The Week

 

News

Last-minute compromise on Beth El plan

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Thursday July 26, 2001

The City Council was poised early Wednesday morning to render a decision on a land use issue that had bitterly divided two communities in north Berkeley when the opposing sides announced a last-minute compromise. -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Thursday July 26, 2001


Thursday, July 26

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Letters to the Editor

Thursday July 26, 2001

Black teachers can wipe out racial prejudice -more-


Arts & Entertainment

Thursday July 26, 2001

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 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; Aug. 3: Sworn Vengeance, N.J. Bloodline, Settle the Score, Existence, Step; Aug. 4: Toxic Narcotic, Menstrual Tramps, Emo Summer, Four Letter Word, Shitty Wickets; $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-


Berkeley Legion finally wins a close one

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Thursday July 26, 2001

Barons get some clutch hits, take advantage of Clayton Valley miscues -more-


Gaining a new reputation

By Ben Lumpkin Daily Planet staff
Thursday July 26, 2001

YMCA isn’t just for excercise anymore -more-


Cal’s Cope gives mother best present at Worlds

Daily Planet Wire Services
Thursday July 26, 2001

FUKUOKA, Japan – One of the big downsides of going to the World Swimming Championships for Haley Cope was that she had to miss her mother’s 40th birthday. -more-


Activists targeting sales of cigarettes

By Ben Lumpkin Daily Planet staff
Thursday July 26, 2001

As part of a statewide campaign to get pharmacies to stop selling tobacco products, members of the Berkeley Tobacco Prevention Coalition are pressuring local “chain” pharmacies to remove cigarettes from their shelves. -more-


Berkeley arts groups push for dream center

By Jon Mays Daily Planet Staff
Thursday July 26, 2001

By approving a design scheme for a proposed mixed-use retail, housing, and art space to take the place of a parking lot on Oxford Street, the City Council provided a wish list for the community. -more-


Manufacturer refuses refund of arsenic-laced playground

By Daniela Mohor Daily Planet Staff
Thursday July 26, 2001

A local environmental group recently filed a notice of violation against a playground manufacturer who sold an arsenic-treated playstructure to a Berkeley school. -more-


A tale of two markets, two contrasting results

By John Cunniff The Associated Press
Thursday July 26, 2001

Among investments, there is probably no greater performance contrast over the past year than that between housing and stocks. -more-


Housing sales remains steady despite an unstable economy

The Associated Press
Thursday July 26, 2001

WASHINGTON — Even though Americans bought fewer previously occupied homes in June, sales were at near record levels, suggesting that this main pillar of the economy remains sturdy. -more-


Late night with Council

By Jon Mays and John Geluardi Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday July 25, 2001

Hours of input heard before votes -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Wednesday July 25, 2001


Wednesday, July 25

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Letters to the Editor

Wednesday July 25, 2001

Bush tax relief is just not enough -more-


Arts & Entertainment

Wednesday July 25, 2001

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 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; Aug. 3: Sworn Vengeance, N.J. Bloodline, Settle the Score, Existence, Step; Aug. 4: Toxic Narcotic, Menstrual Tramps, Emo Summer, Four Letter Word, Shitty Wickets; $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-


Juvenile Hall decision disrupted

By Jon Mays Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday July 25, 2001

Nine protesters chanting “Books not bars, schools not jails” were arrested Tuesday for disrupting a public hearing in front of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on whether a 450-bed Juvenile Hall should be built in Dublin. -more-


Disabled traveler lodges complaint against airline

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Wednesday July 25, 2001

Air travel for the average person has become increasingly inconvenient with the rising number of reported complaints against airlines for overbooked flights, delayed departures and lost luggage. -more-


Alta Bates says it will cut 300 jobs

By Daniela Mohor Daily Planet Staff
Wednesday July 25, 2001

Alta Bates Summit Medical Center announced last week it will cut about 300 jobs throughout California by the end of the summer to stop their on-going financial hemorrhage. -more-


Oakland cuts allowable medical pot plant gardens by 50 percent

The Associated Press
Wednesday July 25, 2001

OAKLAND — The City Council voted Tuesday night cut in half the number of plants a medical marijuana grower can cultivate – but left the limit at a still sizable garden of up to 72 plants. -more-


