to it having “no there there.” No more stereotypes as a crime-plagued city. And, please, stop the unflattering comparisons to its famous neighbor across the Bay. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – Napster escaped a legal mess Thursday when it settled a suit filed by heavy metal band Metallica, but the embattled song-swapping company still faces a federal judge’s order demanding the service remain offline until it prevents all unauthorized song trading. -more-
SAN JOSE – Computer chip maker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. barely beat Wall Street’s dramatically lowered expectations for its second-quarter earnings Thursday and gave a grim outlook for the current quarter. -more-
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Shirley Dean awarded $5,650 to the winners of the Cash for Trash contest. -more-
FRESNO — The San Joaquin Valley’s notoriously dirty air is the target of a planned suit by environmental groups who claim the federal government and the valley’s air district aren’t doing enough to clean it up. -more-
SAN DIEGO — Like many of his countrymen, Adrian Duran came to the United States from Mexico and lived a typically furtive existence: He worked off-the-books in low-paying jobs and always kept a nervous watch for immigration inspectors. -more-
WASHINGTON – The Bush administration is considering granting legal residency to millions of undocumented Mexican immigrants living in the United States. -more-
Plan would trim hundreds of millions from price -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – State power regulators are poised to protect consumers from a problem they don’t yet confront — phone companies trying to shut down their service because they haven’t paid for all the sodas, pizzas, and lattes they used their cell phones to buy. -more-