Jury blasts school district

The Associated Press
Wednesday July 25, 2001

OAKLAND — The Alameda County grand jury has recommended that the county board of education be eliminated or run by a financial expert after officials in one school district mishandled money. -more-


Stocks tumble, Dow drops on bad earnings news

The Associated Press
Wednesday July 25, 2001

NEW YORK — Stock prices dropped sharply Tuesday with the Dow industrials tumbling by triple digits for a second day on a spate of bad news – a wider-than-expected loss from Lucent Technologies, lower profits from Exxon Mobil and revenue warnings from Amazon.com and AT&T. -more-


Senate schedules new hearings for Microsoft monopoly probe

The Associated Press
Wednesday July 25, 2001

WASHINGTON — The Senate Judiciary Committee will examine whether Microsoft is improperly shutting out rivals and hurting consumers, wading into an antitrust dispute as the company prepares to the new version of its Windows operating system. -more-


Retirement program could drain police department

By John Geluardi
Tuesday July 24, 2001

The City Council is expected to approve a new police retirement package tonight that might entice veteran officers to leave the department – forcing the city into a competitive job market for new recruits. -more-


Guy Poole and Sabrina Forkish
Tuesday July 24, 2001


Tuesday, July 24


Brower Building proposal is a real opportunity for the arts

George Coates By George Coates By George Coates By George Coates
Tuesday July 24, 2001

The Berkeley City Council can rightly be applauded for the effort it has made to help fund the expansion of some local arts groups seeking to locate new facilities downtown to develop their audiences. -more-


Staff
Tuesday July 24, 2001

MUSIC


Support growing for small learning communities

By Ben Lumpkin
Tuesday July 24, 2001

Supporters of sweeping reforms for Berkeley High School say they are building a broad base of support over the summer and will make a strong case to the Berkeley School Board in September, calling on board members to give their unequivocal support to the effort. -more-


Beth El votes comes to head at meeting

By John Geluardi
Tuesday July 24, 2001

The City Council is expected to vote tonight on the controversial proposal by the Beth El congregation to build a synagogue, school and social hall at 1301 Oxford St. -more-


Firefighter takes discrimination case to council

By Jon Mays
Tuesday July 24, 2001

The African American firefighter suing the city and California OSHA because he believes a state regulation regarding fire masks is discriminatory, is now asking the City Council for support. -more-


Berkeley resident finds magazine work takes ‘Moxie’

By Matt Lorenz
Tuesday July 24, 2001

To do some things, Emily Hancock thinks, a woman’s got to have moxie. -more-


Police Briefs

Staff
Tuesday July 24, 2001

A 15-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by a pair of young men while exercising at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA at 7:30 p.m. Friday, said Berkeley Police Lt. Russell Lopes. -more-


Plan would relieve power bottleneck

The Associated Press
Tuesday July 24, 2001

LOS ANGELES — U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham unveiled a $300 million plan Monday to break a transmission-line bottleneck that has kept power from flowing freely through the state during times of peak usage. -more-


AIDS-stricken Thai boy given humanitarian parole

The Associated Press
Tuesday July 24, 2001

LOS ANGELES — An AIDS-stricken Thai boy used as a prop by immigrant smugglers will stay in the country and become the first applicant for a new kind of visa for victims of trafficking and violence, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said Monday. -more-


Assembly approves final budget measures

The Associated Press
Tuesday July 24, 2001

SACRAMENTO — The state budget cleared its final legislative hurdle Monday night, more than three weeks after it was supposed to take effect. -more-


Group plans initiative to safeguard ancient trees

The Associated Press
Tuesday July 24, 2001

SACRAMENTO — Voters could decide to ban the cutting of any tree that grew before California became a state in 1850, if a coalition succeeds in putting the initiative on next year’s ballot. -more-


Losing sight of the investor-consumer

By John Cunniff
Tuesday July 24, 2001

A consulting firm recently reported that a large percentage of companies it surveyed continued to give managers performance bonuses despite the company’s poor performance. -more-


Disney buys Fox children’s cable network for $3 billion

The Associated Press
Tuesday July 24, 2001

LOS ANGELES — In a deal that will give The Walt Disney Co. valuable distribution and News Corp. cash to finance an acquisition of its own, Disney is buying Fox Family Worldwide Inc. for $3 billion in cash and assuming debt of $2.3 billion. -more-


Berkeley drops another extra-inning game

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Monday July 23, 2001

For the second Sunday in a row, Walker Toma took a slim lead into the top of the seventh inning. And for the second Sunday in a row, Toma’s Berkeley Legion team ended up losing in extra innings, a 6-5, eight-inning heartbreaker to De La Salle at San Pablo Park. -more-


Monday July 23, 2001

Forum

Monday July 23, 2001

Editor’s note: -more-


Out & About

Monday July 23, 2001


Monday, July 23

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It’s business as usual under Proposition 36

By Ben LumpkinDaily Planet staff
Monday July 23, 2001

Local officials involved in implementing Proposition 36 — the initiative that mandates that non-violent adults convicted of possessing illegal drugs be sentenced to drug treatment rather than jail time — say the law may need fine tuning if it is to have the impact supporters had hoped for. -more-


Spring to vote on Beth El despite surgery

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Monday July 23, 2001

Due to scheduled surgery, Councilmember Dona Spring will not be able to physically attend Tuesday’s City Council meeting during which the council will finally vote on the long, contentious and controversial proposal to build a synagogue, school and social hall at 1301 Oxford St. -more-


Cohousing establishes community

By Daniela Mohor Daily Planet Staff
Monday July 23, 2001

Cohousing fills society’s natural need to live in a community, said Eric Utne, founder of the alternative magazine Utne Reader, at the opening of the 2001 North American Cohousing Conference Friday night. -more-


Tillie Olsen weds Literature, Politics

By Hilel Italie The Associated Press
Monday July 23, 2001

Tillie Olsen cannot forget that newspaper story. -more-


Bay Briefs

Monday July 23, 2001

Bay Bridge toll may rise to $3 -more-


Poll: 60 percent of voters won’t give Condit their vote

The Associated Press
Monday July 23, 2001

SACRAMENTO – Although 77 percent of voters in Gary Condit’s San Joaquin Valley district say he is doing a good job, nearly 60 percent say they won’t be voting for the congressman from Modesto in 2002, according to a San Jose Mercury News poll released Sunday. -more-


State Senate passes $101 billion budget

By Jim Wasserman Associated Press Writer
Monday July 23, 2001

SACRAMENTO – The state Senate passed a $101 billion California budget and the bills to implement it early Sunday, ending partisan bickering that had left the state without a spending plan for nearly a month. -more-


New ballot battle shaping up over term limits

By Steve Lawrence Associated Press Writer
Monday July 23, 2001

SACRAMENTO – Eleven years after Californians adopted term limits, a new ballot battle is shaping up over whether voters should be able to give their state legislators extra time in office. -more-


Police experimenting with wireless tools to fight crime

By Gary Gentile AP Business Writer
Monday July 23, 2001

LOS ANGELES – Police Detective Brian Solinsky doesn’t carry a wrist radio like Dick Tracy, but he does use a new tool that makes the comic book cop’s vision of high-tech policing a reality. -more-


Beth El decision set for Tuesday

By John GeluardiDaily Planet staff
Saturday July 21, 2001

The City Council closed the last Beth El public hearing Thursday and is set to render a decision Tuesday night on what has been called the “most important land use issue in more than 10 years.” -more-


Calendar of Events & Activities

Saturday July 21, 2001


Saturday, July 21

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Letters to the Editor

Saturday July 21, 2001

Seven-story ‘monster building’ is unacceptable -more-


Music festival ensemble has mastered the masters

By Miko Sloper Daily Planet Correspondent
Saturday July 21, 2001

We are fortunate that internationally famous music ensembles often visit Berkeley, especially in the years of the biennial Early Music Festival. But during the festival’s off years we can be glad that there is a rich vein of local talent that mounts concerts of pre-Classical music performed in authentic period style. -more-


Arts & Entertainment

Staff
Saturday July 21, 2001

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 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; Aug. 3: Sworn Vengeance, N.J. Bloodline, Settle the Score, Existence, Step; Aug. 4: Toxic Narcotic, Menstrual Tramps, Emo Summer, Four Letter Word, Shitty Wickets. $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. -more-


Family ties lure Shaughnessy out of retirement, back on field

By Jared Green Daily Planet Staff
Saturday July 21, 2001

Former St. Mary’s AD, football coach will assist son at Tamalpais High -more-


Shooting prompts protest

Staff, wire reports
Saturday July 21, 2001

G-8 Summit events spur local action -more-


Concert is good introduction to composer

By Miko Sloper Daily Planet Correspondent
Saturday July 21, 2001

The piano music of Arnold Schoenberg is not played as often as it deserves. Each piece is a gem, yet these gems defy most attempts to display them in the normal context of a variety of compositions from the Classical and Romantic traditions. -more-


Honors for Cal lax players

Daily Planet Wire Services
Saturday July 21, 2001

The 2001 California women’s lacrosse team finished its third season as a varsity sport this past spring with a 12-6 mark and advanced to the title game of the Western Women’s Lacrosse championship under head coach Jill Malko. -more-


Transit for disabled may get county boost

By Daniela Mohor Daily Planet Staff
Saturday July 21, 2001

Berkeley may soon have better transportation for disabled and elderly people. -more-


Neighbors appeal Rose Street townhomes

By Jon Mays Daily Planet Staff
Saturday July 21, 2001

Neighborhood controversy over a proposed three-unit townhome development in north Berkeley is reaching a critical point as city officials prepare for an appeal hearing of the project. -more-


Berkeley’s earliest subdivision keeps its charm

By Susan Cerny
Saturday July 21, 2001

The area south of the UC campus is a good example of a Berkeley neighborhood that has retained the character of its initial development despite 134 years of change. -more-


Water agencies draft plan to curb MTBE pollution

The Associated Press
Saturday July 21, 2001

SANTA MONICA — Frustrated by a federal decision they expect will extend California’s use of the pollutant MTBE, Southern California water agencies Friday drafted a plan to defend the region’s wells against the water-fouling gasoline additive. -more-


Man who pulled knife on plane found innocent

The Associated Press
Saturday July 21, 2001

LOS ANGELES — A Texas man who pulled a small knife on board an eight-hour American Airlines flight was found innocent of a federal charge by reason of insanity Friday. -more-


California Senate approves Edison rescue deal

By Jennifer Coleman Associated Press Writer
Saturday July 21, 2001

Assembly measure stalled -more-


Charges dismissed against lead lawyer in SLA case

The Associated Press
Saturday July 21, 2001

LOS ANGELES — A judge dismissed misdemeanor charges against the lead lawyer for former SLA fugitive Sara Jane Olson Friday after both sides agreed that the case against attorney J. Tony Serra would be burdensome to the court, Serra’s lawyers said. -more-


Assembly continues budget talks as Senate adjourns

The Associated Press
Saturday July 21, 2001

SACRAMENTO — The state Assembly continued negotiations Friday to try to break its budget logjam while the Senate adjourned until 9:30 a.m. Saturday. -more-


President Bush paying visit to Vatican

The Associated Press
Saturday July 21, 2001

WASHINGTON — Ever since Woodrow Wilson, presidents have cozied up to popes. Lyndon Johnson lobbied a pope to back him on Vietnam. Ronald Reagan, once caught dozing during a papal address, talked Cold War tactics with a pope. -more-


AIDS panel from Clinton administration will stay

The Associated Press
Saturday July 21, 2001

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration will maintain a diverse AIDS panel from the Clinton era, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said Friday. -more-


Hypothetically, moron driver has front-end problems

By Tom and Ray Magliozzi King Features Syndicate
Saturday July 21, 2001

Dear Tom and Ray: -more-


High-tech auction draws thousands looking for a deal

By Jim Vertuno Associated Press Writer
Saturday July 21, 2001

AUSTIN, Texas – When times were good, Agillion Inc. looked like a million bucks. -more-


Summer Sports Calendar

Friday July 20, 2001

Camps -more-


Friday July 20, 2001

FORUM

Friday July 20, 2001

City is avoiding -more-


Friday July 20, 2001


Friday, July 20

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Price tag on skate park doubles

By John Geluardi Daily Planet staff
Friday July 20, 2001

High-speed bus plan gets big push for East Bay

By Matt Lorenz Special to the Daily Planet
Friday July 20, 2001

Proponents of a new transit system that uses the light-rail concept with buses instead of trains hope its possible implementation in the East Bay may become the Bay Area prototype in a system that is gaining ground across the country. -more-


City Council extends antennae moratorium

By Daniela Mohor Daily Planet Staff
Friday July 20, 2001

The City Council extended a moratorium on the installation of wireless telecommunication antennas in Berkeley until the end of the year by unanimously approving a recommendation by the Planning and Development Department Tuesday. -more-


Students fired up about class

By Ben Lumpkin Daily Planet Staff
Friday July 20, 2001

If an 8-year-old were given the task of designing a school curriculum, it might end up looking something like the Summer Program for West Berkeley’s Black Pine Circle private school. -more-


UC regents give final OK to admissions expansion

The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California is expanding admissions, guaranteeing a spot to students who graduate in the top 12.5 percent of their high school class under a program that will send some to community college first. -more-


Union officials say Levy search hurts other cases

The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

The painstaking search for a missing California woman that has captured national media attention is hurting murder investigations in Washington, leaders of the police union said Thursday. -more-


Sea bird bred at aquarium

The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

LONG BEACH — A horned puffin chick has hatched at the Aquarium of the Pacific, making it only the second location in the United States to successfully breed the distinctive sea bird. -more-


Firefighter arrested for setting fires

The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

SAN DIEGO — A U.S. Forest Service firefighter has been arrested and charged with setting five fires over the past two months in the Cleveland National Forest. -more-


Energy Secretary will speak at power crisis forum

The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

Federal prosecutor charged with mooning her neighbors

The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

SALT LAKE CITY — An assistant U.S. attorney has been charged with lewdness for allegedly mooning a group of neighbors and exposing her breasts after losing her temper on the street outside their home. -more-


Feds suspend human research at Johns Hopkins

The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

BALTIMORE — The government has suspended federally funded research on human subjects at Johns Hopkins University following the death of a healthy volunteer during an asthma experiment, the school said Thursday. -more-


Papers detail Democrat, unions coordination

The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

WASHINGTON — Documents that the Democratic Party and unions have sued to keep secret reveal a campaign strategy in which labor and party officials served side by side on committees that directed the Democrats’ election activities in each state. -more-


EBay’s tripled profits beat Wall Street forecasts

By Brian Bergstein The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

SAN JOSE — Second-quarter profits more than tripled at eBay Inc., and the mammoth Internet marketplace said Thursday that business will be even better than expected the rest of the year. -more-


Where there’s a will, there’s a divine comedy

By John Angell Grant Daily Planet Correspondent
Friday July 20, 2001

Another round of free outdoor summer theater hits Berkeley over this weekend – this time a very funny, slapstick all-female production of Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors,” staged by Woman’s Will and performed in John Hinkel Park. -more-


Opinion

Editorials

BRIEFS

Thursday July 26, 2001

Dead woman found found floating near Marina -more-


State budget could mean tax increase for shoppers

The Associated Press
Wednesday July 25, 2001

SACRAMENTO — If you are a California farmer, you could save thousands of dollars on a new tractor and the diesel fuel to run it. -more-


Hearing set for district growth

Daily Planet staff
Tuesday July 24, 2001

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors will hold its last redistricting public hearing next Tuesday, before adopting the final plan setting the county’s new boundaries. -more-


Morgan Stanley destroyed important power records

The Associated Press
Monday July 23, 2001

SACRAMENTO – A state Senate committee wants to know why Morgan Stanley, a multibillion dollar financial firm and adviser to several power generators, destroyed documents that potentially could show efforts to gouge California consumers. -more-


Students peddle for school peace

By Ben Lumpkin Daily Planet staff
Saturday July 21, 2001

Starting August 6, 19 Berkeley High School students will mount bicycles donated by the Berkeley Police Department and begin the 14-day, 600-mile ride from the entrance of Berkeley High to the entrance of Santana High School in San Diego County – the site of a deadly shooting rampage this year that left two students dead and 13 wounded. -more-


Solar-sailing spacecraft prototype launched from sub

The Associated Press
Friday July 20, 2001

PASADENA — A Russian nuclear submarine launched a rocket Thursday to test a prototype of an American-sponsored spacecraft that sails on the feeble pressure of the sun’s rays. -more-